Moorabbin Airport Noise Abatement Programmes.

This information is published for pilots in an aviation publication entitled “En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)”.
Safety comes first and pilots must always ensure safe separation from other traffic. This means that pilots may on occasion not follow these procedures because of safety requirements.  

Tower Hours

Moorabbin Airport is open 24 hours/365 days per year. The ATC Control Tower operates from 8am to 6pm in winter and 9am to 7pm in Summer 7 days per week. Two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday) the tower stays open until 9pm (winter) and 10pm (summer). When the tower is closed the airport still operates and pilots must make radio calls advising their position whilst in the airport area.

Circuit Training

Moorabbin Airport is a major training airport. Circuit training is allowed between 8am and 9pm (winter) or 10pm (summer) on weekdays and until 8pm at weekends year round. During times when the tower is closed a maximum of 5 aircraft is allowed in the circuit. The majority of circuit training is conducted to the East of the airport with the Western circuit only being used during busy periods. The Western circuit is normally reserved for aircraft arriving at or departing from the airport. Practice landings with a propeller feathered (stopped) or with simulated engine failure are not permitted. Operations with one engine not operating (asymmetric training) are not permitted from runway 17Right.

Altitude

Except when in the act of landing or taking off and within the airport control area the minimum height fixed wing aircraft must fly is 1,000ft over populous areas or 500ft over non-populous areas or the sea. This is to provide maneouvring room in the case of an emergency and is the height above any object within 600metres radius of the aircraft (300metres for helicopters). CASA may approve operations at lower altitudes. Police and Emergency service helicopters may routinely operate at lower altitudes. The altitude of most aircraft in the Moorabbin Airport Circuit is 1,000 ft. Jet aircraft fly a circuit at 1,500ft and helicopters at 700ft to maintain safety separation.

Runway in Use

Aircraft land and take off into the prevailing wind. The main North/South runways (17 and 35) are used for 80% of the time.  Current wind and weather information is available from an automatic advice service on (03) 9580 9637
The Eastern runway (17L or 35R) is used for all jet departures and for noisier aircraft as it faces onto industrial and not residential areas. These aircraft are not permitted to use the Western runways except for safety reasons.

Helicopters

Helicopters operate at a different height (700ft) to fixed wing aircraft to maintain safe separation. Helicopter training is performed to the East of the runways and within the airport perimeter wherever possible but when the 13/31 runways are in use this is normally performed to the West of the runways.

Training Area

An area to the South East of Moorabbin Airport extending towards Cranbourne, Frankston and Tooradin is the main training area. Aircraft are not permitted to fly below 500ft for any reason in this area unless permission has been obtained from CASA.

Delayed turns for Noise abatement

Aircraft departing from runway 17Right are requested to delay any turn until they have flown past Woodlands Golf Club, to minimize noise intrusion over residential areas of Parkdale. Aircraft departing from runway 35L are requested to delay any turn until over Kingston Centre to minimize noise intrusion to residential property immediately to the North West of the airport. Pilots are at all times encouraged to be sensitive to the needs of local residents, to minimize throttle setting changes and to fly smoothly and to avoid abrupt changes of power whilst in the circuit area of Moorabbin Airport.

Formation and Display flying

Aircraft are approved for formation flying subject to procedures laid down by CASA. Display flights are also subject to an approval process. For further information contact CASA on 131 757. Please note that Melbourne hosts a number of functions where Australian Defence Force aircraft may provide overflights and displays.

Ground running of engines

A purpose built engine test cell allows extended running of aircraft engines for maintenance and test purposes, with noise being channeled across non-residential areas. Procedures are in place to minimize noise emissions from aircraft doing ground engine test runs.

Airport Environs Overlay (AEO)

The City of Kingston operates an Airport Environs Overlay (AEO) which is noted on certain residential rate notices. This advises residents that they are close to an airport. Kingston Heath, Epsom Race Course and the Baltusrol estate developments all have formal notice attached to property title that the area is under an airport flight path.

Aviation Responsibilities

Moorabbin Airport Corporation (MAC) .  Under the Airports Act 1996, MAC has an obligation to use the airport site as an airport and as airport operator, is primarily responsible for activities that take place on the ground and within airport confines.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).  Under the Civil Aviation Act, CASA is responsible for the safety regulation of Australian civil air activities.  CASA is responsible for setting and monitoring standards for holders of Air Operators Certificates and licences.  CASA’s Office of Airspace Regulation has assumed the airspace regulatory functions previously managed by the Airspace and Environmental Regulatory Unit (AERU) within Airservices Australia. (www.casa.gov.au )

Airservices Australia provides Air Traffic Control, Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Services at major airports and a network of navigation aids and facilities to ensure the safe conduct of flight.  Under direction from the Minister, Airservices provides noise monitoring at major airports and a noise enquiry unit for Australian airports to collect data, monitor and report on environmental issues as they relate to the aviation sector.  ( www.airservicesaustralia.com )

Complaints about Noise and Low Flying

Low Flying: If you are concerned about an aircraft that may be low flying, or any matter relating to aircraft safety, the responsible body is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Please call 131 757. It is important that you have available the exact time and location of the incident.

Aircraft Noise Disturbance: Airspace management is provided by Airservices Australia. They operate a Noise Information Line which records your inquiry or complaints and on request Airservices Australia staff will respond to your complaint. The number is 1 800 802 514. Alternately you can use their web-based complaint form: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/ncm/Default.asp

You may also call our office during working hours (0900-1700 Mon-Fri) or leave a message on our phone line. (8587 8000) or contact us on admin@moorabbinairport.com.au. We will endeavor to respond to your inquiry or complaint within 7 working days. We cannot respond to complaints of a general nature.