The following notes are a guide only.

Please consult all the relevant Notams, ERSA documents (especially the special requirements and procedures) and have a good working knowledge of Australian GAAP Procedures before starting your flight into Moorabbin Airport.

CLICK HERE for Current ATIS and Local NOTAMS

For Weather Briefings, Other Notams etc, Click Here:

Airport Access Costs: Click Here
Moorabbin Procedural Information: Click Here

Basic info and requirements from the ERSA on how to fly-in & out of our Airport
(Note: Not kept current - be sure to visit links on that page )
Or download this CASA (PDF) publication: Melbourne Flight Guide (3.6Meg file!) Click Here:

Moorabbin Airport Runway Diagrams Click Here

Runway and Taxiway Numbering Click Here (PDF) to enlarge

Other General Information:

Moorabbin Airport was opened in December 1949 as Melbourne's secondary airport.
The existing runway layout was subsequently modified to permit General Aviation Airport Procedures (GAAP) allowing for the effective and speedy handling of a mix of training and commercial operations.
Current runway configurations are:

A. Runway 31L/13R 1060 x 18 metres Extension to 2000 x 30 metres is possible.
B. Runway 31R/13L 1150 x 30 metres
C. Runway 35L/17R 1240 x 18 metres
D. Runway 35R/17L 1335 x 30 metres
E. Runway 22/04 571 x 18 metres

These runways are served by a network of taxiways and aprons, including a terminal apron capable of handling regional services with aircraft carrying up to 50 passengers.

Air Traffic Control is provided by: Airservices Australia (Fees Payable) http://www.airservices.gov.au/

The bulk (98%) of traffic at Moorabbin Airport is General Aviation aircraft.. There is one regular public transport service to King Island by King Island Airways. We also have several Lear & Citation jets who visit on a weekly basis. The largest visitors we see at Moorabbin on an infrequent basis are DC3's. We have had the Super Constellation (HARS) and C130 RAAF Hercules land but some of the operational areas are restricted for larger aircraft (due to A/c weight limits).

The airport has a Control Zone of 3nm radius from 0 - 2500 ft.

An ATC service is provided by AirServices Australia, between the hours of 0900 to 1900 during daylight saving time (Nov- March) and 0800 -1800 at other times. When ATC is available the airport operates under the Australian GAAP procedures. The tower is not radar equipped, but has direct communication with Melbourne Jetport radar services. When ATC is not available the Moorabbin Control Zone is reclassified as Class G airspace and becomes a CTAF(R) zone. The airfield is available 24 Hrs a day, with lighting displayed continuously for Runways 13L/31R and 17L/35R during hours of darkness.

Special procedures and preferred runways operate during MBZ hours. Restrictions for particular aircraft are also in force at certain times of the day and night. Please consult the ERSA be operating at YMMB. There is no ILS but NDB or VOR/NDB and GPS approaches are available. Before operating at Moorabbin, check the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and NOTAMS, for current procedures and information.
At left is a portion of the applicable Visual Terminal Chart. Normal inbound reporting points (1500ft QNH) are:

- SOUTH via Carrum
- SOUTH WEST via Shoal
- NDB via Baywest
- NORTH WEST via Brighton
- NORTH EAST via The Academy
- EAST SOUTH EAST via GMH (Car factory near Dandenong).

It is highly recommended you study and understand the GAAP procedures used during Tower hours before attempting to land at Moorabbin. The airport has a terminal building with departure lounge, food shops, free car parking, licensed Aero Club and an excellent Museum. In 1989 the airport's name was officially changed to Moorabbin (Harry Hawker) Airport in honour of one of Australia's most famous pioneer aviators who was born within a few kilometres of the airport. Harry Hawker was a famous test pilot before and during the First World War, finally buying the Sopwith Company and creating the Hawker Company, the name which endures today.

Moorabbin Statistics are:

The airport houses around 60 aviation companies and a further 30 non-aviation companies as well as a large number of businesses trading in the DFO complex. The entire site employs over 3,200 people directly and 6,000 people indirectly. Over 800 people are directly employed in aviation and at any given time 800-1,000 young people are undergoing flight training. Movements in 2008 were 351,000 which averages out to 6,750 per week although on busy days we can experience well over 2,000 movements. Yes, there is congestion and sometimes start approval is required for circuits, especially on weekend shiny VFR days!
There are 5 main operational runways, four in two sets of parallel configurations, which can accommodate aircraft up to 50 seat regional airline category.
The Royal Victorian Aero Club www.rvac.com.au (1926) operates a spacious fully licensed clubrooms next to the Tower and has hours from 11am till 9pm most weeknights (Closed Mon & Tues) and 11am till 10pm weekends and most public holidays. Public visitors and passing Pilots and their friends are always welcome to come in for a meal, a cool ale or hot coffee and watch the passing aircraft from their lounge or beer garden areas.