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Flight Operations at Moorabbin Moorabbin Airport (YMMB)

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

Other General Information:

Moorabbin Airport was opened in 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 293 hectare site was acquired in 1946 and opened in 1949. Oddly enough the first aircraft touched down before the airport was officially opened and was confiscated by the Government! Moorabbin Airport is now the major centre in Victoria for training, charter, aerial work and private flying. It is also the maintenance and aircraft sales capital of southern Australia.

The bulk (98%) of traffic at Moorabbin is General Aviation aircraft. Two regional airlines King Island Airlines and Air Tasmania operate RPT public transport flights to King Island, and from Tasmania using Chieftain, Titan, Navajo and Bandeirante equipment. 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 Mandatory Broadcast Zone (MBZ). 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).

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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 55 businesses employing over 800 people.
  • Movements in 2004 were 229,101 which averages to 4,400 per week. Yes! There can be minor traffic congestion at certain times during the weekend, usually around 9am & 5pm on Sundays on lovely shiny VFR days! It is the third busiest airport in the Southern Hemisphere!
  • 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.
  • Visitors and passing Pilots and their friends are always welcome to come in for a meal, a cool ale or hot coffee.