Moorabbin Airport Circuit Training Report

Moorabbin Airport – Circuit Training Report   

When approving the Master Plan for Moorabbin Airport in June 2010, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP requested Moorabbin Airport Corporation (MAC) undertake an examination of the operation and location of training areas given the safety and noise impacts of growth forecasts in the Master Plan.

MAC established a Training Circuit Task Force consisting of officials from the Federal, State and Local Governments, Airservices Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), industry and the local community to help explore options for training circuit activity at Moorabbin Airport. While the Task Force focused on circuit training issues, discussions amongst members also touched on broader issues related to current and future airport operations.

The Task Force benefitted from receiving briefing advice from officials who are involved in safety regulation, airspace management, air traffic services, flying and training operations. It also received good input from community and Local Council representatives. This advice and interaction on airport-related issues is welcome and should continue to be provided through the Airport’s Community Aviation Consultative Group.

In preparing this report aviation safety was given the highest priority. In this regard it is important to note that circuit training and aircraft departures and arrivals at the airport will, of operational necessity, fly over some residential areas.

The report reaffirms support for a number of initiatives already in place to reduce the impact of training circuit operations at Moorabbin Airport on the community. For example, the airport has a well-established “Fly Friendly Program” which sets out requirements that pilots and airport users are expected to follow, including specific hours for circuit training. These guidelines form part of MAC’s conditions of use and specific Fly Friendly agreements are negotiated with individual flying schools based at the Airport.

Under this program, Moorabbin Airport expect aircraft pilots to undertake operations in a manner which is considerate of local residents, noting the safe operation of aircraft must be maintained at all times. The Fly Friendly Program includes a number of procedures aimed at minimizing the impact of aircraft noise on the local community.

MAC is committed to informing the community and industry about how the airport operates including circuit training and what efforts are being taken to ensure safe and environmentally responsible operations including the requirements of the Fly Friendly Program. Better education and awareness of the operations of the airport is part of MAC’s ongoing initiatives to improve relationships between the airport and the community.

The report identifies nine recommendations that will help reduce the current impacts of circuit training operations and better inform the community.

The report also canvasses longer term options noting the challenges of ensuring compatible on and off airport development requires better planning and cooperation between different tiers of Government. These issues need to be considered in the context of an overall future strategy for the development of the aviation industry in Melbourne and regional Victoria, recognising that pilot training is an important part of the aviation industry and generates employment opportunities and export earnings for the local, state and national economy.

Recommendations (as found in the report):

  • Recommendation 1: Airservices Australia, in consultation with the helicopter industry, assess the value of standard flight paths being established for helicopters departing and arriving at Moorabbin Airport that would enhance safety and minimise noise impacts on the local community.
     
  • Recommendation 2: MAC continue to strongly promote the adoption of the Fly Friendly Program by all operators at Moorabbin Airport.
  • Recommendation 3: MAC establish clear procedures for the handling of complaints over possible breaches of Fly Friendly agreements and regularly report on compliance to the Moorabbin Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group.
  • Recommendation 4: MAC, with assistance from airport users and Government aviation agencies, continue to undertake an education and awareness program to better inform the local community on airport operations including circuit training.
  • Recommendation 5: The hours of fixed wing and helicopter circuit training at the airport published in the Airport’s Fly Friendly Program be restricted to 0900 to 1800 or last light, whichever is sooner, on weekends, and Victorian public holidays.
  • Recommendation 6: MAC, in consultation with Airservices Australia, CASA, and industry, progress a proposal to reduce night hours of circuit training from Monday to Friday to match tower operating hours. The proposal would be subject to completing an assessment of the safety, environmental and economic costs and benefits.
  • Recommendation 7: The relevant Victorian Government agency, in consultation with the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport, undertake a review of the future aviation needs of Melbourne and regional Victoria, with particular emphasis on the pilot and helicopter training industries.
  • Recommendation 8: MAC approach the relevant Victorian Government planning agencies to examine alternative suitable sites for satellite helicopter training for operators based at Moorabbin Airport.
  • Recommendation 9: Airservices Australia provides the Moorabbin Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group with regular updates of progress with the implementation of the 18 recommendations made by the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman in relation to the better handling of noise complaints.

A full copy of the report is available here:  Click Here    (2.5 Meg  97 pages)

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