Flying Around - Sydney
Airspace Overview
Within the Sydney basin, approximately 45 nm around Sydney , there are numerous busy aerodromes, most of which are CTAF, CTAF R or have an Air Traffic Control service.
| Be aware that heavy jet aircraft operate 500ft from the base of controlled airspace around Sydney and generate wake turbulence. You are responsible for the wake turbulence separation. |
- High volume domestic and international traffic airport.
- The airspace within the Sydney Basin has been designed to facilitate operations into and out of Sydney
Bankstown Airport (GAAP)
- Bankstown YSBK is Australia ’s busiest airport.
- Air Traffic Control is provided as per ERSA. ATC Services not AVBL Christmas Day - CTAF R procedures applies.
- There are 2 peak periods of high level IFR operations – early morning for departures and early evening for arrivals.
- Caution: airspace over the BK CTR (above A015)is Class C airspace.
Be aware that during periods of inclement weather IFR aircraft will be conducting instrument approaches and these approaches to the west of Bankstown take the aircraft outside controlled airspace on descent. |
Camden (GAAP)
- Camden operates as a CTAF R with Air Traffic Control being provided as per ERSA. ATC Services not AVBL Christmas Day – CTAF R Procedures applies.
- CN NDB is a busy IFR training aid.
- CN gliding operations 7 days
Camden has a high concentration of Gliders. IFR aircraft conduct practice NDB and GPS approaches. |
Richmond (Military)
- The Richmond airspace has been designed to contain the requirements appropriate to military aircraft.
- Practice civilian approaches are available. Delays can be expected during periods of military operations and when runway 10 is the nominated runway.
Airspace becomes class G with CTAF R procedures out of hours but is subject to short term recall. Check ATIS or Sydney Radar on 124.55. |
Wedderburn, Hoxton Park, Wollongong, Mittagong, Katoomba and Warnervale
- These airfields all operate to CTAF or CTAF R procedures.
- Both Wollongong and Warnervale have parachute operations.
- Wollongong is used by IFR training aircraft for practice NDB and GPS approaches.
Numerous other ALAs and Helipads
- Most hospitals in the Sydney basin have their own helipad .
- There are a large number of medical helicopters operating within the Sydney area.
The busiest hospital for helicopters is Westmead which is below the light aircraft lane to the north of Bankstown. Float planes operate every day between Sydney Harbour and alighting areas in the Broken Bay and Hawkesbury River areas. |
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