CASA media release - Tuesday, 9 August 2005
Checks for new Canberra flight paths
An important step towards the introduction of state-of-the-art aircraft flight paths for Canberra Airport will be taken tomorrow.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will be checking the design and safety of the new, more flexible flight paths by flying the proposed routes in a light aircraft.
The check flights will be mainly conducted to the south and north of Canberra Airport and generally away from built up areas.
However, the aircraft will need to fly briefly at a low level over some residential areas, particularly in the eastern parts of Tuggeranong.
CASA apologies for any inconvenience these flights may cause to residents.
The new flight paths are being introduced under a system of airspace management known as Required Navigation Performance.
Canberra will be the first airport in Australia to be given approval for RNP operations. This is expected to happen later this year.
RNP operations allow aircraft to use flight paths with a more flexible design in comparison with existing flight paths that are generally in straight lines following navigation aids. Pilots operating under RNP navigate using global positioning system (GPS) equipment on the aircraft.
The new flight paths offer a more efficient use of airspace, which can mean an increase in capacity and fewer delays for passengers.
RNP operations are also more accurate than existing navigation procedures, which can provide improvements in safety.
The flights on Wednesday August 10 are to make practical checks of the design of the new flight paths and to make sure they avoid all obstacles, such as the hills around Canberra, by a safe distance.
The flights will go ahead subject to favourable weather conditions. If Wednesday is unsuitable they will proceed on Thursday 11 August.
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0523