CASA media release - Wednesday, 31 August 2005
Safety checks for new Melbourne flight paths
New flight paths for Melbourne and Essendon airports are being given a special safety check this week.
Aircraft will use global positioning system technology when landing at the airports using the new flight paths.
They are in addition to existing GPS approaches for Melbourne and Essendon airports.
The approach paths follow the same flight corridors into the airports from the north, south, west and east.
Each of the four flight paths will be flown by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to check they provide safe clearance from obstacles and terrain.
The CASA checks will involve some low level-level flying below 500 feet for a distance up to 20 miles from the airports.
The heights being flown during the checks are far lower than normal operations.
A twin-engine Piper Navajo light aircraft will be flown by CASA flying operations inspectors to carry out the checks.
CASA apologies for any inconvenience caused by the low-level flying.
The check flights are planned for Thursday September 1 and Friday September 2, weather permitting.
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0531