CASA media release - Tuesday 19 August 2008
Illawarra airport safety workshop
Special flight safety checks are being carried out at Illawarra airport this week.
There will be a series of low-level flights to make sure flight paths at the aerodrome will operate safely.
A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to conduct the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from Illawarra aerodrome on Wednesday 20 August 2008.
The two pilots flying the aircraft will operate on all flight paths to ensure safety is maintained at all times.
They will also check to see navigation aids are operational and not suffering interference, as well as looking for any new obstacles that could be a danger to aviation safety.
Checks will be done on known obstacles that are already marked on aviation charts.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires these checks to be carried out to maintain a high level of air safety at Illawarra airport.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson says low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise.
"At times the aircraft may be down as low as several hundred feet," Mr Gibson says.
"Local residents may notice this uncommon flying pattern, but it is certainly nothing to worry about.
"It’s all about making sure operations at Illawarra airport continue to be safe."
If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned day they will be carried out as soon as possible.
CASA has contracted the operation of the special check flights out to Radiola Aerospace Pty Ltd – a company with wide international expertise in these specialist operations.
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR9708