At 30 DME, the steps change from 8,500 ft/7,500 ft to 4,500 ft. Use good visual references to allow a healthy buffer for a planned descent to remain OCTA. If requesting a clearance, allow plenty of time before the step and always have an alternative plan, including a suitable decision point.
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Airspace infringement hotspot inbound at the 30 nm DME step
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South and South-West of Melbourne – C LL 2,000 and 2,500 steps
Leave a buffer between you and the CTA base and ensure accurate height holding when flying underneath these steps. Ensure you have reached the airspace boundary before climbing.
Remain well south of the quarry on the southwestern boundary of the CTR. Westbound establish yourself well west of Rockbank before turning north. The BOM tower near Altona baseball stadium is a good landmark in the centre of the ‘lane’ between D383 and the C LL 1,500 ft step. Mount Cottrell is not a good landmark from a distance.
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Moorabbin CTR
Familiarise yourself with airspace around where you are flying and call inbound at approximately 6 nm. Request your clearance well before reaching the CTR.
The VFR lane on the southwestern side of Moorabbin departs from the coastline to avoid the Moorabbin control zone. Maintain a listening watch on Moorabbin (MB) TWR 123.0 transiting in the VFR lane. There are multiple inbound and outbound tracks to the west of the MB control zone particularly for IFR. If you would like to track along the coastline past Moorabbin airport, contact ATC for clearance on 123.0 and you may be assigned a level.
When departing Moorabbin CTR, be aware the lower limit of the surrounding Class C airspace.
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Avalon CTR
Familiarise yourself with airspace around where you are flying and confirm where you will need a clearance
