Essendon Airport is located in the Melbourne Class C control zone (CTR) adjacent to Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport. Because each aerodrome is unique, special procedures have been developed which are listed in ERSA and must be read in conjunction with the AIP.
Essendon Tower is closed at certain times, generally late at night. When this occurs, that part of Melbourne CTR normally allocated to Essendon Tower remains Class C airspace and is controlled by Melbourne Approach and Departures.
Essendon Tower controls the south-eastern quadrant of the Melbourne CTR and the adjacent Class C steps up to, and including, 2,000 ft. Aircraft wishing to operate in this airspace (known as Essendon Tower airspace) must contact Essendon Tower approaching any of the VFR approach points immediately adjacent to the Melbourne CTR, marked on the Melbourne visual terminal chart (VTC).
Accurate compliance with tracking instructions must be adhered to due to the volume of traffic and proximity to Tullamarine.
Circuit altitude for Essendon Airport is 1,300 ft AMSL.
