Williamtown (Newcastle Airport) Airspace and Civil Flight Path Review

The outcomes of the community consultation over the proposed flight path design changes at Newcastle Airport have been released. The following is summarised from the Official Fact sheet

COMMUNITY SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT 

• Move the arrival flight paths and holding pattern to the west (over Crown land) 

• Increase the minimum altitude of the holding pattern 

The township of Toronto relies heavily upon tourism to support its economy. Feedback from the community has focused on reducing the noise impacts from aircraft, as much as possible. Specifically, residents are concerned about aircraft noise reflecting off the lake. As uninhabited Crown land is located directly to the west, it has been suggested that the arrival flight paths to the west be moved to reduce impacts on populated areas.

CONCLUSION 

Airservices Australia acknowledges the community concern regarding the Toronto location. However, under the proposed flight path, the area will be subject to aircraft operation at the same height that it is currently experiencing. 

Whilst the community has requested that the proposed arrival flight path is moved further west, the designers have identified that the path is as far west as it can go because: 

• Williamtown arrivals must use the existing air routes from the south associated with Sydney Airport until they reach Williamtown airspace. 
• These air routes have already been moved as far west as possible, including with the minimum acceptable spacing in between each route. 

This area has significant airspace constraints. Specifically this airspace is used to facilitate the segregation of civilian and military traffic within Williamtown airspace, and to avoid the airspace, managing Sydney arrivals to the west. 

The community has also requested that consideration is given to increasing the minimum height of the proposed holding pattern. In considering this suggestion the designers note: 

• The minimum height does not mean that the aircraft will necessarily operate at that height. Rather, aircraft prefer to be as high as possible to minimise fuel consumption. 
• The ATC will therefore always use the highest available level (8,000 feet AMSL) first, then 7,000 feet AMSL, then 6,000 feet AMSL, and so on. 

ASSESSMENT OUTCOME 

The proposal to move the arrivals flight paths further west is not able to progress due to the requirement for aircraft to pass over Catherine Hill Bay to link with Sydney airspace and connect with the existing air route network. 

Whilst Airservices Australia is unable to alter the proposed design for Runway 12 operations, Airservices Australia and RAAF have re-considered the need for the holding pattern between 8,000 and 5,000 feet AMSL over Belmont, Caves Beach and Swansea for Runway 30 operations, and has decided not to proceed with the proposed holding pattern. Aircraft will instead hold over the ocean, if required.