The Swan River Trust has approved a trial to operate a Cessna Caravan amphibian, VH-OPH, off the Swan River in Perth.
Catalina Airlines will be allowed to run a 12-month trial operating between the South Perth jet ski freestyle area and Milyu Marine Park twice a day.
“The Trust may consider extending the seaplane trial by six months, to an overall period of 18 months to allow for the operation to run over two peak periods," said Swan River Trust Statutory Planning acting manager Jennifer Stritzke. "This option will only be considered if it is evident that the continuation of the trial will not unnecessarily impact on the community or waterway.”
Although the Trust approval is effective immediately, Catalina will still need to get approvals from CASA and the Department of Transport.
A number of condition have been placed on the trial to protect the river.
“The proximity of the seaplane landing area to Milyu Marine Park and Nature Reserve was one of the major considerations for the Trust, as this area has been set aside as a refuge for migratory wading birds protected under international agreements,” Stritzke said.
“In an effort to protect birdlife, the Cessna 208 Caravan seaplane and the company’s support vessel are not permitted to enter the Milyu Marine Park and an exclusion/no fly zone has been established 300 metres from the shore to minimise shadowing and disturbance of birds in the area.”
Catalina has also been restricted from flying the Caravan close to Como foreshore to reduce aircraft noise in the nearby residences.
According to the approval, the aircraft will have to be hangared at either Perth or Jandakot and can't be left on the river overnight.