Residents of western Sydney may notice an aircraft flying unusually low this week as CASA carries out its final instrument approach safety checks at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
Planned for the morning of Tuesday 19 May, the checks will be conducted using a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron operating within an area up to 30 kilometres from the aerodrome. The aircraft may fly as low as several hundred feet at times as part of the exercise.
CASA says the low-level flying pattern is necessary to validate new instrument approach procedures and confirm that obstacles such as towers, trees, masts and buildings are accurately marked on charts. The checks are expected to be the final of their type at the new airport and form part of an extensive multi-agency program.
If weather or other factors prevent the checks going ahead on Tuesday, CASA says they will be conducted as soon as possible.