Circuit Training at Moorabbin Airport Circuit Training at Moorabbin ...

5. PATTERN AND TIMES OF CIRCUIT TRAINING
5.1 Pattern of circuit training.
The Moorabbin Airport circuit configuration consists of circuits to the eastern side with
overflow to the western side mainly due to the arrival, departure and transiting traffic mix
(see Appendix 3).
A safe airspace configuration results in the western circuit dealing with the majority of travel
and transit flights allowing the eastern circuit to be used for training circuits.
Eleven flying schools currently operate at Moorabbin Airport causing most aircraft
movements to be conducted in a circuit. Members of the Task Force were provided with
extensive information about how the “circuit” works and were given the opportunity to take
a flight to observe the process.
These circuits are conducted within close proximity to the Airport and as residential areas
are close by, members of neighbouring communities and councils have expressed concern at
the continued operation of circuit training. The two major concerns of the community are
related to aircraft safety and aircraft noise.
Community and Council representatives raised the question of whether the circuit can be
further changed to avoid residential housing wherever possible. It was noted that there
were some minor circuit modifications instituted in late 1999 for noise abatement reasons.
5.2. Noise sharing circuits.
It is estimated around 70 percent of fixed wing circuit training occurs over the eastern side
of the airport, generating relatively more aircraft noise for those living on this side of the
airport.
Community groups on the eastern side of the airport such as the Dingley Village Residents
Association (DVCA) suggested circuit training should be distributed more equally across
runways, sharing aircraft noise with residents on the western side of the airport. The local
Councils were also supportive of sharing circuit training noise over the east and west of the
airport.
The Moorabbin Airport Residents Association (MARA) expressed concern at shifting more
circuit training activity to the western side of the airport as this area is more populated than
the east.
For the community noise sharing is a double‐edged sword. Those who are impacted today
may achieve some relief but those who are currently not impacted would object vociferously
to any change in their amenity‐ and it would be a negative change.
Airservices Australia noted the current spread of circuit training across the airport’s runways
is attributable to the pattern of arriving and departing air traffic at the airport. Most air
traffic arriving and departing the airport do so from the west, which is supported by four
inbound access points.
The western airspace of the airport is infringed upon by aircraft transiting along the coast to
the south‐west of the airport. This configuration of access points and flight paths together
with varied engine and pilot capabilities of general aviation and training aircraft means it is
safer for the majority of circuit training activity to occur on the eastern side of the airport.
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