Aviation Projects has provided assistance to the Wagner Group from the initial planning approval through to the construction and operation of Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport and continues to provide valuable ongoing advice and support.
Aviation Projects provided expert advice and guidance on a range of matters including the preparation of initial demand forecasts and scope of aircraft operations, concept layouts, concept airspace and aircraft flight paths and consideration of various other planning and operations matters. They have also provided advice on aeronautical infrastructure requirements and costs and operational advice on a variety of matters. Aviation Projects was able to assist with the introduction and ongoing operation of B747-800F aircraft by preparing a safety case that was approved by CASA.
Managing Director, Keith Tonkin, is thoroughly professional in all of his work and takes pride in providing a tailored solution that considers all aspects of a client’s strategic intent, including the short and long term implications of various recommended actions.
Aviation Projects has been integral to the success of our airport and continues to be a valued advisor to our business.
The purpose of Aerodrome Spatial and Safeguarding is to assess the potential impacts of proposed infrastructure development projects on the airspace surrounding aerodromes, and navigable airspace in areas away from aerodromes, to ensure that aircraft operations are not adversely impacted.
CASA AC 139.E-05 v1.1) defines Navigable Airspace as “the airspace above the minimum altitudes of VFR and IFR flight, including airspace required to ensure the safe take-off and landing of an aircraft. Generally, minimum altitude limits equate to 500 ft (152 m) or 1 000 ft (305 m) above ground level depending on the situation, i.e., whether or not the flying is over a populous area.” (CASA AC 139.E-05 v1.1)
Offshore wind farms are an emerging technology that will require some long standing conventions for navigable airspace over water to be reconsidered.
At present the aviation industry considers that it is safe to descend to 500 ft AMSL once established overwater in conditions that may be less than VMC.
An LSALT of 1500 ft for IFR operations over water is also universally accepted, based on the lack of permanent obsticles over the seas and oceans.
Once the construction and operation of offshore wind farms with wind turbines with rotor blades tips up to 300 m above sea level the entire aviation industry will need to reconsider the safe operation of aircraft at lower altitudes off the coast.
Ships delivering the wind turbines from available port facilities where the turbines are constructed to the offshore wind farm area, will also need to be considered as they will be transporting turbine towers vertically up to 180 m tall in all weather conditions suitable for the ship and independent of low level aviation activity.
The conventional Navigable Airspace considerations over the sea will need some renewed consideration in regard to the impact of these offshore wind farms.
Aviation Projects is working with offshore wind farm developers to determine an effective method of ensuring that the construction and transport of wind turbine components that stand taller than navigable airspace limits to ensure that aviation safety standards are maintained.
