Airservices has set up two temporary control towers at the Avalon Airshow and brought in extra staff and equipment to safely manage the arrival and departure of hundreds of aircraft during the six-day event.
The nation’s air traffic manager has about 20 staff on hand at Avalon across both the main control tower and two mobile control towers to ensure the flying displays, scheduled Jetstar flights and movements of helicopters, business jets and general aviation aircraft all took place without a hitch.
As well as air traffic controllers, Airservices has three ultra-large Mk8 Panther fire vehicles on permanent standby at Avalon and has brought in more navigation and communication equipment for the large increase in general aviation traffic. Ten technicians maintain radio communication, navigation and instrument landing equipment.
“We have been preparing for the airshow since late last year, endorsing our air traffic controllers on airspace procedures specifically for Avalon,” Airservices executive general manager for air traffic control Greg Hood said.
