BALLARAT AIRPORT

• History
• Location
• Master Plan
• Heritage
• Flight Movements
• Wind Direction
• Curfew
• Refuelling
• Non-towered Aerodromes
• Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
• Infrastructure Upgrade

History

The history of the Ballarat Aerodrome dates back to the 1930’s when aviation activities commenced on an unmade airstrip on the Ballarat West Town Common, 7km northwest of the Ballarat city centre. In 1934, a corrugated iron hangar was constructed on the site, which formalised the site as an aerodrome.  

In 1940 at the outset of World War II, the Department of Air established the RAAF No.1 Wireless Air Gunners School at the present aerodrome site. The peak strength of the school was reached in May 1942 when there were 41 officers and 1,918 airmen in residence.

When the RAAF vacated the site in 1961, the Department of Air offered the Aerodrome to the then Shire of Ballarat under the terms of the Aerodrome Local Ownership Plan. The Aerodrome became a licensed aerodrome under this plan when licence number 43 was issued to the Shire of Ballarat on 11 September 1962.

Nowadays, the Ballarat Aerodrome is owned and operated by the City of Ballarat and is an important asset to the Ballarat community. More on Ballarat Aerodrome’s World War II History

Location

The Ballarat Aerodrome is situated 7km northwest of the Ballarat city centre. It is at Latitude 37 30 44 and Longitude 143 47 30. It is at Altitude 1433ft (436.8m).

Master Plan

Click hereto view the Ballarat Aerodrome Master Plan 2004 – 2014. 

It is common practice to review airport master plans every 5 years. As such, the Ballarat Aerodrome Master Plan will be reviewed in 2010/2011.

Heritage

The Ballarat Aerodrome was included on the Victorian Heritage Register in 2007. The Victorian Heritage Register lists the State’s most significant heritage places and objects.

Flight Movements

The Ballarat Aerodrome has around 100 flight movements per day in the summer months and 50 movements per day in the winter months, made up of business, medical, emergency services, general aviation, training and helicopter flights. Whilst RPT (Regular Public Transport) is not available at Ballarat Aerodrome, there are companies operating out of Ballarat that provide charter services.

There is an increase in the number of flight movements in summer due to various factors such as increased emergency services activity at the airport as well as more conducive weather patterns for flying.

Wind Direction

In general terms, prevailing winds in Ballarat come from the north. As aircraft take off and land into the head wind, this means that aircraft using Ballarat Airport generally take off towards the north and come in to land from the south (ie. they land in a north facing direction). This means that runway 36 is the most heavily utilised runway at Ballarat Airport.

Curfews on Circuit Training

The City of Ballarat enforces a curfew on circuit training between the hours of 11pm and 6am. No flight circuit training is permitted during these hours.

Refuelling Facilities

The Aerodrome has two refuelling facilities available for use by aircraft. For Avgas facilities please contact, BP: Ballarat Aero Club on 5339 1742 and for Jet A1 please contact, Field Air on 5339 4222, or after hours 5334 1000.

Non-towered Aerodromes

Ballarat Aerodrome is a non-towered aerodrome, hence there is no air traffic controller (ATC) tower or controlled airspace in the vicinity of the airport.
If required, pilots operating in the Ballarat area can communicate or request assistance from ATC through the Melbourne Centre on the designated Area Frequency.

Pilots flying into and out of Ballarat Aerodrome use the Ballarat Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).

The CTAF is a specifically allocated radio frequency for pilots to use when making mandatory and or advisory broadcasts to other aircraft for reasons of aircraft separation, safety and circuit sequencing, when operating in the vicinity of a non-towered aerodrome.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) together with AirServices Australia regulate Australian airspace including arrivals, departures, routes, circuit patterns and procedures.

Click herefor the link to CASA's publication "Operations at non-towered aerodromes" for more information on operations at non-towered aerodromes.

Click here to view CASA's non-towered aerodrome circuit procedures poster.

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency

Ballarat Aerodrome’s Common Traffic Advisory Frequency is 127.75.

Infrastructure Upgrade

Ballarat Airport underwent Stage 1 of an infrastructure upgrade project in 2010 to improve the aviation facilities at the airport. The Airport is a critical asset to Ballarat and the continual improvement of infrastructure enables the Airport to meet the ongoing needs of the community and the businesses located at the airport. Stage 2 works are now underway and will be undertaken throughout 2011 with project completion by the end of this year.

Click here for more information on the infrastructure upgrade works.