RAAF aircraft to start operating in new flying training area

Royal Australian Air Force aircraft will begin operating in the new overland military flying training area airspace in the North West from Monday, February 26.

The North West airspace replaced the former Williamtown Western Airspace as of November last year.

Aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown in Newcastle will be the major users of the overland military flying training airspace, the Department of Defence said in a statement.

The military airspace boundary extends from Carinda and Walgett to Bellata, Gilgandra, Gunnedah and Mudgee.

The development of future flight paths for the new Western Sydney Airport presented an opportunity to redesign the military airspace.

The North West NSW Airspace design process prioritised safety of flight for military and civilian aircraft operating within and near the airspace, including efficient air route access into and out of Western Sydney Airport.

Defence and Airservices Australia spent 18 months during 2021-22 conducting stakeholder consultation with airline industry operators and small aircraft operators as part of the airspace design process.

Hawk 127 aircraft will operate in this airspace regularly. Photos: Royal Australian Air Force

Defence also conducted an information and engagement program in 2022 with councils, local MPs, small aircraft operator representatives and council operated aerodromes.

Most flying training activities will be conducted at medium to high altitudes.

When the airspace is not being used, the RAAF will release it for use by civilian operators.

As reported by The Courier last year, the Royal Australian Air Force requires improved restricted areas to support their Hawk and new Joint Strike Fighter aircraft training operations.

“In developing the redesigned airspace, minimisation of diversions for civilian aircraft and proximity to defence airbases were taken into account,” Airservices Australia said in a statement last year following the announcement of the new flying training area in the North West.

“R559 is a large military restricted airspace series extending north west of Richmond NSW, primarily used by RAAF Williamtown for military flying training.

“Currently civilian aircraft are not permitted to utilise the area above 8500ft Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL) when R559 is active.

“The current R559 restricted airspace in NSW is no longer fit for purpose due to the unique training needs and operating requirements of the newly introduced F-35A Lightning II.

“The F-35A Lightning II fifth generation air combat aircraft operates differently and has new tactics and profiles that the current airspace design cannot accommodate.”

Military aircraft use training areas to conduct high-speed, abrupt flying manoeuvres and the employment of airborne electronic capabilities which can cause interference to other aircraft.

For these reasons military flying requires segregated volumes of airspace to ensure safety of participants and non-participants.

This is the first review of the military airspace in this area since 1986.

The airspace was originally designed to suit the training needs of the F/A-18 A/B Classic Hornet.

Australia will operate the F-35A for more than 30 years and this airspace change is a long-term solution.

“The restricted airspace is expected to mainly be used during business hours on weekdays. When the restricted airspace is not in use for military training, aircraft will continue to operate as they currently do today.”

Most military aircraft activity in R570 (which incorporates part of the North West including Narrabri) will be conducted at altitudes well above 10,000ft AMSL and have been designed to have minimal impact on the community.

Hawk 127 and PC-21 aircraft will continue to operate in this airspace regularly. F-35A aircraft will also continue to use this space on a limited basis.