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The 293 hectare site was acquired in 1946 and opened in 1949. Oddly enough the first aircraft touched down before the airport was officially opened and was confiscated by the Government! Moorabbin Airport is now the major centre in Victoria for training, charter, aerial work and private flying. It is also the maintenance and aircraft sales capital of southern Australia.
The Airport is
owned by the Commonwealth Government and is leased and operated
by the Moorabbin Airport Corporation (MAC)
The Airport General Manager is Mr. Phil McConnell.
MAC is 94% owned by Goodman Holdings P/Ltd with Maitland Properties Limited the remaining shareholder.
MAC has released a new Master Plan for the airport including development of vacant land, transportation and aviation businesses.
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Address:
Airport Management Centre, Bundora Parade, Moorabbin Airport, Mentone. 3194
(Next to the Control Tower)
Phone: (03) 9587 3666
Fax: (03) 9587 1782
Alternatively, you can get more information from their website - www.moorabbinairport.com.au.
The bulk (98%) of traffic at Moorabbin is General Aviation aircraft. Regional operator, King Island Airlines is based in Moorabbin Airport. It operates public transport flights to Tasmania from Moorabbin using Chieftain, Navajo and Bandeirante equipment.
Moorabbin Airport also has several Citation jets which visit on a weekly basis. The largest visitors we see at Moorabbin on an infrequent basis are DC3s. We have had C130 RAAF Hercules land but most of the taxiways can't support their weights.
 Aerial view of Moorabbin Airport |
 Diagram of runways and other Moorabbin Airport facilities |
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Air Traffic Control is provided by Air Services Australia. The airport has a Control Zone of 3nm radius from 0 - 2500 ft. The Tower operates between the hours of 0800 to 1900 (local). During Daylight Saving time the ATC service may extend till 2200. When ATC is available, the airport operates under the Australian GAAP procedures. The tower is not radar equipped, but has direct communication with Melbourne Jetport radar services. When ATC is not available, the Moorabbin Control Zone is reclassified as class G airspace, and becomes a Mandatory Broadcast Zone.
The airfield is available 24 Hrs a day, with lighting displayed continuously for Runways 13/31 and 17/35 during hours of darkness. There is no ILS but NDB or VOR/NDB approaches are available. Before operating at Moorabbin, check the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and NOTAMS, for current procedures and information.
Below is a portion of the applicable Visual Terminal Chart.
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Moorabbin as seen in the VTC |
Normal inbound reporting points are:
SOUTH via Carrum
SOUTH WEST via Shoal
NDB via Baywest
NORTH WEST via Brighton
NORTH EAST via Academy
EAST SOUTH EAST via GMH (Car factory near Dandenong)
It is highly recommended you understand the GAAP procedures used during Tower hours before attempting to land at Moorabbin.
The airport has a terminal building with departure lounge, food shops, free car parking, licensed Aero Club and an excellent Museum. In 1989 the airport's name was officially changed to Moorabbin (Harry Hawker) Airport in honour of one of Australia's most famous pioneer aviators who was born within a few kilometres of the airport. Harry Hawker was a famous test pilot before and during the First World War, finally buying the Sopwith Company and creating the Hawker Company, the name which endures today.
The airport houses around 70 businesses employing over 650 people.
Movements in 1999 were 355,587 which averages to 6,100 per week. Yes! there is minor traffic congestion at certain times during the week, usually around 9am & 5pm on Sundays on lovely shiny VFR days!
There are 5 main operational runways, four in two sets of parallel configurations, which can accommodate aircraft up to 40 seat regional airline category.
The Royal Victorian Aero Club (1927) operates a spacious fully licensed clubrooms next to the Tower and has hours from 5pm till 9pm most weeknights and 4pm till 10pm weekends and public holidays. Visitors and passing Pilots and their friends are always welcome.
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