Residents of Western Sydney may see an aircraft flying unusually low this week as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) carries out its final flight path safety checks of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI).
CASA is conducting the checks to validate new instrument approach procedures at WSI.
They are expected to be the final checks of this type at the new airport by CASA and are part of an extensive multi-agency program.
The checks ensure the approach procedures operate safely and are planned for the morning of Tuesday 19 May.
A twin-engine Beechcraft Baron will be used to carry out the safety checks within an area up to 30 kilometres from the aerodrome.
Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with the aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.
Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.
If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned day, they will be carried out as soon as possible.
