Tel: (+61) 3 9739 1211 Email: info@lilydaleairport.com.au

Sydney, Bankstown GAAP (YSBK)

Take advantage of your PPL to visit Australia's other 'big city'
- Sydney! Spend a weekend or a week getting to know
the place.

GETTING THERE VFR:

Sydney - is generally 2-3hrs flying from Lilydale. As Melbourne
pilots know, in the winter months the weather tends to stick to
the ranges bordering Melbourne's north - i.e. once you are
across these its usually much better.

Sydney weather is generally pretty good between June and
October with stable, dry westerly streams for most of the time.
The Blue Mountains often have build-ups over them but unless the
wind is blowing from the east then they are rarely covering the hills.
The most direct route over the lowest ground is: Lilydale -
Strathbogie - Corowa - Holbrook - Yass - Goulburn - Bankstown.

The exception is when Southerlies and South-Easterlies bring warm moist air off the Tasman ocean which brings cloud that can hang around Sydney for days. An alternative route when this is occurring is the long way around the coastline although you may have to put up with staying quite low.

BANKSTOWN (YSBK) PROCEDURES: (Click here to see an aerial image)

Bankstown's GAAP procedures are similar to Moorabbin. When arriving/departing just remember that of the 3 parallel runways (RWY 11/29 Left, Centre & Right), you will be cleared for the NORTHERN runway (i.e. 11L, 29R). The SOUTHERN runway RWY 11R/29L is reserved for circuit training conducting circuits on the southern side, meaning you need to be mindful of opposite direction traffic when on Base Leg.

If RWY 29 is in use, you have to maintain 1500ft and join crosswind over the field, before joining for a right downwind. Only then after giving your "ABC is downwind" call, and receiving your RWY clearance (and any sequencing - eg. "No 2 to the T-bird for RWY Centre") can you descend to the 1,000ft circuit height.

If RWY 11 is in use, then you should keep descending from 1,500ft as soon as you pass the Approach Point as aircraft depart the zone at between 1,500-2,000ft in the opposite direction. The usual reporting point is 'Warwick Farm' or '3 miles' at which time you will be given a RWY.

RWY 18/36 is only very occasionally used for X-wind circuit practice - if so, TWR helps with separation.

The correct height for departing Bankstown (from the Centre or Northern runways) depends on RWY in use. If RWY 29, then aim to stay BELOW 1,500ft until clear of the zone (though watch out for the circuit at Hoxton Park), while departing RWY 11 you should aim to be AT LEAST 1,500ft (and preferably higher) by the time you are passing the downwind boundary of the airport.

NB 1: If you are intending to park or pick up passengers on the southern side of the airport, then it is best to request RWY Centre if available to save you a lengthy taxi..

NB 2: It is not uncommon to have aircraft on final on each side of you as you land - concentrate on maintaining the centre line and do not be distracted!

NB 3: These general comments do not in any way replace ERSA and any other relevant documentation for the use of this airport. Click here to download a FREE Sydney Visual Flight Guide (3.4Mb pdf)

PLACES TO FUEL OR PARK:

Chieftain Aviation: are a friendly bunch on the very south-west corner of the field, making their office ideal for picking up/dropping off passengers. There is lots of open grass parking available at this end of the field, although keep a good watch out as some areas can get a bit boggy in winter. Call (02) 9771 1333.

Clamback & Hennessy: also on the southern side of the field (next to the control tower) and from 6.00am-6.00pm sharp can provide you with fuel, oil and weather facilities. There are usually tie-down spaces directly opposite their hanger if you are staying a few days and if you drop by between 12.00pm and 2.00pm on a Sunday you will also catch a BBQ lunch where all are welcome. Call (02) 9792 1022.

TRANSPORT & THINGS TO DO:

Car - You can rent a car from AVIS on Bankstown near Mobil on the North side.
Train - Bankstown station is 5min by taxi, Central Station takes another 50min.
Taxi - Bet on at least $50-60 to get to the city centre.

Some fun things to do in Sydney are:
• Wander around the Opera House, The Rocks area, Museum of Modern Art
• Take the harbour ferry from Circular Quay to Manly
• Do the Manly to Spit Bridge walk (2hrs) and bus back to the city
• Visit Bondi Beach - catch a train to Bondi Junction and a 20min bus ride from there
• Take the Jetcat from Circular Quay to Parramatta along the river
• Wander up from Martin Place through Hyde Park and up Oxford Street
• Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb - great fun but at least $170pp

Contact Jonathan Merridew or ask your instructor if you have any questions.

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LILYDALE FLYING SCHOOL PTY. LTD. ABN 390 6774 9615
Tel: (+61) 3 9739 1211 Fax: (+61) 3 9739 1019 13 MacIntyre Lane, Lilydale PO Box 525, Lilydale VIC, 3140

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