Residents of Canberra, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and communities in New South Wales may see an aircraft flying unusually low next week as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) carries out important flight path safety checks.
The checks, which are due start at Nowra in NSW, are being conducted by CASA to make sure instrument procedure flight paths at various aerodromes operate safely.
CASA regulations require that the approach procedures are checked every five years to confirm their ongoing safety.
The checks will be carried out from Sunday, 1 February at the following aerodromes:
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1-February
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2-February
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3-February
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4-February
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5-February
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7-February
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8-February
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A twin-engine Cessna Conquest will be used to carry out the safety checks within an area up to 40 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 days, they will be carried out as soon as possible.
Media contact: CASA Media 1300 773 806 [email protected]
27 January 2026 MR0226
