The truth is out there somewhere...
Ballina not overloaded
The Australian, 10 June 2015
Your headline "Airwaves choked as pilots eye safe space" (9/6) is misleading. In fact, the airwaves are mostly empty at Ballina. Jetstar has two flights a day, Rex two and Virgin one.
One or two general aviation aircraft an hour may use the airport - hardly "overloaded". Except at major airports with control towers, pilots routinely arrange their own separation for takeoffs and landings through radio contact. I am a flying instructor at a nearby airport. On the occasions when I have been in·the Ballina airport area when the rare airliner is around, we calmly arranged separation to the satisfaction of everyone. No sign of desperation.
Your mention of the situation where a Metroliner had to make a missed approach because of a helicopter on the runway in 2013 is hardly a reason for big changes at Ballina. The operation isn’t broken and definitely doesn’t need fixing.
Norm Sanders, Chief Flying instructor, Byron Flying Club.