Essendon Procedures and Avalon Transit.

[hoshikun013]

I've got two questions.

1.) If let say at Essendon, either runways 26, 08 or 35 is active for taking off, what exactly should I expect if I intend on tracking to Westgate? I understand the Essendon Tower will give me instructions but is it something as simple as "take off from 35, do a right circuit, climb and maintain 1500 to westgate" or would they direct me to another place like Doncaster where I'd be OCTA and I would have to find my way back to Westgate?

2.) What exactly are the transit procedure through Avalon in Class E airspace? I know I need to be listening to AV Approach but should I still make a broadcast to let them know of my intentions. And any point, would I need to contact Avalon Tower? I've seen this question pop up on this forum before and it breifly mentions it on CASA's Ontrack website but none of which are detailed enough to give me a confident understanding of the transit procedure.

If anyone can help answer any of the questions, that would be a great help.

[triton140]

1. From 35, Tower will usually give you something like "Make [early] right turn heading XXX" which will point you at WES - from then on it's the same as from 17 (ie you'll remain in Class C until they let you go somewhere around Altona). Similar for 26, if they're using it for departures (then it will likely be "early left turn ..." to keep you clear of YMML traffic).

2. Squawk 1200, monitor Approach 133.55. I usually broadcast my intentions, but not necessary.

[hoshikun013]

I think this pretty much clears up everything I'm concerned with for my upcoming nav exercise.

Thanks for your help. Really appreciate it.

[Showa Cho]

Not sure about the Avalon stuff, but Essendon is pretty simple. First off put a flight plan in - makes it easier for everyone. Put WES as your outbound track if you want to go that way. You will get your outbound airways clearance from GROUND when you are taxiing (and ask for it).

Generally, the only time you will get WES outbound is if it's RWY17 or RWY26 for departures. If it's RWY35 you will get either Bolte Bridge or Station Pier outbound if you want to go south. Early turns are often asked for due to the proximity of YMML traffic. 1500 feet is the standard outbound level unless you ask/plan for something else.

Most importantly, if you are unsure of anything you are instructed to do SPEAK UP. Ask the ATC you are speaking to for more information if you don't understand or are unfamiliar. ATC are there to help and are not the police.

Pop me a PM if you have any more questions.

Showa Cho.

[hoshikun013]

I've only been to Essendon a couple of times but always departed towards Doncaster so that's why I was concerned when told to depart Essendon towards WES for a nav exercise.

Thanks for the detailed outline on the Essendon departure procedures to the south especially the tip about expecting a track towards Bolte Bridge or Station Pier if 35 is in use. Really appreciate it.

[OZBUSDRIVER]

If you haven't downloaded a copy of Visual Pilots Guide for Melbourne Basin (https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/g/files/net351/f/_assets/main/pilots/download/melbourne.pdf), you should do yourself a favour:ok:

[OZBUSDRIVER]

Casa also have an online portal..

ONTRACK (http://ontrack.casa.gov.au/index)

[Homesick-Angel]

It seems challenging, but you'll find it pretty straightforward once you've done it.
The tower will give you a direction to turn (often "early").

Look for the big bridgey looking thing just in front of the big smoke stackey looking thing (all technical terms) due south and track for the highest bit (try not to hit it)

About the time you get to the bridge, they will tell you your outside of CTA, sqawk 1200 and 135.7 and off you go.

**warning** this is a busy little piece of airspace, and your best bet is to track south a little further to williamstown , then turn right remaining south of a lake near Altona. Keep a good lookout.

If you dont wanna overfly point cook (or the restricted area is active), then you can track to BOM tower (A big golf ball looking thing).

With avalon, 2500-4500 (careful of when you can climb above 2500) you wont need a clearance, but they do like an advisory call.

Below 2500, sqwawk 3000 and request a clearance. (its the same coming back the other way)

Good luck.:ok:

PS - Hassle your instructor for all this and any other info you can. Thats their job.

[fujii]

You don't need to submit a plan for Essendon departures. Contact ground, advise you have departure derails and wait a reply then advise call sign, type and outbound tracking point.

[The name is Porter]

Submitting a VFR flight plan for departure from EN makes it easier for yourself & the controllers. It also gives you valuable practice for when you move up to an IR. It doesn't take long and shows airmanship and professionalism

[fujii]

If you'd ever worked in Essendon tower, you'd know it makes no difference to the controllers. From the CASA Visual Pilot's Guide for the ML basin which was produced in consultation with Air Traffic Controllers:

Pilots outbound from Essendon may advise details to Essendon Ground, preceded by ‘flight details’. Outbound clearance will be given via the most appropriate exit point.

[djpil]

The tower guys are good at dealing with (stupid, in their opinion at least) people like me on one of my infrequent visits there. "Turn left then track direct to Albert Park" OK, I can follow instructions - turned left then had a look out to see where Albert park was and started tracking direct there ... "I wanted you to track to the west of the city" ... but but but, that wasn't what you told me to do, after I turned a direct track seemed to me to be east of the city ...

Had an Essendon tower guy as a student flying at Moorabbin some years ago - made me feel better, the stupid things he did and said on the radio etc ....