Mount Isa Airport Changes to Approach Procedures
This change has been implemented.
What is going to change?
Airservices is modernising the approaches used for jet aircraft arriving to Mount Isa Airport from 25 March 2021, as part of a national safety improvement program. This includes the introduction of Baro-VNAV technology approach procedures, and the alignment of approaches to the runway.
For more information on the changes please see our fact sheet.
Why are the changes necessary?
Since 2007, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has encouraged its members to implement approach procedures with vertical (straight up and down) guidance to improve safety for aircraft arriving at airports.
One way to do this is to make it possible for aircraft to use Baro-VNAV technology. BARO-VNAV stands for Barometric vertical navigation.
Baro-VNAV is a technology available on most large modern aircraft. It allows aircraft to land more smoothly, without using ground based navigation equipment. It also reduces the workload for pilots and decreases their reliance on visual assessments on approach, making landing safer. Baro-VNAV approaches reduce the frequency of an aircraft needing to complete a missed approach as they give pilots greater accuracy.
We have been working with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to roll out as Baro-VNAV as part of a national safety improvement program, which has identified more than 100 suitable aerodromes across Australia, including Mount Isa Airport.
When will this change occur?
These improved approaches for jet aircraft will be implemented from 25 March 2021.
This change has been implemented.