Wagga Wagga Airport Changes to Approach Procedures

This change has been implemented

Aerial view of Wagga Wagga Airport

What is going to change?

Airservices Australia has been undertaking a range of activities to modernise the approach procedures to both ends of the main runway at Wagga Wagga Airport (RWY 05/23).

This includes the introduction of Baro-VNAV approach to RWY 05, recalculation of the 25 nautical mile minimum safe altitude (MSA) to the west of the Airport, and redesign of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Localiser (LOC) approaches to RWY 23, including a new holding pattern.

The communities of Maxwell, The Rock and Uranquinty may visually notice these aircraft operating lower on approach to RWY 05 than they currently do.

The communities of Wantabadgery and Mundarlo may notice aircraft operating in the new holding pattern at the commencement of the approach to RWY 23.

Holding patterns are used in poor weather, for traffic management purposes or for flight training purposes.

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.

When will this change occur?

These improved approaches will be implemented from 28 January 2021.

What is going to change?

Airservices Australia has been undertaking a range of activities to modernise the approach procedures to both ends of the main runway at Wagga Wagga Airport (RWY 05/23).

This includes the introduction of Baro-VNAV approach to RWY 05, recalculation of the 25 nautical mile minimum safe altitude (MSA) to the west of the Airport, and redesign of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Localiser (LOC) approaches to RWY 23, including a new holding pattern.

The communities of Maxwell, The Rock and Uranquinty may visually notice these aircraft operating lower on approach to RWY 05 than they currently do.

The communities of Wantabadgery and Mundarlo may notice aircraft operating in the new holding pattern at the commencement of the approach to RWY 23.

Holding patterns are used in poor weather, for traffic management purposes or for flight training purposes.

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.

When will this change occur?

These improved approaches will be implemented from 28 January 2021.

This change has been implemented