ISSUE 25 | MARCH 2020

Archerfield ’s Metropolitan Airport

Welcome Sikorsky AAC welcomes new tenant, Sikorsky Australia. The company recently relocated its Brisbane Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability to Hangar 623 at Archerfield Airport to provide dedicated maintenance for the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter. Sikorsky Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. It is headquartered in Nowra, NSW, and has a 60 year history of supporting rotary wing operations in the Asia- Pacific region and beyond. Sikorsky Australia’s main MRO facility in Nowra supports Australia’s Defence capability for the Royal Australian Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk and the Australian Army’s Black Hawk platforms. Manpower support is also provided to the Holsworthy Army base. The company’s extensive MRO capability extends to the world-class aircraft maintenance facility now at Archerfield Airport. This covers all levels of operational and depot level aircraft maintenance specialising in heavy maintenance activities including aircraft refurbishment, major structural repair and modifications. A message from the GENERAL MANAGER

Hi everyone, As this edition of the newsletter goes to print, SPOTLIGHT ON: our world seems to have gone through a George Lane paradigm shift. Archerfield Control Tower Even as little as one month ago, who would have predicted countries with closed borders, international flights nearly grounded, domestic George Lane has been the highly respected Unit Tower Supervisor at flights significantly cut back, aircrafts mothballed, Archerfield Airport for the past 24 years. He retires from his rewarding and airline staff on mandatory leave? aviation career with Airservices Australia with sincere thanks from AAC and the entire airport community. The COVID-19 Virus has had a huge impact on all our lives, but especially the aviation, tourism and hospitality industries. George’s aviation career began in 1974 when, at the age of 21, he completed the DCA Flight Service Course and was posted to various locations across Although at this time there appears to be no including Brisbane, Townsville and Charleville. easy solution, at AAC we are taking all practical measures to reduce the risk of infection and While in Townsville, George obtained a commercial flying licence. The flight maintain business continuity. test was conducted on his first aircraft purchase, a Piper Arrow – one of many aircraft he would own over the years. These include implementing social distancing, increasing hygiene and cleaning protocols and After obtaining a twin engined instrument rating, George was transferred breaking into smaller working groups to mitigate to Charleville, where he flew many charter flights in a Twin Commanche for the risk of the whole company going into a local operator (this was in the years before GPS was fitted to aircraft). self-quarantine; and if it becomes necessary, Flying to destinations in western Queensland with few landmarks and in working remotely with the administration sometimes challenging weather gave George an appreciation of pilot workload and a respect for correct procedures. functions whilst keeping a physical operations presence. George started studying for a law degree part-time and was then accepted into in 1979. A very rewarding ATC career then followed, There have been massive shocks to the aviation with ratings received on most Brisbane radar and tower positions. A industry in the past, but each time we have been two-year posting to Rockhampton was enjoyed before the first of two able to bounce back – and arguably stronger transfers to Archerfield Airport. than before. By this time, George had owned a couple of C310s and Baron aircraft. He I have no doubt that this will happen with the said it was one of life’s pleasures to finish a tower shift and take one of the current situation, but the question is when. aircraft for an evening cross-country flight or take friends up for a trip over I know that this is easy to say, but keep a sense the city. of humour, and try to make sure that your George was appointed control tower manager of Archerfield in 1994 and colleagues are OK. continued in this role (subsequently called Unit Tower Supervisor) for 24 With regards, years until a recent medical issue required a change of plan to consider retirement this year. In his capacity as manager, George worked closely with a motivated team of controllers. He also mentored new tower staff, some of whom were experienced controllers but had never worked at a training aerodrome. Rod Parry George said he often smiled when he would overhear a new staff member General Manager say: “I’ve never seen an aircraft do that before!”. George enjoyed liaising with Archerfield aviation operators and groundstaff and made many friendships with local pilot identities. He often said that many problems could be solved by regular communication with instructors and students – and he always encouraged tower visits by pilot students to New interactive reporting see how “the other half operated”. According to George, it’s important to show people learning to fly that As part of its aircraft noise complaints service, controllers are there to help and not to be scared of communicating over Airservices Australia is introducing monthly the radio if they have a problem or haven’t understood an instruction. interactive reporting at airports across Australia. Recent data pertaining to Archerfield Airport Since George relinquished duty, the UTS role is now in the capable hands may be viewed at www.airservicesaustralia. of Brendan Peut, an experienced controller who also enjoys the challenges com/aircraftnoise/airports (select Archerfield, of general aviation. then select ‘complaints’). Goodbye George – and best wishes! ENVIRONMENT NEWS All fuel spills on airport must be reported to AAC because of the of the asphalt pavement surface which may contribute towards risk of contaminating soil and surface water. an increased risk of foreign object debris (FOD). Damage to asphalt pavements is a further risk. Fuel spills and AAC encourages all airport users to review their operations oil-based leaks expose the surface to hydrocarbons, causing relating to fuel use; and to take appropriate measures to avoid softening of the asphalt binder. This in turn causes deterioration spills.

New Aircraft Noise Project AIM Update Ombudsman appointed AAC has undertaken further detailed design in Kieran Pehm (pictured) is Australia’s new Aircraft consultation with CASA for the upcoming Major Noise Ombudsman. Development Plan (MDP) works associated with Mr Pehm took up the appointment in February and the lengthening of the main runway. has extensive experience in complaints management. Advice from CASA and airport ground lighting industry For a decade up to 2015, he was Commissioner of experts, Airport Electrical, has also been taken into the Health Care Complaints Commission of NSW; before that he served account. CASA advised that, in accordance with the for three years as Deputy Commissioner of the Independent Commission new MOS 139, centreline taxiway lights (as Against Corruption. contemplated in the approved MDP) were no longer Airservices Australia established the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman in 2010 permitted within Starter Extensions. Airport Electrical as an independent office to oversee the handling of aircraft noise also recommended that AAC install taxiway edge enquiries and complaints. lights rather than the previously proposed centreline lights for the remainder of the airport’s taxiways. This recommendation was based on a number of Congratulations Claudia! reasons including: time required for installation; AAC Senior Property Manager, Claudia Birnbreier, upfront capital costs and ongoing maintenance; has clocked up 30 years with the Corporation. the ability to carry out future overlays and taxiway widenings without needing to destroy and replace Claudia was initially employed as a receptionist epoxied centreline lights; and the relatively simple and clerical assistant by the Federal Airports operations that are associated with Archerfield in Corporation before moving into payroll and comparison to those seen at major international accounts for several years. Following the airport’s airports. privatisation in 1998, Claudia joined the commercial leasing side of the AAC business and was soon CASA also questioned the suitability of the proposed appointed Property Manager. threshold wing bars; and Airport Electrical has recommended their removal due to their superfluous In her current role, Claudia manages all leased aspects of AAC’s nature when installed adjacent to Runway Threshold on-airport and off-airport properties and is a key point of contact Identification Lights (RTILs). between the AAC and tenants. She is also one of the longest serving members of the AAC team. Congratulations! For these reasons, AAC has accepted recommendations by Airport Electrical, who are currently designing the lighting system to comply Aiming for aviation careers with the new MOS 139 standards. All lights, aside from the PAPIs, will adopt LED technology. The choice of career options within the aviation industry was the focus of a recent airport visit by Grade 11 aerospace students from Indooroopilly Airport Electrical is designing a lighting system that State High School. The students met AAC’s Operations and Technical will now incorporate two physically separate and Officer, Graham Madden and several airport operators, including Chief independent lighting circuits for additional Engineer of the Queensland Government Air Heavy Maintenance hangar, redundancy. The works associated with the main Tony Hodgkinson. runway, including installation of new runway edge lighting, PAPIs and RTILs, are anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.

AAC welcomes David Findlater who recently joined the team in the role of Project Manager – Project AIM. David has an extensive background in construction project management and has a thorough knowledge of airport operations. He has hangared an aircraft at Archerfield Airport for several years. David can be contacted on david.findlater@ archerfieldairport.com.au or (07) 3275 8022. Transition – Archerfield FOR LEASE Logistics Estate The following is a selection of airport premises now available for lease. In preparation for works on Transition – Archerfield Logistics Estate, AAC is undertaking civil works at the Building 219A: This 164sq.m. building comprising six offices of rear of the existing 300 sites along Ashover Road. varying sizes is well suited to a flying school. It has a large reception area, a large meeting room, a small outdoor area and kitchenette/ These works will provide additional hardstand areas for toilets. temporary storage and will eventually replace existing temporary hardstand storage sites along Boundary Hangar 229 - Bays A & B (separate bays): A steel framed Road which will become part of Transition Estate. hangar in excellent condition with airside access only off Ave. Dimensions: hangar door clearance 3.2m; site area of approx. Works on the 300 sites include construction of a new 160.34sq.m. temporary road, concrete access driveways and approximately 30,000sq.m. of new hardstand area, Hangar 209: A steel hangar with airside access only, off Qantas Ave. with flexibility to cater for varying sized tenancies. Dimensions: approx.15.32m width, 12.31m depth, 6m height and 4.32m door height. For more information about these and other available sites, please contact AAC Property Manager, Claudia Terminal Building – Offices 28A:Excellently located on the Birnbreier on 07 3275 8000. ground floor, these air-conditioned offices and kitchenette comprise an area of 131s.m. Hangar 005 (Annex C): A 298.74sq.m. steel structure warehouse Recognition for Peter in a neat and tidy condition with power and computer connections. Brisbane author and secretary of the Aviation Aeroport 227: Located in the Beatty Rd Precinct, this aeroport has Historical Society of Australia (Qld) Inc, Peter Dunn, steel cladded walls and chain wire security gate. It is on a 180sq.m. has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia site with a hardstand of central concrete and gravelled sides. (OAM) for services to community history. Dimensions: 14m width, 10m depth, 3m height. AAC congratulates Peter on receiving the well-deserved For more information about these and other available sites, honour. Peter is a familiar face at Archerfield Airport, visit www.archerfieldairport.com.au or call AAC Property especially in the terminal building where the AHSA Manager, Claudia Birnbreier on 07 3275 8000. hosts its monthly meetings to appreciate the State’s rich aviation history.

towertalk It was great for Steph and I to be able to put a few faces to the voices we hear, when we attended the CASA Aviation Safety Seminar early in February. It was a good turnout even with the heavy rain and storms. With the rain came the forced closure of the grass runways 04/22 due to a soft wet surface. This has increased the use of the sealed Lores Bonney remembered runways; and the increased crosswind component makes for some April 10 is a significant date for Australian aviation. interesting approaches and landings. It was on this day in 1933 that Brisbane housewife We have noticed an increase in helicopter training lately. It’s very turned aviator, Lores Bonney, departed Archerfield important for fixed wing pilots to know where the helicopter Airport to become the first woman to fly from Australia training areas are at the field, especially when conducting glide to England. approaches. Known as the “First Lady of Australian Aviation”, Happy Flying, Bonney flew a De Havilland DH-60G Gipsy Moth Brendan Peut named ‘My Little Ship’. She was awarded an MBE for Archerfield Control Tower her achievement. Bonney also was the first woman to circumnavigate Australia by air; and in 1937 became the first person to fly from Australia to South Africa.

Contact us If you would like to receive future editions of Archerfield Airport Corporation this newsletter electronically, please send an PO Box 747, Archerfield Q 4108 email to [email protected] with the word ‘Subscribe’ in the subject line, or P (07) 3275 8000 F (07) 3275 8001 Archerfield contact our office on (07) 3275 8000. [email protected] Copyright © 2020 Archerfield Airport Corporation, Brisbane’s Metropolitan Airport www.archerfieldairport.com.au All rights reserved.