Bankstown Airport was established in the 1940s and is a general aviation airport primarily used by general aviation aircraft.

The airport is a base for the NSW Police Air Wing, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, NSW Forests, Greater Sydney Area Helicopter Medical Service, and the Aviation Studies program of the University of NSW. During the summer months large firefighting helicopters are also based at Bankstown Airport.

Bankstown Airport operates 24 hours a day but noise abatement procedures apply.

Flight paths

The majority of aircraft using Bankstown Airport fly on designated routes to ensure separation with other air traffic, including aircraft operating to and from Sydney Airport.

These routes are outside controlled airspace which means that aircraft using them are not being directed by air traffic control. When flying outside of controller airspace pilots are following the rules of the air. Our booklet, Guide to our Operations, explains more about different types of airspace.

The transition between uncontrolled and controlled airspace, such as the are around Bankstown airport, must happen at defined points to maintain safety. These points are often located at local landmarks so they are easily recognized by pilots from the air.

When operating around Bankstown airport it is important to note that:

• For arriving and landing aircraft there is no minimum altitude limit although aircraft will typically descent to the airport on a glide slope.
• For departing aircraft, there is no also no minimum altitude limit and the rate of climb will vary depending on a number of factors including the type of aircraft and its weight, how heavily laden it is with fuel and passengers, and the atmospheric conditions at the time.

The following image displays the typical flight paths into and out of Bankstown.