Bunbury Airport
| Bunbury Airport Bunbury City Airport | |||||||||||
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| IATA: BUY – ICAO: YBUN | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Bunbury City Council | ||||||||||
| Location | Bunbury, Western Australia | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 53 ft / 16 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 33°22′41″S 115°40′37″E / 33.37806°S 115.67694°ECoordinates: 33°22′41″S 115°40′37″E / 33.37806°S 115.67694°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  YBUN Location in Western Australia | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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Bunbury Airport (IATA: BUY, ICAO: YBUN) is an airport servicing the Western Australian city of Bunbury. Bunbury Airport is located 8 km (5.0 mi) south-west of the city centre and is the only airport serving the city. The airport is used largely as a facility for general and recreational flight training, but provides for charter services to the region. Additionally the airport is regularly used for Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Flying Doctor Service and Department of Environment and Conservation operations. Bunbury Airport serves an area that includes the city of Bunbury and the surrounding districts of Harvey, Dardanup, Capel and the South West region beyond.
History
The City of Bunbury is the owner and operator of Bunbury Airport. Council first investigated the possibility of an airstrip in 1965 and with the help of a band of enthusiastic aviators and input from the Department of Civil Aviation, the airstrip became operational in 1969. It has evolved to present day with council funds, government grants/funds, and operational input from the Bunbury Aero Club. Whilst the aerodrome was designed to achieve licensed aerodrome standards, it is currently not licensed but is registered.[1]
In 2009, the airport received funding through the Western Australian Government's Regional Airports Development Scheme to extend the parallel taxiway by 700 m (2,300 ft) so arriving aircraft would no longer be required to turn around and taxi on the active runway to reach the apron area. The project budget was in excess of $365,000.[2]
Operations and facilities
Bunbury Airport has a single sealed runway, 07/25 which is 1,222 m × 18 m (4,009 ft × 59 ft) wide. Due to the proximity of the South Western Highway, there is a 206 m (676 ft) displaced threshold at the runway 25 end to allow sufficient clearance over the road. Because of this, the available landing distance is 1,015 m (3,330 ft). The airport is currently restricted to aircraft with a maximum take-off weight less than 5,700 kg (12,600 lb).[3] Runway 07/25 is equipped with low intensity, pilot activated runway lighting for night operations. There is no control tower and pilots must co-ordinate arrivals and departures using a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency.
With increasing interest in ultra-light and general aviation, there is a potential for Bunbury Airport to become a major general aviation airport.
Three flying schools and 1 facility operate out of Bunbury Airport, they are: AirChartersWest,[4] Bunbury Aero Club,[5] Bunbury Flying School[6] and South West Microlight School.[7] The schools and airport are a major Recreational Aviation Australia approved flight training facility.[8]
See also
References
- 1 2 YBUN – Bunbury (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 10 November 2016, Aeronautical Chart Archived 10 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Regional Airports Development Scheme Projects by Regions Archived 17 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Bunbury Airport Location Analysis Study Archived 24 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Air Charters West
- ↑ Bunbury Aero Club
- ↑ Bunbury Flying School
- ↑ South West Microlight School
- ↑ List of schools in WA Archived 19 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.