Essendon (YMEN)
Airspace
EN ADC is responsible for the Class C airspace to the southeast of YMEN from SFC to A020.
Departures
VFR departures to Class G should plan to depart the zone tracking via the following positions, at A015.
| Direction | VFR Outbound Point |
|---|---|
| East | DSN |
| South East | FWO |
| South | WES |
| North^ | CGB |
| North East^ | EPPG |
| West^ | ROK |
| North West^ | Sunbury Corridor |
Note
^ Departures to the north and west are generally not permitted due to traffic in and out of YMML. Pilots should plan an alternate route departing to the south or east to prepare for situations where a clearance is not available.
IFR aircraft shall generally expect a visual departure during VMC, otherwise the EN (RADAR) SID.
Start Approval
Start approval is required for:
- Departures to YMML
- Departures to YMMB and YMAV planned above
A020
Arrivals
VFR aircraft from Class G airspace should track via the following reporting points at A015:
| Inbound Direction | Reporting Point |
|---|---|
| North | KAO |
| Northeast | YYN |
| East | DSN |
| Southeast | APL |
| South | SNP |
| Southwest | WES |
IFR aircraft will generally transit the ML CTA and will likely be processed via the IAF for the most relevant instrument approach, or during VMC:
| Arrival Runway | Arrival Gate |
|---|---|
| 08 | 5nm Final |
| 17 | 5nm Final |
| 26 | MOSVO |
| 35 | MOSVO |
Tower Closed Procedures
The ML Class C airspace surrounding YMEN extends to SFC. Airways clearances are required for all operations, however with the Tower closed, no takeoff or landing clearances will be issued.
Outbound
Departing aircraft must request airways clearance and engine start approval while on the bay and ML TCU will provide current weather conditions, expected runway for departure, and clearance.
Phraseology
FDK: "Melbourne Approach, FDK, YMEN for YSHT, request clearance and engine start"
ML TCU: "FDK, Melbourne Approach, wind 290 degrees 4 knots, QNH 1017, cleared to YSHT via MNG, flight planned route, visual departure, climb to A040, squawk 4423, expect runway 35"
FDK: "QNH 1017, cleared to YSHT via MNG, flight planned route, visual departure, climb to A040, squawk 4423, FDK"
ML TCU: "FDK, start approved, report taxiing for runway 35"
FDK: "Start approved, FDK"
Report taxiing for the runway to receive traffic information.
Phraseology
FDK: "FDK, taxiing runway 35"
ML TCU: "FDK, traffic is CBN, a Cherokee, 5nm final runway 35, report at the holding point for departure instructions"
FDK: "Copy CBN, wilco, FDK"
Expect departure instructions at the holding point.
Phraseology
FDK: "FDK, ready runway 35"
ML TCU: "FDK, hold at the holding point, short delay due inbound aircraft"
FDK: "Hold at the holding point, FDK"
ML TCU: "FDK, make right turn, report airborne"
FDK: "Make right turn, FDK"
Inbound
Inbound aircraft will be cleared for the relevant instrument/visual approach and instructed to report clear of the runway. It is important that you report as soon as you vacate the runway, as ML TCU will be segregating other aircraft from your possible missed approach path. Any delay may result in delays for other pilots.
Phraseology
ML TCU: "SH490, cleared ILS approach runway 26, traffic taxiing for the holding point is UJA, an Aero Commander, report clear of the runway"
SH490: "Cleared ILS approach runway 26, copy UJA, SH490"
SH490: "SH490, clear of the runway, Essendon, cancel SARWATCH"
ML TCU: "SH490, Essendon SARWATCH terminated"
As the aerdrome surface is uncontrolled with the Tower closed, you may taxi to your desired parking position without instruction from ML TCU.
Sunbury Corridor
A VFR route exists to allow helicopters to transit from YMEN to the northwest under day VMC. Pilots should track in accordance with the table below:
| Direction | Tracking Points |
|---|---|
| Northwest | YMML PWLC SWT |
| Southeast | SWT PWLC YMML |
Note
Pilots must track over the intersection of RWY 16 & RWY 27 at YMML.
Clearances are required for transit. Expect to receive a requirement to sight and maintain own separation with aircraft operating at YMML.
Melbourne City Orbits
Visual orbits of the CBD in the overlying Class C airspace are available on request. The airspace over the CBD is managed by Essendon ADC, or Melbourne TCU when the Tower is closed.
Pilots can expect a clearance at A015 by day or A022 by night.
Phraseology
VCY: "Essendon Tower, VCY, Cessna 152, 2nm south of WMS, A015, received Lima, request one left-hand city orbit"
EN ADC: "VCY, Essendon Tower, cleared one left-hand orbit, maintain A015, report clear of the zone"
VCY: "Cleared one left-hand orbit, maintain A015, VCY"
Once clear of the Class C CTR
VCY: "VCY, clear of the zone"
EN ADC: "VCY, identification and control services terminated, squawk 1200, frequency change approved"
VCY: "Squawk 1200, frequency change approved, VCY"