Yes, however the curfew which covers the hours between 11pm to 6am allows aircraft to operate during this time period where the aircraft is:
- a propeller-driven aircraft with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) not exceeding 8,618 kilograms, unless the specific aircraft or aircraft type has been included in a Prohibited Aircraft Schedule;
- a propeller-driven aircraft with a MTOW exceeding 8,618 kilograms that have noise emissions which do not exceed 90 EPNdB on take-off and 95 EPNdB on approach, but not allowing any trade-offs;
- a helicopter that complies with the relevant maximum noise levels contained in Chapter 8 or 11 of ICAO Annex 16, Vol 1 - Certification of Helicopters;
- approved by air traffic control to commence taxiing for departure prior to curfew commencement;
- involved in an emergency, police airwing operation or granted a dispensation by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (DoTRS).
Essendon Airport Curfew Act 2001 does not permit jets to operate during the curfew at all and does not allow aircraft over a maximum take-off weight of 45,000kgs to operate at Essendon at any time.
Approximately 70% of all aircraft movements during the curfew period are emergency services aircraft, with the remainder being special purpose air traffic such as traffic and news reporting helicopters. Most of the non-emergency services traffic during the curfew period occurs between 5am and 6am on business days (Monday – Friday).
|