The New Bankstown Airspace – What You Need to Know

Airservices Australia has implemented a redesign of the Bankstown (YSBK) Control Zone, reshaping how VFR pilots — both fixed-wing and rotary — access and transit the Sydney basin. The changes affect the CTR boundary itself, the structure of established VFR lanes, and the introduction of new routes. Here's a breakdown of how it now works.

CTR Boundary Redesign

The lateral boundary of the YSBK CTR has been redrawn, with the zone extended to the north and west. The new boundary took effect simultaneously with all lane and procedural changes on 9 July. Notably for rotary pilots, Choppers West and Choppers North now lie inside the zone.

Clearances, Flight Plans & Transponders

Flight plans are necessary for all departures from and arrivals to the Bankstown CTR that transit through Class C or Class D airspace. Clearances must be obtained from Bankstown Ground (119.9) on the ground before taxiing (or from Sydney Centre 124.55 if Bankstown Tower is closed), or if inbound, in Class G airspace before entering a CTA. Flight plans are not required for operations restricted to the YSBK CTR.

Every aircraft flying within the Class D or Class C airspaces around YSBK will receive a unique SSR code, typically assigned when a clearance is requested. This SSR code is automatically generated upon lodging a flight plan, so requesting clearance without a flight plan may result in delays or a refusal of clearance. It will be mandatory to carry a working transponder (preferably Mode C, S, or ADSB) for operations in and around YSBK.

VFR Lane Changes

All lanes below operate as Class D . You must lodge a flight plan stipulating the tracking points on the route. A clearance and discrete SSR code is required with ATC service provided by Bankstown Approach on frequency 125.80 (although 135.1 has been used as a backup frequency for BK App), with all routes being flown at or above 1500ft AMSL

Northern Lanes

• Minor variation to existing Bankstown LOE paths

• Carlingford Corner (Golf course at the M2 / Pennant Hills Rd intersection - the CLL rises here to 2500ft) has been added as an outbound tracking point for the Hornsby Outbound lane and Castle Towers and Baulkham Hills Reservoir have been added as an inbound tracking point for the Brooklyn Inbound lane

• For the Hornsby Outbound lane, track initially via YSBK departure instructions, to be at 1500ft by Parramatta, then at Carlingford Corner commence climb to and maintain 1800ft by Pennant Hills Strobe and continue at 1800ft until outside the Class D zone

• For the Brooklyn Inbound lane, establish at Brooklyn Bridge at 1800ft, then track via Berilee, Castle Towers and then descend to 1500ft by Baulkham Hills Reservoir, and track to the eastern side of Prospect Reservoir (PSP). Contact YSBK TWR on 132.8 for joining instructions.

• HORNSBY OUTBOUND: YSBK - PRT - CFCR - PENH - HSY - PAA

• BROOKLYN INBOUND: YSBK - BBG - BEE - CAST - BKHR - PSP

Aerial view of Carlingford Corner, where the M2 and Pennant Hills Road intersect, with the golf course in the Northeastern quadrant.

Western Lanes

PENRITH OUTBOUND: PRT - SITS - VCBR

Track outbound to Parramatta, then northwest to Seven Hills Train Station, then west to Victoria Bridge over the Nepean River at Penrith. Remain north of the Great Western Highway. Class D boundary at Nepean Hospital

Seven Hills Train Station, identifiable as the station immediately prior to Blacktown, with a multistory and outdoor carpark immediately on the northern side

Abeam the Lighthorse Interchange tracking west showing the Great Western Highway and the M4. Inbound traffic will be tracking between the Great Western Highway and the M4

Approaching Penrith, with the Hospital indicating the approximate location of the Class D CTA boundary and the Victoria Bridge tracking point

On approach to Victoria Bridge at Penrith

LIGHTHORSE INBOUND: NPBR - LIHR - PSP

Obtaining a discrete code and clearance in Class G airspace west of Penrith, track first to Nepean Bridge (where the M4 crosses the Nepean River), then follow the M4 eastbound, keeping the M4 on your right and the Great Western Highway on your left. Pass over the Light Horse Interchange and track to Prospect, contact Bankstown Tower on 132.8 for circuit joining instructions.

The Nepean Bridge - as the M4 motorway crosses the Nepean River. Inbound track runs just north of the M4

The Light Horse Interchange - where the M7 crosses the M4, just northwest of Prospect Reservoir (top left corner of image)

Southwestern Lanes 

HOXTON PARK OUTBOUND: HXPR - EMPS - MAGG

Track outbound from Bankstown (at 1000 ft in 29 direction, 1500 ft in 11 direction), crossing the Hume Highway west of Liverpool, then track at 1500ft to the intersection of Hoxton Park Rd and the M7. Turn south and track to Edmonson Park Train Station (southwest of TWRN). At Edmonson Park Station climb to 2500ft or as directed by ATC then track southbound to the west of the Hume Motorway to Mount Annan Botanic Gardens Greenhouse.

The Intersection of the M7 motorway and Hoxton Park Rd, seen from the east

Edmonson Park Railway Station, from the northwest

Mount Annan Botanic Gardens Greenhouse

ST HELENS INBOUND: SSKP - CRST - CRSC

Obtaining a discrete code and clearance in Class G airspace south of Campbelltown, track from St Helens Skateboard Park at 2500 ft to Campbelltown Railway Station and then north along the railway line, descending to 1500 ft and diverging to the Crossroads Shopping Centre, contact Bankstown Tower for joining instructions, expect routing via Choppers South, 500 ft

St Helens Skateboard Park on the southern end of Campbelltown (arrow). The Gilead Retirement Village (centre left) is an obvious landmark just south of St Helens

St Helens Skateboard Park

Tracking north abeam Campbelltown Hospital to the railway station

Tracking north along the railway line, diverge across the golf course to the Crossroads Shopping Centre (yellow circle)

The Crossroads Shopping Centre, just south of the traditional TWRN reporting point

Accessing Sydney Harbour

The existing route to and from Ryde Bridge for access to and egress from the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour will remain for helicopters and seaplanes. R405 will be re-coded as R407 on 9 July, with the CLL west of the Harbour Bridge being raised to 1000ft, although at this stage the laneway between Ryde Bridge and Harbour Bridge will still be flown at 500ft

Access to and from Ryde Bridge will be via direct contact with Bankstown Tower, using the existing Choppers West (CWST) and Choppers North (CNTH) tracking points and a newly created helicopter and seaplane access lane to Ryde Bridge allowing transit at not below 700 ft. At this time the advice is that a flight plan should be lodged, however a discrete code will not be issued.

Traffic Deconfliction

Visual separation of traffic in Class D will be the pilot responsibility, with traffic information provided by ATC where possible. Two main areas of concern are:

1. Crossing Penrith Outbound and Brooklyn Inbound routes north of Prospect Reservoir

2. Fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft tracking in the same lanes at 1500 ft, with significant speed differences

Airservices Australia has indicated that lower levels may be approved for helicopters to separate from fixed wing aircraft (eg. flying the whole St Helens Inbound lane at 1500 ft)

Woronora Outbound (Southeast) Lane

The Woronora southeast lane has been established and operates as Class D airspace. The decision to apply positive control to what is a one-way lane reflects the proximity of the Sydney 07 approach path and the precision required of pilots navigating it. Outbound tracking is via ATC departure instructions to arrive at Revesby Station at 1500 ft, then contact BK App 125.8 and track to Casuarina Oval (CASO) and Woronora Cemetery (WORC) at 1500 ft

R407B — Onwards Clearance to Hornsby or Penrith Lanes

For pilots transiting R407B (the Parramatta River / harbour lane) who want to continue outbound via the Hornsby or Penrith lanes, the current procedure is:

1. File a flight plan — this is essential. It gives BK APP/Radar your details before you call.

2. When westbound in the R407 lane, call 124.55 (Sydney CTR) to request an onwards clearance — note this frequency may change to 125.8, TBA.

3. Transfer to BK APP on 125.8 and continue on the assigned lane.

Be aware this involves up to three frequencies in a very short distance — CTAF (120.8), Sydney CTR (124.55), then BK APP (125.8) — all between Gladesville Bridge and Ryde Bridge, while maintaining awareness of other R407 traffic. File your flight plan and be well ahead of the aircraft before making any calls.

Start Clearances — Low Level & Off-Manoeuvring Area Ops

Low-level operations or movements off the manoeuvring area do not require a start clearance. However, if you intend to do circuits after low-level ops, the start clearance should be obtained before commencing the low-level phase — not after. This helps ATC planning.

SSR Codes on Training Area / Nav Flights

Variable experiences regarding SSR code retention when departing the CTA lanes for training area or nav flights has been experienced. The ERSA states "identification services terminated" on leaving the lane, suggesting the code will not be retained, however BK App seems to be approving retaining the code for imminent re-entries to the Class D airspace.