Air Traffic Controllers Hit The Pits For Clipsal 500

Corporate and International Affairs

GPO Box 367, Canberra ACT 2601

25 Constitution Avenue,
Canberra City
2600

Phone 02 6257 2828

Fax 02 6268 5688

ABN 59 698 720 886

Air traffic controllers hit the pits for Clipsal 500

Air traffic controllers will hit the pits today for the Clipsal 500 Adelaide to ensure safe skies over the exciting event.



Controllers, normally working behind the scenes, will share the company of top Australian music acts and big name celebs until the racing wraps up this Sunday.

A portable air traffic control tower has been installed trackside by Airservices technicians to ensure the safe operation of the aerial side of the four-day event.

Staffed by Airservices controllers from the Adelaide Airport control tower, the event tower will manage hundreds of helicopter movements and high-speed flying displays by the RAAF Roulettes and an FA-18 Hornet.

Almost 1000 race-related aircraft movements are expected around and over the circuit during the event.

The portable tower and on-site controllers are required due to the proximity of the circuit to existing flight paths serving Adelaide International Airport.

The Adelaide controllers will ensure separation between Clipsal 500 aerial activities and regular services into Adelaide airport are maintained at all times and that passenger and cargo services are unaffected.

=Air traffic controllers will also work with event managers in Race Control during the aerial components of the event to ensure flying displays run smoothly.

The service is the culmination of months of preparation and liaison between Airservices, Clipsal 500 organisers, emergency services and aviation representatives.

Airservices controllers and technicians have provided similar capacity at major motorsport events in Adelaide since the inaugural Adelaide F1 Grand Prix in 1986.

For media enquiries or an image of the Clipsal 500 air traffic control tower please call Airservices Media on 02 6257 2828 or send an email to [email protected]


Airservices Australia is a Government owned organisation responsible for the safe and efficient management of air traffic across 11 per cent of the world's air space. Services include air traffic control, airspace management, aeronautical information, radar communications, radio navigation aids, aviation maintenance and engineering, environmental management and aviation rescue and firefighting.

SOURCE: Airservices