Whether you’re living in Melbourne or just visiting for a few days, you may be wondering why are there so many helicopters flying around Melbourne?
While helicopters can be used for spectacular scenic rides and for tourist purposes, such as a thrilling helicopter ride over the CBD, helicopters in Melbourne are also used for several other missions including police and ambulance services, traffic reports, aerial filming, and more.
This article will provide you with all of the information you need about the different helicopters in Melbourne. So, what helicopters are flying over Melbourne? Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
- Types of Helicopter Operations
- General Flight Paths
- General FAQs About Helicopter Operations in Melbourne
- Conclusion
Types of Helicopter Operations
Emergency Services
Police (Polair)
First on the list we have police helicopter operations, also known as Polair, the aerial wing of the Victoria Police Department. Police helicopters are responsible for a variety of tasks, with supporting ground units being a main function.
Polair helicopter operations can also take many other forms, such as performing surveillance using advanced surveillance equipment to gather intelligence and monitor criminal activities. One example of a Polair helicopter in action was in 2015, when a police helicopter was used to monitor and apprehend a driver moving at speeds in excess of 180 kmph with their headlights off.
Polair operations also include assisting in search and rescue operations, as well as providing support during large gatherings, particularly for public safety purposes. One of the most commonly used helicopters by Polair is the Leonardo AW139.
Air Ambulance (HEMS)
The other type of emergency purpose that helicopters in Melbourne serve is for medical use. The HEMS or Helicopter Emergency Medical Services is crucial for providing fast transport to patients who are in life-threatening situations and require immediate transport to a medical facility.
Ambulance Victoria is one of the main players on this front, known for delivering urgent transport for those in need. HEMS is often used to transport patients from the field to medical facilities, for rapid transfers between medical facilities, and for disaster response. For example, in 2020, a shark attack victim surfing at Bunker Bay was transported to hospital via helicopter for life-saving procedures.
Scenic Flights
As far as civilians are concerned, whether visitors to Melbourne or locals, the most common use of a helicopter is for scenic flights. Melbourne and the surrounding area have some truly wonderful sights to see, and an aerial view from the helicopter is one of the best ways to see them. Many operators also offer aerial photography services, allowing you to capture stunning images of Melbourne from above.
If you see helicopters flying over Melbourne, chances are that it’s a scenic flight or one of the many exciting helicopter rides available, with plenty of amazing landmarks to see. Helicopter flights over Melbourne have you seeing locations such as the central business district, the Yarra river, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Eureka Tower, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne Zoo, the Rod Laver Arena, and much more. In addition to scenic flights, many companies offer charter flights, providing a private and customisable experience to various destinations around Melbourne.
However, scenic flights and helicopter tours in Melbourne can also venture outside of the city, with nearby locations such as the Yarra Valley and its wineries, 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road, the Peninsula Hot Springs, and so much more! One of the iconic landmarks you can see during these tours is Luna Park, a historic amusement park that adds a touch of nostalgia to your aerial adventure.
No matter the attraction we’re talking about, the fact is that getting a top-down view of the sights of Melbourne, especially the Melbourne CBD, is like nothing else. You just can’t experience these attractions from the ground in the same way as you can from the sky! There’s also the fact that a private helicopter tour is a great way to spend an exciting day with friends and family alike.
Traffic Helicopter (ATN – Australian Traffic Network)
The Australian Traffic Network (ATN) uses helicopters equipped with advanced cameras and communication systems to monitor and report on traffic conditions in real-time. These helicopters offer a view of traffic across large areas, allowing ATN to quickly identify and report accidents and congestion.
In addition to monitoring traffic, ATN helicopters respond to incidents, providing aerial footage that assists both news broadcasters and emergency medical and police services. This capability is crucial during major accidents or road closures, where quick and accurate information can help prevent further congestion or delays.
ATN helicopters also monitor weather conditions that might impact driving, such as heavy rain or bushfires, providing timely updates to ensure driver safety. While their primary role is traffic reporting, these helicopters can also assist in managing situations like police pursuits or public demonstrations that affect traffic, contributing to broader public safety efforts.
Filming
When it comes to the uses of helicopters in Melbourne, filming for media purposes and aerial photography are other main purposes. Helicopters are often used for filming movies and TV series, commercials, and more. Perhaps the most popular use of helicopters as far as filming is concerned is for the filming of sporting events.
Helicopters are often used to capture the fast-paced action at the Flemington Racecourse and the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Here, you’ll notice that gyro-stabilised cameras with extremely high definition are used to produce high-quality shots.
General Flight Paths
Now that we know what helicopters in Melbourne are used for, let’s discover where the fly from and what some of the most common flight paths are.
Essendon Airport
Essendon Airport is located in close proximity to Melbourne airport, and because of this, air traffic often needs to be managed in very unique ways. There is an 11PM to 6AM curfew for certain types of aircraft, although emergency services and certain other types of aircraft are permitted to take off and land during this time.
Aircraft departing from Essendon are kept totally separate from Melbourne air traffic in order to maintain safety, and while most aircraft arriving follow standard paths, some may be radar vectored to avoid issues with Melbourne airport air traffic.
There are also many scenic helicopter tour operators that operate out of Essendon Airport. The scenic route generally has aircraft flying in an orbit over the area around Rod Laver Arena, Eureka Tower, the Docklands, the MCG, the Exhibition Building, and more. If you're going on a private helicopter tour around the Melbourne area, it's this airport that you will most likely be leaving from.
Moorabbin Airport
Interesting to note about Moorabbin Airport is that most aircraft here fly under VFR or Visual Flight Rules, with VFR routes having defined entry and exit points both to and from controlled airspace. When arriving at this airport from the north, aircraft track via Kilmore at altitudes of 4,500 feet or lower.
From the West, the arrivals come in via Bacchus Marsh at an altitude no higher than 3500 feet. When coming in from the South, aircraft track via Mornington Peninsula at no higher than 1500 feet. From the east, aircraft track via the former General Motors Holden Complex at no higher than 1,500 feet.
One of the most popular uses of Moorabin Airport is as a designated training area for pilots. This was established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Melbourne Airport
Melbourne airport is one of the busiest in the country, with its four terminals being used by over 31 million people in 2023. The number of travellers from this airport continues to climb on a yearly basis. Flight paths are varied depending on the domestic or international location being traveled to.
Yarra River Helipad
Finally, we have the Yarra River Helipad, located on the South Wharf Promenade in Melbourne. This helipad is most often used for scenic flights, such as to the Yarra River, some of Melbourne’s landmarks, and more.
This helipad is also a popular choice for special occasions, offering a unique and memorable way to celebrate events such as anniversaries, birthdays, and proposals. In fact, use for scenic flights, corporate flights, and special events are the three main uses of this helipad, with occasional emergency services also utilising it.
Local flight paths usually include some kind of loop around melbourne’s biggest landmarks, while there are also regional tours, such as to the vineyards of the Yarra valley or the Dandenong ranges.
General FAQs About Helicopter Operations in Melbourne
Can I Take a Helicopter Flight to the Gold Coast?
Yes, there are charter flights available that can take you from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, offering a quick and scenic route to this popular destination.
Are There Helicopter Tours Available to the Sunshine Coast?
Yes, some operators offer helicopter tours that include the Sunshine Coast, providing breathtaking views of the coastline and local attractions.
What Noise Standards for Helicopters Are There?
Yes, there are noise standards that helicopters must follow, as laid out in the Aircraft Navigation Regulations of 2018.
How Low Can Helicopters Operate?
Helicopters are not allowed to fly any lower than 1000 feet over built up areas or 500 feet over other areas, which of course does not include takeoff or landing.
Where Can a Helicopter Land?
Where a helicopter can land is determined by both local and state land use planning and development approval processes.
