Ben

Just wanted to share some fantastic news. Bankstown Airport really smashed it in May, recording 23,000 movements! Making it the 2nd most busy airport in the country for that month!

Just did a comparison. Looks like it is roughly an extra 7-8km If cruising at 200km/hr it will take an additional 2.5min to get to Camden airspace. 5min return trip. That's still doable right?

Hey OME, let's assume you are correct in your airspace predictions, any guesses how much it would add to the transit time from Bankstown for upper air work? Also how feasible is it to train directly east of WSI?

Many thanks for everyone who has contributed their insights! I really appreciate the diverse knowledge and experience you all share! What I gather from everyones responses: - Many Aviation related business have shut/moved out or continue to struggle - Movement numbers are strong and steady - Majority of movements appear to be flight training (CPL) followed by rotary rather than recreational This does raise another question - Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of how these flight schools are coping? Data suggests they are doing fine as the demand is there based on the movement numbers. Their hourly rates also appear to reflect that as per Carbon Canary's and others pricing observation. Sadly that isn't great news for people like myself with the cost of training being so high and appears to only up. However, university degrees are also expensive so it's an investment that has to be made one way or another.

Look at these Big businesses, even bragging about their milestones. https://www.watoday.com.au/business/companies/samsung-signs-lease-at-super-fund-s-big-western-sydney-industrial-estate-20230508-p5d6ly.html What I really don't understand is, how can non-aviation big businesses have access to long term leases, whereas aviation businesses cannot, even when it is based on an airport?! What will the big businesses do when they eventually drive out the flight schools and lose that revenue stream? They'll be left with 3 dead runways.

wow $35/hour including hire, fuel and trainer? That's insane! Though I could say the same about house prices 🥲

Wow I don't know what to say. You've really opened my eyes OME. I did not know a touch and go counted as 2 movements... Looks like you've brought me back down to earth. Regarding Camden being on a flood plain, I thought Bankstown is also located on one, though I don't think it got flooded even with the crazy rain from last year. Henry Lawson Drive/Tower road intersection had sections submerged. Also genuine noob question - When WSI becomes operational, you mentioned the training could potentially be further south, what proportion of training will that comprise of versus say touch and go where the flying occurs around the airport? How much of an impact will that have on a flight schools overall operation?

Thanks! Though that may be true, but we must not allow that since flight schools can only operate at airports whereas developers can developer wherever they want.

Hello all! Long time lurker, first time poster so please be kind 😃 Disclaimer: I am a uni student and have aspirations to become a pilot, so I'm still a noob. Anyway, I've been reading some posts here and from AOPA that Bankstown airport is in decline and I understand that there are some challenges it is facing such as commercial development, short term leases and increasing rents and the general apprehension due to potential impacts from Western Sydney Airport. I totally understand that those are pain points. But what if we look at the positive side of things, such as: - Healthy movement numbers. Comparable to Parafield, Jandakot etc. - Strong demand - It's always super busy with 5-7 in a circuit - 10 Flight schools based here (strength in numbers!) - Strategically located in the heart of Sydney (unlike WSI which is basically in the sticks) - WSI is not a GA airport, so won't take away GA demand from Bankstown With that, it seems unlikely that things will change around here. It has been this way for a long time and I believe it will stay this way for many years to come! I'm just trying to stay positive here, though I am prepared to be grilled...😅