There are a number of helicopter training schools based at the Sunshine Coast Airport. Like fixed-wing aircraft training, activity fluctuates throughout the year, with courses commencing at different times. As courses progress to different types of flying, different areas will be affected.
Circuit training, which is the initial training undertaken, will occur both at the airport and at other locations, including other airports in the area, while students learn landing and taking off. Once they are proficient at this they will progress to cross-country and navigation training. In the cross-country training the helicopters travel to a variety of locations to the north, west and south of the airport. Areas used for training include other airports, such as Kingaroy and Maryborough, and navigation aids at various locations.
One of the final stages of training is night training including using night-vision goggles. When this occurs the major training school generally ceases operations by 10:30 pm, and often earlier in winter due to the increased hours of darkness.
Three helicopter training areas have been established, however training activities need not be confined to these areas. There is no restriction on where helicopter training can occur. One area is to the west of Caloundra Airport adjacent to the Bruce Highway, (shown in image below), where training may take place between 7:30 am and 10 pm. This area is used by the major helicopter training school but it is not used continuously. Another area is to the north of the airport and west of the Sunshine Motorway, and helicopter training also takes place to the west of Runway 12 at the Sunshine Coast Airport.
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The following image shows the density of helicopter training operations over a three-month period. The colour indicates the density – the hotter and deeper the colour, the greater the number of movements. Click on the image to enlarge it and use your “Back” button to return to this page.
