Airport landing system upgrade

Another significant infrastructure upgrade project has been completed at Tamworth Regional Airport with today's commissioning of the new Instrument Landing System.

The project was funded through a $2 Million grant from the Australian Government and has taken nine months to install.

Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray said the airport enhancements were essential to the region's future economic growth.

“The upgraded Instrument Landing System supports the future of flight training here and it means we have an even stronger case to establish international freight operations,” he said. 

"Our airport is a community asset which delivers major economic benefits to the region through business and tourism travel and as a hub for the local aviation industry."

Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the Instrument Landing System upgrade would improve Tamworth's capacity to train and educate pilots.

"This upgrade will help attract more regular commercial and freight flights to the New England region, expanding job opportunities in aviation and supporting industries," he said.

The existing instrument landing system was installed in 1992. The new one includes a hut and antenna array at the western end of the main runway using the latest technology. It uses two radio beams which provide pilots with vertical and horizontal guidance during an approach to land. The system allows airlines and the airport to continue to operate in low visibility conditions, improving the reliability of landing.

Representatives of Indra Australia and Airservices Australia, which helped deliver and commission the upgraded system joined representatives from BAE Systems and CAE Oxford Aviation at an event today to mark the commissioning of the upgraded system.

Cr Murray thanked the Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce for his ongoing support of our community and the Australian Government for its financial contribution which made it possible for us to upgrade the Instrument Landing System.