Jandakot Airport is one of the busiest airports in Australia in terms of aircraft movements. However, that should not deter you from using Jandakot Airport as a base to sight-see Perth from the sky. Below are some standard procedures (during tower operations) which may help you in your understanding of departure procedures. Please note that while the information presented is current at the time of publication, the official published information changes from time to time. That said, it is your responsibility and good airmanship that you check the ERSA, relevant and current charts, as well as any NOTAMs before proceeding.
There are three runways in Jandakot Airport, two running parallel to each other (06L/24R and 06R/24L). Runway 06R/24L is used for departure to Armadale via SHOP as well as for circuit training. In this article, we are not going to look at the SHOP departure via 06R/24L, nor circuits. The longest runway at Jandakot, now runway 12/30 is occasionally used when strong easterlies or westerlies prevail.
For Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights, the published departures for Yangebup and Fremantle – Departures West (FREMantle golf course via Fiona Stanley hospital and Departures South, Thomsons Lake TOML via Yangebup YGB.
Taxi Clearance
There are two runup bays in Jandakot for you to do your pre-takeoff checks, the Northern runup bay (generally used when 24R is in use), and the Southern runup bay (when 06L or 12/30 is active). To move the aircraft from the apron to the runup areas, you will have to taxi onto Taxiway Bravo, and that requires ground clearance. The following is a typical clearance request for departure from the southern apron.
Tune 128.65 for the ATIS.
Tune Jandakot Ground 124.3
Pilot: Jandakot Ground, [aircraft type] [callsign], Southern Apron, for a [Yangebup / Fremantle] departure, received [ATIS], request taxi.
Ground: [Callsign], Jandakot Ground, taxi to Holding Point [holding point designator]Runway[24R/06L].
Pilot: Taxi to Holding Point [holding point designator],Runway [ 24R/06L, 12/30] [callsign].
You are now cleared to taxi to the runup bay to do your pre-takeoff checks. Once you are satisfied with your runups, proceed to the holding point.If you need to taxi back to the apron you will need to contact JT GND and request another clearance.
Holding Point
Holding short at the designated holding point, tune to 118.1 (Jandakot Tower) once you are number 1 for take-off. The radio call is as follow:
Pilot: Jandakot Tower, [callsign] Ready runway [designator] for [Yangebup / Fremantle ] .
Tower: [callsign], Jandakot Tower, cleared for takeoff.
Pilot: Cleared for takeoff, [callsign].
Occasionally, Jandakot Tower might ask you to hold position (often to wait for an incoming plane to land), or to line up and wait (to wait for separation from a departing plane).
FREMantle Departure
If you want to track North towards the city, or West towards Rottnest, you will have to depart via FREMantle Golf course
Runway 24R: Departing from runway, at 600 feet, turn right and track from the end of crosswind towards Fiona Stanley hospital. After flying over Fiona Stanley climb to 1,500 feet for noise abatement then track towards FREM.
Runway 06L: Departing from runway, at 600 feet, turn left crosswind. Climb to 1,000 feet and then track from the end of crosswind to track towards Fiona Stanley hospital. After flying over Fiona Stanley climb to 1,500 feet for noise abatement then track towards FREM.
Runway 12: Departing from runway, at 600 feet, turn left crosswind, and then left downwind, while climbing to 1,000 feet. Extend the downwind leg until clear of base and final traffic then track towards Fiona Stanley hospital.After flying over Fiona Stanley climb to 1,500 feet for noise abatement then track towards FREM.
Runway 30: Departing from runway, climb to 1,000 feet, track towards Fiona Stanley hospital.After flying over Fiona Stanley climb to 1,500 feet for noise abatement then track towards FREM.
Overhead Fiona Stanley, set XNDR 1200 and tune PH CEN 135.25
Yangebup Departure YGB
Runway 24R: Departing from runway, climb to 1,000 feet on runway heading towards YGB. At YGB, turn left (South) towards TOML. Track the eastern shoreline of TOML.
Runway 06L: Departing from runway, climb to 600 feet and turn left crosswind, continuing to climb to 1,000 feet. Turn left downwind. On late downwind, turn towards YGB Lake. At YGB, turn left (South) towards TOML. Track the eastern shoreline of TOML.
Runway 12: When Runway 12 is active, it will normally be left circuits. To depart for the training area, in your taxi clearance request, state, ‘ for the training area area’ or ‘ departure to the South ‘ as opposed to a YGB departure. ATC will authorise a right turn after takeoff. Remember to read back the right turn with your takeoff clearance. Climb to 600’ and make a right turn to fly an extended crosswind to the training area, climbing to 1,000 feet. Do not fly towards YGB or TOML, just remain clear of the inbound track from FDL and depart to the SE or SW as desired .
Runway 30: When Runway 30 is active, it will normally be left circuits. After departing the runway, climb to 600 feet and turn left crosswind for YGB, climb to 1,000 feet. At YGB, turn left (South) towards and track the eastern shoreline of TOML.
Overhead TOML, set XNDR 1200 and tune PH CEN 135.25