Spotting at Archerfield Airport

Having the day off I decided I would do some spotting at an airport very close to my home.

Archerfield Airport (YBAF) is located in Archerfield, 12 km's (7.5 miles) to the south of Brisbane city and 10 km's (6.2 miles) from my home.  

Archerfield airport was established on the 1st April 1931 and served as Brisbane's primary and international airport up until 1949 with Qantas, Ansett ANA and Trans Australia Airlines offering Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) services.

During World War II the airport became a hive of activity hosting the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, United States Army Air Forces and Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. 

Following World War II, Eagle Farm dominated aviation activity and Archerfield assumed secondary significance. Archerfield turned its focus towards flight training and in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s, movements peaked at approximately 320,000 per year.

In 1998, Archerfield was privatised. It now operates as the major general aviation airport and the metropolitan airport for greater Brisbane. Aircraft movements have remained relatively steady in the past decade at approximately 160,000 per year.

Archerfield Tower is active between 0700 and 1700 hours (local). Outside these hours Archerfield becomes a CTAF airport (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency). During this time the longest runway (10L/28R) becomes the main active runway for both arrivals and departures. 

Runways 04L/22R and 10R/28L are not available during CTAF hours. 

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast the phonetic letter Zulu to alert pilots that CTAF procedures are in effect.

RUNWAY's

10L/28R 1,471 Mts 4826 Ft     Asphalt

10R/28L 1,100 Mts 3609 Ft     Gravel/Asphalt

04L/22R 1,245 Mts 4085 Ft     Grass

04R/22L 1,100 Mts 3,609 Ft    Grass

CESSNA U206G VH-XGD (MSN U20603669)

PIPER PA-39 VH-ICS (MSN 39-068)

CESSNA 206H VH-TAW (MSN 20608065)

PIPER PA-28-181 VH-BTN (MSN 2843564)

CESSNA 404 VH-VOA (MSN 4040219)

CESSNA 182P VH-TIN (MSN 18264159)

CESSNA 172R VH-ZSN (MSN 17280931)

CESSNA 172R VH-SCN (MSN 17281039)

CESSNA 172N VH-TKJ (MSN 17270779)

PIPER PA-28-181 VH-VDN (MSN 2843173)

BEECH 77 VH-JUW (MSN WA-253)

PILATUS PC 12/47E VH-UJM (MSN 1370)

ROBINSON R44 VH-FHK (MSN 1659)

ROBINSON R44 II VH-RQJ (MSN 12045)

LEONARDO AW 139 VH-EGK (MSN 31827)

CIRRUS SR 20 VH-ZSZ (MSN 2243)

AEROPRO EUROFOX 24-8881 (MSN 60720)

BEECH B200 KING AIR VH-FON (MSN BB-1145)

SLING 2 24-8582 (MSN 184)

AEROPRAKT 32 VIXEN VH-YVQ (MSN 029)

EUROCOPTERBEC120B VH-EHA (MSN 1148)

BEECH B200 KING AIR VH-ISS (MSN BB-1008)