Helicopter Operations at Canberra (YSCB).
The Canberra CTR contains the Southcare Helicopter Base (YXSB), the Majura Training Area (YMJR) as well as the helipad at Canberra Hospital (YXCB). Helicopters operating to and from these pads require a clearance from CB ADC.
Departing Aircraft
Helicopters departing the pads require an airways clearance to do so, either taking the form of a clearance to transit the zone to the Class G airspace adjacent to the CTR (if the pilot has no intention to enter CTA) or as a normal airways clearance for a departure into the surrounding CTA. Ensure that no conflict exists with arriving or departing traffic and consider delegating separation responsibility to the VFR aircraft if required. It may also be required to coordinate with the TMA controller to ensure no additional conflict exists in their sector.
Departing aircraft should not be issued a takeoff clearance (as the helipads are outside the manoeuvring area). Instead, instruct aircraft to ‘report airborne’.
Phraseology
RSCU201 is a VFR AW139 helicopter intending to depart Southcare Base (YXSB) to the northwest at A035 (below the base of the Class C steps).
RSCU201: “Canberra Tower, helicopter RSCU201, Southcase Base, for departure to the northwest, A035, received Juliet, ready”
CB ADC: “RSCU201, Canberra Tower, transit approved not above A035, report OCTA”
RSCU201: “Transit approved, not above A035, RSCU201”
Phraseology
RSCU209 is an IFR AW139 helicopter intending to depart Canberra Hospital (YXCB) for Bankstown (YSBK) at A090 (inside Class C CTA).
RSCU209: “Canberra Tower, helicopter RSCU209, on the pad at Canberra Hospital, for Bankstown, received Juliet, ready”
CB ADC: “RSCU209, Canberra Tower, report sighting a Jetstar A320 on a 3nm final runway 35 and advise able to maintain own separation with that aircraft”
RSCU209: “Traffic sighted and affirm, RSCU209”
CB ADC: “RSCU209, pass behind the A320, maintain own separation, caution wake turbulence, cleared to Bankstown via AKMIR, flight planned route, climb to A090, squawk 3762”
RSCU209: “Cleared to Bankstown via AKMIR flight planned route, climb to A090, squawk 3762, pass behind the A320 and maintain own separation, RSCU209”
Remember to pass traffic information to both aircraft.
CB ADC: “JST619, traffic is a helicopter becoming airborne from Canberra Hospital, approximately 5nm southwest of the field, maintaining own separation with you, runway 35, cleared to land”
Arriving Aircraft
Helicopters arriving to the pads will generally be coordinated by the TMA controller and should be cleared via a visual approach (when available) and instructed to report on the ground. Do not issue a landing clearance to these aircraft (as the helipads are outside the manoeuvring area). It may be necessary to instruct these helicopters to track via amended visual points or sight and pass other aircraft.
Phraseology
RSCU203: “Canberra Tower, gday, RSCU203”
CB ADC: “RSCU203, Canberra Tower, report sighting a Qantas 737 lining up on runway 17 and advise able to maintain own separation with that aircraft”
RSCU203: “Traffic sighted and affirm, RSCU203”
CB ADC: “RSCU203, that aircraft will be departing upwind, maintain own separation, cleared visual approach, report on the ground”
RSCU203: “Maintain own separation, cleared visual approach, RSCU203”
Remember to pass traffic information to both aircraft.
CB ADC: “QFA714, traffic is a helicopter 1nm south of the field tracking for Canberra Hospital, opposite direction to you and maintaining own separation, runway 17, cleared for takeoff”
Eastern Grass
Helicopters may perform airwork within the ‘Eastern Grass’, an area to the north east of the runway intersection.
Helicopters requesting clearance to operate in the Eastern Grass shall be cleared to air transit to, and then operate within, the area by ADC.
Phraseology
ZXY: “Canberra Tower, helicopter ZXY, HEL parking, for the Eastern Grass.”
CB ADC: “ZXY, Canberra Tower, air transit Eastern Grass, cross runway 30. Report established.”
ZXY: “Air transit Eastern Grass, cross runway 30, ZXY”
ZXY: “Canberra Tower, ZXY, established Eastern Grass.”
CB ADC: “ZXY, cleared to operate Eastern Grass, not above 100ft.”
Source: VATPAC Canberra SOP, CC BY 4.0. Adapted for the simulator from the snapshot retrieved 2026-10-01; source updated 2026-08-27. Licence. Last modified on October 30, 2026
