Navigation setup
Use QNH and ML VOR/DME, 114.1 MHz. DME is required; GNSS may be used instead of DME with ML VOR as the reference waypoint. Aircraft may be radar-vectored to an initial approach fix.
The chart lists ATC approach-speed ranges of 160–185 kt at 10 NM from the threshold and 150–160 kt at 5 NM from the threshold.
Holding
Hold at ML radial 086°, 10 NM ML DME:
The entry diagram labels 086°, 156° and 336° around the holding fix.
Initial approach options
From ML VOR/DME
Start at 3,000 ft over ML. Fly outbound on 072° for categories A/B, or 062° for categories C/D, to 7 NM ML DME. Turn right to intercept the 266° inbound final course. The profile retains 3,000 ft through the outbound leg and depicts descent on the inbound path.
From the 10 NM DME arc
Intercept the 266° inbound course. The curved connections from the lead radials towards final are labelled 2,300 ft. The diagram also marks R-086° at 10 NM ML DME, the holding fix.
Descent profile
All distances are to ML DME, not to the threshold. The profile gives a 3° descent path.
Runway 27 threshold elevation is 407 ft. The source does not provide a threshold-distance conversion for every DME check.
Three-degree descent checks
Straight-in minimum
For categories A–D, the VOR/DME minimum descent altitude is 1,040 ft above mean sea level, a 633 ft height above threshold, with 2.9 km visibility. Special alternate minima are not applicable.
Missed approach
At the missed-approach point, track 266° and climb to 4,000 ft, or as directed by ATC.
Circling and alternate minima
Circling altitudes are feet above mean sea level; the accompanying heights are above the 434 ft aerodrome elevation. Visibility is kilometres.
Frequencies
All frequencies are MHz.
Sector altitudes and map reference
The 10 NM minimum sector altitude is 3,300 ft. The 25 NM MSA, centred on ML VOR, is 4,500 ft in the northern sector and 3,700 ft in the southern sector. Boundaries are labelled R-260° on the west side and R-080° on the east side.
Bearings are magnetic, with 12° east variation. Elevations are feet above mean sea level. The map scale is 1:500,000, with a 0–5 NM scale bar. It covers labelled grid lines 37°30′–37°50′ S and 144°40′–145°00′ E. YMEN is Essendon Airport, south-east of Melbourne.
The map prints these terrain and obstacle elevations, in feet: 2,195; 1,604; 1,598; 1,600; 1,468; 949; 1,021; 830; 655; 920; 687; 1,224; 1,171; 906; 1,007; 948; 817; 945; 808; 935; 775; 706; 691; 564; 526; 552; 573; 1,041; 772; 697; 1,096; 657. Their geographic positions have not yet been fully transcribed into this text.
Chart MMLVO02-186, revised 19 March 2026, from the fixed publication cycle effective 3 September 2026.
Source: © Airservices Australia, Departure and Approach Procedures, MMLVO02-186.Last modified on October 30, 2026
