Requested airspace solution for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2026

An airspace solution has been requested to support aviation activities during the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The issue

As in previous years, Professional Helicopter Services Pty Ltd, on behalf of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, has placed a request to the Office Airspace of Regulation (OAR) for a protective airspace solution to be provided around the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. This is due to the large increase in aviation activity within close proximity to Albert Park Lake. This activity is generally all associated with the event and involves both rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

Purpose

A request for an airspace solution has been placed with the OAR that, in the past, has resulted in a temporary restricted airspace being declared around the Albert Park Lake area for the duration of the event. This aims to provide additional protection to airspace users during the event due to the large increase in air traffic within the specific area.

This request has previously resulted in the establishment of two temporary restricted areas (TRAs). One smaller TRA (R990), which is localised around Albert Park Lake itself extending to the edge of the Port Phillip Bay coastline and doesn’t impact on the Port Phillip Bay coastal Day Visual Flight Rules (VFR) route. R990 is proposed to be surface to 1500 feet (ft) above mean sea level (AMSL) and would be in place between 08:00 and 18:30 local time. R990 does impede on the Point Ormond Danger Area of which the operator of skydiving aircraft and Professional Helicopter Services implement procedures for continued operations for the duration of the event.

The Air Display TRA (R992) is much larger, and is only active for the duration of military air displays for which activation is controlled and managed by Melbourne Centre.

The image below shows the boundaries of both R990 and R992:

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