Black Hawks flying low in North Sydney
Australian Army Black Hawk aircrews are flying low over North Sydney as part of routine training.
The training involves four Black Hawk helicopters, that will be flying between 2pm and 11pm today.
Major Paul Lewis, executive officer of 6th Aviation Regiment, said the training has been planned to have as little impact on residents as possible.
``The exercises will involve some low-altitude flying to ensure pilots are well trained in operating over urban areas,’’ he said.
Major Lewis said the Australian Defence Force took its role in defending the nation seriously and this training was ``important to maintain critical capabilities of personnel’‘.
The Black Hawks have been based at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney’s south-west since moving from Townsville in 2006. Major Lewis said they were finding NSW to be a great training area for crews.
View all (25) Comments
Sharon writes:
Posted on 7 Mar 12 at 03:07pm
This seems to be happening again, in March 2012. So, let's say that they are training, and one of the trainees screws up and flies TOO close to a house and crashes? Isn't this a bit dangerous? Couldn't they build a facility of empty buildings to practice this around somewhere in the desert? I'm not thinking that the Cremorne/Mosman area is a realistically appropriate place for it.
Sam writes:
Posted on 23 Aug 11 at 07:33pm
I completely understand the rationale, it has to be done. But until 11 pm? Really? It's not so much me but the 2 year old I live with freaks out every time one flies close, and living on the 13th floor on Ridge Street it is pretty often. Just get it over with already.
Clare writes:
Posted on 4 Apr 11 at 11:09pm
If you find an urban area in some of the plenty of bush areas around sydney then you should inform the SAS. So that during further urban training excercises they can minimise discomfort to yourself.
I hope that if terrorists do attack that they do either do it at an earlier and more suitable time. Or that they keep the noise to a minimum.
phil writes:
Posted on 29 Mar 11 at 08:35pm
Well a year later and now it is the turn of Darlinghurst. Is there a point to terrorising the local community and all the animals that live with us.
I tend to think of what it might be to live under these conditions for years as the countries we occupy currently experience
Alyson writes:
Posted on 29 Mar 10 at 03:22pm
The Black Hawks training over North Sydney last Wednesday night up to 11pm was a completely inappropriate area in which to do it. We were given NO warning this was going to occur, and to do it until 11pm on a weeknight in a residential area when people are trying to sleep because they have to work the next day was grossly inconsiderate. I live right near the AAMI building in North Sydney, and I could not watch my television nor have a conversation on the phone as they were so loud ! Sydney has plenty of bush areas where there are no residents to wake up - have some consideration and do it there next time !!