ALL eyes will look to the skies on Sunday as the historic Qantas 747-400 flies just 1200 metres over the Illawarra on its final journey to its new home in Albion Park Rail.
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Qantas pilots and crew will prepare the plane for the 15 minute journey from Sydney International Airport to Illawarra Regional Airport where it will lower its wings for the final time since 1989.
Qantas is donating the plane to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS). The plane made aviation history when it set the record for having flown the longest non-stop flight (London to Sydney) of any commercial airline.
The aircraft is expected to arrive between 7.40am and 8am on Sunday, March 8 and could cause some disruption to nearby traffic.
There will be changes to traffic conditions along Tongarra Road, Illawarra Highway and Princes Highway (north bound only) and pedestrian access during its arrival.
The flight path will see the 747 soar over the Illawarra from North Wollongong through to the airport at around 4000 feet (1200 metres).
The runway will be secured and there will be limited viewing on the eastern side along the fence line.
However, because the aircraft is flying so low there are various vantage points for viewing along its path which can be identified with the flight path map.
If you happen to see the plane and snap a picture, share this with us on Facebook or Twitter using the hash tag #QFfarewellOJA.
There will be temporary restricted airspace between 7.30am and 8.30am around the airfield for eight nautical miles, up to 4,500 feet and restricted airspace covering the plane's inbound track from the Sydney Terminal. For updates visit www.airservicesaustralia.com
People who fly drones – also known as remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles - are being warned to keep out of temporary restricted airspace for the event.
The aircraft is coming from Sydney to its new home at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.
The temporary restricted airspace covers an eight nautical mile circle around the Illawarra Airport - to Kiama in the south, Macquarie Pass in the west and Mt Kembla in the north. Port Kembla and central parts of Wollongong are inside the restricted area.
It also includes a straight section out to the east over the ocean from central Wollongong which will be the aircraft’s path of arrival.
People should not fly drones within 5.5 kilometres of an airport at any time. CASA will have inspectors present at the Illawarra Airport on Sunday to monitor the safety of the 747 operation.
For more on the arrival of Qantas 747-400 see: All set for Illawarra landing on Sunday
