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Shellharbour councillors have unanimously endorsed a recommendation to grant the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society a license to keep the Qantas Boeing 747-400 at Illawarra Regional Airport.
However approval to land the 192 tonne plane on a runway designed for 25 tonne aircraft, remains with council staff.
Final approval to land the aircraft remains in the hands of Shellharbour Council staff, with the expectation the necessary safety documents would be complete by the end of the week.
‘‘We are working closely with Qantas, HARS and CASA on the landing,’’ Rosemary Crowhurst, Shellharbour council’s group director of city services said.
‘‘Qantas won’t land the plane if it is not safe.’’
At an extraordinary meeting on Monday night councillors granted a five year license to HARS to locate the record breaking plane, known as the City of Canberra, near the HARS hangar, much to the delight of the public gallery filled with HARS members.
A license rather than a lease was issued in case the council decides to reinstate its terminal building.
The previous terminal building was destroyed by fire in May 2013, and the council’s insurance payout of $1.1 million has been placed in reserve for a new building if one is deemed necessary in the new airport master plan.
However the council’s general manager Michael Willis gave no time frame on when the final draft of the master plan would be released.
The aircraft will overhang Airport Road 6.9 metres above the ground.
It will also overhang what is currently an informal car park, however the perimeter fence will now be relocated beyond the parking area at HARS expense.
Ms Crowhurst said it was Qantas that was responsible for applying for a pavement concession certificate from the council and flight path approval from CASA.
‘‘The plane belongs to Qantas until it lands,’’ Ms Crowhurst said.
The plane will arrive weighing in at 192 tonnes on a runway that allows for aircraft of 25 tonnes, but Ms Crowhurst said the runway rating of 25 tonnes was based on regular use, not one off landings like that of 747-400.
‘‘There is no guarantee damage won’t occur, but we will have two engineers on site for the day with inspections taking place before and after the landing,’’ Ms Crowhurst said.
HARS were working with RMS and the Police on issues such as traffic control, with a number of surrounding roads expected to be closed during the landing which is expected in early March
The plane’s engines will be removed, but replaced with retired engines ensuring a complete display.