Civil Aviation Safety Authority will conduct the checks to ensure instrument procedure flight paths at the aerodromes continue to be safe.

CASA spokesperson Peter Gibson said the checks were part of standard procedure and were conducted every three years to maintain a high level of air safety at all Victorian aerodromes.

“The facilities are used by pilots in poor weather so we need to be able to rely on them with 100 per cent certainty,” he said.

A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to carry out the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from the aerodromes.

Mr Gibson said low-level flying was an important part of the safety exercise, with the aircraft down as low as several hundred metres at times.

“Obstacles that could cause danger to low-level flying aircraft include overgrown trees, telecommunications towers, masts and buildings,” he said.

Mr Gibson warned residents might notice an uncommon flying pattern.

“This is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist,” he said.

Mr Gibson said if poor weather or other factors did not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days they would be carried out as soon as possible.

Grampians Helicopters pilot Justin Neofitou used the Stawell airport between 10 to 12 times a week and was pleased the safety checks would be conducted and fix any potential dangers to the aircraft. 

“It is important that these facilities are kept up to standard,” he said.

“The only problem we face is a set of power lines which run across the north west corner of the facility.”

Mr Gibson said the location of the power lines forced him to to avoid approaching the runway from a northerly direction. 

“It would be good if the power lines were underground, but apart from that difficulty everything else seems to be fine,” he said.