Napier, Nelson, and New Plymouth
Sunday 03rd April 2011 1900-2300 NZST / 1700-2100 AEST / 0700-1100 UTC
For the first SNO of April, we're focussing our attention on three regional airports in the centre of the country: Napier, Nelson, and New Plymouth.
Not only do all three airports start with an 'N', appear next to each other in the AIP, and overlook a (different) coastline; all of them have interesting features that impact their arrivals and departures. There are big chunks of mountain in the immediate vicinity of each airport, and there are approaches at both Nelson and Napier that are offset from the runway heading. These are all airports where it is downright fun to be a pilot, or a controller!
Each leg should be around forty minutes depending on aircraft type, meaning you should able to easily fly to all three in under two and a half hours. Real-world, there are few direct services between these airports, but you should feel free to bring along your prop or small jet aircraft.
Flight Routes
Note: start the evening at ANY of the three airports and fly a complete circuit in either direction
From Napier
- NZNR / NZNS : NR H297 DUMOT H240 NS
- NZNR / NZNP : RNAV - NR H430 RUAHI TUIHU NP
- NZNR / NZNP : Non-RNAV - NR H430 RUAHI NP
From Nelson
- NZNS / NZNP : (NSNP4) NS H126 SELTA H499 NP
- NZNS / NZNR : NS H313 FOXTN H467 NR
From New Plymouth
- NZNP / NZNR : NP NR
- NZNR / NZNS : (NPNS1) NP H252 NS
For more information, including airport and position details, check out the event page.