by nzav8tor » Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:01 pm
Of all the airports to fly into in New Zealand, Queenstown is one where you do want to fly the approach procedure to the tiniest dot!
Mostly visual approaches over the Cadrona saddle for right base 23 otherwise the Alpha approach from Nixum. Get configured early, gear and most of the flaps out, speed back to 160 or less. Break off at the SH and circle right in front of Coronet Peak to be established with full flap and Vref+5 or 10 over Lake Hayes, roll out wings level over the lower Shotover river for short final 23.
If 05 is in use break off left to Tollgate turning right over Lake Wakatipu south and west of Deer Park to join final crossing the neck of Kelvin Heights at the entrance to the Frankton Arm. Don't over fly Queenstown hill, fly the approach slightly offset and straighten out on the 2 mile abeam Deer park on your right.
Approaches flown up the Gibbston Valley from Cromwell are not to common, normally only in marginal weather and to expedite during busy departures.
C approach from Walter Peak is only flown in really bad weather or by the aircraft arriving from the west but they use RNP approaches now anyway.