Lake Wakatipu

Beautiful Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown (NZQN).  Flying there?  We have some information that may be useful!

 Queenstown, the New Zealand Mecca for the rich & famous, adventure capital of the country, holiday destination for the young and the young at heart. It almost goes without saying that this is a high traffic-density area, with everything from 4-6 seat single-engine and light-twin tourist aircraft, helicopters, balloons, para-gliders, skydivers, adventure flights (aerobatics), warbirds, commuter airliners, private jets, up to Boeing 737's, all vying to share the airspace of this confined area. If it flies, there's every chance you'll find it within this area.

 NZQN can be a challenging place to fly, particularly if you are not familiar with the routes, the area or the airport and its local practices.  Hopefully this article will go some way towards demystifying it all!

What you'll need:

• A good attitude, patience and courtesy,
• Clear, concise, accurate radio calls,
• Good situational awareness, particularly where you are and will be in relation to terrain and other traffic. If you lose the plot, ask. ATC is there to help.
• A current VNC 1:250,000 available to order over the internet at the Airways NZ online Shop,
• A current and updated Volume 4 [VFR] of the NZAIP, available to order over the internet at the Airways NZ on-line Shop with particular reference to the NZQN plates,
• An awareness that you are operating in designated Mountainous Terrain. At a minimum some form of comprehensive briefing on the techniques particular to Mountain Flying is recommended. Formal training in these techniques is strongly recommended.
• A functional, checked ELT is strongly recommended. In an ideal world this would be 406MHz unit with GPS and able to transmit on 121.5 also. Until superseded, 121.5/243MHz units are still appropriate.
• If your stay in the area is an extended one with further Mountain Flying on the agenda, a Survival Kit may be a good idea.

Getting There:

Wherever you are coming from in NZ, there are a few common points that will define your 'entry point' into the NZQN system of airspace management. They're relatively common waypoints to/from the NZQN basin and whilst not necessarily a part of the NZAIP documentation, will serve for the purposes of this discussion to get you where you are going and mark where you will need to be conforming with local procedures.

In broad strokes, these points may be defined as:
• To the North, Wanaka township or NZWF airport, most likely for traffic from the West Coast/Haast area, the MacKenzie Basin, Canterbury and points North
• To the East, Alexandra township or NZLX airport, most likely for traffic from Dunedin NZDN, Otago and Eastern Southland
• To the South, Kingston at the Southern end of Lake Wakatipu, most likely for traffic from Invercargill NZNV and the deep South
• To the South-West, the Von Valley from Te Anau NZTZ and Manapouri NZMO and southern Fiordland National Park, and
• To the West, the Eastern Passes area of Milford Sound NZMF.

Arrivals:

Copy the ATIS information broadcast as soon as you are able. It will contain arrival procedure and expected runway information as well as local wx conditions. Prepare yourself on the basis of this information in the absence of other instructions.

From the North:

Remember, NZWF is an unattended airfield, but of those, one of the busiest with regular tourist flight arrivals and departures, commuter airlines, skydiving, warbirds and other aviation activities. Make all necessary traffic advisories and maintain a good listening watch.
If you are operating over the Southern part of the lake towards the township, (generally from Beacon Point to the town waterfront) you may hear calls from one "Lucky Montana" which is a paragliding business (tow-boat) operated from the Lake Wanaka water-front. This activity can be expected to be operating up to 3,000' AMSL and above with the canopy sometimes over the township by up to 1/2-a mile in suitable wind conditions. You may also encounter Parapente activity along any ridge-line or mountain range in the area, operating up to the tops. Canopies are usually brightly coloured, but can be difficult to pick-up against ground-clutter or until you are quite close. Use landing lights as an aid to visibility at all times in this
area, alternating if fitted.

The main entries to the NZQN Basin from the Wanaka area are:

via the Cardrona Valley

Entry to the Cardrona Valley will see you passing quite close to the NZWF traffic circuit. Make all necessary calls, use your landing lights. A call entering the valley passing Mt Iron or Mt Barker is appropriate for both NZWF and Cardrona Valley traffic. Climb towards the Cardrona Saddle usually on the Western side of the Valley, descend towards NZWF usually on the eastern side. The Cardrona Saddle is at an elevation of 4,955', so 5,500' AMSL would be a minimum recommended crossing-height. On crossing the Saddle you are in NZQN Airspace and will need to commence a quite rapid descent to circuit height.
If the Cardrona Saddle is unavailable to you, further up the valley the Crown Saddle (elevation 3,545') may offer an alternative. Again this will bring you out within NZQN airspace, just above the Bungy Bridge VRP, again requiring a relatively brisk descent tocircuit height.

via the Clutha River, Lake Dunstan and Cromwell

From Wanaka township or overhead NZWF, your navigation issues are virtually non existent. Simply follow the Clutha River to the head of Lake Dunstan, follow Lake Dunstan to Cromwell then anticipate the Waitiri arrival to NZQN, via the Kawarau River.
Make all necessary calls in the NZWF, NZLX and NZCS unattended airfield areas, as necessary. Proceed as per From the East below.

From the East:

Follow the Clutha River past the Clyde Dam to Cromwell, then expect the Waitiri entry via the Kawarau Gorge. Make all necessary traffic calls as you cross over or pass NZLX and NZCS unattended airfields, and expect both same and opposite-direction traffic in the Kawarau Gorge, which may include aircraft up to the size of an ATR-72 conducting a visual approach/departure from/to the NZLX NDB en route NZQN.

From the South:

As you make your way towards Kingston from the South, you will most likely pass in the vicinity of the Five Rivers gliding area, just North of Lumsden. This area is quite frequently active, particularly over weekends and public holidays, with both winch- and tug-launches likely at any time during daylight hours. The traffic from Five Rivers will most likely cross your track at some point, with some traffic going quite high in thermals and mountain wave conditions. Good airmanship would see you give a courtesy call as necessary on the Five Rivers traffic frequency, 133.55 entering, transiting and vacating their area, particularly if you see or suspect that glider operations are under way.
If you are going to get low cloud, you’ll get it around the Athol/Fairlight area, sometimes fog around Mid Dome. When Athol is on your Starboard wingtip, there’ll be a pass in front of you. You’ll need about 3,000’ to get over it. That takes you past the old Nokomai gold mine and straight into Fairlight (Where the Kingston Flyer runs from) with the Mataura River winding off towards Eyre Peak on your left. Straight run from there to Kingston. Any trouble getting over the pass, just overhead Athol, follow the main road all the way to Fairlight, voila you’re back on-track. Get a minute or two N of Kingston before trying to raise NZQN –can be difficult from Kingston until you are around the bend of the lake. Follow the road up to Wye Creek (reporting point, compulsory).

From the South-West:

The Von Valley is a beautiful, wide mountain valley useful for accessing the NZQN area from Southern Fiordland National Park, Te Anau, Manapouri and Western Southland. As you transit the Valley, the very scenic Mavora Lakes run off to the North West, along the Livingstone Mountains.
The valley is however renowned for quite severe turbulence in some wind conditions, often requiring a reduction in speed for pax comfort.
When you reach the Afton Burn Saddle VRP heading towards NZQN, keep to the right. You'll come onto the shores of Lake Wakatipu just West of Walter Peak Station (VRP) for joining via Hidden Island.

From the West:

The NZQN arrivals procedure from NZMF is thoroughly documented in the NZAIP and defined by the daily practice of the local Tourist Operators. When in Rome...

 

Landing Runways supplementary information:

• RWY 23: Caution wind shear/downdraft/sink on short final for RWY 23, usually coincident with crossing the confluence of the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers.
• RWY 05: If joining down-wind, it’s a fairly close-in circuit, narrowing (because of terrain) as you get further downwind. Don’t get suckered into a too-early base turn –extend downwind to almost as far as the marina/launching ramp in the Frankton Arm, then a less formal base, more a constant rate turn directly onto finals. There can be a wee down-draft there on finals too, but not as bad as the 23 end.
• RWY 14: Caution: You will be close to terrain on base/finals. A very steep approach to the runway threshold, crossing transmission lines on short-finals.
• RWY 32: Caution: You will be close to terrain (ridge off the Remarkables) with a relatively tight base/final turn to the approach.

Parking:

NZQN is a very busy regional airport, where the explosive growth of the tourism industry has vastly outstripped the ability of the airport facilities to cope. Parking for aircraft on NZQN is at a premium. The GA aircraft parking area is owned by the airport company and spots are generally not allocated to any individual or organisation -the area directly in front of the aeroclub building may be the exception. The local operators by long-standing tradition generally park their aircraft together in the same general area. Again, they don't own the parks; they do however own the pickets and tie-downs that are there, and by virtue of the fact that they 'live' on the airport, do have a right of preference to their locations. Furthermore, they pay the same landing-fees you do, as well as leases and rents for on-airport facilities, to which some 'rights' must accrue.
Before securing and leaving your aircraft for any length of time, check with someone on the airport to be certain that where you have left it is both appropriate and not likely to inconvenience anyone else. The Wakatipu Aero Club is always a good place to start. If they are unable to assist, keep asking -you will find people on the airport only too happy to assist with a genuine and courteous enquiry.
Never simply assume a picket or tie-down spot is there for your convenience -you will almost certainly be taking someone else's spot. Should you do so, you should also expect to be advised of the fact, sometimes in very short words. It may be the 1st time you have done it, but you can be absolutely certain it isn't the 1st time it has happened to the local operators... even this week! Remember, a little courtesy and a genuine enquiry will get you a long way. If you are in the 'wrong' spot, they'll at the very least direct you to where you can ask permission to use an existing tie-down or place your own pickets. An enquiry to the Wakatipu Aero Club or the Queenstown Airport Corporation before you plan on arriving in NZQN may smooth your way with regards parking. QAC Landing Fees and Parking request at NZQN here.

Departures:

NZQN departures are relatively straight-forward. There is very good information in the NZAIP [VOL 4] documentation for the airport, which should be your primary reference. If however, it is your intention to operate further into this area, to places perhaps like NZMF Milford Sound, it is strongly recommended that you pursue an appropriate area, traffic and wx briefing from a qualified instructor, or local tourist pilot. They'll be only too happy to assist a courteous and genuine enquiry with a comprehensive briefing.
Be aware that departures from all NZQN runways in whatever direction will have you interacting with terrain sooner or later. Be prepared for that. Departures to the North will require a solid climb performance to cross the Cardrona or Crown Terrace saddles.
Departures from RWY 32 to the North will be into rising terrain, requiring a track adjustment shortly after lift-off. Power changes are best delayed until well established in the climb from this RWY.
Now. The major QN sucker-punch: RWY 14 departures. If you are departing South, no problem, very straight-forward. If however you are remaining in the 14 circuit on the way to your departure, you will be making your x-wind turn between Deer Park Heights and the ridge off the Remarkables. In the turn (it will be to the Left) there is a very strong ‘false horizon’ effect that leads to far too much back-pressure, stall, spin... rest is obvious. DON’T get suckered. Keep looking well around to your Left as you go through your turn, maintain our horizon back towards the airport. Watch your speed –make sure you nail it, keep it there. Your speed is your attitude. Don’t let your speed reduce –at all. The terrain (ridge off the Remarkables) will look incredibly close –it is, but not as close as you will think it is. As you come back towards the downwind, you’ll be close to the Tollgate VRP. Fly whatever portion of the circuit you need to fly to get to your assigned departure, as instructed.

There's nothing exceptionally hard about any of it, and don’t be fazed by the traffic. Most of the traffic around you will be experienced in the area; they’ll have an eye on you and will adjust accordingly if necessary.

The Rules:

• Be fully prepared,
• Use your landing lights, alternating if fitted,
• Keep your head out of the cockpit -you should need little more than brief glances inside to see what you need to, if you are properly prepared.
• Keep your head on a swivel!!! Lookout is everything in this congested airspace.
• If you are in doubt, whether in the air or on the ground ask someone for advice.

But above all, enjoy your stay in Queenstown, have a lot of fun on your flights to & from and we'll see you again another day!