Pilot Info

Terms and Conditions of use

The airport is open 24 hours a day. Prior permission is not required to use the airport; however, there are conditions of use…

• Circuit direction per the NZAIP Vol. 4 (Visual Flight Rules) must be followed.

• Gyro Copters and Helicopters must be no lower than 500 ft above airfield in downwind leg. All other aircraft to be 1,000ft.

• All approaches (all aircraft types) to land must be along the extended centre lines of the runways.

• Final turns to line up for landing and 1st turns executed after takeoff, to be commenced once clear of the shoreline and not below 500' AGL, (no turning out over neighbouring houses).

• Pilots must follow any direction given by airport staff.

Note: we do understand that some training will require some forms of variations to the above. But this must be only for training purposes.

Helicopter Training

The airport noise management plan restricts hover like training of helicopters pilots within the airport boundary to 1 hour duration max. Designated areas have been established as to where within the airport this can be done. 

There must be a gap of 1 hour before another period of 1 hour can be carried out. If there is more than 1 operator training, the operators must collaborate to ensure equal sharing of the times. Arrangements have been made where the private airstrip at Te Mata (5 miles South or airport) is available to be used for hover training. Helicopter operators are encouraged to use this option. (Please be respectful that sometimes farm animals are nearby at Te Mata. Avoid being too near or startling them).

Runway

Whangarei Airport has a sealed all weather runway 1097m X 30m with wider turning bays at each end.

Due to certain requirements runway 06 has had the landing distance reduced to 1067m. A starter extension at 06 threshold allows takeoff distance to remain unchanged.

A grass cross-runway 445 m X 60m is also provided but during periods of heavy winter rain can be closed due to soft conditions.

Pilots are advised against taxiing their aircraft onto the grass adjacent to the main sealed runway except where marked as a taxiway due to very soft ground during the wetter times of the year.

The main apron has marked stands for the parking of 2 aircraft and is well lit at night. On the western edge room  is available on the hard stand for smaller aircraft to park. Please stay clear of the red equipment line. The main stands are reserved for the scheduled airline services, but arrangements can be made for others by first contacting the airport manager.

Landing Fees

Landing fee information available on request, Contact us here.

Lighting

Night lighting is provided for the sealed runway and the main apron/taxiway areas and on the two windsocks at either end. These lights have standby power available.

Approach and terrain lighting on Whangarei Harbour (see NZAIP Vol. 2 & 3 [Instrument Flight Rules]) are solar powered only but are activated by the same PAL lighting system as the runway lighting.

Pilot Activated Lighting Use.

PAL system requires 4 slow transmission clicks on airport frequency inside 5 seconds to turn on the lights. Please avoid rapid firing the click like a machine gun. The processor works better with each click near to a second duration. (That is hold transmit button down a pause before releasing).

During daylight hours these lights will be deactivated automatically and only the PAPI approach lights will operate on this system. On very dark cloudy days with rain a sensor will enable the day activation of runway edge lights and associated REIL’s.

For better information on using the runway lighting always refer to the latest issue of the NZAIP Vol.2, 3 or 4. Instrument Flight Guide has more information on the approach lighting than that given by the Visual Flight Guide.

Security

The airport gates are locked at night. Anyone requiring after hour access should contact the airport manager. Visiting pilots can leave air-side via a pedestrian gate in the fence just west of the terminal. An access code is given to get back in. Please ensure this is closed/locked after use.

Please note: for visiting pilots/passengers in non airline aircraft – the above gate is the preferred method for access to and from your aircraft.  The Terminal access doors are kept locked for the protection of the public. Staff in the terminal do not work for the airport and have no obligation to provide access airside and will generally not allow access air-side unless you can provide a CAA identification – such as a pilot licence. Please remember to bring it with you.

Fuel

Fuel is available is…

BP: Jet A1 & Avgas 100

All the above is key pad or swipe card activated. However arrangements can be made to purchase through operators on the field.

Aircraft Maintenance

Aircraft maintenance is available on field by:

Northland Aeromaintence Ltd Ltd
Ph: 021 053 7279
Email: Northlandaero@gmail.com

Taxiway

The western portion of the main taxiway is sealed to a width of 10.5m but is not lit at night. 

Some grass taxi-ways have a fine chip surface embedded to enable better year round use.

Special Notes

After rain and during strong wind conditions birds do congregate on the airfield. While management staff do endeavor to control birds, pilots should be wary of them.

Automatic Weather Broadcast Information

An automated weather broadcast is operating at Whangarei Airport. 

Tune into 119.8.

Data is from a live feed from the MET Service instruments on the airfield and is continuously updated. Data given is time of last update, wind direction and speed, temperature, dew point, visibility, cloud information and QNH.

The airport can add other information that is relevant to aircraft operators as a post amble.

Airport Noise

The airport is located in a residential area. Noise is consequentially a sensitive issue. All operators and pilots are asked to respect the built up areas by avoiding unnecessary over flying of residential areas and ensuring all approaches and departures to/from the runways is in direct line with the runway vectors. Please don’t begin turns after take off until out over the water.

Click here for Helipaddy Info