The Airport is privately owned and within the Whitsunday CTAF. As the airport can be busy with commercial operations, pilots of visiting aircraft are requested to obtain information on the current status and conditions prior to leaving the previous point of departure.
Operational requirements mean that visiting pilots must have at least 100 hours in command and obtain the current information as above. The airport is located in a small valley and has a curved approach and departure from each runway and winds can at times be very strong and gusty.
Aircraft parking instructions will be passed to visiting pilots when they telephone for an airport status check. Please ensure you have a Tie Down Kit. After landing please call at Airport Reception inside the terminal building. For safety and security all access to and from your aircraft is to be via the terminal building, contacting Airport reception on the way through. Please call at reception if you wish to access your aircraft, and all passengers must be escorted by yourself to or from your aircraft.
For the benefit of our neighbours we attempt to restrict early morning take-offs, and if these are necessary please discuss with Airport Reception. See our fly neighbourly policy.
Arrivals
Due to hilly surrounding terrain and to avoid more severe areas of turbulence, RIGHT HAND CIRCUITS are preferred in both runway directions whenever possible. The windsock at the northern end of the runway is the more accurate guide to wind.
Transmit your position when 20 miles from circuit, 5 miles from circuit and joining circuit on the CTAF frequency (currently 127.85). This is to ensure that all commercial and other traffic in the vicinity are aware of your approach. Be aware of Parachute Operations and remain clear of circuit until all parachutes are on the ground. The parachutes land approximately middle of the flight strip and just to the western side.
Runway 14
Approach can be made either straight in, (in accordance with CASA operational requirements), or by joining a right downwind for a right base, or if tracking via Cannon Valley joining a right base over pioneer bay. DO NOT OVERFLY THE RUNWAY CENTRE.
We ask that all fixed and rotary wing aircraft establish themselves on final for runway 14 over Pioneer Bay and certainly no later than Funnel Bay. When establishing on right downwind for runway 14 please remain west of Shute Harbour Road, this will avoid overflying the caravan park and avoid conflict with any descending parachutes.
Under no circumstances (emergencies excepted) are aircraft to turn onto final from a right downwind before passing the house on top of the hill at Mandalay Point.
When about to turn base, or on long final, advise position for other traffic.
Avoid flying directly over houses under final.
Touchdown aiming point is no shorter than the windsock on the right hand side of the runway (Northern end). This counteracts any sink which may be experienced from crossing the beach and the threshold of runway 14.
Runway 32
A straight in approach requires a slight right hand dog leg on final to maintain terrain clearance. After following the centre of Shute Harbour water in towards the valley, a right hand dogleg should be made prior to crossing Shute Harbour Road.
When it is necessary to join base for runway 32 please avoid flying over the built up area on Coral Point at Shute Harbour.
Touchdown aiming point (Displaced Landing Threshold) is no shorter than the windsock on the left hand side of the runway.
Taxiing
Transmit your intention on the CTAF frequency (127.85) prior to taxiing and visually check both directions for airborne and ground traffic. It should be noted that from the aircraft parking areas it is not possible to see an aircraft that may be commencing its takeoff run from the northern end of runway 14. Be aware of parachute operations and remain clear of the parachute touchdown area until all parachutes are on the ground.
At or in the vicinity of the threshold, should an aircraft be wishing to land before you take off, please position your aircraft clear of the runway to allow the landing aircraft right of way. When ready for take off, call about to roll and runway direction.
Departures
Take off on Runway 14
Commence and make the takeoff run favouring the right of the centre line. Maintain runway heading until over Shute Harbour Road, then turn left heading 120 degrees magnetic over Shute Harbour. Review the Hamilton Island control steps prior to take off.
Take off on Runway 32
Over the end of the runway, turn right heading 340 degrees magnetic over Funnel Bay. Do not make a right turn prior to the end of the runway as you will overfly houses immediately on the right hand side of the runway.
Full length of runway to be used, no mid runway takeoffs. This applies to both 14 and 32.
Fly neighbourly procedures
The following procedures have been implemented by Whitsunday Airport for users to minimise the impact to and maintain good relationships with our surrounding neighbours.
- Please avoid overflying the Airlie Beach built up area under 2,500 ft smsl.
- Circuit height is 1,000 ft amsl.
- Circuit direction is right hand for both runways 14 and 32 operations, this helps minimise turbulence effects.
- Overfly height is 1,500 amsl.
- Operating hours are between 0630 and 1830 Monday – Saturday and 700 and 1830 Sunday Summer, Autumn and Spring. Winter operating hours are 0645 and 1830 Monday – Saturday and 0700 and 1830 Sunday
- Please plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to last light.
- Runups or engine warming before 0700 should be kept to a minimum and where possible should be conducted on the 32 threshold away from houses and the caravan park.
- Departures and arrivals to/from the South are to track south of Shute Harbour (water and jetty) and not overfly Shute Islands or Shute Haven below 2,500 ft amsl if possible.
- No mid field takeoffs permitted in either direction.
- No mid downwind base turns are permitted.
- To assist with noise abatement helicopters are requested to fly a high final for runway 14 and aim for touchdown abeam the terminal building, then taxi to landing pad.
- At all times, maintain a listening watch on the CTAF frequency (127.85) as the airport has at times, a high density of light aircraft and helicopter traffic.
- Parachute operations are carried out on a daily basis at the airport. Please be on the alert at all times for calls from the dropping aircraft and if required avoid the drop zone.
- Be aware at all times that landing and commercial traffic have right of way when you are taxiing.
- Runups in the vicinity of the airport buildings or the caravan park are to be avoided. All engine runups should be carried out at the extremities of the runways.
- Please think of our neighbours and whenever possible think of the effect your actions or presence may have on the future well being of aviation in the area. Please do not overfly any dwellings.
- For your information bowser avgas is no longer available at Proserpine Airport.
- Review the Hamilton Island Control Area steps to plan your arrival and departure.
