Flight Planning

We knew before we planned the trip that flying in New Zealand's South Island would be a bit more challenging than flying in Great Britain's, South of England.  It was only when we started reading "Mountain Flying" from the New Zealand CAA, and their booklet that specifically covers the arrivals and departures procedures in to Milford Sound airfield (NZMF), that the enormity of the challenge became clear. South Island is all mountains, unless you stick to the coast.

If you look closely you can see it at the far end - just.

 

The CAA (NZ) pamphlet on flying in to Milford Sounds says "Milford Sound aerodrome is surrounded by some of the most majestic and beautiful scenery in the world."  Dig deeper and majesty turns to reality when you get in to the detail of   "Pilots unfamiliar with the area should consider flying to Milford only in favourable conditions. Knowledge of the routes used by the regular operators is important, however, for reasons of collision avoidance, and for suitable escape routes should the weather change unexpectedly and block your planned route. The Milford Sound aerodrome information (in AIP New Zealand Vol 4) states that pilots who have no previous or recent (within the last six months) operating experience at Milford Sound should receive a briefing from a pilot currently experienced with operations to and from the aerodrome".

 
The arrivals procedure is not typical of UK airfields with overhead joins not a practicable proposition here, as can be seen from the image on the right.  

Whilst there is choice on arrivals (the picture below is the arrival for 29), departure on 11 is not recommended.

Looking at the picture on the left you can see why!  

All this presumes of course that the weather provides good visibility through the mountains.  Not somewhere to be with a low cloud base!


Pictures from CAA of NZ's Good Aviation Practise pamphlet - "In, Out & Around Milford.