Norfolk Island Lights
Thread Starter
Norfolk Island Lights
Hi there, next week I will be flying past Norfolk Island so I have been having a read about it. I have a question for those who go there.
The Jepps say there are REIL's and PAPI's but there is no mention of how these are turned on and off, are they controlled from the Tower and would we have to wait for someone to be called out if we diverted in there? I guess there is the possibility that they are on H24 but I doubt it. I can see no reference to PAL.
Any help appreciated, I would also be interested in any local quirks that regular users of the airport care to pass on.
Thanks
The Jepps say there are REIL's and PAPI's but there is no mention of how these are turned on and off, are they controlled from the Tower and would we have to wait for someone to be called out if we diverted in there? I guess there is the possibility that they are on H24 but I doubt it. I can see no reference to PAL.
Any help appreciated, I would also be interested in any local quirks that regular users of the airport care to pass on.
Thanks
Bottums Up
I've never been there but from a perusal of the Jepp & ASA charts, lighting seems to be Manual, Portable & Sby Pwr. Given that 24 hour PPR is required for non RPT, I'd guess that lighting arrangement will be made during the PPR phase?
There is no ATC and don't trust the weather forecast. I can't remember the elevation but it is not sea level. It is a lump of rock surrounded by ocean so consider the effect that will have on the micro climate. Regardless of the forecast if you plan to land there, have enough fuel to go somewhere else, remembering that somewhere else is a long way away.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Australia
Age: 58
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PAL used to be available on Unicom. NLK is a bad weather factory. Carry fuel for an alternate. Tontouta would be the nearest and that's 330nm away. Work on a PNR ( practice this if you haven't had to calculate one for a while) if you cant carry fuel for Norfolk-Tontouta. Get the latest Metar prior to your PNR and divert early. Many people have become unglued by operations into NLK. The weather can change from Cavok to MDA in 30 mins. The cliffs that surround the island also generate windshear and turbulence that may also make landing a grim prospect. Any wind speed over 20 kits could create issues, depending on what aircraft you fly there in. If you can, find someone who has been there frequently and discuss your flight with them.
*Elevation is about 330'.
*Elevation is about 330'.
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info folks. There is a period of time when Norfolk will be the closest strip that we can land on so I'm only thinking of an onboard fire situation really, otherwise it will be Ausi or NZ.
I'm still a bit hazy on the activation of the lights so I might ring them as witwiw suggested and clear it up in my mind. As far as I can see the Unicom would likely be unmanned after normal business hours and I may not be able to get the PAPI's and REIL's fired up at all. If there was PAL I am sure it would have stated it on the Aerodrome page of the Jepps.
I think Air NZ still operate scheduled flights in there so hopefully one of those chaps will chime in.
Cheers
I'm still a bit hazy on the activation of the lights so I might ring them as witwiw suggested and clear it up in my mind. As far as I can see the Unicom would likely be unmanned after normal business hours and I may not be able to get the PAPI's and REIL's fired up at all. If there was PAL I am sure it would have stated it on the Aerodrome page of the Jepps.
I think Air NZ still operate scheduled flights in there so hopefully one of those chaps will chime in.
Cheers
Yeah framer I've been in there many times on the 737 and now A320.
The lighting cannot be remotely activated it is done manually from the unicom office. Our info indicates unicom can be available with 30 min prior notice, so if you really need it I guess AKL or BNE on HF can organise.
The lighting cannot be remotely activated it is done manually from the unicom office. Our info indicates unicom can be available with 30 min prior notice, so if you really need it I guess AKL or BNE on HF can organise.
If you were passing near NLK at some time when there were no scheduled flights, the aerodrome may not have anyone in attendance. You could probably have them on standby, but I imagine there would be a fee for that - and why not?
But if you have HF contact with Auckland and were to have an emergency, they are very efficient and would rouse someone soon enough to attend the airport.
But as others have said, when the weather is marginal, it can go to bad very quickly. The aerodrome operators there are pretty good at calling it for what it is and if pressed, would probably give you a fair idea of your chances of making a successful approach. Even though they may not be pilots, they have seen it all before.
But if you have HF contact with Auckland and were to have an emergency, they are very efficient and would rouse someone soon enough to attend the airport.
But as others have said, when the weather is marginal, it can go to bad very quickly. The aerodrome operators there are pretty good at calling it for what it is and if pressed, would probably give you a fair idea of your chances of making a successful approach. Even though they may not be pilots, they have seen it all before.
