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Mount Cook (NZMC)

Alpine aerodrome in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. High-altitude and mountain weather.

Overview

Mount Cook Airport sits at the head of the Mackenzie Basin, at the foot of Aoraki/Mount Cook. The airfield is inside the Southern Alps Mandatory Broadcast Zone (MBZ) with no ATC service and significant terrain in every direction. Prior approval is required for landing.

Mount Cook

Runways

Designator Length Surface Notes
13/31 1,473 m Asphalt Runway 31 rises uphill.

Frequencies

Service Frequency Notes
MBZ (Alps Traffic) 118.6 Mandatory area frequency. Calls required on entry and at least every 15 minutes.
Christchurch Information 123.5 Area FIS
UNICOM 131.0 Mount Cook Radio. Provides aerodrome and weather information.

Elevation

2,153 ft AMSL. Use Ohau QNH (obtained from Christchurch Information).

Local Procedures

  • MBZ: 118.6 (Alps Traffic) within the MBZ. Broadcast position and intentions. Landing and anti-collision lights required. Keep right in valleys.
  • Prior approval: Required. Mount Cook, Glentanner and Tekapo are private aerodromes.
  • IFR: IFR traffic descends to 3,500 ft at Tasman Downs and continues VFR to Mount Cook or Glentanner. Verify approach availability in current AIP.
  • Visual contact with terrain: Required at all times.
  • One-way valley traffic: Standard mountain rules apply.
  • Runway use: Use the full runway.
  • Departure 31: Make an early right turn toward Gorilla Stream (light northwesterlies) or Rotten Tommy (stronger winds).
  • Traffic: Watch for Glentanner helicopters on the eastern side of the Tasman River. Ski-planes join from altitude.
  • Noise abatement: (Todo: verify - not found in official AIP/CAA sources)

Hazards

  • Mountain wave and downdrafts.
  • High density altitude - reduce payload.
  • Rapid weather change - the valley can close in minutes.
  • Katabatic winds off the Tasman Glacier.
  • Shifty, swirling winds on the valley floor.
  • Low-level shear in westerlies.
  • Visual 31: Uphill, from the south-east over Lake Pukaki and Glentanner.
  • Visual 13: Downhill, arriving from the north-west - expect turbulence.

Nearby Airfields

For flight simulation use only. Always check weather, minimum altitudes and your aircraft limits before flying these routes.

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