Located in the southern part of New Zealand. It’s known for its amazing scenic approach through the mountains.
Wait. Did I hear mountains? That must mean the approach would be hard right?
That’s definitely right! But don’t worry, this tutorial cuts all the hard stuff away from charts and gives you a easy to read, numbered step-by-step!
Follow the steps correctly, if it goes 1,2,1 … something isn’t correct. Should go 1, 2, 3…
IF has updated their waypoints around NZQN, so now it’s much easier to land in this awesome airport! You can follow the chart on your own below in the “Charts” section or you can follow this simplified tutorial.
APPR Runway 05
Before starting, do not turn on your heading autopilot/LNAV as ALL these turns need to be extended. You’re not supposed to follow the purple/white line, you’re supposed to start a turn at a waypoint, then cross the next one. Not turn and follow the purple/white line. Example:
-
Your flight plan should into NZQN should be:
[Your flight plan here] UBDAM LADIP AVGER IBABU QN577 QN573 QN571 QN569 QN569 QN565 QN562 OMUBO (Optional -->) QN555 QN550 QN545 NZQN -
Once you’re at UBDAM you must be between 24,000ft - 15,000ft (MSL) and not exeeding 250kts
-
At IBABU, must be between 12,000ft and 10,000ft
-
You must get as close to the stated altitude for the following waypoints, no more than 500ft away:
QN577: 10,000ft
QN573: 9,200ft
QN571: 8,200ft
QN569: 7,100ft
QN565: 6,300ft
QN562: 5,500ft
OMUBO: 3,100ft
If you have not added the optional waypoints above, you now fly visually into Queenstown
7. Fly towards a small mountain ahead. Once you see this:
Fly over the middle of the U. You should be carefully monitoring the glideslope and localizer.
8. Zoom in to see where the runway is, turn early!
APPR Runway 23
Read below for steps to approach runway 23. Click the one that applies to you below:
Before starting, do not turn on your heading autopilot/LNAV as ALL these turns need to be extended. You’re not supposed to follow the purple/white line, you’re supposed to start a turn at a waypoint, then cross the next one. Not turn and follow the purple/white line. Example:
Approaching from the north/east (Domestic NZ)
-
If your are approaching from the north or east (Domestic), your flightplan should be like this:
ELRUV PAMPU EKVOX ATKIL QN780 QN775 QN770 ATVUP QN760 QN755 LARAV (Optional -->) QN745 QN741 QN735 QN731 QN725 NZQN -
Altitude for waypoints: (No more than 500ft away)
PAMPU: Above 15,000ft
EKVOX: At or above 10,000ft (Hold here if you need to descend, left turn)
ATKIL: 10,000ft
QN780: 8,600ft
QN775: 8,600ft
QN770: 7,500ft
Continue on #3
Approaching from the West (Australia)
-
If you will be approaching NZQN from the west (Australia), your flightplan should be like this:
UBDAM LADIP GOSPA MABGA UGPED QN779 QN774 ATVUP QN760 QN755 LARAV (Optional -->) QN745 QN741 QN735 QN731 QN725 NZQN -
Altitude for waypoints: (If only an altitude is printed, must be no more than 800ft away)
UBDAM: Between 24,000ft - 15,000ft (Hold here to descend, left turn @230kts)
LADIP: At or above 11,000ft
GOSPA: Below 17,000ft, less than 210kts
MABGA: Below 12,000ft
UGPED: 10,000ft
QN779: 8,700ft
QN774: 7,600ft
Continue on #3
-
Altitudes: (No more than 300ft away)
ATVUP: 6,700ft
QN760: 5,100ft
QN755: 4,200ft
LARAV: 3,330ft -
Now you follow your glideslope and localizer to land on RWY23
-
If you did not add the optional waypoints above, follow the “river” show in this image below
Pattern work
NZQN has an intersting figure 8 pattern.
NOTE:
- Avoid doing pattern work here when its busy.
- Most controllers won’t follow this, don’t blame me for your ghost
Credits to @Major-Tom
DEP Runway 05
Select the one that applies to you below:
Going to Australia (West)
Before starting, do not turn on your heading autopilot/LNAV as ALL these turns need to be extended. You’re not supposed to follow the purple/white line, you’re supposed to start a turn at a waypoint, then cross the next one. Not turn and follow the purple/white line. Example:
-
Flight plan should be set up like this:
QN843 QN846 QN849 QN852 LEMAK QN862 QN864 QN866 QN872 VAPLI IPNOR (finish your flight plan) -
Do not exceed 180kts
-
Cross QN849 at or above 6000ft. (If altitude not reached, increase rate of climb)
-
Cross QN872* at or above 13,000ft (If altitude not reached, you go kaboom)
-
Bon Voyage!
Going Domestic (North)
Before starting, do not turn on your heading autopilot/LNAV as ALL these turns need to be extended. You’re not supposed to follow the purple/white line, you’re supposed to start a turn at a waypoint, then cross the next one. Not turn and follow the purple/white line. Example:
- Flight plan should be set up like this:
QN843 QN846 QN849 QN852 LEMAK QN861 METUX ANPOV (finish your flight plan) - Do not exceed 195kts
- Pass QN849 at or above 6000ft. If you have not reached 6000ft (at leave above 5,300ft), do another circle.
- That’s it! Enjoy your flight!
DEP Runway 23
Select the one that applies to you:
Domestic (North)
Your flight plan out of here:
QN727 KABAP NOLUV QN732 RUXAK QN737 BUGSA DUGAK QN817 ENKUV METUX ANPOV
- Pass KABAP at or above 3,200ft
- Pass NOLUV at or above 4,000ft
- Cross BUGSA at or above 6,000ft
- Cross DUGAK at or above 13,000ft
- Pass ENKUV at or above 18,000ft
- All good!
To Australia (West)
Before starting, do not turn on your heading autopilot/LNAV as ALL these turns need to be extended. You’re not supposed to follow the purple/white line, you’re supposed to start a turn at a waypoint, then cross the next one. Not turn and follow the purple/white line. Example:
Your flightplan:
QN727 KABAP NOLUV QN732 RUXAK QN737 BUGSA DUGAK VAPLI IPNOR (finish your flight plan)
- Pass KABAP at or above 3,200ft
- Pass NOLUV at or above 4,000ft
- Cross BUGSA at or above 6,000ft
- Follow this image:
- Cross DUGAK at or above 13,000ft (MUST!)
- You’re all clear!
NZQN is suitable for small aircraft. A321/B737-900 are the largest that should be there.
Really hope that you guys understand everything here. I also hope this has helped! Thanks for checking this out.
Please reply here or PM me if you have any questions. I’ll answer them asap!
Charts
To follow the real charts:
Website with all NZQN charts: here
Arrivals:
Queenstown - RNAV (GNSS) STAR RWY 05 (1) & (2)
Queenstown - RNAV (GNSS) STAR RWY 05 (3) & RWY 23 (1)
Queenstown - RNAV (GNSS) STAR RWY 23 (2) & (3)
Departures:
Disclaimer: I will not take any blame for ghosting or violations because of this tutorial. You all know the rules, this doesn’t change it. This only helps give you a realistic feel. You may follow it when under ATC control, but always follow ATC instructions! IFATC will always take account the terrain around the airport.
