Cromwell Racecourse Aerodrome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cromwell Racecourse Aerodrome
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Private | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Central Otago District Council | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Cromwell, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 745 ft / 227 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 45°02′55″S 169°10′14″E / 45.04861°S 169.17056°E | ||||||||||||||
| Runway | |||||||||||||||
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The Cromwell Racecourse Aerodrome is a small airport located in the beautiful South Island of New Zealand. It's found in Central Otago, just a short distance from the town of Cromwell. This aerodrome is special because it's right next to the Cromwell Racecourse, where exciting horse racing events take place. It's also very close to the Cromwell Hospital.
Contents
What is an Aerodrome?
An aerodrome is a place where aircraft, like small planes and helicopters, can take off and land. It's similar to an airport but often smaller. Cromwell Racecourse Aerodrome is a private aerodrome, which means it's not usually open for big commercial flights. It's mostly used by smaller planes and for local aviation activities.
Location and Size
This aerodrome is about 1.9 kilometers (which is about 1.2 miles) west of Cromwell township. It's a small but important spot for local pilots. The aerodrome has two runways, which are like long, flat paths for planes. Both runways are made of grass.
Runway Details
- Runway 09/27: This runway is 830 meters (about 2,723 feet) long.
- Runway 18/36: This runway is 1,020 meters (about 3,346 feet) long.
How Planes Use the Aerodrome
Pilots follow specific rules when flying in and out of the Cromwell Racecourse Aerodrome to keep everyone safe.
Flight Paths and Height
When planes are getting ready to land or have just taken off, they fly in a special pattern called a "circuit."
- For Runway 36, planes make right-hand turns in their circuit.
- For Runways 18 and 27, planes make left-hand turns.
The height for these circuits is 1,800 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). This means 1,800 feet above the average level of the ocean.
Special Rules for Runways
To ensure safety, there are a few important rules for using the runways:
- Runway 09: Planes are not allowed to land on this runway. This might be because of obstacles nearby or the direction of the wind.
- Runway 27: Planes are not allowed to take off from this runway. This rule also helps keep flights safe.
No Night Flights
The aerodrome does not have runway lighting. This means planes can only use it during the day when there is enough natural light to see clearly.
