Queenstown Airport (Tasmania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Queenstown Airport
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Queenstown airport from the air in the 1970s
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner | West Coast Council | ||||||||||
| Operator | West Coast Council | ||||||||||
| Location | Queenstown, Tasmania | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 867 ft / 264 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°04′32″S 145°31′48″E / 42.07556°S 145.53000°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
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Location in Tasmania
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| Runway | |||||||||||
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Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart
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Queenstown Airport (also known as Howard's Plains airfield) is a small airport located at Howard's Plains, Tasmania, west of Queenstown, Tasmania, Australia. It used to have regular passenger flights. Today, the airport no longer has scheduled flights. However, the West Coast Council still takes care of it. It is used for different aviation and other activities.
Building the Airport
Building an airport for the West Coast was first suggested in the 1930s. Not everyone in Queenstown agreed with the idea at first. But construction began later in the decade. The Australian government helped by providing money.
By 1937, one runway was ready. However, the weather in the area often changed quickly. This made it hard for planes to use the airport. On February 17, 1937, a plane from Australian National Airways had a small accident. Strong winds forced the pilot to land in a soft, sandy area next to the runway.
After this incident, more money was given in 1938. This was to build two more runways. These new runways would allow planes to land safely, no matter the wind direction. By 1939, two runways were in use. When World War II started, more work was announced. The runways would be made longer. This would allow bigger planes to land. It helped the region provide materials for the war effort.
After the War
In 1946, the Tasmanian Government planned new passenger flights within Tasmania. Queenstown was chosen as one of the places to be served. Some flights started, and the first commercial passenger arrived in 1946 from Smithton Airport. In 1949, there was another plan. It suggested cargo flights directly to the mainland. It also planned passenger flights to both Hobart Airport and Launceston Airport. These flights would use Avro Anson planes.
Even though the airport had been improved during the war, there were still safety worries. The local council members disagreed about the plan. Some thought that an airport at Strahan, Tasmania might be better for passenger flights. This was because the Queenstown airport was surrounded by high hills and often had fog. Other council members wanted to fix up the existing airport. The decision was left to the national government in 1950.
The Department of Civil Aviation had serious doubts about the airport's unreliable weather. They did not give the airport a full commercial license. However, in 1953, the council asked for special permission. This would allow the airport to be used for emergency medical flights. By 1963, the Queenstown Municipal Council fully owned the airport. Work began to improve the runways and airport buildings. This was part of a plan where local councils could own and improve airports.
Regular Flights Begin
From the 1970s, both Queenstown and Strahan Airports were approved airports. They both had regular passenger flights. If the weather was bad at Queenstown, planes would land at Strahan instead. Airlines of Tasmania flew to Queenstown Airport until at least 1993. They had direct flights to Hobart Airport. They also flew to Essendon Airport in Melbourne, with a stop in Smithton.
What's Happening Now?
Today, there are no regular passenger flights to Queenstown from other airports. However, the airport is still open for public use. You need to get permission from the West Coast Council first. The airport is not a fully approved airport. This means its facilities do not need to be kept to the same high standards as a certified airport.
Pilots can land during the day using visual flight rules. This means they fly by looking out the window, not just by instruments. They land at their own risk. Only aircraft weighing less than 5,700 kilograms (about 12,500 pounds) can land here. Air traffic control helps planes while they are flying. But pilots must talk to other pilots on a special radio channel. This helps them keep planes safely separated when flying low. There is no fuel available at the airport.
The West Coast Council allows the airport to be used for many aviation activities. These include private and charter flights. Tourism companies and emergency services also use it. The airport is also used for other things. These include driver training, motorsports, and filming videos. It is also used for public events. These activities are allowed as long as they don't stop planes from landing. In 2018, the council approved a local helicopter company. They now use the airport as a base for scenic flights.
