Overview

Pauanui airfield (NZUN) splits the township of Pauanui Beach. It is a grass strip of 850 x 60 metres with a golf coarse, camping ground and some housing on the Northern boundary and housing for the full length of the Southern boundary. Because of the high density of housing and a high population of non residents, particularly through the summer season, special care should be taken when operating at this airfield.

CAUTION: There is often a large number of pedestrians in close proximity to the airfied, particularly on long weekends, public holidays, Christmas and the New Years break. Warning signs are often ignored and people stray on to the airfield. The northern boundary of the airfield is shared with the Pauanui Club Golf Course. Golf balls are often hit onto the airfield and even with warning signs, golfers sometimes stray onto the field!

CAUTION: Rabbits are causing considerable damage to the airfield by digging holes that are big enough to cause damage to less sturdy aircraft. Any aircraft with light undercarriage systems should exercise CAUTION when operating on the airfield. (See NOTAM).

Flight Planning

There are limited resources for flight planning at Pauanui. The small operations hut will be available to PAUG members with a valid card. Maps may be available but a cell phone will be required to lodge or terminate flight plans. Limited briefing facilities will also be available - whiteboard, pens, etc.

Taxying

Engine run ups should be conducted at the designated run up areas in such a way that propellor blast does not affect other aircraft or residential properties.

Taxying aircraft are to give way to aircraft vacating the runway.

CAUTION: Aircraft with low propeller clearance are advised to exercise extreme caution when taxying to and into the take off position on runway 05 as the ground is uneven.

Take off

Consideration should be given to altering the take-off path or turning early to avoid flying over the estuary or ocean, particularly in winter. It is recommended that all occupants wear life preservers if the initial flight path is over water.

CAUTION: The take off flight path on runway 23 is very close to a skateboard bowl on the right of the extended centreline. There are large numbers of children in this area during holiday periods.

Circuit Procedures

Established circuit traffic always has priority over aircraft transiting the area or joining the circuit.

Note: Rwy 23 circuit is right hand (all circuits to the North of the airfield).

Rejoin Procedures

Joining traffic is to give way to traffic established in the circuit. If traffic density is high a standard overhead rejoin is recommended. NORDO aircraft should always use standard rejoin procedures.

Formations joining via a buzz and break should do so not below 1000 feet to avoid breaching CAA rules regarding flight over built up areas. The interpretation given to these rules are that flight below 1000 feet AGL is not permitted except for the purposes of landing. According to CAA a buzz and break is NOT part of the landing procedure!

The following rejoin procedures are recommended:

• Ascertain the runway in use - AWIB (130.6) and/or windsocks and listen out for other traffic;
• 5 nm from NZUN broadcast call-sign, position, altitude and intentions on 119.1;
• If other aircraft are in the circuit use standard rejoin procedures as outlined in AIP.

Note: Significant numbers of NORDO aircraft operate at Pauanui. LOOK OUT!

Landing

Keep to the centre and Northern side of the runway when landing to stay as far as practicable from other taxying traffic and houses.

Avoid overflying the built up area during go arounds.

CAUTION: There are often significant downdrafts at the Eastern (beach) end of the runway.

CAUTION: The landing flight path for runway 05 is very close to a skateboard bowl on the left of the extended centreline. There are large numbers of children in this area during holiday periods.

Transiting Aircraft

Significant numbers of aircraft transit the Pauanui coastline in a North/South direction. Transiting aircraft Southbound should stay seaward of the coast and transit at 1500 feet. North bound aircraft should transit on or inland of the coast at 2000 feet. Broadcast position altitude and intentions when 5 nm from the airfield.

Alternates

R/T Procedures

Standard uncontrolled airfield R/T procedures should be used at all times using 119.1 Mhz. An automated weather information broadcast (AWIB) is available on 130.6 Mhz, actuated by 4 transmissions.

Noise Abatement Procedures

Power settings and flight profiles should be in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications for minimum noise levels consistent with safety.

Due consideration for local residents — please limit flight before 7.30 am to essential operations only (9.00 am Sundays?).

Helicopters with noisy characteristics should use take off techniques consistent with safety to achieve 400 feet AGL prior to crossing the airport boundary.

Training

Training areas and aerobatic areas (to be advised).