Glenorchy Aerodrome

The Glenorchy Aerodrome Reserve (The Aerodrome) is situated just south of the township of Glenorchy on the banks of Lake Whakatipu. All you need to know about the Glenorchy Aerodrome can be found within the page below.

Draft Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan 2025

We’ll are now consulting on a draft Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan 2025 (RMP) from 30 May to 8 August 2025. The plan will outline how Council will manage the airstrip on behalf of users and the Glenorchy community.

We want to know if you support the plan to manage the reserve so it can be enjoyed by all users.

Objectives and policies in the draft plan include:

  • aviation operations
  • commercial aviation activity
  • development and infrastructure
  • funding and user charges
  • carbon and noise emissions
  • governance and community input

The draft RMP has been guided by initial feedback from the Glenorchy community and stakeholders, including commercial operators and the aviation industry.

To read the draft plan and share your thoughts head to Let's Talk by Friday 8 August 2025.


About Glenorchy Aerodrome

The Glenorchy Aerodrome Reserve (The Aerodrome) is situated just south of the township of Glenorchy on the banks of Lake Whakatipu. The airstrip is utilised by small private and commercial fixed wing aircraft and helicopter operations. It's also a base for skydive activities.

A newly formed vehicular access road from Glenorchy-Queenstown Road was opened in 2019 to provide a safe access route to the airstrip.

There are no Council maintained facilities at the airstrip currently.

Landing Fees

Item/s Cost
Per Landing $18 excl. GST
  • This document outlines those procedures and rules governing day-to-day operations at Glenorchy Aerodrome with respect to the responsible management of noise generated by the airstrip's activities. Included are such operational restrictions considered necessary to minimise the impact of noise on the airstrip's neighbours and the Glenorchy community.

    Noise Management Plan

    The rules and procedures contained in this document are intended to keep aircraft flight paths from noise sensitive areas in the vicinity of the airstrip, consistent with CAA Rules and flight safety, and to comply with the Glenorchy Aerodrome Designation (#239) in the QLDC Proposed District Plan.

    3.9 Fixed Wing Noise Abatement Procedures

    The following procedures must be adhered to unless the pilot in command considers it unsafe to do so:

    a)         Circuit directions as depicted in the AIP must be adhered to.

    b)         Avoid flying over Glenorchy township where possible.

    c)         Circling to the east of the airstrip is only permitted as part of a standard overhead rejoin procedure.

    d)         Departing aircraft must reduce to climb power as soon as safely practicable after take-off.

    e)         Aircraft departing to the north or east should:

    i.          From runway 14 turn right and depart downwind remaining to the west of Glenorchy.

    ii.         From runway 32 turn left after takeoff after passing abeam Blanket Bay and before reaching Glenorchy township, and climb to the west of Glenorchy township.

    f)          Aircraft departing to the south or west should:

    i.          From runway 14 depart straight ahead or turn right and depart cross-wind.

    ii.         From runway 32 turn left after take-off after passing abeam Blanket Bay and before reaching Glenorchy township, and depart downwind or cross-wind.

    g)         Aircraft arriving from the north or east that are not joining overhead should:

    i.          For runway 14 keep joint straight in keeping east of Glenorchy township.

    ii.         For runway 32 position to join downwind, avoiding overflight of Glenorchy township.

    h)        Aircraft arriving from the south or west that are not joining overhead should:

    i.          For runway 14 join down wind or right base, keeping south of Glenorchy township.

    ii.         For runway 32 join straight in or left base.

     

    3.10 Helicopter Noise Abatement Procedures

    The following procedures must be adhered to unless the pilot in command considers it unsafe to do so:

    a)         Helicopters should follow fixed wing circuit patterns as depicted in the AIP, with the exception that helicopters departing to land at Wyuna Preserve or Blanket Bay may fly direct.

    b)         Unless landing there, avoid flying over Glenorchy township, Blanket Bay and Wyuna preserve.

     

    3.10 Noise Sensitive Areas

    a)         The noise sensitive areas of Glenorchy Township, Blanket Bay and Wyuna Preserve are shown below.


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  • You cannot fly a drone (or film using a drone) within the Glenorchy Airstrip property or within a 4 kilometre radius of the Glenorchy Airport without authorisation from Airways Air Traffic Control.

    We are not giving approvals for remote controlled aircraft (including drones) to fly over our parks, reserves and roads at present, unless it is for a Commercial Film permit and the operator is certificated under Rule 102 of the Civil Aviation Act.

    More resources:

    New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority rules for drone flying are available both on the Airshare website airshare.co.nz and CAA’s own website:

    www.caa.govt.nz/rpas/index.html.

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  • Complaints regarding noise generated from Glenorchy Aerodrome or airstrip activities shall be directed to the Aerodrome Manager. 

    The Glenorchy Aerodrome Manager does not accept responsibility for investigating any noise complaint related to the conduct of flight or the actions of any Pilot in Command or aircraft operator occurring outside a rectangular area of airspace measuring 9km north-south by 7km east-west centered on the runway. 

    This area broadly covers the Glenorchy Aerodrome circuit area and includes Glenorchy township, Blanket Bay Resort and Wyuna Preserve.

    You can make a complaint by emailing: glenorchyairstrip@qldc.govt.nz 

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Glenorchy Airstrip Consultative Governance Committee

This committee was established in 2018. The objective of the committee is to advise the QLDC on management and maintenance matters and potential future development of the Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve in accordance with the operative Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan and the conditions for the designation for the Glenorchy Aerodrome provided in the Queenstown Lakes Proposed District Plan, in a timely and efficient manner. The Committee will strive to achieve a consensus in all matters that it considers.

Committee Members

Councillor Niki Gladding

Elected member who is appointed to the Glenorchy Community

Christina Lister

Glenorchy Community Association Representative

Juliet Breen

Safety Standards and Compliance Officer at Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC)

Josh Greer

Wyuna Preserve Residents Association

Tom Butler

Blanket Bay Lodge

Jeanie Galavazi

Senior Parks & Reserves Planner, Queenstown Lakes District Council

James Stokes

Commcercial Operator and Queenstown Milford User Group

Nick Nicholson

Commercial Operator

 

GACGC Meeting Minutes