Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome

NZ Air Navigation Register Details 

Name: Milford Sound Aerodrome
Code: NZMF
Type: Non-certificated
Co-ordinates: S 44 40 24.0, E 167 55 24.0 (coordinates are WGS-84 datum)

Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Aerodrome (NZMF) is situated in the Fiordland National Park, at the foot of the Sound, and is operated by the Ministry of Transport as a non-certificated aerodrome, available for general use. Airways New Zealand provide a flight information service (FSS) at NZMF. Operational requirements and the aerodrome landing chart are detailed in the NZ Aeronautical Information Publication (PDF v7.0, 440kb) on the AIP website (opens in new window). 

Charges

Operators of aircraft using MF aerodrome will be charged by Airways New Zealand for flight information services, and by the Ministry for landings. For information on Airways charges see the Airways New Zealand website at http://www.airways.co.nz/airways_services/terms.asp.

Following consultation between the Ministry and the Queenstown-Milford User Group, the Minister of Transport (Hon Annette King) has revoked previous charges and pursuant to Regulation 13 of the Civil Aviation Charges Regulations (No. 2) 1991, approved a new schedule of differential airport charges (excluding GST) for Milford Sound Aerodrome with effect from 1 July 2006 as detailed in the table below.

Operators using NZMF will be invoiced monthly in arrears by the Ministry.

Future aerodrome capital works 

The Ministry has contracted to reseal the runway, taxiway and apron (including reshaping for drainage improvement) and repair the helipads, pathway and fences during 2009.
 
The contractor is Blacktop Construction Ltd and the contract price is $459,842 exclusive of GST. The Ministry consulted the Queenstown-Milford User Group (QMUG) at Queenstown on 8 October 2008 and obtained concurrence to the proposed works during evenings to avoid aerodrome closures.  The Ministry then informed QMUG of an estimated  32% increase in the Ministry’s landing charges would be necessary to recoup the Crown’s investment. 

The original timeline for the project was 16 February – 16 March 2009. However the project had to be suspended before the runway resealing could be completed owing to the onset of cold evening temperatures. Completion of runway resealing is now anticipated late October or in November. Since then some problems have been experienced with chip loss on the apron and taxiway, and on part of the apron, water becoming trapped under the seal. Consultation occurred with QMUG on 1 October 2009 regarding remedying the problems and the continuation of the runway reseal.

Read the Ministry’s letter to QMUG about the works (PDF v7.0, 1,072kb)

The work is to be undertaken in two stages:

• remedial construction work on the apron, followed by a new seal will occur between the 23rd of November and the 2nd of December 2009
• remedial work to corrugations on the taxiway will occur on 3 December
• subject to a satisfactory result on those areas, the runway will be resealed on the 16th and 17th of December 2009.

The dates may change slightly allowing for delays due to inclement weather. Advance notice was given to QMUG and the periods of work will be notified by NOTAM.

Read the Method of Works Plan (PDF v7.0, 3,653kb)

Also on 1 October 2009 the Ministry provided QMUG with a revised estimate of landing charges. These will be the subject of formal consultation with QMUG after completion of all the above work, to take effect from 1 January 2010.

Read the Ministry’s letter to QMUG about the revised landing charges (PDF v7.0, 1,029kb)

Ministry contacts:

For aerodrome policy and operational matters, contact Nigel Mouat, Principal Adviser, Aviation and Security Team, Tel: 0-4-439 9354, Fax: 0-4-439 9004 or Email Nigel Mouat.

For invoicing queries, contact Delle Wallace, Accounts Officer, Tel: 0-4-439 9370, Fax: 0-4-439 9005 or  Email Delle Wallace.