Strahan Airport (IATA: SRN, ICAO: YSRN) is an airport located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) west[1] of Strahan, Tasmania, Australia. It is the main airport for the West Coast of Tasmania, and is owned and maintained by the West Coast Council. The need for an airport in the area was suggested in the 1950s,[2] and suggestions for upgrades have occurred over time.[3][4][5]

Strahan Airport
Strahan Airport facilities from edge of aircraft parking apron looking southeast
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorWest Coast Council
ServesWest Coast, Tasmania
LocationStrahan, Tasmania
Elevation AMSL66 ft / 20 m
Coordinates42°09′20″S 145°17′29″E / 42.15556°S 145.29139°E / -42.15556; 145.29139
Maps
Map
YSRN is located in Tasmania
YSRN
YSRN
Location in Tasmania
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
18/36 1,220 4,003 Asphalt
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[1]

History and facilities

edit

Proposals for an aerodrome at Strahan were made in 1937,[6] and 1950.[7][8]

Strahan Airport, previously known as Strahan Aerodrome,[9][10] has a north–south alignment and runs parallel to Ocean Beach. Like the rest of West Coast Tasmania, Strahan Airport airspace is controlled from Melbourne Airport in Victoria.

Helicopter and fixed wing flights operate from here for charter flights into the south-west wilderness area, or over locations in western Tasmania. In May 2019, Par Avion commenced a thrice weekly service between Hobart and Strahan.[11]

Previously, in the 1970s, a runway was utilised at Howards Plains – just west of Queenstown and Strahan, and if weather conditions were difficult at Queenstown, Strahan would be the alternative landing location. Airlines of Tasmania ran the service.

Lack of animal proof fencing has created a need for the landing strip to be checked and cleared before emergency landings by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.[12]

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b YSRN – Strahan (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 13 June 2024, Aeronautical Chart
  2. ^ "SEEKS AIRPORT FOR STRAHAN". The Examiner. Launceston, Tasmania. 17 January 1950. p. 4 Section: The Examiner WOMEN'S SECTION. Retrieved 31 July 2011 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ 3 November 2002 (The Mercury – ABIX via COMTEX) Tasmanian Senator Guy Barnett says an upgrade of Strahan Airport would require support from all three tiers of government. Barnett said the poten... Barnett push for airport upgrade.
  4. ^ 3 October 2004 (The Mercury – ABIX via COMTEX) A new regular air service to Strahan on Tasmania's west coast could create tourism opportunities when it commences in November 2004. West Coast M...Air service lift for West Coast.
  5. ^ 6 March 2005 (The Mercury – ABIX via COMTEX) West Coast Mayor, Darryl Gerrity, says the proposed $A2.5m upgrade of Strahan airport should consider ongoing maintenance of the site. The upgrade... Revamp of airport 'must consider cost'.
  6. ^ "STRAHAN COUNCIL". The Advocate (Australia). Tasmania, Australia. 22 March 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 3 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "AERODROME PROPOSAL". The Advocate (Australia). Tasmania, Australia. 14 April 1950. p. 9. Retrieved 3 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Aerodrome Sought For Strahan". The Mercury. Vol. CLXVIII, no. 24, 939. Tasmania, Australia. 24 November 1950. p. 4. Retrieved 3 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ Henty, Denham (5 March 1965), Commonwealth offer on Strahan aerodrome, retrieved 3 November 2018
  10. ^ "COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Civil Aviation Act 1988 NOTICE UNDER SECTION 49 – TRANSFER OF LEASEHOLD INTERESTS TO THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Periodic. No. P12. Australia. 9 June 1989. p. 67. Retrieved 3 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "New Strahan flights a 'catalyst' for tourism growth". 26 March 2019.
  12. ^ "Airline runway wildlife put on notice". 19 August 2012.
edit