gun creek aerodrome- north sound

The following outline of the operation of the North Sound Sea Aerodrome Operation is provided for general information and as an aid to mariners. It should be read with reference to the attached plan of the Sea aerodrome.

Description and Operating Criteria

1. The North Sound Sea Aerodrome is that stretch of water bordered by Mosquito Island in the northwest, extending eastwards towards Prickly Pear Island and south towards and including Gun Creek.

2. The seaplane dock and the associated passenger terminal are on the southern shore of Gun Creek.

3. The Government of the British Virgin Islands has designated Gun Creek as a Harbour and special rules apply:

i) A Speed limit of 5 knots is mandatory within the Gun Creek Harbour area

ii) Vessels must give way to seaplanes landing, taxiing and taking off.

iii) The Seaplane Dock, indicated by red and white bull rails is reserved for seaplanes and may not be used for mooring vessels or any other purpose

4. Operations will take place between the hours of 0800 -1800 local time.

5. The available directions are 08 and 12/30. The dimension of the Take-off and Landing Areas (TOLA) are 1200 x 80 meters.

6. 12/30 are available for both landing and take off.

7. Because of adjacent high ground 08 is available for take off only. The reciprocal direction, 26 is not available for either landing or take off.

8. There is a taxi channel between 12/30 and the Gun Creek dock as indicated on the attached plan. It is not marked by Buoys

9. The largest aircraft approved to use the North Sound Sea Aerodrome is the DHC6 Twin Otter. Only one aircraft is permitted to use the Sea Aerodrome at any one time.

10. The beginning and end of each TOLA is marked by a yellow, illuminated, 2-mile buoys which flash at the rate of 60 times per minute.

11. The Aerodrome Reference Point is the centre the 12/30 TOLA, position

18 30’05.484’N 064 22’59.323”W.

12. There are two windsocks. The first is on the shoreline to the east of Leverick Bay resort and south of the 30 marker buoy. The second is on the shoreline of the western edge of Gun Creek.

13. Fire protection is provided by an on-call Rescue Fire Boat is activated for each notified flight. The facility may not be used unless the Fire Boat is in attendance. The vessel maintains a listening watch on marine Channel 16 and its callsign is ZJL 6653

14. Prior to an aircraft movement, the Rescue Boat will patrol the Sea Aerodrome area to check the landing area and to warn mariners of the impending activity.

Five minutes before an aircraft movement, the Rescue Boat will make a warning broadcast on Channel 16.

Prior to landing, aircraft will carry out a low level circuit of the landing area as a final check that it is clear of obstructions and vessels. This manoeuvre should be taken as a further notification that a landing is imminent.

15. An air traffic service is provided by ATC at Beef Island. There is no ATC or air-ground service available at North Sound and pilots land and take-off at their own discretion. However, aircraft of Seaborne Airlines are equipped with marine Channel 16 and can be contacted on this frequency in an emergency.

16. The North Sound Sea Aerodrome is owned and operated by the British Virgin Islands Airports’ Authority. Any communication regarding the operation of the Sea Aerodrome or its facilities should be addressed to:

The Managing Director

British Virgin Islands Airports’ Authority

PO Box 4416

Road Town

Tortola

BVI VG 1110

Telephone (284) 468 6494

Facsimile (284) 468 6416

Sea Aerodrome Dimensions & Physical Characteristics

Runway 12/30 1199m x 80m

True heading 109? 56’16.424”

Magnetic bearing (add 13 27’) 123? 23’ 16.424”

Runway 08 (take off only) 1199m x 80m

True Heading/ Bearing 61? 51’ 14.871”

Mag Bearing (add 13 27’) 75? 18’ 14.871”

Runway Threshold positions:

Threshold 12

18? 30’ 12.135”N 064? 23’ 18.537” W

Threshold 30

18? 29’ 58.834”N 064? 22’ 40.108”W

Threshold 08

18”29’ 29.49”N 064”22’ 51”.65”W

Threshold 26

18”29’ 47.89”N 064”22’ 15.61”W

Runway 26 is not available for take off or landing.

The marker buoy serves to indicate the end of runway 08 only

BVI Airports Authority - 14 July 2007