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THE NORTHAM AERO CLUB INC.
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THE NORTHAM AIRFIELD
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Details on the Airfield

Click here for the
Map of the Airfield

Grand Opening of the sealed runway

Click here for details of the
NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM

In 1971, the NorthamTown and Shire Councils purchased land on the edge of town for the Northam airport, and leveling of the proposed airstrip was well in hand by June, 1971. The Northam Aero Club originally held a twenty-one year lease from the Northam Town Council and the Northam Shire, which was renewed for a further twenty-one years in early 1991.

The Northam Airport was officially opened by the Regional Director of the Department of Civil Aviation on the 14th November, 1971. A little over eight years later, airstrip lights were commissioned on the 12th April, 1980, and in 1984, the VHF automatic switching was commissioned.

The Northam Aero Club (NAC), the West Australian Balloon and Airship Club (WABAC) operate on the field. A maintenance organisation (Northam Air Services) and an agricultural operator (Taurus Aviation) are also located on the field, along with several privately owned aircraft.

The Northam Airfield has seen the start of many Aviation Records in balloons and in fixed wing aircraft.
It was the starting and finishing point for Claude Meunier when he flew around the World in 1996 in his Aerostar VH-XRD.
Click here for the full story:

It had been chosen by Steve Fosset for his 4th solo attempt to fly around the World in a balloon.
Photos of the balloon are available from Michael Marriott's Photography Site :
http://www.users.bigpond.com/ftch

Steve Fossett used the Airfield again this year for his 5th attempt around the World.
Details : http://www.spiritoffreedom.com

DETAILS ON THE AIRFIELD

IDENTIFIER	YNTM UNLICENCED
CTAF AFRU	124.2
ELEVATION	500 Feet
POSITION	S 31 37.8 E 116 40.9
WAC CHARTS	3462 3351
OWNER	Shire of NORTHAM 0896 221 099
OPERATOR	NORTHAM AERO CLUB 0896 223 248
INSTRUCTOR	Kevin Lathbury 0434 000 217
DIRECTIONS	14 / 32
LENGTH	950 M
SURFACE	SEALED
WINDSOCKS	At each end
LIGHTING	AFRU 124.2 Click here for details of the : NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM
AVGAS & MAINTENANCE	Northam Air Services 0896 221550 (Week days)
TELEPHONE	At the Club House
TOILETS	Behind Club House
SPECIALPROCEDURES	LEFT HAND CIRCUITS RUNWAY 14 RIGHT HAND CIRCUITS ON RUNWAY 32
	FENCES ON BOTH ENDS, POWER LINES ON RWAY 14 APPROACH
	PARKING IN FRONT OF CLUB HOUSE RESERVED FOR FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT
	AVOID BACK TRACKING. USE TAXI WAYS

MAP OF THE NORTHAM AIRFIELD
as seen from outer space.
The dot in the centre is the airfield.
Click here for a closer view.

NORTHAM NEW RUNWAY LIGHTING CONTROL

The Northam Aero Club have installed an aerodrome frequency response unit (AFRU). Control of Northam lights by pilots differs from the old system.
Transmission at Northam will be acknowledged by "NORTHAM CTAF LIGHTS AVAILABLE THIS FREQUENCY". This will be replaced by a "BEEP BACK" if transmissions have been heard in the last five minutes.

Runway lighting is inhibited during daylight hours by a light sensor. During darkness the lights can be brought up by transmitting on 124.2. (The old frequency 119.6 no longer used). - The sequence varies from the old lights.

Three pulses between .25 sec. and 1.2 sec. are needed, which is much faster than the old system.

Eg. [ 1 sec. ] 1 sec. [ 1 sec. ] 1 sec. [ 1 sec. ]

"NORTHAM CTAF LIGHTS AVAILABLE THIS FREQUENCY" will be repeated, followed by "LIGHTS ON" or "LIGHTS NOT ON". Hopefully "LIGHTS NOT ON" will never be heard.

The 10 minute marker now flashes all four wind direction indicator lights (Sock lights).

Any queries to Denis Beresford on 0408 747 182

Happy Flying