Ryan’s Creek Aerodrome – Rakiura – New Zealand v1.0
Ryan’s Creek Aerodrome
The airport in MSFS is a bit lacking and slightly unrealistic. Among the changes, I have reduced the vegetation around the aerodrome, added parking where planes are frequently sitting and put wind socks in the right place.
This small New Zealand Aerodrome is a hub for the small community of Oban on Rakiura/Stewart Island.
The aerodrome was built in the late 1970s after flights by an old Gruman Goose were no longer viable. The only other way off the island at the time was a 5-hour ferry ride to the port of Bluff, of course, you had to wait for the vessel to get there first.
The airstrip was used predominantly by Stewart Island Air Services, using Piper PA-23 Aztecs, a Cessna 402, a GAF Nomad, and a Britten-Norman BN2 Islanders. The strip at the time was rock from the island. In the ’80s the company’s name changed to Southern Air Limited and the Strip was asphalted for the new owner. At the time of the strip upgrade, a demolition derby was held on the old strip with damaged and non-repairable cars from the community. The wreckages make up some of the fill for extensions prior to resurfacing. At this time the island was only serviced by BN2. Travellers were brought from Oban to the strip by a can ride in old Ford Transits.
In the 90’s the strip was modified again with a hill at one end being levelled, making more room for aircraft to land. Southern Air brought two BN2s to replace their two existing planes. The hangers in Invercargill still hold the remains of those two older craft.
The company changed its name again in 1997 with a change of ownership, Southern Air 1997 Limited. The company brought a Cessna 172, 177RG and 402. In 1998 the 402 crashed in the strait between mainland New Zealand and Rakiura. 5 people were killed out of the 10 onboard.
In 2000 Southern Air 1997 Limited was brought by Stewart Island Flights who continue to operate now. They use two BN2 Islanders, one Cessna 185E Skywagon and a pair of Piper PA32 Cherokee Sixs.
The Aerodrome is also visited by the local flight school in Invercargill, the NZ Airforce, Mainland Air (who provide mail services from Dunedin to Invercargill and Rakiura), as well as few private pilots.
The runway is designated 04/22. However, the magnetic difference is about 20° with the heading being approx 63° and 243°. The sealed portion is around 620m long and 15.7m wide. Although the area around the strip mowed and maintained. An extra clay and gravel road leading directly to the runway provides some extra length manoeuvring space.
Rakiura/Stewart Island has a seasonal population averaging around 400 people in the year. The population is mostly located around Halfmoon Bay and Horseshoe Bay with others in close proximity to this area. The island is mostly a national park and is frequently travelled to by tourists wanting to see native birds, fishing, and tramping. The aerodrome is approx. 1.8km from the township.
To install this airport, extract the folder “airport-nzrc-ryanscreekaerodrome” to your community folder.
This airport uses nothing but stock assets from MSFS 2020.
This build is round 1, there will likely be more updates as I figure out the SDK.
GPS Coordinates: -46.899267, 168.102808
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