Confusion over runways at NZFX

Charts Desktop
1

I am aware Navigraph does not really cover Antarctica but I noticed it includes basic data for NZFX / Phoenix Field.

I did a flight landing at runway 15 and I was confused when Charts showed the approaches for this runway the opposite way around to what I expected.

Here is the FAVGU RNAV approach for R15:

IMG_3815
IMG_38151170×1596 178 KB

IMG_3816
IMG_38161170×1601 142 KB

Data for this airport is very limited, the main authoritative source being this government report, which says:

The Phoenix Runway is 11,000’ x 200’ feet and oriented Grid 15/33G. To the maximum extent possible, aircraft arrivals should plan to use runway 15 and depart runway 33 to reduce the number of passes on the runway.

Looking at a few other bits of data, the heading for runway 15 seems to be 155 degree true north. I thought if that’s the case it should be the opposite way around. Or am I reading this wrong?

Logically it also seems to make sense that you fly in from McMurdo and out towards McMurdo.

2

Hi,
The ARINC version we are currently using may allow a T in the runway identifier to indicate that it is not aligned with Magnetic North.

Antarctic airports are special because the reference there is Grid North, not True North. The Grid North in this region is approximately True North + 167°, which results in the opposite for runway 15/33. So the data are ok, but the runway idents are derived from the Grid system.

When you would “remove” the T and the end of the runway-ident, you have no choice but to identify if the system means true or magnetic north then.

In newer ARINC versions, you have your own flags/values for this, and the T in the runway-ident is no longer needed, so this confusion will be avoided in the future.

Cheers,
Richard

3

Hi Richard, I appreciate the clarification, that helps. Thanks.