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Advisory to Pilots Visiting the Tokoroa Airfield
It has come to the notice of the SWMAC that a disconcertingly high number of pilots are landing or performing touch-and-gos at the Tokoroa Airfield without performing an overhead and flying a full circuit so as to check for potential hazards on the strip.

Due to the nature of the Tokoroa Airfield and surrounds, this is a risky option for pilots.

Being an unmanned and therefore uncontrolled airfield, there are no guarantees that it is safe to land without first doing an overhead and joining the circuit as is normal practice.

• Wandering Stock: As can be seen in the pictures above, the fencing around the airfield is not always adequate to ensure that stock do not wander onto the sealed and grass runway areas. It is a very good idea to ensure that there are no wandering stock before making an approach on either runway 31 or 13.

  It is possible that any stock that may have breached the fences could be startled by the noise or sudden presence of an aircraft -- potentially running out into the path of that approaching or departing aircraft.

  Don't take the risk -- always reconnoitre the airfield by way of an overhead pass before joining the circuit before landing.

• Model Aircraft: As noted on the VFG, there is a model flying area directly alongside the runway at the NorthWest end of the strip. Pilots should always assume that there may be models flying there, regardless of the time or day of the week.

  Some of these models are extremely fast (over 350kph) and due to their small size, may not be visible from the air while on approach -- hence the need for a full overhead and circuit prior to landing.

  Model-fliers have been advised that full-sized aircraft always have priority and right of way but if pilots do not perform an overhead before landing there may not be enough time for model flyers to land and ensure safety is preserved.

  Model fliers do not carry radios so will not hear pilots announcing their approach through that medium.

Summary
The SWMAC works very hard to ensure that the Tokoroa Aerodrome remains a safe place for all users and we therefore ask all full-sized pilots to exercise the same level of consideration.

Pilots who insist on flying straight onto the strip without performing an overhead rejoin and a circuit, unnecessarily endanger themselves and other airfield users.

Although an overhead prior to landing is not a legal requirement, it is sound airmanship and just plain commonsense. Please help us to keep the airfield a safe and enjoyable place for all users (regardless of species) and all aircraft (regardless of size).

Keywords: NOTAM, VFG, CAA, Tokoroa