Flying To Ayers Rock Airport
 

Has anyone flown directly to Ayers Rock Airport? If so, did you get to see the rock as the plane approached the airport? I will be flying directly from Sydney if that makes any difference to the approach.

The approach would be weather and wind dependant, but in most cases you would be hard pressed to missed it:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qanta...838/2283214/L/

Yes and yes, although at the stage of descent I don't recall a clear view of the whole rock - the most awe inspiring view was on the trip out by road. As Mark said, wind and weather dependent.

It is an amazing sight, arriving, departing, or out at the rock itself.

I did the trip out to the rock before sunrise to see the colours change, and there are plenty of other good viewing options. We had a passing storm that created waterfalls all over the rock, and a rainbow that arched over the whole rock itself.

Thanks guys. Which month did you go? I'm going in early December.

Sit on the LHS on the way in, and the RHS on the way out!

May for me - peak season is winter and shoulders.

I have 'heard' that if running early, some aircraft position for the RNAV 13 via AYEWD. This may take them between Ayers Rock and The Olgas during said positioning. Passengers on the left side may get a look at The Olgas, while those on the right, Ayers Rock.


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What about taking off from Ayers Rock Airport? I plan to sit on the same side of the plane on to and from Ayers Rock. At least if I miss the rock on approach, I might get to see it from the air on the flight out of Ayers Rock.

Yep, its pretty hard to miss, however as Hugh said if times allow pilots tend to play tour guide and give passengers on both sides as much opportunity as possible to see the rock from the air. That was my experience on my QFLink flight from Alice last June.

Interestingly on my Jetstar flight back to Sydney the pilots paid much more attention on entertaining passengers as we flew over Lake Eyre and the other salt pans. Probably the only flight I've been on where the Pilots provided a mid flight commentary.

Hope your flights allow a similar experience.

Cheers

M