These notes about The Vale Airfield (YVAL) are provided for the purpose of offering general advice and suggestions for the consideration of visiting pilots.
You can use this link to download the airfield feature diagram shown above.
Here is a video of an approach and landing in to Runway 24. There are some detailed notes on this page, after this video.
Not withstanding any information offered here, it naturally remains the responsibility of the Pilot In Command to conduct themselves in a manner that ensures the safety of their operation at all times.
Visitors from ‘the mainland’ are reminded that significant biosecurity requirements exist for entry in to Tasmania, as described at this link.
The Vale airfield is a 1300m long grass strip. It is around 45m wide, elevation 720ft, runway directions 06/24. There is a rise in the runway that peaks about a third of the way in from the western (06) end.
We have both ERSA and Country Airstrip Guide entries for the airfield.
We have an automatic webcam whose images are available online on our web site and are also able to be accessed via electronic flight bag software such as Avplan EFB.
There is elevated terrain and trees on the approaches from both directions, requiring caution to be exercised. The runway is relatively long, allowing some flexibility in terms of touchdown aiming point.
The runway is located in, and aligned with, a river valley. The runway is roughly parallel to the circa 4000ft AMSL main face of Mount Roland, a substantial feature just south of the airfield. The runway is not visible from most directions until almost overhead.
The easier runway directly to use for landings (wind permitting) is runway 24, due to the terrain on final approach being lower than that on the approach in to runway 06.
Departures via runway 06 (wind permitting) provide greater safety options for the initial climb-out, with a variety of fields and relatively open ground to the east of the field.
There is one white windsock opposite the main hangar (north side of the runway), and another white windsock south of the runway obout a third of the way in from the runway 24 (eastern) end.
The relatively deep valley and the presence of trees on the southern side of the runway can trigger substantial turbulence during approaches and takeoffs.
These conditions are triggered during strong crosswinds, especially from the south (when Mount Roland can create additional mechanical turbulence and downdrafts). Mountain wave is also present in the area at times during the winter months, especially in the presence of strong southwesterly wind systems.
The presence of cloud below around 2500-3000 feet can prevent safe inbound access to the runway from most directions. A good ‘rule of thumb’ is that if the vertical / rock-face zone of Mount Roland is not visible above the tree-line on the mountain on the on-site webcam, then the cloudbase is likely to be too low to allow for safe visual flight in to the runway.
In circumstances where a cloudbase more than ‘scattered’ exists above this level but still below the local MSA for The Vale (5600 ft), IFR pilots may wish to consider the option of commencing an instrument approach in to Devonport or Wynyard to get below cloudbase, before breaking off the approach to proceed visually below cloud to The Vale, if safe to do so.
Recent rain is always a factor when operating on grass runways. Our runway has good drainage systems and is capable of absorbing even quite substantial rainfall from isolated rain events on previous days. Regardless, please consult us regarding strip conditions before planning to land at The Vale after any significant rain, for the sake of both our grass runway surface and your aircraft.
There is an internal access road crossing the field at the half-way point of the runway. There are warning signs and red flashing lights at this crossing that activate in response to calls on the CTAF (126.7).
Pilots should ensure that they keep The Vale appraised of their expected arrival and departure times, so our on-site team can monitor the runway crossing point.
There is a concrete visitor aircraft parking area near the runway road crossing, to the east of the main aircraft hangar.
During significant ‘fly-in’ events where there are substantial numbers of visiting aircraft, we make use of a paddock immediately east of the concrete visitor pad that has direct airfield access.
There are pilot and visitor facilities attached to the main aircraft hangar, including a lounge, kitchenette and lavatory.
The airfield is used at times by emergency services (including fire fighting, police and emergency rescue services aircraft). When needed, we are very happy to have the airfield used for these purposes, for the benefit of the local community.
The Vale 
