Derby Airport (Australia)

Derby Airport (IATA: DRB, ICAO: YDBY) is located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) southeast[1] of Derby, Western Australia.

Derby Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorShire of Derby/West Kimberley
LocationDerby, Western Australia
Elevation AMSL24 ft / 7 m
Coordinates17°22′12″S 123°39′38″E
Map
YDBY
Location in Western Australia
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
11/29 1,736 5,696
05/23 1,158 3,799 Gravel/Asphalt
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[1]

History

The site of Derby airport was first set aside for aviation uses in 1922.[2] The airfield played a key role in the search for Charles Kingsford Smith's Southern Cross following a forced landing in the Kimberley region during 1929 in an incident that would become known as the "Coffee Royal Affair". Aviation pioneer Norman Brearley, used aircraft of his West Australian Airways in the initial search effort flying outwards from Derby.[3]

In 1938 it was proposed that Derby be used as a base for flying boat services carrying air mail from London to Australia via Egypt and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).[4]

A Transwest Airlines aircraft refuels at Derby Airport in 1979

See also

References

  1. YDBY – Derby (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 05 Nov 2020, Aeronautical Chart
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_historical_truestories/index.htm
  4. "Derby May Be New Bose For Flying Boat Service". 30 October 1938. p. 1 via Trove.


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