Nonstop flight route between Mercury, Nevada, United States and Paraparaumu Beach, New Zealand:
Departure Airport:
(36°37'9"N by 116°1'58"W)
Arrival Airport:
(40°54'16"S by 174°59'21"E)
Distance from DRA to PPQ:
6,906.64 miles (11,115.14 km)
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- About this route
- DRA Airport Information
- PPQ Airport Information
- Facts about DRA
- Facts about PPQ
- Map of Nearest Airports to DRA
- List of Nearest Airports to DRA
- Map of Furthest Airports from DRA
- List of Furthest Airports from DRA
- Map of Nearest Airports to PPQ
- List of Nearest Airports to PPQ
- Map of Furthest Airports from PPQ
- List of Furthest Airports from PPQ
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Desert Rock Airport (DRA), Mercury, Nevada, United States and Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ), Paraparaumu Beach, New Zealand would travel a Great Circle distance of 6,907 miles (or 11,115 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Desert Rock Airport and Kapiti Coast Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Desert Rock Airport and Kapiti Coast Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | DRA / KDRA |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Mercury, Nevada, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 36°37'9"N by 116°1'58"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Mercury, Nevada |
| Airport Type: | United States Department of Energy/Nevada |
| Elevation: | 1010 feet (308 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from DRA |
| More Information: | DRA Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | PPQ / NZPP |
| Airport Name: | Kapiti Coast Airport |
| Location: | Paraparaumu Beach, New Zealand |
| GPS Coordinates: | 40°54'16"S by 174°59'21"E |
| Airport Type: | Attended, Uncontrolled, Certificated Aerodrome |
| Elevation: | 22 feet (7 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 3 |
| View all routes: | Routes from PPQ |
| More Information: | PPQ Maps & Info |
Facts about Desert Rock Airport (DRA):
- Desert Rock Airport (DRA) currently has only 1 runway.
- The furthest airport from Desert Rock Airport (DRA) is Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG), which is located 11,271 miles (18,139 kilometers) away in Rodrigues Island, Mauritius.
- In addition to being known as "Desert Rock Airport", another name for DRA is "NV65".
- The closest airport to Desert Rock Airport (DRA) is Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] (INS), which is located only 20 miles (32 kilometers) E of DRA.
Facts about Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ):
- New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority has recently approved the airport after identifying approach obstruction issues.
- Because of Kapiti Coast Airport's relatively low elevation of 22 feet, planes can take off or land at Kapiti Coast Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ) has 3 runways.
- The furthest airport from Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ) is Salamanca-Matacán Airport (SLM), which is nearly antipodal to Kapiti Coast Airport (meaning Kapiti Coast Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Salamanca-Matacán Airport), and is located 12,411 miles (19,973 kilometers) away in Salamanca, Spain.
- Paraparaumu was judged unsuitable for international operations in the 1950s due to Kapiti Island to the near west and the Tararua Ranges barely a mile east infringing the take-off and landing flightpaths.
- Interest in providing commercial flights at Paraparaumu reignited because the Kapiti coast is one of New Zealand's fastest growing regional centres.
- The closest airport to Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ) is Wellington International Airport (WLG), which is located 31 miles (49 kilometers) SSW of PPQ.
- On 24 October 2011, Air Nelson, a subsidiary of Air New Zealand, commenced flights between Auckland and Paraparaumu.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 19.69 miles (31.69 km) E | Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] (INS) | Indian Springs, Nevada, United States | ![View Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] on a map](map-icon.gif "View Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] on a map"){kind=icon}   ![Get more information about Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1]](info-icon.gif "Get more information about Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1]"){kind=icon} |
| 2 | 22.55 miles (36.30 km) N | Yucca Airstrip (UCC) | Mercury, Nevada, United States | |
| 3 | 44.97 miles (72.37 km) WNW | Beatty Airport (BTY) | Beatty, Nevada, United States | |
| 4 | 54.51 miles (87.72 km) ESE | North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) | North Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| 5 | 61.57 miles (99.08 km) SE | McCarran International Airport (LAS) | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| 6 | 63.05 miles (101.47 km) ESE | Nellis Air Force BaseLas Vegas Air Force Base (1948) Las Vegas Army Airfield (1941)[1] McCarren Field (c. 1935)[2] (LSV) | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| 7 | 67.07 miles (107.94 km) SE | Henderson Executive Airport (HSH) | Henderson, United States | |
| 8 | 80.14 miles (128.96 km) SE | Boulder City Municipal Airport (BLD) | Boulder City, Nevada, United States | |
| 9 | 90.99 miles (146.43 km) NNW | Tonopah Test Range Airport (XSD) | Tonopah, Nevada, United States | |
| 10 | 91.16 miles (146.71 km) SW | Trona Airport (TRH) | Trona, California, United States | |
| 11 | 98.36 miles (158.29 km) SSW | Bicycle Lake Army Airfield (BYS) | Barstow, California, United States | |
| 12 | 110.47 miles (177.78 km) E | Mesquite Airport (MFH) | Mesquite, Nevada, United States | |
| 13 | 115.16 miles (185.33 km) NNW | Tonopah Airport (TPH) | Tonopah, Nevada, United States | |
| 14 | 120.24 miles (193.50 km) WSW | Inyokern Airport (IYK) | Inyokern, California, United States | |
| 15 | 129.12 miles (207.80 km) SSW | Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG) | Daggett, California, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,271.17 miles (18,139.15 km) S | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 2 | 11,261.80 miles (18,124.07 km) SSE | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 3 | 11,255.74 miles (18,114.32 km) SSE | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 4 | 11,236.83 miles (18,083.89 km) SSE | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 5 | 11,152.35 miles (17,947.92 km) SE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 11,032.45 miles (17,754.96 km) ESE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 7 | 11,017.51 miles (17,730.91 km) SE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 8 | 10,979.70 miles (17,670.06 km) SE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 10,880.55 miles (17,510.51 km) SE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 10,857.64 miles (17,473.64 km) SE | Manja Airport (MJA) | Manja, Menabe, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 10,850.28 miles (17,461.79 km) SE | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,843.79 miles (17,451.35 km) ESE | Andavadoaka Airport (DVD) | Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 10,834.60 miles (17,436.56 km) SE | Sainte Marie Airport (SMS) | Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,831.51 miles (17,431.58 km) SE | Morombe Airport (MXM) | Morombe, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 10,811.16 miles (17,398.84 km) SE | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 30.72 miles (49.44 km) SSW | Wellington International Airport (WLG) | Wellington, New Zealand | |
| 2 | 33.97 miles (54.67 km) E | Hood Aerodrome (MRO) | Masterton, New Zealand | |
| 3 | 52.09 miles (83.83 km) NE | Palmerston North Airport (PMR) | Palmerston North, New Zealand | |
| 4 | 65.15 miles (104.85 km) N | Wanganui Airport (WAG) | Wanganui, New Zealand | |
| 5 | 71.97 miles (115.82 km) SW | Woodbourne Airport (BHE) | Blenheim, New Zealand | |
| 6 | 95.99 miles (154.47 km) WSW | Nelson AirportTe Papa Waka Rererangi o Whakatū (NSN) | Nelson, New Zealand | |
| 7 | 105.11 miles (169.16 km) W | Motueka Aerodrome (MZP) | Motueka, New Zealand | |
| 8 | 114.04 miles (183.53 km) W | Takaka Aerodrome (KTF) | Takaka, New Zealand | |
| 9 | 127.11 miles (204.57 km) SW | Kaikoura Aerodrome (KBZ) | Kaikoura, New Zealand | |
| 10 | 137.85 miles (221.85 km) NNW | New Plymouth Airport (NPL) | New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 11 | 140.43 miles (226.00 km) NE | Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE) | Napier, New Zealand | |
| 12 | 160.48 miles (258.26 km) NNE | Taupo AirportTe Papa Waka Rererangi o Taupō (TUO) | Taupo, New Zealand | |
| 13 | 185.98 miles (299.31 km) WSW | Westport Airport (WSZ) | Westport, New Zealand | |
| 14 | 205.71 miles (331.06 km) NNE | Rotorua International Airport (ROT) | Rotorua, New Zealand | |
| 15 | 210.70 miles (339.10 km) N | Hamilton International Airport (HLZ) | Hamilton, New Zealand | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,410.95 miles (19,973.45 km) E | Salamanca-Matacán Airport (SLM) | Salamanca, Spain | |
| 2 | 12,380.82 miles (19,924.94 km) N | Valladolid International Airport (VLL) | Valladolid, Spain | |
| 3 | 12,355.17 miles (19,883.66 km) WNW | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport[1] (MAD) | Madrid, Spain | |
| 4 | 12,350.11 miles (19,875.53 km) WNW | Madrid–Torrejón Airport (TOJ) | Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain | |
| 5 | 12,326.97 miles (19,838.29 km) NE | Bragança Airport (BGC) | Bragança, Portugal | |
| 6 | 12,315.78 miles (19,820.28 km) NNE | León Airport (LEN) | León, Spain | |
| 7 | 12,313.18 miles (19,816.10 km) NW | Burgos Airport (RGS) | Burgos, Spain | |
| 8 | 12,299.90 miles (19,794.73 km) ENE | Covilhã Airport (COV) | Covilhã, Portugal | |
| 9 | 12,293.41 miles (19,784.28 km) E | Vila Real Airport (VRL) | Vila Real, Portugal | |
| 10 | 12,284.90 miles (19,770.58 km) NNW | Ciudad Real Central Airport (CQM) | Ciudad Real, Spain | |
| 11 | 12,267.81 miles (19,743.07 km) NE | Badajoz Airport (BJZ) | Badajoz, Spain | |
| 12 | 12,261.24 miles (19,732.50 km) NW | Logroño–Agoncillo Airport (RJL) | Logroño, Spain | |
| 13 | 12,256.52 miles (19,724.90 km) NW | Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport (VIT) | Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain | |
| 14 | 12,252.28 miles (19,718.09 km) ENE | Braga Airport (BGZ) | Braga, Portugal | |
| 15 | 12,252.17 miles (19,717.91 km) NNW | Santander Airport (SDR) | Santander, Cantabria, Spain | |