Lightning Ridge Airport (YLRD)
Medium airport · New South Wales, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Lightning Ridge Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YLRD |
| IATA | LHG |
| Elevation | 540 ft (165 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 29°27'10" E 147°58'38" -29.45286, 147.97715 |
| Location | New South Wales, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 2,405 ft (733 m) | 98 ft | GVL | Yes |
| 10/28 | 4,613 ft (1406 m) | 60 ft | ASP | Yes |
Lightning Ridge Airport at a glance
Lightning Ridge Airport is a medium airport in New South Wales, Australia, known to airline systems as LHG. The field elevation of 540 ft (165 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YLRD are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 10/28 — offers 4,613 ft (1406 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 10 points roughly 100° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YLRD shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Lightning Ridge Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Walgett Airport | YWLG | 66 km (36 NM) |
| Dirranbandi Airport | YDBI | 99 km (53 NM) |
| Brewarrina Airport | YBRW | 126 km (68 NM) |
| Coonamble Airport | YCNM | 174 km (94 NM) |
| Moree Airport | YMOR | 181 km (98 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Lightning Ridge Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 540 ft field elevation of Lightning Ridge Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 194 airports and airfields we list for Australia — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Lightning Ridge Airport
What is the ICAO code of Lightning Ridge Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Lightning Ridge Airport is YLRD, and its IATA code is LHG. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Lightning Ridge Airport above sea level?
Lightning Ridge Airport sits at an elevation of 540 feet (165 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Lightning Ridge Airport located?
The airport lies at -29.4529, 147.9771 — in New South Wales, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Walgett Airport, about 66 km away.
Does YLRD publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YLRD appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Lightning Ridge Airport?
Lightning Ridge Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 10/28, measures 4,613 ft (1406 m) with a ASP surface.