Käyser Airstrip, also Käyser Jan Gouka Airstrip (ICAO: SMKE) is near the Käyser Mountains range in Sipaliwini District, Suriname. It was constructed as part of Operation Grasshopper ( a project to look for natural resources) and has one long grass runway. Fishing and wildlife tours are prime users of the airstrip.[3]
Käyser Airstrip Eilerts de Haan Airstrip / Jan Gouka Airstrip | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Luchtvaartdienst Suriname | ||||||||||
| Location | Käyser Mountains, Suriname | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 849 ft / 259 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 3°05′35″N 56°28′25″W / 3.09306°N 56.47361°W | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  SMKE Location in Suriname | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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History edit
The runway was laid out in the framework of Operation Grasshopper and is located on the Zuid River (branch of the Lucie River) near the Käyser Mountains, named after the explorer Conrad Carel Käyser. In July 1959 under the direction of Dirk Geijskes an expedition began in preparation for the airports at the Coeroeni River and the Käyser Mountains.[3] In December 1960, Käyser Airstrip opened up for public air traffic in Suriname. On 25 October 1968 a KLM Aerocarto C-47A registered PH-DAA flew into Tafelberg Mountain, Suriname, following an engine failure while on a survey flight. The aircraft collided with the mountain in cloudy conditions, killing three of the five people on board.[4] In memory of the deceased Captain Jan Gouka, the Käyser Airstrip was named after him. [5]
Airlines and destinations edit
Currently, no scheduled airlines are offered from Käyser Jan Gouka Airstrip.
Charter edit
Charter Airlines serving this airport are:
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Blue Wing Airlines | Charter: Paramaribo–Zorg en Hoop[6] |
| Gum Air | Charter: Paramaribo–Zorg en Hoop[7] |
| Hi-Jet Helicopter Services | Charter: Paramaribo–Zorg en Hoop |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Airport information for SMKE at Great Circle Mapper.
- ^ Google Maps - Kayser
- ^ a b "Operatie sprinkhaan" (PDF). Landewers (in Dutch). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "PH-DAA Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ "Operatie Sprinkhaan, de ontsluiting van de Surinaamse binnenlanden door de lucht". Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- ^ Blue Wing schedule Archived 2013-05-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Gum Air destinations
External links edit
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