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 | |||||||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||||||
Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
Operator | Shire of Derby/West Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
Location | Derby, Western Australia | ||||||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 24 ft / 7 m | ||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 17°22′19″S 123°39′45″E | ||||||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() YDBY Location in Western Australia | |||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||
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Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[1] |
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".[citation needed] 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]
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