Chart Wise: Sunriver, Oregon (S21) RNAV (GPS) Rwy 18

Here is how to manage the terrain and execute an approach to this winter wonderland.

Jason Blair

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A privately owned, public-use airport is just a quick shuttle ride from the Sunriver Resort near Bend, Oregon, and provides a way for many out-of-state visitors and part-time homeowners to get to the year-round destination. [Credit: Sunriver Airport]

Key Takeaways:

The RNAV GPS Rwy 18 approach at Sunriver (S21) offers flexible initial approach fixes (IAFs), with the DSD VOR allowing a direct "NoPT" transition to TUPSE, though specific enroute arrivals might require using TUPSE directly.
Pilots must meticulously follow the approach path due to high surrounding terrain, with a significant descent from 7,000 ft MSL to 4,431 ft MSL, requiring immediate missed approach execution if deviating.
The missed approach procedure to SSTRS is unique in not listing a specific course, as the actual track depends on the aircraft's climb performance before turning directly to the waypoint.
A Visual Descent Point (VDP) 1.5 nm from Runway 18 aids in stabilized visual descents, advising a missed approach if visual references are not established by this point.

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Not far south of Bend, Oregon, a pilot just might find themselves flying into the airport at Sunriver, Oregon, to access nearby biking, hiking, stargazing at a nearby observatory, or snow riding at nearby Mount Bachelor in the winter. With only one approach to choose from, the RNAV GPS-based approach to Runway 18 is the way to get in when the weather is less than VFR.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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