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 Sunriver (S21) RNAV GPS Runway 18 approach offers an efficient "NoPT" entry via the DSD VOR, though specific airway arrivals may require using TUPSE.
Pilots must maintain strict adherence to the approach path due to significantly higher terrain surrounding the corridor, especially during descent, to ensure safety.
Key procedural details include a climb-dependent course for the missed approach to SSTRS and a critical Visual Descent Point (VDP) at 1.5 nm for initiating a stabilized visual descent.

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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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