Vatsim Sunday, September 6, RAAF YCIN Curtin, Australia

Published by PAY1985 | Gordon G / published on September 4, 2026, 3:07 pm

RAAF Base Curtin, also sometimes RAAF Curtin^[2] (IATA: DCN, ICAO: YCIN) is a joint use Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base and civil airport located 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) southeast^[1] of the town of Derby, Western Australia. As it is one of the RAAF's three bare bases, no RAAF units are permanently based at Curtin and it is maintained by a small caretaker staff during peacetime.

The base is named in honour of former prime minister John Curtin.

RAAF Curtin was the first new major military airfield to be built in Australia since World War II. Construction on the base began in 1983 and it was opened on 11 June 1988 by Prime Minister Bob Hawke.^[3][4] The 25,000-hectare (62,000-acre)^[5] base was activated twice by the RAAF between 1988 and 2013.^[4] It was activated again in 2016 as part of Exercise Northern Shield.^[6]

One runway here 11/29 at 10,003’. No ILS available, only RNP and VOR. This should be fun and put our skills to the test. There is a dedicated CTAF on 126.7 however, there are no VATSIM requirements for this airport, so 122.80 may be best. Parking is limited. Probably on the south east end of the airport hotel/Juliet. Leave from anywhere (relaxed event rules) to arrive between 21:00Z and 22:00Z .