LANDING FIELDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 78, 24 May 1946, Page 5

LANDING FIELDS

WHAKATANE AERO AND GLIDING CLUB

; SELECTION OF SITES Two sftes for landing fields ■ ’ have been inspected by the committee of the Whakatane Aero and Glider Club which, during the past week has scoured the countryside, about Whakatane for a radius of seven miles viewing various properties and locations. This information was , the theme of a report addressed to the general meeting of the Whakatane Aero and Glider Club which took place last Wed- - nesday evening, by the President, Mr C. H. Brebner. “You will remember,” said Mr Brebner, “that at the inaugural meeting held two weeks ago, a sub-com-mittee was set up for the purpose of going into the question of locating a suitable site for a permanent airfield at Whakatane. That subcommittee inspected two main sites, and in the process, also viewed a number of others.” Sand Hills Selected The first of the two main sites 'inspected, he continued, was Shaw’s property at Paroa which had formerly been suggested by the Government. This was not nearly as good as the other one known as the sandhill site, adjoining the golf- links close to the sea. In fact, it was considered by the committee that this latter one was the only one worth considering from every point of view of flying. It had numerous advantages. It.could be located easily from the air; Whale Island immediately opposite constituted an excellent landfall; there were no hills about it, and therefore no adverse wind currents; it was sandy, and not subject to flooding; and finally, there were no obstructions at all such as high trees or power lines in the vicinity. It was principally Crown land, and a little Native land, situated approximately six miles from Whakatane township. The length of runway obtainable was almost unlimited as far as the requisites of flying were the total area . representing something over 140 .acres. h Development Dealing with the development of 'the site, the president said that the •cost of purchase would be light, as the land belonged to the Crown. Constructional costs would be fairly heavy, but it was hoped that the Government would offer a decent subsidy. £17,000 was the amount of the one previously offered local bodies. A deputation from the club had waited on the Minister of Rehabilitation, Hon. H. F. Skinner, during his recent visit, and had received a very sympathetic hearing. The deputation had asked what the possibility was of a subsidy for the sand hill site, and also the Government’s .attitude towards new aero clubs. Replying, the Minister had said that actually these subjects came under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, and it was probable that his officers would inspect the site at an early date. The Minister had added, however, that he would go into the question of a subsidy, and also the matter of the Government’s policy towards such work as the club was contemplating. Mr Ernest Brown, another member of the committee stated that although the cost of construction at the sand hill site appeared heavier at first glance than at the Paroa site, actually it might prove cheaper, as this latter location was inclined towards dampness. A Temporary Field In reply to advertisements for a temporary field until the permanent one could be constructed, said Mr Brebner, three farmers, Messrs. Butler, Jensen and Goile had all offered paddocks. Unfortunately none of these had been entirely satisfactory, owing to certain obstructions in the vicinity of each which would make landing and taking off difficult for new chums.

During the course of further inspection, however, the paddock on Mr L. Luxton’s farm formerly used by the old club had been visited. This was the only one in the surrounding district which would prove satisfactory. The committee had approached Mr Luxton, and he had willingly given his consent for the club to use it as a temporary field. Several bumps would need to be taken off the runways, but the club

had Mr Luxton’s co-operation in this matter. The only factor necessary now was to have the field approved and licensed as a temporary landing ground. It was decided to write a letter of appreciation to Mr Luxton, and votes of thanks were passed to the three farmers who had come forward in an endeavour to help the club.