Fun flights cleared for take-off

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 495, 20 July 1993, Page 1

Fun flights cleared for take-off

Scenic flights may be starting soon from Fraser's Airstrip on Rangataua Road, following the council's approval of an application for a resource consent from local pilot Ian Heappey. Mr Heappey plans to set up a commercial scenic flights operation from the strip, along with a vegetable store, tearooms, booking agency, farm display and pilot accommodation. Mr Heappey told the Ruapehu District Council Hearings Committee on Friday 2 July, that he had met with Transit New Zealand officials and agreed with their concerns regarding traffic safety. He agreed to their condition that the entrance to the airfield be moved 15 metres to allow better vision for motorists, and to pay for widening of the highway shoulder to allow room for cars to pass tuming vehicles.

Other conditions imposed with the approval included: An airfield and flight management plan be prepared in consultation with the Department of Conservation. No more than 25 commercial tourist flights are to take off in any one 24 hour period. No aircraft producing more noise than a Cessna 206 are to use the field. The Department of Conservation had objected to the consent, saying the extra flights over the national park would have adverse effects on users. DoC asked that, if approved, planes climb to their desired altitude outside the park boundaries before flying over the mountains. Mr Heappey said he was happy to double the Civil Aviation requirements of 500 metres above ground, but said it would not be fair to be

expected to climb outside the park. He said it would make a scenic flight quite boring as 45 minutes would be spiralling upwards, with little views. Any other plane flying over the park, for example one taking off from Taupo, would not be gov-

emed by such constraints, he said. Mr Heappey said the tearooms, vegetable stall and booking agency were planned so that there would be a staff member at the site at all times during open hours. He said there would not be enough

revenue from just the flights to pay a receptionist, meaning the office would be closed much of the time while the pilot was flying the plane. The operation would be developed over time, he said.