AIRDROME RATING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 668, 21 May 1929, Page 16

AIRDROME RATING

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER i REQUIREMENTS STATED Press Association WELLINGTON", Monday. For the information of local authorities and aero clubs, it is announced by the Hon. T. M. Wilford that the following ratings of airdromes will be adopted:—For a No. 1 rating, in addition to the basic requirements, a ground must have a landing area SOO yards in all directions with clear approaches; No. 2 rating must have a landing area of 650 yards in all directions; No. 3 rating, 500 yards in all directions; No. 4, 440 yards in all directions, with clear approaches in each case. Grounds which have not the necessary dimensions to qualify for No. 4 rating, but may be considered safe for particular purposes, will be rated as No. 5. Mr. Wilford states that up to today only one area capable of receiving No. 1 rating without the acquisition of further land has been found. That is at Wanganui at Landguard’s Bluff and owned by the Wanganui Harbour Board. The area is not only sufficient when put in order to have a No. 1 rating, but has everything necessary tor easy identification from the air, being situated at the mouth of the Wanganui River. It also has the advantage of an occulting light as a further signal post. New Plymouth and Hawera, by the acquisition of additional adjoining land, can become rated No 1, while the Wigram Airdrome and Blenheim Airdrome, when they bring in other land already owned by them and at present under cultivation, can be rated No. 1. Eltham will provide a good landing place for any machine at present in New Zealand without expense, but the cost of purchasing the property makes it prohibitive for any municipal authority. Mr. Wilford specially acknowledges the great assistance given ta the aviation movement by the generosity of Sir Henry Wigram at Sockburn. and of Mr. Charles Tcdd at Dunedin. Also the valuable help given by Messrs. Fairhall Bros, at Blenheim, Mr. Connett at Bell Block, near New Plymouth, Mr. Quin at Eltham, and Mr. Eriata Nopera at Dannevirke.