OVERVIEW OF WAIROA AERODROME
Wairoa Aerodrome provides a service for light aircraft and is used mainly for charter operations. The Wairoa Aerodrome is located at the end of Airport Road, northwest of Wairoa Township. The aerodrome was originally constructed for DC3's to carry fertiliser, and in the early days served both DC3's and Friendships. In 1988 during Cyclone Bola, the field was used in emergency operations by the Royal New Zealand Air Force Andover aircraft.
On 1 July 1996, the aerodrome changed in status from a 'public' aerodrome to a 'private' aerodrome (as defined by the Civil Aviation Authority Regulations). As a 'private' aerodrome, it no longer functions as a commercial passenger airport, but as an unmanned facility for private and agricultural usage in casual and routine flights.
Wairoa Aerodrome is a grass strip of 1371m in length containing an all weather sealed strip of 914m on its southern two thirds.
The controlling authority of the aerodrome is Wairoa District Council, who own the following:
- The area of land that the Wairoa Airport is situated on,
- The Waiting Lounge/Aero Club Rooms building, and
- The rural land blocks immediately surrounding the Airport.
Councils involvement with this activity includes managing and funding the aerodrome through the provision of capital development and maintenance of established assets. This ensures that an operational airport remains within the Wairoa District to serve the needs of this District.
Management of the Wairoa Aerodrome involves providing the resources necessary to operate the aerodrome, and maintaining it to acceptable safety standards for use by approved aircraft operators.
Wairoa District Council has a responsibility to provide transport infrastructure and services that are safe, effective and integrated. Council acknowledges that not only does the airport meet transport and economic needs, but also provides a vital link in times of emergency. Over recent years it has become much more important for those suffering ill health and requiring urgent medical attention.
The long-term Council direction for the Wairoa Aiport is to continue to provide a safe but affordable facility to meet current needs. The airport is a community asset of great community and strategic importance, and Council will continue to be involved in the provision of the Wairoa Airport and related infrastructure for the foreseeable future.
There is a set fee structure associated to its usage, which applies to aircraft operators including topdressing and privately owned aircraft operators.
THE EXISTING SITUATION
This activity is managed within the Engineering Department of the Council. The Airport Manager is currently responsible for dealing with airport issues, and responsible for overseeing the work that is contracted out, including the maintenance of the grounds, and all other facilities. All day-to-day maintenance and operational activities are provided by private sector contractors.
The aerodrome itself is a grass strip of 1371m in length containing an all weather sealed strip of 910m in length, and can accommodate a wingspan of up to 30 metres. The length of the strip constrains its use to aircraft in the category of 5700kg MTOW or less. Normally this means that the largest aircraft to use the aerodrome would be light twin-engined aircraft that carries up to 10 or 12 passengers. In dry conditions, the grass strip along one side of the runway can accommodate light aircraft. Helicopters also use the airport.
The runway is sealed with a central 15.5 metre wide strip of asphaltic concrete, which is flanked by chip-seal of 8 metre width. Other sealed surfaces are the tarmac and entrance area adjacent to the airport building and fuel service (aviation bowser) which is privately owned, a taxiway linking the tarmac with the runway, running areas joining the tarmac, the runway, and fertiliser bins which are privately owned.
MAIN USERS OF AIRPORT
Known regular users of the airstrip are subject to a specific landing agreement, which includes specific reporting requirements, set out by Council. Main users include Air Napier Limited, Sunair Aviation Limited, Massey University School of Aviation, Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club.
SURROUNDING RURAL LAND
The surrounding rural land of the airport is leased out by the Council to various local groups and individuals who make use of it for farming and horticultural purposes. These include Taylors Farms Limited, Richard Clark, Wairoa Racing Club Inc.
BUILDINGS ON AIRPORT
There are three main buildings situated on the Airport land.
- Aero Club Inc Hangar - Owned by Aero Club Incorporated
- Waiting Lounge / Terminal (left) Aero Club Incorporated Club Rooms (right) Toilets (left rear) - Owned by Wairoa District Council, Club rooms leased by Aero Club.
- Cooksons / Ashworth Helicopters Hangar - Owned by Cookson Air Ltd, Leased to Ashworth Helicopters.
Formal agreements have been put in place for each of the facilities rented at the airport. Airport facilities are rented to the following groups: Cooksons Air Limited, Farmers Air Limited, and Wairoa Aero Club Inc.
Council currently maintains the airport lounge building that consists of the terminal and lounge area, and toilet facilities. The major users are the Aero Club members whose clubrooms are an integrated part of the building. The lounge currently has little use. The toilets are used by all operators and users of the airport, as it is the only facility available. Daily cleaning of the toilets is provided by Council.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING
Suitably qualified consultants are contracted to carry out inspections of the aerodrome runway and strip surfaces and conditions, buildings, fences, gates, signs, runway and taxiway markings, wind direction indicators, and marker boards to assess the need to maintenance. Annual maintenance assessments are made to ensure all aerodrome facilities meet design standards. Safety inspection is undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority, pursuant to Section 15 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990, and in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority's ongoing safety monitoring programme.
Consulting engineers appointed by the Council are responsible for arranging grass-mowing services at the Aerodrome. Contract specifications define the areas to be mown and the frequency.
The airport lights are maintained on a regular basis. Inspection of the runway is carried out on a regular basis and maintenance undertaken as required. Lighting outages are reported to the Engineering Manager, who is then responsible for originating a NOTAM to curtail aircraft operations at night, and advising the approved electrical contractor of the need to take restorative action.
Wairoa District Council are currently in the process of compiling an Emergency Management Plan that will detail how the airport will respond to various incidents such as an earthquake or flooding threat to its operation.
The LTCCP activity plan (below) will be updated, as circumstance change to ensure the plan is a living, relevant document. The plan will be comprehensively reviewed at intervals of not more than 3 years via the Special Consultative Procedure. Each review will be completed before the next review of the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP).
Airport related documents and application forms published in the Adobe Reader format. You will need to install the Adobe Reader program on your computer in order to read them. If you do not already have the Adobe Reader installed you can download it from the Adobe website.
To find out more about Wairoa Airport Control you can contact Bill Lewis or Nicky Bradley at Wairoa District Council on (06) 838 7309.
Airport Fees and Charges
Application for Landing Approval
Application for Landing Licence
Survey for User Pilots Form
Take Off and Landing Schedule
Airport Landing Fees Form
