Gliding enthusiasts “up in the air”

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33514, 20 April 1974, Page 16

Gliding enthusiasts “up in the air”

South Island gliding enthusiasts are “up in the air”

—they are in danger of losing their airstrip at Omarama, base for many hours of happy soaring in the MacKenzie Country. And this has grave implications for the South Island gliding championships in November and the New Zealand titles early in January. The vice-president of the Omarama Soaring Club, Mr G. W. Hunt, of Christchurch, said yesterday that 780 acres of land, which includes the airstrip, changed hands last May. Since then, the club had been trying to negotiate with the new owner who wanted to freehold the 780 acres of Crown leasehold, and subdivide. This would put paid to the airstrip, which also .serves

the township, and the dub had tried to buy the land. Mr Hunt said the owner will not j sell, and also refused per- ; mission for use of the airstrip, allowed free of charge J by the previous owner. "The matter is serious for gliding in New Zealand." Mr H Hunt said. “We have to know i what the outcome will be by • April 27 because the New . Zealand championships ini volve 35 gliders and 800 people, many from the. North , Island." > The township of Omarama < had become known as the t; gliding centre for the South Island, and had adopted a 1 gliding symbol. > Mr Hunt said that if the I airfield cannot ba used, then f gliding enthusiasts would - have to transfer to Alexandra which would be a pity be--1 cause of the ideal conditions il at Omarama.