Extension Of Grey Airfield: Unfavourable Views

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 April 1948, Page 2

Extension Of Grey Airfield: Unfavourable Views

In view of the limited nature of the total improvements possible, the expensive expansion of the Greymouth aerodrome is not favoured by the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, and an Australian airline executive, Mr A. W. Coles, according to information received by the Westland District Progress League which met at Greymouth last evening.

After commenting that the position now did not appear to be “too hopeful,” the league decided to refer its correspondence on the subject, to the West Coast Aero Club for its consideration and suggestions. “In order to assure some degree of uniformity it is Government policy to locate all aerodromes on sites capable of development to class E international standards or better, that is, with a minimum primary runway of 4750 feet and with a secondary runway or runways of 4020 feet,” stated the Minister of Defence in his letter. The standard required also a freedom of obstructions within a gradient of 1 in 30 from the ends of all runways or, in the case of those runways on which landings by radio aids were effected, within a gradient of one in 50.

The Minister added that it was not possible to develop Greymouth airfield to meet international requirements. Several physical factors made any extension of the existing runways economically impracticable. “I feel that the inability to extend Greymouth aerodrome is not a matter of very great concern as Greymouth is not situated on an international route nor on an internal main trunk route,” he added. “The question should, therefore, be considered from the viewpoint of Greymouth’s position in relation to other aerodromes in the region and to the potential passenger traffic. Hokitika aerodrome is being reconstructed to class F standards and will be capable of extension to class E standards. It will therefore, be adequate for use by medium-sized transport r aircraft at present used on the Dominion’s air routes.

“With Greymouth and Hokitika in such close proximity it would be difficult to justify the expense involved in providing large aerodromes at both towns, nor would it be economical for the National Airways Corporation to operate large aircraft from both centres in view of the comparatively limited passenger and freight poten-' tials. The needs of Greymouth can be adequately catered for by feeder services using small aircraft,” he concluded. View of Problem “Your problem is a much greater one than the extension of the southern end of the aerodrome, if scheduled flying with modern aircraft is to be permitted, and is due to the location not allowing a safe angle of approach excepting for small, obsolescent types of aircraft; It appears that the solution lies in finding and developing a new site affording greater area and fewer obstacles.” This view was expressed by the chairman (Mr A. W. Coles) of the Trans-Australia Airlines, after comparing the Greymouth aerodrome with Australian fields. “With the present trend in aircraft design, even in the case of feeder line aircraft, it would only be a very temporary measure to lay down an aerodrome below the minimum standards required for DC-3 type operation,” he added. Weheka Airfield “Until improvements are made, no operation from Weheka can be contemplated other than for urgent ambulance cases, the degree of urgency being assessed between the risk to the patient involved in transportation by (a) surface means and (b) by air under existing conditions,” wrote Mr F. M. Clark, general manager of the National Airways Corporation, in connection with the closing of the Weheka airfield. “Any requests to the corporation for air ambulance service in cases which may be classed under the above categories will receive every consideration,” he added. ' Mr J. B. Kent, M.P. advised that the relicensing of the aerodrome was now under review, but that the licence “which will be issued shortly,” would probably not include Dominie aircraft.