Last ever Pikes Point Fly - In 29 October

[Bruce]

Unfortunately despite the best efforts of many, many people, the wonderful Pikes Point airfield is to be turned into something far more important, A parking lot. For those who have never been there and sampled the magical atmosphere of an aviation enthusiasts airfield, you have one last chance. Saturday October 29th is the last great Pikes Point Fly -In, and the 3 resident clubs are wanting to go out in style. This should be an awesome gathering of homebuilt and Microlight aircraft, a real celebration of the great times and a reminder to the powers that be that recreational flying is far more popular than they think. If you are in or near Auckland, please come and have a look, especially if you have never been there. It is easy to find, just off Neilson St in Onehunga, on most maps if you need directions. Hosted by Auckland Chapter of Sport Aircraft association, Auckland Microlight Club and Mt Roskill Aero Modellers. If wet the flyin will be postoned to Sunday 30th.

[Dave Homewood]

Bruce,

Despite there being little feedback here to your posts on the demise of Pikes Point aerodrome, I think we probably all share your concerns - if not for that particular airfield but for many others. Pikes Point is one which i am totally unfamiliar with and had not heard of till you raised it here, but it represents many others that have come under threat and disappeared. Some are incredibly historic places in their own right and should have been protected. Others are just big paddocks but to those who use them mean a lot. The loss of a local airfield means users have to travel further, or God forbid give up their aviation hobby.

I don't know if Pike's Point was the motivcation for it, or if another airfield is also about to disappear prompting this, but Graham Orphan has written a very pointed editorial on the loss of airfields and the conning out of the councils by developers in the latest Classic Wings magazine (Vol. 12 No. 4).

As I say, Pike's Point is nt familiar to me, but I've felt the personal anguish of seeing what has become of this country's first and historically most important aerodrome, Wigram. I have also heard the cases of nimbys attempting to stop flying at Ardmore because they moved in next door to the airfield, which used to be out in the country. It sickens me seeing such callous behaviour to an important industry and to such historic places.

Lets hope people wake up soon and put their foot down. We will soon lose Whenuapai and Hobsonville to housing contractors too if nothing is done. That would be one of this country's biggest travesties, second only to the loss of Wigram!

[Bruce]

Watch the news tonight - should be good footage of this, they nearly ran out of space to park the visiting aircraft (50+) I'll post some photos shortly.

[Bruce]

Might have to tweak the photos and post them in the next day or so - they were a little underexposed - not sure what happened there. My mate and I flew up in a C172 and we actually got on TV one news (for a few seconds....) sorry no autographs yet.... also picked up the propeller for my aircraft while I was there. There was an amazing turnout of recreational aircraft, the news footage didnt do it justice. we had little hanglider winged "trikes" right through to high performance retractable gear homebuilts and a Classic Cessna 180. Even a neat single seat TURBINE helicopter. Pity the media didnt show all the parked aircraft - they certainly made a statement - Dont ignore recreational flyers.