Christchurch and Airshows

[Dave Homewood]

With the demise of Wigram as an airport, will the city of Christchurch ever have a proper full sized airshow again in the future? I'd imagine that it would be very difficult to arrange an airshow at the Christchurch International Airport at harewood and I don't believe they have had one since 1987 there, have they?

I guess their closest options now are Wanaka and Omaka?

[johnnyfalcon]

Yep. Or Ashburton. NZCH would be a pain-in-the...

[baz62]

Rangiora? Nice biggish grass field. The Dakota can get in and out too. ;D

[corsair67]

Yep, not too many options for Christchurch now as far as airshows are concerned, and Rangiora and Ashburton are about the only options nearby for smaller air shows.

When I become a multi-millionaire, I am going to purchase a large chunk of land on the Canterbury Plains, turn it into an airfield and name it the 'Henry Wigram Memorial Airfield'. There will be no landing fees charged, but I would hope that all users of the field would be prepared to attend an annual air display held each summer.

I'll even fly the civil ensign at the front gate to keep ex-patkiwi happy!

By the time this comes to fruition, Baz should have his Auster flying.... ;D

[baronbeeza]

If you promise to buy the land out beyond Tai Tap I will donate $5 towards your millionaires fund.
Anywhere between Prebbleton and the lake will work !

(Outside the old zone).

[johnnyfalcon]

Snap! Already had that idea staked for when I'm rich...............

Although, with good organizing I reckon Ashburton would hold its own for a show on the scale of Omaka/Wanaka, both in town facilities for the public and aerodrome size/versatility for the flying

[ngatimozart]

Oct 8, 2012 14:37:52 GMT 12 johnnyfalcon said:

Snap! Already had that idea staked for when I'm rich...............

Although, with good organizing I reckon Ashburton would hold its own for a show on the scale of Omaka/Wanaka, both in town facilities for the public and aerodrome size/versatility for the flying

Talk to aeromedia, he's tied up with the Ashburton group.

[JamesStokes]

I think Ashburton would throw a good show especially if they brought out the Meteor and Vampire etc. Would make for interesting static displays.

[beagle]

I wonder what would have happened if the runway was wrecked during the earthquake.
Take it they would have used Dunedin and buses or trains.
Then again can ya land a Dash-8 or ATR or B1900 on grass.

[dakman]

Good question beagle . On firm solid ground can not see why not , I remember seeing
Strikemaster aircraft flying of the grass vectors at Hood Masterton ,.But recall when Wairarapa Airlines wanted to start a air service from Hood with a MU2 it was not approved' a Piper Navajo was ? Have noted a D H Heron has used the grass vectors 06/24 even a royal visit way back , So I don"t think a nose wheel aircraft would have any problems on grass

[beagle]

If a B757 can land on ice, whats the difference with it landing on a grass strip.

[DragonflyDH90]

Ice would take the weight without sinking into the earth and ice also has suprisingly good braking action.

[expatkiwi]

Oct 8, 2012 12:29:44 GMT 12 corsair67 said:

Yep, not too many options for Christchurch now as far as airshows are concerned, and Rangiora and Ashburton are about the only options nearby for smaller air shows.

When I become a multi-millionaire, I am going to purchase a large chunk of land on the Canterbury Plains, turn it into an airfield and name it the 'Henry Wigram Memorial Airfield'. There will be no landing fees charged, but I would hope that all users of the field would be prepared to attend an annual air display held each summer.

I'll even fly the civil ensign at the front gate to keep ex-patkiwi happy!

By the time this comes to fruition, Baz should have his Auster flying.... ;D

I'm touched.