Wairoa flight testing a possibility

Wairoa could be a candidate for unmanned aircraft testing after heated opposition to plans in Central Otago.

Tests need restricted airspace approval from the Civil Aviation Authority.

A public meeting in Alexandra in September ended in what one aviator called a verbal “punch-up” that brought a premature end to a presentation about the aircraft by applicant Michael Read, chief executive of Christchurch-based Skybase NZ.

The northern Hawke’s Bay town’s airport is now being mooted as an option by a member of flyers group General Aviation Network, although co-principal, amateur flyer and former journalist Brian Mackie, of Puketitiri, says the group is neutral on the issue.

According to Hawke’s Bay Today inquiries, no application has been made for testing in northern Hawke’s Bay, but the area does have air space restrictions for Rocket Lab’s launches about 50km east at Mahia.

Wairoa mayor Craig Little, whose district council operates the airport, says he has yet to hear of any official proposal.

It would need to be similar in nature to that of the Central Otago application, which sought a restriction spanning 565sq km from Alexandra to Wedderburn and Gimmerburn.

“We would certainly look at it,” Little said, adding the region had the attributes identified by the GAA.

Read said he believes the mood in Alexandra was changing towards support for the venture there.

Wairoa hadn’t been considered, he said, but if the community was keen and the location was appropriate it could be looked at.

The proposals revolve around unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — “not drones, but planes”, Mackie said.

“We believe this idea is worth examining because Wairoa appears to be a safe operating area for the beyond-the-line-of-sight operations of UAVs.

“The establishment of a central UAV testing site at Wairoa might bring significant economic benefits, and remove stress on other communities facing applications.”