| Wigram Aerodrome | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
IATA: none – ICAO:   NZWG | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Wigram Aerodrome Ltd. | ||
| Location | Wigram | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 74 ft / 23 m | ||
| Coordinates | 43°33′04″S 172°33′10″E / 43.55111°S 172.55278°ECoordinates: 43°33′04″S 172°33′10″E / 43.55111°S 172.55278°E | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| RNZAF Base Wigram | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1917–1995 |
| Country |
 New Zealand |
| Branch |
 Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Motto(s) |
Latin: In Deo Et In Alis Salus ("Safety is in God and our wings") |
Wigram Aerodrome (ICAO: NZWG) is a former Royal New Zealand Air Force base located in the Christchurch suburb of Wigram. It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. Originally home to the RNZAF Central Flying School (CFS), it was closed in 1995 following the CFS' relocation to RNZAF Ohakea two years earlier. The closing parade was held on 14 September 1995.
Wigram Aerodrome maintained its aviation character, with several aviation businesses using its facilities. These included Pionair Private Aircharter, Christchurch Parachute School and Christchurch Flying School. Three Air Training Corps units, and a Cadet Corps unit also presently occupy buildings within the aerodrome.
Christchurch's Air Force Museum is located at the northern side of the aerodrome. It houses a large collection of aircraft and interactive displays, and is one of only two such museums in New Zealand.
Wigram Airfield Circuit was a temporary motor racing circuit at the Wigram Airfield. The temporary motor racing circuit was 3 km (1.9 mi) long [1] and considered as the oldest motor race circuit since it had been racing in 1949.[2]
Closure[]
On 9 July 2008 Television 3 News broadcast a news item (video) stating that Ngai Tahu, the owners of the aerodrome (acquired as part of a treaty settlement claim) are to close Wigram Aerodrome by February 2009. The airfield is to be developed into housing, whilst the historic control tower and hangars are to remain as they are heritage protected buildings.
Wigram airfield officially ceased operation as an airfield at 00:00 Sunday 1 March 2009 NZ Local time. Runway closure X markers are now in place on the sealed 03/21 and grassed runways. The grass runways 03/21 and 13/31 have posts and wires across them. Cattle are also loose on the former runways. No aircraft can use this airfield anymore. The airspace above is now controlled by Christchurch Tower
On 4 November 2011 rumours began that three aircraft (or the substantial remains) were excavated by housing contractors on the former airfeld site, and that private security officers were employed around the area to prevent people getting too close to the site. However no remains were found only an old dump site with no historical significance.
2012-13 Numerous dwellings have now been built over what was the grass runway at the western end of the old field. At the Eastern end there is a substantial industrial development in progress.
References[]
External links[]
- RNZAF Central Flying School
- Air force Museum
- Pionair Air Charter
- Canterbury Aero Club
- Airport information for NZWG at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.
- Photo of an Air Force refresher course at Wigram c1926
- Wigram air traffic to end
The original article can be found at Wigram Aerodrome and the edit history here.