8 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Whanganui Airport Karen Phelps Airport adapts to growing demand Whanganui Airport manager, Phil McBride. info@wanganuiaeroclub.co.nz 06 345 0914 www.wanganuiaeroclub.co.nz “It’s very satisfying to win the award as we are proud of the service. We think its doing a great job and has definitely increased our awareness of activity at the airport and is helping pilots to safely operate in the airspace around Whanganui.” As Whanganui Airport has become busier improvements have been made to cope with the higher demand. A key part of this process has been the UNICOM (Universal Communications) project, which has seen the airport win the 2022 New Zealand Airport Association Small Airport of the Year award. “It’s very satisfying to win the award as we are proud of the service. We think its doing a great job and has definitely increased our awareness of activity at the airport and is helping pilots to safely operate in the airspace around Whanganui,” says Whanganui Airport manager Phil McBride. The airport, which is jointly owned by Whanganui District Council (WDC) and the Ministry of Transport, is an uncontrolled airport (no air traffic control system) like many smaller airports in New Zealand. In 2019 the Director Civil Aviation advised the WDC (Airport Operator) of the requirement to conduct an aeronautical study. This was required due to significant changes to the operating environment at Whanganui Airport, namely; a considerable increase in aerodrome traffic volume, a significant change in the type of aircraft operations and the likelihood that annual aircraft movements (take-offs or landings) would exceed 40,000 per annum over three consecutive years. The arrival of the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA) at Whanganui Airport had seen a rapid rise in the number of aircraft movements, growing from 25,000 to over 40,000 movements, with a forecast growth to 70,000 movements as the NZICPA became more established. Prior to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions a peak of 68,000 movements was reached. “At an uncontrolled airport pilots make broadcast radio calls to arrange their own separation. “This works okay when there are just a few aircraft but becomes more difficult when it is busy. Now they can call UNICOM (Universal Communications), an aeronautical information service, and ask if there is anyone else in the circuit or area that may potentially be a conflict,” explains Phil. Whanganui UNICOM operators maintain a constant visual and listening watch of airspace around Whanganui and aerodrome operations during the promulgated hours of service. Phil says that the vigilance and awareness that UNICOM operators display enhances the safety of airport operations, and improves situational awareness for Whanganui airspace users. Since the inception of UNICOM the occurrences of non-standard procedures have reduced significantly as a result of the educational advice and prompts that UNICOM operators are permitted to provide. Phil says that an essential element of the project was the refurbishment of the airport control tower cab, which had been unoccupied since the removal of full Air Traffic Control services by Airways NZ in 1989. The scope of the control tower renovation included rewiring the electrical system, installation of a kitchenette and storage space, provision of an HVAC system, construction of the UNICOM Operator desk stations, improvements to the airport’s Aerodrome and Weather Information Broadcast (AWIB) and the implementation of IT systems to facilitate the UNICOM service. An exciting and innovative aspect of the project is that the Whanganui Airport Control Tower Restoration Group will convert the lower floors of the building into an aviation museum and education centre. When completed mid to late 2023, the museum will display items of historical aviation significance and legacy aviation equipment, while showcasing the history of the control tower and Whanganui Airport. “With our favourable, ambient climate there has been flying training conducted in Whanganui since the 1930s; so there are a lot of historic bits and pieces about. “Some quite famous aviation people have hailed from Whanganui including Sergeant James Ward, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for climbing out onto the wing of a plane to put a fire out during WWII and two local women, Jane Winstone and Trevor Hunter, who went to the UK to serve in the Air Transport Auxiliary during WWII and flew military aircraft from the factories to the squadrons.” Today the airport is host to diverse businesses such as Aerowork, Mid West Helicopters, the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy, Superair and the Wanganui Aero Club. There are three passenger flights per day to Auckland on Air Chathams and 100150 landings of smaller planes. To cope with continued growth Whanganui Airport is in the process of building a parallel taxiway, which is in the design and tender stage to further improve operations and safety.
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