Auckland Recreational Airparks Trust was born from a realisation of the need for an incorporated body to provide infrastructure support for recreational aviation in the Auckland region. The need was amply demonstrated by the continuing predation of land, previously available for recreational aviation, for ‘development’. Numerous model flying fields have closed, Ardmore Airfield has been sold into private ownership and Pikes Point Airpark was shut down in 2005, a shock from which the aviation world has not yet recovered.
The Trust’s vision is to establish and operate one or more airparks to cater for light-weight recreational aviation while providing aviation related educational opportunities, particularly targeted at the region’s youth. If the land area is suitable we envisage this including a centre for active and participatory recreation, including possibly sports practice fields and similar outdoor exercise facilities. We also wish to establish flying fields for use by aero modellers, particularly larger models and others unsuited to safe operation in parks. The first such model airpark, located on Highbrook Park, has been operating since April 2009.
To learn more about airparks, their value to the community, educational and career opportunities, and how you can help, please follow the links at the left of this page. Please also join our Supporters Group. We’ll email you advice of significant developments (normally by a link to this site) and promise we will not pass your details to any third party or use it for commercial purposes.
Experimental and Microlight aircraft at a Pikes Point Fly-in, 2004
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