Ballarat Airport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ballarat Airport
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | City of Ballarat | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Mitchell Park, Ballarat, Victoria | ||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 1,433 ft / 437 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 37°30′42″S 143°47′28″E / 37.51167°S 143.79111°E | ||||||||||||||||||
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Ballarat Airport (ICAO: YBLT), also known as Ballarat Aerodrome, is located in Mitchell Park. This area is an outer suburb of Ballarat, in Victoria, Australia. It is a public airport managed by the City of Ballarat.
Contents
History of Ballarat Airport
Pilots first started training on the Ballarat Common way back in 1914. By 1934, a simple tin hangar was built there.
World War II and Training
In 1940, during World War II, the Australian government took over the site. They started building a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airfield. This airfield was part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. It was called No 1 Wireless Air Gunners School. This school trained people to be wireless operators and air gunners for planes.
The original tin hangar was moved. New, special hangars called Bellman Hangars were built. Many other buildings were also put up. The school moved to the aerodrome in mid-1940. At first, wireless operators learned their skills in panel vans. Later, they used CAC Wackett trainer aircraft for practice. The school closed down on December 31, 1945.
After the War
The RAAF continued to use the airfield as its Radio School until 1961. After that, the Shire of Ballarat took over the airport. It became a civil airport for regular flights. Many of the old hangars and buildings from the war were kept.
In 2007, the site was added to the Victorian Heritage Register. This means it's an important historical place because of its role in the Empire Air Training Scheme. Today, Ballarat Airport is still important for emergency services. It is also used for civil flights and for training new pilots. Many community groups use the old buildings too.
Motorsport at the Airfield
The airfield was also used for exciting motor races! The first race meeting happened on Australia Day in 1947. In February 1961, a big international race called the Formula Libre race took place. Some famous European Formula 1 teams even came to compete.
Two well-known drivers, Dan Gurney and Graham Hill, finished first and second in the main race. This race was called the Victoria Trophy. A funny thing happened the night before the race: Dan Gurney's car was stolen from its hangar! It was found hidden in hay bales out on the track.
- Shire of Ballarat History
