Hastings Aerodrome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hastings Aerodrome
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero Club Inc | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Hastings, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 72 ft / 22 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 39°38′48.12″S 176°46′0.84″E / 39.6467000°S 176.7669000°E | ||||||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||||||
 NZHS
Location in New Zealand
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Sources: WorldAeroData
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Hastings Aerodrome (ICAO: NZHS), also known as Bridge Pa Aerodrome, is a small airport in Hastings, New Zealand. It's located in the Hawke's Bay area. The Hawke's Bay & East Coast Aero Club Inc. owns and runs it.
The airport is on the Heretaunga Plains, near two golf courses. The small town of Bridge Pa is also close by. It's about eight kilometers west of Hastings city center. Bigger planes with regular flights usually use the larger Hawke's Bay Airport in Napier instead.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Hastings Aerodrome
Starting the Aero Club
The Hawke's Bay & East Coast Aero Club was New Zealand's second aero club ever. It officially started on November 12, 1928.
On August 3, 1932, the Aero Club bought 80 acres of land. This land was right next to the Hastings Golf course, and it became their new airport. On January 20, 1933, the Aero Club opened a new clubhouse. This building is still there today, used as the "old clubhouse."
Aviation Mapping and World War II
New Zealand Aerial Mapping Ltd bought its first plane in 1936. It was a Monospar ST25. This company has been based at Hastings Aerodrome ever since. It is New Zealand's oldest aviation company.
When World War II began in 1939, pilot training became very important. The Hawke's Bay club started training pilots for the Air Force. They first took 12 trainees, then added five more every eight weeks. The Aero Club agreed to give its planes to the government if war broke out.
During the war, the club mostly stopped its activities. By March 1940, 32 of their trained pilots had joined the RNZAF, the RAAF, or the RAF. After the war ended, the club started up again in January 1946.
Growing the Aerodrome
In 1968, the Hawke's Bay Skydiving Club started at Hastings Aerodrome. In the same year, the Hawke's Bay Gliding Club built its hangar there.
In 1976, special lights were put in for the main runway. Two years later, in 1978, the main runway was paved. New Zealand Aerial Mapping did this so their new, larger planes could land easily.
How Hastings Aerodrome Works
Hastings Aerodrome is an "uncontrolled" airport. This means there isn't a control tower telling planes exactly when to take off or land. Pilots communicate with each other to stay safe.
Runways at the Aerodrome
The airport has three runways:
- Runway 01L/19R: This runway is paved with Asphalt. It is 1,075 meters long.
- Runway 01R/19L: This is a grass runway that runs next to the paved one. It is 880 meters long. People often call it the "grass runway 01" or "grass runway 19."
- Runway 11/29: This is a cross runway, 884 meters long. Part of it is paved for 295 meters, then the rest is grass.
What Happens at Hastings Aerodrome
Hastings Aerodrome is a busy place with many different groups using it. Besides the Hawke's Bay & East Coast Aero Club, here are some other activities:
- A Microlight Club (for very light aircraft).
- A Gliding Club (for planes without engines).
- A Skydiver Club (for parachute jumping).
- Two Helicopter Operators.
- Two companies that use planes for farming (aerial agriculture).
- Hawke's Bay Avionics Ltd, which fixes aircraft electronics.
- New Zealand Aerial Mapping Ltd (the mapping company).
- A business that services and sells aircraft.
Many people also keep their own private planes here. There's even a group of people who build their own aircraft as a hobby!
Air Hawke's Bay: Pilot Training
Air Hawke's Bay is a company owned by the Aero Club. It's a registered aviation college and air charter company. They teach students from New Zealand and other countries how to fly fixed-wing planes. They also offer air charter services, which means you can hire a plane for a specific trip.
Air Hawke's Bay was the first air academy in New Zealand to get a special approval called CAA Part 141. They are also approved for air transport operations under CAA Part 135. The academy is approved by NZQA and follows rules for international students. It's one of five schools that partner with Air New Zealand, helping graduates get jobs in the airline industry. About 40% of their pilots come from overseas.
