Mangere Aerodrome facts for kids

Mangere Aerodrome was an important early airport in Auckland, New Zealand. It was named after the nearby suburb of Mangere. This aerodrome was the first home for the Auckland Aero Club. Today, the much larger Auckland Airport stands on the same spot!

Mangere Aerodrome became famous in 1936. This was when New Zealand pilot Jean Batten landed there after her amazing solo flight from the United Kingdom.

During World War II, the RNZAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force) took over the aerodrome from 1939 to 1944. They called it RNZAF Station Mangere. In 1961, the Auckland Aero Club moved to Ardmore Aerodrome, and Mangere Aerodrome closed down. The new Auckland Airport officially opened in 1965.

How it Started: The Early Days

The Auckland Aero Club started Mangere Aerodrome in 1928. They bought farmland near the Manukau Harbour and the small town of Mangere. This gave aircraft owners a place to fly their planes without bothering people in Auckland. In 1933, a special concrete circle was built to help pilots land their planes safely.

In 1936, passenger flights began from Mangere. Union Airways started these flights as part of a new main air route. This route connected Auckland with Wellington and Christchurch. Union Airways built a big hangar for their planes and a comfortable building for passengers. They planned for three runways, with the longest being about 685 meters. A scoria (volcanic rock) runway was built in 1937.

One of the most exciting moments was when Jean Batten landed here in 1936. She was a New Zealand pilot and a member of the aero club. She had just completed an incredible solo flight all the way from the United Kingdom!

Mangere During World War II

When World War II began in 1939, the RNZAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force) took over the aerodrome. They renamed it RNZAF Station Mangere. The grass runway was made longer so it could handle very large planes, like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

The Air Force used the aerodrome to train flight instructors until 1940. Other important wartime units were also based there. Air Force squadrons from nearby bases like Ardmore and Seagrove often visited. Planes from the United States Armed Forces also used the aerodrome.

Even during the war, Union Airways continued to offer some civilian flights, though they were very limited. In 1944, the RNZAF gave the aerodrome back to the Auckland Aero Club. This happened after the Allied forces started winning the war in the Pacific.

The Final Years and New Airport

After the war, flying continued at Mangere Aerodrome. There was flight training and other activities for the aero club members. However, passenger flights from Mangere stopped in 1947. The new national airline, NAC, had to move its flights. They moved to Whenuapai, which was a joint Air Force and civilian airport.

At that time, international flights used Mechanics Bay for flying boats and Whenuapai Air Force base for land-based planes. So, it made sense for internal flights to operate from Whenuapai too.

In 1948, Mangere Aerodrome was considered as a possible location for a future international airport. In 1956, it was finally chosen to be the site of Auckland Airport. This was because it was far away from big city areas. This was important with the new jet planes coming soon.

In late 1960 and early 1961, construction for the new airport began. The Auckland Aero Club moved to Ardmore Aerodrome, and Mangere Aerodrome closed for good. The new Auckland Airport officially opened in 1965.

Images for kids

• 

  The Mangere Aerodrome, pictured in 1958.