From the very old… The club’s venerable Tiger Moth, there for years but now departed…
Waipukurau (population around 4700) is the commercial capital of Central Hawke’s Bay, although administrative power is wielded from the hamlet of Waipawa (pop. 2300), five minutes’ drive to the north. Early inhabitants of Central Hawke’s Bay, like many rural people in the United States, had a visceral fear of power being concentrated in large urban areas such as Waipukurau. This explains why Sacramento is the capital of California, rather than Los Angeles or San Francisco.
The town’s name translates as the River of Edible Fungus, which is nowadays not so appropriate because the Tukituki River which flows through it (and which you’ll cross on an approach to runway 20) suffers from human and agricultural pollution. Measures are afoot to clean up the river and restore its reputation as a fine trout fishery.
Waipukurau has a range of motels, cafes and shopping, typical of provincial centres in New Zealand, with its main street within about 15 minutes’ walk of the aero clubhouse. A motel borders the airfield at the northern end, if you are looking for accommodation close by.
The Central Hawke’s Bay Aero Club (founded in 1935) owns the Franklin airfield and a small area of surrounding land, which it farms. This enables the club to operate its fleet at moderate cost to members and not charge landing fees.
… to the very new: CHB – the club’s sparkling Rans 6 microlight. Pictures by Peter Scott
The airfield is uncontrolled, with no controlled airspace within the immediate area. The runway extends north-easterly (02) and south-westerly (20) and is 430 feet AMSL and 1000 metres long, with circuits only on the western side. Fuel facilities are available near the clubhouse – BP avgas and JetA1. There is a service station about 2km towards the town.
Sheep may graze the runway and will normally congregate at the southern end. They will be moved if you contact the club in advance of arrival.
Runway 02’s threshold is vulnerable after heavy rainfall. A displaced threshold will usually be indicated by a NOTAM.
Aero club contact: CFI Ross Macdonald on 021 262 9550
Aero club email: chbaeroclub@gmail.com
Website: CHB Aero Club
Clubhouse phone: 06 858 8226
Landing fee: None
Taxi: Viv’s on 027 211 3663
Visitor information: Waipukurau i-Site