- Wigram Aerodrome
is a former
Royal New Zealand Air Force base located in theChristchurch suburb ofWigram . It is named after Sir Henry Wigram. Originally home to the RNZAF Central Flying School (CFS), it was decommissioned in 1995 following the CFS' relocation to RNZAF Ohakea two years earlier.Wigram Aerodrome maintains its aviation character, with several aviation businesses using its facilities. These include Pionair Private Aircharter, Christchurch Parachute School and Christchurch Flying School. Three Air Training Corps units, and a Cadet Corps unit also occupy a building within the aerodrome.
Christchurch's Air Force Museum is located at the northern side of the aerodrome. It houses a large collection of aircraft and interactive displays, and is one of only two such museums in New Zealand.
Wigram Airfield Circuit was a temporary motor racing circuit at the Wigram Airfield. The temporary motor racing circuit was 3km (2.1 mile) long [http://www.tasman-series.com/tracks/wigram/wigram.asp] and considered as the oldest motor race circuit since it had been racing in 1949 [http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/M/MotorRacing/MinorCircuits/en] .Closure
On the 9th of July 2008 Television 3 News broadcast a [http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/ClosuremeansendofaneraforWigramairfield/tabid/309/articleID/62475/cat/64/Default.aspx news item (video)] stating that
Ngai Tahu , the owners of the aerodrome (acquired as part of a treaty settlement claim) are to close Wigram Aerodrome by February 2009. The airfield is to be developed into housing, whilst the historic control tower and hangars are to remain as they are heritage protected buildings.External links
* [http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/training-elements/central-flying-school.htm RNZAF Central Flying School]
* [http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz Air force Museum]
* [http://www.pionair.com Pionair Air Charter]
* [http://www.flyingschool.co.nz Christchurch Flying School]
*WAD|NZWG
* [http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Heritage/Photos/Disc14/IMG0065.asp Photo of an Air Force refresher course at Wigram c1926]
* [http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4613353a6530.html Wigram air traffic to end]
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