Ardmore Airport (New Zealand)

Ardmore Airport
IATA: AMZ – ICAO: NZAR
Summary
Airport type		Public
Operator		New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority
Location		Auckland
Elevation AMSL		111 ft / 34 m
Coordinates		37°01′47″S 174°58′24″E
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
03R/21L	4,630	1,411	Asphalt
03L/21R	1,700	518	Grass
07/25	1,960	597	Grass

Ardmore Airport (IATA: AMZ, ICAO: NZAR) is an airport 3 NM (5.5 km) southeast of Manurewa in Auckland, New Zealand.

History

Ardmore was constructed during World War II by USAAF forces stationed in Auckland, and was intended to be used as a base for B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. Due to developments in the Pacific War it was never used for this purpose; but was instead was used by the RNZAF, who operated Corsair fighters. RNZAF Auckland operations were consolidated at Whenuapai after the end of World War II. From the post-war years until the mid-1970s the grounds were home to a teacher training unit and the Auckland University School of Engineering.

New Zealand Grand Prix

From 1954 until 1962 the aerodrome was home to the New Zealand Grand Prix with the circuit being approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) in length and utilising the two sealed runways operational at the time. In 1954 and 1955, about 70,000 spectators attended the event. Local authorities made the decision to open up the facility to general aviation and so the Grand Prix was moved to Pukekohe upon completion of a purpose built facility there. British racing driver Ken Wharton was killed at the NZ Grand Prix at Ardmore on 12 January 1957, when he crashed his Ferrari Monza.

Present day

Ardmore Airport is one of New Zealand's busiest General Aviation airfields. Traffic mainly consists of small private aircraft and the classic aircraft of the New Zealand warbirds association, which is based there. Businesses based there include several flying schools, maintenance, fuel and aircraft restoration. Buildings are situated around Aprons to the North, West, South, and Southeast. A Control tower remains in the center of the field, but this is no longer used for air traffic control. The airfield is serviced by two R-NAV (GPS) arrivals, one for each runway (03 and 21). Please refer to CAA AIP documents for arrival/landing procedures at Ardmore Airport.

Operational information

• Airfield elevation is 111 ft (34 m) AMSL
• Runway 03/21, 1411 x 45 metres sealed
• Runway 03/21, 518 x 18 metres grass
• Runway 07/25, 597 x 18 metres grass
• Runway lighting available
• Pavement Strength PCN 14
• Circuit: RWY 03/07 - right hand RWY 21/25 - left hand
  • Circuit Height: 1,100 ft (340 m) AMSL Aeroplane, 800 ft (240 m) AMSL Helicopter

The airport itself is uncontrolled and located within a Mandatory Broadcast Zone (MBZ) below and to the east of Auckland International Airport airspace.

Accidents and incidents

Accidents and incidents that occurred at or near Ardmore Airport include:

• 21 November 1944 - A Corsair based at Ardmore attempted a forced landing and crashed 1/2 a mile from the aerodrome. Fg Off D.G.A Ritchie later died of injuries.
• 6 March 1945 - A Corsair turned onto its back while coming in to land. Flt Sgt J.W Wright was injured.
• 3 December 2009 - A restored Spitfire tipped onto its nose while landing, damaging the propeller and undercarriage
• 27 September 2010 - A helicopter with two people on board was reported (by TV3 News) to have crashed. The aircraft reported a technical problem. A witness said the helicopter circled the aerodrome using up fuel and then the engine was cut and it glided in to land safely.

Sources

• NZAIP Volume 4 AD

External links

• Ardmore Aerodrome's Website
• Ardmore (NZAR) Airport Information Chart