It wasn’t quite on the scale of Jamestown but an impromptu fly-in to the proposed Clare Valley airport site on Saturday morning provided a welcome “shot in the arm” for the project.
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Mayor Allan Aughey was brimming with enthusiasm after arriving at the airport site in a Squirrel AS350 helicopter, and going for a spin in a tiny Foxbat aeroplane.
The helicopter was piloted by Sydney businessman Daryl Gates who used it in conjuction with Peter Eaton’s last Whippets for Wishes expedition across Australia.
The Foxbat was flown by local instructor David Willson who is planning to operate his flying school from the Clare airport.
Mr Aughey said the airport, which the local flying group hopes to have operational in time for the Santos Tour Down Under start in Clare on January 19, would open the region to a whole new range of clients and businesspeople.
“It will be another string to our bow (for the Tour) so it would be great to get it up and running in time,” he said.
Mr Aughey said he was filled with confidence by the fact that the site, which is about 14 kilometres north of Clare on RM Williams Way, had been selected as the best in the region for an airfield during World War II.
He rejected criticisms about the airport site being too far from the township.
“The quality of the site makes it worthwhile being out here,” Mr Aughey said.
“All in all, I think it’s an excellent project worthy of council and community support.”
He said he was impressed with the innovation and enthusiasm of the Clare Valley Flying Group.
Group president Adrian Smith said the council had received two objections to its planning request.
“One neighbour was concerned about conflicting traffic when his agricultural pilots conducted flights off his strip which is adjacent to our development,” Mr Smith said. “The matter was discussed and resolved.
“The second objection was from a resident to the north east of the strip, who couldn’t understand the need for a cross strip when a main strip was available.
“However we explained it is imperative for aircraft to take off into wind therefore the short cross strip would only be used when cross winds on the main strip exceeded the aircraft’s or the pilot’s ability. I believe the explanation was accepted.”
Mr Smith said the Environment Protection Authority required an acoustic report on the site to be prepared by an engineer.
He expected the engineer to visit and conduct the tests this week, after which he believed the council would be at liberty to approve the project.
Mr Smith said the group was working with the Mid North Regional Development Board to prepare a submission for use when funds became available.
The group has received about $1400 in donations and $2000 in memberships, and will run an icecream van at the Tour Down Under street party in Clare on the evening of Monday, January 18.
“As a minimum, with council approvals, we will hopefully have the strip graded to initial formation, windsocks installed, and gable markers located so aircraft can use it for the Tour Down Under,” Mr Smith said.
He said the group was preparing a Powerpoint presentation to show to service groups to raise awareness and funding for the project.
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