Hood Aerodrome

PRESENT
Kerry Conner, Alan Flynn, Gene de Marco, Robert Thurston, Trevor McKeown, Hughan McKay, Tom Williams, Tony Heyward, Robert Jackson, Wayne Taylor (Eagle Air Reps)

APOLOGIES
Phil Patterson, Jeff Sayer, Jonathan Hooker, Paul Walker
Apologies accepted Hughan McKay

MINUTES FROM 8th December 2008
Read by Kerry Conner, Alan Flynn moved the minutes be accepted as a true and correct record, seconded Gene De Marco.

MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
• Alan McGuiness’ cars have been moved
• A fire fighting reel has been donated by John Fraser (Wellington). A trailer and pump is still required.  Alan is still working on getting prices for these. Tom suggested compiling an inventory of water storage on the aerodrome.
• The BBQ was deferred until 2009
• The Met Service is happy to donate the Munro weather station to the HUG. Tony Heyward commented that the council would be supportive of the Munro staying on the aerodrome. The issue will be who pays for the continued calibration testing required for the system to maintain accuracy.

GENERAL BUSINESS
• Rob and Wayne from Eagle Air attended the meeting as soon to be new user’s of Hood Aerodrome. They are keen to come along to HUG meetings and if the user’s have any issues with the airline once operational they would prefer to sort out any concerns through this medium in preference to any other. The group welcomed them along and look forward to a good working relationship with the airline.
Operationally the airline will fly a direct IFR track from Palmerston North to Masterton and radio communication will give distance and direction to run to Masterton. It was suggested putting the arrival and departure times in Volume 4 for VFR pilot’s awareness, as the aircraft will not join via a standard overhead rejoin. The question was raised regarding the possibility the airline would require an MBZ – it was indicated that the airline do not want an MBZ imposed on the airspace around Masterton.

• Tony Heyward gave costs for extending water and sewer services along South Road and up to Paul Buchanan’s site.

A cost between $9,000 and $12,000 per site including potential new development sites. This would be a one-off cost and does not include the individual property connection costs, typically $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the layout of each site. On an annual basis water usage would be metered and charged at 70 – 90c per cubic meter, and sewerage $131.00 plus approximately 0.1% of the capital value, in accordance with Council’s standard charges.

The Council is interested in initial feedback from the HUG and the leaseholders they represent, if this cost is generally acceptable. If so, a detailed proposal will be prepared and a formal consultation process will be commenced with all affected properties and leased sites. If not, this may delay the installation of these services for a few more years.

Alan made the comment that the leaseholders are tenants and should not the council foot the bill for providing the services initially and then recover these costs at a later date by way of rent review; the meeting generally agreed with this comment and would like to ask council if they have a time frame for cost recovery? Is there another option of providing services over the term of a tenants lease? Tom Williams also would like to ask council which comes first the services or development?

• Tom Williams mentioned provision for aerodrome user’s for vehicle and aerodrome passes for the duration of the airshow weekend would extend to one pass /day or two passes for one day only.

• Alan questioned the absence of Tony van Dyk, the thoughts were that he was in Omarama.

• Meeting closed 2000 hours

• Next meeting 16th February, 1900 hours at the Aero Club