9 - 12-92 RNZA DOZEN civilian aviation operators want to rent space at Wigram air base and share it with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but the group co-ordinating their approach says the air force has kept them at arm's length. Potential rentals of several million dollars are involved, but the operators have been unable t because the air fo them. Wigram is sched under an air force e internal review of firms earlier costin tion and expansion The civilian avia o present their case orce will not meet duled to be closed economy drive, if an support bases conngs favouring reten- . of Woodbourne. ation operators are 9-12-92 Wigram e threat to By Mike Crean • Next year's Wings and Wheels event at Wigram was not under threat from he possible ciosure or the ir force base, said Wing Commander Graham Lintott. The man behind the pre. surprised if any major changes took place at the base before the next event, scheduled for the weekend of March 13 and 14. However, Wing Commander Lintott would not be involved himself next Years to ly he up a posting losure no! carnival with joint services staff in Australia. His successor, Wing Commander "Dinger" Bell, will assume esponsibility tor Wing and Wheels The long-term future of the carrival was unsure as no one knew what role the air force would continue to play at Wigram. would not be surprised it next years is the ast Wings and Wheels the air force hosts here," Wing Commander Lintott said. Because of his involvement with the shift of flight training to Ohakea, he had not had time yet to begin preparations tor next year's event. F atta cked On Wig ram By DAVE WILSON being represented in an approach to the air force and the Government by the Canterbury Business Development Board, the Christchurch City Council, and the Canterbury Development Corporation. The development corporation's chief executive, Mr Peter Townsend, said yesterday that the air force had declined to meet the group until the internal review was complete. He understood that the review was strictly to look at the air force's needs, and that an approach from the private sector might be considered later. The group wanted a meeting now because the potential site rentals from the group could play a significant role in the costings that decide Wigram's future. The Mayor, Ms Vicki Buck, joined the call for an immediate meeting. Keeping Wigram base open was important to local people and the regional economy, She said. The private-sector group's proposals include aircraft engineering, air charter, flight training, and other aviationrelated functions. The manager of the business development board, Mr Chris Pickrill, said the offer was on the basis of Wigram remaining as an air force base but with the civilian operations sharing the 247ha site. Wigram's loss would take $20 million a year from the local community. Mr Pickrill said the proposal from his group • would preserve the base and attract growth to the region. There is a precedent in the air force for a shared arrangement. Woodbourne air base is owned by the RNZAF but civilian firms, including Safe Air and Air New Zealand, are also based there. Mr Pickrill said the civilian operators wanting to be based at Wigram comprised Canterbury and outside interests The group's approaches to the air force have been stalled and the civilian operators are mystified by the air force attitude. "To review the costs of their base without taking into account possible income from civilian tenants is a blinkered approach," Mr Pickrill said. He said the group was surprised by remarks from the Minister of Defence, Mr Cooper, who said civilian operators had balked at the market rentals being asked for Wigram facilities. "For the Minister to say we have been scared off by the rentals is premature because we have not even had a chance yet to discuss possible rentals." 11 - 12-92 Wigram base to lose all flying By DAVE WILSON All air force flying training at Wigram will end by July next year and move to Obakea. The decision was announced yesterday and caused dismay among groups opposing the likely closing of wigram, now being explored in a Royal New Zealand Air Force review of its two South Island bases. The Minister of Defence, Mr Cooper, acknowledged that removing the Flying Training Wing from Wigram would substantially weaken the base's reason to exist. "It would be naive to suggest it helps Wigram in the future. A person would be short on nous to suggest otherwise." About 75 air force personnel and their families will be immediately affected by the decision, which involves moving the Central Flying School, Pilot Training Squadron and the Historic Flight, plus some technical support functions. 10 Ohakea, near Paimerston North. raining The news shocked the Mayor or Christchurch, MS Vicki Buck, who has been invited to meet the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal John Hosie, for a briefing at Wigram today. "Where does this leave the alternative plans for the civilian-military development of Wigram?" she asked. Equally dismayed was Mr Bob Davidson, principal of the Wigram Consortium, a group of civilian aviation operators who want to share the base. "So much for the feasibility study on the bases that was due to be completed in February. we are disappointed at their announcement, and especially disappointed because the air force has made its decision without talking to us about our ¡ proposai." Mr Davidson said the consorwould continue to promote its plan for a civilianmilitary use of the base. He was dismayed the group had not been invited to today's meeting with the Chief of Air Staff. Yesterday's decision will end 75 years of flying training at Wigram, which was established to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps and became the birthplace of the RNZAF. The Air Force Museum is protected because its site is administered by a separate truSt. The relocation will remove all Airtrainer aircraft, the Sioux helicopters, and the Historic Flight's Harvard and Tiger Moth aircraft. Mr Cooper said the decision did not require ministerial approval, but he regarded it as a joint responsibility. He rejected suggestions that the announcement undermined the review of Wigram and Woodbourne. "It opens opportunities for other users at wigram to come forward." He said the consortium of civil aviation users should put its case on paper and present it to the air force. "We did that in March," Mr Davidson responded. "It's all with the air force and the Ministry of Defence, bur we cannot make any progress because they won't meet us." Defence estimates indicate that Wigram's closing would take $20 million a year from the local economy. The base, shed of its flying training function, will be left with the Support Group headquarters, two technical training schools, the officer training school and the four Iroquois of the 3 Squadron Detachment. Base still By Nick Tolerton The closing of air force flying training at Wigram has not grounded the Wigram business consortium. The consortium, a group of mainly aviation-related businesses, is pushing ahead with plans it predicts could lead to thousands of jobs hinging on businesses at the base in five to 10 years. The RNZAF is relocating its tlving training wing to Ohakea from next July. The future of remaining activities at thie base depends on the outcome of a cost benefit study of it and Woodbourne to be plan Mr Pickriil said interest from the av use Wigram. "When you get together, they have significant sums to base," he said. there was strong tion community to 11 or 12 operators e the ability to pay use part of the Meanwhile, a city council delegation will meet the Minister of Trade Negotiations, Mr Burdon, and the Minister of Finance, Miss Richardson, to protest against the proposed closing of wigram. The council's policy and resources committee yesterday decided to approach the two Cabinet members in the area after receiving a letter explaining reasons for the ciosing from Mr Cooper. / Y in sights compieted early next year. The Wigram consortium of nine businesses (one Auckland-based and the rest local firms) is putting additional proposals to the Ministry of Defence early next week after forwarding an initial submis sion in March. Consortium principal Bob Davidson said it its plans went ahead, 4000 to 6000 jobs could hinge on businesses centred at the base within five to 10 vears. The announcement on the closure of flying training did not stop the consortium proceeding, but it was disappointed by it, Mr Davidson said