How to get a new ALA

[kgwilson]

I am about to begin the next phase of my life having turned the magic 60, sold my business and now the house and moving to the beach. This is Corindi Beach, NSW, 2456. My new place doesn't even exist on Google Earth or according to Telstra. Funny though, IINet had no problem organising the phone/broadband.

 

Anyway as some of you may be aware I will be ordering a Morgan Sierra Kit as soon as we move, in early March. Build will begin in about July due to the current lead time.

 

Corindi is a sleepy little place (approx 850 permanent inhabitants) with an enormous completely unused sports ground and a great community hall. It is about 380m N/S & 360m E/W, just slightly off circular. Check it out on Google earth. I have walked across and it is flat as but needs a massive mow. There are 2 footy fields now only identifiable by the goal posts. There is a swampy area to the south and the beach which runs NE - SW plus reasonably clear farmland to the west of the pacific Highway so plenty of ditching possibilities.

 

I plan to join the Grafton Aero Club and have already been in contact. In my past life I have been a pretty good organiser & held various offices in Hang Gliding & Aero Clubs but these were in the Shaky Isles. It would be so amazing to be able to fly home & walk 5 mins to the front door.

 

Maybe it's only a pipe dream but if anyone has any suggestions on who/how to approach and benefits for the community etc etc I'd really appreciate some comments.

 

Kevin

 

 

[FlyingVizsla]

Hi Kevin,

 

I am not familiar with NSW rules & regs, but the first thing to do is check the tenure and ownership of the land. It may well be a Reserve for Recreation (or whatever NSW do) with the Council as trustee. Have a talk to the Concil regarding zoning (applicable uses under the Town Plan) and any requirements from them for airstrips - some councils want to get involved, some don't want to know. This is assuming you want a proper ALA. Otherwise, just mow a strip and use it.

 

Sue

 

 

[Guest basscheffers]

Seems a bit short for me too to safely operate many aircraft out of. Now if you could have the (private?) lot to the south too, you could have a 600 meter strip on the east side of the oval.

 

 

[Deskpilot]

ALA..............aircraft landing area??

 

 

[fly_tornado]

why not just use an existing strip?

 

 

[kgwilson]

Thanks for all the comments. Yes it is a short strip. Shorter than I'd like but possible with a good NE prevailing breeze. As I said the whole thing is probably a pipe dream but I have time on my hands and that means lots of time to talk to locals as well as officialdom.

 

I've landed PA28-181s in less and got out with a hi perf T/O with 2 notches of flap. The trees are only tall to the west. The rest is low scrub. For safety the area to the south needs to be drained & it would be great.

 

I remember the doubting thomases when in 79 I met with CAA officials in Wellington (NZ) proposing a lift to the Hang Gliding 500 foot ceiling. A bunch of us put together a very professional proposal & then took the guys to the pub. We got 9,500 feet. Our main CAA contact was a guy named Mike Hunt. No bull and a great bloke. I will definitely look into this more.

 

Kevin

 

 

[kgwilson]

Sorry Fly_T I forgot to mention the nearest strip is South Grafton 45 km away which is where I am likely to be based. It is just a long walk home after a good flight and a few beers.

 

Cheers

 

Kevin