NZ aviation centre plans for Masterton

Bob Francis, chairman of the Wings Over Wairarapa Community Trust and the Wairarapa Vintage Aviation Hub Community Trust, is involved with a bid for a national aviation centre in Masterton. FILE PHOTO

Masterton could be in line for a National Aviation Centre at Hood Aerodrome that would incorporate exhibitions and displays, viewing areas, a cafe, children's area, kiosk space for businesses, ticketing facilities and interactive experiences for visitors.

This has been revealed in a book just released on the life and achievements of the town's longest serving mayor Bob Francis.

The book, titled Bob Francis: A Story of my Town, will be officially launched on Sunday.

Breaking news of the concept Mr Francis said he is now the chairman of a newly formed trust known as the Wairarapa Vintage Aviation Hub Community Trust which is now looking at a six-to-nine month staged programme to develop a full investment and business plan for the centre.

The trust is supported by a consortium of Wairarapa investors and eventually a business case will be put to potential developers and wider investors seeking commitment to the final design and implementation of the concept.

Mr Francis said the centre would be internationally recognised "as part of the New Zealand story" and would be a reference point worldwide for aviation as well as a drawcard for Wairarapa people and the wider Wellington region.

"Along with educating and exciting Kiwi kids about flight, it will be a commercially self-sustaining social enterprise," he said.

Mr Francis believes Hood Aerodrome is an ideal venue for a National Aviation Centre which, if located along the main runway, would provide excellent viewing opportunities and would connect well with the bi-annual Wings over Wairarapa pageant.

Apart from the main exhibition space the centre would include space to be used to host visiting exhibitions and cater for conferences and conventions.

Locating part of The Vintage Aviator Ltd workshop on-site would ensure commercial viability and create an environment for visitors, he said.

"It would be huge for Masterton, absolutely huge.

"It would be a major tourist attraction and that is something we badly need."