The general aviation fraternity in Queenstown is rejecting a proposal made by developers and an airline that it should relocate to Wanaka or Glenorchy.'
Lakes District Air Rescue Trust chairman Jules Tapper opposed the proposal made by Air New Zealand and Remarkables Park Ltd in the Environment Court last week and again yesterday, saying it was unwarranted, unappreciated and a basic distraction from the real issue, a land battle.
General aviation had occupied the airport since the 1940s and Mr Tapper said the tactics used by counsel for both parties were wrong.
"It's almost intimidating. A lot of people are scared to speak out."
"They're saying all general aviation should bugger off. It's a red herring and they've thrown it in there just to stir things up."
The Queenstown Airport Corporation wants to extend its aerodrome designation 19.1ha to cope with forecast growth.
Mr Tapper supported the proposal, saying if the land was secured, general aviation would be moved north of the runway and could stay on site.
Queenstown Airport Chief executive Scott Paterson said he though it was wrong small operators should be forced to relocate. The airport company had an obligation to all operators.
He was confident a solution could be found involving gaining "lot 6" land, from Remarkables Park Ltd.
Mr Tapper, who has flown from Queenstown airport for more than 50 years, said the general aviation group was part of the attraction for visitors coming in to Queenstown and complemented airlines' services.
General aviation refers to aviation operating from the airport, such as scenic flights, flight training, aerobatic flights and local medical air rescue facilities.
Mr Tapper said the airport's air traffic control system had been designed to cater for airline and general aviation traffic. The land debate had nothing to do with general aviation operators.
"For anyone to suggest that they move en masse to either Wanaka or Glenorchy shows an arrogant disregard for locals by outsiders who are pushing their own agendas."
The Air Milford chief pilot and spokesman for Milford Users Group, Hank Sproull, agreed it was a red herring argument by counsel to distract from the land issue.
"It is not a practical issue to up sticks and leave to Glenorchy or Wanaka. It's just not an option."
Mr Sproull said several search and rescue and commercial operators would be affected if the proposal was to be given any weight in the Environment Court.
Glenorchy has no commercially operating aviation groups and Wanaka has one, Southern Alps Air.
Mr Sproull said it was because there was not enough business.
"The hub is here. Why would you want to move?" he asked.
