Wallan Airfield

[I16]

Lots of traffic regarding Essendons attempted closure but it looks as if Wallan may be closed for a housing development.
Hope it is just an urban myth.

[VH-XXX]

No myth I'm afraid, it's definitely closing soon.

Aircraft and building are being removed now and that's it, it's all over.

[nig&nog]

I learnt to fly at Wallan and find it hard that it would close. The whole area is a flood plain and I know its been a while since it flooded due drought, but have a look at how much higher the freeway is to the level of the runway. They would have to move mountains of dirt to bring it up to scratch. I can remember driving for a lesson along the Hume after a fairly heavy week of rain to find the hume all dry but about a foot of water running down the runways. Even the grumman couldnt get out of that one.

Nig not Nog

[Walrus 7]

Slaloming my way between SHRA on the way back from Temora in April, I was very happy to eyeball Wallan as I knew it could be a get-out-of-jail-free card if the gap deteriorated any further (it didn't). The weather got worse behind me and cut off MNG. Wallan would have been my saviour.

I never had to use it, but knowing it was there was comforting on some days. Goodbye security blanket.

Walrus

[Maggott17]

It seems to be the way for airfields in the 'burbs'.

Whittlesea went the same way years ago, but instead of houses there is a farm and a golf course- Growling Frog.

Berwick went for a housing development.

Moorooduc went years ago.

Bacchus Marsh is under pressure from the local community and developers- again. Probably gone within 2 years.

Penfield and Fogarty's Field are under constant pressure from developers who are offering the owners attractive packages to hand over the land.

Unlike country towns with airfields that provide support to the local community, the airfields immediately around Melbourne are the haven of so called elite sport enthusiasts and until they do more to support their community, other than create noise over an ever expanding populous, they will remain endangered species until they become extinct in the near future.

[VH-XXX]

I certainly don't agree with you there Mr. Maggott.

There are a decent number of local airfields to Melbourne that benefit the local commiunity. Even Tyabb that you mention which I think your reference may be towards (with regards to rich Toy-Boys) donates significant amounts of money to the local community by way of their charity airshow each year.

[Capt Wally]

A shame yes, but progress costs us all.
Some fun times there Woody, (if you ever read these words) the old Dove, the float plane ops even tho there wasn't a pair of floats in a hunderd miles:)
One day a local airfield will be just but a memory. I know 'Doc' of Penfield was often having money thrown at him by the greedy developers. Good on ya Doc for not letting the B:mad:S win!:ok:


CW

[Howard Hughes]

I remember when there wasn't an airfield at Wallan!:eek:

[yowie]

Shame to hear that. Its been a while but I guess its a northern suburb now:\
Is Woody still there?

[Capt Wally]

'yowie' Woody has long left that place, to where I am not too sure but I know he hasn't been there in quite a while, well I believe that to be the case anyway. Maybe he went back to work for MM? although like pigs, they don't really fly either!:)
Geeez 'HH' yr older thatn I thought!:)

CW

[Howard Hughes]

I initially learnt to fly at Whittlesea and the training area stretched out past the Wallan township, nothing out there back then!:ok:

[man on the ground]

I remember when there wasn't an airfield at Wallan!
I initially learnt to fly at Whittlesea and the training area stretched out past the Wallan township, nothing out there back then!
Me too.
Geeez 'HH' yr older thatn I thought!

You guys are making me feel very old - I helped set up the field at Wallan when the op first moved over there when WTS shutdown. :{

[CoodaShooda]

When did Wallan open?

[man on the ground]

Hmm, will look it up over the weekend, but it would have been early 80's - 1982 at a snap - that it opened as a 'school' when the instructor from Whittlesea moved in after the owners there decided to close ops. If memory serves correctly, there was a basic private strip there used by the landowner beforehand.

[Howard Hughes]

My tip would be 83, I was flying at Whittlesea in 82 and it wasn't open then...http://www.augk18.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/old.gif

[CoodaShooda]

Thanks

I was flying out of Kyneton and Penfield in the early-mid 70's and couldn't remember any ops out of Wallan. It was just a town we'd beat at cricket.

I think I'm starting to feel my years now. :{

[Capt Wally]

geeeez 'CS' u r getting old:E I guess being in Darwin is better on yr arthritis:E
I'm a member of the KAC that place has more hangers on it now than Tulla!:)
Ah good 'ole penfield, saw Legatty (not sure on the spelling there) buy the farm there in the 80's in his experimental job, no helmut & rocks!:bored:


CW

[Billby41]

They are still building hangers at Bacchus Marsh and the glidings clubs have long term tenure of the field. This tenure would be difficult to break legally.
Billby 41

[EPIRB]

Didn't Moloney Aviation take over the operation at Wallan? Is Moloney's still in existence?

[Capt Wally]

yeah EPIRB MM did have a satelite base at Wallan & no MM is no longer cleaning out people in the flying game (as far as I know) Oh he was a prize alright!:bored:

CW

[CitationJet]

C4077/08
Wallan Ala (ywan) Dcmsd
Amd Aip Ersa And Map Tac/vnc/vtc Melbourne. Delete Ala Symbol At
S37 25 42 E144 59 48
From 07 070152 To Perm

[Charlie1080]

Thats a bloody shame, i have been caught out coming out of Essendon VFR last year and couldnt get through the gap and put down at Wallan for a couple of hours and watched the gap until we could get home, i think it is a bad move closing it because the gaps weather can be unpredictable and at least you will have an option of sitting there then heading back to Melbourne or getting caught out.

As for Bacchus Marsh, i have a few mates who glide out of there and iam pretty sure it will be a long time before it goes anywhere

[I16]

Well the sign is up ............ Wallara Waters
The only water I could see today was the sewage ponds off to the SE
Lots of the hangers are down......
Wait for the street names to surface ..
Cessna Court, Piper Place, Lycoming Lane .......please add to the rubbish as you see fit