Mercer Airfield was developed by Jim and Libby Lyver.[5] Little information is available however, Mercer Backpackers relocated their operations to the airport as far back as 2002.[6]
In December 2010, Mercer Airport was put up for sale by its then-owner the Auckland Recreational Airparks Trust (ARA Trust); with a tender closing on 16 December 2010.[5] It was published by the Sports Aviation Association (Auckland Chapter) Inc; that the airfield had been acquired by Neil Young.[7]
In May 2014, the Auckland Aero Club held their annual Club Competition at Mercer Airfield.[8]
In 2016, the 56th New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation Annual Rally and Conference was held at Mercer Airfield between 1 and 6 June. In addition to the NZAWA, members from the Australian Women Pilots' Association (AWPA) were also in attendance.[9] In November 2016, Mercer Airfield hosted the Flying NZ Northern Region Competitions.[10]
Operational information
Under the ownership of the ARA Trust, the airfield was used primarily for recreational flying.[5]
Nowadays, Mercer Airport operates primarily for commercial reasons such as skydiving, training and public flying. There are also Helicopter operations on, and north of the airfield.[11]
Mercer Airfield is used as a secondary training ground for Helicopter Flight Training Ltd.[12]
Accidents and incidents
Accidents and incidents that occurred at or near Mercer Airport include:
25 January 2000 – A Piper PA-23-250 over-ran the runway due to wet weather. No Injuries, however the aircraft sustained substantial damage.[13]
9 August 2000 – A Cessna U206 operating on a parachuting flight lost sight of the runway upon landing and 'landed short of the strip'. Pilot sustained no injuries, however plane suffered substantial damage.[14]
19 October 2006 – A Cessna A185E crashed on touchdown at the Airfield. The pilot suffered no injuries, however the plane flipped onto its top.[15]
17 August 2009 – There was a near collision near Mercer Airport.[16]
18 February 2012 – The engine of a Cessna 182 operating on a parachuting flight lost power on final approach and landed in a paddock before the runway. Pilot sustained no injuries, however plane suffered substantial damage.[17]
1 October 2015 – A minor crash occurred after a microlight plane crashed at the Airfield. The pilot suffered minor injuries, however, he did survive.[18]