End of an era at Cudal air base

The base was opened in 1961 to service the needs of Hazelton Airlines, which was expanding rapidly at that time. The airline had been established by Orange's pioneering aviator Max Hazelton in 1953.

Cudal airport once buzzed with activity and employed dozens of staff.

However, since Regional Express (Rex) bought Hazelton Airlines in August this year, operations at Cudal have been steadily winding down. Only 11 engineers and half-a-dozen administrative staff remain on site.

Rex has established its maintenance base at Wagga.

And although Hazelton Airlines announced three years ago it wanted to move its engineering operations from Cudal, the closure of the facilities this week will still have quite an impact on the remaining staff.

Aircraft engineer Peter Seedsman said when he started work at Cudal nine years ago, there were so many people on the site it was difficult to find a parking space.

"I don't think anyone is happy about the situation because this is the end out here,” he said.

"It is not the end of Hazeltons because that came in August. But this Friday will be the end of Hazelton Airlines as far as we are concerned here.

"It is probably the day we wished would never come around, but it is here.”

Timothy Sparks has spent the past five-and-a-half years as the base's stores supervisor. He said he had enjoyed his time there immensely.

His good memory gave him a particular bent for his work as he was able to recall where individual parts had been stored among thousands of other spare parts.

Malcolm Obst, who has worked at Cudal for 10 years, including the past three as supervisor, said he felt a touch of sadness as today approached.

"I'm feeling a little sad, but we have had a fair bit of notice,” he said.

"Really for the last three years there has been a question mark over this facility's future. But it all finishes this week.”

Some of the 11 remaining engineers will start work with Rex in Wagga on November 4. However, most will not move to Wagga immediately.

After being cleared of all its equipment next week, the airport will be offered for sale by Hazelton Airlines' administrators, Sims Lockwood.