Aerodromo Ascona
| Aerodromo Ascona | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Characteristics | |
| ICAO code | LSZD |
| IATA code | ACO |
| Coordinates | |
| Height above MSL | 200 m (656 ft ) |
| Basic data | |
| opening | August 28, 1947 |
| closure | December 31, 1997 |
| Start-and runway | |
| 17/35 | 625 m × 20 m asphalt (until 1960 grass) |
The Aerodromo Ascona ( ICAO code : LSZD , IATA code : ACO , also Aerodromo di Ascona or Ascona airfield ) was opened as a private airfield on August 28, 1947 and closed for flight operations at the end of 1997. The former operator, Aerodromo Ascona SA, was deleted from the commercial register at the beginning of 2004.
location
The airfield was located in the area of a former, dry-fallen branch of the Maggia , the "Fiüm vecc" (old river). The Maggia correction, which was carried out between 1891 and 1907, only meant that the delta could be used in its current form.
The only runway at the end had an official length of 625 meters and a width of 20 meters. This information differs from others. The initially existing grass runway is said to have measured 780 meters and was replaced in 1960 by a 700 meter long hard runway, which was later extended to 750 meters.
history
The airfield is closely linked to Lello Bianda. It was he who applied to the community for the right to use the land for 50 years and got it and subsequently had the airfield built and operated. The initial main use was to enable German and Austrian pilots to fly powered by a motor, as German airspace was still severely restricted by the Allies until 1955. As a result, the German pilots were unable to acquire or renew an aircraft license for powered flight in their home country. But Ascona turned into an airfield for stars and starlets who came by plane and enjoyed themselves in Ascona or Locarno. The “Ristorante Aerodromo” operated by Lello Bianda from 1952 and the “Lello-Bar” right next to the airport also fit in with this. The restaurant still exists today as "Ristorante Aerodromo da Nani".
From 1948 until his fatal crash on August 29, 1954, Edmund "Edi" Dougoud was a pilot and flight instructor at Ascona airfield. He is the second personality from the early days of the airfield.
Well-known pilots who were trained in Ascona or who renewed their license include Herbert von Karajan , Richard Gruner and Heinz Rühmann . Heinz Rühmann had an accident together with Gisela Griffel in Ascona on May 18, 1952 , when a crash landing occurred in which the aircraft lay on its back. The two inmates were not seriously injured.
literature
- Niklaus Starck: Aerodromo Ascona: a strange story, illustrious guests. Porzio Verlag, Ascona 2012.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Aerodromo Ascona: a curious story, illustrious guests , page 16.
- ↑ Aerodromo Ascona: a strange story, illustrious guests , page 71.
- ↑ Aerodromo Ascona: a curious story, illustrious guests , page 25.
- ↑ Aerodromo Ascona: curious story, illustrious guests , page 30.
- ↑ Aerodromo Ascona: a curious story, illustrious guests , picture on page 24, description on page 76, date on page 34.