Air Safari

In Queenstown at last!

2010-04-30T09:47:00.003+12:00

A spectacular flight from Invercargill to Queenstown on our final day, Friday 2nd April. Patches of low lying fog laid our pathway through the mountains and into Queenstown by 11am. A quick turn around in Queenstown to drop off all the passengers and then onto Wanaka for the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow.

Our Friday night prize-giving in Queenstown was fantastic. We managed to raise a considerable amount of money for the Life Flight Trust with an Auction. It was great to see so many generous people supporting such a worthy cause.

A very memorable ten days! Back at work now and it all just seems so surreal...

Day 10, Thursday 1st April 2010

2010-04-01T22:56:00.003+13:00

Well what a fizzer our last day turned out to be! We awoke to heavy rain and a radar picture not showing anything favourable to being able to leave Invercargill today. After waiting until 11am the majority of the safari teams travelled on two buses to Mandaville Aerodrome for lunch where they experienced pleasant weather and great food. After checking the weather one last time it was decided that is was impossible to leave Invercargill by air and the safari teams were split up. One bus continued onto Queenstown our final destination, and the other returned to Invercargill to see what tomorrow brings.
Our cat team decided to stay together and remain in Invercargill for the night. We enjoyed an evening together reminiscing over the last ten days. Of the original nineteen crew that started out in Ardmore ten days ago, this evening we were down to thirteen. Five of those crew members are female, and only about half of the nineteen original crew actually had anything to do with flying before this adventure. It has been a real interesting journey and I have met some extremely fascinating people.
Tomorrow we hope to arrive in Queenstown by some form of transport for the final prize giving dinner. Will keep you posted on progress!

Day 9, Wednesday 31st March 2010

2010-03-31T22:16:00.003+13:00

Well our adventure is nearly at an end unfortunately. Tomorrow is the last official leg of the safari travelling from Invercargill to Queenstown via Mandaville and hopefully Stewart Island.
Today we left Timaru and headed to Oamaru for lunch via the famous Moeraki Bolders. I was expecting the Cat to go direct to Invercargill however to my surprise we arrived at Oamaru in time for a picnic lunch with the rest of the safari crew. With the weather forecast looking a bit ominous we rapidly departed for Invercargill. An hour and forty minutes later we arrive overhead and wonder where all the bad weather has got to! A beautiful smooth flight along some spectacular terrain saw many a photo taken today.
Another fabulous dinner was held. This time at the Southern Wings hangar where we were thoroughly spoiled with an entree of Bluff Oysters and Crayfish, and a main course of Salmon. Another dessert later which I just had to try and I am really beginning to feel the results of nearly ten days of some glorious food and hospitality. Might need to go back to that diet soon!

Day 8, Tuesday 30th March 2010

2010-03-30T22:47:00.005+13:00

Timaru, a rest day for all and well deserved.
Some of us took the Tasman Glacier Tour to Mount Cook Airport for a 40 minute Pilatus Porter flight onto the Tasman Glacier. Unfortunately the weather was not playing ball and sadly the flight was unable to go. A few others completed the Art Gallery and Local Artists Tour with a visit to Geraldine, Washdyke and back to Timaru. Many of us completed the DB Mainland Brewery Tour with a visit to Waitohi, the site of Richard Pearse's first flight and the birthplace of New Zealand Aviation. The rest of us spent the day strolling the streets of Timaru and divulging in some retail therapy.
A fantastic dinner was hosted by the South Canterbury Aero Club at the Caroline Bay Hall on the water front. With awesome entertainment, we were spoiled by two live 80's rock bands and a dance floor which flexed. It was like dancing on a trampoline! I think there will be a few sore legs tomorrow!
As for tomorrow, we are off to Invercargill for dinner via Oamaru for lunch for the smaller safari teams. As for the Cat, I believe it is direct to Invercargill for us. Can't wait for a feed of Bluff Oysters.

Day 7, Monday 29th March 2010

2010-03-30T10:04:00.002+13:00

Another fantastic day dawned in Blenheim. We set off from Woodbourne aerodrome at approximately 11am and tracked overhead Omaka towards the East Coast, overhead Kaikoura, Rangiora and landed two hours later in Ashburton for lunch. An originally unscheduled stop as we were too large to fit at Rangiora where the others were stopping for lunch, Ashburton opened an invitation to the Cat where we enjoyed a lovely lunch donated by the members of the Ashburton Aerodrome Museum. Eleven of the locals then enjoyed a flight in the Cat while the rest of the cat crew enjoyed a tour of the local aircraft museum. If you have never been to the Ashburton Aerodrome then I thoroughly recommend it. You would not believe the aircraft that they have on display.
At approximately 4pm we left Ashburton on track to Timaru. A very short flight over some spectacular intensively farmed agricultural areas. Timaru hosted us for a spit roast dinner which went down a treat and by 8pm we were on the buses heading to our hotels for a well deserved rest. Today was the biggest flight time for the Cat and we were all quite exhausted. A rest day tomorrow (Tuesday) here in Timaru. Think I might do a bit of retail therapy and some washing!

Day 6, Sunday 28th March 2010

2010-03-28T21:21:00.002+13:00

Well there was no Sunday morning lie in today. Another early morning wake up call only to discover that yes it was actually drizzling and the cloud was down to the deck. Departure time came and went and the cloud had not budged. Another hour passed and still no change, sorry Motueka I don't think we are going to make it to lunch today!
At approximately 3:30pm some six hours after our intended departure time we managed to get airborne and vacate directly to Woodbourne Aerodrome. A few keen safari members made a valiant effort and managed to arrive in Motueka in time for afternoon tea and then to Omaka in time for dinner.
Tomorrow is the biggest leg of our journey. The safari teams are travelling from Omaka to Rangiora then onto Timaru. The cat will be making the journey directly from Woodbourne to Timaru. So hopefully we will be in Timaru in time for lunch and a well deserved afternoon off.

Day 5, Saturday 27th March 2010

2010-03-27T21:46:00.002+13:00

Well today is officially a rest day for the majority of the Air Safari contingent. A bit of a sleep in for most, a relax for some and a Tui Brewery tour for others. Meanwhile the Catalina Crew rose early once again and set off for Wellington for the Aero Club's 80th Anniversary celebration. What a fantastic day. The weather in Wellington was of course windy when we arrived and windy when we left but surprisingly it was actually sinking hot and no wind for the majority of the day! There was an extremely good turnout in Wellington with five full flights made in the Cat and many more keen to have a ride, however our 6pm dinner in Masterton hosted at the Copthorne Hotel had us required to get our skates on and head back before we missed dinner and Dr Dave Baldwin's speech.
An extremely enjoyable day. Unfortunately I didn't charge the camera batteries (it seems someone has borrowed my charger and it hasn't found it's way back yet!) so the only photos I have today are of the Trojan aircraft on display during our transit from Masterton to Wellington this morning.
Tomorrow is the start of our South Island adventure. The safari teams are off to Motueka for lunch (yeah go Motueka!!). Unfortunately the Cat is not because the airfield is too small so we are heading direct to Blenheim where we will land at Woodbourne Airport. The rest of the safari contingent will then transit from Motueka to Omaka for dinner. Should be another good day.

Day 4, Friday 26th March 2010

2010-03-26T20:27:00.003+13:00

Another beautiful day has dawned here on the Air Safari. What fantastic weather we are having overall.
After a slow start this morning waiting to fix a minor maintenance issue on the Cat we eventually taxied out onto the Gisborne runway ready for departure. Did you know that Gisborne Airport is the only place in NZ (and maybe the world) where aircraft actually have to give way to trains! They have a railway line directly through the middle of the aerodrome.
After a low pass of the airport after takeoff to show off the Cat, we head south along the coast to Hastings for lunch. Some more spectacular scenery is observed along route (thank god for rechargeable camera batteries). I hope you are all enjoying a small selection of the photos I have been taking along the way. Yes there are heaps more!!
A most enjoyable lunch was hosted by the Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club. The day was a true scorcher with 27 degrees and absolutely no wind. A far cry from the 14 degrees at Taupo yesterday!
An hours flight this afternoon down to Masterton where we were greeted by the Wairarapa Ruahine Aero Club with a superb BBQ. Tonight we are staying in luxury at the Copthorne Solway Park Resort. This bets the back packers!
A rest day tomorrow for the Safari Teams. The Cat is going to Wellington for the day to help celebrate the Wellington Aero Clubs 80th Anniversary. If anyone reading this is keen to see the Cat especially in the South Island as it does not get to that neck of the woods too often, then the next stops we have are:
Saturday: Wellington
Sunday: Woodbourne
Monday & Tuesday: Timaru
Wednesday: Invercargill
Thursday: Queenstown
Friday to Tuesday: Wanaka
I hope to see some of you there!

Day 3, Thursday 25th March 2010

2010-03-25T22:29:00.004+13:00

After heavy rain passed through during the night we awoke to a beautiful day in Tauranga. Another early start had us enroute to Taupo via Tokoroa for lunch. The trip started off uneventful however as we progressed closer to Taupo the cloud base lowered. As the last aircraft arrived the cloud quickly descended and there was no chance of heading off to Gisborne any time soon.
The Taupo Aero Club hosted a fantastic lunch which soon spread into afternoon tea and then progressed on towards beer o'clock! With the weather giving us faint glimpses of hope that it might soon disperse we stayed away from the bar in the hope that we could still make it to Gisborne for dinner. And a good thing we did! At approximately 5pm we left Taupo direct for Gisborne. What a spectacular flight. We tackled some fairly rugged tiger country and arrived safely in Gisborne some 45 minutes later. A few of the safari teams managed to complete the full safari route from Taupo to Gisborne via Whakatane and around the East Coast past Tokomaru Bay. Obviously this being a longer route than ourselves took this meant some teams did not arrive until fairly close to ECT (when it gets dark).
A Kapa Haka group performance and a unique Camp Oven Dinner hosted by the Gisborne Aero Club topped off a long but enjoyable day.
Off to Masterton tomorrow via Hastings for lunch.

Day 2, Wednesday 24th March

2010-03-24T21:48:00.002+13:00

Well day two dawned rather murky at Whitianga this morning. Luckily however a window of opportunity arose and sixty four aircraft took to the skies for the short journey along the West Coast down to Tauranga. What a view!(sorry New Plymouth not a chance of having lunch with you guys today).
The last to leave, we scooted along the coast line low level and took in the beautiful sights of the Coromandel. On arrival to Tauranga we practiced an emergency evacuation of the aircraft at the fuel pumps of which we managed to get all nineteen of us out in 93 seconds. Well done team! We then sampled the local coffee, arranged a scenic flight for the locals and enjoyed the hospitality of the Tauranga Aero Club. We have a big day planned for tomorrow. Off to Taupo for lunch then on to Gisbourne for tea. Watch this space.....

Day 1 Tuesday 23rd March 2010

2010-03-23T16:40:00.002+13:00

The adventure begins! Where did March go? It only seems like yesterday the idea of flying in the Cat was put to me and here I am already in Whitianga after our first days flight from Ardmore Aerodrome. I was pretty impressed with the share size and beauty of such a rare aircraft after my first physical sighting of the Cat on Sunday when I arrived to Ardmore. I felt quite humbled to be in such proximity to the old girl. On departure today there were so many people making an effort to see the Cat as we taxied the lenght of the aerodrome for takeoff. A pretty deafening experience (thank god for earplugs) however very graceful in flight for such a large machine. After departure we got a good view as we tracked the West Coast towards Piha around Auckland City and back down the East Coast to Whitianga, approximately an hours flight time. Both the Barrier Islands were in clear view as was Waiheke Island. All in all a good weather day as was not the forecast! Tomorrow we head to Tauranga.

TV3

2010-03-11T15:45:00.000+13:00

Watch out on “Sunrise” TV3 on the morning of Tuesday 23rd March to see the Safari participants at Ardmore Aerodrome before they depart.

Air Safari Details

2010-02-12T11:22:00.000+13:00

For more information on the Around New Zealand Air Safari please visit www.flyingnz.co.nz/safari