G'day all,
I'm not a prolific poster on here, but hi anyway.

My girlfriend has informed me that we are going to NZ next June (2015). I realise that it will be winter then, but will there be any good flying to be had? I've currently only got a recreational ticket, but I'm hoping to do my ppl by then.

I've no mountain or bush flying experience, just a few short rough strips in the local area, so more after a 'guided' sort of a thing.

Happy to hear an kiwi's thoughts.
Cheers

Ill be keen to watch this thread, im keen to get over there for wings over wanika one year, and would love to do some bush flying while there!

AussieNosepicker wrote:G'day all,
I'm not a prolific poster on here, but hi anyway.

My girlfriend has informed me that we are going to NZ next June (2015). I realise that it will be winter then, but will there be any good flying to be had? I've currently only got a recreational ticket, but I'm hoping to do my ppl by then.

I've no mountain or bush flying experience, just a few short rough strips in the local area, so more after a 'guided' sort of a thing.

Happy to hear an kiwi's thoughts.
Cheers

hey ya nosepicker!
Sounds like your girlfriend made a good choice! Winter in my opinion is the best time of year...cool calm and smooth flying, blue skies, snowy mountains etc! "any good flying" you bet ya!
We've got a big contingency of recreationals at NZRT that might be willing to burn holes in the sky with you, we're an easy flight from the hills, pacific ocean, mountans, river beds!! and a few scenic operators not far away that can show you around some of the more scenic tourist areas. Air Safaris and Mt Cook Ski Planes are two based in our Canterbury region.
keep us posted on your ideas and be happy to try help answer questions!
cheers Rob

ps: Warbirds over Wanaka is on this Easter (2014) so next will be Easter 2016 just to keep your diary updated!

I like flying places in the weekends if you like sharing fuel costs... hah!

Lots of backcountry airstrips in the mountains here, enough to get yourself into trouble anyway. Do you fly fish or hunt??

Your only problem is, the weather at that time of year is notoriously bad anywhere there's a good bunching or airstrips or mountains. We need to get a couple of metres of snow inside that month...

Edit to fix my horrible typing

sharing costs is no problems
I dont fly fish (well, i've never tried) I used to hunt, but its all too hard in Australia now. Anyone with a gun is an instant crim.

Hey mate, you must come on over! I moved here from QLD about 5 years ago now, the flying is a little different to Aus. It's a spectacular country but the wx and winds shouldn't be underestimated. Winter is not like Australia, day's are short and usually miserable. This time of year is generally quite good... Where are you in QLD?

Here's trouble...
Are you going to shake out all his loose gold fillings with the Auster??

I agree with Pilotuski winter over here can be some of the best flying conditions - but crap weather can be encountered any time.
Best way to see the real magic places is to fly with the locals. We like to think we are a friendly bunch down here:-) NZ is a small place so once word gets around you're likely to be helped out by many aviators.

Battson wrote:Here's trouble...
Are you going to shake out all his loose gold fillings with the Auster??

Ha! Not just the loose ones