Aviation | South Canterbury Aero Club
In rarefied air By Cheryl Colley
Back in the 1980s I trained for and gained a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). Although quite a number of years have passed since then, I have never forgotten the joy and exhilaration of being in the air watching the world go by below. There is an immense feeling of freedom to this recreational activity and every time you fly it is different in some way. Other people such as Richie McCaw know the wonder of aviation and it is there for the taking. Take a trial flight at the South Canterbury Aero Club and see if you don’t become addicted. The South Canterbury Aero Club offers a superb environment and location for people to learn to fly, whatever their reason for doing this may be. Perhaps they are looking for a career in aviation or wish only to fly for recreation; either way, the South Canterbury Aero Club can cater for all needs from new students, right through to commercial pilot training and beyond. The club operates from Timaru’s Richard Pearse airport, a spectacular setting within easy flying
The South Canterbury Aero Club thanks its supporters: • Yonder Wireless
• Hadlee & Brunton
• HC Partners LP
• Avtek
distance of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the Mackenzie Basin, the West Coast and the quilted paddocks of the Canterbury plains. The club has a rich history in New Zealand’s aviation training and participation. Flight training first began in South Canterbury in 1930 at Washdyke and then moved to the Saltwater Creek in 1932. In November 1946 the South Canterbury Aero Club was incorporated and moved to its present site at the Timaru Airport in 1953. For more details of the history of aviation in South Canterbury have a look at the book Wings over South Canterbury, by D. E. Drake. Today the club is staffed by highly professional, qualified people who all spend many hours each year upskilling themselves through further training. Your safety is ensured every time you lift off with the experience and knowledge found in their cockpits. The club has three aircraft in its fleet. Its two Piper Tomahawks are primarily used for flight training, while the Piper Archer, a four seater cross country aircraft, is used for the club’s commercial sightseeing operations.
And that’s another aspect of the South Canterbury Aero Club’s operation for those who do not want to learn to fly themselves. There are a number of pre-planned scenic flights to choose from, or customers can design their own. You could fly to Aoraki/Mt Cook, to Glentanner or to Omarama, to the Arundel ponds, to Lake Tekapo or the Ashburton Lakes. The sky’s the limit - so to speak! Not only does the club offer scenic flights, but they also do charter work and aerial photography. The South Canterbury Aero Club’s operation is routinely audited to ensure the most efficient and
safe service is provided to customers and all activities are carried out under the Civil Aviation Authority’s Certification. Do give flying a go. You will have a blast.
South Canterbury Aero Club Richard Pearse Airport Timaru T (03) 688 2355 E scac@ihug.co.nz www.scaeroclub.co.nz
CT
— Advertising Feature
LEADERS IN THE PROVISION OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES
www.hcpartners.co.nz
Craig Copland • Duncan Brand • Paul Wolffenbuttel • Belinda Kelly • John Stark • Nick Krivan
AVIATION TEKNOLOGY LIMITED IS PROUD TO SUPPORT SOUTH CANTERBURY AERO CLUB
AVIATION TEKNOLOGY LIMITED
HC PARTNERS LP ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE SOUTH CANTERBURY AERO CLUB HC Partners LP Offices
39 George Street, Timaru - Phone 03 687 9222 101 Queen Street, Waimate - Phone 03 689 8071
(AIRCRAFT ENGINEERS AIRCRAFT SALES)
• Non-destructive testing • Aircraft refurbishing - major rebuilds • All general servicing all types aircraft appraisals • Annual reviews of airworthiness
RICHARD PEARSE AIRPORT
Timaru, New Zealand - PO Box 89, Geraldine Phone: Hanger: (03) 688 2189, Fax: (03) 688 2130, Mobile: 021 324 539 or (Neil) 021 226 3463, Email: bruce@avtek.co.nz
avtek.co.nz
BROADBAND INTERNET MADE EASY Yonder Wireless are proud to be supporting the South Canterbury Aero Club
Phone: 0800 OUT YONDER (0800 688 9663)
Email: support@yonder.co.nz Curious? Check out www.yonder.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz January 2016 | 21