Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 22, 2007 12:55:59 GMT 12
The weekend's gusty weather may have been a hindrance to most, but not those that gathered at the Piako Gliding Club over the long weekend.
The three-day celebrations of its 50th anniversary come to an end today, with everyone buzzing about a successful event.
Event organiser Trevor Atkin could hardly contain his excitement on Saturday as the wind continued to pick up. News of more windy weather yesterday brought a bigger smile to the face as he watched glider after glider take to the sky.
About 150 enthusiasts from around New Zealand and Australia got up close with Tiger Moths, vintage gliders and modern gliders.
Vintage Kiwi chairman Ian Dunkley, of Akaroa, said 12 vintage planes, including three Tiger Moths were on show, as well as modern gliders.
The Norfolk Sports Aviation Club, from Taranaki, brought along two planes, a 1950s T31 and 1960s Rohnelercher Ka 4 - more commonly known as a Lark.
Rotorua's John Currie was busy assembling the country's oldest flying glider - an EoN baby, which he owns jointly with mate, Don Grigg, when the Times spoke to him.
It was built in 1949 and brought into the country in 1953. Mr Currie said he started piloting planes before trying gliding in 1990.
He's never looked back since.
Like most spoken to by the Times, Piako Gliding Club president Bill Mace said it was the thrill of using nature to stay up in the air that hooked people on gliding.
"It's very similar to yachting. The thrill of being able to use nature to where you want to go ... You can travel quite large distances."
Mr Mace, from Morrinsville, said in order to fly efficiently "you have to fly well. It requires a degree of precision."
Mr Dunkley said the aim of Vintage Kiwi, which had been running for five years, was to ensure all gliders were preserved and continued to fly.
"Many were just being shoved in a box and left to rot."
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/4246759a6579.html
The three-day celebrations of its 50th anniversary come to an end today, with everyone buzzing about a successful event.
Event organiser Trevor Atkin could hardly contain his excitement on Saturday as the wind continued to pick up. News of more windy weather yesterday brought a bigger smile to the face as he watched glider after glider take to the sky.
About 150 enthusiasts from around New Zealand and Australia got up close with Tiger Moths, vintage gliders and modern gliders.
Vintage Kiwi chairman Ian Dunkley, of Akaroa, said 12 vintage planes, including three Tiger Moths were on show, as well as modern gliders.
The Norfolk Sports Aviation Club, from Taranaki, brought along two planes, a 1950s T31 and 1960s Rohnelercher Ka 4 - more commonly known as a Lark.
Rotorua's John Currie was busy assembling the country's oldest flying glider - an EoN baby, which he owns jointly with mate, Don Grigg, when the Times spoke to him.
It was built in 1949 and brought into the country in 1953. Mr Currie said he started piloting planes before trying gliding in 1990.
He's never looked back since.
Like most spoken to by the Times, Piako Gliding Club president Bill Mace said it was the thrill of using nature to stay up in the air that hooked people on gliding.
"It's very similar to yachting. The thrill of being able to use nature to where you want to go ... You can travel quite large distances."
Mr Mace, from Morrinsville, said in order to fly efficiently "you have to fly well. It requires a degree of precision."
Mr Dunkley said the aim of Vintage Kiwi, which had been running for five years, was to ensure all gliders were preserved and continued to fly.
"Many were just being shoved in a box and left to rot."
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/4246759a6579.html