Let's GO Rotorua Lakefront Air Show

[Dave Homewood]

Let's GO Rotorua Lakefront Air Show on 12 December

www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0911/S00361.htm
Friday, 20 November 2009, 2:24 pm
Press Release: Rotorua District Council

NEWS RELEASE

20 November 2009
Historic DC3 scenic flights to feature in Rotorua Lakefront air show on December 12

NZ Warbirds Society's DC3 staging scenic flights as part of the
Let's GO Rotorua Lakefront Air Show on 12 December

ROTORUA 20.11.09: Rotorua residents have the chance to participate in aviation history next month with an announcement today that four scenic flights in an historic DC3 aircraft will be available to the public as part of the 12 December Let’s GO Rotorua Lakefront Air Show.

The airshow and on-the-ground carnival celebrations are to mark the arrival of Air New Zealand’s inaugural direct trans-Tasman flight from Sydney at 2.35pm on 12 December.
However Events & Venues Rotorua general manager Peter McLeod is warning Rotorua residents keen to relive that magnificent era of flying that they will need to get in quick as there will only be four DC3 flights, with only 30 seats available at $100 a ticket on each half hour flight.

Mr McLeod says the DC3 is arguably the most celebrated and successful aircraft ever built.

“Between 1935 and 1945 nearly 11,000 DC3s, and its military version the Dakota, were built. But only a few hundred remain in service today worldwide - and one of those will be with us in Rotorua on 12 December.”

After the war Dakotas were sold to civilian airlines and formed the basis of the commercial aviation industry in many countries, including New Zealand. Here the DC3 was the primary workhorse of NAC - National Airways Corporation - the domestic airline that later merged with Air New Zealand.

The Dakota first entered service with the RNZAF in 1943 and a total of 49 aircraft saw service with New Zealand’s air force. The last six were finally retired in 1977

Apart from being the primary transport aircraft of the allied forces in WW2, the Dakota was also the backbone of the Berlin airlift after the war.

As well as its passenger airline and military transport roles the aircraft has also been used extensively as a crop sprayer, top dresser, gunship and commercial freighter.

The DC3 coming to Rotorua on 12 December to take part in the Let’s Go Rotorua Lakefront Air Show is operated out of Ardmore in Auckland by the DC3/Dakota section of the New Zealand Warbirds Society

Before it participates in the airshow it will operate four scenic flights out of Rotorua Airport, on the hour from 9am to 12 noon.

DC3 scenic flight tickets go on sale on Tuesday November 24 at the Rotorua Convention Centre's Ticketmaster outlet, by phone on 0800 111 999 or online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz . Tickets are $100 each.

The Let's GO Rotorua Lakefront Air Show is being staged by Rotorua District Council as a free family event with support from the Rotorua Trust, Daily Post and MediaWorks.

[Ends]

[stu]

Kind of related I hope...

www.stuff.co.nz/national/3094067/Unpruned-trees-trim-Air-NZ-passenger-numbers

Unpruned trees trim Air NZ passenger numbers

A Rotorua man is refusing to trim trees on his land, forcing Air New Zealand to reduce the number of passengers on trans-Tasman flights into the new international airport.

The airport is to open officially with its first Air New Zealand Sydney-Rotorua Airbus 320 flight on December 12.

But the Environment Court has ruled the airport company, owned by Rotorua District Council, cannot prune Geoff Fischer's trees.

Mr Fischer, who is retired, owns a 2112-square-metre property about one kilometre south of the airport's recently extended runway.

Civil Aviation Authority regulations require airport operators to protect flightpaths of aircraft taking off and landing by controlling obstacles around the airspace.

The space surrounding the trees on Mr Fischer's property has been identified as part of the extended runway's new "obstacle limitation surface".

Judge Jeff Smith's decision means Air New Zealand will have to introduce weight restrictions by reducing passenger loadings on its A320 flights.

Passenger numbers will be reduced from 152 to 126 on the A320 aircraft unless Mr Fischer's trees are trimmed.

The court declined the airport company's application to trim the trees partly because the company had breached an earlier ruling involving Mr Fischer.

In 2000, the company trimmed seven metres from one of Mr Fischer's fir trees. The court had ruled it could trim the tree by just over three metres.

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters plans to host local dignitaries on the first A320 flight from Sydney.

He said yesterday the airport company was "absolutely, very seriously" wanting to strike a deal with Mr Fischer.

"We are talking with Mr Fischer. I'm hopeful we'll get this settled before December 12," Mr Winters said.

Rotorua Airport chief executive George White and Air New Zealand did not return calls yesterday.

Mr Fischer said his attitude towards the airport company had hardened when it breached the earlier 2000 court order. He now wants compensation. The 10 trees involved include two firs, an oak, a kauri, a walnut tree and a eucalyptus.

Mr Fischer said he would meet Rotorua District Council chief executive Peter Guerin, who had called to see if a deal could be worked out.

The airport has undergone a number of upgrades in the past two years.

These include a new international arrival and departure lounge, a resurfaced and extended runway, expanded and resealed car parking and border control offices.

The airport company predicts Australian visitor numbers to Rotorua will be up to nearly 269,000 by the end of 2014.

[Dave Homewood]

Mustang replacing crashed Spitfire
Monday, 7 December 2009, 2:49 pm
Press Release: Events and Venues Rotorua

Mustang replacing crashed Spitfire in Lakefront Air Show

ROTORUA 07.12.09: An American P51 Mustang fighter aircraft has been secured for Saturday’s Let’s GO Rotorua Air Show to replace the Spitfire which crashed at Ardmore airport last week.

Events and Venues Rotorua general manager Peter Mcleod said he was thrilled to be able to announce the Mustang’s appearance. He said it was a very worthy replacement for the Spitfire in the air show as it was the outstanding American built fighter of WWII.

“The P51 Mustang made a similarly crucial contribution to the war’s outcome as the Spitfire did over Britain but it in a substantially different way and over a greater theatre of conflict.

“While the Spitfire was the backbone of Great Britain’s defence from German air attack, the Mustang took the counter offensive to Germany, providing escort protection to bombers blitzing enemy territory.”

Although recognised as an American aircraft the origination of the Mustang is English. Great Britain originally purchased the American fighter as British aircraft factories were operating at full production capacity.

The Mustang was commissioned to fulfill the need for a fighter that could fly higher, faster, carry more arms and be more manoeuverable than any fighter in service at that time. It first flew in Oct 1940 and entered RAF service in 1942, the same year the US Air Force placed its first orders for the fighter.

Designed and built by North American Aviation nearly 18,000 Mustangs were built. The first two models were powered by American Allison engines but later more successful models had Rolls Royce Merlin engines like the Spitfire. The Mustang’s 487 mph top speed and 325 mph cruising speed were faster than the Spitfire. It could operate to a 41,900 feet ceiling and, most importantly, had a range of 2055 miles with its additional drop tank

During WWII Mustangs were credited with downing 5,000 enemy aircraft and they also saw service in the Korean War

In all 31 nations flew the Mustang, including New Zealand. Just before WWII ended the RNZAF ordered 320 of the planes but only 30 were delivered in 1945, remaining in their packing cases until 1950 when they were assembled for the Territorial Air Force. When the Territorial Air Force was disbanded in 1957, the Mustangs were sold for scrap.

The Let’s GO Rotorua Lakefront Airshow and carnival is a free family event being presented by Rotorua District Council with support from the Rotorua Trust, The Daily Post and MediaWorks.

The air show starts at 11am on Saturday (12 December) and celebrates the start of Rotorua’s new direct trans-Tasman air service, concluding with the arrival of the first Air New Zealand A320 flight from Sydney at 2.35pm.

ENDS

www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00082.htm

[Dave Homewood]

Decision to postpone Rotorua air show heartbreak
Sunday, 13 December 2009, 12:10 pm
Press Release: Events and Venues Rotorua

NEWS RELEASE

SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2009

Decision to postpone Rotorua air show heartbreaking say organisers

ROTORUA 12.12.09: The organisers of today's [Saturday] Let’s Go Rotorua Lakefront Air Show say it was a heartbreaking decision to cancel the show but in the end poor weather meant it could not proceed safely. The air show was to be part of Rotorua's celebrations around today's start to direct international flights between Rotorua and Sydney.

Events & Venues Rotorua general manager Peter McLeod said the decision to cancel was made at 5.30am this morning when the weather conditions and the latest forecasts clearly indicated there was little chance the various aircraft involved would be able to get to Rotorua.

He said rain and low cloud was widespread in the central North Island, and in Rotorua the conditions would not have allowed the air show to proceed.

‘We had aircraft coming from Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North and New Plymouth and all fly under VFR rules rather than by instruments, meaning they required an appropriate cloud ceiling before they could take to the air. The exception was the DC3 aircraft which flies under instruments, and could still get to Rotorua where passengers had booked four scenic flights over the city.

“The poor weather that continued throughout the day has supported the decision we had to make early in the morning to pull the plug on today's event.

“All of us involved in organising the air show are gutted that we had to make the tough call to cancel the aerial carnival but in the end safety was the paramount consideration. It simply would not have been possible for aircraft to fly safely in such poor weather conditions.”

As soon as the decision was made Events and Venues Rotorua arranged for radio messages to be broadcast about the cancellation throughout the morning in Rotorua, Tauranga, Whakatane and Taupo.

Mr McLeod said he recognised that the announcements may not have reached everybody and he extended his apologies to anyone inconvenienced.

“We especially apologise to those who may have spent some time travelling from out of town and may have commenced their journey before hearing cancellation notices.”

Mr McLeod paid tribute to the air show's dedicated team of organisors and sponsors and said they collectively put in a huge amount of work to make the show happen.

“While we are all hugely disappointed at having to can the event after weeks of hard work behind the scenes, we are hopeful that these efforts won’t be wasted. We’re certainly keen to try again to make the show happen on another date and we’ll be having discussions with those pilots who had been committed to the postponed show.

“It would be a shame not to be able to present an airshow spectacular for the people of Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty. However any decision about a possible replacement date will likely be some weeks away," he said.

[Ends]

[Peter Lewis]

"Decision to postpone Rotorua air show heartbreak"

"the decision to cancel was made at 5.30am"

They can't seem to decide if the show is postponed or cancelled.
Maybe someone should point out to them that there is a difference.

[Brett]

Maybe someone should point out to them that there is a difference.

I think Ken Ross is the local expert...

[Dave Homewood]

The postpone and cancel thing seems to come up often these days in news reporting. It's like the word 'remand' which used to mean a suspect was held in prison rather than released if they were 'remanded'. Recently I have seen court reports saying someone was "remanded on bail" and another report saying a defendant was "released on remand". WTF??

[rbwannabe]

Postponed.

The organisers of this event have advised that they are going to reschedule for early next year. At the moment they have been in touch to try and find a date that doesn't clash with any other events (easier said than done).

[hunternut]

it bloody better not be on Waitangi weekend. The weekend of my precious hometown (Tauranga) airshow. Actually it wouldn't really matter if it was Saturday, that being the practice day. They could use the Rotorua show as a dress rehearsal for TRG on Sunday

[betsy46]

March 13th is the date , now set for the Rotorua Airshow.

1:30 to 4:30 pm.

[vgp]

as with the info on betsy46 posts here is the official press release:

Postponed airshow spectacular back on in March

Skies over Rotorua will be abuzz with vintage aircraft manoeuvres and adrenaline rush aerial performances in March.

Events & Venues Rotorua has announced the Let’s Go Rotorua Lakefront Air Show is back on, offering locals another major summer event to mark on their calendars.

The air show, featuring 15 spectacular displays and and an on-ground carnival at the Lakefront, was originally scheduled to take place on December 12 to commemorate the arrival of the city’s first trans-Tasman flight from Sydney. However the show had to be postponed due to poor weather.

Events & Venues Rotorua general manager Peter McLeod says he is delighted that the free family event is back on following the determined efforts of organisers to reschedule the show.

“The air show has been highly anticipated by locals, organisers, pilots and performers alike. There's been a massive amount of hard work going on behind the scenes, so we're pleased to be able to offer this fantastic event to our community so soon after the original date."

Mr McLeod says there will be a couple of changes to the original performance programme due to other commitments. However the line-up being released shortly is just as entertaining with most of the crowd favourites still onboard, including a return of the popular historic DC3 offering scenic flights over Rotorua.

He said the Let's Go Rotorua Lakefront Air Show and carnival is expected to draw people to Rotorua from around the upper North Island, giving another welcome boost to the local economy.

The Let’s Go Rotorua Lakefront Air Show will be held at the Village Green on Saturday 13 March from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, and is being presented as a free entry event due to the support of Rotorua District Council, the Rotorua Trust, The Daily Post, and MediaWorks. An alternative date of Sunday 14 March has been set aside in case of bad weather on the Saturday.

www.rdc.govt.nz/YourCouncil/LatestNews/Postponed-airshow-spectacular-back-on-in-March.aspx

[rbwannabe]

Lets not forget that this is on tomorrow.

Great line up.

Extra 300L, Z50LS, Giles, Yaks, Mustang, Parachutes, P51, Harvards, Me108, H500, Tiger Wing Walking, Dragonfly etc. etc.

[Kereru]

See you all there and hope the weather cooperates!

Pics will follow?

Cheers

[Kereru]

Nice crisp fine morning and we left Ardmore on the Dc 3 for Rotorua taking about 45 minutes. Great views all the way and my wife Heather's first Dc 3 flight which she enjoyed very much. We caught up with relatives and then went to the Lake front for the air show at about 12:30 with plenty of time to get some lunch and find a spot to settle down on. Some delays due to wind and the cloud moved in over the venue as the afternoon progressed. I was able to watch the first event of the Yaks doing their immaculate formation display despite the wind and then we had to return to the airport as we had a 3:00 pm departure. Getting a taxi in Rotorua proved to be a bit of a chore with the one outside the Novotel having no driver so we had to foot it to the info area and then wait for one to show up. Telephone number advertised did not work. Anyway we just got back to the airport 3 minutes before 3:00 pm to watch the Dc 3 start up and take off for her display. I did get some reasonable shots of the action at the airport and at least got the ANZ A320 departure which was what the show was about celebrating the International service. Well done to Rotorua City Council and to all those organising and taking part in the event.

Heather enjoying the Flydakota experience.


A view from my window.


Famous tourist attraction in Rotorua.


Plenty of runway left after landing.


MC kept the crowd well informed of happenings.


Good crowd of people attended the waters edge.(ducks not included ;D )


Immaculate Yak formation display.




Then it was back to the airport and grab some of the action before we left for home. Dc 3 departing for display.


Catalina ready for taxi and take off.




Sky divers away.


Wing Walker take off.


Yaks taxi out for formation take off and there second display.


The ANZ A320 taxis out and takes off for Sydney.




Many thanks to the FlyDakota crew for a great day out. We highly recommend for a very unique experience.

Cheers

Colin

[Dave Homewood]

Great photos Colin. It's good to see they got good weather in the end.

[Peter Lewis]

All this from a City Council who have worked damned hard over quite a few years to ensure that GA is quite unwelcome at their airport.