Warbirds Over Wanaka 2014

[jjdavies]

Feb 14, 2013 15:32:34 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Wow, an announcement that there is going to be an announcement?

It is interesting to see they got 50,000 people through the gates last year, a few years ago they were claiming up to 120,000 attendees so it's well down on the golden days there.

I always felt that the claims of 100,000 plus attendees was a rather large over-estimate of attendance. For the last couple of shows the organisers have used a ticketing agency who would be able to give a more accurate picture of the attendance for the event.

[Dave Homewood]

Maybe they were counting the rabbits too?

[jjdavies]

Feb 19, 2013 11:21:30 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Maybe they were counting the rabbits too?

It is not without good reason that The Great Easter Bunny Hunt is held in Central Otago each year! ;D

[phil82]

Feb 14, 2013 17:37:11 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Well personally I cannot see any point in making a press release that tells the public nothing.

Printing your own tickets isn't that innovative: Avalon have been doing it for years, and Sam and mine were printed right here at home!

I had a love affair with Wanaka in the Early Sir Tim days, but I'm afraid it has become too expensive!

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Feb 18, 2013 13:14:22 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

The Warbirds Over Wanaka 2014 website is now open for business.............

I've got to laugh at the Latest News page on the website where there is a piece about the first person to purchase tickets to Warbirds Over Wanaka 2014 on Monday 18th February 2013 (he purchased Gold Passes). Except that I beat that person by more than four weeks when I purchased my Gold Pass for WOW 2014 directly from Mandy Deans at Wings Over Wairarapa on the Sunday, and she told me I was the second person to purchase a pass, as someone else had purchased a gold pass thirty minutes before me.

I guess you can't believe everything you read on the Latest News page of airshow websites, eh? ;D

[Deleted]

Found at the WOW website:

RIDES DAY – Wanaka Airport, Monday 21st April 2014
A search has been launched for the next generation of Warbirds pilots. Warbirds Over Wanaka wants to get people into flying so one day some of them may be flying at our Airshows.

• The New Zealand Warbirds Association is keen to support any moves which might result in more pilots being interested in flying the older aircraft.
• The Royal New Zealand Air Force supports the ‘Rides Day’ and hopes the RNZAF might be part of it.
• The Sport Aircraft Association “looks forward to working with WOW and contributing to a successful event with more youngsters developing a desire to be involved in aviation.”

The Rides Day is for people who are keen to try flying - see how affordable it can be on Easter Monday. Local operators and visiting aircraft owners will be offering rides in many different aircraft. We will confirm in due course other aircraft attending: Warbirds, the DC3 and hopefully the Catalina. (my emphasis)

There is no entry fee to the airport and this Rides Day is a separate event to the Airshow.
There will be a cost for your flight, please book directly with the operator listed below. Arrive at the airport in good time for your flight – parking will be signposted. Please stay away from the main part of the airport because we will be busy taking down marquees and there will be safety issues. An information kiosk at the Airshow will provide you with more information.

Alpine Helicopters
- R44; 5-6 pax Squirrel
Classic Flights
- Tiger Moths; Classic biplane $249 for 20 mins, $289 for 30 mins
Infinity Heliline
- 5-6 pax Squirrel; 4 pax MD359 (H500); 3 pax R44
Southern Alps Air Type:
- Cessnas from $180-$395
Southern Lakes Learn To Fly Aerobatic Trial flights:
- Pitts Special S2B:
- 2xCessna 152 Aerobats $199 - $299
Wanaka Flight Training
-Piper, Tiger Moth, Citabria
Wanaka Helicopters
-R22, R44. Flights from $99. Mission Possible – take the controls (you fly)

[sqwark2k]

$249 for 20mins!!! Fwark some people have got a rooted sense of affordable......

[DragonflyDH90]

We charge $160 for 20min. It is pretty expensive to be operating from Wanaka and truthfully we are too cheap for the actual cost of doing it but $249 is a little spendy.

This is in no way an advertisement, just a comparison.

[Ykato]

RNZAF at WOW 2014

Friday, 15 March, 2013 - 10:22
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has confirmed it will have many of its aircraft at the 2014 Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.

The Chief of the Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell, has described Warbirds Over Wanaka as one of the pre-eminent airshows in the world. "The air force is proud to be involved and is committed to providing on-going support to this great airshow."

Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell says subject to operational imperatives, the RNZAF intends to have many of its aircraft types at the show. "It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the RNZAF’s capabilities to the general public and to engage with the wider aviation sector," said AVM Stockwell.

The RNZAF has a long history of association with the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. They have displayed various aircraft over the years with their Red Checkers aerobatic display team attending on a number of occasions.

Warbirds Over Wanaka General Manager, Ed Taylor, says it’s fantastic news to have the RNZAF confirm they will be at their 2014 show. "They add such a lot to our event and it just wouldn’t be the same without them," said Ed.

Warbirds Over Wanaka has also formally invited the Royal Australian Air Force and the United States Air Force to be part of the 2014 airshow. "We won’t know for some time whether they will be able to be here. It all depends on operational issues and budgets but we’ve made it very clear we would love to have them here."

"The RAAF was last at Warbirds Over Wanaka in 2010 when they wowed the crowd with a spectacular display by their F/A-18 jet fighter aircraft."

Information and ticket purchases are available at www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com or call Free phone [phone] within New Zealand or 1300 798 550 within Australia.

www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/rnzaf-wow-2014/5/150092

[701driver]

Jesus didnt realise cessnas were that exy to operate, think ill just keep flying my toy plane.

[Dave Homewood]

Here is some news:

WWII Avro Anson to fly at Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow
Friday, 16 August, 2013 - 10:08

The only remaining airworthy Avro Anson from WWII has been confirmed to fly at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow next April.



The twin-engine aircraft were a popular coastal reconnaissance bomber that performed anti-submarine, convoy protection and crew training duties. Around eleven thousand were produced between 1935 and 1952 and it may have been one of the first aircraft flown in combat by a New Zealander in the second World War.

Owners Bill and Robyn Reid of Nelson had hoped to have the machine ready for the 2012 Warbirds Over Wanaka event but narrowly missed completing all the paperwork required for it to fly.

Mr Reid was delighted the aircraft would be flying at Wanaka for the 2014 airshow, after a restoration spanning over a decade. "It has basically been about ten years but it seems to be ongoing...it’s been a quarter of my working life."

He hopes to co-pilot the aircraft at Wanaka for highly-experienced display pilot, Dave Phillips.

Mr Reid is a veteran helicopter pilot who flew in the early venison recovery days ands with Robyn, built up a successful helicopter business. Their son Toby and his wife Rachael now operate Reid Helicopters Nelson Ltd.

Avro MH-120 operated post-war in Australia as a passenger and freight hauler and also appeared in a film about a famous air race, called "Half a World Away".

"Once in New Zealand it was restored to its former military configuration from nearly 70 years ago", Warbirds Over Wanaka event manager, Mandy Deans said. The Avro has a wingspan of nearly 17m and is over 13m long.

The turret and military equipment had been re-installed and the aircraft had been painted to represent a machine that flew with 206 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. MH-120 had seating for two pilots, a navigator and a radio operator.

Eight months out from the next airshow, Ms Deans said changes to the event seemed to be hitting the spot with ticket buyers. The programme had been expanded and despite the tough economic climate, Ms Deans said, ticket sales and general interest in the event were gaining momentum and were greater than at this time before the previous airshow in 2012.

"We have facilitated a ‘Rides Day’ on Easter Monday where anyone can get up a microlight, helicopter, DC3 or even a WWII Mustang. This seems to have struck a real chord with young people and thriller-seeker types as well as our die-hard warbird fans."

A sport aviation category with both ground and air displays had been added to the main airshow with classic and MG cars, tractors and entertainment. Also scheduled was an early evening WWI centenary event on Friday, April 18 at the Wanaka waterfront.

www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/wwii-avro-anson-fly-warbirds-over-wanaka-airshow/5/164655

The airshow takes place on April 18, 19, and 20 at Wanaka Airport.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Counting down...

....just over seven months to go!

[milhistry]

Hi

I'm hoping to go to Warbirds over Wanaka next year and have just been looking at the ticket options. Can anyone who's "been there, done that" advise if it's worth getting silver or gold tickets or if general admission is fine? From what I could see on the website, $50 more a day more for a silver pass gives you a seat on a grandstand and not much else... Gold pass is a bit more again, to get a "free lunch" and "free" coffee... I'm pretty sure I could buy a coffee or two for $50 (even at Wanaka prices). How good is viewing from the sidelines vs the grandstand? I'm happy to pay extra if it's worth it but if not I'd rather spend the extra $50 a person on flying in something instead.

[obiwan27]

Nov 18, 2013 12:15:02 GMT 12 milhistry said:

Hi

I'm hoping to go to Warbirds over Wanaka next year and have just been looking at the ticket options. Can anyone who's "been there, done that" advise if it's worth getting silver or gold tickets or if general admission is fine? From what I could see on the website, $50 more a day more for a silver pass gives you a seat on a grandstand and not much else... Gold pass is a bit more again, to get a "free lunch" and "free" coffee... I'm pretty sure I could buy a coffee or two for $50 (even at Wanaka prices). How good is viewing from the sidelines vs the grandstand? I'm happy to pay extra if it's worth it but if not I'd rather spend the extra $50 a person on flying in something instead.

Speaking from experience, having purchased a Gold Stand ticket on about 3 occasions for WOW, it was well worth it. The view from the grandstands is superior, especially if you want to take photos. If budget is an issue, then a Silver pass gives you a good view too.

The best way to get a good view from the sidelines is to arrive bright and early with a supply of food and water and a good deckchair and grab a possie right along the fenceline.

[beagle]

The 2 years I went, back in the early 90's, I was 8th and 3rd in the gate on the sat mornings.
Able to get a good position with the car on the fence line. After spending some time catching up on a quick 1 hour shut eye, as I had got up at 5 to be early, I went for a wonder around the static line ups etc and the tents which weren't really into it at that hour, but, but by the time I got back to the car, the car park was getting pretty full and people were standing along the fence line in front of my car, even sitting on the bonnet.
and he didn't even move when I unlocked the car to get in etc.
I think I have said it before, I would hire a flat deck truck with a cover that could be retracted and have on their a fridge, couch and bbq.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I attended the very first Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow in 1990 (I missed Warbirds On Parade in 1988) and have been to every one since. 1992 was the first time they had a Gold Pass enclosure & grandstand, and I purchased a Gold Pass that year and every Warbirds Over Wanaka since, except for 2010 when a group of us purchased Silver Passes; however we decided that the Gold Pass was definitely the way to go, so went back to that pass in 2012 and we will all be meeting up in the back row of the Gold Pass grandstand next Easter.

It's good to get out of the crowd and in a place where you can see everything that is going on without having anyone else blocking the view, and unlike the Silver Pass enclosure, if the weather turns to crap and it pisses down, there is somewhere to get out of the rain in the Gold Pass enclosure. I wouldn't see Warbirds Over Wanaka any other way.

[skyhawkdon]

I've been to every show except 1990 and have tried all the options (Gold Pass, Silver Pass, fence line, middle of the crowd and the natural grandstand (the hill!) behind the car park. Silver Pass is the way to go in my opinion. You can come and go as you want, have a great view of the action (including at ground level on the fence line if you want) and the food and refreshment stalls are right outside the stand. If money is no object then the Gold Pass has a few extras that Silver doesn't including car parking privileges. To sum up, go for a grandstand! Once you have tried it you will never go back.

[JamesStokes]

Definitely a silver pass for me this time round, haven't been to Wanaka for ages so it'll be a good change of scenery... the warbirds thundering around will be an added bonus I assume I'm too late to find out about the camp grounds up on the hill..?

[vansvilla]

I went about 8 years ago, went on the Fri, ( practice day) at a reduced ticket price, no crowds and were able to get close to all exhibits, stalls tables etc.
Next day climbed the hill behind where friends had motor home and had a great view of flying display with out getting a crick in the neck from looking up.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I'm going the long way to Warbirds Over Wanaka next Easter, but taking the short route home.

I'm flying to Nelson the Saturday before Easter and picking up a rental car, then driving to Westport and spending two nights there. I've always wanted to take a drive up to the top-end of the West Coast (to Karamea, and beyond to the road-end) so I'll finally get around to doing that. Then I'm driving down to Fox Glacier and staying in the old Fox Glacier Hotel for three nights, before driving to Wanaka (via a delicious seafood lunch at the Craypot @ Jackson Bay) on the Thursday at the start of Easter. I'll be in Wanaka for five nights (including a relaxing Easter Monday in the Wanaka area after the airshow), then will be ditching the rental car at Queenstown Airport on the Tuesday and catching the direct Mount Cook Airlines flight from Queenstown to Wellington. The last two Warbirds Over Wanaka airshows (2010 and 2012), Phil Makanna was on that direct Mount Cook Airlines flight, heading for Hood Aerodrome to take more WWI photographs for his Ghosts calendars. I wonder if I'll bump into him in the boarding queue at Queenstown Airport yet again? He's a very approachable chap.