Wings Over Wairarapa - 2021

[Dave Homewood]

Auckland's Level 2 status is only planned till Monday at this stage, so hopefully if you all behave yourseleves you will be back at Level 1 by Tuesday.

[Deleted]

Post on Facebook by the Wings crew not long ago:

The Wings Over Wairarapa 2021 team is focused on delivering our three-day Air Festival next week. We are working very hard with our partners including the New Zealand Defence Force, our stakeholders and sponsors to make this hugely popular event happen and will be monitoring the Covid-19 and Alert Level situation closely.
The health and wellbeing of our team, our volunteers and our spectators is our number one priority, and we will advise you of any changes.
We understand this is a really uncertain time for the events industry here in New Zealand and our sympathies and heartfelt wishes go out to other events that have had to cancel this week. Just a reminder that refunds will be available if the show is cancelled for any reason.

[campbellbox]

I am washing my hands and not talking to strangers. We’ve got this!

[davem2]

Art Deco jumped the gun?

[Dave Homewood]

Here is a media statement from Wings Over Wairarapa event manager Jenny Gasson.

“My team and I are focused on delivering next week’s three-day Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton. This is a hugely important and much-loved event held every two years in the Wairarapa and this year we are expecting over 70 aircraft, 50 exhibitors and a team of 300 volunteers. We are working very hard with our partners including the New Zealand Defence Force, our stakeholders and sponsors to make this event happen and will be monitoring the Covid-19 and Alert Level situation closely. The health and wellbeing of my team, volunteers and our spectators is our number one priority, and I will advise of any changes.”

A side note: Refunds will be available if the air festival is cancelled for any reason.

[Peter Lewis]

Feb 17, 2021 18:45:48 GMT 12 davem2 said:

Art Deco jumped the gun?

Most large events take out insurance cover if the event is cancelled due to factors outside the organizer's control.

My understanding (from peripheral involvement in such an event years ago) is that if the event starts then the cover is voided and no claim can be honoured. In order to lodge a valid claim the event must not start. Even for a multi-day event, start/on start on the first scheduled day is what counts, so that's the gamble.
You cannot start the event, stop part way through, and then make a claim on the insurance cover.

[Deleted]

I've spoken with the organising team and they've kindly changed my double pass to be for Saturday, so I have a chance to see the B-52. I have expressed my gratitude profusely!

I'm planning to take my nephew, who just started high school, with me for his first airshow. I'm very excited to share the experience with him and hopefully not bore him with too many facts etc!

[Mustang51]

First airshow.....that's fantastic ! I remember mine....Bleriots, Farmans, Wright Flyers.....tongue in cheek....

[ErrolC]

Feb 22, 2021 12:24:58 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

First airshow.....that's fantastic ! I remember mine....Bleriots, Farmans, Wright Flyers.....tongue in cheek....

Not Montgolfiers?

[ErrolC]

Note route to the carpark from the south is via Gladstone (avoiding Carterton).
www.wings.org.nz/coming-by-car

[Dave Homewood]

I am getting really excited now. So far the long range weather forecast has been looking fine in terms of no rain. I hope the wind is gentle enough for some cooling air but not strong enough to effect the WWI machines.

There's a terrific line up of aeroplanes going too. And I am really looking forward to catching up with lots of friends. This is going to be a terrific airshow, so long as the dreaded lurgy does not rear its ugly head again!

[Deleted]

Feb 22, 2021 12:24:58 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

First airshow.....that's fantastic ! I remember mine....

Mine was Wings Over Wairarapa 2001* and I was exactly the same age my nephew is, so Saturday will be rather special for me.

*I attended the RNZAC pageant at Wanganui in early 1989 but as I was 17-18mth old I don't really count it!

[Mustang51]

I am keeping my fingers crossed on this side of The Ditch for both great weather and COVID free for the weekend. So annoyed that I cannot be there to see all the great Kiwi mates I have made over the years. All my airshow notes have winged their way over there so I guess in a way I am there in spirit. Hope the BUFF puts on a great flypast/s. Jenny and her team have moved mountains to get this off the ground and give Tom Williams your support as he has taken on the mantle of lead commentator

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Ando. Tom will be great. I still think it's a shame you cannot commentate via Zoom.

[Dave Homewood]

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 23rd February

NZ DEFENCE FORCE PROUD TO SUPPORT WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA

The New Zealand Defence Force is always proud to support the Wings over Wairarapa Air Festival and this year is no exception.

Visitors to this weekend’s three-day event being held at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton can expect to see the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s NH90 Medium Utility Helicopter, A109 Light Utility Helicopter, T-6C Texan II and a C-130H (NZ) Hercules aircraft.

In addition vehicles from the New Zealand Army include Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV), Bushmaster, HMEE Tractor and a Polaris MRZR while the Drone Display Team will also be there too (note: *aircraft may change depending on operational requirements).

Wings Over Wairarapa event manager Jenny Gasson says it is always fantastic to have the support of the New Zealand Defence Force with both their aerial displays and on the ground displays being such crowd favourites.

“The feedback we get from visitors to Wings Over Wairarapa is how exciting it is to see New Zealand Defence Force aircraft and vehicles in action, and we are very grateful for their continued support. Visitors this year will again be in for a treat and will also be able to chat to personnel about the Defence Force and how it works to protect New Zealand and its role in the South West Pacific and around the world,” says Jenny.

Wings Over Wairarapa begins this Friday 26th February and will run for three consecutive days. It features over 70 aircraft including vintage, military, New Zealand Defence Force, jets, helicopters, aerobatic displays, and skydiving.

Wings’ audiences have previously seen aircraft from WWI and WWII, including the world-famous Vintage Aviator aircraft collection owned by Sir Peter Jackson, which includes replicas of some of the earliest aeroplanes and this year will be no different.

The Air Festival also features the STEM Aviation and Education programme being run over the three days. This features Nanogirl, a superhero character created by nanotechnologist and engineer Dr Michelle Dickinson, who will perform a live show numerous times during the day, the NZ Astrobiology Network Aircrew, maths, rocketry, virtual reality, digital fabrication, 3D printing, engineering, simulation, robotics, circuitry, drones, unmanned aircraft, satellite tracking equipment, basic ballistics, body armour, missiles, protection equipment, static aircraft and turbines. A special feature of this programme is a School’s Day being held this Friday with 5000 Wairarapa students attending.

“In addition to the spectacular flying programme there will be fantastic ground displays, as well as activities for small and big kids alike such as the STEM Aviation and Education programme designed

to inspire youngsters to learn about potential aviation careers,” says Jenny. “Whether you are an aviation enthusiast or just want an entertaining weekend away for the family, WINGS 2021 has so much to offer,” says Jenny.

Wings Over Wairarapa 2021: An Overview

Friday 26 February. Gates open 12pm-5pm.

Air Festival Programme - It is Practice Day

A special Aviation and Space STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Programme for Wairarapa schools is held on Friday to promote aviation careers. For the general public, it is a relaxed day with easy parking, less crowds, with the opportunity to be one of the first to see what is arriving at the Aerodrome for the weekend’s show.

Saturday 27 February. Gates Open: 8.00AM – 5.00PM

Air Festival Programme - 10.30am to 4.30pm

Saturday is traditionally the busier day for Wings Over Wairarapa.

Visitors will see over 70 aircraft including vintage, military, jets, helicopters, aerobatic displays, skydiving, the potential of a B-52 and much more! The Aviation and Space STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) on the ground activities continue.

Sunday 28 February. Gates Open: 8.00AM - 5.00PM

Air Festival Programme - 10.30am to 4.30pm

Sunday is usually a little more chilled out than Saturday but has a similar programme.

Visitors will see over 70 aircraft including vintage, military, jets, helicopters, aerobatic displays, skydiving and much more! The Aviation and Space STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) on the ground activities continue.

To learn more about the show visit www.wings.org.nz

ENDS:

[johnnyfalcon]

I spoke with Kate Bint the other day; she was as enthusiastic as ever about the full support of the show by the RNZAF, and suggested that the 757 and P-3 may also display if operations allowed

[harrysone]

hmmm...three more community cases just announced in Auckland...

[ErrolC]

Feb 23, 2021 18:00:40 GMT 12 harrysone said:

hmmm...three more community cases just announced in Auckland...

Classmate, and members of their household. Track and trace can deal with it.

[Dave Homewood]

Three more? This indicates two more
www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/02/coronavirus-two-new-cases-of-covid-19-in-the-community.html

[30sqnatc]

Yeah runway side spot to watch the display as involved in NZDF display.