Aerobatic flying makes up a very small part of GA in New Zealand. Although many people have had an experience, whether as a passenger or student flying an aerobatic manoeuvre or two, very few go through with the full rating and ground course.
One reason is that there isn’t a direct financial benefit towards a professional flying career, at least not visibly. Secondly, it appears that many see aerobatic flying as a bit beyond their own ability or means.
Thankfully, there is a small but steady number of pilots learning aerobatics at various training organisations around the country. One of the most important points I like to explain, when asked about pursuing this type of flying, is the direct benefits it has on one’s own flying skills—but more importantly on one’s discipline and confidence. There are a great number of very good Part 141 organisations in New Zealand that have not only good training aircraft but also highly experienced instructors.
The NZ Aerobatic Club has been running a national championship annually since the mid-1980s. Our national event is now run at Masterton, hosted by the Wairarapa Aero Club who have been fantastic hosts and totally supportive of our event. The Brian Langley Trophy is run at North Shore and makes up our only other regional event.
In November 2015 we finally established the South Island Akro Fest at Omaka Aerodrome, with huge support from Raylene, Marty and the team at the Marlborough Aero Club and Aviation Heritage Centre. It has taken some time to put all the details into place and the event will continue to evolve in the years to come.
This event, although an aerobatic competition, is also a fly-in. We actively encourage all aviation enthusiasts to come along and be a part of it. We couldn’t be running this competition in a better place than Omaka.
For the 2016 event we initially had 12 registered competitors and 35 registered as supporters/volunteers. Due to weather issues we did eventually observe nine pilots compete across two categories in all kinds of aircraft including Alpha 2160a, One Design, Pitts Special and Yak-55m.
We were treated to grand hospitality from the Marlborough Aero Club and look forward to doing it all again this month, 23–26 November. We have 16 pilots registered so far for this year’s event with an array of aeroplanes from the Tiger Moth to the Sukhoi Su-29 and everything in between.
Our intention for this event is to encourage and inspire aviators of all ages to take a lesson in aerobatic flight and to perhaps have a go at competition flying. We have numerous instructors readily available and with access to a variety of aircraft, so one does not even need a licence to compete.
Even as a one-off experience, apart from the excitement and sheer thrill of carving your own signature in the sky in front of a panel of judges, the lessons you learn, skills you develop and confidence this builds will be greatly valuable no matter which direction you ultimately pursue as a pilot.
A warning, however—this sport is highly addictive and there is no known cure!
- Report by Andrew Love, photographs by John King.