Perfect day at Ashburton I've just been on a four-day trip to South Canterbury, visiting Ashburton, Rangitata Island and Timaru.
The weather was amazing for a weekend in May. I enjoyed a very smooth two-hour flight across the Maniototo basin, Danseys Pass and Hunter Hills to Ashburton Airport. An afternoon of demo flights and discussions with local pilots and aero club people, then off to Timaru Airport before dusk. Sunday was another fantastic weather day with more flights for aero club instructors and pilots.
Late afternoon I flew north to Rangitata Island airfield, home of instructor/aircraft builder Russell Brodie and base for the Geraldine Flying Group. Unfortunately Monday's weather was horrible - strong southerly wind, followed by low cloud and rain. Mid-afternoon, after taking Russell for a short flight, I attempted to fly home. Very low cloud and drizzle meant that I couldn't get past Timaru. I even surprised two ducks as I returned along the coast! So I was hosted at Rangitata Island for another night, Early on Tuesday, the cloudbase had risen to 1200 feet, so I was able to safely fly south before the predicted NW gales arrived.
It was satisfying to get glowing comments about the GP One from experienced flight instructors. Although they had flown in many microlights before, they were full of praise "This is a very smooth plane. I like it a lot" and "This is the best microlight trainer that I've flown".
The weather was amazing for a weekend in May. I enjoyed a very smooth two-hour flight across the Maniototo basin, Danseys Pass and Hunter Hills to Ashburton Airport. An afternoon of demo flights and discussions with local pilots and aero club people, then off to Timaru Airport before dusk. Sunday was another fantastic weather day with more flights for aero club instructors and pilots.
Late afternoon I flew north to Rangitata Island airfield, home of instructor/aircraft builder Russell Brodie and base for the Geraldine Flying Group. Unfortunately Monday's weather was horrible - strong southerly wind, followed by low cloud and rain. Mid-afternoon, after taking Russell for a short flight, I attempted to fly home. Very low cloud and drizzle meant that I couldn't get past Timaru. I even surprised two ducks as I returned along the coast! So I was hosted at Rangitata Island for another night, Early on Tuesday, the cloudbase had risen to 1200 feet, so I was able to safely fly south before the predicted NW gales arrived.
It was satisfying to get glowing comments about the GP One from experienced flight instructors. Although they had flown in many microlights before, they were full of praise "This is a very smooth plane. I like it a lot" and "This is the best microlight trainer that I've flown".
 Banks Peninsula hills 160km away. |  Dairy factory at Clandeboye |  Sunset over Canterbury Plains |
