The creature has landed Today the South Otago Aero Club held an Open Day at their Balclutha airfield. After taking off from Oporo Flat, I was able to dodge morning fog patches lingering in the Mataura and Clutha valley. Unfortunately Balclutha was shrouded in its own fog patch, so nobody could land there until after 10:30am.
To fill in half an hour, I flew the Skyleader GP One out to Kaka Point, then followed the coast up past the Clutha River mouth and landed at the Wangaloa farm strip. After the sun broke thru to Balclutha, we were able to fly back there.
Lots of action at the Open Day - ag planes dropping fertiliser, helicopter fire-fighting, glider aerobatics, biplane rides, lolly scrambles from a Cub, crazy model helicopter aerobatics and a rally car vs helicopter race. I found myself pretty busy talking with aero club and flight school people about the GP One and discussing the advantages of using a Light Sport Aircraft for training pilots.
On the flight home I was treated to some nice lighting on the hills and mountains out to the west.
To fill in half an hour, I flew the Skyleader GP One out to Kaka Point, then followed the coast up past the Clutha River mouth and landed at the Wangaloa farm strip. After the sun broke thru to Balclutha, we were able to fly back there.
Lots of action at the Open Day - ag planes dropping fertiliser, helicopter fire-fighting, glider aerobatics, biplane rides, lolly scrambles from a Cub, crazy model helicopter aerobatics and a rally car vs helicopter race. I found myself pretty busy talking with aero club and flight school people about the GP One and discussing the advantages of using a Light Sport Aircraft for training pilots.
On the flight home I was treated to some nice lighting on the hills and mountains out to the west.
 Wangaloa farm strip right by the ocean |  People check out the GP One at Balclutha airfield |  The Southland Plains from 2500 ft |  Hokonui Hills ridges with West Dome and Fiordland in the distance |