Renting in New Zealand

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Adventure

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Adventure
We're planning a vacation trip to New Zealand in two weeks, visiting both islands. Never been. My wife, myself (500hrs, IFR pilot), and our son (also 500hrs with his IFR) who will be turning 20 while we're there and is halfway through commercial in a 141 on his way to the airlines. Would be fun to get in the air at least a little bit to see the sights and say we've done it. I've searched a bit and found some potential instructor/rental opportunities in Wanaka (South Island) and Tauranga (North Island) but haven't reached out to any yet. Figured I'd at least ask on here to see if anyone is familiar or has any advice. Thanks in advance!
 
If the one on South Island is the one with an airstrip, working sheep farm and B&B, a guy I used to work for there stayed and flew there some years ago, said it was fantastic.
 
In the North Island, around Auckland, Ardmore and North Shore both have pretty active clubs. I have rented before out of Kerikeri for the Bay of Islands too. There's a good little club at Paraparaumu as well.

On the south island, I'd check out Blenheim/Omaka (amazing museum here), Kaikoura, Wanaka is excellent (some of the most beautiful flying around, over the Remarkables, and if you plan in advance you might be able to plan a flight to Milford Sound), and there's a great DeHavilland museum at Mandeville.

The place Dana refers to is Flyinn and it's great, check that out too.
 
I was in New Zealand last February and took a mountain flying lesson at LearntoFlyNZ in Wanaka. Good outfit. I opted not to spend the time and money to get a full plane checkout and then just go fly off by myself. Far easier (and maybe more fun) to go up with an instructor and get a little narrated sightseeing and a mountain flying lesson to boot.

Tall glacier-covered Aline peaks, even in summer. Learned how to fly closer to the side wall of the mountain (well below the peak) than I was comfortable with, but slow enough and in control for a fairly tight turn back. So much fun!

I am sure Colorado and Idaho pilots do this all the time. For the rest of us- not so much.

I am not much of a picture taker and was having fun flying, but here are two to pique your interest.

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We rented a C172 and hired a CFI for 2.5 hrs out of Queenstown.
Flew over many areas from LOTR.
Their email is [email protected]
Have fun!
 
I’m a CFI and will be in NZ for six months starting this Jan. Bay of Plenty. Message me if you’d like to try and link up.
 
RIlls said:
Learned how to fly closer to the side wall of the mountain (well below the peak) than I was comfortable with
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One summer I flew tours around Mt. McKinley. No one in flight school ever told me I would be flying at 10,000msl and have another 10,000 feet of mountain above me. And to watch out for avalanches at that altitude...
 
Hengelo said:
I’m a CFI and will be in NZ for six months starting this Jan. Bay of Plenty. Message me if you’d like to try and link up.
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@Hengelo I'd have taken you up on this for sure, but it's looking like we'll be on the North island just Dec17-21 or so, then down to the South Island until home on 12/31. Thank you.
 
Our trip to New Zealand was incredible. We did just one flight, out of Wanaka on the South Island. “Learn to Fly” was unavailable through the holiday season, but another at the Wanaka airport worked out perfect. “U Fly Wanaka” had just the ticket with a handful of 180hp 172 and friendly CFIs. My wife and I were able to ride in the back seat while an instructor guided our son through the mountain range, under peaks and over glaciers, a landing in Milford Sound (crazy 270 degree approach procedure!), then around Queenstown, to a grass landing back at Wanaka. The rest of our trip was great too, but this two hour flight with an instructor was the highlight for all three of us and a perfect experience that none of us will ever forget. Highly suggest!

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Adventure said:
Our trip to New Zealand was incredible. We did just one flight, out of Wanaka on the South Island. “Learn to Fly” was unavailable through the holiday season, but another at the Wanaka airport worked out perfect. “U Fly Wanaka” had just the ticket with a handful of 180hp 172 and friendly CFIs. My wife and I were able to ride in the back seat while an instructor guided our son through the mountain range, under peaks and over glaciers, a landing in Milford Sound (crazy 270 degree approach procedure!), then around Queenstown, to a grass landing back at Wanaka. The rest of our trip was great too, but this two hour flight with an instructor was the highlight for all three of us and a perfect experience that none of us will ever forget. Highly suggest!

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Beautiful!!!
 
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