ATC National Gliding Camp
With the hope of fine weather, and dreams of soaring the skies, twenty Air Training Corps cadets flocked to the metropolis of Waipukurau for a week-long Gliding Camp.
Members of the National Gliding Camp for the Air Training Corps. OH-08-0048-15-tn.jpg.
Travelling from as far as Gore and Auckland, cadets received instruction on the ground before taking to the skies under the guidance of volunteer instructors.
With rained-out camps being the norm for the past few years, fingers were crossed as the camp commenced. Luckily for us, but not for the farmers, a drought ensued and flying continued uninterrupted for the entire week. 157 sorties were conducted over the week, with cadets’ personal experiences ranging from ‘I’ve never even seen or touched one’ through to ‘I’m sure I’m nearly solo’, and indeed for one cadet – ‘Guess what, I soloed!’
With catering and medical support on hand by the NZ Army and the RNZAF and behind-the-scenes help from Air Force Camp Pack Up and MT the camp was conducted without a hitch.
Cdt SGT Liam McNamara prepares for his flight.
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For many students this was their first opportunity to travel to the North Island, and down-time ensured that they were taken through to Napier for a spot of sightseeing – including the famous Te Mata peak. A few worried looks when we mentioned gliding off it - followed by looks of relief when this was clarified as hang gliding.
Assisted by the gliding clubs from Central Hawke’s Bay (Waipukurau), Hawke’s Bay, and Manawatu-Wanganui this course was a resounding success. The time and effort put in by the volunteers – both pilots and instructors were invaluable and ensured another generation of aviators has reached the skies.