WINGS TO WOO CROWDS THIS SPRING WITH AIR FESTIVAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Wings Over Wairarapa is set to draw in the crowds in November with the biennial show delivering one of the largest displays of aircraft in New Zealand. The air festival returns following the postponement of the event in February due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Tickets are on sale now for the aircraft extravaganza, held at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton from November 24 – 26th 2023.
The Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival is regarded as one of the best air shows in the country due to exhilarating flying in the skies and exciting displays on the ground.
The flight programme includes an impressive lineup including the Goodyear FG-1D Corsair making its first air festival appearance in six years, the Corsair is considered the premier Navy and Marine fighter of World War II.
Other aircraft highlights include the Avro Anson MK 1 which is the only flying Anson in the world and was designed as a maritime reconnaissance bomber, it was one of the RAF’s most important types when WWII began.
Crowd favorite the Strikemaster will return, the ex-RNZAF BAC 167 was used for the advanced phase of pilot training on the Wings Course. The British training and light attack aircraft which the RNZAF operated from 1972 as a lead in trainer for the A4 Skyhawks.
Alongside these will be the Royal New Zealand Airforce, showcasing the new P-8A Poseidon in action for the first time, as well as the Black Falcons aero display.
New Zealand’s former Defence Minister Ron Mark, who has been appointed as Board Chair for Wings Over Wairarapa, is thrilled that they can still deliver an exciting programme in 2023.
“Organising Wings 2023 has been challenging. The loss of a day’s flying at Wings ‘21 from the snap lock down, reduced the funding available for Wings ‘23. Just when we were ready to launch in February cyclone Gabriel hit. The decision to postpone till November was not an easy one to make and putting the Air Festival on in November and running our highly successful STEM program Take Flight at the time of year has generated further change to the festival.”
“We are still aiming to make Wings Over Wairarapa the premier air show in New Zealand and as part of that we are looking to highlight how varied and exciting the aviation industry is and of course leave a legacy for our next generation.”
Wings General Manager Carla Steed, says the wait will be worth it for festival attendees as the much-anticipated festival returns to the Wellington region.
“The team have worked hard to reschedule and enhance the festival program. Excitement is building as we get closer to the event and whether you are into aircraft or not, Wings is a fun, family day out full of action and is a great reason to bring your friends and family to the Wairarapa,” says Carla.
A new aspect to 2023’s Festival will be an expanded STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) programme called Take Flight. The three-day programme is designed to promote and inspire people to consider flight and aerospace careers. Activities as part of Take Flight will include aircrew maths, rocketry, virtual reality, digital fabrication, and 3D printing, engineering and maintenance, simulation, robotics, circuitry, drones, and other unmanned aircraft. Students will be able to meet aviation experts, engineers, pilots, and technicians to learn about satellite tracking equipment, basic ballistics, body armour, as well as missiles and protection equipment.
The airshow has been widely supported by sponsors which include Masterton District Council, Trust House, Spark Business Hub and Masterton Trust Lands Trust.
For more information or to purchase tickets to Wings Over Wairarapa please visit www.wings.org.nz
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For imagery and interviews please contact: Rebecca Reed 021 205 7718 or rebecca@arribapr.co.nz