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History Hangar

Wellington Aero Club brought 2 Waco aircraft during the 1930s. Buying aircraft from the USA was a controversial decision at the time and most previous purchased aircraft had been British made. The Waco was chosen because it was particularly suitable to be used as an air ambulance and much more suitable than the Puss Moth previously used by the aero club....

Net Carbon Zero

We are delighted to announce that Wellington Aero Club is now a certified Zero Carbon Business Operation in partnership with Ekos.We have measured and offset the scope 1, 2 and 3 CO2 emissions of our business operations for the year measurement period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. This includes all flying activities at the club — our flying is now certified net carbon zero!These certified carbon credits are sourced from projects that grow and protect forests in Aotearoa and the Pacific Island...

🟠 Flying at WAC during Covid-19 — Orange

To continue our duty of care in flight operations and all activities run by the Wellington Aero Club, we are observing the Covid-19 ‘traffic light’ system as developed by the New Zealand Government and as outlined by the CAA.  From 23:59 on the 13th of April New Zealand has moved to “Life at Orange”.At Orange, there will be community transmission of COVID-19, with increasing risks to vulnerable communities, and pressure on the health system.  The following information...

History Hanger

New Zealanders have taken flying granted for a long time. Even in Wellington’s notoriously windy conditions, and the adventure that turbulence evokes in the minds of some, most of us don't give much of a second thought to getting on a flight to visit colleagues, friends and family around the country.Wellington Aero Club has had a long association with the Rongotai Airport. Our membership, visiting aviators and student pilots are proud to be part of this considerable history that tells the stor...

Flying at WAC during Covid-19

To continue our duty of care in flight operations and all activities run by the Wellington Aero Club, we are observing the Covid-19 ‘traffic light’ system as developed by the New Zealand Government and as outlined by the CAA.  We ask all members, visitors and users of our Club’s facilities and the hangar to be vaccinated to ensure that everyone — our flight instructors, club members and visitors are as safe as possible as they continue to guide the Club’s safe operations....

Vaccination flight to Tairāwhiti

A number of Wellington Aero Club members and six light aircraft were recently involved in an initiative to increase vaccination rates around Tairāwhiti (the East Cape area) north of Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa—GisborneThe idea, conceived by Wellington Aero Club member Mahanga Muru and former WAC President Chris Hoffman, involved flying into some of the more isolated areas of Aotearoa–New Zealand. Each aircraft bore the names of Māori Battalion soldiers originally from the region, to pay respect to...

Cook Strait regional flying competition

The Flying NZ Cook Strait regional flying competitions took place, 5-7 November, at Wanganui Airport.  Despite some gnarly weather on the Friday afternoon, with a decent crosswind making practice flights a little interesting, we were lucky to have a much better day on the Saturday.Our hosts, Wanganui Aero Club, put on a fantastic event including an awards dinner at a phenomenal location with its very own replica Spitfire!  New pilots at the Wellington Aero Club always en...

WAC at Covid-19 Alert-Level 2

It’s with some relief to find ourselves (and most of the country) back in the New Zealand Government’s Covid-19 Alert Level 2. Kia kaha to those in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland who remain in Alert Level 4!  As outlined by the CAA’s guidelines for operations during the Alert Levels, this means that Wellington Aero Club finds itself in the fortunate situation where we can return to flight status and training can resume under the following conditions for pilots, passengers and visitors...

Hastings Dawn Raid — Fly-In Report

The view from PA-38 ZK-WAC as we passed just to the North of Masteron, en-route to Hastings, with PA-28 ZK-KAT in the distance. Photo: Ady Foot...

Service to aviation and hard-work pay off

Andrew Sims, our fearless Chief Flight Instructor, needs no introduction. As many of you will know, Simsy is extremely passionate about getting youngsters into aviation. He has been a key part of the success of the annual Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and the Young Eagles programme, dedicating a large amount of time and energy to ensure their success and impart his huge amount of experience and wisdom onto the next generation of aviators. At the Flying NZ annual dinner on Saturday 17 J...

Facebook Giveaway - Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions for Wellington Aero Club Facebook giveaway, starting 7pm 15/03/2018, ending 12pm 30/03/2018. Prize will be drawn 5pm on the 30/03/2018. The winner will be notified via Facebook messenger and announced on the Wellington Aero Club Facebook page no later than 7pm on the 31/03/2018.  This giveaway consists of a 40 minute trial flight and 30 minute pre-flight briefing for the winner and 'ride-along' for the nominated (Facebook tagged) passenger.  The entry must con...

Club Newsletter - Jan 2018

January 2018 - WAC Newsletter Hello Members! Happy New Year to one and all! DEALS DEALS DEALS!!! Deal #1 - FREE use of the Sim in Feb!As many of you will already know WAC have a fully certified IFR simulator, operated under Part 141. During February you can use this simulator for FREE!, all you pay for is the instructor's time.  So give the club a call and get yourself booked in for February! Click here for more details on the Sim Deal #2 - Discounted Headsets The club have arranged a...

Regional Comps in Hastings

Every year Flying NZ hold regional competitions around the country.  In recent years Wellington Aero Club hasn't had too much of a presence at these, but we are making a come-back.  This year, thanks to enthusiastic members we put together a team of 12 members and 4 instructors.  It was Hawkes Bay's turn to host the comps so what better excuse to head up to the North Island Wine Country for some flying (unfortunately there was not enough time to dabble in any wine tastings at the ...

2017 President's Report

Unsurprisingly, weather and flying hours go hand in hand, and with the weather that we have experienced over the last 12 months it’s no wonder that the last year has been a challenging one.  We have consistently seen some pretty poor days and summer decided not to show up at all! However, it’s not all doom and gloom, we continue to have a good core group of students coming through and an engaged membership which is positive for the flying hours, club membership and moral.  What’s...

Strip Flying

Flying into Port Gore Some of our members have been taking advantage of the great weather in Wellington over the last month, check out the footage of some circuits at Port Gore in the Marlborough Sounds! If you're keen to try this out talk to one of our instructors to arrange a flight! The photos below are courtesy of Rodney Maas....

Update from your Exec

Summer is officially here and it's off to a great start! Unfortunately the spring weather was not kind to us, but that's all in the past, so here's hoping the summer weather we have been treated to over the last few days sticks around and gives us some beautiful flying days. In saying that we haven't been completely idle, while we haven't been flying, we have been partying up a storm at the Annual Prizegiving and Christmas party which was held a couple of weeks back. We had a fantastic turnout ...

Cook Strait Competition Results

Huge congratulations and thank you to all of our members who competed and attended the recent Cook Strait Regional Aero Club competitions. We had members entered in a number of events with some great results; Lawrence Field – 1 st, Wigram Challenge Cup (Senior Landing) Xingtao Liu – 2 nd, Wigram Challenge Cup (Junior Landing) Matthew Buckland – 3 rd, Jean Batten Memorial Trophy (Pre-Flight, Precision Circuits & Landings) Rhys Brown – 3 rd, G M Spence Trophy (Precision FLWOP)...

Outsmarting the weather

Rochelle Fleming, instructor and forecaster joined us on Wednesday night to share some of her knowledge of weather and flying out of Wellington. Rochelle is moving to Taranaki with her family, after being involved with the Club for about 15 years. We wish you all the best Rochelle!...

Aero Club Competitions

Good afternoon members, I thought I would write a short spiel to help demystify what Aero Club competitions are all about, as well as educate myself as I have never been involved in them either. From the outside I know they seem a bit scary, lots of people all gathered at a small aerodrome watching your every move, as they see if you can land precisely on the magic spot in hopes of glory and shiny trophies but there is also the social side. Where like-minded aviation enthusiasts come toget...

President's Patter

Spring is here, and while the daffodils have come to the party, it seems the weather hasn't! It's no surprise really as spring is notorious for its changeable weather. In saying that we can still be treated with some crackers so be sure to take advantage of these and get some flying in. The first Exec meeting following the AGM was held in late August. This year we welcome three new members - Tony Lloyd, Jared Remington and Peter MacLeod. It's great to have new people on board who bring with the...

Simsy's Summary

Hello members, We've have a pretty rough run with weather recently and although it's the norm for flying to taper off a bit this time of year, we've still managed to keep ourselves busy. Those of you who have been in recently would have noticed the club rooms taking a transformation into something much more presentable, and sometimes unpresentable as construction work takes place! It's amazing what a lick of paint can do to these old buildings and the lads have put in an impressive job worki...

AGM Summary & your new Executive

Hello members Well that's another AGM done and dusted! Thanks to Andrew Braddick for running it as seamlessly as always. I'm looking forward to the taking the helm as your Club President for the coming year and working with the committee and membership to make this year another successful one. I'm pleased to introduce your Executive Committee for 2016/2017: President: Amy Dreverman President Elect: Malcolm Goddard Past President: Simon Holdsworth Club Captain: Jared Remington General com...

President's Update

Hello fellow club members, This is a quick note from your committee to let you know what's going on in the club and to remind you of upcoming events. First off, you would have seen the notice for the AGM which will be held on the 27th July at the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club from 18:30 for a 19:30 start. It's a great opportunity for everyone to get together, ask questions and help set the future direction of the club with your feedback and involvement. We are also pretty happy with ...

Notice of the 87th Annual General Meeting: July 27, 2016

The 87th Annual General Meeting of the Wellington Aero Club will be held on Wednesday 27 July 2016....

Just Culture and Safety Management System

One of the first things we learn in our pilot training is risk assessment using the IMSAFE list, and as instructors, we try to make it second nature for our students to run through IMSAFE before they come flying. An extension of this is having a policy in place to manage safety, and this document is ours....