Scenic flights, Sth Island NZ
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Scenic flights, Sth Island NZ
G'day all
Off to NZ to do the campervan holiday thing around the South Island in about 3 weeks, just looking for suggestions for a scenic flight while we are there. The Mt Cook skiplane flight immeadiately jumps to mind, but I thought there might be something I've missed, something not readily accessible on the interweb. It'll be me plus the wife, plus a two & four year old.
On a previous trip to the States (Colorado) we hired an a/c with an instructor through a flying club and it was an excellent way of having a look around (plus it was interesting to fly at some pretty serious density altitudes) - wondering if there are any similar options in NZ.
Any (constructive) advice would be greatly appreciated. PM me if you'd prefer.
PK
Off to NZ to do the campervan holiday thing around the South Island in about 3 weeks, just looking for suggestions for a scenic flight while we are there. The Mt Cook skiplane flight immeadiately jumps to mind, but I thought there might be something I've missed, something not readily accessible on the interweb. It'll be me plus the wife, plus a two & four year old.
On a previous trip to the States (Colorado) we hired an a/c with an instructor through a flying club and it was an excellent way of having a look around (plus it was interesting to fly at some pretty serious density altitudes) - wondering if there are any similar options in NZ.
Any (constructive) advice would be greatly appreciated. PM me if you'd prefer.
PK
Hi,
Ski Planes are fantastic and a once in a lifetime event but are very expensive for what you get. They are slowly disappearing and who knows what the future of them will be? but nothing beats shutting that engine down and standing on top of the Tasman Glacier!!!
The flights from Queenstown to Milford sound are far better value for money in what you see. Hugely weather dependent.
Many operators in Queenstown and it'll end up in an argument on who to recommend?
and also many Different options? Just a scenic flight or a cruise as well?
If you've the money? Do both, Mt Cook and Milford!
Ski Planes are fantastic and a once in a lifetime event but are very expensive for what you get. They are slowly disappearing and who knows what the future of them will be? but nothing beats shutting that engine down and standing on top of the Tasman Glacier!!!
The flights from Queenstown to Milford sound are far better value for money in what you see. Hugely weather dependent.
Many operators in Queenstown and it'll end up in an argument on who to recommend?
and also many Different options? Just a scenic flight or a cruise as well?
If you've the money? Do both, Mt Cook and Milford!
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but nothing beats shutting that engine down and standing on top of the Tasman Glacier!!!
If you've the money? Do both, Mt Cook and Milford!
Last edited by Plow King; 25th Apr 2011 at 12:39. Reason: Can't spell incorporate, oh hang on, yes I can
The Mt Cook Ski Plane experience is fantastic - yes not cheap but again I guess you have to understand that their operation is hugely weather dependant and they can be grounded for days on end, all whilst still having to pay their staff.
I was hugely impressed with their operation, the pilot I had on the day just loved what he does and loved having another pilot upfront to show how it's all done. The PC6 is an amazing piece of kit - they had a C185 flight leaving when I left and they were more than happy when I requested to wait for the next PC6 trip.
Landing up the glacier with the VSI pegged on about 700 fpm and taking off down the hill with 700 fpm was amazing - seriously one of the best aviation experiences of my life. The pilot commented that a HUGE amount of the pax were infact airline pilots who just loved the experience.
If you want a self fly experience, try the Aeroclub in Queenstown where you can take the 172 to Milford Sound and fly it yourself, but it's again hugely weather dependant. Beautiful country - definately give the PC6 a ride - my other half doesn't even like lighties and she loved it.
I was hugely impressed with their operation, the pilot I had on the day just loved what he does and loved having another pilot upfront to show how it's all done. The PC6 is an amazing piece of kit - they had a C185 flight leaving when I left and they were more than happy when I requested to wait for the next PC6 trip.
Landing up the glacier with the VSI pegged on about 700 fpm and taking off down the hill with 700 fpm was amazing - seriously one of the best aviation experiences of my life. The pilot commented that a HUGE amount of the pax were infact airline pilots who just loved the experience.
If you want a self fly experience, try the Aeroclub in Queenstown where you can take the 172 to Milford Sound and fly it yourself, but it's again hugely weather dependant. Beautiful country - definately give the PC6 a ride - my other half doesn't even like lighties and she loved it.
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Abel Tasman National Park
If you're going through the Nelson region hire an aircraft from either Nelson or Motueka and take a flight up the Abel Tasman National Park. If you can, land at Awaroa inlet and have a coffee at the lodge there.
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+1 on Dodgy Boy. If it were me, I'd stay at the lodge and fly back out the next day.
Or you could go whale watching out of Kaikoura. Not sure when the season is.
Or you could go whale watching out of Kaikoura. Not sure when the season is.
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Air milford
PK,
I would recommend Hank at Air Milford in Queenstown. He is a great bloke and his flights over to Milford, through the Alps, are spectacular. He operates Caravans and if you are really lucky one of the nicest C185's I have seen.
Groggy
I would recommend Hank at Air Milford in Queenstown. He is a great bloke and his flights over to Milford, through the Alps, are spectacular. He operates Caravans and if you are really lucky one of the nicest C185's I have seen.
Groggy
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I lived in Twizel and have been on Mt Cook Skiplanes several times. I have also flown to pretty much every corner of the South Island during the course of my work and hands down, Skiplanes is the best trip you will ever do. I would go up there every day if I could. Flying over the top just doesnt cut it. Yes its expensive, but its worth twice what it costs, and its something you cant do anywhere else in the country, and probably the Southern Hemisphere. Coming into a good time of year to go too, should have been a few little skiffs of new snow by now.
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Thankyou very much everyone for your advice. There are some very good options there - I think the biggest issue is narrowing it down! Skiplane is definitely on the agenda now, but I'm sure we'll be passing through most airports to see what is going on (yes, aviation tragic) so who knows where it'll lead. A hire and fly out of Nelson might be just the ticket when I'm looking for a bit of respite from the kids at the end of the trip.
If any Prooners see a family with a couple of little girls in a Kea van in the second half of May, come and say G'day.
PK
If any Prooners see a family with a couple of little girls in a Kea van in the second half of May, come and say G'day.
PK
Yes you can
To answer your question about flying the way you did in Colorado, the answer is yes.
Go to the Wakatipu Aero Club in Queenstown.
You'll be able to enjoy the stunning scenery and get some mountain flying training at the same time.
Go to the Wakatipu Aero Club in Queenstown.
You'll be able to enjoy the stunning scenery and get some mountain flying training at the same time.
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On Track, that was just what I was looking for. If the flying there is half as good as the photos on their web page it will be excellent. As soon as we have a rough timetable I'll give them a call. Looks like the holiday just got extended for a couple of days.
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+1 to Hank at Air Milford if you decide to go down that way. He's a good bloke, period.
In fact I recommend you do, if you strike the weather right, trip of a lifetime.
Air wakitipu good option if you wanna try self fly, but someones gonna miss out in a 172.
Bon voyage!
In fact I recommend you do, if you strike the weather right, trip of a lifetime.
Air wakitipu good option if you wanna try self fly, but someones gonna miss out in a 172.
Bon voyage!
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...but someones gonna miss out in a 172...
Alternatively, there are operators just over the hill in Wanaka with 206's also. Having been based in both places at times, my preference solely from an experience/scenery point-of-view would definitely be Wanaka. You'll see everything the QN flights see and quite a bit more for the same money.
PK -the pictures on the website miserably fail to do it justice.
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Don't listen to konev he doesnt know what he's talkin about. 
The aeroclub will give you a great trip especially if you want to fly yourself - only a 50% chance of getting good weather though.
cheers
The aeroclub will give you a great trip especially if you want to fly yourself - only a 50% chance of getting good weather though.
cheers
