IT ALL started five years ago when Wayne Richmond of Midhirst took several lengths of flexible metal tubing and carefully twisted each piece into shape using a wooden jig set out on the floor of his farm garage.
Last Monday, Sierra November Whiskey (SNW), a Monett Sonerai designed microlight, took to the air for it's first flight, with Wayne at the controls.
The sleek fuselage, painted Ferrari red racing colours, is in striking contrast to the chequered black and white wings and rudder.
The cowling, housing the 85 horsepower engine, is painted to attract attention&bright; red and orange curved shapes outlined in white.
It is, after all, a machine designed to catch the eye at air shows and stressed to perform stomach-churning twists and turns in pylon racing.
However, SNW is not designed solely for stunt flying, with a cruising speed of 130 knots, it can easily fly from Stratford to Dunedin non-stop with fuel to spare.
There's sufficient room for minimal baggage at the rear.
The pilot is seated with the passenger in front, both encased in a high-tech plastic canopy, one of the few parts, except for the engine itself, which Wayne was not able to make himself.
Son, Shaun, a professional auto painter, designed the distinctive colour scheme. Both he and brother Carl, in their twenties, are qualified microlight pilots, so from now on it's just a matter of asking, "Can I have the keys to the plane Dad?"
The Stratford Aero Club, with Wayne as club president and chief flying instructor, is now home to 20 aircraft, most of which are privately owned.
The best time to see the club in action is during the weekends or late in the day when members are likely to head out to the grass airstrip to make the most of a calm summer evening.
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