Sky's the limit for newbies

TAKE FLIGHT: Peter Bjarnesen wants to see more locals involved with aviation in Rotorua. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Rotorua Aero Club is giving locals the chance to get their wings.

Tomorrow, locals will have the opportunity to take flight with lessons from Whakatane's Aero Hire, at the Rotorua Airport.

Rotorua Aero Club president Peter Bjarnesen approached Aero Hire to work in partnership to offer lessons.

He said he hoped the lessons would get more locals involved with the club.

"It's just to get more people interested in flying.

"Over the last few years there had been a lot of issues with Rotorua airplanes and Aero Club, and aviation in general, so what we are trying to do is get the interest going again, and the Aero Hire company has been really good.

"The whole aviation industry is changing and it's becoming a bit more user-friendly."

He said the club would like to be able to buy their own planes for lessons.

"These flying lessons are a way for us to support Rotorua aviation and also Rotorua Airport. Our goal is to create enough interest in flying that the Rotorua Aero Club could purchase their own planes for lessons.

"The Aero Club hasn't had instructors available for quite a few years and it's great to venture on this journey with Whakatane's Aero Hire. Peter Rutledge is a professional flight instructor and he will be bringing a few planes over to Rotorua on a monthly basis."

Rotorua Airport chief executive Nicole Brewer was looking forward to seeing locals develop their passion for aviation.

"It's great to see the airport being used in this way."

-Learn to fly lessons will run from 10am to 2pm, one Sunday per month, from tomorrow. For more information, visit www.sportsground.co.nz/rotoaero.

A trial introduction flight starts at $140 with about 20 minutes in the air.