Visitors to the Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow practice day on Good Friday are in for a couple of extra treats this Easter.
The United States and Australian Airforces have confirmed they will both be arriving in Wānaka in time to perform their displays on the Friday.
Warbirds Over Wānaka General Manager Ed Taylor says with the big distances to travel, visiting Airforces often only get here in time to perform on the big airshow days. “However, this time both the Americans and the Australians are planning to arrive mid-week so will be able to perform their displays on the Friday which will be an added treat for our Friday visitors.”
The US Airforce is bringing its C-17 Globemaster demo team to Wānaka. This team performs with this huge aircraft at all the world’s major airshows. The RAAF is bringing three Hawk Jets to Wānaka.
While not as big in terms of overall numbers, Friday is still a very important day at the airshow.
“Friday is the day when aviation enthusiasts and other members of the general public can get around all the ground displays, check out the display aircraft being prepared for the airshow and still get to see a majority of the aircraft in the air at some time over the day,” says Ed.
All ground exhibitions plus all the food stalls operate on the Friday. Ed says lots of visitors choose to come on the Friday to check everything out and then return for one or both of the airshow proper days to just sit and enjoy the aerial displays.
Later on the Friday attention turns from Wānaka Airport to the Wānaka lakefront for the ‘Warbirds On the Lake’ event. This free community event is expected to again draw a crowd of many thousands to the Wānaka foreshore to see aircraft in action over the water.
“We have the mighty Catalina Flying Boat leading a flotilla of amphibious aircraft which will all land on the lake. We have a couple of other acts also lined up for this event which kicks off at 4.30pm,” says Ed.
Local community groups will be in the Wānaka Mitre 10 marquee on the lakefront raising money for their groups through various food stalls. Also we’ll have our commentary team, headed by Jim Hickey, down there keeping everyone informed,” says Ed.
