Promotion of the district is reaching new heights thanks to a modern new look aircraft at the Mid Canterbury Aero Club.
The club’s Piper Archer II has a new livery in the green and gold colours of the district.
Club president Lyle Williams said the plane’s colours would help identify and promote the club while attending competitions and flying events with other aero clubs.
He said the makeover had been timed for the aircraft’s complete overhaul and the colours matched with those of Mid Canterbury Rugby Union.
Williams said the aircraft was in desperate need of a makeover and now had a new lease on life.
And no sooner had it returned from getting it work done in Dunedin, it was back in the air for a flying lesson.
The Archer II, a 1974 American PA28-181 model, is a four-seater aircraft used for flying training, but also for club members to take family and friends flying.
It has a 180 horsepower engine and a cruising speed of 120knots or 215km/hr, Williams said.
It is the club’s only owned aircraft. However they lease three Piper PA38 Tomahawk two-seaters for one-on-one training.
The club has more than 100 members as well as students ranging in age from age 15 upwards.
Williams said there had been a lot of movement in the aviation industry as airlines sought more people to work in the industry ranging from pilots to flight instructors.
As a result the club sought more students and had learn-to-fly opportunities for those interested, he said.
Services included private pilot licences, commercial pilot licences and mountain flying and aerobatics training.
Members next meet at the Ashburton Airfield, Seafield Rd, for a club day event on Sunday.
