AVIATION EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a scenic flight of the beautiful Bay of Plenty in a helicopter ride with Aerius Helicopters. Choose from a short flight around the coastal areas, or opt for tours like the Magic Maketu Xperience, where you cruise above kiwifruit orchards and the coastline near the historic area of Maketu. There’s also the Motiti Island Xperience, which takes you over the deep blue sea to Motiti Island, searching for dolphins and sea lions along the way. The Motiti Xplorer adds on a private picnic lunch on a secluded beach on Motiti Island, complete with a complimentary bottle of wine.
Duration: Allow 1-3 hours
Kiwi Kopters offers a scenic flight that’s also a blast from the past. The M*A*S*H chopper experience offers a spectacular, unrestricted 180-degree panoramic view of the region from the 'big bubble' cabin. The M*A*S*H chopper is a Korean War era 'Warbird' Bell 47 helicopter that was on the famous TV show. Available flights include a local scenic flight, or specialist flight packages can be arranged.
The helicopter is based at a specially designed M*A*S*H camp beside the Kiwi Kopters hangar that serves as a public viewing area. The camp is still being pieced together and will eventually feature army tents, rock gardens, 44-gallon drum fences, ambulances, jeeps and signage as seen on the famous TV show.
Duration: Allow 1 hour.
Learn all about New Zealand’s aviation history with a visit to the unique Classic Flyers museum, which features a large display of classic aircraft with an emphasis on New Zealand aviation. The working museum is full of a range of colourful planes, most of which were used during World War II. Most are still flown, and you can even go for a scenic flight in many of them.
Other items on display in the museum include aircraft engines, field artillery, cannons and machine guns, and World War II vehicles. Visitors can also enjoy peering at historic aircraft parts, helmets and flight attire as well as large photographic displays.
If you don’t fancy actually getting up in the air, the next best thing is a “ride” with Flight Experience. This flight simulator is so realistic it really does make you feel like you are a pilot.
During your ‘flight’, an instructor guides you through all the aspects of flying. Some options let you choose your departure airport or destination from airports all around the world. Our planet is home to 22,000 airports, all of which you are able to choose from on your flight.
All along the “pilot” controls the plane’s movement, direction, altitude – just like a proper pilot. You can also pull levers and check the controls to see how high you are ‘flying.’
Duration: Allow 1 hour.
