Tauranga Aero Club is preparing to take flight. Being the host of the Flying NZ Regionals this November, to prepare the club is hosting a fundraiser this Saturday, September 3.

It is a night of entertainment with Dave Upfold, a South African New Zealand entertainer who focuses on 'comedy, magic and hypnosis”.

The fundraiser is 'extremely important” to the regionals later in the year, according to club captain Mitchell Kiernan.

Aircraft costs are higher than usual at the moment. This is something student pilots, who are already funding their flight training, struggle to afford.

'Combine this with accommodation costs of the national competition, and it certainly adds up.

'Our aim is to fundraise so that every competitor's accommodation is paid for, and if possible to use any additional funds to subsidise the cost of the aircrafts that are needed for practice,” says Mitchell.

'We hope to have around 100 people attend, but the more the better! We can accommodate up to 400 people if we need to.

'The club has also sorted out a liquor licence, and the event is family-friendly.”

Mitchell's favourite event at the upcoming regional competition is the instrument competition.

'We wear a ‘hood' which blocks out the windows, and have to fly a course with our navigation instruments to fly with. The competitions range from landing right through to aerobatics.”

The club is ready to take off again after last season was cancelled due to Covid red light settings.

'Tauranga is one of the strongest aero clubs in the country, taking home more than five national titles in 2021, falling just short behind Canterbury of taking home the North Shore Trophy for the most placings at nationals.

'Keeping the flying competitions going is fundamental in maintaining pilot proficiency and it also provides a great network for newer students to engage with the more experienced pilots. The knowledge these experienced pilots carry and can share with the new and upcoming pilots is extremely valuable.

Mitchell encourages everyone to come along to the fundraiser on Saturday, September 3, at the Tauranga Aero Club, 240 Aerodome Rd, Mount Maunganui. Tickets are $35. For more information, phone the aero club office on 07 575 3210.