Fly-in open day takes off at Domain

 

By Julia Wade

An event never seen before in the skies of Mangawhai was witnessed by a steady stream of more than 300 curious locals and aviation enthusiasts recently.

The grounds of Mangawhai Domain were transformed into a mown airstrip, allowing 16 recreational aircraft, including trikes and gyrocopters, to fly in for the first Mangawhai Domain Wings & Wheels ‘Fly-in’ Open Day, on February 18.

Microlights flew in from as far away as Kerikeri, Hamilton and Tauranga, with pilots performing speedy landings and takeoff maneuvers. ‘Wanda the Witch’, a remote controlled flying gadget designed and created by locals Ross McDonnell and Ngaire Ladd, also took to the skies to the delight of children and adults alike. 

Organised by local man Steve Williams and Northland Microlight Club captain Brian Millett, who has prior experience with Fly-in’s (social gatherings for pilots and crew) the event also included a variety of classic automobiles on show from Wellsford and Warkworth Vintage Car Club. Mangawhai United Soccer Club and a coffee trailer were on hand to supply food and cold drinks throughout the hot day. 

Williams was also the first pilot to land a plane officially at the Domain, after a half hour flight from Dargaville, where he keeps his aircraft. He says he is delighted with the community response to the Fly-in, an idea that came to him over a year ago while he was swinging his young grandson at the Domain’s playground.

“I thought ‘I bet I could land an aeroplane in here’,” he says. “Mark Gash was mowing the lawns at the time and he suggested I talk to the Domain Committee who were very supportive.” 

Secretary Carol Parkes says the committee were in frequent contact with the two pilots since the middle of last year regarding the event.

“From all accounts it was a huge success made possible by the enthusiasm of all parties and the large area of unobstructed green space within the Domain,” she says. “Overall an excellent community use of this facility and we would like to repeat it again in the future.”

 
1: 
A sight never seen before – Mangawhai Domain temporarily converted into a domestic airfield. 
2: 
Fly-in organiser and the first person to ever land an aircraft at the Domain; Steve Williams with his plane ‘CKL’, named after his three grandchildren Cameron, Kylie and Liam. 
3: 
Local lad Kacy Gillon tries out Herman Ahrens’ trike microlight. Herman enjoyed a half hour flight from Whangarei to Mangawhai.
4: 
‘Wanda the Witch’ was named so due to her habit of taking off and not coming back owner Ross McDonnell says. 
6
Classic cars also proved popular attractions including a green 1976 Rover and white1954 Austin Healey.