Flights enjoyed by caravaneers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 674, 18 February 1997, Page 7

Flights enjoyed by caravaneers

Among the many events around the Waimarino last weekend was a visit from some 60 New Zealand Mobile Car§>wn Association (NZMCA) members and their families who assembled together, in perfect weather, at Ward' s airstrip in Valley Road as part of their North Island Safari Rally. Custom-made caravans, converted buses, mobile homes and house trucks of all shapes and sizes gathered around the Ruapehu Gliding Club rooms where NZMCA members and their families were able to take advantage of the fine weather to experience the joy and thrills of flight - many for the first time - in the Ruapehu Gliding Club's glider or Hira Parata's microlite-aircraft. There was no shortage of takers for these flights with children as young as six opting for the microlite flights and adults of indefinable age opting for either or both. The NZMCA has about 5,000-6,000 active members throughout the country and many of those who spent the weekend at Raetihi, are heading down to participate in a national rally in Christchurch on Easter weekend. At these rallies they meet up with friends and fellow travellers to exchange news and information about caravan sites and facilities both here in New Zealand and overseas ... among those who camped at Ward's airstrip over the weekend were a couple from the United Kingdom and another from Switzerland. Between now and Easter this group of NZMCA members will hold several rallies in the lower half of the North Island, including Marton and Masterton, before crossing Cook Strait at the end of next month.