Flightseeing trips

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 27, 3 December 1984, Page 3

Flightseeing trips

For $1 a minute sightseers will be able to view the Ruapehu Region, including Taupo, from the air from January onwards. Buttercup Camp of National Park, are planning 60minute flights over the area which will operate on demand from Wards Airstrip near Raetihi, but may eventually use the National Park airstrip. The plane, a 6-seater Cessna will be equipped with individual headphones playing music and giving detailed commentaries about historical and other interesting facts about the region. "We want to do justice to the area and to get the people involved. We want it

to be more than just sitting in a plane and looking out the window," said Kevin Mills, a pilot who will be operating the scenic flights. The flight route is still being worked out, but planes will likely fly over the Central Plateau hydro schemes, the Tongariro River, the bubbling springs at Ketetahi and the mountains and hills near Taumarunui and Lake Taupo. In keeping with Civil Aviation regulations, the planes won't fly less than five hundred feet above the craters," but this is plenty close enough for people to see" said David. Charter flights should also be available for groups and survey parties. Buttercup is at present running exciting 3-hour rafting trips on the lower Tongariro River. These also get the people really involved, although previous rafting experience is not necessary. Guided walks through National Park and horse riding treks are continuing to operate throughout the summer months.

Rosalind

Donald