Up and away with Air Buttercup

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 36, 26 February 1985, Page 2

Up and away with Air Buttercup

It was up, up and away for Air Buttercup this week, as the new charter company began flightseeing trips out of Ward's Airstrip, near Raetihi. Buttercup Camp of National Park is behind the new 'air-line', which will take up to five passengers on flights around the Ruapehu region in a rtewly-painted Cessna 206. The red and white Cessna, which has yellow buttercups on its tail, is flown by the company's chief pilot, Kevin Mills. Passengers have individual stereo .headphones for listening to detailed commentaries about the region the aircraft is flying over, and also for listening to prerecorded music. There is no fixed flight route for the trips — it is up to the passengers, but the Crater Lake, the Central Plateau hydro schemes, the Tongariro River, the bubbling springs at Ketetahi and the mountains and hills near Taumarunui and Lake Taupo are aH within range. The 'plane can also be chartered by groups of photographers, survey teams or geologists. Claims Kevin, "This is more than just the usual scenic flight trips."

Buttercup Camp has already established a reputation with its exciting rafting runs on the lower Tongariro River and other adventure trips, such as horse riding treks and guided walks.