News/Press Releases

A threatening weather forecast was not enough to hold off the Nauti? Girls as they flew into Whitianga.

Around 90 people and 15 planes flew in from around the country for the New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation (NZAWA) Rally, held in Whitianga over Queen's Birthday weekend.

NZAWA president Julie Bubb said the weather managed to hold out long enough for all of the competitions to be contested on the Saturday. Torrential rain delayed the departure of some planes on Monday - extending some attendees holidays as they waited for better weather, Bubb said.

She said the age span of attendees stretched from teenagers to nonagenarian. "The amazing thing about NZAWA is that because we all love flying, age is immaterial so student pilots get a chance to mix and mingle and be nurtured by many commercial pilots."

Highlights across the weekend included the presence of Rhona Fraser, who started NZAWA 58 years ago.

Dee Bond was also awarded an Excellence Award for winning the Air Race Classic in the United States last year - the first time it has ever been won by a woman outside from outside of the US. Bond will contest the event again later this month.

Sarah Mcilroy was awarded a badge for 10,000 hours of flying, although later admitting she had actually managed to reach 15,000 hours.

Bubb said the weather was unable to disrupt the Saturday night function, where many dressed up in line with the nautical theme, or Sunday's presentation dinner.