Te Aroha (winch field)
Location:
10.5 km NW of Te Aroha, 160 Endowment Road. Park your car on the left side of the road in this picture (wait for it to load, it's streetview) and then walk to the field (before the house turn left through the hedge, at the green arrow on this map).
The trip to the field takes 1h30m from both Auckland and Tauranga. If you are coming from Auckland it's best to take the Ohinewai exit from the SH1 (to avoid busy & slow traffic on the SH2). I know Google Maps Directions show 1h58m when taking this road, but it takes me exactly 1h30m towing the winch at 90 km/h from my house in Ellerslie. If you come from Tauranga I suppose it's best to take the SH29 over the Kamais and avoid the SH2 through the gorge.
Landing:
Landing zone is determined on the day and depends on wind direction, but usually behind or next to the launch area. In case of cross wind always on the upwind side of the launch area.
Access Conditions:
Always call or email Mike Verhagen to see if it's being operated that day: mike<at>acromania<dot>nl or 021 1046 208. Operation can be on any day if there are enough people keen.
Cautions:
Please read the attached Kiwi Airlift Pilot Information document. It contains a pilot briefing and other important information. You will be briefed again on the day, but it's in your own interest to read and understand it before you come to the field!
If you haven't done already please print, sign, scan and email back the attached Waiver of Liability, or bring it with you on the day (but I prefer you scan and email it to me).
At the moment only PG2 (or more) certified pilots can fly and a reserve is mandatory, but everybody that fits that profile is welcome.
Rates:
Price per tow: 7 NZD
Radio usage per day: 4 NZD
Release usage per day: 1 NZD
Land usage per day: 5 NZD (This goes straight to the land owners).
Examples:
You make 5 flights using one of our radios and one of our releases, so you pay: 5x7 + 4 + 1 + 5 = 45 NZD
You make 5 flights using your own radio and release, so you pay: 5x7 + 5 = 40 NZD
These rates are subject to change. I'll have to see if these rates cover cost. I may change it to become a club membership or something.
Other Information:
If you bring your own release it has to be signed off by me as being safe to use. First timers have to use one of our radio's the first couple of flights (because we know they work properly and are loud enough for you to hear throughout the tow). You can buy a release from me as soon as I get a batch made up. Cost will be around 75 NZD.
Tow height depends on wind strength and direction (and the pilot's capability to stay on course). A single tow on the 830 meter Te Aroha field will get you between 500ft (~150m) and 2000ft (~600m). In the near future we'll be able to do step-towing up to 3500ft (1000m). After release you are free to thermal up to 6500 ft (see below).
Airspace:
Class D TM airspace above 6500 ft. Great xc potential! Very close (3 km) to Kamais range, and unlimited flatland xc possibilities.
Going xc will require you to use your own radio and release (otherwise we are left with nothing on the field).
Site Monitor:
Mike Verhagen 021 1046 208
Site Achievements:
Current site record 31.4 km flown by Alex Behse (first tow), on 8 August 2009 @ 12:24 (that is official winter!), closely followed by Xen Zambas with 28.1 km on the same day.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Kiwi Airlift Pilot Information.pdf | 205.5 KB |
| Kiwi Airlift Acromania Ltd - Waiver of Liability.pdf | 41.56 KB |