“The Around New Zealand Air Safari 2010” will start on Tuesday the 23rd March 2010.  Departing from Ardmore, the event will weave its way through New Zealand covering 17 airfields, and finishing on 1st April 2010 at Queenstown just in time for the Easter Weekend and Warbirds Over Wanaka. We’re expecting up to 75 Aircraft to take part in this great adventure with 200-230 entrants. The Air Safari 2010 will have an International flavor with pilots from Australia & England as well as great support from New Zealanders, remember we’re “the world’s greatest travellers”.  
The purpose of this Special event is to assist Flying New Zealand’s nationwide network of Aero Clubs to attract new members. We are confident that we can build considerable public interest that will attract new people into sport and recreational flying and lift the profile of Aero Clubs in the community.   As they wind their way through New Zealand, the Air Safari will be hosted by the local Aero Clubs, the main attraction here is to allow the local districts to showcase their cuisine, tourist attractions and their history.
Joining us for the event and adding to the uniqueness is our Charity Partner Life Flight Trust’s National Air Ambulance Service; they operate two Metroliner Aircraft one based in Auckland and the other in Wellington.  They are aiming to increase the awareness to New Zealanders of the work that is done in saving lives, transporting critically ill patients who require specialist medical care only available in New Zealand’s major centres, over 50% of all transfers are infants and children. We welcome their commitment to the Air Safari and the information that they will share with the Communities as they gather to talk to the Pilots and view the Metroliner Aircraft where possible.
Previous events have been run as an Air Race. This time however the organisers have decided to run this as an Air Safari with Precision Flying & Identification Points along the way. They will be timed based on departure & arrival times and recorded in conjunction with the Event Competition as to their Navigation and times by sector- Pilots if successful (with the least amount of penalties) will be rewarded at the Prize Giving.  The Pilots are from all walks of life from the retired to the new pilot to the commercial agricultural & airline pilots and of course their passengers, are all enthusiastic friends family & fellow aviators!
The success of this event is dependant not only on the response from enthusiastic aviators wanting to share the adventure of the Air Safari but also the Aero Clubs and their local support organisations such as the District Councils and Tourism Groups, and Sponsors who all contribute to the success of this Event.
Please check out www.eventfinder.co.nz for all information on the Around New Zealand Air Safari 2010, this outlines the Route to be flown and where the Safari will be hosted for lunch, dinner and the overnight stays.