Air Safari to land at Timaru this month

South Canterbury skies will thunder to the sound of 60 aircraft when they visit Timaru later this month.

A variety of flying machines will land at Timaru Airport on March 29 in an event being held to promote recreational and sports flying.

Organised by Flying New Zealand, the event, called Air Safari, will involve aero clubs from around New Zealand. The safari leaves Auckland on March 23 and will stop at 17 airfields across the country, finishing in Queenstown on April 1 in time for Warbirds Over Wanaka.

The pilots' navigational skills will be challenged as they complete tests during the course of the safari.

Air Safari event director John McLean said the Timaru visit was an opportunity for people to meet the pilots, check out the aircraft and discover the adventure of flying.

"There will be a huge range of flying machines on display, from the latest European gyrocopters to a World War II flying boat."

The 60 aircraft would make a "staggered departure" at the end of the day, taking off at short intervals, he said.

The event is also a fundraiser for the Life Flight Trust, which runs a national air ambulance service, flying more than 1000 people around the country each year for urgent medical care.

The aircraft will be on display at Timaru Airport between 3pm and 6pm on March 29.

- © Fairfax NZ News