The Omarama Area Familiarisation Course

Flying in the Omarama environment can be challenging with wild and volatile weather and high mountains. In good conditions local soaring within the Basin is straight forward but in difficult conditions the hardest and most frustrating part of the flight can be getting away from the local area. We strongly recommend visiting pilots invest some time and money in learning how the local soairng envirionment works, the typical soaring routes and the landout options. This will enable even the most experiecend visitor to to be safe, succesful and have more fun.

We reccommend Pilots on their first visit to Omarama take a five day Mountain Soaring Course.

However for pilots who want a shorter introduction to the area we offer the Omarama Area Familiarisation Course. Depending on a pilots experience one of these two courses is a prerequisite to flying solo in the area.

The Omarama Area Familiarisation Course can be done in a single day but we suggest you allow two days to get the best weather and to enjoy additional soaring. Bookings for this course are normally accepted over the weekends and at other times by arrangment.

GlideOmarama Area Familiarisation Course

Course Fee: NZ$790 includes:

a Visiting Pilots Guide, Omarama map and Land Out Book
ground briefing on local procedures, the airfield, airspace, land outs and general conditions
a local airstrip inspection by tow plane.
a check ride for BFR, licence renewal or foreign pilots licence validation
paperwork and fees for foreign pilots licence validation if required
2 hours of familiarisation gliding in a Duo Discus or Grob 103.

Extras and Refunds

aero tows are not included - allow for two
accommodation not included
additional flying can be arranged at NZ$130 per hour in a Grob or NZ$220 per hour in a Duo
refund for any flying not achieved at $130 per hour
GNZ affiliated Club membership fees, required for solo flying are not included.