Hang Gliding in New Zealand by Gayle Ellett
Recently I got to go hang gliding in New Zealand, again! I don't fly para-gliders, because I'm morally opposed to flying any aircraft that you have to steer with your butt! Anyway, while I was in Auckland, meeting with a director about scoring his new big-budget feature film, I contacted my friend Paddy Monro (aquaair@ihug.co.nz).
He's a local instructor there, and long, long time pilot. As he did the year before, he picked me up at my hotel, and drove us to Karioitahi, a great 20 mile long beach site. Karioitahi is located on the west coast of North Island, about an hour away from Auckland.
Paddy had brought his old Moyes Mega, an easy to fly single surface glider. The wind was blowing in at about 20 mph, straight and smooth. The take-off is about 800 feet up the side of some beautiful grassy hills, with wind-blown trees and cattle grazing nearby. After my pre-flight, I was ready to fly. I took a step or two and I was off, zooming up into the sky, soaring high above the ridge, about 1,500 feet above the beach and waves. Fun-City!
The wind was strong enough to allow me to park the glider stationary in the sky. I kept a close eye on the wind, making sure it did not get any stronger. After about an hour, I landed on the beach, near the parking lot. Paddy drove down and helped me pack up the glider. Then he went for a flight on a borrowed LightSpeed he was interested in buying from one of his friends. When he was done, we packed up our wings and headed to a local pub in Waiuku, where they serve my favorite Kiwi beer: Mac's Gold. After a few pints and some chips, we headed back to Auckland, at the end of a glorious day!
So, next time you're in Auckland, look up Paddy Monro. He's a great guy, and really nice and knowledgeable. You can find more information about him at his website: www.gethigh.co.nz.
