Wings Over Wairarapa [Wings] takes flight today, with about 5000 school students being the first to get their feet on the ground at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton before the gates open to the general public at midday.
25,000 people are expected to attend over the three days that the aerial extravaganza runs.
Today will be a practice day and will give the students and public the opportunity to be some of the first to see what is arriving at the aerodrome for the weekend.
MetService predicts showers this morning with some heavier in the afternoon before easing in the evening, with southerly winds.
Wings general manager Carla Steed confirmed that the changeable weather is providing extra work for
the team on the ground.
“The board and management team has been reviewing the weather forecast in detail,” she said.
No changes had been made to the programme at the time of print.
“Our airside manager has been hard at work, crunching the numbers and liaising with aviation professionals,” Steed said.
“Updates will be made via our Facebook page and website for announcements.”
Steed said although pre-sales have been tracking well, tickets can still be purchased online at wings.org.nz and gate sales will also be available at Hood Aerodrome.
Wings had originally been scheduled for February this year but the previous flight plan had to be abandoned when Cyclone Gabrielle tore through town, causing an upset for avid aviation fans.
The biannual event will be held again in 2025, but Steed said it is too soon to comment on a date or plans for the next instalment.
