Dear Friends and Interested Flyers

Hello, and welcome to a brief reflection on the 05 Flyinn season

This summer we enjoyed welcoming the most guests for a Flyinn Season since we began six years ago. It is interesting to watch as each group developes it’s own character - the ingredient for a highly individualised tour. If variety is the spice of life, then the friendly and enthusiastic energy of group dynamics are definitely the ‘spice’ for each Flyinn tour.

Our guests were mainly from the USA and UK, with some from Germany, and a larger group from Hong Kong. We had a very energetic couple who cycled through the mountains to Geordie Hill to join Flyinn. Another couple’s daughter emailed us about their wedding anniversary. The bottle of wine we were asked to organise coincided beautifully with their private cottage dinner night, and the bubbles were well received! Of their tour, this couple wrote: “It’s difficult to believe all you say on the website is true; until you’ve been!”

We have had groups of friends who began their adventure totally comfortable and relaxed with each other, and have a greater collective to share memories with. If this is possible for you – we believe it is the ultimate in maximising the fun and adventure.

In November, journalist Laurel Lippert, and her photographer husband, Tom came from ’Pilot Getaways’ magazine in the USA. Their article is due for release in the July/Aug 05 issue. Thanks to them, and to Tom for these wonderful photographs.

Joining Matt as our Pilot guides this year were an enthusiastic team comprising Jaxon Kirby, who worked full time throughout the season. Jaxon had completed three years training and brought up to date and very current experience which complemented his calm and professional style. Stuart Anderson who worked a previous season with us contributed with his experience, enthusiasm and ever helpful focus. Mike Thomas, a retired farmer with 40 years bush and mountain flying experience added immense depth of knowledge, and hearty high-country humour to our team.

Our guests have enjoyed experiencing the differences in New Zealand aviation. For some it has meant using map reading and visual referencing skills again. Or it can involve learning the skills required to fly safely in the mountains. As Dan Carol (MN, USA) wrote: “The flying was fantastic and the scenery was breathtaking. This trip gave me a whole new perspective on mountain flying”. Guests have felt the excitement of landing on the beach and getting out to enjoy that first exhilarating breath of sea air. And landing in farm paddocks, or in the wheel tracks in long grass, presented other challenges pilots have enjoyed. As Don Trizzino ( 7000 + hrs, CPL Ohio, USA) commented: “It puts the flying back into flying!” And at each stop there is the scenery to take in, enjoy a walk, a welcome packed picnic, or great coffee and food from a nearby café.

At home, Jo has enjoyed adding to her range of culinary delights. This year there has been a need for special diets ranging from vegan vegetarian to
gluten-free. So, the challenges were not just for the pilots! Our guests enjoyed these meals – and at times they were more popular that the ‘regular’ food. However, it remains that our specialities are the meals derived from lamb and beef produced on farm (Geordie Hill). Teamed with locally produced Pinot Gris, or Pinot Noir …. simply fantastic.

The recipe is simple; and our evenings together are where the groups’ character really developes flavour. We relax, relive the highlights of the day, and go on to enjoy many interesting conversations while partaking in the food and wine of the evening.

It is with a real mix of satisfaction, determination, relief and sadness that we close our season: Satisfaction because we believe in what we do, and we do our best to deliver ‘the best’. Determination because there are always areas to improve on, we value comments on these, and are determined to ‘do even better’. Relief, because we can relax. And sadness because we miss you all! Keeping in touch with new friends is not easy in a busy world.

With all this in mind, we are looking forward to our next season with Flyinn. Do check out our website, it has a lot of information that is useful. For those of you who would like to return – watch out for our ‘Fly-back-inn’ tour which is especially for you.

Please contact us with any queries, we are very happy to help. And mostly, keep well, enjoy your flying and we wish you many happy landings.

Sincerely
Jo and Matt McCaughan

www.flyinn.co.nz
E: info@flyinn.co.nz
P: +64 3 445 2852

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