Rangitata Island

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rangitata Island is a long lens-shaped island in the delta of the braided Rangitata River in Canterbury, New Zealand, approximately halfway between Timaru and Ashburton, New Zealand. The island is approximately 17 kilometres in length, and is about five kilometres wide at its widest point. Low lying, it is mostly fertile farmland.

One of the country's largest delta islands, it is also the only one crossed by State Highway 1 (at the island's northern end), and the only place where the highway leaves either of the country's two main islands.

Rangiata Island Airfield is located just East of the State Highway 1 bridges, on Brodie Road, just off the Rangitata Island Road. The private field is available for public use and has two vectors. There is some accommodation available on the field (see Moth Manor Cottage below) along with a pilot's shop and refreshment facilities. The field is the home of the Geraldine Flying Group, a bunch of very keen microlight flying and building enthusiasts.

The airfield also houses an impressive and growing collection of older microlight aircraft, as well as assorted aircraft parts, airframes and items of interest.

[edit] External links

• Map from fallingrain.com
• NZ AIP vol 4: NZRI - Rangitata Island Aerodrome
• Moth Manor Cottage
• Geraldine Flying Group
• East Canterbury Aviation Ltd
• Air Gear