biplane flights scenic flights

Our Ag-Cat biplane takes two passengers and allows you to sit side-by-side with stunning panoramic views. Share the fun!

On all our flights you get to wear a leather flying jacket, leather helmet and flying goggles! Headphones within each helmet allow you to hear a commentary from the pilot.

Leather jackets, flying helmets and goggles are supplied!

Flight Options

Summer 2011/2012 - Pukaki

Red Cat Biplane Flights' base is at Pukaki Airport on the main tourist route between Christchurch and Queenstown. It is just north of Twizel and only a few kilometres south of the turnoff to Aoraki Mount Cook. It is perfectly located to explore some of New Zealand's most outstanding landscapes - many of which were used in the Lord of The Rings movies.

Option 1 - Mackenzie Magic

Our Mackenzie Magic flight packs in a lot! After departing Pukaki Airport, we head up to the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and fly over the Pukaki Visitor Centre. This is New Zealand's most popular location to photograph Aoraki Mount Cook! From there, we follow the Pukaki Canal to the Ohau A Power Station before returning to Pukaki Airport via the Lake Ruataniwha Rowing Course and Twizel township. Flight time is approximately 18 minutes. Allow 30 minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is only $195.00.

The Pukaki Canal and Lake Ruataniwha. Photo: Yann Arthus-Bertrand

The classic view of Aoraki Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki

Approaching the Lake Pukaki Spillway. Photo: Tom Geens

Flying over Lake Ruataniwha - the blue colour is the result of glacial 'flour' in the water.

Option 2 - Three Lakes

Our classic flight! On this 45 minute experience (with a 25 minute flight) you have two options. On the first option you visit Lake Pukaki, Lake Ohau and Lake Ruataniwha, as well as fly over the location of the Lord of The Rings Battle Scene. On our second Three Lakes option you fly over Lake Ruataniwha, Lake Benmore and Lake Pukaki - as well as visit two hydro-electric power stations! Both options give you more time in the air to soak in the incredible views. Price per person is just NZ$295.00.

On both Three Lakes options, we fly at 500 feet above ground level so you get the best view.

Flying toward Lake Ohau on the Three Lakes flight

Spectacular Lake Ohau

Option 3 - Glenmary Glacier

If its a glacier you want to visit, this flight is for you! After departing Pukaki Airport, we head west and cross over the Ben Ohau Range before continuing to the rugged Neumann Range to view the Glenmary Glacier. Flight time is approximately 35 minutes. Allow one hour for whole experience. Price per person is just NZ$395.00.

Looking north to the Glenmary Glacier and Aoraki Mount Cook

The Glenmary Glacier in early spring

Option 4 - The Dambuster

This flight takes you off the beaten track to explore Lake Benmore and New Zealand's largest earth dam! On this one hour ten minute experience (with a 45 minute flight) you get to follow the waters draining from Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki as they make their way to Benmore Dam and the sea. The return trip is via Omarama and the west side of the 6300 foot high Mount Benmore, as well as Lake Ruataniwha. Price per person is NZ$495.00.

Over the Benmore Dam - the largest earth dam in New Zealand.

Option 5 - Wild Wilderness

This is one of the best wilderness flights available in New Zealand. We go where no other scenic flight operator does - the spectacular Ahuriri Conservation Area! Highlights include flying up the beautiful Ahuriri Valley, above the Mt Barth Glacier and returning via the turquoise waters of Lake Ohau. Flight time is 55 minutes. Allow one hour twenty minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is $595.00.

Flying up the spectacular Ahuriri River Valley to Mt Barth

The Mt Barth Glacier with Mt Brewster in the distance.

Option 6 - Alpine Adventure

In our opinion, this is the ultimate New Zealand adventure! New Zealand is renowned as being the "land of adventure" but this flight is as good as it gets. Weather conditions permitting, we fly you to the west face of Mount Cook! To do this, even in summer, you will need warm clothing. We provide leather jackets, helmets and gloves. Flight time return is over one hour. Allow an hour and a half for the whole experience. Price per person is NZ$695.00.

Flying over Mt Cook National Park

The west face of Aoraki Mount Cook. What a view!

Winter 2012 - Ashburton

Ashburton Aerodrome is the perfect place to fly in an open cockpit biplane during the cooler autumn and winter months. During WWII this airfield was alive with RNZAF pilots training in Tiger Moths. Today, it is home to the Ashburton Aviation Museum which houses a fantastic collection of aircraft ranging from biplanes to a Harrier Jump Jet! Combining a visit to the museum with your Aviation Adventures flight is highly recommended! Flights are undertaken when the museum is open on weekends or on other days if demand exists.

Option 1 - Town and Around

Enjoy a flight over the town of Ashburton and Lake Hood! For those living in Ashburton, we suggest bringing your camera so you can photograph your house from the air. This flight provides fantastic views towards the Southern Alps. Flight time is approximately 15 minutes. Allow 30 minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is only $195.00.

The view forward from the passenger compartment looking over the town of Ashburton

Option 2 - Pacific Circuit

Starting from Ashburton Aerodrome, this 25 minute flight takes you out to the Pacific Ocean at a height of 500 feet above the ground. From the coast, the flight continues south to the Ashburton River Mouth before following the meandering river upstream to Lake Hood. The tour concludes with an orbit around the town of Ashburton. Allow 45 mins for the whole experience. Price per person is only $295.00.

Looking back across Lake Hood to the Ashburton River and the Pacific Ocean

The coastal township of Hakatere

Option 3 - Foothills Flight

Our most scenic mid-Canterbury flight! On this flight, you get to choose a destination from the following options: Mt Hutt Skifield, Geraldine, Mt Peel, Rangitata Gorge, Mt Somers, Pudding Hill, Rakaia Gorge or Hororata. Flight time is approximately 50 minutes. Allow one hour 15 minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is only $495.00

Looking south-west to Mt Somers

Mount Hutt Skifield

*All flights are subject to suitable weather conditions

For bookings - Phone
0800 REDCAT (0800 733 228)

	Aviation Adventures offers a unique aviation experience! We are the only company in the South Island operating an open-cockpit biplane that can take two passengers in addition to the pilot! This means you can share the fun and adventure with a family member, friend or partner. To see us on You Tube, please click here! All Black Captain Richie McCaw and his father Don after a flight in the Ag-Cat. Both Richie and Don fly gliders and power aircraft. Our Ag-Cat biplane takes two passengers and allows you to sit side-by-side with stunning panoramic views. Share the fun! On all our flights you get to wear a leather flying jacket, leather helmet and flying goggles! Headphones within each helmet allow you to hear a commentary from the pilot. Leather jackets, flying helmets and goggles are supplied! Flight Options Summer 2011/2012 - Pukaki Red Cat Biplane Flights' base is at Pukaki Airport on the main tourist route between Christchurch and Queenstown. It is just north of Twizel and only a few kilometres south of the turnoff to Aoraki Mount Cook. It is perfectly located to explore some of New Zealand's most outstanding landscapes - many of which were used in the Lord of The Rings movies. Option 1 - Mackenzie Magic Our Mackenzie Magic flight packs in a lot! After departing Pukaki Airport, we head up to the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and fly over the Pukaki Visitor Centre. This is New Zealand's most popular location to photograph Aoraki Mount Cook! From there, we follow the Pukaki Canal to the Ohau A Power Station before returning to Pukaki Airport via the Lake Ruataniwha Rowing Course and Twizel township. Flight time is approximately 18 minutes. Allow 30 minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is only $195.00. The Pukaki Canal and Lake Ruataniwha. Photo: Yann Arthus-Bertrand The classic view of Aoraki Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki Approaching the Lake Pukaki Spillway. Photo: Tom Geens Flying over Lake Ruataniwha - the blue colour is the result of glacial 'flour' in the water. Option 2 - Three Lakes Our classic flight! On this 45 minute experience (with a 25 minute flight) you have two options. On the first option you visit Lake Pukaki, Lake Ohau and Lake Ruataniwha, as well as fly over the location of the Lord of The Rings Battle Scene. On our second Three Lakes option you fly over Lake Ruataniwha, Lake Benmore and Lake Pukaki - as well as visit two hydro-electric power stations! Both options give you more time in the air to soak in the incredible views. Price per person is just NZ$295.00. On both Three Lakes options, we fly at 500 feet above ground level so you get the best view. Flying toward Lake Ohau on the Three Lakes flight Spectacular Lake Ohau Option 3 - Glenmary Glacier If its a glacier you want to visit, this flight is for you! After departing Pukaki Airport, we head west and cross over the Ben Ohau Range before continuing to the rugged Neumann Range to view the Glenmary Glacier. Flight time is approximately 35 minutes. Allow one hour for whole experience. Price per person is just NZ$395.00. Looking north to the Glenmary Glacier and Aoraki Mount Cook The Glenmary Glacier in early spring Option 4 - The Dambuster This flight takes you off the beaten track to explore Lake Benmore and New Zealand's largest earth dam! On this one hour ten minute experience (with a 45 minute flight) you get to follow the waters draining from Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki as they make their way to Benmore Dam and the sea. The return trip is via Omarama and the west side of the 6300 foot high Mount Benmore, as well as Lake Ruataniwha. Price per person is NZ$495.00. Over the Benmore Dam - the largest earth dam in New Zealand. Option 5 - Wild Wilderness This is one of the best wilderness flights available in New Zealand. We go where no other scenic flight operator does - the spectacular Ahuriri Conservation Area! Highlights include flying up the beautiful Ahuriri Valley, above the Mt Barth Glacier and returning via the turquoise waters of Lake Ohau. Flight time is 55 minutes. Allow one hour twenty minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is $595.00. Flying up the spectacular Ahuriri River Valley to Mt Barth The Mt Barth Glacier with Mt Brewster in the distance. Option 6 - Alpine Adventure In our opinion, this is the ultimate New Zealand adventure! New Zealand is renowned as being the "land of adventure" but this flight is as good as it gets. Weather conditions permitting, we fly you to the west face of Mount Cook! To do this, even in summer, you will need warm clothing. We provide leather jackets, helmets and gloves. Flight time return is over one hour. Allow an hour and a half for the whole experience. Price per person is NZ$695.00. Flying over Mt Cook National Park The west face of Aoraki Mount Cook. What a view! Winter 2012 - Ashburton Ashburton Aerodrome is the perfect place to fly in an open cockpit biplane during the cooler autumn and winter months. During WWII this airfield was alive with RNZAF pilots training in Tiger Moths. Today, it is home to the Ashburton Aviation Museum which houses a fantastic collection of aircraft ranging from biplanes to a Harrier Jump Jet! Combining a visit to the museum with your Aviation Adventures flight is highly recommended! Flights are undertaken when the museum is open on weekends or on other days if demand exists. Option 1 - Town and Around Enjoy a flight over the town of Ashburton and Lake Hood! For those living in Ashburton, we suggest bringing your camera so you can photograph your house from the air. This flight provides fantastic views towards the Southern Alps. Flight time is approximately 15 minutes. Allow 30 minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is only $195.00. The view forward from the passenger compartment looking over the town of Ashburton Option 2 - Pacific Circuit Starting from Ashburton Aerodrome, this 25 minute flight takes you out to the Pacific Ocean at a height of 500 feet above the ground. From the coast, the flight continues south to the Ashburton River Mouth before following the meandering river upstream to Lake Hood. The tour concludes with an orbit around the town of Ashburton. Allow 45 mins for the whole experience. Price per person is only $295.00. Looking back across Lake Hood to the Ashburton River and the Pacific Ocean The coastal township of Hakatere Option 3 - Foothills Flight Our most scenic mid-Canterbury flight! On this flight, you get to choose a destination from the following options: Mt Hutt Skifield, Geraldine, Mt Peel, Rangitata Gorge, Mt Somers, Pudding Hill, Rakaia Gorge or Hororata. Flight time is approximately 50 minutes. Allow one hour 15 minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is only $495.00 Looking south-west to Mt Somers Mount Hutt Skifield *All flights are subject to suitable weather conditions For bookings - Phone 0800 REDCAT (0800 733 228)