Helen Nickisson/Stuff
Mark O Sullivan s 1941 Harvard was one of the heavier aeroplanes in the line up at the Healthy Bastards Bush Flying Championships. The event is aimed at promoting safety amongst bush pilots, many of whom fly into remote back country areas for fishing or hunting, often landing in river beds or on beaches. Pilots participated in the Precision Landing and S.T.O.L. (Short Take-off and Landing) events, designed to test their bush landing skills. Baldwin also competed in the event, and said he “got the best results” he had ever achieved in the event.
Helen Nickisson/Stuff
As for getting his driving licence; Soon . whenever I can be bothered. The Healthy Bastards championships is a precision landing, and STOL (short takeoff and landing) competition held annually at the Omaka Airfield in Blenheim, now in its ninth year. It is run by the Marlborough Aero Club, in conjunction with major sponsor Dave Baldwin of the Bulls Flying Doctor Service. It takes place this year on Waitangi Day, February 6.
RICKY WILSON/STUFF
A variety of planes are expected to take part in the Healthy Bastards bush pilot championships. Ferghus dad, and Marlborough Aero Club member, Andy Meighan said the club got into bush flying to promote safety, “to teach people how to fly out of short strips and off riverbeds without having accidents”.