Aerohire - Whakatane Flying School

I haven’t changed the rates since 2023, and with all the economic stuff happening, I now need to act. I’ve done my best to keep rates steady as long as possible, and I’m sorry to say the adjustment now needs to be a larger block. To ease that, we’ll do it in two parts—starting with part now. Depending on how things evolve, we’ll look at the other portion in about four to six months. And it’s clear: there’s no time like the present to get your flying done—it’ll never be cheaper!
C152/C150: +$30/hr, C172: +$40/hr.

Join Our Aerobatics Ground & Flying Program!

Hey everyone, we’re thrilled to announce our upcoming aerobatics training sessions! This Saturday (13th) at 5:30 PM, we’re hosting an easygoing intro where we’ll sit down together, enjoy some pizza, and plan out how our aerobatics ground course and flying program can best fit into everyone’s schedule.

Whether you’re curious about the ground basics or eager to get into the air, this is your chance to shape the training around what works for you. We can’t wait to see you there and get started on this aerobatic adventure together!

"We’re here to share both
our aircraft
and
our passion
for aviation,
plain and simple."

Day-Light-Saving Opening Hours:
Thursday -> Sunday 10:00am – 7:00pm
By Appointment: Mondays -> Wednesday

222 Aerodrome Road, Whakatane Airport, Whakatane

Well done today, Jacob (3rd Sept), on passing your Private Pilot Flight Test — a fantastic achievement! Next step, your Commercial?

✈️ Farewell for Marcus ✈️

Today is Marcus’s last day with us! We’d love for you to drop by this afternoon to wish him well as he heads off on his next adventure. (Air New Zealand).

Come out, say hi, share a few stories, and help us send him off in style. 💙

Hey everyone! 👋 Just a quick update regarding our Saturday evening pizza night - we've had a busy week, so we're postponing it to next week.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a thought...

"Logic tells you to take the highway. It's faster. It's cheaper. But your soul doesn't live on the highway. It lives in the moment you see the morning sun glint off the Tarawera River from 2,000 feet right here in the Bay of Plenty. It’s in the quiet satisfaction of a perfect landing you worked months to achieve. This isn't about getting somewhere. It’s about becoming someone."

⏰ Last Call for Flights with Marcus!

Just like the old barman ringing the bell and calling, “Time, gentlemen and ladies, please!” — if you’ve been meaning to fly with Marcus, now’s the moment.

Marcus will soon be taking off for his next big adventure, flying for Air New Zealand. We’ve got just a couple of weeks left before he goes, so book your flight and enjoy some sky time with him while you still can.

We wish Marcus all the very best for his exciting new chapter — Air New Zealand’s gain is definitely our loss!

✈️ This Saturday: Dreamliner Deep Dive with Darryn!

Ever wondered how the Boeing 787 Dreamliner works?

This week at Hangar Hangout, Darryn will walk us through the systems behind one of the world’s most advanced airliners. It’s a relaxed, fun session — perfect for curious minds!

🛠️ Come along and take a look “under the hood”
🍕 Pizza provided (as always)
🕕 When: Saturday 6 PM
📍 Where: The Hangar — Whakatane Airport
💬 Bring your questions and your appetite!

All welcome — see you there!