Volunteers sought for Masterton airshow

FIRST CALL: Volunteers are needed to help out at Wings Over Wairarapa 2015. PHOTO/FILE

Aviation enthusiasts thinking about volunteering at next year's Wings Over Wairarapa airshow will have an opportunity to signal their interest before Christmas.

Wings Over Wairarapa event manager Jenny Gasson is calling on volunteers to help before, during and after the three-day airshow being held at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome from January 16-18.

"Wings Over Wairarapa is a wonderful event that attracts thousands of people from all over the world," Mrs Gasson said. "To help put on this world-class event we require volunteers to assist us in a range of roles."

People are needed to help with delivering flyers, putting up posters, helping set up the site and act to be a point of contact for visitors during the event. Also needed are people to help with the clean-up when the airshow is over.

"In addition we're always on the lookout for people with good IT and administration skills," Mrs Gasson said.

In return, volunteers would reap several benefits.

"Apart from the obvious positive team feeling you get from supporting an event like this and working alongside like-minded people, there are huge benefits to being able to watch this world-class show when you're not rostered on."

Aaron Bennett is one of the hundreds of people who have volunteered over the years - he first helped out 15 years ago, drawn by his love of planes.

After doing several jobs, including hammering in tent pegs to parking cars, he is returning in 2015 as site manager.

"Each year I helped out I learned more, and each year I gradually accepted more responsibilities so much so in 2013, the biggest air show to date, I was the site manager," Mr Bennett said.

"I oversaw traffic management plans, stall set-ups and site layouts. It was incredibly busy but we had such a great team, it was enjoyable."

Wings Over Wairarapa 2015 will feature vintage aircraft from WWI through to state-of-the-art, remotely-piloted aircraft using the latest technology.

Anyone interested in finding out how they can volunteer should contact Chris Tracey on volunteers@wings.org.nz or (0274) 469-329.