14/07/2025
Skyhawk – the Central Area ATC Skills Competition was held over the middle weekend of the school holidays (5-7 July) at Landguards Bluff (adjacent to Whanganui Airport).
Over the two days of competition the 13 Units from across the lower half of the North Island competed at 13 stands including: Firearm handling skills, 1st Aid, Truck pulling, GSK/CFK, Disc Plane, Equipment Carry, MasterChef, Drones and Ratel. These all link into the Aviation mindset of the ATC, teamwork and the commitment to develop and build capable New Zealanders as future leaders.
The 2025 overall winner for Central Area Aviation Skills Competition and the No.75 Squadron Cup is No.1 (Wellington) Squadron.
No.48 (Stratford) Squadron is the winner of the Waterhouse Trophy for Firearm Handling Skills, having the best combined score for Range Shoot, Weapon Cleaning and DFTT’s.
The winner of the Mana Award for the team that best displays the values of the NZCF being Courage, Comradeship, Commitment and Integrity throughout the competition is No.22 (City of Upper Hutt) Squadron.
A big thank you goes to:
• Whanganui District Council – Whanganui Airport Operations team Phil McBride and Matt Nation for use of the Airport
• Whanganui Pistol Club for use of their Range
• Downers for providing safety road signage
• No.9 Squadron Unit Support Committee and staff for cooking of the meals for all personnel
• No.9 Squadron Cadets and parents for the setting up the tents in pouring rain, providing overnight security and being 1st Aid patients
