Wagga Air Centre gives birds eye view of field days site

This year Chris Cabot, Wagga Air Centre’s chief pilot, celebrates 20 years of conducting helicopter joy rides for visitors, giving them a bird’s eye view of the field days and surrounding landscape.

With district canola crops around the field day site expected to be in full flower, the sight from the air is bound to be breathtaking.

Henty farmers wanting an aerial photograph of their farm can pre-book a flight in Wagga Air Centre’s helicopter at this year’s field days.

Mr Cabot said the 10-minute flights in a Robinson R44 helicopter ($90 per person, minimum two passengers), could be booked on-line, with local farmers who want to photograph their property also catered for (priced separately).

Chris began flying as a hobby in a Piper Warrior, using it for family holidays.

In 1990, the Cabots established Cabair Charter Service, using a twin-engine aircraft for mining contracts and Royal Flying Doctor Service charter work in northern Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The business became Wagga Air Centre in 1996, runs a fleet of 12 aircraft and one helicopter and offers ground school theory programs from Recreational Private and Commercial Pilot Licences to Airline Transport Pilot Licence. 

A joint venture was established in 2021 with Sureflight Australia to take corporate business travel in the region to the next level with fly-direct options.