WKU

We purchased this aircraft in September 2025 following funding support from the past members of the now unincorporated Wakatipu Aeroclub.  A number of the Aeroclub's past committee members saw our WASSI stand at Warbirds Over Wanaka in 2024 and were impressed by the WASSI members, Walsh students and the goals of the WASSI. 

Wanting to see the Aeroclub’s residual funds used for the benefit of youth in aviation, with a particular interest in supporting the Central Otago region, they apportioned a significant part of those funds to WASSI. This allowed WASSI to purchase ZK-YAH, a Cessna 172M from a private owner in Wanaka. 

This aircraft was then positioned to Taieri, where the engine is currently being reconditioned, the avionics upgraded and the registration changed to ZK-WKU.

WKU was the original IATA designator for Queenstown aerodrome, before it was changed to ZQN in 1995.  ZK-WKU was also the registration of one of the Wakatipu Aeroclub’s first C172s back in the 1980s. 

We plan to find a home for WKU in the Central Otago region once this restoration work has been completed