Ayuri Itakura is visiting Benalla to experience the perfect gliding conditions.
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Having the Gliding Club of Victoria based in Benalla not only gives us all the magnificent sight of unpowered aircraft dancing in our skies, it also brings people and the money they spend to the Rose City.
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With the summer gliding season well under way, locals and international pilots alike have been enjoying the thermals for which Benalla is well known.
A GCV spokesperson said two of these pilots were Towa Ono and Ayuri Itakura, who made the journey all the way from Tokyo, Japan.
“One of our local members, Ed Bishop, took the opportunity to have a chat with each one of them to find out their history behind the sport,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Bishop said Towa, 21, had been flying for three years in the prefecture of Saitama in Japan.
Towa Ono achieved her dream five-hour flight in the skies above Benalla.
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“She said the experience of flying in Australia provided her with the opportunity to fly further and improve her skills, due to the small fields and hilly terrain that Japan provides,” Mr Bishop said.
“Her goal ... was to achieve a cross-country flight of five hours.”
GCV provided her with an environment that could make her dream to come true.
“She flew for five hours and 21 minutes,” Mr Bishop said.
“Her flight took her from Benalla across to Tocumwal, Walbundrie and back to Benalla.
“She loves flying gliders as she can glide anywhere while being in control of the sailplane.
“Towa is looking forward to coming back to Benalla for the next summer season to continue with her flying goals.
“One day, she would love to become an instructor and fly all over the world.”
Ayuri Itakura, 22, is studying commerce and international economics in Tokyo.
“She also wanted to experience the rise of our thermals here in Benalla,” Mr Bishop said.
“Gliding, for her, is the experience of enjoying the world’s landscapes while feeling free.
“Ayuri also wanted to achieve a goal of flying cross-country, where Benalla provides endless skies to soar in.”
She also achieved a five-hour flight.
“Ayuri is looking forward to coming back to GCV in Benalla,” Mr Bishop said.
“Especially flying alongside our other international pilots from England, Switzerland, Poland and Germany, who have also been lapping up the weather and perfect thermal conditions.”
GCV provides Experience Flights at its headquarters at Benalla Airport. It’s a great way to see Benalla from above.
If you would like to have a go, or would like to purchase a voucher as a gift, call 5762 1058, or visit glidingclub.org.au/
