Aviation Organisations

Catalina Group Logo

The Catalina Group

comprising
The Catalina Club and
Friends of the Catalina 		Catalina Group Logo

The Catalina Club of New Zealand was formed in 1994 to acquire and operate a Catalina flying-boat in New Zealand. It currently operates PBY-5A ZK-PBY (serial CV-357) from Ardmore aerodrome. The club operates as a non-profit co-operative and membership consists of Foundation, Gold, Silver, and Regular members. Foundation members are those who joined the Club prior to the arrival of the Catalina in New Zealand. The other membership classes are determined by the initial membership payment (NZ$10,000, $5000, or $1000). Members also make an ongoing monthly financial contribution to the Club's operating costs. Membership gives provision for flying (on a cost sharing basis), and the satisfaction of preserving a piece of aviation history. Current membership is approximately 90

The Club organisation grew out of an earlier syndicate organised by Ross Ewing in the early 1990's. When this group was unsuccessful in bringing a Catalina to New Zealand, a new financial structure was set up - as described above. Ross Ewing and Chris Snelson are the Club trustees. The Catalina was purchased from an operator in Zimbabwe and delivered to New Zealand in October 1994. Initially based at New Plymouth while the NZ C. of A. paper-work was sorted out, the aircraft has since moved to Ardmore. In its short period of operation, the Club has made several flying 'odysseys' around New Zealand seeking support, and appeared at a number of airshows. The club has also made links with a number of the groups operating Catalinas outside New Zealand.

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The 'Friends of the Catalina' is a group which operates in conjunction with the Catalina Club. It provides for general public participation in the operations of ZK-PBY. Friends of the Catalina is a regular member of the Catalina club, and members of the former are able to fly in ZK-PBY during visits to most towns. The subscription is usually not more than fifty dollars, and includes two copies of the Catalina Flyer. As the aircraft is not licensed for commercial operations, flying in ZK-PBY is currently limited to Catalina Group members.

For further detail or other enquiries, contact:

    The Secretary,
    Catalina Club,
    P.O.Box 163,
    Oneroa, Waiheke Island,
    Auckland,
    New Zealand.

    ph (9) 372-8906

Or

:

The Catalina Group,
PO Box 527,
Papakura,
New Zealand.

ph (9) 534-4583
Fax: (9) 298-4273
Info-Line (8) 08 329-0370

    For International calls, the code for New Zealand is 64.

The Cub now have an official website at http://www.catalina.org.nz/catalina/ Further information and pictures of Catalina ZK-PBY (including a 'virtual tour') can be found here.

Last update: 9 Dec, 1999

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