The first female cadets to attend a gliding camp did so in 1980, and the first one to graduate was 27 Sqn’s Cadet Maria Verrecchia. She repeated her performance by being the first cadet to solo in No. 27 Squadron’s glider soon after returning from the gliding camp.
Cadet M. Handley, also of 27 Squadron, was the first cadet to solo in an RNZAF aircraft after having been awarded an RNZAF Scholarship.
The venue for the annual A.C.L. Powered Flying Camp was changed from Masterton to Omaka in May 1980 (this camp had originally been held at Gate Pa Aerodrome, Hastings, was later transferred to Masterton, and is now held annually at Woodbourne).
This had proved to be an ideal site, good weather, central position and close proximity to Woodbourne’s facilities are among these advantages.
Approval was sought in 1981 from the Lands & Survey department for a change of boundaries to enable a parade groun d to be prepared on the eastern side. This approval was given and a sealed parade ground was completed at a cost of $3500.
Floodlighting was also installed, the gardens in front of H.Q. were established, and the pine trees on the eastern boundary were planted.
Flt. Lt. Sinclair relinquished command on 31st December 1981. He was replaced by Flt. Lt. P. J. Nelson from the next day. He, also, was a former cadet of No. 27 Squadron, first joining in 1955, and he was by trade an aircraft engineer.
The Brevet Club (Marlborough) was disbanded on 25th April 1982 and they generously donated the balance of their fund to the Squadron. This was to be used as a base for an annual Flying Scholarship, which was to be added to the original R.S.A grant.
On 16th November 1982 the 40th Anniversary of the founding of No. 27 Squadron was celebrated. To mark the occasion a renunion of former officers and cadets was held on the 12th, 13th and 14th. These celebrations were arranged by a former Adjutant, Flt. Lt. G Geddes, and a small band of helpers, and an interesting and nostalgic weekend was enjoyed by all who attended.
The programme included a parade and wreath laying, a civic reception and march past, then came lunch at Omaka. A dinner was held at Kaz-Noval Restaurant, and on the Sunday there was a Church parade at Base Woodbourne followed by a morning tea and a visit to No. 4 T.T.S. Lunch was provided on Base.
The Piper Cub ZK-BNY was sold in 1983, and in the same year the new Link Trainer room was completed.
Flt. Lt. J. H. P. Ngawhika became C.O. in January 1984, having taken over from Flt. lt. P. J. Nelson who had resigned.
Also about this time the whole exterior of the complex was painted by a group of P.E.P. workers under the supervision of Mr. R. Twonley.
The old transmitter hut (located on an adjoining section) was aquired in 1984 and it was planned to relocate it onto No. 27 Squadrons site, incorporation it into part of a new lecture room.
A new style uniform was issued about this time also.
The Headquarters area was re-surveyed in 1986 and the “dogleg” area in the south-west was deleted; this resulted in the Squadron’s area now being a true rectangle.
The K7 Rhonadler glider ZK-GBN was replaced in 1987 by a more modern 2-seater all metal L-13 Blanik glider, ZK-GPJ. This aircraft was valued at $23,034 and proved very popular with the cadets.
The new lecture room was completed in 1989 and is a useful addition to the complex.
Largely due to the efforts of Mr. Sid Nally (chairman of the A.C.L.) a hangar for the Blanik was built, valued at $12,000 and was freeholded in 1990.
Flt. Lt. Ngawhika resigned at the end of 1989.
