Coastal Flying

Got another flight in this morning on my way to a New Zealand Private Pilot License.  I've been flying the club's 152, and yep, that's a 20 degree crab into the wind.

A requirement for the license is at least 2 hours of "low flying".  I get the impression that not many pilots here are IFR current or qualified, so this low flying requirement is teaching weather escape maneuvers.  General aviation here is, from what I can tell, struggling.  ATC is privatized and there are user fees on most services, not to mention gas is terribly expensive.  I found an Arrow to rent on the south island for $300 per hour.  Ouch.