Plans to erect a ''gate guardian'' at Wanaka Airport have received unanimous support from the Wanaka Community Board.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has given an Aermacchi aircraft to the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust, which wants to mount it on a pole at the entrance to the airport. In the air force, this is known as a gate guardian.
Warbirds Over Wanaka general manager Ed Taylor said it would celebrate the event's founder, Sir Tim Wallis' contribution to preserving aviation history and his entrepreneurial skills.
It would also recognise 25 years of an airshow which ''has done more, single-handedly, than any one thing to put Wanaka on the map''.
The airshow was of great economic benefit to the Queenstown Lakes District and it was wonderful to see the third generation of families now attending, Mr Taylor said.
Aermacchi jet trainers, which were built in Italy and have a length and a wingspan of 11m, were used to prepare New Zealand pilots for flying Skyhawks, before the air force disbanded and sold its fighter fleet or gave parts of it to museums.
Community board member Mike O'Connor said the mounted aircraft would be Wanaka's version of Gore's brown trout statue.
The final decision lies with Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Adam Feeley.
The aircraft would be mounted nearly 4m off the ground, with its nose facing downwards and towards Wanaka.
- Jessica Maddock
