The former thermal duration soaring world champion is turning heads and breaking national records at the New Zealand Model Aero championships being staged in South Otago this week.
The 48-year-old has already broken one national record this week and while he is the only former world champion in the 70-strong field, he admits his days of serious competition are over - it is all about fun these days.
Mr Wurts, an aeronautical engineer originally from northern Los Angeles, and his wife moved to New Zealand in October.
He has two world titles on his model aeroplane resume.
Having a former world champion among the competitors lifted the intensity for many keen to glean tips and knowledge from the man who tasted world glory in Holland in 1991 and again in England seven years later.
Mr Wurts' passion for model flying began as young child overawed by the world of miniature aircraft.
He scrimped and saved for his radio-controlled glider and has been involved with the sport for the past 32 years.
"I'm a lifer."
He was in his element yesterday on the Sinclair farm near Clydevale, where the model gliding events have been staged.
After helping launch the planes of fellow competitors, it was his turn.
It was clear from the outset he knew what he was doing. Soaring anywhere up to 365m into the air, the gliders criss-crossed the sky effortlessly.
It was a serene view from the ground.
With his radio-control device in hand, he stared out above the Clutha Valley skies, focusing on every small wind shift and searching for the beneficial thermals which propel gliders higher into the air.
The name of the game is to stay in the skies for 10min, and to also land the glider on a set target.
Penalties are incurred for failing to meet these objectives.
Mechanical control comes into play. So too does hand-eye co-ordination, while strategy and tactics also come in handy.
For Mr Wurts, there is nothing better than being out in the open, watching his glider soar across the sky.
"It's that zen factor, I guess. Where you become one with the atmosphere."
Gliders can cost anywhere up to $2500 and they are treated with care and respect.
Mr Wurts believes many people under-rate model gliding as a sport, but it contains all the elements of serious competition.
The championships finish tomorrow.
