For some of the cadets, the flights at the Otago Aero Club near Mosgiel were their first in a light aircraft.
The fledgling pilots - some as young as 13 - were given flying lessons over the Taieri to give them experience and flying hours to put into their logbooks.
Otago Aero Club flight instructor Alan Wright said "as long as you can reach the pedals and see over the dashboard, you can learn to fly".
But the legal age before a pilot could fly solo was 16, so the training days were important for the cadets.
Mr Wright said the cadets were passionate about flying and had a strong constitution to match.
"Watching their faces when they take the controls - they're beaming.
"There was no demand for sick-bags, even though there were a few bumps out there."
