The pilot training school — based at the Oamaru Airport — may have to "write-off" the three aircraft after they were badly damaged in a sudden wind change.
On Tuesday, from about 7.30pm, a strong southerly wind change buffeted the Oamaru area.
Academy chief executive Jonathan Manuel said the resulting "sudden gusts of winds, like a tornado" had flipped three of the flying school’s planes over.
"They were near the hangar ... they were tied down."
He said the planes were secured to the ground using concrete poles and strong ropes.
Some of the mountings were completely ripped out of the ground.
"It bent the wing of the plane and tossed it around and flipped them over — the damage was very severe. Three planes are a total write off," Mr Manuel said.
That brings the academy’s plane loss to four in a year.
It lost another plane due to severe weather in May last year.
Mr Manuel said the Kiwi-owned academy now had a fleet of 25 planes, with only one hangar that could accommodate 12 planes at a time.
Because of that, the remaining planes have to be parked outside.
The business’ website lists 18 Tecnam single-engine aircraft, believed to be the planes damaged.
He said there had been lengthy discussions with the Waitaki District Council over available land at the airport, which was currently "fenced off", where the academy hoped to build another hangar.
The North Otago Aeroclub yesterday confirmed it had not been affected as it stores its aircraft in a hanger.
