New Zealand CAA booklet - Aerodromes around New Zealand can experience strong wind conditions, particularly during the spring and early summer months, when gale force westerly winds can persist for days at a time. Stormy conditions from the passage of a vigorous cold front, for example, can be unpredictable and cause havoc to the unwary. MetService try to forewarn us of such weather, but this is not always possible. High winds can result in damage to unsecured, or inadequately secured, aircraft and cause thousands of dollars of damage. In extreme instances, aircraft can be damaged beyond repair. This can result in claims which cost insurance companies thousands of dollars, which ultimately is transferred to aircraft owners through higher insurance premiums.