Rodney's Aviation Ramblings

Two more low flying flights today

2012-02-11T18:12:00.000+13:00

It has been another really good day for flying today. I managed to get another two low flying flights in today. I think I'm slowly getting up to competition standard. We shall see in a few weeks!

In between flights, I got a few photographs. Top to bottom are:

Piper PA38-112, ZK-ESG, registered to the Wellington Aero Club, and about to get an engine check done
Piper PA28-181, ZK-EBX, registered to Marlborough Aero Club
Piper PA31P-350, ZK-WTH, registered to Air Wanganui
Airbus A320-232, ZK-OAB, registered to Air New Zealand

Visiting Socata TB10

2012-02-06T16:33:00.000+13:00

Today's interesting visitor was this Socata TB10, ZK-JIG, registered to Mainland Air of a Mosgiel address. As always, click on the image for a larger version.

Video animation of the US Airways landing in the Hudson river

2012-02-05T15:51:00.000+13:00

A quick visit to Auckland today - post 5 - Various aircraft in Auckland

2012-02-04T21:51:00.000+13:00

In this final post from my quick trip to Auckland, we have the following:

Boeing 747-412, DQ-FJL, registered to Air Pacific
Airbus A340-313X, CC-CQE, registered to LAN Airlines
Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQH, registered to Jetconnect ["Qantas in drag"]
Boeing 737-8FE, ZK-PBD, registered to Virgin Australia Airlines (NZ)

I hope you've enjoyed this snapshot of some of the aircraft around Auckland and Wellington today!

A quick visit to Auckland today - post 4 - Various aircraft in Auckland

2012-02-04T21:38:00.001+13:00

In this post we have the following:

Boeing 747-475, ZK-SUH, registered to Air New Zealand

General Dynamics Convair, ZK-CIB, registered to Air Chathams

Boeing 777-31H/ER, A6-EGE, registered to Emirates

Airbus A380-861, A6-EDB, registered to Emirates

Enjoy!

A quick visit to Auckland today - post 3 - Various aircraft in Auckland

2012-02-04T21:24:00.000+13:00

The final 3 three posts in this series are of some of the aircraft I saw at Auckland. The photographs were taken at two spots - the top level of a car park and from the viewing spot in the international terminal. I'm pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to get "good" photos from behind the glass in the international terminal.

In this post are the following:

Airbus A340-211, LV-ZPO, registered to Aerolineas Argentinas
Airbus A320-232, VH-VQC, registered to Jetstar
Boeing 767-319, ZK-NCK, registered to Air New Zealand
Airbus A330-203, VH-EBI, registered to Qantas Airways

A quick visit to Auckland today - post 2 - Black beauties!

2012-02-04T21:05:00.000+13:00

I've been waiting a while to get photographs of the 2 Eagle Airways Beech 1900D aircraft, ZK-EAG and ZK-EAK, which are painted in the "all black/ crazy about rugby" scheme.

Today was that chance, with ZK-EAK spotted at Wellington and ZK-EAG at Auckland. Add into that a nice picture of the Air NZ Airbus A320-232, ZK-OAB at Wellington.

Here are the photos - the first 3 from Wellington and the last one from Auckland.

A quick visit to Auckland today - post 1

2012-02-04T20:57:00.000+13:00

I had a quick visit to Auckland today, departing Wellington at 9:30am and returning at 5pm.

The reason for the visit was to see of some family returning home overseas, but of course, there were a few aircraft photographs taken as well :-) The weather was a bit gloomy in Wellington and cloudy, but dry and warm, in Auckland.

The first surprise was a Mexican-registered Gulfstream G-V, XA-BAL, parked outside the aero club. I don't have any other details, so if you do...

The other aircraft were this Airbus A320-232, VH-VQF, registered to Jetstar, and at the lighter end of the scale, a Piper PA34-220T, ZK-ZAG, registered to Golden Bay Air.

Enjoy these - the next post has some other interesting aircraft from Air New Zealand :-)

More low flying comp practice... constant radius eggs :-) are still going well!

2012-01-29T20:12:00.001+13:00

Another day, more weather better than forecast :-) Like yesterday I took the Club's Cessna 172 up for a run through of the low flying manoeuvres for Flying NZ nationals. This time I had Amy and Ben along for the ride and so made sure that I was well above 500' AGL all the time.

It mostly went well. My left turns are quite good, although my right turns need a little more work. In particular my right-hand constant radius turns come our closer to "egg" shaped than round :-(, so a lot more work to do there.

One big plus from the flight was that Ben was videoing the various turns and stuff which will be useful. I'm not going to bore you with all of it, so here's the first two minutes from takeoff. Enjoy!

Low flying competition practice and a video

2012-01-28T17:38:00.001+13:00

Today I got to go out and practice the manoeuvres for a Flying NZ nationals low flying competition coming up next month. The weather was not ideal in the area around our low flying zone, so I stayed a bit higher and practiced at another location. This was followed by some circuits. The short story is that I need to do a lot more practice :-)

I'm hoping to record one or two of the practice flights, but I need to get a decent mounting kit for the recorder [it will need to be a suction mount so I can mount it on a window]. If I do get this sorted, I'll be sure to post some video.

In other news, a decent video of landings at Wellington on a wild weather day has been produced and released by Airside TV. This is much better than some other Youtube videos - still one is all Wellington and decent resolution. You can see the Airside TV channel here, or watch the one of the videos below. Enjoy!

Excellent news, more flying and an exotic visitor

2012-01-21T17:27:00.000+13:00

There are three topics in this post. First up is some excellent news with the arrival of a Piper PA28-161 Warrior, ZK-MBG to the Club. The current registered owner is still Massey University, but it'll be operated by the Aero Club in about a week. Those of us who have been awaiting a 4 seat Piper for some time will be excited about this, even though I enjoy flying the Club's Cessna 172, ZK-FLT.

Speaking of the Cessna, that's a nice segue into the more flying bit, as I went up for a dual flight in the C172 to practice my low flying. I'm a wee bit rusty [I haven't flown for something like 6-8 weeks], but it was all safe enough. I'll be better next weekend when I go up again.

Lastly for the exotic visitor bit. Arriving today was this Israel Aircraft Industries Gulfstream G200, N533GA. FAA records have this registered to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee, although I'm not sure if this has any relationship to the actual operator. The picture shows it parked outside of the Execujet hanger at Wellington airport.

A wee bit too windy again

2012-01-15T20:02:00.001+13:00

Today dawned clear but still far too windy for any flying in the Club's light aircraft, with up to 22 knots of crosswind component. So much for my planned flight. Here's hoping for next weekend!

A number of the photos take today show this. Apologies for the first one - wrong ISO setting on the camera.... Top to bottom are:

Beech 1900D, ZK-EAC, Eagle Airways Ltd [part of the Air NZ group]

Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQD, registered to Jetconnect [part of the Qantas group]

Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEU, registered to Air Nelson Ltd [part of the Air NZ group]

KFC, KFB and JLY

2012-01-14T14:48:00.000+13:00

After yesterday's wild and windy weather with high winds and low clouds, today dawned substantially clearer. The wind was still too "lumpy" for the light aircraft but the heavier stuff was having much less trouble.

The title of this post pretty much covers the day. KFC for lunch :-), Gulfstream GV-SP, ZK-KFB, registered to Execujet NZ [but think "Peter Jackson"] and a Cessna 172R, ZK-JLY, registered to CTC Aviation parked in the Aero Club hanger.

No pictures of lunch [!], but the two aircraft follow.

Not so nice today....

2012-01-08T17:07:00.000+13:00

It is supposed to be mid summer here in New Zealand, but at the moment, it looks a bit like mid winter. OK, the temperature is a bit nicer [around the 15 deg Celsius mark], but it's windy and wet and "broken" (7/8ths) cloud at about 400 feet.

I popped down to the aero club for a short time. No flying of course, but I did get to see some of the Air NZ and Jetstar/ Qantas aircraft doing their thing. What follows are a few photos.

Note the take-off distances. The Jetstar A320 and the white/ blue Air NZ B737 get airborne on runway 16 before holding point Mike 4, so around 800 meters from the threshold. The All Black Air NZ A320 is off between Mike 4 and Mike 5, at around about 900 meters.

Aircraft are:

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGU, registered to Jetstar Airways
Boeing 737-33A, ZK-NGR, registered to Air New Zealand
Airbus A320-232, ZK-OAB, registered to Air New Zealand

Air New Plymouth Piper Navajo

2012-01-07T15:16:00.000+13:00

Another visitor to Wellington today was this Piper PA31 Navajo, ZK-MJF, registered to New Plymouth Aero Club/ Air New Plymouth, and operated as an air ambulance.

Just the one photo, as I was busy looking at the USAF/ ANG C40C :-)

USAF/ Air National Guard C40C/ B737 at Wellington

2012-01-07T14:49:00.000+13:00

I got a bit of a surprise arriving at the aero club today, when I saw a strange white tail sitting on the Air Force apron. Turns out it was a USAF/ Air National Guard C40C [Boeing 737-7CP], registration 02-0201 ready to leave. Nice!

I'm not sure who was on board [various names have been mentioned, but I'm not going to add to the speculation].

Note what appears to be a sensor on the nose and the picture on the winglets.

Chathams Pacific Douglas DC3

2012-01-04T22:04:00.000+13:00

Late last year a colleague sent me some photos of the Chathams Pacific Douglas DC3, A3-AWP. I had forgotten about them until now [!], although I guess it's good timing after my previous post about Air Chathams.

Chathams Pacific is Tonga's domestic airline, and is owned by/ part of Air Chathams. Chathams Pacific have a number of aircraft, although the most interesting for me are the Convair and a DC3 [as pictured below]. The DC3 appears to be a fine example... there are even some pictures from the restoration of the Chathams Pacific website! Maybe I should plan a holiday there one day soon... do a bit of sightseeing :-)

Enjoy!

Air Chathams Convair 440/580

2012-01-03T16:13:00.003+13:00

A very special visitor today was this General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIE, registered to Air Chathams. This aircraft is on a charter tour of New Zealand and is parked outside of the aero club for a day or so. It is really good to see some of these older aircraft still earning their keep on a daily basis.

As an aside - the weather is [temporarily] back to being great :-)

New year visitors

2012-01-02T18:31:00.000+13:00

Finally the weather settled down today, long enough for a few flights at the aero club today [although, unfortunately not for me].

Just a couple of visitors noted, the first being a Cessna 510 Citation Mustang, ZK-PGA, registered to Pacific Jets of Christchurch. The second was a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-EVC, registered to Marlborough Aero Club.

2011-12-31T21:16:00.000+13:00

Back in Wellington... Qantas, Jetstar and Vincents

2011-12-29T21:46:00.000+13:00

After a quick trip away for the Christmas break, I arrived back in Wellington yesterday afternoon. This afternoon I popped out to the aero club for a nosey. Aircraft seen today are are follows:

Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQC, registered to Jetconnect [a Qantas subsidiary]
Airbus A320-232, VH-VGT, registered to Jetstar Airways [also a Qantas subsidiary]
2x British Aerospace BAe 146 Series 200, ZK-ECO, registered to Vincent Aviation

Piper Senecas

2011-12-18T18:38:00.000+13:00

Today's pictures are a couple of Piper PA34-220T Senecas. ZK-BJM is registered to Ridge Air Ltd of Blenheim and ZK-ZAG is registered to Golden Bay Air of Takaka.

Wellington City harbour and the Club hanger

2011-12-11T15:44:00.001+13:00

I got to go for a ride as a passenger today for a few circuits with another club member. It is always nice to be able to sit back and relax while someone else does the flying bit :-)

Below are a couple of photos. The first is one of the "new" Club hanger. For those of you who know Lyall Bay shopping centre, you'll know exactly where this is with the bright red Warehouse in the background. If you are in the area, come along and say "hi". If you want to see what flying is like, ask at the desk for a trial flight [also a great Christmas present!].

The second is a nice picture of the city and harbour area. As you can see from the water, there is very little wind with some nice cloud cover to keep things a little cooler. A great day to go flying :-)

Enjoy!

I'm stumped! It's a mystery! What sort of plane is this?

2011-12-10T17:49:00.001+13:00

Update: Time corrected to 12:21pm (my camera clock was not adjusted for daylight savings!)... and Cessna C525B, ZK-TBM was flying NZNR to NZQN at this time, so that fits. Thanks everyone for the updates on Twitter, Oz-spotters list and here!

Yep, it's true. I've photographed a plane and I have no idea what type it is! If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them. This aircraft went over head Wellington [or just north of] at about 12:21pm this morning [Saturday 10 December]. We only noticed it because of the condensation trail behind it which was well formed, indicating low winds at altitude.

It appears to be a twin engined aircraft with a straight leading edge [so, not a Boeing or Airbus of any sort that I can tell] and probably at least 30,000 feet, possibly/ probably higher. The wings look quiet large compared to the body also, and it might have rear-mounted engines. Perhaps a business jet of some description?

Unfortunately, the plane being a stolen American surveillance drone being operated by the Iranians who are spying on us has already been suggested... no points for that one! [Iranians Capture US Spy Drone?] However, if you really believe it was the Iranians, then please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to me with $50 cash and I'll send you a tin-foil hat. My address is... ummm... errrrr...... ok, just email me the cash :-)

Here's the picture. It's a bit fuzzy, but it's the clearest resolution I could do.

Today's larger aircraft

2011-12-03T20:25:00.000+13:00

In the post are a few of the larger aircraft I spotted today. First and foremost is the latest Air NZ Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, which like ZK-OAB is in the All Blacks paint scheme. Nice!

For comparison is another Air NZ A320-232, ZK-OJG.

Other aircraft are Qantas/ Jetconnect Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQE, Virgin Australia Airlines/ Pacific Blue Boeing 737-8FE, ZK-PBI, and finally Vincent Aviation-operated British Aerospace BAe 146 Series 200, ZK-ECO.

Enjoy!

A couple of light aircraft at Wellington

2011-12-03T19:19:00.000+13:00

Here are photos of a couple of light aircraft which visited Wellington today.

The first two aircraft [3 photos] are Diamond DA40 aircraft, ZK-MTC and ZK-MTK, both registered to Massey University School of Aviation.

The final picture is a Sounds Air Cessna 208, ZK-TZR taking off.

USAF Gulfstream at Wellington

2011-12-03T18:58:00.000+13:00

Today on the RNZAF Air Movements apron was this US Air Force Gulfstream C37A, 97-0401. A few more details are on the MRC Aviation blog.

Air NZ introduces "seat only" flight option to domestic flights

2011-11-29T18:00:00.002+13:00

After flagging this as a possibility just a few days ago, Air New Zealand has introduced the seats to suit option to its domestic fares. No real fanfare so far, although there has been the odd hyped up headline, such as Air New Zealand slashes domestic fares [I'm not sure that an average of 6% drop is "slashing"], but never mind. The Australian Business Traveller possibly has the most appropriate headline with Air New Zealand goes low-cost carrier with "seat only" domestic fares. Still, it's not all bad - actually, I think it is a good move.

However, after some comparisons a few days ago for flights in February 2012, I thought I would take a look and see what the fare difference is now. I know that this is not scientific - it's an extremely small [single day] check - but unfortunately, Air New Zealand's cheapest fares [now without checked luggage] are the same price as they were, and so Jetstar is now $20 a sector cheaper, likewise when you add the checked baggage option [the fully flexible fares from both operators are the same price]! I guess time will tell what comes of this - Air NZ is a good operator and I'm sure they will be very competitive.

It will be interesting to know how Air NZ will go about enforcing the 7kg weight and size limits for cabin baggage - this could be a real source of frustration for passengers. Also, with their smallest aircraft [the B1900D] having no overhead lockers and limited under-seat space [not to mention ATR72-600's coming on line over the next couple or so years], I can't help wondering if the B1900's will have a limited future lifespan... too early for predictions from me though!

A quiet day

2011-11-27T20:46:00.000+13:00

Just one aircraft photo today, a Piper PA28-181, ZK-LJE, registered to Canterbury Aero Club. Apart from that, I spent much of the afternoon helping to shift "stuff" out of the old Club building. Anyway, here's the photo.

A busy day at the Aero Club

2011-11-26T20:24:00.001+13:00

It was another lovely weather day in Wellington and so the Aero Club was busy all day. Awesome! I got to go flying, with a flight out to our local Low Flying Zone for a bit of practice. I didn't do too bad, although I will improve with a bit more practice.

I saw a some "new" aircraft today. First up is the Club's new Cessna A152, ZK-ETS. This is the first time we have had a basic aerobatic trainer in some time, and is a welcome addition to the fleet. Hopefully it is here to stay for a while.

Second is another Cessna, a Reims/ Cessna F406, ZK-CEC, registered to Air Charter East Coast of Gisborne. Lastly is a Hughes 369D, ZK-HRF, registered to Precision Helicopters of an Urenui address.

Air NZ "seats to suit" on domestic flights?

2011-11-25T21:50:00.000+13:00

Could this be an as-yet unannounced change to the way Air NZ sells domestic airfares?

When checking up on a future-dated Wellington to Auckland flight [Feb 2012], I noted that the "product type" was Seat + Bag, indicating that Air NZ's Seats to Suit product, previously limited to Tasman and Pacific flights may be coming to domestic flights.

Hey, maybe I'm way behind on this one and it has already been announced, but this is the first I have heard of it! Maybe it's just a website change and doesn't indicate a change to how the domestic product is sold. Anyway, a screenshot follows. As always, click on the image to get the best view.

Jetstar - Wellington to Auckland supersonic flights?

2011-11-24T22:29:00.001+13:00

I'm looking at booking flights to/ from Auckland for next February. I'll be flying Air New Zealand, but I thought for a laugh, I'd look at the Jetstar website.

They say they are cheaper, but I wanted to see if this is true, and if so, by how much.

OK, so this is not a scientific test, but I got more than I bargained for!

Firstly - they were cheaper, by a miserly NZD$10 a sector when you include 20kg baggage [same as Air NZ], although Air NZ would give me status points and I would have to pay extra for those on Jetstar. So, much of a muchness.

The big difference came in flight times. Air NZ indicates a 1 hour flight [Boeing 737-300 or Airbus 320-100/200]. For one of Jetstar's flights [Airbus A320], they say 1 hour and 5 minutes, for the other, 5 minutes!!! Given that they Airbus A320 is not supersonic, I doubt it... :-) Still, it would be nice! Screenshot below [click for a larger image]:

A quick flight in the Auckland Aero Club Skycatcher

2011-11-21T18:45:00.001+13:00

As you will have seen from my previous posts, last weekend was spent in Auckland.

While there, I was able to go for a dual flight in Auckland Aero Club's Cessna 162 Skycatcher light sport aircraft, ZK-AAC. The weather wasn't ideal - approximate 20-25 knots surface wind, mostly coming from 20-30 degrees right of runway 21 - in other words, the potential for turbulence :-)

Anyway, the aircraft is pretty interesting. Clearly very light without some of the fancy coverings you see in many other aircraft, it's very comfortable, and for such a small aircraft, it has a very wide and comfy cabin. Visibility in the turns is not great as the seats are positioned a long way back. It will be interesting to see how it handles the rigours of flight training, but I could imagine this as a great owner's plane.

As you'll see in the photos, there's just a single screen which contains all the required instrumentation and makes for a very uncluttered panel. Perhaps surprisingly, and despite this being only the second time I've flown an aircraft with an LCD PFD, it was all pretty easy to read and understand - a definite bonus!

Flying the aircraft was easy enough. OK, so I'm not claiming that I was very good, but it was easy to fly. Given that it was a short flight, there were just a few turns, then back for an overhead rejoin and some circuits. The biggest problem I had was the turbulence over the fence with the crosswind - it made me look all rather amateur :-( Having said that, I didn't damage the aircraft and Nicola [the instructor] didn't take control, so it can't have been all that bad!

I'd really like to take another flight, perhaps on a nicer day next time.

Photos are of the aircraft, of the panel during the flight, the Waterworks visual reporting point, and the entrance to the Aero Club. Enjoy!

Visit to Auckland, Ardmore #2

2011-11-19T18:11:00.001+13:00

Following on from my previous post, here are the photos from this evening's brief visit to the viewing area at Auckland airport. Top to bottom are:

Boeing 737-219C, ZK-NQC, registered to Airwork Operations
Britten-Norman BN2.A Mk.III-2, ZK-LGF, registered to Great Barrier Airlines
Airbus A330-200, B-6532, registered to China Southern Airlines

Visit to Auckland, Ardmore

2011-11-19T17:57:00.001+13:00

For the second weekend in a row I am up in Auckland, this time for the whole weekend. This brief getaway was planned for some time, as a time to get out of town and to catch up with some friends.

After flying up on Air NZ then collecting a rental car, I headed out to Auckland Aero Club at Ardmore airfield. Ardmore is where I learnt to fly back in 1998/ 1999 and I was Club Captain for 3 years before leaving for Wellington.

I'm planning on heading back there tomorrow afternoon, where I have a flight booked in the Clubs Cessna 162 Skycatcher, ZK-AAC. here's hoping that the weather plays nicely :-)

Anyway, just a few photos from Ardmore,the next post will have some from Auckland. Enjoy! Top to bottom are:

Extra EA 300/L, ZK-XRA, registered to X Flight Ltd

Cessna 162 Skycatcher, ZK-AAC, registered to Auckland Aero Club

Bell 206L, ZK-ICV, registered to Workstore NZ Ltd

Another Auckland visit this weekend

2011-11-15T20:55:00.000+13:00

Just a heads up that I will be in Auckland [again!] this weekend, hopefully to take the Auckland Aero Club Cessna 162 Skycatcher up for a flight. That is something I am looking forward to!

Thankfully no early morning flights this time around...

If anyone does want to catch up, I'll be at AAC most of Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Sunday afternoon at the aero club

2011-11-14T19:07:00.000+13:00

After the quick trip to Auckland, I spent a bit of time at the aero club on Sunday afternoon. The weather was fantastic! One of the best we've had in the last few weeks. The bets part of the afternoon was taking some friends for a fly around in the Club's Cessna 172, but later on I also took a couple of pictures. Nothing as flahs as a B787, but still :-)

The pictures are as follows: Firstly, a CTC registered Diamond DA42, ZK-CTJ, followed by an Air New Zealand Boeing 737-33A, ZK-NGP. It's going to be a shame when these classics disappear from our skies over the next couple of years. Last is a Robinson R44 II, ZK-IDO coming in to land.

Other news is that I'll be in Auckland this coming weekend, so we'll see what comes of that aviation-wise.

Enjoy!

Finally, more of the Boeing 787

2011-11-14T18:41:00.000+13:00

In this last post from last weekend's trip we have a few more Dreamliner arrival photos. Nothing much I can add really, except take a look at the last photo [within the yellow circle - click on the image]. These two had to have the very best position for the arrival! I'm very jealous!

Enjoy!

Airbus A320's from last weekend

2011-11-14T18:27:00.000+13:00

Airbus A320's are a staple of the domestic, trans-Tasman and trans-Pacific traffic. Here are a couple of them:

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJO, registered to Air New Zealand

Airbus A320-232, VH-VQE, registered to Jetstar Airways

Airbus A330/ A340 aircraft from last weekend

2011-11-14T18:21:00.000+13:00

Just in case you though it was an all-Boeing day, here's some pictures of Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft.

Top to bottom are:

Airbus A330-202, VH-EBD, registered to Jetstar Airways

Airbus A340-313X, B-HXJ, registered to Cathay Pacific

Airbus A330-203, VH-EBG, registered to Qantas Airways

Boeing 777's from last weekend

2011-11-14T18:08:00.000+13:00

Here are some of the Boeing 777's I saw from the weekend. Top to bottom are:

Boeing 777-219, ZK-OKD, registered to Air New Zealand
Boeing 777-312, 9V-SWM, registered to Singapore Airlines
Boeing 777-2D7, HS-TJR, registered to Thai Airways International

Boeing 747's from last weekend

2011-11-14T17:58:00.000+13:00

In addition to seeing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, I hung around for a few hours [ok, so I had nowhere else to go!] to get photos of some other aircraft.

I've got to say that Auckland seems kinda quiet of a Saturday morning, but there was still plenty of variety. In this post I'll cover off the Boeing 747's that came through.

Top to bottom are:

Boeing 747-419, ZK-NBU, registered to Air New Zealand
Boeing 747-4B5, HL7460, registered to Korean Air
Boeing 747-467, B-HUJ, registered to Cathay Pacific

Airport webcams

2011-11-13T20:01:00.001+13:00

Here is a link to some webcams for anyone interested in what's happening at Wellington.

http://www.flywellington.co.nz/webcam/

Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner lands in New Zealand!

2011-11-12T13:59:00.002+13:00

As I write this, I am sitting in the Air NZ Koru lounge in Auckland awaiting my next flight. I arrived in Auckland earlier today, so it's only a quick visit. The purpose of the visit is quite clear - the arrival of the Boeing B787-8, N787BA, in New Zealand. In fact, this is the first landing of a Dreamliner in the southern hemisphere.

The day started early with a 7am departure from Wellington, and a comfortable ride to Auckland in the space + section of an Air NZ B737. Then it was a short wait for the B787, which arrived right on schedule around 10am.

On to the pictures... the first is a picture of the sunrise in Wellington and after that, a bunch of pictures of Boeing's newest model touching down and taxying. An awesome looking aircraft, one which I'm sure Air NZ and passengers are eagerly waiting for. More to come [including many other aircraft from the visit] in the next few days.

Enjoy!

Air NZ and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner... Guess what I'm doing on Saturday????!

2011-11-08T22:57:00.000+13:00

The official word is out! The first ever visit to New Zealand of a Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner, is this Saturday, arriving at Auckland [NZAA] mid morning!

Here's the Air New Zealand [launch customer of the B787-9 variant] press release : Boeing 787 Dreamliner to ...

I'd love to be able to visit the aircraft up close, lodge a decent report and some tweets, but it's not going to be open for visits on the Saturday. I will, however, try and get a number of good photographs and see how quickly I can get some blog entries up [my IT set up should be fully mobile now - I guess this is the big test].

Info please: Boeing 787 Dreamliner visit to Auckland

2011-11-02T18:12:00.000+13:00

Does anyone have any information on the timing of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner visit to Auckland later this month? This aircraft is visiting Air New Zealand for 3 days. I understand that it is not open to the media or public, but I am hoping to get some decent photos of the arrival.

It is scheduled to arrive on Saturday 12 November, but what I need to know is the planned arrival time.

Many thanks!

Rodney

Flying competition - judges and other aircraft

2011-10-30T20:47:00.001+13:00

In this final post from the regional comps, I have a number of "other" aircraft - visitors not directly associated with the comps, as well as pictures of two groups of some of the hardest working people in a competition - the judges. In this case, we have judges on the bombing grid and aeros judges.

Other aircraft are:

Diamond DA40, ZK-MTI, registered to Massey University
Raythean/ Beech 1900D, ZK-EAC, registered to Eagle Airways departing on their scheduled flight
Jabiru J160, ZK-CCG, registered to a Palmerston North address
TL TL-2000 Sting, ZK-STG, registered to a Palmerston North address

Flying competition - various aircraft - 2

2011-10-30T20:31:00.000+13:00

Some additional competition related aircraft. Top to bottom:

Pitts S-1E Special, ZK-PEG, registered to a Wanganui address
Cessna 150D, ZK-CHI, registered to a Wanganui address
Victa Airtourer 100, ZK-CHF, registered to a Wanganui address
Piper PA18A-150, ZK-BPM, registered to Air Hawkes Bay
Piper PA38-112, ZK-FTQ, registered to Air Hawkes Bay

Flying competition - various aircraft - 1

2011-10-30T20:20:00.000+13:00

Here are some of the various competition-related aircraft at Wanganui for the regionals. Top to bottom are:

Cessna A152, ZK-ELC, registered to Helipro of Paraparaumu
Maule MXT-7-180, ZK-JQY, registered to a Wanganui address
Cessna A150M, ZK-EHP, registered to a Marton address
Piper PA38-112, ZK-FRS, registered to Wanganui Aero Club
Cessna 182T, ZK-TOT, registered to a Paraparaumu address
AESL Airtourer 115, ZK-CWA, registered to a Napier address
Piper PA22-108, ZK-MEJ, registered to a Palmerston North address

Flying competition - Working together and the results

2011-10-30T19:50:00.000+13:00

I have just gotten back from the FlyingNZ Cook area regional competitions, hosted by the Wanganui Aero Club at Wanganui airport [NZWU]. We all had a great time, and it was well organised and run by FlyingNZ and Wanganui Aero Club.

First surprise was the chance to be driven over to Dannevirke aerodrome [NZDV] with some of the Hawkes Bay team to collect some aircraft they had left there due to the weather on Friday. I got to fly back a Piper PA38-112, ZK-FTP to Wanganui :-)

Lance [the other Wellington Aero Club competitor] and I then got to use the Hawkes Bay & East Coast aero club C172N, ZK-EKG in the low flying and liferaft drop competitions, and Lance got to use ZK-FTP for his bombing comp.

I nice bit of working together between competitors - thanks heaps to the team from Hawkes Bay & East Coast Aero Club!

As for the results, Lance and I got 3rd in the Liferaft drop [my fault, screwed up the first run in really badly] and I got 1st place in the PPL Low Flying comp! Awesome, so now I'm making planes to go to the Naionals in February next year!

Anyway, here are the photos. First up is Piper PA38-112, ZK-FTP, Cessna 172N, ZK-EKG and a quick picture from the evening dinner and prizegiving. The last photo is a picture of Lance and myself looking for stuff [clouds, team mates and aircraft - maybe you had to be there to understand this :-)]

Australian Light Aircraft Championships - Kiwi Domination

2011-10-24T19:31:00.003+13:00

The ALACs were held ealrier this year, but I've only just seen the video.

I didn't realise that the Kiwi team had done so well in the comps [as well as bringing home the Wings trophy], so perhaps a bit more promotion next time someone? :-)

Anyway, here is the video:

Golden Bay Air Piper Archer

2011-10-24T13:02:00.000+13:00

The wind has got up today, so no flying for me unfortunately. It's a real shame as a few of us were going to go on a sightseeing trip over to Motueka/ Karamea. Oh well. In my brief visit to the Club today, I did get my first picture of the Golden Bay Air Piper PA28-181 Archer, ZK-ZOG.

Young Eagles flights and a fish out of water?

2011-10-23T17:47:00.001+13:00

Today I had the fun of taking our Young Eagles on a quick flight out to the Hutt Valley and back. Five Young Eagles, two flights and everyone enjoyed themselves. What was even better was that two of them had never been in a light aircraft before, so this was a completely new experience for them.

Apart from that, I snapped the following picture of a fish out of water - that is, a fixed wing instructor sitting in a helicopter... Click on the photo for a good look on his face :-) The helicopter is a Robinson R44 II, ZK-IDO.

Ooops - forgot one

2011-10-22T21:02:00.000+13:00

In my haste to get the last post up, I forgot this aircraft, Piper PA28-151, ZK-TGF, registered to an Auckland address.

An awesome day of aviation

2011-10-22T20:47:00.000+13:00

I had an awesome day of aviation today!

The best part was going up for some dual practice at low flying, in preparation for the FlyingNZ regional competitions at Wanganui next weekend. A flight of 1.1 hours, most of which was in the low flying zone, practising coastal reversal turns, steep turns, constant radias turns and general low-flying handling was a lot of fun and a fair amount of work.

The second flight was as a passenger with another Club member. Both of these flights were in the Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT. The first couple of photos are from this second flight.

The remaining photos are of a Cessna 208B, ZK-MYH, registered to Air2There.com, a General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIB, registered to Air Chathams and lastly 2 photos of New Zealand's only British Aerospace BAe146 Series 200 Whisper Jet, ZK-ECO, operated by Vincent Aviation.

BFR. Done.

2011-10-20T20:39:00.000+13:00

Yippee! Completed by BFR this evening. The upper air work was done the other week, but we ran out of time for circuits, so I was able to do a a variety of circuits this evening.

As I was concentrating on the flight, I didn't take out my camera... a pity really since a really nice Cessna 680 Sovereign, ZK-JTH, was parked up outside the club. The only photo I got was on my [awful] phone camera. Apologies for the image quality! This aircraft is registered to Pacific Jets of Christchurch.

RAAF Boeing visitor

2011-10-14T19:06:00.000+13:00

The following picture is of a Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] Boeing 737-7DF BBJ, A36-002, which landed about 2 hours ago. The aircraft is parked at the RNZAF Air Movements Apron at Wellington airport. As you can see, it is not a particularly nice evening, although I managed to time myself to get this between showers.

More photos from Sunday's special Qantas flights

2011-10-11T22:03:00.000+13:00

Thanks to a reader, I now have some more photos from Sunday's special Qantas flights, including both Airbus A330 flights and a really good picture of the Boeing 767 landing. Many thanks to Rochelle L for offering up these great images!

Top to bottom are:

Airbus A330-303, VH-QPI
Airbus A330-303, VH-QPA
Boeing 767-338, VH-OGG

For more photos, the MRC Aviation blog has some more great photos.

Enjoy!

Special Qantas flights today

2011-10-10T20:14:00.000+13:00

In conjunction with the various Rugby World Cup activities [ok, for their own convenience, but at the same time as the RWC], Qantas put on some special flights into Wellington today.

Unfortunately I missed the 2[?] Airbus A330 flights, but I did get to see this Boeing 767-338, VH-OGG, departing. For Wellington [being a poky little airport by most standards], this is a big aircraft and it is nice to see something a little different coming and going [much like the Air NZ B777 a few months ago].

Here are a bunch of photos, from push back to lift-off, The last one is an extra of a Sounds Air Cessna 208, ZK-TZR, of Sounds Air which landed as the Boeing was being pushed in behind the airport fire station.

[If anyone has some good pictures of the Airbus flights, please leave a comment with a link - many thanks, Rodney]

Danish Bombardier and more

2011-10-08T16:47:00.001+13:00

Today's photos include a very unusual aircraft nationality, a Danish registered Bombardier BD700-1A10 Global Express, OY-MSI, which I understand is registered to Execujet Scandinavia. This has been parked outside the aero club for a couple of days, and heads of early next week.

Some really nice photos of its arrival yesterday are on the MRC Aviation blog.

Other aircraft included this Gulfstream American [prev Grumman American?] GA-7 Cougar, ZK-CGR, which arrived from North Shore aerodrome [NZNE], and a Cessna 172S, ZK-NAB, from Nelson Aviation College.

Wacky airline advertising

2011-10-02T21:54:00.000+13:00

Seen in a mall entrance in Prague on my recent trip was this upside-down vehicle advertising Czech Airlines. A little weird perhaps?

The translation of the message on the top explains it a little:

"Fly from Prague to the other side of the globe"

and here was me thinking it might have been :

"free aeros included on every flight from Prague with Czech Airlines" :-)

Today's aircraft

2011-10-02T17:01:00.000+13:00

There was no flying for me today, but I did see some interesting aircraft come through. The first of these brought people to Wellington for today's All Blacks vs Canada Rugby World Cup game. These aircraft are Cessna C510 Citation Mustang, ZK-PGA, registered to Pacific Jets Ltd of Christchurch, followed by Piper PA34-200T Seneca, ZK-SFC, registered to Air Gisborne Ltd. Lastly we have Cessna 402C, ZK-VAD, registered to Ridge Air of Richmond.

Also happening today was a display by the RNZAF Red Checkers display team, supporting the Navy's 70th anniversary celebrations in Wellington. One of the Checkers team landed in Wellington so here are some photos of Pacific Aerospace Corp CT4/E Airtrainer, NZ1991.

Enjoy!

A nice day for a flight plus an awesome helo

2011-10-01T15:44:00.000+13:00

Finally, a nice day for a flight! I got to take the Club's Cessna 172 up for a whiz around - a few circuits then off for 2 simulated FLWOP and a few turns. Nice. The weather was a little bit lumpy at times, but this was good practice anyway. No scares and everything went well.

Photo of just 3 aircraft today. The first is the Cessna 510 Citation Mustang, ZK-MUS taking off. Next is the Nanchang CJ6, ZK-MAO. Lastly are 4 photos of a Royal New Zealand Navy [RNZN] Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite, NZ3601, arriving and departing Wellington. An awesome sight! It will have been here in support of the RNZN's 70th anniversary celebrations. Enjoy!

Not so nice today...

2011-09-25T17:20:00.001+13:00

The weather was a little dodgy today, so no VFR flying at the club today. It seems this might be a fairly typical spring, with variable weather [that is, varying between ok and awful :-)], especially on the weekends!

A couple of interesting aircraft today. The first was a British Aerospace BAe 146 Series 200, ZK-ECO, operated by Vincent Aviation. The aircraft was being turned around due to a wind change, and as you can see, it was raining quiet heavily.

The second is an American registered Beechcraft G58 Baron, N254F, registered to a company called "Kiwi Lion LLC". A quick bit of research indicates that this aircraft may either be based in New Zealand, or at least a regular visitor, with photos found of the aircraft in New Zealand in January and March 2010. It has been in Wellington for a few days - perhaps associated with the Rugby World Cup [Go the All Blacks]?

The last is a Piper PA28-180, ZK-SNE, which seems to delight in arriving and departing Wellington with various people when the weather is borderline VFR [and the local aircraft are tucked up safe and warm]. Crazy.

It's good to be home...

2011-09-22T22:13:00.000+12:00

After a few weeks overseas on holiday, it is really nice to be back home and able to relax for a few days before heading back to work.

Yesterday I got a dual flight in the club's Cessna 172 - a bit of a refresher having not flown much recently, and a bit of fun. If the weather is good, I'll get a solo flight in on Saturday.

A couple of very different aircraft seen today are a Cirrus Design SR22, ZK-WIJ and an RNZAF operated Bell UH-1H Iroquois, NZ3805. These choppers will become an increasing rarity over the next year or so as they are replaced by the NATO Helicopter Industries NH90.

Europe Trip 2011 #17: Final post from the trip

2011-09-19T17:58:00.001+12:00

OK, so here is the final post from my holiday. These are the remaining 4 interesting aircraft I saw I Hong Kong during the very brief stopover. Enjoy!

Top to bottom are:

Airbus A330-202, A7-ACM, of Qatar
Airbus A340-642, D-AIHP, of Lufthansa
Airbus A330-302, B-18309, of China Airlines
Boeing 747-406M, PH-BFU, of KLM

Europe Trip 2011 #16: Second-last post from Hong Kong

2011-09-19T17:50:00.001+12:00

In this second-last post from my holiday, I have a bunch of interesting aircraft from the brief Hong Kong stopover on the way back to New Zealand.

It's probably easier just to list them, so here they are:

Boeing 777-3F2/ER, TC-JJL, of Turkish Airlines
Boeing 747-436, G-BNLR, of British Airways
Airbus A330-223, B-LNF, of Hong Kong Airlines
Boeing 747-45EM, B-16409, of EVA Air
Boeing 777-212/ER, V8-BLC, of Royal Brunei

Europe Trip 2011 #15: Leaving Heathrow on Air NZ

2011-09-19T17:24:00.000+12:00

After a little over 3 weeks, I'm back in New Zealand. I arrived back earlier today, with very little sleep and suffering for it, although I am trying to stay up for another hour or so before hitting the sack to minimise the effects of jetlag.

Anyway, the trip back. The flight was NZ38 on Air New Zealand, Heathrow [EGLL], Hong Kong [VHHH] (for a brief stop) then on to Auckland [NZAA]. I then caught a domestic AirNZ flight from Auckland to Wellington [NZWN]. The international portion was on a Boeing 777-219ER, ZK-OKA, as per the first photo from Heathrow.

Unlike the trip over, standby upgrades were not available, although this was no problem as I had one of the best economy class seats on the aircraft, with no seat directly in front of me. Perhaps some of the exit row seats were marginally better, but I'm very happy with what I had. As usual, the food was good, the flight attendants very good, and apart form the lack of sleep [I never seem to sleep well on aircraft], a good way to get from A to B.

There are just 2 photos from Heathrow - the Air NZ aircraft and a South African Airways aircraft - I think that this is an Airbus A330-243, ZS-SXY, but I can't be sure [and very happy to be corrected].

My next post will contain the photos from Hong Kong, and that'll be it for the trip. Enjoy!

Europe Trip 2011 #14: Prague - Ruzyne airport

2011-09-15T20:10:00.000+12:00

I left the Czech Republic yesterday for London Gatwick [ICAO: EGKK]. I'll be staying in London for a few days and then heading home. Prague -Ruzyne [ICAO: LKPR] is an interesting airport with what appears to be plenty happening, although it was a bit quiet when I was there.

I checked in early for the flight [that is, number 3 to check in], and had a good wander around the airport. The ride itself was OK - just as you would expect from Easyjet... extremely basic, but at least they sell express train tickets etc as good prices. Somehow [even though I refuse to buy "speedy boarding", which only seems to get you in around the first half of boarding, nothing special] I still managed to get a front row seat so unlimited legroom. Unfortunately, the waiting in immigration at Gatwick was at least as long as the flight... oh well.

A few photos that I did manage to capture at Prague are:

Boeing 737-55S, OK-XGA, Czech Airlines
Airbus A319-112, OK-MEK, Czech Airlines
BAE Systems Avro 146/ RJ85, OO-DJW, Brussels Airlines
Boeing 737-86N, VQ-BMP, Yakutia Airlines [one of many airlines based in Russia]
Airbus A319-111, G-EZAK, Easyjet - my ride home

Europe Trip 2011 #13: Tethered balloon ride!

2011-09-12T05:27:00.001+12:00

If you have been following my other blog [click here], you may have seen that I went for a tethered balloon ride in Prague today. Very scary, but also fun. Here are a couple of pictures of the balloon, which from what I can find, appears to be a FKP-STU/350. It is on the Czech Republic register as OK-0010.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos. Check out my other site for details of the ride itself!

Europe Trip 2011 #12: Checkpoint Charlie Museum question...?

2011-09-06T01:30:00.000+12:00

If you're following my World Travels blog, you'll know that I went to Checkpoint Charlie earlier today. One of the intriguing sights were a set of wings up on the outside of the museum wall. I'm trying to figure out what sort of aircraft is was.

Clearly it's a light aircraft of some sort - maybe the size of a C172/ PA28 [maybe slightly larger?], with the registration D-EDDG. The wings appear to have leading-edge slats and to the right you can see a two-bladed prop.

The words on the caption [between the wings] read:

With an airplane carried by these wings and driven by this propeller the family Arndtz escaped on 22nd May 1982. Their escape agent Rolf Schauss (top photo) from Saarbrucken had flown without permission in the hedgehopping style to Hungary and landed as agreed on a field near Jak. With four GDR citizens on board he had overcome the Hungarian border flying as low as had been possible whilst being shot at and landed in Pinkafeld/ Austria. The action took 19 minutes.

A quick Google search didn't turn up anything obvious [and the rego appears to have been re-used]. Any ideas?

Europe Trip 2011 #11: Off to the Deutsches Technikmuseum - 4

2011-09-05T08:54:00.000+12:00

One last post from the Deutsches Technikmuseum, only one photo, but it's an important one. It is a Cessna [Reims] F 172 P, D-ECJB. 150 hp Lycoming O-320-D2J, 4 seats and no guns. A common as mud aircraft.

Impressed? Maybe not.

Impressive? Well, actually, yes!

This is the aircraft that an immature, and very fortunate 19 year old, low hour PPL, Mattias Rust flew all the way to Moscow in 1987, managing to evade the Russian air defences [through their stupidity, not by his skill], to land in the middle of Moscow... MUCH more exciting than flower-bombing Eden Park during a rugby match, eh?

Idiot? Yes, but this did give the Soviet leader at the time, Mikhail Gorbachev, the opportunity to fire a few Generals, etc, and implement some of his reforms.

Anyway, here is his aircraft. Interestingly, once the aircraft was returned to Germany by the Soviets, it was not allowed to fly again [in case it irritated the Soviets even more!]. It spent time in Munich as "advertising" then in Japan in an open-air exhibition before being purchased and put back on display in the museum.

Europe Trip 2011 #10: Off to the Deutsches Technikmuseum - 3

2011-09-05T08:24:00.000+12:00

Ok, more aircraft from the Deutsches Technikmuseum. This time we one civil aircraft, a couple with both military and civil roles and some aircraft that really only have a military application :-)

Arado Ar 79, D-EMVT
Douglas DC3, "European Air Transport Service'/ USAF
Junker Ju 52/3m in Lufthansa livery
Messerschmitt Bf 109
Mikoyan-Gurewitch MiG-15bis
North American (FIAT) F-86K Sabre

Europe Trip 2011 #9: Off to the Deutsches Technikmuseum - 2

2011-09-05T08:07:00.000+12:00

Here's my second series of photos from the Deutsches Technikmuseum in Berlin. I forgot to mention in my first posts that some of these images are quiet dark - apologies for that, but camera flashes are not permitted and probably wouldn't help much anyway :-(

On to the photos.

Lockheed L-1049G "Super Constellation" cockpit
Junkers Ju 88 [note the detached nose]
Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch"
Bücker Bü 181 "Bestmann"
Junkers Ju 87 [looking rather worse for wear :-)]
Klemm Kl 35, D-EDOD

Europe Trip 2011 #8: Off to the Deutsches Technikmuseum - 1

2011-09-05T07:37:00.002+12:00

Today was my planned trip to visit the Deutsches Technikmuseum [German Museum of Technology]. It was an easy 25-30 minute walk from my hotel, so rather than pay for a taxi, I made the journey on foot. It's a better way to see the city anyway.

The main reason I wanted to go was to see the aviation section, although I was pleasantly surprised with the wide range of other displays and information. the staff were very helpful [one of them approached me and went out of her way to get some information for me], and at EUR6, you can't go wrong.
Needless to say there were a few aircraft I had seen before and many that I hadn't. The aircraft display area is not huge [there is far more room devoted to the trains], but it was still worth the walk! Apart from that, take a look at the first picture - any time you see a building with a Douglas DC3 suspended on the roof, it has got to be a good day! :-)

Anyway, to the pictures:

Douglas DC3 on the roof!
Otto Lilienthal's most advanced glider design
Jeannin Stahltaube design [title roughly translates as Jeannin Stahltaube a dove as a scout in the war]
Focke Achgelis Fa 330 "Bachstelze" gyrocopter [designed to be collapsible and operate from u-boats [submarines] as to expand the area the u-boat could observe]
Arado Ar 96 B-1 [the title text on this translated as Standard trainer of the fighter pilot]

[BTW - many thanks to Google Translate [!] for the rough translations and interpretations as above!!]

Europe Trip 2011 #7: Balloon ride in the middle of Berlin

2011-09-05T05:00:00.000+12:00

I was out and about tonight and saw something a bit different - a tethered balloon ride! This balloon is designed to take tourists for a great view of the city, although I heard yesterday that is was EUR90, so way outside of what I would want to be paying!

Anyway, the interesting thing is that this appears to be on the German aircraft register, as it has a registration of D-OCUL! I guess it would be operating in controlled airspace [with 2 airports in close proximity], although it is tethered full time and I doubt it would be capable of [safe] untethered flight. Who knows!

The wording on the side says it all - der Welt translates as "the world", and yes, the world map on the side does include New Zealand :-)

Anyway, here it is!

Europe Trip #6: Tempelhof airport - RIP

2011-09-04T08:46:00.004+12:00

While visiting the Fernsehturm or TV Tower in Berlin today, I took a photo of what used to be Tempelhof airport [ICAO code EDDI]. Unfortunately the combination of light, haze, rubbish glass and angle made for a stink picture, but it's the best one I got. Templehof was closed in 2008.

You will need to click on the image for a larger view. Tempelhof was the green patch in the middle of the image.

Europe Trip 2011 #5: BMI from London Heathrow

2011-09-03T07:24:00.000+12:00

After a week in London [making a pretense at] babysitting the world's best looking and behaved infant [apologies to the rest of you who think your little darlings are best! Maybe I'm a little biased? :-)], I left London for a week in Berlin.

The flight was on BMI [British Midland International], a subsidiary of Lufthansa, and was on an Airbus A319. The schedule called for a 14:40 departure, but with a delay in the catering [would you believe they told us that the catering truck broke down as it entered the airfield!!] and a massive airways delay, we got going about an hour later.

Unbelievably, even though my ticket amounted to only GBP14.50 plus about GBP34 in taxes, I got served a "meal", which consisted of some sort of wrap [actually quite nice] and a drink [they only had one type of beer, just as well it was Corona and not some dodgy British brew...]. All this with around 1 hr 20 mins in the air. Ok, so they didn't make any money on me, but they must have made some money out of some of the other passengers [the people sitting next to me paid around GBP24 plus taxes - still very cheap!]!

Anyway, a couple of photos. Nothing of the aircraft I was on, but a BMI Airbus A321-231, G-MEDM and a Lufthansa Airbus A320-211, D-AIQH at London Heathrow [ICAO: EGLL]. Nothing from Tegel airport [EDDT] unfortunately.

Europe Trip 2011 #4: Hong Kong aircraft - 3

2011-08-30T09:00:00.000+12:00

In this final post from the brief stopover at Hong Kong we have the following:

Boeing 747-346, HS-UTN, registered to Orient Thai
Boeing 777-232LR, N702DN, registered to Delta Air Lines
Airbus A321-231, M-MAJ, registered to Air Macau
Boeing 767-346ER, JA603J, registered to Japan Airlines

Europe Trip 2011 #3: Hong Kong aircraft - 2

2011-08-30T08:49:00.000+12:00

The next set of aircraft seen at Hong Kong were as follows:

Boeing 747-467, B-HUB, registered to Cathay Pacific
Bombardier BD-700-1A11, B-KMF, registered to "Fang Group" [anyone have any more details?]
Bombardier CL-600-2B16, N15VC, registered to "Bank of Utah Trustee"
Boeing 737-84P, B-KBU, registered to Hong Kong Airlines
Airbus A320-232, B-6585, registered to China Eastern Airlines

Europe Trip 2011 #2: Hong Kong aircraft - 1

2011-08-30T08:30:00.000+12:00

A stopover in Hong Kong [even if only a couple of hours] provides for a much greater variety of aircraft and airlines than we normally see in Wellington - and as far as the airlines are concerned, in New Zealand.

This next set of posts detail some of those aircraft. In this post, the aircraft are as follows:

Boeing 747-346, HS-UTW, registered to Orient Thai Airlines

Airbus A330-322, HS-TEJ, registered to Thai Airlines

Airbus A330-322, HS-TEL, registered to Thai Airlines

Airbus A330-223, B-LNG, registered to Hong Kong Airlines

Boeing 777-337/ER, VT-ALJ, registered to Air India

Boeing 747-412, B-HKF, registered to Cathay Pacific Airlines

Europe Trip 2011 #1: Wellington to London - the trip

2011-08-28T21:11:00.000+12:00

Well, I've made it. all the way from Wellington to London in a little over 30 hours. Add in that I was awake for the preceding 10 hours, and that I only got 2-3 hours of broken sleep on the plane, it's a wonder that I feel human this morning!

The flights themselves were really good. The sectors were Wellington [ICAO code: NZWN] - Auckland [NZAA], Auckland - Hong Kong [VHHH] and Hong Kong to London Heathrow [EGLL]. I checked it out and no airline [that I could find] coukld get me from Wellington to London in a quicker time.

Air New Zealand gave me my requested standby upgrades [at effectively NZD$220 each] for both international sectors which was awesome, albeit with a window seat each time. Still, on the Hong Kong to London sector, the middle seat was free, so heaps of room to stretch out and relax and only one person to climb over :-) The service was great and it's a nice relaxing was to travel... now for a free upgrade to try business class? I don't think so somehow :-) All in all, well worth the extra dollars [Airports dollars anyway] for the upgrade!

Anyway, here are the first photos. Just three this time - the first light as we near Hong Kong, just after landing in Hong Kong and a picture of the Air NZ Boeing 777-219, ZK-OKA, that I traveled on all the way to London. You'll probably notice the engine... it is HUGE - an amazing piece of engineering.

The next post [when I get around to it] will have photos of many of the airlines I saw at Hong Kong.

Off on holiday!

2011-08-24T20:37:00.000+12:00

Things might be a little quiet for a couple of weeks as I am off on a bit of a holiday in a few days. Do stay tuned however, as I hope to bring at least a few aviation related snaps from my quick trip "up north" [that is, the little continent they call "Europe"...]. Obviously, posting will be somewhat dependant on the availability of pictures and Wifi, although my hotels in Berlin and Prague advertise free Wifi, and London should be no problem, so I should be able to get some content up.

To follow the trip, you might also be interested in my other [non aviation] blog, the appropriately[?] named Rodney's World Travels and Other Grandiose Stuff :-).

Either way, there'll be a catch up when I get back.

Cheers,

Rodney

Today's Boeings

2011-08-21T17:38:00.000+12:00

This final post for today consists of a number of the larger aircraft that frequent Wellington airport, mostly Boeings as it turns out... I did get some pictures of Airbus A320's, but not very good ones...

First up are a couple of Boeing 737-3U3's, ZK-SJC [airborne] and ZK-NGE [landing], both registered to Air New Zealand.

Second up is Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQF, registered to Jetconnect [ie: Qantas] in their "Great Crusade"/ Rugby World Cup livery.

Lastly is a picture across to the international terminal with three aircraft from three airlines; Qantas/ Jetconnect Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQE, Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJA and Pacific Blue Boeing 737-8FE, ZK-PBL.

Today's helicopters

2011-08-21T17:21:00.000+12:00

I saw two helicopters come in today. The first is the resident Westpac Rescue helicopter, a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HLF, which is back in service after maintenance.

The second is the local Robinson R44, ZK-IDO, registered to Volare Aviation. This R44 is parked in the Club's hanger.

Today's light aircraft

2011-08-21T17:14:00.000+12:00

It was another awesome weather day today, so the Club's fleet were outdoing their thing, which was good to see.

Of the other movements, at the lighter end of the scale were these three. The first is the Akrotech Giles G200, ZK-LGT [resident in the Club's hanger], the second was a Mooney M20C, ZK-CKF, of a Christchurch address, and lastly, Cessna 421C Golden Eagle, ZK-MFT, registered to Skyline Aviation in Napier.

Turbine and a Radial

2011-08-20T17:12:00.000+12:00

Just two photos today from my visit to the Aero Club. The first is a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IME, registered to Helicopters Otago Ltd. This helicopter has been filling in for the usual Westpac Rescue helicopter which was recently undergoing maintenance.

The second picture is of the radial engine in a Nanchang CJ6, ZK-MAO. Much nicer looking than a Lycoming :-).

In the middle of a storm, thanks for a laugh Qantas!

2011-08-16T19:30:00.001+12:00

We're still in the middle of a 1-in-50 year storm, but I received this uplifting communication from Qantas CEO [ok, his marketing team...]. It gave me a good laugh!

When you read this, please keep in mind that:

I last flew with Qantas around 3-4 years ago and goodness know when before that
I'm a New Zealander and I'll always call New Zealand home

On the other hand, if Qantas wants to show off their product just give me a call - I'm sure we can organise something :-)

Ok, so this post is a bit tongue-in-cheek, so have a laugh, but don't take it all too seriously... anyone have Alan's email address? I might send him a thank you :-) ha ha

Nasty, nasty, nasty

2011-08-15T19:53:00.001+12:00

It would seem yesterday's miserable cold weather with evening snow was not the worst of it.

It appears that Wellington airport is effectively closed with Air NZ and Qantas showing all flights to/ from Wellington are cancelled for this evening. Jetstar shows it is operating [albeit with massive delays], although I suspect that is more to do with their crappy customer service not updating their website.

No pictures from the airport, but here's a couple of others which help to show what it's like. There is ice everywhere, it's bitterly cold and altogether rather miserable. What you can't see of course, is the wind... the house is shaking, or the thunder and lightening :-)

More details on my other blog : 1-in-50 Year Storm

Still cold, still raining, snow soon to start and some of the civilian aircraft

2011-08-14T18:13:00.000+12:00

Following on from my previous post, here are a few of the civilian aircraft that came and went. The first is a Piper PA34-220T, ZK-ZAG, registered to Golden Bay Air Ltd in Takaka. The next aircraft is an Air NZ Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJE.

Lastly are two photos of a Qantas/ Jetconnect Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQD slowing up after landing.

Cold, rain, snow and the military visitors

2011-08-14T17:47:00.001+12:00

The forecasts for today and the next 2-3 days are looking very good, in a weird kinda way. We are forecast to have snow, almost to sea level, for the first time in possibly several decades. It should be an exciting time for the next few days! Already, I've experienced a little snow at home this evening, and I'm hoping that it will start to settle on the ground on the next few days.

Apologies if you don't see the good side of this - especially if you've had heavy snowfalls that are creating problems, but it's a bit novel for Wellington.

Needless to say, there was no flying happening at the Club today, although the conditions did mean that I got a number of interesting photos. Some of them are "technically" not very good, but I hope you'll agree that they are still worth showing.

This post has a couple of Lockheed C130H's that came to visit. The first is a Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] C130H, registration A97-007, which did a touch-and-go then left for somewhere else. The second is an Royal New Zealand Air Force [RNZAF] C130H, NZ7002, which stopped at the RNZAF Air Movements apron. Enjoy!

A flight and some interesting aircraft

2011-08-13T16:52:00.000+12:00

Today was looking doubtful for a flight, with low cloud at home and around the airport. It mostly cleared up by the afternoon, and I ended up doing a dual flight up to Paraparaumu airport [NZPP], about a 30 minute flight to the north, in a Cessna 172, ZK-FLT. This was my first flight in a Cessna for over 2 months, so it was good to get back in control.

There was a big surprise waiting at Paraparaumu, with a Air Nelson Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEA parked up. Air Nelson [part of the Air New Zealand group] will start flying between Paraparaumu and Auckland in the near future. Today looked like another famil exercise for the local staff and some VIPs who go a look inside the aircraft.

Other aircraft are a Jodel D.11, ZK-ECU and Cessna 172, ZK-FLT, both at Paraparaumu. Lastly is a photo of Cessna A185F, ZK-PRM at Wellington.

Good news! The Cessna is back and I got to go flying... in a Piper

2011-08-06T15:24:00.000+12:00

Finally, some good news on the aviation front!

The first bit of good news is that the Club's Cessna 172, ZK-FLT is back on long after a lengthy lay-off for maintenance, including getting a paint job, replacement engine and an interior refit. It's looking very flash now, although I understand that the plain exterior might be simply awaiting some good ideas. I'll keep you posted.

The other good news is that, despite the poor weather [mainly the bit about the wind being 18 knots gusting to 30 knots and forecast to increase later today], I finally got to go flying today! Not in the C172, but in a Club Piper PA38-112, ZK-ESG. I haven't flown at all in the last 9-10 weeks [!!], and I haven't flown a PA38 since late December 2010, so I went up for a few dual circuits which was a good refresher. Hopefully I'll get a dual ride in the C172 next weekend. I'm due for a BFR at the end of this month, but I think that will wait until I get back from a brief holiday.... more on that later.

Anyway, here's a couple of exterior shots of the repainted C172.

A cracker of a day!

2011-07-31T15:24:00.000+12:00

It has been a fantastic day in Wellington today! Bright blue skies and little wind.

I spent a few hours out at the Club this afternoon watching to comings and goings. It was good to see an almost empty hanger with all of the Club's aircraft out earning their keep. Lots of flying makes for happy planes and much happier people :-) I'm hoping that the Cessna 172 will be back next weekend... I've booked myself in for a dual flight to get back into it (Kia ora Mrs Rudman!).

Photos today are of several of the fleet coming in or getting ready to leave. First up are 3 of the Piper PA38-112 Tomahawks, ZK-JFE, ZK-WAC and ZK-ESG. This is followed by Piper PA28R-201 Arrow, ZK-EIF and finally the Nanchang CJ6, ZK-MAO.

BTW - did you know, that if you're in Wellington and want to see if flying is for you, you can call the Club and book in a trial flight. They are lots of fun, and make great birthday presents also! Call on 04 388 8444, or take a look at our website - click here. Aero clubs around the country offer similar experiences so look them up and give them a call (more info)!

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!

2011-07-30T16:03:00.000+12:00

No, that heading is not a typo :-(

Having not flown for almost 2 months, due to weather and aircraft unavailability, I was really looking forward to taking a flight tomorrow... but... the aircraft is still away... hopefully next weekend, otherwise I'm going to have to seriously look at getting back into a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, or maybe getting a rating on a Beech C23 Sundowner.

My BFR [Biennial Flight Review] is due later this month, but I'm tossing up whether to do it before I go on holiday, or afterwards... I guess as much as anything, it will depend on the availability of the aircraft... Oh well. Today's picture is a Beech/ Raytheon B1900D, ZK-EAC registered to Eagle Airways Ltd landing on runway 16 at Wellington. Enjoy!

The weather this weekend...

2011-07-23T16:50:00.000+12:00

... is not much good for anything, so my flight tomorrow has already been cancelled. While it is windy, rainy and cloudy today, it is supposed to get much colder on Monday - to the extent that we may have snow to low levels around Wellington.

Anyway, back to today's weather, the following pictures show very clearly why there was not much flying today... Mount Cook Airline ATR72-212A, ZK-MCX and an Air Nelson Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NFB.

A new aircraft online, a visitor and a couple of regulars

2011-07-17T16:28:00.000+12:00

I had a quick visit to the aero club today, just enough time for 4 photographs.

The first is of a "new" aircraft to the club flightline, Beech C23 Sundowner, ZK-DVB. I am not sure if this will be a permanent or temporary arrangement, but I'm sure it will be popular for type ratings from curious club pilots.

A visitor was an Alpha R2160, ZK-VCA, from Canterbury Aero Club in Christchurch.

The "regulars" referred to in the post title were a couple of Air New Zealand branded aircraft. A Beech/ Raytheon B1900D, ZK-EAO, registered to Eagle Airways Ltd, and Boeing B737-3U3, ZK-SJC, registered to Air New Zealand Ltd.

No flying tomorrow...

2011-07-16T16:29:00.001+12:00

As mentioned in my previous post, I had hoped to go flying tomorrow in the Club's newly refurbished Cessna 172, ZK-FLT. Unfortunately it is still getting the last couple of bits finished before it's back on line, so another week goes by... I don't have my logbook with me as I write this, but it has been a few weeks since I last flew.

My BFR is due next month, although I'm wondering if perhaps I wait until I get back from a big trip that is coming up shortly. We will see. In any case, although aviation is not the purpose of the trip, I hope to get a few photos up anyway. I'll keep you posted :-)

Lastly, yes, I am booked in for a flight next Sunday - Hopefully the plane is back AND we manage to get some good weather :-)

What is it with the weather?

2011-07-10T18:46:00.003+12:00

What is it with the weather? Often good during the week, but bad on the weekends. Today it was often westerly [up to 20 or so knots crosswind on the surface at times], and quiet breezy at 2000', so very little flying for the club.

Here are a couple of Air Nelson DHC-8-300's [ZK-NFA and ZK-NEB] followed by a Giles G200, ZK-LGT doing some circuits.

In slightly more hopeful news, I am hoping to get out and about next Sunday afternoon when the Club gets its C172 back. Here's hoping the weather holds up!

[Update: Just heard the weather forecast for tomorrow - could be gusting up to 140 kph, 87 mph, 76 knots tomorrow - Monday...!!! still, here's hoping we get a nice weekend for once!]

Avskills - One day airstrip flying course auction on Trademe!

2011-07-04T13:17:00.001+12:00

OK, this is probably best for all the kiwi visitors to this website... but check this out! Avskills are auctioning off a 1 day airstrip flying course on Trademe!

I did a quick intro to this a couple of years back and I'm still grinning... and this one is definitely on my "watch list"... so yeah, I'd recommend it! Take a look at the auction for the full details.

Auction closes on 18 July 2011.