Gulfstream GV-SP at Wellington

Spotted at Wellington on Sunday afternoon was this Gulfstream GV-SP, N878DB. I'm a little unclear as to the actual ownership [ie: who uses it], although records indicate Thorondor LLC or Apercen Partners LLC, both of the United States.

Either way, it's a nice looking machine!

Gulfstream GV-SP, N878DB

Fijian Boeing 737-7X2 at Wellington

On Sunday afternoon, I saw this Fiji Airways operated Boeing 737-7X2, DQ-FJF, departing Wellington for Suva.

The B737-700 is the smallest version of the Boeing 737 NG series and, along with it's longer -800 series aircraft, is due to the replaced by the B737 MAX 8 series aircraft. It'll be interesting to see these new machines when they come online.

Boeing 737-7X2, DQ-FJF, operated by Fiji Airways

Another flight in ZK-EKE

Saturday afternoon I had a flight to Masterton in Wellington Aero Club's new Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE. I was a passenger there and back but got to do just under an hour of circuits - quite a treat, with uncongested airspace, a choice of runways, and a decent crosswind to contend with.

Fun times!

Anyway, here are a few pictures. First up is ZK-EKE while parked up at Masterton. The second is the panel and finally, on approach back in Wellington.

Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Panel inside Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE

Approach into Wellington

De Havilland DH112 Venom

I'm just going through my photos from the past few weeks when I pulled out these photos of the De Havilland DH112 Venom, ZK-VNM. I think you'll agree that these are well worth showing!

The first is on takeoff, the others later on. It's helpful to have a decent zoom lens on the camera!

De Havilland DH112 Venom, ZK-VNM

De Havilland DH112 Venom, ZK-VNM

De Havilland DH112 Venom, ZK-VNM

ZK-EKE takeoff video on D'Urville

This is a very brief video of ZK-EKE taking off from D'Urville Island airstrip last Sunday afternoon.

A new Cessna and strip flying at D'Urville!

Last weekend was an exciting time for Wellington Aero Club with the delivery of our "new" Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE!

The aircraft has undergone a refurbishment, which included a repaint and new livery, a new intercom, radio and transponder [an ADS-B model] and tail leading edge protection for the strip flying :-) It looks really flash! The aircraft has a 180hp engine and a STOL kit, so it performs really well also.

Sunday was my first opportunity to fly it and the club's CFI, myself and another club member headed out to D'Urville Island for some strip flying. What a lot of fun that was! On the way out we passed another of the club's aircraft - a Piper PA38-112, ZK-WAC, which also has a new livery applied. Hopefully more of the fleet will get this livery at some stage.

First up are three photos of ZK-EKE. I hope you'll agree it's a fantastic looking aircraft!

Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Next up are three photos of D'Urville Island airstrip. The first is from the south-west with the strip in the middle. Big thanks to Andrew M for the photos!

D'Urville Island Airstrip

Short final approach for the north-western runway.

D'Urville Island Airstrip

A general view of the airstrip of the airstrip and the beach from the west.

D'Urville Island Airstrip

Lastly, here's a photo of our Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-WAC. Another nice livery!

Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-WAC, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Charter Boeing and a DC3 at Wellington

In addition to yesterday's US Navy Gulfstream arrival, there has been a charter Boeing parked up for a few days. It's an awesome looking machine. This is a Boeing 737-7HZ BBJ, P4-NGK, and is operated by what appears to be a European charter operator, ABS Jets.

Boeing 737-7HZ, P4-NGK, operated by ABS Jets

A big surprise though was to hear of the arrival of an Air Chathams-operated Douglas DC3, ZK-AWP. I'm not yet sure what the reason for the visit is, but it's good to see this classic aircraft still in operation!

Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

A Kat and a Ghost

Saturday I went on a flight from Wellington to Paraparaumu in Wellington Aero Club's Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. I dropped a couple of people off who were collecting another aircraft then headed back.

Coming back I needed to keep my speed up - turns out I was ahead of a US Navy Gulfstream IV/ C-20G, registered 16-5152. Have a look at the two photos of it - on the right-hand side there are fewer windows and a large cargo door.

Gulfstream GIV/ C20G, 16-5152, operated by the US Navy

Gulfstream GIV/ C20G, 16-5152, operated by the US Navy

Finally, my chariot for the day, Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT.

Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Flying NZ Cook Region competition at Whanganui

Last weekend was the annual Flying New Zealand Cook Strait Region flying competition. This year it was hosted by Wanganui Aero Club at Whanganui Airport.

Leading up to the event, there were forecasts of strong winds [potentially gale force] which caused a bit of concern, but the preceding Thursday and Friday were good enough for competitors to arrive. Friday was actually a very nice day. Due to forecasts and with competitors having arrived, we went ahead with the formation and aerobatic competitions on Friday evening.

Saturday dawned wet and with low winds, so after the safety briefings, we got into it, knowing the wind would pick up later.

In the end, we got through all events except the PPL Low Flying [postponed due to the wind] which was a good result. In fact, the wind only really started to become difficult around 1/1:30pm, but even then, flyable. The day finished off with a celebration dinner and prizegiving at the Whanganui Function Centre at the racecourse.

As the Event Director, I was busy doing anything but take photos on Saturday, but I did get a few on Thursday and Friday. Here they are.

Various competing aircraft

Various competing aircraft

Various competing aircraft

Various competing aircraft

Judges judging

Other competitors spectating

I won't get into the results here, but the final results will be published on the flyingnz.co.nz website in due course.

Air Chathams Saab 340A

Here are two [pictures of an Air Chathams-operated Saab-Scania SAAB 340A, ZK-KRA, arriving at, then departing Whanganui. Take a look at the pictures and you'll see there was a sizable crosswind, which was well handled by the crew.

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams

More testing of my new camera

Last Sunday I took a few more photos with the "new" [to me] Canon EOS 700. I think I have the hang on it now, so here are a few photos.

Boeing 738-838, VH-XZJ, operated by Qantas

Boeing 737-86J, DQ-FJM, operated by Fiji Airways

ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVJ, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

Boeing 777-212/ER, 9V-SQN, operated by Singapore Airlines

Bombardier DHC8-311, ZK-NEU, operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive in NZ

Earlier today Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Wellington for the start of the New Zealand leg of their tour down under.

The aircraft was one of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Boeing 757-2K2 aircraft, NZ7571. It was using the callsign Royal 1. Also on the plane were a number of competitors from the recent Invictus Games, held in Australia.

Here are a few of the pictures of their arrival. Irrespective of what you might think about these two, we are so fortunate in New Zealand to be able to get this close to celebrities/ VIPs with little of the nonsense that occurs in some other countries!

It must almost be time...

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7571, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7571, operated by the RNZAF

Prince Harry and Meghan exit the aircraft

Diamond DA42

Today's very interesting visitor is this Diamond DA42 Twinstar, ZK-EAP. This aircraft is operated by Ardmore Flying School. Ardmore Flying School has two of these, plus a Beech 76 Duchess as their twin trainers.

Diamond DA42 Twinstar, ZK-EAP, operated by Ardmore Flying School

Qantas Boeing at Wellington

It's been rather windy and not a lot happening today. Hopefully, the wind will die down tomorrow or Monday and I get to go flying.

Here's one photo of a Qantas-operated Boeing 737-838, VH-XZB, landing earlier today.

Boeing 737-838, VH-XZB, operated by Qantas Airways

Taming the Kat

Or perhaps that should be tamed by the Kat? There's always something to learn after all :-)

Anyway, a couple of weekends ago, I went on a solo flight in Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. It was a chance to do some stalls, turns, a simulated FLWOP before returning to Wellington. Everything went well and I had a bit of fun. I also managed to get a little bit of video, and here it is.

The flight out was via the Pencarrow Departure and the return was via the Hutt Valley and an Eastbourne Arrival. All in all, it was a fun flight in a really nice aircraft.