This is a very brief video of ZK-EKE taking off from D'Urville Island airstrip last Sunday afternoon.
Monday, November 12, 2018
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!
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!
Short final approach for the north-western runway.
A general view of the airstrip of the airstrip and the beach from the west.
Lastly, here's a photo of our Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-WAC. Another nice livery!
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!
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| Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club |
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| Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club |
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| 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!
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| D'Urville Island Airstrip |
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| D'Urville Island Airstrip |
A general view of the airstrip of the airstrip and the beach from the west.
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| D'Urville Island Airstrip |
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| Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-WAC, operated by Wellington Aero Club |
Sunday, November 11, 2018
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.
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!
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| 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!
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| 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.
Finally, my chariot for the day, Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT.
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.
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| Gulfstream GIV/ C20G, 16-5152, operated by the US Navy |
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| Gulfstream GIV/ C20G, 16-5152, operated by the US Navy |
Finally, my chariot for the day, Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT.
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| Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT, operated by Wellington Aero Club |
Wednesday, November 07, 2018
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.
I won't get into the results here, but the final results will be published on the flyingnz.co.nz website in due course.
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.
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| Various competing aircraft |
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| Various competing aircraft |
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| Various competing aircraft |
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| Various competing aircraft |
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| Judges judging |
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| Other competitors spectating |
Sunday, November 04, 2018
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.
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| Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams |
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| Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams |
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
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.
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| Boeing 738-838, VH-XZJ, operated by Qantas |
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| Boeing 737-86J, DQ-FJM, operated by Fiji Airways |
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| ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVJ, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ |
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| Boeing 777-212/ER, 9V-SQN, operated by Singapore Airlines |
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| Bombardier DHC8-311, ZK-NEU, operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ |
Sunday, October 28, 2018
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!
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!
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| It must almost be time... |
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| Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7571, operated by the RNZAF |
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| Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7571, operated by the RNZAF |
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| Prince Harry and Meghan exit the aircraft |
Monday, October 22, 2018
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.
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| Diamond DA42 Twinstar, ZK-EAP, operated by Ardmore Flying School |
Saturday, October 20, 2018
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.
Here's one photo of a Qantas-operated Boeing 737-838, VH-XZB, landing earlier today.
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| Boeing 737-838, VH-XZB, operated by Qantas Airways |
Thursday, October 18, 2018
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.
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.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Brief visit to Wanganui Aero Club
Here are a few photos and a video of my brief visit to Wanganui this past weekend.
First up is a recently completed Titan T51 Mustang, ZK-LSD. This is a class 2 microlight and is still undergoing its test flying period. The aircraft has a 100hp Rotax engine. Check out the bottom of this post for a brief video of the startup.
The next two pictures are of an Air Chathams-operated General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIF. It looks like Air Chathams are going well in Whanganui, with a nearly full load of passengers hoping off this Sunday afternoon flight.
The final picture is an AESL Airtourer, ZK-LDG.
Here's the promised video. It's only about 35 seconds long but you get to listen to the "meaty" sound of the 100hp Rotax :-)
First up is a recently completed Titan T51 Mustang, ZK-LSD. This is a class 2 microlight and is still undergoing its test flying period. The aircraft has a 100hp Rotax engine. Check out the bottom of this post for a brief video of the startup.
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| Titan T52 Mustang, ZK-LSD |
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| General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIF, operated by Air Chathams |
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| General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIF, operated by Air Chathams |
The final picture is an AESL Airtourer, ZK-LDG.
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| AESL Airtourer, ZK-LDG |
Tuesday, October 09, 2018
Flying and passengering
Last Sunday afternoon was a day for being a pilot and for being a passenger. Both were fun flights.
First up was a flight in Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. This was a solo flight where I went up and did a couple of turns, stalls and a simulated FLWOP.
I don't have photos from that trip, but I hope to have a small video up in the next week or so. I also had a play with some different power settings to see the effect on fuel consumption [having a fuel flow meter is awesome] and checked out the heading hold on the autopilot.
Next up was a trip to Omaka as a passenger. A couple of people were going to pick up another aircraft and I was able to go for the ride.
The aircraft was a Piper PA28-181, ZK-FHQ. Many years ago, this aircraft was online with the club. It has had a major refurb since then!
Here are a few pictures from the trip.
First up was a flight in Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. This was a solo flight where I went up and did a couple of turns, stalls and a simulated FLWOP.
I don't have photos from that trip, but I hope to have a small video up in the next week or so. I also had a play with some different power settings to see the effect on fuel consumption [having a fuel flow meter is awesome] and checked out the heading hold on the autopilot.
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| Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT, operated by Aviators Anonymous |
The aircraft was a Piper PA28-181, ZK-FHQ. Many years ago, this aircraft was online with the club. It has had a major refurb since then!
Here are a few pictures from the trip.
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| Leaving Wellington behind |
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| Approaching Omaka, runway 12 |
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| Piper PA28-181, ZK-FHQ |
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| Douglas DC3 parked up at Omaka |
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| Piper PA28-181, ZK-FHQ, the panel |
Saturday, October 06, 2018
A "new" camera
I picked up a "new to me" camera the other day, and this was my first weekend playing with it.
The camera is a Canon EOS 700D DSLR and is a small step up from my other one - an EOS 450D. There is still a huge amount to learn, especially about the various settings and getting some default values to provide a good result in the common well-lit, daytime conditions I usually shot in. I do like the quite autofocus in the new lenses though.
Here are a few from today. There's nothing special in them, but they are OK. More playing in the next few weeks :-)
The camera is a Canon EOS 700D DSLR and is a small step up from my other one - an EOS 450D. There is still a huge amount to learn, especially about the various settings and getting some default values to provide a good result in the common well-lit, daytime conditions I usually shot in. I do like the quite autofocus in the new lenses though.
Here are a few from today. There's nothing special in them, but they are OK. More playing in the next few weeks :-)
Sunday, September 30, 2018
A brief visit to Paraparaumu, with video
I had a brief visit to Paraparaumu aerodrome [NZPP] on Saturday. It was part of a dual flight in a Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. I hadn't flown a PA28 in just over 5 years, but it mostly just came back. Fun times!
Somewhat surprisingly, the weather was nicer at NZPP than Wellington, with a fairly lumpy approach on each of my four approaches at Paraparaumu. After a brief stop for tea and coffee at the Kapiti Districts Aero Club, we headed back to Wellington. All up, it was 1.5 hours of fun flying!
First up is a picture of my takeoff from Wellington, kindly supplied by Paul Le Roy [Thanks Paul!].
Next up is the video. It's one of the approaches into NZPP, starting as I turned final approach through to landing. Fun times!
Somewhat surprisingly, the weather was nicer at NZPP than Wellington, with a fairly lumpy approach on each of my four approaches at Paraparaumu. After a brief stop for tea and coffee at the Kapiti Districts Aero Club, we headed back to Wellington. All up, it was 1.5 hours of fun flying!
First up is a picture of my takeoff from Wellington, kindly supplied by Paul Le Roy [Thanks Paul!].
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| Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. Photo supplied and (c) Paul Le Roy |
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