Another Alliance Fokker at Wellington

Another Alliance Alines-operated Fokker F28-0070 [F70], VH-QQX, arrived at Wellington recently. It is rather unusual to have any Fokkers at Wellington these days, so to have two of them on the ground at Wellington from one airline is very unusual.

The aircraft was parked in front of the Execujet hanger and appeared to be having a service of some sort.

Fokker F70, VH-QQX, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker F70, VH-QQX, operated by Alliance Airlines

Tecnam P2008

On Saturday, I also saw a Tecman P2008 at Wellington. ZK-RJN had been parked up and was going to leave but the wind put paid to that.

Tecnam P2008, ZK-RJN

Fokker 70 [F-28-0070] at Wellington

Parked up at Wellington this afternoon was a Fokker 70 [F-28-0070], VH-NKU, which is operated by Alliance Airlines. I understand that this is undertaking the Tauck Tours flights in New Zealand, at least for the next few months.

Fokker 70, VH-NKU, operated by Alliance Airlines

Blustery conditions last Sunday

These are a couple of photos from last Sunday. The weather was a bit gusty, with crosswinds at times. It would have been nice to get some video as some of the jets were having a bit of fun...

Anyway, first up is a Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEA, which is operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ.

Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEA, operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ

Second up is one of Singapore Airlines' Boeing 777-212/ER, 9V-SRO.

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

Some big Air Chathams news

In big news, courtesy of the 3rd Level NZ blog, is a new aircraft for Air Chathams!

Check out the post from 3rd Level NZ for some information and pictures!

Fiji Airways' new Boeing 737 MAX 8

I know this is not exactly new news to some of you, but here are some pictures of the brand spanking new Boeing 737 MAX 8, DQ-FAB, which is operated by Fiji Airways.

This is not this first MAX 8 I have seen - I get to see some in Canada earlier in 2018, but it would be one of the first in this part of the world.

Boeing 737-8, DQ-FAB, operated by Fiji Airways

Boeing 737-8, DQ-FAB, operated by Fiji Airways

Boeing 737-8, DQ-FAB, operated by Fiji Airways

A lumpy approach and a BAC 167

Just a couple of very quick videos from earlier today.

I went for a flight in Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. It was lumpy [I cleverly found all the downdrafts in the area!]. The first video is around 30 seconds of the approach and landing.



This second video is of a very cool aircraft which taxied past me after landing. Nice!

A departure from D'Urville Island

In this video, I have the departure from D'Urville Island, where we headed out over the northern part of the island before returning to Wellington.

A Christmas Eve post from D'Urville Island

Last Saturday two of us went out to D'Urville Island on a pre-Christmas fun flight, in Wellington Aero Club's awesome Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE.

D'Urville Island is one of my favourite places to go to - not too far away, somewhat challenging, but quite doable - and I'll always try and get a few circuits in while I'm there.

Anyway, here are two circuits [of 4 or 5 in total] that we did prior to heading back. Thanks to Andrew for the still photos included in the video.



I hope to have another video which shows some of the northern parts of the island and the trip home available in another week or so.

Pacific Jet's Dassault Falcon 2000EX at Wellington

There was a very interesting visitor to Wellington on Saturday - a Dassault Falcon 2000EX, ZK-OCB, which is operated by Pacific Jets of an Auckland address. I'm not certain, but this would be one of the largest business jets on the New Zealand register [please correct me if I'm wrong!].

Dassault Falcon 2000EX, ZK-OCB, operated by Pacific Jets

Dassault Falcon 2000EX, ZK-OCB, operated by Pacific Jets

FML is back in Wellington

ZK-FML, a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, is back in Wellington after many years.

This time it has had a full refurb and looks really good! The new paint job looks much better than the previous livery :-) It is owned by the Walsh Aviation Support Society Inc. As the name implies, this aircraft will be a regular at the annual Walsh Flying School in Matamata.

Anyway, I'm hoping this aircraft will be online with Wellington Aero Club shortly, so it's another one to watch the skies for!

Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-FML, operated by the Walsh Aviation Support Society Inc

Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-FML, operated by the Walsh Aviation Support Society Inc

Fiji Airways departure

Today's picture is a Fiji Airways-operated Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJH, departing Wellington for Suva, Fiji.

I'm hopeful that in the next few weeks, we'll see one of their new B737 MAX 8's come through.

Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJH, operated by Fiji Airways

Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJH, operated by Fiji Airways

Test of ZK-EKE's camera hatch

Last weekend I undertook a brief test of the camera hatch on Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE.

It works good!

What follows is a video of the flight, up to the north, around the coastline and back into Wellington. It is sped up so you don't die of boredom :-)

I can't wait to play with this on some strips in the Marlborough Sounds or Wairarapa area in the next few weeks!

Owhiro Arrival

Here's a quick video of the Owhiro Arrival into Wellington from a week or so ago. Look [very] carefully and you may see a Singapore Airlines B777 and an Air Nelson DHC8-311 ahead of me :-)

Aircraft for the day was Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE.



I'm hoping that in the next week or two I'll have some video from a wing-mounted camera hatch to show!

Boeing C17-A Globemaster III at Wellington

Last Sunday was a rather different visitor - a USAF-operated Boeing C17-A Globemaster III, 07-7189! The aircraft arrived and parked up on the RNZAF Air Movements Base apron. It was appeared to be dropping off someone important with a VIP vehicle ready to whisk whoever off on their visit.

Boeing C17-A Globemaster III, 07-7189, operated by the USAF

Boeing C17-A Globemaster III, 07-7189, operated by the USAF

Contrary to rumour, Wellington Aero Club has not acquired this aircraft as its new multi-engine trainer. No idea at all how that rumour started...

NOT the new Wellington Aero Club multi-engine trainer :-)