These DHC-8's will be leaving New Zealand at the end of this month and [presumably] returning to Australia.
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| Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQL, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines/ Jetstar |
Monday, November 11, 2019
A soon to be disappearing operator...
Another picture from the weekend is the soon to be disappearing [from New Zealand skies at least] operator, Eastern Australia Airlines, operating for Jetstar, and their Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQL.
These DHC-8's will be leaving New Zealand at the end of this month and [presumably] returning to Australia.
These DHC-8's will be leaving New Zealand at the end of this month and [presumably] returning to Australia.
Saturday, November 09, 2019
Another Singapore Airlines A350-900
Today's photo is of the latest Singapore Airlines-operated Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMB, to operate into Wellington and about to depart
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| Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMB, operated by Singapore Airlines |
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Airbus' 10,000th aircraft
Airbus' 10,000th aircraft is an A350-951, 9V-SMF, which is operated by Singapore Airlines. This was the aircraft that operated Singapore Airlines' service into Wellington on Sunday.
As can be seen, it's mainly the standard livery with just the addition of the 10,000th Airbus Aircraft logo on the rear fuselage.
As can be seen, it's mainly the standard livery with just the addition of the 10,000th Airbus Aircraft logo on the rear fuselage.
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| Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMF, operated by Singapore Airlines |
Monday, November 04, 2019
Singapore Airlines' new A350 service to Melbourne [and Singapore]
Last Friday was the first of the Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 services to Wellington [replacing the previous Boeing B777].
Singapore Airlines is the first airline operator of the A350 into Wellington, following on from the Airbus-operated flights last year.
These photos are from Saturday's flight which was operated by A350-941, 9V-SMC.
Singapore Airlines is the first airline operator of the A350 into Wellington, following on from the Airbus-operated flights last year.
These photos are from Saturday's flight which was operated by A350-941, 9V-SMC.
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| Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMC, operated by Singapore Airlines |
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| Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMC, operated by Singapore Airlines |
Sunday, November 03, 2019
Piper Archer TX
A visitor from Canterbury Aero Club arrived on Saturday in the form on a Piper PA28-181 Archer TX, ZK-LJX. This is a new build Archer with twin Garmin 1000 displays.
In other news, I did manage a brief flight this afternoon, moving Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE to Paraparaumu for a 100-hour inspection and planned maintenance next week.
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| Piper PA28-181 Archer TX, ZK-LJX, operated by Canterbury Aero Club |
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
I HAVE CLOTHES! The weather is better! Lots of flying! Time for a BFR!
I HAVE CLOTHES! The weather is better!
I suppose that's the most unusual post title I have ever used. Also, not something I typically celebrate since I usually have plenty of clothes around [no Cheryl, this is not Ottawa!] 😁
The reason for a minor celebration is that my suitcase, which was full of clothes and related stuff, my camera gear and most of my flight gear, was stuck in Masterton for the past few days. I had to wait the weather improved enough for them to fly back in a C172 after the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional comps last weekend.
Unfortunately, the Nanchang doesn't have space for a suitcase and I wasn't that smart about picking and choosing what would fly back with me on Monday.
I least I never had to stoop to borrowing a certain somebody's China Southern First Class pyjamas. That's a whole different story.
Lots of flying!
In other news, I thought it had been a big month of flying for me. Turns out it was. I did a total of 9.3 hours - probably the largest single month in a few years - and it felt really good!
October started with 3.7 hours solo, over 2 flights in Cessna 172s [ZK-EKE and ZK-CEO], including a nice trip to NZHS (Hastings aerodrome). It continued and finished with 2.2 hours dual and 3.4 hours solo in my Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO.
Combined with the previous type rating flights for the Nanchang, I now have a total of 16.5 hours on type, including 6 hours solo. I think I'm getting the hang of it now! I should stop promising people rides for a short time, as I'm up to three aerodromes I have to go visit already [plus Wellington] and probably 7 or 8 people...
Time for a BFR!
The next thing I have to do is undertake my BFR [Bienniel Flight Review]. Until that is done, no more Nanchang flying [it's an insurance requirement]... so hopefully it will be finished in the next couple of weeks. Until then, all those I have promised flights to will have to wait...!
I suppose that's the most unusual post title I have ever used. Also, not something I typically celebrate since I usually have plenty of clothes around [no Cheryl, this is not Ottawa!] 😁
The reason for a minor celebration is that my suitcase, which was full of clothes and related stuff, my camera gear and most of my flight gear, was stuck in Masterton for the past few days. I had to wait the weather improved enough for them to fly back in a C172 after the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional comps last weekend.
Unfortunately, the Nanchang doesn't have space for a suitcase and I wasn't that smart about picking and choosing what would fly back with me on Monday.
I least I never had to stoop to borrowing a certain somebody's China Southern First Class pyjamas. That's a whole different story.
Lots of flying!
In other news, I thought it had been a big month of flying for me. Turns out it was. I did a total of 9.3 hours - probably the largest single month in a few years - and it felt really good!
October started with 3.7 hours solo, over 2 flights in Cessna 172s [ZK-EKE and ZK-CEO], including a nice trip to NZHS (Hastings aerodrome). It continued and finished with 2.2 hours dual and 3.4 hours solo in my Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO.
Combined with the previous type rating flights for the Nanchang, I now have a total of 16.5 hours on type, including 6 hours solo. I think I'm getting the hang of it now! I should stop promising people rides for a short time, as I'm up to three aerodromes I have to go visit already [plus Wellington] and probably 7 or 8 people...
 |
| Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club/ Wellington Warbirds |
The next thing I have to do is undertake my BFR [Bienniel Flight Review]. Until that is done, no more Nanchang flying [it's an insurance requirement]... so hopefully it will be finished in the next couple of weeks. Until then, all those I have promised flights to will have to wait...!
Monday, October 28, 2019
Flying NZ Cook Strait Regional competition. Success!
This past weekend has been Flying New Zealand's regional competition, this year hosted by Wellington Aero Club [website / facebook] as Hood Aerodrome [Masterton].
As is usual, it was a very busy weekend, with arrivals day on Friday [although I did get some Nanchang flying in 😀] followed by a very busy competitions day on Saturday. We had a full day of competitions, starting with briefings at 07:30 and finishing up around 16:30 with the last of the bombing and liferaft competitions completed.
In case you're interested in competitions or the results, check out the Flying NZ competitions page [https://flyingnz.co.nz/competitions.html]. Scroll down a little for the results.
I'm pretty enthusiastic about competitions, even if for the last 3 years I've been organising them rather than competing. I think that the practice competitors undertake is great for their own skills, it is a lot of fun and it's great for club hours also. A win-win-win situation! Not only that, but the social side of the competitions is good also. Typically there's a relaxed BBQ on the Friday before the competition, "formal" dinner on Saturday after the competitions and lots of laughs and tall stories in between.
Well done to everyone who competed, thanks to all those who helped in any way and congratulations to Wellington Aero Club who took out the main competitions, the Wigram Cup!
If you want to know more about Flying NZ competitions, send me a message, I'm happy to help!
Unfortunately, I was so busy with organising stuff that I didn't get to fly in the Streamer Cutting competition or get to take many photos, but it was an enjoyable day none the less!
I did get a couple of flights in the Nanchang CJ6A on Friday, one of Sunday morning and my flight home on Monday morning. All in all, a lot of fun there. I think I got close to 2 hours of circuits in total, most of them with a crosswind and one session following a Tecnam P2002JF [ZK-WRA from Wairarapa Aero Club] around the circuit. I flew some wider circuits just because of the relative speeds of our aircraft, so that's great practice also.
The trip home was fairly uneventful. The forecast westerly winds were there with a bit of wave going on, but not too much turbulence, although I suspect the Nanchang handles it better than some other aircraft. Airswitch was only 0.6 hours, including a go-around and circuit at Wellington on arrival [something much bigger and faster than me was behind me].
As is usual, it was a very busy weekend, with arrivals day on Friday [although I did get some Nanchang flying in 😀] followed by a very busy competitions day on Saturday. We had a full day of competitions, starting with briefings at 07:30 and finishing up around 16:30 with the last of the bombing and liferaft competitions completed.
In case you're interested in competitions or the results, check out the Flying NZ competitions page [https://flyingnz.co.nz/competitions.html]. Scroll down a little for the results.
I'm pretty enthusiastic about competitions, even if for the last 3 years I've been organising them rather than competing. I think that the practice competitors undertake is great for their own skills, it is a lot of fun and it's great for club hours also. A win-win-win situation! Not only that, but the social side of the competitions is good also. Typically there's a relaxed BBQ on the Friday before the competition, "formal" dinner on Saturday after the competitions and lots of laughs and tall stories in between.
Well done to everyone who competed, thanks to all those who helped in any way and congratulations to Wellington Aero Club who took out the main competitions, the Wigram Cup!
If you want to know more about Flying NZ competitions, send me a message, I'm happy to help!
Unfortunately, I was so busy with organising stuff that I didn't get to fly in the Streamer Cutting competition or get to take many photos, but it was an enjoyable day none the less!
I did get a couple of flights in the Nanchang CJ6A on Friday, one of Sunday morning and my flight home on Monday morning. All in all, a lot of fun there. I think I got close to 2 hours of circuits in total, most of them with a crosswind and one session following a Tecnam P2002JF [ZK-WRA from Wairarapa Aero Club] around the circuit. I flew some wider circuits just because of the relative speeds of our aircraft, so that's great practice also.
The trip home was fairly uneventful. The forecast westerly winds were there with a bit of wave going on, but not too much turbulence, although I suspect the Nanchang handles it better than some other aircraft. Airswitch was only 0.6 hours, including a go-around and circuit at Wellington on arrival [something much bigger and faster than me was behind me].
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Interesting and fun times!
It has been an interesting and fun time recently. Not much in the way of pictures yet, but there are likely to be some coming up in the next week or so.
Anyway, in the last 3 months, I have started and been signed off for, my Nanchang CJ6A type rating (thanks Simsy!). A bit of work but a lot of fun! I've also completed some currency work since the aircraft was in maintenance for a few weeks - also good fun!
I'm now just about due for my BFR which I hope to complete in the next week or two.
More important though is that this weekend is the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional flying competitions. This year they are being held at Masterton [Hood Aerodrome]. Like the last couple of years, I am directing the competitions, which a lot of help from some really smart and generous people. Thanks!
This year we have competitors from Wanganui, Hawkes Bay & East Coast, Kapiti and Wellington Aero Clubs. It's bound to be a fun time for all with flying and social events planned. I'm also competing in the Streamer Cutting - I think there are only two of us doing this, but this is an open entry comp, so if any others from member clubs want a go, we'll try and fit you in.
Hopefully, I'll have a few minutes to capture some pictures from the Friday and Saturday and maybe a rather more relaxing flight or two in the Nanchang 😁
Nanchang Syndicate Shares
One last thing. Are you interested in flying something a little different? Based near Wellington? Have a minimum of a PPL and 100 hours total time?
There might be some Nanchang syndicate shares coming up soon!
It's a great opportunity to get into warbird flying. If you've been flying the regular sorts of GA aircraft, this is quite achievable but it'll also provide a bit of a challenge! Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you the lowdown.
Anyway, in the last 3 months, I have started and been signed off for, my Nanchang CJ6A type rating (thanks Simsy!). A bit of work but a lot of fun! I've also completed some currency work since the aircraft was in maintenance for a few weeks - also good fun!
I'm now just about due for my BFR which I hope to complete in the next week or two.
More important though is that this weekend is the Flying NZ Cook Strait regional flying competitions. This year they are being held at Masterton [Hood Aerodrome]. Like the last couple of years, I am directing the competitions, which a lot of help from some really smart and generous people. Thanks!
This year we have competitors from Wanganui, Hawkes Bay & East Coast, Kapiti and Wellington Aero Clubs. It's bound to be a fun time for all with flying and social events planned. I'm also competing in the Streamer Cutting - I think there are only two of us doing this, but this is an open entry comp, so if any others from member clubs want a go, we'll try and fit you in.
Hopefully, I'll have a few minutes to capture some pictures from the Friday and Saturday and maybe a rather more relaxing flight or two in the Nanchang 😁
Nanchang Syndicate Shares
One last thing. Are you interested in flying something a little different? Based near Wellington? Have a minimum of a PPL and 100 hours total time?
There might be some Nanchang syndicate shares coming up soon!
It's a great opportunity to get into warbird flying. If you've been flying the regular sorts of GA aircraft, this is quite achievable but it'll also provide a bit of a challenge! Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you the lowdown.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Two Cessnas at Wellington
Today's pictures [from last Sunday] are two quite different Cessna aircraft.
The first is a Cessna A185F, ZK-PRM. This aircraft is operated by Pelorus Air and is used to transport passengers across Cook Strait and around the Marlborough Sounds.
The second Cessna for this post is a Cessna 650 Citation III, N163JM. Despite being US-registered, it is based in Wellington and makes fairly regular trips out and about. It appears that it undertook a return trip to Christchurch on Sunday.
The first is a Cessna A185F, ZK-PRM. This aircraft is operated by Pelorus Air and is used to transport passengers across Cook Strait and around the Marlborough Sounds.
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| Cessna A185F, ZK-PRM, operated by Pelorus Air |
The second Cessna for this post is a Cessna 650 Citation III, N163JM. Despite being US-registered, it is based in Wellington and makes fairly regular trips out and about. It appears that it undertook a return trip to Christchurch on Sunday.
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| Cessna 650 Citation III, N163JM |
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Three DHC8s at Wellington
More pictures from last Sunday, this time of three Bombardier DHC8's. The first two are from Air Nelson [Air NZ].
ZK-NEE is still in the "old" Air NZ Link livery.
ZK-NEA is in the new livery.
Lastly, a livery that will be disappearing at the end of this month, is the Jetstar livery on the Eastern Australia Airlines-operated DHC-8's. Jetstar is pulling all of it's regional routes in NZ. I expect that these aircraft will therefore return to Australia.
ZK-NEE is still in the "old" Air NZ Link livery.
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| Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEE, operated by Air Nelson [Air NZ] |
ZK-NEA is in the new livery.
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| Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEA, operated by Air Nelson [Air NZ] |
Lastly, a livery that will be disappearing at the end of this month, is the Jetstar livery on the Eastern Australia Airlines-operated DHC-8's. Jetstar is pulling all of it's regional routes in NZ. I expect that these aircraft will therefore return to Australia.
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| Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQD, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines for Jetstar |
Sunday, October 13, 2019
The Old and the New
I have two photos of ATR-GIE ATR72 aircraft from Mount Cook Airline. The first is an older, and on the way out, aircraft, ZK-MCB.
The second is one of Mount Cook Airline's newest ATR72-600 aircraft, ZK-MZA.
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| ATR-GIE ATR72-500, ZK-MCB, operated by Mount Cook Airline [Air NZ] |
The second is one of Mount Cook Airline's newest ATR72-600 aircraft, ZK-MZA.
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| ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MZA, operate dby Mount Cook Airline [Air NZ] |
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Wellington Aero Club aircraft
It was an interesting day for flying today. A bit of cloud around, but very smooth conditions.
I did get up for a brief flight. I was planning on going to D'Urville Island, but with the cloud the way it was and not being sure of being able to get back if it clagged in, I turned back early. The aircraft [as usual for strip flying] was the Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, pictured here prior to departure.
The unexpected sight today though was a temporary Piper PA38-112, ZK-TDL. I understand we're using this for a week or 2 to cover some maintenance on ZK-WAC, so get your picrures while you can! It is currently registered to Kapiti Districts Aero Club and owned by a local engineer.
You can see the light wasn't great for photos, but I have to start rebuilding my collection somehow!
I did get up for a brief flight. I was planning on going to D'Urville Island, but with the cloud the way it was and not being sure of being able to get back if it clagged in, I turned back early. The aircraft [as usual for strip flying] was the Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, pictured here prior to departure.
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| Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club |
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| Piper PA38-112, ZK-TDL, operated by WAC, registered to KDAC |
You can see the light wasn't great for photos, but I have to start rebuilding my collection somehow!
Wednesday, October 09, 2019
Air NZ A320-232
It has been a rather annoying week.
I managed to lose all my images and video when someone "helpfully" encrypted, then offered to decrypt [for an exceeding large fee] all the photos and videos I had on my NAS. I suppose it serves me right for not protecting the data well enough.
Needless to say I'll have to spend a lot of time taking photos and there will be a lot I can't replace. Stink. I will need to do some tripping around to get some more - just as well I have airpoints... and I will get better at protecting these new images...
Anyway, here is the first of the new set. An Air New Zealand-operated Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXD, at Christchurch last weekend.
I managed to lose all my images and video when someone "helpfully" encrypted, then offered to decrypt [for an exceeding large fee] all the photos and videos I had on my NAS. I suppose it serves me right for not protecting the data well enough.
Needless to say I'll have to spend a lot of time taking photos and there will be a lot I can't replace. Stink. I will need to do some tripping around to get some more - just as well I have airpoints... and I will get better at protecting these new images...
Anyway, here is the first of the new set. An Air New Zealand-operated Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXD, at Christchurch last weekend.
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| Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXD, operated by Air New Zealand |
Monday, September 23, 2019
Fiji Airways "baby" Boeing at Wellington
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| Boeing 737-7X2, DQ-FJF, operated by Fiji Airways |
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Lancair ES
Yesterday's interesting visitor was this Lancair ES, ZK-EDZ, which is registered to an Upper Moutere address.
The aircraft is an amateuir built aircraft, and from what I can see, it was imported from the USA around 2013/ 2014. It was first registerd in NZ in 2015.
As I noted the last time I saw this aircraft back in 2017, it's a fast aircraft with a cruise speed between 180 and 190 knots. I'm thinking it would be a fun machine to fly and a great way to go places!
The aircraft is an amateuir built aircraft, and from what I can see, it was imported from the USA around 2013/ 2014. It was first registerd in NZ in 2015.
As I noted the last time I saw this aircraft back in 2017, it's a fast aircraft with a cruise speed between 180 and 190 knots. I'm thinking it would be a fun machine to fly and a great way to go places!
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| Lancair ES, ZK-EDZ, registered to an Upper Moutere address |
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