Tommy, the Duchess and the Learjet

It was an interesting day at Wellington today. It was a bit grey and gloomy due to cloud but this was high enough that it was not a problem for flying. Biggest issue with the wind. Strangely, it was [almost] straight down the runway and only 18 knots, but still quite lumpy all the way around the circuit.

It probably did not help that I was flying a PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-JNE for the first time in a long time... :-) There is something to be said for currency.

There were two visitors of note today. The first was Beechcraft BE76 Duchess, ZK-JED. This aircraft is registered to Ardmore Flying School. The second was a Learjet 45, VH-CXJ with CMS/ Air Ambulance/ A division of the Careflight Group Queensland on the sides. This aircraft appears to have had an interesting history, including being used by Cathay Pacific Airways for aircrew training.

Photos of these three aircraft follow: