Another visit from Air NZ's hobbit-themed B777

Air NZ's hobbit-themed Boeing 777-319ER, ZK-OKP, made another visit to Wellington today, this time to do a display over the red carpet world-premiere for The Hobbit. Awesome!

Here are a few pictures from the flypast. Unfortunately I was on the ground, but I still hope you enjoy these! For pictures from others, click here and here.

Air New Zealand Hobbit-themed Boeing 777-319ER at Wellington

Air New Zealand seems to be making a habit of bringing B777's into Wellington recently - at leats over the last year or so, and with the world premiere of The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey tomorrow, this was the perfect opportunity to bring in their Hobbit-themed Boeing 777-319ER, ZK-OKP, in with a number of the crew and cast from the movie on board.

I think you'll agree that this is a stunning image to have on any aircraft, and it has already started to attract a great deal of attention where ever it goes.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get out and see it myself, but here is an image courtesy of Air New Zealand's The Flying Social Network website. Remember to click on the image for a larger version.

I hear rumour that there might be a fly-past tomorrow, so if that does happen, I'll see if I can get some photos as it goes past Wellington city!

Cessna 650 and Boeing 757

Two visitors to Wellington today were one of the RNZAF's Boeing 757-2K2 aircraft, NZ7571. It's always nice seeing the largest "regular" aircraft type to visit Wellington, especially since it parks just down the apron from the Aero Club.

The second aircraft was a Cessna 650 Citation III, N163JM. Last I heard, this aircraft was based at Paraparaumu, just a short 15-20 minute flight in a C172... I'd guess, substantially less in a C650!

Enjoy the pictures!

Cape Campbell to Omaka to Wellington

The wind started to pick up even higher at Cape Campbell, so we decided it was time to head home to [what could have been an even windier] Wellington.

The Tomahawk headed straight back, but the Cessna 172 [ZK-FLT] and Piper PA28 [ZK-EBX] went to Omaka for fuel and a few circuits. Despite Omaka being just 20 minutes flight away, the weather was quiet different... still lots of sunshine, but very little wind. Unbelievable!

Anyway, after a quick stop and refuel, we headed back to Wellington. On the way back there was a bit of formation flying between the two aircraft which was a bit of fun to watch.

With a less-than-expected 30 knot northerly wind at 2000' in Wellington, we took the Sinclair arrival - lumpy but fun. All in all, a great day out! Maybe next time we'll manage to have a little less wind so we're not so rushed to get back and perhaps a fishing line or two to try and catch supper [does anyone know what the fishing is like around there?]!

Anyway, enjoy the photos. Included is the Cape Campbell lighthouse a minute or so after takeoff, an aerial view of Omaka airfield, a picture of ZK-EBX in loose formation with us, and approaching Wellington.

Club trip to Cape Campbell!

Today we had a Club trip to Cape Campbell planned, and, perhaps surprisingly, the weather didn't cause the trip to be cancelled [for once!] :-) It was close with winds gusting up to 30 knots at Wellington and forecast to increase mid afternoon. What I didn't expect was for the winds to be the same at Cape Campbell - by the time left left, the winds were gusting around 37 knots.

Cape Campbell is located about 80 km south west of Wellington airport [as the crow flies] and the airstrip is a roughly 700 meter long grass strip, located next to the "road" [which itself is not much more than a farm track] on one side and the beach on the other. It's an awesome little place, but maybe next time, we should take some fishing lines, and leave enough time to walk up to the Cape Campbell lighthouse [about a 1.5km walk north].

Aircraft on the trip were the Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT and Piper PA38-112, ZK-WAC, plus a borrowed Piper PA28-181, ZK-EBX [from Marlborough Aero Club] and a privately owned Akrotech G200, ZK-LGT.

Anyway, here are the pictures of the aircraft, the strip and the local scenery. The next post will include photos from the refuelling trip to Omaka and then back to Wellington.

Light visitors today

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday, wet/ drizzly and windy. Today is sunshine and light winds. The Aero Club was busy, which was good to see.

Anyway, a couple of visitors today were a Piper PA28-181, ZK-LJE, registered to Canterbury Aero Club. The other was a Diamond DA42, ZK-CTO, registered to CTC Aviation Training.

Australian registered Cessna CJ2 at Wellington

It's a windy, drizzly day today, so nothing in the way of light aircraft in and out of Wellington. However, I did get to see this Cessna 525A Citation Jet 2, VH-MOR, registered to Bond Air Charters of a Queensland, Australia address.