Two more aircraft from yesterday

In addition to the military aircraft seen at Wellington yesterday, I also managed to get my best pictures yet of Sounds Air's new Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS.

As seen here, the aircraft was heading across to Blenheim [Woodbourne aerodrome, NZWB]. For anyone who has not heard, the expansion of Sounds Air continues with the recent announcement that they are picking up the Wellington - Taupo route, in addition to the previously announced Westport - Wellington route. Both routes will be flown by the PC12.

Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS, operated by Sounds Air

Another visitor was this Cessna 172N, ZK-TAB, which is operated by Sunair Aviation of a Mount Maunganui address.

Cessna 172N, ZK-TAB, operated by Sunair Aviation

More pictures of military aircraft at Wellington today

After yesterday's post of the RAF, RAAF and Marine Nationale aircraft at Wellington, I turned up today to see two of them still here. The RAAF BBJ had left, but in its place was a Bombardier Challenger 604 [CL-600--2B16], A37-001, operated by the RAAF.

In my [not so humble] opinion, this has to be one of the best looking mid-sized business jets out there... feel free to disagree :-)

After a few hours of prep, and some fairly serious looking security, the VIPs boarded and departed a few minutes later.

Bombardier Challenger 604, A37-001, operated by the RAAF

Bombardier Challenger 604, A37-001, operated by the RAAF

Next up are photos of the departure of the RAF Lockheed-Martin C130J-30 Hercules, ZH865. Being a Herc, the departure was energetic enough. It was later spotted up the Hutt Valley [north of Wellington] at a reasonably low level, overtaking a rather surprised Club aircraft and crew!

Lockheed-Martin C130J-30, ZH865, operated by the RAF

Lockheed-Martin C130J-30, ZH865, operated by the RAF

Last up in this series is the departure of the Marine Nationale-operated Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian. It's a nice looking aircraft, although the noisiest sounding of the three! maybe it was the loud high-pitched squeal that may it seem so...? We don't get to see many of these, so here are a few photos.

Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian, operated by the Marine Nationale [French Navy]

Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian, operated by the Marine Nationale [French Navy]

Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian, operated by the Marine Nationale [French Navy]

Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian, operated by the Marine Nationale [French Navy]

Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian, operated by the Marine Nationale [French Navy]

RAF, RAAF & Marine Nationale

There seems to be a stream of foreign military aircraft on our shores at the moment! It wasn't long since the Armee de L'Air CASA CN235 was here, and now we have three more aircraft.

First up, and a long, long way from home is a Royal Air Force Lockheed-Martin C130J-30, ZH865. It looks rather patched up, but I'm sure the RAF would have it in top operational condition.

Lockheed-Martin C130J-30, ZH865, operated by the Royal Air Force

Next up is the Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 737-7DT BBJ, A36-001. It's a nice looking machine and I can't help wonder if our politions aren't at least a wee bit jealous of the Aussies on this one :-)

Boeing 737-7DT BBJ, A36-001, operated by the Royal Australian Air Force

Last up is a Marine Nationale [French Navy] Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian.

Dassault Falcon 20G Gardian, Marine Nationale

Night VFR cross country check completed and Kai's first night flight!

Last night was a big night with my long awaited night VFR* cross country flight check being completed!

This now qualifies me to fly more than 25nm away from the departure aerodrome at night - not that I would want to do a lot of this, but the navigation and other skills will be useful and it's a useful backup should I need it one day!

For the flight itself, we departed Wellington [NZWN], flew over Paraparaumu [NZPP] then on to Palmerston North [NZPM]. After a couple of circuits at NZPM, we flew back via the reverse route.

There are no photos from the flight [I was otherwise occupied!], but I do have some photos and a video from other flights... including a video from Kai's first night VFR flight [thanks for taking me!]. All of these were taken from within the Club's Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO - an awesome machine!

Before takeoff - the main terminal complex at Wellington Airport

Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO, instrument panel

The approach into Wellington from the south [onto runway 34]

* VFR - Visual Flight Rules

Armee de L'Air CASA CN235-200M at Wellington!

Last up for today is perhaps the most unusual visitor I have seen in a long time. It is an Armee de L'Air operated CASA CN235-200M, registration 82-IH [I'm assuming I am understanding the rego system correctly! I did see the "107" on the nose and tail, but this has appeared on other aircraft of the same type also].

The last times I saw one of these at Wellington was back in 2006, 2007 and 2008, although I did also get to look through one at the RNZAF's 75th anniversary airshow at Ohakea in 2012.

CASA CN235-200M, 82-IH, operated by the Armee de L'Air

CASA CN235-200M, 82-IH, operated by the Armee de L'Air

CASA CN235-200M, 82-IH, operated by the Armee de L'Air

Hawker Beechcraft 900XP!

In a "first of type" for me, I noticed that a Hawker Beechcraft 900XP arrived into Wellington yesterday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised to see it still parked up this afternoon and then to see the departure.

VH-NKD is operated by CML Aviation Ltd of a Brisbane, Australia address. No, I don't know anything else about the aircraft, but it is a nice looking private jet. Another one to add to the wishlist once I win the lottery a few times over [not that I'm buying tickets anyway!].

Hawker Beechcraft 900XP, VH-NKD, operated by CML Aviation Ltd

Hawker Beechcraft 900XP, VH-NKD, operated by CML Aviation Ltd

Hawker Beechcraft 900XP, VH-NKD, operated by CML Aviation Ltd

Air Chathams Metroliner

For today's first post, I have a Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-CIC, which is operated by Air Chathams.

The Metroliner has long operated in in New Zealand, originally as part of Eagle Airways [now part of the Air New Zealand Group] as a replacement for the Bandeirante, and subsequently replaced by the B1900D in the early 2000's.

I'm guessing that this aircraft will be seen on Air Chathams' Whakatane to Auckland route [along with the Convair].

Fairchild SA227-AC, ZK-CIC, operated by Air Chathams

Farewell

After yesterday's fun flying, the weather was not much good today. Apart from a twin returning, there wasn't any club flying at all, which is a pity.

There was still plenty happening through, with a brief refresher on aviation law, a couple of photos and a farewell to one of our instructors in the evening.

The photo is of an Air NZ operated Boeing 737-319, ZK-NGJ departing. As has been well covered in the blogosphere and other media, these aircraft are being phased out. By the end of the year, Air NZ will have completed their replacement of B737's with A320's.

Boeing 737-319, ZK-NGJ, operated by Air NZ

As it started to get dark, some of us headed down to the Spruce Goose. I wouldn't normally put any photo up from such a social event, but I thought this one would be particularly relevant for the audience of this blog!

Spruce Goose cafe sign... it even has the right number of engines :-)

Two fun flights today!

I had two fun flights today. Starting late morning I had the privilege and fun of being ballast on a MAUW [Max All Up Weight] check for Kai, another club pilot, in a Piper PA34-200 Seneca I, ZK-ROC. I'm not sure how much fun it was for Kai, but it was a real hoot sitting in the back!

Kai and Dan flying Piper PA34-200 Seneca I, ZK-ROC

Mid afternoon it was my turn to take Kai flying. This time we were in a Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO.

We went on a local flight to Palliser Bay [in the southern Wairarapa area], followed by a few circuits. Given the airspace was surprisingly empty when we got back to the airfield, we were able to carry out a number of "normal" left hand circuits for runway 16, followed by a single right hand circuit over southern Wellington. Thanks to Kai for supplying the following photos!

 Township near Cape Palliser [eastern side of Palliser Bay]

South-eastern corner of Palliser Bay

Right hand downwind for runway 16 - looking back over the airfield

Late downwind, looking east over Mount Victoria and the northern part of Miramar Peninsula

Turning right-base for runway 16. That's some sort of international boat race going on down there.

A selfie of two happy pilots - we must be about to go flying! Note the very stylish hi-viz gear - the last in happy pilot attire :-)

A wee bit of aircraft photography today - 3/3

This final post from today is of the latest addition to the Sounds Air fleet, a Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS. This is the aircraft type that Sounds Air will use to start their Westport to Wellington service on 28 April [that day that Air NZ abandons the route].

The photos are not very good - I was at the wrong end of the runway to capture the arrival so the first photo is heavily cropped. It climbed so fast on departure [I'm guessing only 2 people on board] that I only got the underside. Oh well, one day!

Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS, operated by Sounds Air

Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS, operated by Sounds Air

A wee bit of aircraft photography today - 2/3

This next post is of the Jetconnect/ Qantas and Virgin Australia aircraft. You can see that this location is pretty good for departures off runway 34. It's great for arrivals onto runway 16 also.

Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQF, operated by Jetconnect/ Qantas

Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQD, operated by Jetconnect/ Qantas

Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIT, operated by Virgin Australia

Another photo of Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIT, operated by Virgin Australia

A wee bit of aircraft photography today - 1/3

With today being a public holiday, and the Aero Club closed for the day [the weather was forecast to be rubbish for GA flying], I headed out to the airport to catch a few photos. This time I choose location 'A' [from my Spotting Locations page]. It wasn't the ideal time of day for this location, but with the cloud cover it didn't make much difference...

This first post has the Air NZ aircraft.

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

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXE, operated by Air NZ

Boeing 737-319, ZK-NGG, operated by Air NZ... a dying breed here in NZ!

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXG, operated by Air NZ

Douglas DC3 Dakota

After my post last Friday including the Air Chathams Douglas DC3 Dakota, ZK-AWP, I was hoping to see some more of it. I wasn't disappointed when I received word this afternoon that it was inbound to Wellington.

A few minutes later the aircraft arrived and I was able to get some photos. What was particularly pleasing was that I was also able to photograph the departure a short time later.

A nice end to the day!

The first two photos are the arrival and the last two are the departure.

Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

Jetstar, Nanchang, PC12 and Cougar

In this post I have three interesting aircraft. The first is an Airbus A320-232, VH-VFY, operated by Jetstar Airways. This is the first "sharklet"-equipped Jetstar aircraft I have seen and is fairly new, having been registered in Australia [brand new from the factory] in November 2014.

Airbus A320-232, VH-VFY, operated by Jetstar Airways. Photo supplied.

Next up is the Nanchang CJ6, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club. It is actually owned by a syndicate and is online at the Club. The syndicate is being reformed, and I understand there are a couple of shares available if anyone is interested. Anyway, it was up for a few circuits today which is when I got this photo.

Nanchang CJ6, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club

A real surprise for me was this Pilatus PC12/47E, ZK-TFL. This is registered to Instra Aviation Ltd of a Wellsford address. This is a slightly newer model of the type that Sounds Air have recently purchased and will be using on their Wellington to Westport flights.

Pilatus PC12/47E, ZK-TFL, operated by Instra Aviation

Pilatus PC12/47E, ZK-TFL, operated by Instra Aviation

Last up is a picture of a Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar, ZK-CGR. This is registered to Capital Aviation of a Wellington address and was parked outside the Aero Club for a few hours.

Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar, ZK-CGR, operated by Capital Aviation