A Cheetah and a Cirrus

Today's photos are of a couple of less common GA aircraft.

First up is a Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah, ZK-DLL. I understand that this aircraft is based at Paraparaumu aerodrome [NZPP], and looks to be a very tidy example of Grumman American's 4 seat aircraft. I have a lot of hours in, and happy memories of, the 2 seat AA-1C Trainer/ Lynx from when I was at Auckland Aero Club several years ago.

Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah, ZK-DLL

Second is a Cirrus Design SR22, ZK-CNZ, which is registered to a Feilding address. Apologies for the poor photo, but it has been hot in Wellington today and the heat does nothing to help the photography when the aircraft is on the runway!

Cirrus Design SR22, ZK-CNZ

Bye bye

Today's pictures come from the domestic terminal at Wellington airport. I was there to send a present to Ferne and Zoe [in the form of Nana and Pops!] :-). Compared to yesterday, the weather has been much nicer today, so while at the terminal, I took a couple of photos.

First up is a view of a Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEU, which is operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ.

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

Second up is an Airbus A320-232, VH-VGI, operated by Jetstar Airways, which had just pulled up to the gate.

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGI, operated by Jetstar Airways

Piper PA34 Seneca II

Canterbury Aero Club's Piper PA34-200T Seneca II, ZK-DCO, visited Wellington on Saturday. The aircraft was undertaking an IFR flight and an hour or so after landing, departed back to Christchurch airport.

Piper PA34-200T Seneca II, ZK-DCO, operated by Canterbury Aero Club

Piper PA34-200T Seneca II, ZK-DCO, operated by Canterbury Aero Club

VistaJet arrival

There was a rather flash arrival at Wellington today, a Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express, 9H-VJL. This aircraft is registered to VistaJet and is rumoured to be carrying Elton John for his concert at the Westpac Stadium tonight. VistaJet has offices around the world, although the "9H" nationality code shows that the aircraft is registered in Malta.

First photos of ZK-PLT

Here are my first photos of Sounds Air's Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLT. It is also the first time I've been able to get close up photos of their new PC12 livery - absolutely stunning! The photos were taken last Saturday while it was parked up between flights.

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

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

The Spirit of Noumea in Wellington

Today's surprise visitor was an Aerospool Dynamic WT9, F-JSUB!

Yes, that's a French registration!. The aircraft is based in Noumea, but currently visiting New Zealand. The two pilots, Marc and Christian, flew into Wellington this afternoon from Takaka. I understand that they are leaving in a couple of days - to where, I am not sure.

They have a website [www.spiritofnoumea.com] which is in French of course, but the auto translation seems quite readable. The aircraft has been to New Zealand previously in 2013 and I understand that they flew from Noumea to Norfolk Island to New Zealand. Now there's an idea to try out - anyone want to loan me a plane? :-) It has also been to France, back in 2012 - that makes it a rather well-travelled aircraft!

Aerospool Dynamic WT9, F-JSUB

Too many good photos today... let's start with the US Air Force

There have been too many good pictures taken today, so let's start with a couple of photos of a US Air Force-operated Gulfstream Aerospace C20F [G-IV], 91-0108, which arrived at Wellington today. It initially parked at the RNZAF apron, but I understand was moved rather quickly to the Execujet hanger on the other end of the Western Apron.

This is at least the second time I have photographed this aircraft - the first time was way back in June 2010!

Gulfstream Aerospace C20F/ G-IV, 91-0108, operated by the US Air Force

Gulfstream Aerospace C20F/ G-IV, 91-0108, operated by the US Air Force

Golden Bay Air

Another photo from last Saturday was this Piper PA28-181, ZK-ZOG, which is operated by Golden Bay Air.

Piper PA28-181, ZK-ZOG, operated by Golden Bay Air

Pelorus Air

This post is a picture of Pelorus Air's Cessna U206G, ZK-ENT, as it arrived at Wellington on Saturday. Pelorus Air's Cessna 185 was here also, although I didn't get any photos of that aircraft.

Cessna U206G, ZK-ENT, operated by Pelorus Air

Fiji Airways arrival at Wellington

There's just one picture for today - a Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJH, operated by Fiji Airways.

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

Royal visit planes at Wellington today

Most of you will likely realise that we have a couple of royal visitors in the country at the moment. Charles and Camilla are visiting various parts of the country and a number of their flights are going through Wellington.

First up was this sght when I arrived at the airport this morning - two RNZAF Beech B200 Super King Airs, NZ7121 and NZ7123, and behind them, an Air Nelson/ Air NZ Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NER. It was the DHC-8 which was used for the royal visitors...

Beech B200, NZ7121 & NZ7123, RNZAF and Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NER, Air Nelson/ Air NZ

 Next up are two photos of the DHC-8 returning to Wellington just after 3pm.

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

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

Finally, here are three photos of an RNZAF operated Boeing B757-2K2, NZ7572, arriving at Wellington this evening. This aircraft did an overshoot on the first approach, followed by a harbour circuit before landing.  I believe that this aircraft [or possibly NZ7571 which may be arriving this evening also] will be used to transport the visitors to Auckland tomorrow morning.

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, operated by the RNZAF

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle

Here's one I hadn't seen for a while, a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle. ZK-STV is operated by a company called Golden Eagle Auckland Ltd and was seen at Wellington on Saturday afternoon as I was leaving.

It's not a flash photo unfortunately, the bright sun was behind the aircraft...

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle, ZK-STV, operated by Golden Eagle Auckland Ltd

Fiji Airways' short Boeing

Sunday afternoon I took these photos of Fiji Airways' Boeing 737-7X2, DQ-FJF, departing Wellington. This angle really shows off the short fuselage of the -700 series aircraft, especially compared to the -800 series machines that Jetconnect and Virgin Australia fly into Wellington.

According to the Seat Guru website, Fiji Airways has only configured this aircraft with 118 seats [including 8 business class recliner seats] which would likely make it one of the lowest seat-count aircraft conducting regular international passenger flight to/ from New Zealand. By comparison, Fiji Airways -800 aircraft are configured with up to 170 seats.

Boeing 737-7X2, DQ-FJF, operated by Fiji Airways

Boeing 737-7X2, DQ-FJF, operated by Fiji Airways

An EMB-135BJ at Wellington

Last night was Robbie William's concert at the Basin Reserve [why there????]. It appears that his preferred mode of transport is a business jet, in this case an Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De Aeronautica [what a mouth full!] EMB-135BJ, VH-VLT. This aircraft is operated by Marcplan Charter PTY LTD of a Victoria, Australia address.

Embraers are fairly rare in this part of the world, so it had several of us guessing and trying to work out what type is is... in any case, I think you'll agree it is a really nice livery!

Embraer EMB-135BJ, VH-VLT, operated by Marcplan Charter

Embraer EMB-135BJ, VH-VLT, operated by Marcplan Charter

Embraer EMB-135BJ, VH-VLT, operated by Marcplan Charter