Earlier today was the Whanganui airport open day, with the main attraction being the arrival of Air Chathams, who start their regular Whanganui - Auckland route from tomorrow.
Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate as much as wanted with a strong crosswind all day meaning the much-anticipated DC3 flights were cancelled. Disappointing, but understandable and the right decision to make.
There was more than just Air Chathams' Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, present on the day. they also bought down their SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA. This is still technically operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but is now painted in the really nice Air Chathams livery.
Lastly, their recently acquired Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-CID [ex ZK-NSS, an Air Ambulance] was on display also.
All three aircraft were available for the public to walk through. So, on that note, here are a few photos.
Douglas DC3C-A1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams
Douglas DC3C-A1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams, airborne yesterday
SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams
SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams
SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams
Cockpit of SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams
Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-CID, operated by Air Chathams
Cockpit of Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-CID, operated by Air Chathams
Poster advertising DC3 trial flights... pity the weather did not cooperate
No flying for me today - I did more flying than I should have yesterday :-), so the photos from today are of Airbus A320's operated by Jetstar and Air NZ.
First up are three pictures of the Jetstar-operated A320-232, VH-VGF in its special livery.
Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, operated by Jetstar Airways
Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, operated by Jetstar Airways
Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, operated by Jetstar Airways
Lastly we have an Air NZ-operated example, ZK-OXD.
I woke up late this morning with no particular plans... but a short time later booked a local flight in the Club's C172N, ZK-FLT. After I arrived at the Club however, plans changed and I teamed up with another Club member to go on a trip to the South Island, with each of us doing some of the flying.
So, the trip ended up as Wellington to D'Urville Island, then to Motueka [NZMK], then to Omaka for some circuits then back to Wellington. It was a fun afternoon out, and much more fun than each of us doing a separate local flight!
I had not been to Motueka since 2005 [for the Flying NZ national competitions], so it was good to go back for a quick visit. the most interesting aircraft there was, without a doubt, a Pilatus PC6/B2-H4 which is operated by Skydive Abel Tasman, and appropriately registered ZK-XIT!
Pilatus PC6/B2-H4, ZK-XIT, operated by Skydive Abel Tasman.
In the short time we were there, two loads of jumpers landed and a third load got airborne.
Skydive Abel Tasman HQ
Motueka is home to a the Motueka Aero Club as well as a number of other training and flying organisations. One of these is the Nelson Aviation College, which operates a fleet of Cessna 152's, such as ZK-NAI.
Cessna 152, ZK-NAI, operated by Nelson Aviation College
Final pictures from today are two photos and a video of the arrival back into Wellington.I was a passenger by this time, and sitting back, enjoying the view.
After all that, I had another flight. This was totally unplanned until the last minute. Weather-wise, it is a lovely night in Wellington, so I took the opportunity to do some dual night circuits with Jelle, followed by some solo circuits to regain my night currency. Fun times! No pictures unfortunately, I was a busy enough just flying the plane.
This is the final set of photos from my brief visit to Auckland International last Sunday.
First up are two photos of an Air Asia X-operated Airbus A330-300, 9M-XXV.
Airbus A330-300, 9M-XXV, operated by Air Asia X
Airbus A330-300, 9M-XXV, operated by Air Asia X
Next up is a smaller aircraft, an Eastern Australia Airlines-operated Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQK. As can be seen, these aircraft are operating the Jetstar regional flights in New Zealand.
Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQK, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar
Back to the heavy metal and we have an increasingly rare Boeing 767-319, ZK-NCI. Air NZ is withdrawing these aircraft as additional B787-9's arrive, so it won't be long until the they are all gone. From what I can tell, Air NZ [the only NZ-based operator of the type] only has 4 left on the books.
Boeing 767-319, ZK-NCI, operated by Air NZ
Last up is a common as mud Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJB, which is [quite obviously] operated by Air NZ. This aircraft is operated on their pacific regional routes [Australia and some pacific islands]. At some stage, these aircraft will be replaced by A320NEOs and also an A321NEO.
Last Sunday I only had a brief time for plane spotting, so I went to my usual location of the top story of the business car park, which is located just across the road from the domestic terminal.
While there, I did get to see three Boeing 787 Dreamliners - two arrivals and one departure. They are great looking aircraft and having flown three longhaul sectors in them, very comfortable to ride in [OK, I was in business, not cattle class, but still!].
Anyway, here are the photos. First up is the arrival of a beautifully painted China Southern Airlines B787-8, B-2725. I can attest to the fact that business class in these is a very comfortable ride :-)
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, B-2725, operated by China Southern Airlines
Next up is a LATAM Airlines [Formerly LAN Airlines] B787-9, CC-BGF, which landed shortly after the China Southern aircraft. The -9 version of course is the stretched version of the Dreamliner
Boeing 787-9, CC-BGF, operated by LATAM Airlines
Last up we have two pictures of an Air New Zealand operated B787-9, ZK-NZC. This is also a -9 version of the Dreamliner.
I have had a quick trip to Auckland this past weekend, to catch up with people I hadn't seen in a while.
This of course provided a good opportunity to take some photographs, and so here are a few photos from Saturday, from the Wellington airport terminal and then the viewing area just outside Auckland airport. I'll have some more photos from Auckland in the next post.
First up are the busy regional gates at Wellington followed by a Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEP being pushed back from its stand.
Regional gates at Wellington
Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEP, operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ being pushed back
Next up was an Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXE, which was my ride to Auckland. Unfortunately, while we boarded about 20 minutes prior to the planned departure time, we were 30 minutes late leaving. This was apparently due to a patch on a cargo hold needing to be repaired or replaced before we took off. It is what it is, but still frustrating to spend more time waiting at the gate than we spent in the air...
Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXE, operated by Air NZ
Next up is the Corporate and Domestic Freight apron at the eastern end of the airport. Lots of Fokker F27's and Air Chatham aircraft here, including their DC3 with a missing wingtip... I'm assuming that will be repaired before the Whanganui Open Day on 31 July.
Corporate and Domestic Freight Apron
Last up for this post is an Air NZ operated Boeing 777-219, ZK-OKE.
Boeing B777-219, ZK-OKE, operated by Air NZ
There will be more photos in my next post from the hour or so photography I had at Auckland International on Sunday afternoon.
Further to yesterday's post on the Whanganui Airport open day on 31 July, I've just received a copy of the following advert, from Whanganui and Partners [the economic development agency for Whanganui].
This contains a bit more information about the airport open day. You may wish to click on the image for a larger version. I'm tossing up the idea of flying up, although I suspect that I might drive...
Here's hoping for tours of the Saab-Scania SF340A and a nice day for a ride in the DC3!
News just in is an open day at Whanganui airport on 31 July!
This is not only a general open day for the airport, but also to celebrate the arrival of Air Chathams, which takes over the Whanganui to Auckland route from 1 August! Looking at the advert, it looks to be a fun day which a range of activities including scenic DC3 flights around the city!
While unconfirmed at this stage [ie: definitely subject to change!], it appears likely that the following range of Air Chathams and other visiting aircraft will be there:
Air Chathams aircraft
Saab-Scania SF340A, ZK-KRA
Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner
Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP [available for scenics!]
This post contains a few odds and sods from Sunday's photographs.
First up is a Fiji Airways-operated Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJG.
Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJG, operated by Fiji Airways
Another Boeing, this time B737-8FE, VH-YIM, which is operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines.
Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIM, operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines
The Sounds Air-operated Pilatus PC12's would have to be my favourite aircraft of the moment. This Pilatus PC12-45, ZK-PLT looks great in their new livery!
Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLT, operated by Sounds Air
Last up are two photos of Air Wanganui's latest acquisition, a Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC. This aircraft arrived in New Zealand in April 2016 and is operated as an Air Ambulance.
Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui
Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui
