Is this the coolest two-seat aircraft ever? Perhaps it is!

I suppose that is something that could be debated for ever and a day, but earlier today I started my first tailwheel rating, on a PA18A-150 Super Cub, and yes, it is pretty awesome!

Today's flight included steep turns, basic and power on staffs, a forced landing, a visit to a local strip and lots of circuits back at Whanganui Airport [NZWU]. the aircraft a former ag aircraft, ZK-BKN. I clearly have a lot to learn, particularly after touchdown :-) Still, I managed to avoid ground looping it and it was a whole heap of fun! :-)

If the weather is good next weekend, I'll be up in Whanganui for some more flying. If not, then the weekend after.

Just one photo after it was put back in the hanger.

Piper PA18A-150 Super Cub, ZK-BKN

For more information about the Super Cub, check out this Wikipedia link.

Today's random pics

Here are a selection of pictures from today. Nothing particularly flash, although I do like the first picture of the Virgin Australia-operated Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIZ, as it was passing through a brightly lit area while most of the rest of the photo is in shadow.

Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIZ, operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines

Next up is the Westpac Rescue helicopter, a Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, which is operated by Helilink.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink as the Westpac Rescue helicopter

Third up is an Air New Zealand-operated Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, just prior to touchdown.

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

Last up is a Mount Cook Airline-operated ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVD.

ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVD, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

A Cessna 182 in the WAC hanger

Today's picture is of a visiting Cessna 182T, ZK-AFT, which is in the Aero Club hanger for a day or two. This is registered to an Auckland address. This aircraft has Garmin G1000 displays.

Cessna 182T, ZK-AFT

... and sunny today

After yesterday's wind and rain, today was sunny, albeit a little breezy in places. There was a lot of Club flying happening, as well as a visiting Partenavia P68C, ZK-TZZ. This aircraft is operated by Canterbury Aero Club and was visiting for a few hours.

Partenavia P68C, ZK-TZZ, operated by Canterbury Aero Club

Also seen today was this RNZAF-operated Beech B200 Super King Air, NZ7122, here seen taking off.

Beech B200 Super King Air, NZ7122, operated by the RNZAF

Yes, it is raining hard today...

There's no Aero Club flying at Wellington today... instead there is plenty of low cloud and heavy rain.

Here are a few photos to demonstrate. If you click on the first photo, you'll see how heavy the rain is...

Holding point M5 for runway 16/ 34

There was plenty of standing water on the runway and low cloud in the vicinity, as the following picture shows.

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OAB, operated by Air NZ.

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OAB, operated by Air NZ.

A few minutes later this ATR72 departed. The pictures do show about how dark it was in the middle of the day.

ATR-GIE ATR72-212, ZK-MVH, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger

Last night I went flying... just a few circuits to keep current at night. While waiting for my passenger to turn up, I took this photo of a Royal Australian Air Force-operated Bombardier 604 Challenger. Unfortunately it's not a great photo [I didn't have all my gear].

Aside from that, it was a fantastic night for flying with great visibility, only a little other traffic and very little wind [around a 3 knot northerly for the entire 40-something minutes].

Bombardier Challenger 604 [CL-600-2B16], operated by the RAAF

Something a little different!

Here is something a little different from the usual... an old video of some very old flying [and almost flying] machines! I'm just surprised that some of these even got airborne!

A ride as a passenger today

Today I got to go on a flight from Wellington to Omaka and back as a passenger. The weather was surprisingly good [albeit rather cold!] and despite winds gusting up with 30 knots at Wellington, there were smooth flying conditions everywhere we went.

As I was a passenger, it was a good day to take photos. The aircraft was Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT. Thanks to Lawrence for taking me along for the ride!

Anyway, here are some photos from the trip.

Just after takeoff from Wellington

Just after takeoff, looking back to Wellington Airport

Island bay looking north, with a bit of rain

Over Cook Strait, looking north

"White Bluffs" reporting point approaching Omaka aerodrome

Looks like a bit of snow on the hills from the cold of the past few days!

Omaka Aerodrome [NZOM]. Runway 07 goes right to left, middle of the airfield

Final approach to NZOM, runway 07

Gippsland GA8, ZK-KBZ, operated by Wings over Whales of a Kaikoura address

Wellington City looking north as we came back

Wellington City, looking South East as we returned

Looking west towards the sun, rain showers and wind turbines

Another view of Wellington Airport [NZWN] and the Mirimar Peninsula

Looking west again over Wellington City

Many thanks to Lawrence and Jelle for allowing me to come along for the ride!

Whanganui Airport Open Day - The Cresco display

In the last post from the Whanganui airport open day, I have some pictures from a brief display put on by a Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, which is operated by Ravensdown Aerowork, a well known local agwork operator.

The photos hardly do justice to the display - it's one of those displays where you really need to be there.

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, operated by Ravensdown Aerowork

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, operated by Ravensdown Aerowork

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, operated by Ravensdown Aerowork

Now for the very last two photos from the open day, here's another one of the SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, currently still operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be operated directly by Air Chathams. As can be seen, it is already in the full Air Chathams livery.

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon by Air Chathams

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon by Air Chathams

Whanganui Airport Open Day - Warbirds

Aside from the DC3, which is a genuine warbird in its own right, there were two other interesting warbird aircraft that visited.

First up was the de Havilland DH112 Venom Mk 1, ZK-VNM, which is operated by Wanganui Sea and Air Charters.

de Havilland DH112 Venom Mk1, ZK-VNM, operated by Wanganui Sea and Air Charters

de Havilland DH112 Venom Mk1, ZK-VNM, operated by Wanganui Sea and Air Charters

Second up was the Consolidated-Vultee PBY-5A Catalina, ZK-PBY, operated by The Catalina Company of a Papakura address. Unfortunately I missed getting photos of the fly past... you'll just need to trust me when I say it looked awesome!

Consolidated-Vultee PBY-5A Catalina, ZK-PBY, operated by The Catalina Company

Whanganui Airport Open Day - the Tower

Not too many photos here, just a couple of some old equipment in the old airport tower, which is being gradually restored by a group of dedicated volunteers.

The first picture is one I published earlier, showing the outside of the tower building. Ok, so there's a nice airplane in front of it, but you get the picture!

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines [for Air Chathams]. Also the old tower in the background!

The following pictures are of some old equipment, probably dating from the times that Whanganui was actually controlled.

Whanganui Airport Open Day - Wanganui Aero Club and light aircraft

Last weekend's open day included a number of local aircraft and operators including the Wanganui Aero Club. As I noted earlier, the weather was hardly conducive to flying, although a little bit did occur during the afternoon.

Anyway, here are a few of the lighter aircraft that were out and about.

Various light aircraft

Tomark Aero Viper SD-4, ZK-EAW, operated by Wanganui Aero Club

Cessna 172S, ZK-FTM, operated by NZICPA of a Feilding address [soon to be Whanganui]

Pitts S-1E Special, ZK-PEG, of a Whanganui address