Night currency time!

This video is of a recent night currency flight. It was just over 3 months since my previous night flight, so I took the opportunity for a few dual circuits [the last landing of which is in the video] followed by some solo circuits.

Flight to the southern Wairarapa and crosswind circuits at Wellington

This video is of a flight to the southern Wairarapa area, followed by some crosswind circuits at Wellington.


Still a bit of work to do on the landings, but I'm working on it :-)

Arrival into Auckland International

This video is of the final 17 minutes of my flight into Auckland International [NZAA] on board a China Southern Airlines operated Boeing 787-8, B-2726.

I wouldn't bore anyone with a 17 minute video, so this is just over 2 minutes in total :-)

Strip flying from Port Gore

As promised, here's a quick video of the strip flying fun at Port Gore airstrip!

All the boring bits are removed, likewise a few of the important bits, but most of the fun bits are all in there! :-). Aircraft is Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT, and all the flying is dual.

Dual strip flying :-)

Last weekend I had the change to accompany another club pilot and an instructor for some strip flying at D'Urville Island then to Port Gore.

I just observed at D'Urville Island [I've been in there a few times previously] and took the opportunity to get some photos, including of the two other visitors. At Pore Gore we swapped pilots and I got to do some flying, including the trip back to Wellington.

Anyway, here are some photos from to trip through the Marlborough Sounds towards D'Urville Island. A beautiful [actually, perfect] day!

Marlborough Sounds, looking south with Long Island in the centre

Marlborough Sounds

Here are the pictures from D'Urville Island, starting with the initial approach in.

Short final for D'Urville Island airstrip

Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT, operated by Wellington Aero Club

And a couple of other visitors.

First up is a Cessna 172D, ZK-BDL. This older aircraft has a 180hp engine in it. Nice! It is based at Paraparaumu Aerodrome.

Cessna 172D, ZK-BDL

Next up is a Cessna A150L, ZK-DPS. This is based at Masterton aerodome.

Cessna A150L, ZK-DPS

Last up is an initial picture of the top of the airstrip at Port Gore. Nice! I have some video, so I hope the next post will have some video of my takeoffs and landings [it might take a couple of days to organise].

Port Gore airstrip

Solent Sky Museum, Southampton

Part of my recent travels included a trip to the Solent Sky Museum in Southampton.

The museum is reasonably small although still interesting, with a Supermarine S6, a Supermarine Spitfire and the largest aircraft in the museum, a Short S.25 Sandringham flying boat - the civilian version of the World War 2 Sunderland!

There's plenty more to see, but here are a few of the photos. First up are a number of the Sandringham. As you can see, you can visit the entire aircraft, including the cockpit :-)

Short S.25 Sandringham

Short S.25 Sandringham

Short S.25 Sandringham

Short S.25 Sandringham

Short S.25 Sandringham, the cockpit

Short S.25 Sandringham

Next up are two aircraft by Supermarine. the first is the S.6, which is the type used to win the Schneider Trophy. The museum has some awesome video playing from this event also.

Supermarine S.6

Supermarine S.6

Now we have the resident Spitfire!

Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Spitfire

In a completely different vein, the following is a Britten-Norman BN1, previously registered G-ALZE. I hear rumour from a staff member that they will have a Islander on the mezzanine floor some stage soon!

Britten-Norman BN1, G-ALZE

Last up is a picture of a jet-powered seaplane, a Saunders Roe SRA1. Ugly, but kinda awesome :-)

Saunders Row SRA1

These are just a few of the aircraft on display. there are a number of fast jets, a couple of cockpits and many others displays. Well worth the visit if you're in the area!

Aircraft from Rotterdam

I'm slowly catching up on pictures and video from my recent trip. This post has some aircraft from Rotterdam The Hague Airport [EHRD] while I waited for my flight back to London. First up, an Airbus A320 from Vueling Airlines.

Airbus A320-216, EC-KDT, operated bu Vueling Airlines

Next up is my ride home. It's a British Airways/ BA Cityflyer-operated Embraer E190-100SR.

Embraer E190-100SR, G-LCYN, operated by BA Cityflyer/ British Airways

Last up are two Boeing 737's from Transavia.

Boeing 737-8EH, PH-GGY, operated by Transavia

Boeing 737-7K2, PH-XRZ, operated by Transavia