Merry Christmas to all of you!

Have a great break and see you back in the new year.

Last Sunday's flight video

Here is a brief video of a flight last Sunday. The aircraft was a 2005 model Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO. A nice machine!

Turbo Stationair and a PC12

Here are a couple of visitors from Saturday afternoon...

First up is a Cessna TU206F Turbo Stationair, ZK-OAY. This is privately owned and operated.

Cessna TU206F Turbo Stationair, ZK-OAY

Next up is a very flash Pilatus PC12/47E, ZK-TFL. This is operated by Distinction Hotels and is very very flash :-)

Pilatus PC12/47E, ZK-TFL, operated by Distinction Hotels

An insult to orangutans perhaps, but still...

This is a Boeing 757-236, VH-TCA, which is operated by Tasman Cargo Airlines of a NSW, Australia address.

If you look closely, it has the sub title of "The Flying Orangutan" near the rear, just below and forward of the picture of Jeremy Clarkson. A bit of an insult to one of them perhaps [and not the one pictured]...

Boeing 757-236, VH-TCA, operated by Tasman Cargo Airlines

BTW - it's not the greatest picture, but it was taken on my cellphone, out the window of an A320 as we taxied past... :-)

Two Airbus' and two Boeings

This second-last post from my recent Auckland visit has four large aircraft - two Airbus' and two Boeings. First up the Airbus aircraft.

We start with am Emirates-operated Airbus A380-800. This picture shows quite nicely that there are  thrust reversers on the inboard engines only.

Airbus A380-800, operated by Emirates

Next up is an Airbus A330-223, B-LNF, which is operated by Hongkong Airlines. This is the second time I have seen this aircraft - the first time was back in September 2011, at Chep Lap Kok [Hong Kong airport]. I really like the livery on these aircraft.

Airbus A330-223, B-LNF, operated  by Hongkong Airlines

Now on to the Boeings. This first one is a Korean Air-operated Boeing 747-8I, HL7642. I think this is the first of these large Boeings I have photographed.

Boeing 747-8I, HL7642, operated by Korean Air

Last up is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operated by Thai Airways International.

Boeing 787-8, operated by Thai Airways International

Bombardier and Boeing

In this next post from the recent Auckland visit are a business jet and an airliner.

The business jet is a Chinese-registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10, B-95959.

Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express, B-95959

The second, altogether rather larger, aircraft is a Cathay Pacific Airways-operated Boeing 777-369/ER. The registration is not entirely distinct, but I think it is B-KQO. This was carrying precious cargo in the form of family.

Boeing 777-369/ER, B-KQO, operated by Cathay Pacific Airways

Samoa Airways at Auckland

Last Tuesday I spent the best part of the day at Auckland Airport [NZAA] while I waited for some people to arrive from overseas. While there of course I took a few photos.

This first one is rather interesting. It's a Samoa Airways branded Boeing 737-86N, but it has an Italian registration for an airline called Neos. What's happening? Well, as I understand it, Samoa Airways is a rebrand of the state owned Polynesian Airlines and this is the first [and I think only] Boeing 737 in their fleet. They have recently started flying from Faleolo International Airport [ICAO code NSFA], near Apia in Samoa to Auckland.

The aircraft is leased from Neos and I believe it is operated by the Italian crew, with Samoa Airways cabin crew... not 100% sure of all that, but I'm sure to be corrected if I am wrong!

Anyway, it's an Italian registered jet operating for a Samoan airline to New Zealand. Different!

Boeing 737-86N, I-NEOS, operated by Neos/ Samoa Airways

BTW - it was a hot day, so there's a bit of heat shimmer in this photo and a number of the upcoming posts in this series.

Dassault Falcon 2000EX

Today's unique visitor to Wellington was this Dassault Falcon 2000EX, D-BIKA. I don't know the details of why it was here but it headed off to the north.

Dassault Falcon 2000EX, D-BIKA

Alliance Airlines Fokker F27 Mk 50

Here's a picture of the Alliance Airlines-operated Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, which is flying tourists around the country. It's parked outside the aero club and about to depart.

Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Kawasaki C-2 at Wellington

Tuesday 28 November saw a visit to Wellington of a JASDF [Japan Air Self Defense Force] operated Kawasaki C-2, registration 68-1203. This is a first of type visit to New Zealand and was here as the Japanese Government seeks to make some foreign sales of this type, as well as the Kawasaki P-1 Maritime Patrol aircraft.

Kawasaki C-2, 68-1203, operated by the JASDF

Competition aircraft

As mentioned in an earlier post, as the Event Director for the competitions, I didn't have time to take a lot of photos. There were plenty taken by others [FB is a bit of a goldmine for these], but I did get a few.

First up is my favourite aircraft, although it was not competing. This is a Piper PA18, ZK-BTU. The aircraft is a 90Hp model with no flaps, and I'm looking forward to having a fly over Christmas. I should be able to get some more photos and maybe some video also. The aircraft is registered to Wanganui Aero Club, having move there around September of this year.

Piper PA18, ZK-BTU, operated by Wanganui Aero Club

Next up are a couple of photos from the flightline of the visiting aircraft.

Last up is an AESL Airtourer 115, ZK-CWA. This is registered to a Napier address.

AESL Airtourer 115, ZK-CWA

Sunday in Hastings

Sunday in Hastings was a relaxing day after the Saturday competitions. After a lazy start, I went for a walk around parts of central Hastings [it's a nice place] followed by a trip out to the Hawkes Bay & East Coast Aero Club for a local flights in Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO.

What was intended to be a quick trip around ended up being 1.5 hours of sightseeing and circuits - probably half circuits. I had almost forgotten how many you could do at an uncontrolled aerodrome!

Anyway, here are a few pictures.

First up is Mt Erin - one of the landmarks I saw when flying from Lake Poukawa towards Te Mata Peak.

Mount Erin

Next up is perhaps the best known natural feature in the area - Te Mata Peak. This just happened to be one of the points in the Bledisloe Trophy [Junior Navigation], NZ Herald Cup [Senior Navigation] and Microlight Navigation events. This was probably one of the easier points to spot. What you can't see in this photo is the hang glider operating just on the other side of the peak.

Te Mata Peak

Next are two pictures of Cape Kidnappers. This is a protected area for Gannet breeding, and as such I was 2,200' above the ocean at this point [there's a restricted area from the surface to 2,000 feet].

Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers

I actually started the day with a walk through the town. The hotel was on Railway Road.... and this is probably one of the few places to make a railway a feature for a town centre. Really well done!

Centre of Hastings

To Hastings and back!

This past weekend I was in Hastings for Flying NZ's annual Cook Strait regional competitions. These were hosted by the friendly team at Hawkes Bay and East Coast Aero Club at their fantastic facility near... Hastings [obviously!].

This year I was the Event Director, which as one wise person told me, meant that if there were any incidents, it's my signature on the form... Just as well it all went well!

Getting to Hastings from Wellington is fairly simple - just around 1.5 hours each way in Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO. It's a fun flight, especially when the weather is nice, but actually good when the weather is not so nice also. I got to see both.

The first photo is from the trip north to Hastings last Friday. No wind to speak of, clear skies, great visibility, George* doing the hard work of following the magenta line [yes, that is cheating! Ha!] and a bag of lollies on the dashboard.

The Office and View from Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO, operated by Wellington Aero Club

The trip home on Monday was a little different. Still next to no wind, George put to work for some of it, but no lollies to be seen [nor as much scenery as it turns out]! On the plus side, I still spent most of the flight at around 3000' and I was able to wash the plane gently a couple of times...

Dark clouds

Heavy rain off to the left - no flying through that!

Gloomy but better than it looks

Always return your aircraft as clean as you received it?

It may not surprise you but I spent much of this flight looking - do I have an out [yes - going back or left to the coast]and  do I feel safe [yes also!]. Lastly, I didn't get any photos, but it is was surprising the number of farm strips or other suitable landing areas that appeared that I could have used if needed.

The competitions were on the Saturday. As the Event Director I was a bit busy to run around with the camera for that, but on Sunday I took the aircraft for a local flight an a bunch of circuits. More on that later, but all in all, a great weekend of flying.


* George - One rumour is that this originated with British pilots in WW2 and might be a reference to King George - owner of the aircraft. While there are a number of other explanations, I like this one.

All Black ATR72

Here's a picture of the Mount Cook Airline [Air NZ] operated ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVA from earlier today at Wellington.

ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVA, operated by Mount Cook Airline [Air NZ]

GA aircraft at Wellington last Saturday

Here are some GA aircraft seen at Wellington last Saturday.

First up is a Cessna 172S, ZK-NAB, which is operated by Nelson Aviation College.

Cessna 172S, ZK-NAB, operated by Nelson Aviation College

Next up is a Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui, in an air ambulance configuration.

Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui

Last up is a helicopter, in particular a Bell 206L, ZK-HMA. This aircraft is registered to a Manukau [Auckland] address.

Bell 206L, ZK-HMA

RAAF Hercules

This post is of an RAAF-operated Lockheed Martin C130J, A97-448, which was briefly at Wellington last Saturday. It was one of at least a couple of C130's that operated through Wellington on Saturday.

Lockheed C130J, A97-448, operated by the RAAF

Bombardier at Wellington

Here is another photo of Bombardier CL600-2B16, N913TK, operated by a company called Christ Holdings in Texas, USA.

This photo was taken just after the aircraft was refueled in preparation for an overseas departure. Vehicles at the Execujet hanger included one clearly labelled as "Customs". It appears that the aircraft has been hidden away in the Execujet hanger since it arrived.

What a nice paint job :-)

Bombardier CL600-2B16, N913TK, operated by Christ Holdings

Air New Zealand Dreamliner at Wellington

Air New Zealand sent a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Wellington twice today. the aircraft was ZK-NZF and was used to help with increased demand around tonights's All Whites vs Peru football game. Whatever the reason, it is good to see something different around here!

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, ZK-NZF, operated by Air New Zealand

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, ZK-NZF, operated by Air New Zealand

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, ZK-NZF, operated by Air New Zealand

Action on the Western Apron

I only spent a few hours at the airport this afternoon and regrettably, I didn't take my good camera.

This was a pity as there was a fair amount happening and phone cameras just don't do so well, especially when you become dependent on a digital zoom rather than optical.

First up is an Airbus A320-232, VH-VFJ. This aircraft is operated by Jetstar Airways. the only reason it is on this side of the airport is that it apparently sucked another aviator [of the furry flying kind] through an engine a few days ago. Scuttlebutt is that this necessitated an engine change which was accomplished while parked inside the Execujet hanger.

This was the first time it had been outside for a few days. Note the chocks are in place. I don't recall it getting noisy, so I'm not sure what checks were being done.

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

Next up is a business jet, namely a Bombardier CL600-2B16, N913TK, operated by a company called Christ Holdings in Texas, USA. It was though that this was bringing the German President to town, but now I am not sure. You'll see why shortly.

Bombardier CL600-2B16, N913TK, operated by Christ Holdings

The third and final western apron visitor was another airliner, in this case a Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIL, which is operated by Virgin Australia Airlines. A common enough visitor, but this was flew in from Sydney to park on the RNZAF military apron, just to the south of the aero club. Shortly after this, a large entourage left, escorted by Police.

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

Flight up the Transmission Gully

Last weekend I took a quick trip with another club member, Peter M. The flight was in the club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT.

Part of the flight took us over the roadworks which are part of the new Transmission Gully road. This is covered in the following video.

Weekend visitor

I'm in catch up mode.... last Saturday there was a Cessna R172K, ZK-ELO, to a private owner in Feilding.

Cessna R172K, ZK-ELO

Out and about commercially

Over the past couple of weeks I have had some commercial flights between Auckland and Wellington. Here are a few random photos from those flights.

On one of the flights, there was a lot of cloud over most of the North Island. It's only a phone camera image, but this is one of Mount Taranaki as we headed north.

Next up is an approach into Auckland, looking south east.

The following image is of Clarks Beach, with the southern point of the Manukau Harbour below the aircraft.

Next is an image of the Makara wind farm, looking east towards Wellington city as we got closer to Wellington. It's always a nice day in Wellington 😁!

Lastly, I seemed to get lumped in the back of the plane on these trips. On one flight I was all the way back - row 29, seat A. At least I had no one beside me... It also gave a good view of the rear of the cabin and fast entry and exit with the rear stairs being used on all flights. Ha!

Another Challenger

I arrived at Wellington airport today to see this Swiss registered Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger, HB-IKS. Swiss registered aircraft are very rare in New Zealand, so this was good to see.

Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger, HB-IKS

Military action at Wellington today

It was a very busy day for military aircraft movements at Wellington today.

Firstly, an RNZAF operated B757-2K2 departed towards Australia, but no photos of this unfortunately.

There were also a couple of NATO Helicopter Industries NH90 helicopter movements. The following are NZ3303 and NZ3304.

NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

The other RNZAF-operated aircraft I photographed was this Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7004.

Lockheed C130H, NZ7004, operated by the RNZAF

Last up on the military front was this RAAF-operated Canadair CL600-2B16 Challenger 604, A37-003. I'm not sure if this is related to the election, or the deporting of Barnaby Joyce :-)

Canadair CL600-2B16, A37-003 Challenger 604, operated by the RAAF