Weather change

Today was a very interesting weather day. In terms of flying, it was a breezy north-westerly - not very comfortable for flying. Mid-afternoon, the wind had dropped and we headed off on a couple of Young Eagles flights - bright blue skies and a gentle north-westerly breeze. Everyone enjoyed the flights!

By 4:30pm though, just as forecast, the skies started to go dark, the temperature fell several degrees and the rain started. Fun to watch!

Anyway, here are a couple of photographs and video of what arrived. Enjoy!

3.6 hours flying today...

3.6 hours flying - that is the most I have done in a single day for a while.

Most of it was in a Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO, from Wellington to Whanganui and back, but while in Whanganui, I had some dual time in the Piper PA18-90 Super Cub, ZK-BTU with Wanganui Aero Club.

Thankfully it was dual, as I'm not at all current and was clearly not onto it today as the aircraft "owned" me on most of the landings. Oh well, that's what dual is for! I'll do some more in the near future. I think I just need to get the feel of it back and keep a lot more current in future :-) It was a beautiful day for all the flying and so I can't blame the weather!

Anyway, here is a picture of ZK-BTU after the post-flight refuelling. Yes, it is still my favourite type of aircraft!

Piper PA18-90 Super Cub, ZK-BTU, operated by Wanganui Aero Club

Wild and windy today

Here are a couple of movements from earlier today. The wind has been gusting up over 100km/hr at times and, although I missed them, there have been some go-arounds and diversions. Fun times.

Anyway, here are the videos. It's not exactly great cinematography :-) but good enough to give you an idea of what it was like. The first is an Air NZ Airbus A320-232 landings, the second is a Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-200 departing. The departure was rather impressive - the shortest takeoff I have seen in a B777, although not at all surprising given load limitations at Wellington and the gale force winds.

More night flying!

Last Friday was a perfect night for flying. There was very little wind, great visibility and no significant cloud, so I took a quick trip up to Paraparaumu for a couple of touch and goes, then back to Wellington.

I always like flying into Wellington at night and I think the final part of the video shows why. From the north, we descend over the harbour, over the highway then onto the runway. Fun times!


Lastly, this flight brought up my 25th night hour (actually a total of 25.75 hours). Fun times!