Nanchang time!

I had the Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, for the whole day today. The plan was to head up to Whanganui and take my father for a ride.

I had to wait for a while since there was low cloud at Whanganui, but that burnt off exactly as forecast, so around 10:30 I headed off from Wellington. The only cloud I encountered was between Wellington and Paekakariki, but once past Paekakariki, the skies were clear for the rest of the trip.

After arriving, refuelling and parking up, we had lunch, followed by a quick local flight around the greater Whanganui area, to the north then across to Kai Iwi and a bit further west, then back to Aramoho and back to land. Another refuel and I was soon on my way back home to Wellington. Also, Auckland Aero Club was at Whanganui on their way south. Hi Gavin!

Anyway, here are a few photos. Thanks dad for sending them!

Int his first photo, there are three of the 6 or 7 Auckland Aero Club aircraft, ZK-CAA from a local flight training operator and ZK-CIZ, a Saab 340 from Air Chathams. The photo was taken from the old control tower.

Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Airbourne from Whanganui's runway 14

On the way back, north of Whanganui

Wellington Aero Club is 90! (post 2 of 2)

Following on from yesterday's post, here are a few more photos from last weekend's open day.

Hopefully, those of you who were able to get there enjoyed the day! I know that many of you took the opportunity to take flight for your first lesson/ trial flight with one of the Aero Club's instructors [I've seen lots of FB posts which indicated this was a lot of fun!]. There were also lots of fantastic photos and videos taken, so thanks for sharing those!

Lastly, weather permitting, my next flight is this coming Saturday, where I'll be taking the Nanchang up to Whanganui for a brief visit. Maybe see you there?!

Beechcraft Kingair 350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF

Beechcraft Kingair 350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink

BAC BAC167 Strikemaster Mk88, ZK-BAC, operated by BAC 167 Strikemaster Ltd

Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Wellington Aero Club is 90! (post 1 of 2)

Last weekend was Wellington Aero Club's 90th Anniversary celebration!

Celebration activities included our first open day in several years on the Western Apron, followed by a really nice dinner at the Rydges hotel in the main airport terminal.

Anyway, on to the open day. I'm not sure how many people came through, but it seemed to be a steady stream throughout the day which was good. It was particularly good to have support from Lifeflight and Westpac Rescue, Sounds Air, the RNZAF, Kapiti Warbirds [owners of ZK-END], BAC167 Strikemaster Ltd and airport rescue who all sent aircraft [and a fire engine] in to support the day.

I was a bit busy, so didn't take many photos. Thank you to Ron Edmands for most of these photos, as indicated.

North American Harvard 3*, ZK-END, operated by Kapiti Warbirds

Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS, operated by Sounds Air

Cessna 208 Caravan, ZK-PDM, operated by Sounds Air

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Lifeflight

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Lifeflight

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Lifeflight

BFR done

Last Tuesday I completed the flying portion of my Biennial Flight Review [BFR]. This is a check that is needed every two years to confirm continued competence and to ensure I am updated on anything significant that has changed in the aviation world over the past couple of years. The aircraft was Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE.

My goodness, it was a fun flight! The instructor and I managed to get the few hours of perfect weather in what has otherwise been a period of rather poor weather. We could not have had it better. A gentle crosswind at Paraparaumu, smooth flying conditions everywhere and one of the best evenings to fly on that I have ever encountered.

EKE has a 180hp engine and a STOL kit. This means you can actually fly it at 50 knots indicated [with no flap] and do a rate one turn. It gets airborne super quick also. It can be a bit tricky slowing it down if you're not sufficiently ahead of the aircraft.

In 1.9 hours, we covered everything, including a trip up to Paraparaumu, across to Upper Hutt and then to the southern Wairarapa area for a forced landing and some low flying. Given it was evening, we came back as it was getting darker and landed a few minutes before ECT [if we had been delayed, the instructor was night current and I'm night rated, so it hardly would have mattered].

I don't have any photos from the flight, but then, I doubt they would have done justice to what we could see. Smooth flying conditions, amazing visibility and a fun fun fun time... I learned something and got reminded of a couple of things also... just how a BFR should be!

Anyway, flights are also booked in the Nanchang between now and Christmas, so I should be able to get some tripping around done. Watch out Whanganui, I'm heading your way in 2.5 weeks if the weather gets better 😎

Older and newer Airbus'

Last Saturday I saw one of Air New Zealand's older Airbus A320-232's, ZK-OJH and one of their newest aircraft, an A321-271NX, ZK-NNB.

ZK-OJH is one of two [that I can recall] Air NZ A320's in a special livery, this one being the Star Alliance livery.

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJH, operated by Air New Zealand

Airbus A320-271NX, ZK-NNB, operated by Air New Zealand

A soon to be disappearing operator...

Another picture from the weekend is the soon to be disappearing [from New Zealand skies at least] operator, Eastern Australia Airlines, operating for Jetstar, and their Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQL.

These DHC-8's will be leaving New Zealand at the end of this month and [presumably] returning to Australia.

Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQL, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines/ Jetstar

Another Singapore Airlines A350-900

Today's photo is of the latest Singapore Airlines-operated Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMB, to operate into Wellington and about to depart

Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMB, operated by Singapore Airlines

Airbus' 10,000th aircraft

Airbus' 10,000th aircraft is an A350-951, 9V-SMF, which is operated by Singapore Airlines. This was the aircraft that operated Singapore Airlines' service into Wellington on Sunday.

As can be seen, it's mainly the standard livery with just the addition of the 10,000th Airbus Aircraft logo on the rear fuselage.

Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMF, operated by Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines' new A350 service to Melbourne [and Singapore]

Last Friday was the first of the Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 services to Wellington [replacing the previous Boeing B777].

Singapore Airlines is the first airline operator of the A350 into Wellington, following on from the Airbus-operated flights last year.

These photos are from Saturday's flight which was operated by A350-941, 9V-SMC.

Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMC, operated by Singapore Airlines

Airbus A350-941, 9V-SMC, operated by Singapore Airlines

Piper Archer TX

A visitor from Canterbury Aero Club arrived on Saturday in the form on a Piper PA28-181 Archer TX, ZK-LJX. This is a new build Archer with twin Garmin 1000 displays.

Piper PA28-181 Archer TX, ZK-LJX, operated by Canterbury Aero Club

In other news, I did manage a brief flight this afternoon, moving Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE to Paraparaumu for a 100-hour inspection and planned maintenance next week.