HBBPC 2020 - Tricycle aircraft

As you might expect at an event promoting strip flying, there were a lot of taildraggers entered, although there were also a lot of tricycle undercarriage aircraft. Many of them were C172's, although there were a few different types on offer.

Here are a few of them.

First up, a Cessna 172A, ZK-CKX, which is registered to a Timaru address. Being an A model, it certainly is old, but that's no impediment to a precision landing comp.

Cessna 172A, ZK-CKX, registered to a Timaru address

Next up is a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-EQH, which is operated by Marlborough Aero Club. It's a really good example of a Hatchet having been well looked after by the aero club.

I think this was flown by several pilots in the precision landing comp and from memory there was an instructor on each flight. The reasons include one competitor being an Englishman who doesn't have a New Zealand licence and a couple of Marlborough Aero Club students. It's great to see some students having a go!

Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-EQH, operated by Marlborough Aero Club

Next up are three of my favourite aircraft from the comps. They are all Zenair CH701 STOLs and just looking at them you can see they are built for short takeoffs and landings. Needless to say they pulled off some impressive performances on the day, with ZK-NVY, ZK-JUG [previous post] and ZK-TIA getting 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the microlight category of the STOL comp.

I think if I were to own a microlight, one of these would be high on the list!

Zenair CH701 STOL, ZK-TIA, registered to a Rangiora address

Zenair CH701 STOL, ZK-SLO, also registered to a Rangiora address

Zenair CH701 STOL, ZK-NVY, registered to a Merivale [Christchurch] address