Here's a good song for those who forget that a go-around is [almost] always* a great option, or for those who get unusually excited about seeing an aircraft carry out this completely normal manoeuvre...
What's better is that this version doesn't have all the rubbish video snippets attached showing poor landings or similar...
* ok, so there are some strips where, due to obstacles or surface slope, a late go-around may not be possible, but most of you are not flying into those...
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Lockheed P-3K2 Orion
I had a day off work last Thursday which practically guaranteed that the weather would be awful, which it was 😆.
I did get down to the Aero Club to give the Nanchang CJ6A a bit of a clean, but just before arriving, I saw a Royal New Zealand Air Force [RNZAF] operated Lockheed P-3K2 Orion, NZ4202, taxiing out.
An unusual feature people often asked about is the "spike" sticking out the back of the aircraft. This is a MAD [or Magnetic Anomaly Detector] which is designed to detect magnetic anomalies [its name says it all...], especially submarines that might be lurking around underwater.
These aircraft will be replaced by four Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft [derived from the Boeing 737 airliner] over the next few years. The RNZAF's first set of instructors for the type are currently undergoing training in the USA.
I did get down to the Aero Club to give the Nanchang CJ6A a bit of a clean, but just before arriving, I saw a Royal New Zealand Air Force [RNZAF] operated Lockheed P-3K2 Orion, NZ4202, taxiing out.
An unusual feature people often asked about is the "spike" sticking out the back of the aircraft. This is a MAD [or Magnetic Anomaly Detector] which is designed to detect magnetic anomalies [its name says it all...], especially submarines that might be lurking around underwater.
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| Lockheed P-3K2 Orion, NZ4202, operated by the RNZAF |
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| Lockheed P-3K2 Orion, NZ4202, operated by the RNZAF |
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Hanger visitors
Just over a week ago, Wellington Aero Club had a number of visitors undercover.
First up was a very nicely presented Cessna 177B Cardinal, ZK-TEC. The Cardinal is a very sleek aircraft and very low to the ground [as in I could see over the wing quite easily and the elevator is about shin height]. You would want to rotate too much on departure or flare too much on landing! It is really nicely presented though. ZK-TEC is registered to Matrinair and normally resident in Feilding. I think it was in the hanger for a single night.
Next up was another Cessna, this time a C172S, ZK-JSD, which is registered to Air Hawkes Bay Ltd, of a Hastings address. This aircraft had flown in IFR and was just in for the night.
Last up was perhaps the most interesting aircraft and one that will be here for a few weeks [although not online with the club]. It is a Cessna U206F, ZK-DWX, which has been purchased by a local person. I was particularly interested in the venturi tube on the left side of the fuselage [a venturi tube makes it interesting by itself!]. My understanding is that it will be flown privately and refurbed over time. The paint job looks really nice though as it is!
First up was a very nicely presented Cessna 177B Cardinal, ZK-TEC. The Cardinal is a very sleek aircraft and very low to the ground [as in I could see over the wing quite easily and the elevator is about shin height]. You would want to rotate too much on departure or flare too much on landing! It is really nicely presented though. ZK-TEC is registered to Matrinair and normally resident in Feilding. I think it was in the hanger for a single night.
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| Cessna 177B Cardinal, ZK-TEC, operated by Matrinair of Feilding |
Next up was another Cessna, this time a C172S, ZK-JSD, which is registered to Air Hawkes Bay Ltd, of a Hastings address. This aircraft had flown in IFR and was just in for the night.
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| Cessna 172S, ZK-JSD, operated by Air Hawkes Bay Ltd of Hasting |
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| Cessna U206F, ZK-DWX |
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Pilatus PC12/47
Like the last post, this is from early June, where I came across a Sounds Air operated Pilatus PC12/47, ZK-PLB, departing Wellington.
This aircraft clearly shows it's heritage as an ex Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft from Australia. I've had a couple of flights in the PC12 and it's a nice aircraft as a passenger. The pilots appear to like them a lot also.
This aircraft clearly shows it's heritage as an ex Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft from Australia. I've had a couple of flights in the PC12 and it's a nice aircraft as a passenger. The pilots appear to like them a lot also.
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| Pilatus PC12/47, ZK-PLB, operated by Sounds Air |
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Airbus A321-271NZ
It has been a while since I posted anything [oops!]. This has been more a lack of posting than a lack of photos, so over the next week or so I'll be catching up.
Early June I took some nice shots of an Air NZ operated Airbus A321-2761NX taxiing and departing Wellington one evening. I'm not sure if I prefer the taxiing picture in the sunlight, or the brightly lit background of the departure shot. I'm sure you'll let me know in the comments!
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| Airbus A321-271NX, ZK-NNF, operated by Air New Zealand |
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| Airbus A321-271NX, ZK-NNF, operated by Air New Zealand |