There was an interesting visitor to Wellington last weekend, a Murphy SR2500TD Super Rebel, ZK-MSR. This is registered to a Tauranga address, although I understand it has just been sold and will be moving shortly.
I don't know too much about the aircraft, but it's a Canadian designed homebuilt, seat four, it looks great and I'm rather jealous of anyone who gets to fly one of these for fun! 😀
Also, the bear on the tail looks cool also!
 |
| Murphy SR2500TD Super Rebel, ZK-MSR |
Last weekend [Monday to be precise] I had a flight in a Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE. I was by myself, so rather than just go sightseeing, I thought I would practice some manoeuvres instead. So, after just one hour, I had practiced turns, stalls, FLWOP, constant radius turns, then rejoined with a short approach to land.
Fun times! No pictures from the flight, just this screen grab from an app.
 |
| The flight path |
Here's an interesting picture of an old propeller, apparently from a SPAD aircraft with a 200hp engine.
It appears to have been made by a company called Hispano-Suiza. It would be really good to know if there is more history to this propeller, and particularly if it could be confirmed as a type that would have been fitted to a World War 1 SPAD aircraft.
If you do know more, and particularly if you have links to information to support your views, please leave a message. I'm definitely keep to learn more!
 |
| Old propeller |
 |
| Old propeller - do you know more? |
Monday's flight was in the Club's Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO. It was a quick trip across to Omaka aerodrome to pick up a couple of people and return home. It was a fantastic day for flying with bright skies and light winds - almost the perfect day for a flight across Cook Strait.
 |
| Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO, operated by Wellington Aero Club |
While crossing Cook Strait I had radar monitoring, and this was followed by a very welcome clearance to "track direct to Omaka, 2500 feet or below" - a sweet clearance that saved me from having to descend earlier and navigate the transit lane. Nice. On arrival, a slight change of wind meant and overshoot and reposition for another vector. All fun. Heading home a short time later was another easy flight across Cook Strait and back into Wellington.
The only real challenge was someone flying around Omaka/ Woodbourne with a stuck mic. Heavy breathing is not really wanted on the frequency 😬, especially with various aircraft wanting ATC clearances and the like. Oh well, these things happen, nothing to get too excited about.
 |
| Flight track |
Saturday was another day to head to Masterton airfield and continue my flight training on the Piper J3C-50, ZK-AHD, with Wairarapa Flying Tigers.
Today's flight was more upper air work - stalls, steep turns, slow flight, slips and an overhead rejoin. I was also seated in the rear seat, which was an interesting experience with limited visibility, but one I'll get used to since this aircraft is flown solo from the back seat. Next lesson will likely be lots of circuits. That'll be a lot of fun!
Not only that, but I am also learning some of the ground stuff, like starting the engines of the J3 and the de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths. These aircraft don't have starter motors [it seems to be just additional dead weight to carry around 😁], so they start using the Armstrong method, or swinging the propellers by hand. Fun times, and at the end of the day, all fingers are accounted for.
Only two photos from today, of two of Wairarapa Flying Tiger-operated de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths, ZK-ANL and ZK-BLK. Once up to speed on the J3, this will be the next bit of fun.
 |
| de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, ZK-BLK, operated by Wairarapa Flying Tigers |
 |
| de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, ZK-ANL, operated by Wairarapa Flying Tigers |
I went flying on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft needed a wash prior to the flight... so, no, this was not after my flight... Clearly the previous flight had some fun 😏
 |
| Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE, operated by Wellington Aero Club |
One visitor to Wellington on Sunday, a Cessna 152, ZK-NAK, which is operated by Nelson Aviation College.
 |
| Cessna 152, ZK-NAK, operated by Nelson Aviation College |
