The bandages have gone...

One of Life Flight's air ambulances has recently returned to service after a bit of a "birthday". The most obvious changes are the new livery and the introduction of 5-bladed props.

The old livery was the Weta-designed "bandages" livery. The new one is simpler but in some ways stands out better with the bold red fuselage.

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight for Life Flight

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight for Life Flight

Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter

The Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter, operated by GCH Aviation of a Christchurch address, has been in and out of Wellington recently.

Here are two pictures of the arrival and departure last Sunday.

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IMN, operated by GCH Aviation

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IMN, operated by GCH Aviation

As a bonus [and rather easy] question, take a look at the white object on the right skid [second picture, indicated by the arrow]. What is it and how might this be useful for a rescue helicopter?

Correct answers in the comments section on the blog. The prize is the respect and admiration of your peers 😁

Lifeflight Australia Ltd air ambulance

A surprise photo on Saturday morning was a Learjet 45, VH-CXJ, which is operated by Lifeflight Australia.

I haven't looked up when it arrived, but here it is departing Wellington mid-morning on Saturday. As you may be able to tell from the photos, the weather wasn't great. What you can't tell from the photos is that it was very windy wih a strong westerly component [up to 60 knots at 2000']. Unlikely to be a problem a few minutes after departure, but perhaps uncomfortable until then.

Anyway, here are the photos.

Learjet 45, VH-CXJ, operated by Lifeflight Australia

Learjet 45, VH-CXJ, operated by Lifeflight Australia

Lifeflight Wellington

Today's photo is of a Lifeflight Wellington [Air Ambulance]-operated Jetstream J32, ZK-LFT. This is operated by Air Frieght NZ on behalf of Lifeflight.

Jetstream J32, ZK-LFT, operated by Air Freight NZ

Yet another Bombardier at Wellington

Last Saturday I saw an Australian-registered Air Ambulance parked outside the Execujet hanger at Wellington airport.

The aircraft was a Bombardier CL-600-2B16, VH-URR, which is operated by Lifeflight Australia Ltd of a Brisbane address.

Bombardier Cl-600-2B16, VH-URR, operated by Lifeflight Australia Ltd

Bombardier CL-600-2B16, VH-URR, operated by Lifeflight Australia

Bombardier CL-600-2B16, VH-URR, operated by Lifeflight Australia

Wellington based air ambulance and rescue helicopter

Here are two pictures from last weekend.

First up is the newest [albeit in operation for several months now] Lifeflight Air Ambulance, a British Aerospace J32 Jetstream, ZK-LFT. This is operated by Air Freight NZ as an air ambulance on behalf of Lifeflight.

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

Next up, and not a great photo unfortunately, is an Helicopters Otago-operated MBB BK117 B2, ZK-IWL. I assume that this is here in place of Westpac Rescue's regular BK117 to cover routine maintenance, or some such reason.

MBB BK117 B2, ZK-IWL, operated by Helicopters Otago

GA aircraft at Wellington last Saturday

Here are some GA aircraft seen at Wellington last Saturday.

First up is a Cessna 172S, ZK-NAB, which is operated by Nelson Aviation College.

Cessna 172S, ZK-NAB, operated by Nelson Aviation College

Next up is a Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui, in an air ambulance configuration.

Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui

Last up is a helicopter, in particular a Bell 206L, ZK-HMA. This aircraft is registered to a Manukau [Auckland] address.

Bell 206L, ZK-HMA

Life Flight Wellington's latest Air Ambulance

Last Saturday I got my first photos of Life Flight Wellington's latest Air Ambulance. Like their other aircraft, it's a British Aerospace J32 Jetstream, registered ZK-LFT. also like the other aircraft, this is operated by [and therefore registered to] Air Freight NZ of a Palmerston North address.

From what I can tell, the last ZK-LFT was a Fairchild Metroliner, also operated on behalf of Life Flight Wellington.

British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3200, ZK-LFT, operated by Air Freight on behalf of Lifeflight Wellington

Today's random pics

Here are a selection of pictures from today. Nothing particularly flash, although I do like the first picture of the Virgin Australia-operated Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIZ, as it was passing through a brightly lit area while most of the rest of the photo is in shadow.

Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIZ, operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines

Next up is the Westpac Rescue helicopter, a Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, which is operated by Helilink.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink as the Westpac Rescue helicopter

Third up is an Air New Zealand-operated Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, just prior to touchdown.

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, operated by Air NZ

Last up is a Mount Cook Airline-operated ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVD.

ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVD, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

Odd and sods from Sunday

This post contains a few odds and sods from Sunday's photographs.

First up is a Fiji Airways-operated Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJG.

Boeing 737-8X2, DQ-FJG, operated by Fiji Airways

Another Boeing, this time B737-8FE, VH-YIM, which is operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines.

Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIM, operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines

The Sounds Air-operated Pilatus PC12's would have to be my favourite aircraft of the moment. This Pilatus PC12-45, ZK-PLT looks great in their new livery!

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

Last up are two photos of Air Wanganui's latest acquisition, a Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC. This aircraft arrived in New Zealand in April 2016 and is operated as an Air Ambulance.

Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui

Beech B200 Super King Air, ZK-MDC, operated by Air Wanganui

Women of Aviation Week at Wellington Aero Club

Last Saturday at Wellington Aero Club was our special aimed at celebrating women in aviation and encouraging more to get into aviation, as part fo Women of Aviation Week [WOAW]. Luckily for us, we have a number of very capable female pilots - both instructors and private pilots - who were able to do most of the work to set this up.

With awesome weather, we were able to get a number fo women though for trial flights and also several teams into the Cindy Lauper Challenge (girls just wanna have fun). The results of the challenge will be published by the aero club in the near future.

As part of this day, the folks at Lifeflight sent their Air Ambulance and rescue helicopter over for a few hours, giving visitors a chance to see this inside of these aircraft. A lot of people don't realise that Lifeflight is a charity, and so any financial support you can give them would be much appreciated! Check out the Ways You Can Help section on their website.

The airport company also sent over an airport fire engine. Anyway, here are a few of the photos form the day. I have specially excluded all the photos with our visitors - both for privacy reasons, but also as they will be sent to the aero club shortly for their use.

So, here we go with the photos!

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink on behalf of Lifeflight

Cockpit of Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink on behalf of Lifeflight

Rear view of Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink on behalf of Lifeflight

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

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

And finally... that fire engine!

Wellington Airport Fire Engine

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30

Today's visitor was this rare [one-of-type on the NZ aircraft register] Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH. This aircraft is operated as an air ambulance by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address. Despite being "one of type", three other MU-2B's were flown to New Zealand a few years ago for the RNZAF to use as non-flying instructional airframes.

This type has a fairly interesting history documented in Wikipedia... well worth the read.

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH, operated by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH, operated by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH, operated by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address

Low cloud, high humidity

So much for a plan to go flying today. The day dawned and finished with low cloud and high humidity - clearly not conducive to VFR flying...

One arrival to emerge from the gloom was the General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIE, which is operated by Air Chathams. This parked up on the Eastern Apron.

General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIE, operated by Air Chathams

General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580, ZK-CIE, operated by Air Chathams

The cloud was so low that at one stage a Jetstar operated Airbus A320-232, VH-VFF emerged from cloud just as they started their overshoot... talk about timing! It looked good, but unfortunate;lyt he camera was not ready. Oh well, they made it on the second attempt.

Airbus A320-232, VH-VFF, operated by Jetstar Airways

Last up is a British Aerospace Jetstaream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight on behalf of Lifeflight Wellington.

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight on behalf of Life Flight

The end of another year, but take it easy!

It's the end of another busy year... and I can't imagine that next year will be any different!

Today's photo is of the Wellington-based Lifeflight Air Ambulance, a British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight NZ. Why this? Well, unfortunately there have been a lot of air ambulances in and out of Wellington over the past few days... 

Anyway, here's a picture of ZK-LFW.

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

Air Gisborne Navajo

Tuesday afternoon produced another air ambulance, this time not as flash as the Beechjet 400 [see previous post], but a Piper PA31-325 Navajo, ZK-SRC, which is operated by Air Gisborne.

I assume it delivered someone to Wellington hospital, as it departed with the pilot and flight nurse as the only occupants.

Piper PA31-325, ZK-SRC, operated by Air Gisborne

Beechcraft Beechjet 400A

This one-of-type for the NZ aircraft register is a Beechcraft Beechjet 400A, ZK-NXJ, operated as an air ambulance, by Skyline Aviation of a Napier address.

To describe it as a Beechcraft is perhaps a little misleading, as I found out when I took a quick look at the Wikipedia entry for this aircraft. it is a Beechcraft, a Mitsubishi, a Raytheon and a Hawker! What a history! I believe that this particular model has been remanufactured by Nextant, so it's also one of those! Make you own mind up, I suppose :-) Click here for the Wikipedia link.

Anyway, here are the pictures.

Beechcraft Beechjet 400A, ZK-NXJ, operated by Skyline Aviation

Beechcraft Beechjet 400A, ZK-NXJ, operated by Skyline Aviation

Air Wanganui's air ambulance

This is Air Wanganui's Beech C90A, ZK-MKG. This is operated as an air ambulance, although Sunday's winds, I'm not sure I would want to have been ill and onboard [and to be fair, I don't know if it was a drop-off or pickup].

Beech C09A, ZK-MKG, operated by Air Wanganui

Updated: Beech B200

Another aircraft from Saturday was this Beech B200, ZK-MYM. This aircraft is operated by Air2There.com, an airline we don't see or hear much about these days.

The aircraft itself is based at Wellington for the time being as a backup for the current air ambulance [although I hear rumour it will be replaced by a Jetstream some time soon].

Beech B200, ZK-MYM, operated by Air2There.com

Beech B200, ZK-MYM, operated by Air2There.com

Thanks to those who provided an update on this aircraft!

Other aircraft from Sunday

Prior to my night flying last Sunday night, I was able to photograph a couple of lighter aircraft at Wellington.

The first is a Piper PA32R-301 Saratoga, ZK-ZIG, which is operated by Golden Bay Air of Takaka. The pilot dropped off three passengers at the Aero Club instead of the usual Eastern Apron gate.

Piper PA32R-301 Saratoga, ZK-ZIG, operated by Golden bay Air

The second aircraft was a Skyline Aviation-operated Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IBK. This is a rescue helicopter/ air ambulance, although apart from dropping in the refuel, I'm not sure what it was up to.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IBK, operated by Skyline Aviation

Some random shots from the weekend

Here are pictures of a various aircraft from the weekend.

Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIS, is operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines and is seen here soon after landing at Wellington.

Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIS, operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines

Next up is another B737, this time a B737-838, ZK-ZQB, operated by Jetconnect [a subsidiary of Qantas].

Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQB, operated by Jetconnect/ Qantas

Next up are two air ambulances, both of which have featured in this blog on occasions. First is the local resident, British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW. This is operated by Air Freight on behalf of Lifeflight Wellington.

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

The second ambulance is the Starship Hospital air ambulance, a Beechcraft B300, ZK-SSH, operated by Skyline Aviation.

Beechcraft B300, ZK-SSH, operated by Skyline Aviation