Rainy day, time to fly

I was booked in to fly today, but It was a bit wet this morning and early afternoon. It cleared up in time though, so I ended up having a quick flight in the club's Cessna 172N, ZK-EKE. Just a enough time to depart to the north, do a simulated FLWOP around Mana Island, then back in to land.

It was also a chance to use my new OzRunways subscription in flight for the first time. I was looking for an easy flight so it would not be a distraction. It worked fine, but I want to use it some more before doing any sort of review.

In other news, I have a new camera. I'm sure much to the horror of some people, I have downgraded to a point-and-shoot - a Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95. It's basic, seems to work well, and has a few pros and cons compared to my Canon EOS 700 I had been using. The major benefit is that I can stick it in my pocket. The major downsides so far is that the lens is not fantastic [but quite acceptable] and the autofocus is a bit slow. Still, I'm happy so far.

While waiting for the weather to clear, I took some photos. They turned out better than I expected. I have also adjusted the settings on the old watermarking tool I am using, so hopefully the JPEG compression artefacts are not quite as annoying. Photo sizes are quite a bit larger though.

First up are two photos of a Pilatus PC12/45, which is operated by Sounds Air. The second was taken through grubby glass, so not too bad I suppose.

Pilatus PC12/45, operated by Sounds Air

Pilatus PC12/45, operated by Sounds Air

Next up is Life Flight's British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW. This is operated by Air Freight NZ Ltd on behalf of Life Flight. The rain is quite obvious...

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight Ltd

Last up is this Bombardier CL-600-2B16, ZK-JCJ. This is operated by GCH Jet Operations. Again, it was raining a little at the time and this show up nicely in the photo.

Bombardier CL-600-2B16, ZK-JCJ, operated by GCH Jet Operations

Bombardier CL-600-2B16, ZK-JCJ, operated by GCH Jet Operations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last two photos from last weekend

I've finally caught up on my photos from last weekend. here are two more that I quite like... a little boring perhaps :-), although I still quite like the Originair livery.

First up is an Originair branded British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH. This is officially operated by Air Freight NZ, who provide the aircraft and crews for Originair.

British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH, operated by Air Freight NZ

Next up is a Mount Cook Airline [Air NZ] operated ATR72, ZK-MVB. This is one of the new -600 series aircraft.

ATR-GIE ATR72-212A, ZK-MVB, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

Originair now flying between Wellington and Nelson

New Zealand's latest domestic regional carrier, Originair, has commenced operations on what must be one of the most hotly contested routes, between Nelson and Wellington.

I managed to get photos of their takeoff from Wellington this afternoon, and I do like their livery - different, but quite nice. The aircraft is a British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH. It is actually operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Originair. The aircraft itself has been around for a while, having been first registered in NZ in May 1997.

British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH, operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Originair

British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH, operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Originair

British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH, operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Originair

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

Lifeflight Air Ambulance

I wasn't able to get any more pictures of the Jetstar-branded DHC-8 today - it was tucked up nice and tight in the Execujet hanger all day. Maybe tomorrow...

The one aircraft I did photograph today was the British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW. This is operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Lifeflight, as the local fixed wing air ambulance.

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight NZ

Lifeflight Air Ambulance

What follows are my first pictures of the Life Flight Air Ambulance, a British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, since the Vincent Aviation receivership. The aircraft has recently had some additional decals applied, saying "Life Flight - Saves time. Saves lives" since I last saw it.

According to the CAA website, the aircraft is still operated by Vincent Aviation (in receivership), but in reality the crews are supplied by a company called Air Freight.