Queenstown airport

Last Friday I arrived home after a brief visit to the South Island, which included a one day visit to Queenstown - one of the most spectacular looking parts of New Zealand.

The airport itself is surrounded by mountains, as the following pictures show. Many of the surrounding hills are within a couple of nautical miles of the airfield and rise several thousand feet above it. Amazing!

Here is one extra picture taken in the middle of Queenstown earlier in the day. Equally nice!

Finally, here is a brief video I took from inside the terminal as an Air NZ operated Airbus A320 departed.

I think I might have to do another visit down here one day and have a decent look around... maybe go flying - that would be nice!

Wellington Airport's official reopening October 1959

Last weekend I was given a copy of the offical souvenir booklet from the reopening of Wellington airport, way back in October 1959.

This reopening occured after the airport was rebuilt with a new sealed runway, a runway extension [how topical!] and associated infrastructure.

The booklet is 70 pages long and contains parts of the history of the airfield, along with numerous contemporary aircraft and pitches from aircraft manufacturers. There are mentions of the various airlines that did, or could have flown in as well as Wellington Aero Club and some pretty awesome photos of aircraft long gone for the skies.

BTW - it is Wellington Aero Club's 90th anniversary this year, so stay tuned for more on that over the coming months!

Anyone who follows my twitter feed [twitter.com/flying_geek] will know that I have tried, and failed, to claim the awesome prize of free flights from NAC, TEAL and Trans Australia Airlines, along with two weeks accomodation and spending money [£50!], to the Surfers Paradise in Australia. Looks like being born after the opening didn't help my cause...! I was looking forward to flights on the Electra and Viscount in particular 😀

Anyway, here's the title page and a couple of others. I hope that over the next week or so I can photograph all 70-something pages and recreate a PDF. I know that there's some interest in it, so once it's done, I'll look at making it available. Do be patient with me though!

Anyway, here are the photos as a taster of what is to come.

Christchurch to Wellington, via Hamilton (!), dinner and a good night's sleep

Yesterday [1 June 2019, depending on when you are reading this!], I popped down to Christchurch for a Flying New Zealand executive meeting. These are one-day affairs so I had an A320 flight down at 08:30 [Airbus A320-232, ZK-OAB, in case you're interested], with a plan to come back that evening on a 17:05 departure from Christchurch.

The flight down was uneventful enough, with generally smooth conditions [a couple of lumps leaving Wellington] and clear conditions until about halfway when we were in cloud for the rest of the flight. Christchurch was very wet with standing water everyo\where, includin off the sides of the runways and over local roads etc.

The flight was on Air NZ, the following Jetstar aircraft was just a random photo I took during the day. If it looks a bit dark and gloomy... that's because it was like that.

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

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you may not have noticed the rather rubbish weather has been rather widespread recently, so on Saturday morning, Air NZ was offering flexibility for anyone who wanted to move their flights forward, which I did.

Here are a couple more pictures of the gloomy and wet day that was Christchurch. The picture quality isn't great, but I was shooting through two or three thick panes of glass, with the outer one being rained on :-)

Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NES, operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ

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

The earliest flight I could rebook on was a 16:05 departure on an ATR72-600, ZK-MVH. I must say that it wasn't looking hopeful at getting to Wellington even at that point, but in due course, the barely half full ATR72 got started, taxied out and we got going on what should have been a 40 minute direct flight to Wellington.

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

I guess that you can read the title of this post, so it doesn't take much to work out we didn't make it. Due to the weather in Wellington, with winds gusting up over 50 knots, strong crosswinds, and a whole heap of other aircraft trying and diverting, we ended up diverting to Hamilton - about another 40 minute flight north.

Hamilton is nothing much to get excited about [some say that Hamilhole is a better description!], but there was the chance that the winds would die down and we'd get on another flight back to Wellington that evening.

Did not happen. Ha!

So, after flying much further than expected, we arrived in Hamilton.  A few minutes after landing, I was walking to the airport hotel for a feed and a sleep, before flying out this morning back to Wellington.

Photo of the terminal from my hotel room

The same view after a sleep

Around 07:30 the next morning I was back in the terminal checking in for an 08:15 departure. It is surprising how easy it was to recognise people you mostly had barely a glimpse of on a flight the evening before!

Our ride for the trip home was another ATR72-500, ZK-MCX, which is still in the older livery, presumably as it will be replaced by a newer ATR72-600 at some time. The following image gives a reasonable view across to the control tower. You can also see that the weather is rather nice [but cold].

ATR-GIE ATR72-500, ZK-MCX, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

Anyway, here are a few photos from the flight itself. I had none of the arrival, as it was fairly lumpy. All of these photos were on my phone camera, so the quality is not great.

A few minutes after takeoff - still lovely weather [although cold]

A few minutes north of Whanganui

Look closely and you can see Whanganui beneath the cloud

Anyway, soon after this, we arrived to a cold and lumpy Wellington. It was a "sporting" arrival, but not at all uncomfortable.

A few notes about the diversion experience.

• Firstly, the diversion could not be helped. It will have been absolutely the right decision, so there's no reason to moan or complain.
• In-flight comms from the crew were great. There was a clear explanation of why we were diverting, where we were going and we all knew that we'd be looked after on the ground before we arrived.
• The Captain came back after the flight to give some more explanation and to offer to talk with anyone who wanted to.
• For me, an overnight pack of essentials [toothbrush, toothpaste, antiperspirant, shampoo, a tshirt even laundry detergent, a comb and a few other bits and pieces] was offered by the Air NZ ground crew - really helpful when I had no spare clothes or anything!
• Accommodation, dinner and breakfast were covered by Air NZ. I didn't have time for breakfast, but it was all sorted if we wanted it.

Basically, I couldn't fault the airline response to the event. Awesome.

Lastly, this is the second visit I have had to Hamilton, where I've had to stay overnight without a change of clothes... I think I will need to plan a little better next time. I suppose at least on the last visit I had planned to go to Hamilton!

I got one flying photo...

I've just gone through the few photos I took on my DSLR at the recent Flying NZ National Championships. I had a sum total of one airborne aircraft on it :-) To be fair, I had a couple of photos of the flight lines also...

ZK-FPG is a Cessna 152 and is registered to Tauranga Aero Club. here it is about to touch down on Wednesday.

Cessna 152, ZK-FPG, operated by Tauranga Aero Club

Next up are two pictures of the flight line. The first includes the main North Shore Aero Club office and other facilities, the second is the parking aero on the cross runway, which was closed for the event.

Flying NZ National Championships

Last week was the Flying NZ National Championships, this year hosted by North Shore Aero Club, on Auckland's North Shore at Dairy Flat.

Like last year, I was assisting in an official capacity, this year as the Deputy Chief Ground Judge. This meant two things - a lot of standing around in the hot sun, and, unfortunately for me, no flying this year. It also meant not much time for photography, although there is a lot of this scattered around Facebook in particular.

I flew on Air NZ to and from Auckland and, due to my being late to book accommodation, I managed three motels in 5 nights. The trip to Auckland was interesting, as it was my first flight on an Air NZ Airbus A321-271NX [an A321NEO], ZK-NNC. Somehow I scored a ride in seat 7C and the free wifi was working. A win all around!

The event itself was a lot of fun, with wildcard events on Wednesday, competitions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the dinner and Championship presentation dinner on Saturday. While I wasn't flying, I was assisting with any competitions requiring a landing grid [and ran the grid for the Jay Peters Professional Pilot competition], as well as being a judge in the 2 and 3 ship formation competitions. I also got to present the awards along with Paul and Lisa on Saturday night. It was a very busy time!

Anyway, here are a few photos from the trip.

The trip started in the Koru lounge in Wellington. Yum.

This was followed by boarding onto the A321.

Airbus A321-271NX, ZK-NNC, operated by Air New Zealand

The legroom was good in seat 7C.

The seats up front are quite comfortable. The sculpting provides good support without appearing to take much room away.

This must be my seat. The IFE system worked well, and was quite responsive. The only issue I had was that the computer and I have a difference of opinions as to my date of birth. No biggie, it just meant I could not access some personalised information, like my airpoints balance.

Lollies! Not sure where they went, but I have not eaten then, nor found them... I must go and have another look!

North Shore Aero Club were our hosts for this competition. They have a nice facility, fleet and are friendly yet professional. This would be a great place to learn to fly if you're on the Shore.

North Shore Aero Club facility

Flying NZ has just produced these fantastic sipper bottles! They are well insulated, with ice lasting for several hours, even with the very very hot days out on the landing grid. They'll keep hot drinks hot also. Well worth the small cost! I might get another one :-)

Flying NZ insulated sipper bottle

There's always something funny happening at a competition. Someone [who will remain nameless], called out that I have "nice legs". I'll take the compliment, even if I'm a bit suspicious about the sincerity of the comment! ha ha!

Anyway, that's it for this post! I may have a few more photos, but they are for another day.

Trip from Auckland

I recently had a brief visit to Auckland. A delayed flight home meant leaving as it started to get dark, and not having my main camera meant that the photos are a wee bit rubbish, but interesting none the less.

First up is the rather different looking, but nonetheless, Air NZ operated, Boeing 777-212/ER, ZK-OKI [ex 9V-SVL]. This has been dry hired from Singapore Airlines by Air NZ to help cover the downtime on their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Boeing 777-212/ER, ZK-OKI/ 9V-SVL, operated by Air NZ

Next is a general view of part of the international apron at Auckland International. It;s a busy place on a Tuesday evening.

This is the view of part of Manukau just after takeoff from runway 05R. I was in seat 27F, hence the relatively unobstructed view of the ground. The takeoff was slightly interesting, in that we used full length for the takeoff - not something I recall having on a domestic sector from Auckland before.

After takeoff, we climbed up almost as far as Ardmore Airfield before turning right to fly past Auckland again. This provided a reasonable view of the airport and surrounds in the rapidly fading light.

Auckland Airport and surrounds

This last photo is a shot I got as we descended towards Wellington [we were over Cook Strait at the time]. The bright light is a wingtip light... with a bit of practice, I think I could have gotten a better picture. Oh well! Certainly not much to see at that time of night.

Out of Vancouver and off to Ganges Harbour on Saltspring Island

While in Vancouver, I took a return flight with Harbour Air from Vancouver to Ganges Island [on Saltspring Island]. It's around a 30-minute flight each way, and in my case, both flights were in a DHC3T Turbine Otter, C-FODH. 

First up is the aircraft for the flight, then the control tower, pictures of the flight then from Ganges Harbour itself.

De Havilland Canada DHC3T Turbine Otter, C-FODH, operated by Harbour Air

The control tower

The cockpit of the DHC3 is clearly functional rather than lavish. I like it!

The cockpit of C-FODH

Part of Vancouver

Lion's Gate Bridge

Another picture of Lion's Gate Bridge

The harbour area

The Water Aerodrome wharf at Ganges Harbour

De Havilland Canada DHC2 Beaver, C-GMKP, operated by Harbour Air

More pictures from the the Coal Harbour water aerodrome

Here are a few more pictures from the water aerodrome in downtown Vancouver.  Most of the pictures are of Harbour Air, although there's also a nice picture of a Seair Seaplanes-operated DHC-2 Beaver.

Water aerodrome, CYHC

Three De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers

De Havilland Canada DHC2 Beaver, C-FJBP, operated by Harbour Air/ Whistler Air

De Havilland Canada DHC2 Beaver, C-GTBO, operated by Harbour Air/ Saltspring Air

De Havilland Canada DHC3T Turbine Otter, C-GHAZ

De Havilland Canada DHC2 Beaver, operated by Harbour Air

De Havilland Canada DHC6-100 Twin Otter, C-CQKN, operated by Harbour Air

De Havilland Canada DHC3T Turbine Otter, C-FLAP, operated by Harbour Air/ Saltspring Air

De Havilland Canada DHC6-100 Twin Otter, C-CQKN, operated by Harbour Air

De Havilland Canada DHC2 Beaver, C-FZZJ, operated by Seair Seaplanes