Last weekend in Whanganui

Last weekend was Queen's Birthday weekend in New Zealand, which made for a three day weekend.

Some of this weekend was spent in Whanganui, where, as it turned out, there was a small gathering of gyrocopters, in addition to a couple of helicopters and Air Chathams' regular flight to Auckland.

First up, some of the gyrocopters...

Neil Hintz Tandom Dominator, ZK-REG, of a Whanganui address

Bensen B8M gyrocopter, ZK-RCI, of a Palmerston North address

Paul Sherrer KB3, ZK-RKK, of an Upper Hutt address

AutoGyro Europe MT03 Eagle, ZK-MTO, of a Hamilton address

... followed by two helicopters...

Robinson R44 II, ZK-ICF, operated by Mid West Helicopters

Eurocopter EC120B, ZK-IZG, operated by I Spy Helicopters

... and last, but certainly not least, was my first photo of Air Chathams' latest Saab 340B, ZK-CIZ. I reckon these Saab's look really nice!

Saab Aircraft AB SAAB 340B, ZK-CIZ, operated by Air Chathams

Wellington Aero Club Open Day 2010 #7: Gyrocopters!

In what is perhaps a first for Wellington International Airport and the Aero Club, a gaggle of 5 gyrocopters descended on Wellington to join in on the open day. These aircraft are all on the Classic Hits Around New Zealand Air Safari, and it's certainly quite different to what we would normally expect to see around here!

The five aircraft were all AutoGyro Europe MT03 eagle's and the same except for one with an enclosed cockpit. The five were ZK-ZEE, ZK-YOG, ZK-MTA, ZK-OTM and ZK-KIW. ZK-KIW then put on a demonstration for the visitors, which as you will see, showed quite impressive maneuverability :-)

For more information, you could look at the Gyrate website.