A quick trip to Kaikoura

I had a quick trip down to Kaikoura airfield today [NZKI] with another club pilot, Lawrence, in our Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT. The trip was planned a few days ago, then the weather started looking a wee bit rubbish. It was rubbish this morning, but this afternoon, while a little windy around Wellington, was good enough to fly and very nice everywhere but Wellington. No surprise there!

Anyway, I did the flight down to Kaikoura and Lawrence flew back. The departure from Wellington was a little different, with takeoff on runway 34 into the right-hand circuit, followed by a clearance to "fly overhead the aerodrome at 1500', then the Sinclair sector at 1500' and below". An easy way to get us out of the way and a quick way for us to be on our way. Awesome!

Anyway, the flights down and back were fairly uneventful and I did enjoy doing a couple of extra circuits at Kaikoura when we arrived. I think you'll agree from the photos that it's a beautiful part of the country!

Scenery from on NZKI airfield

Cessana 172N, ZK-FLT, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Lined up and ready to go

Turning crosswind [after takeoff]

Turning left base in the circuit

On approach to NZKI

Kaikoura ranges

Kaikoura township and peninsula

Finally, pictures of a couple of local resident aircraft.

Bell 206B, ZK-HBO, operated by South Pacific Helicopters

Gippsland GA8, ZK-KBZ, operated by Wings over Whales

Pilatus PC12 and a Bell 206B

There was no flying for me today - I was going to go night flying, but the weather went downhill mid afternoon which put paid to that. Maybe tomorrow!

The first of two visiting aircraft is a Pilatus PC12/47E, VH-PID. This aircraft has been on loan to Sounds Air, apparently for crew training purposes. I guess it'll be going home to Australia soon with the recent arrival of Sounds Air's third PC12.

Pilatus PC12/47E, VH-PID, registered to S.K.N. & R.J. Kibble Pty Ltd of a Toowoomba City, Queensland, Australia address

Next up is a Bell208B, ZK-IBM, which is operated by Kapiti Heliworx of Paraparaumu. The logo on the side is pretty cool, with the "X" being swirling blades...

Bell 208B, ZK-IBM, operated by Kapiti Heliworx, of a Paraparaumu address

Omaka Trip # 2

Following on from my last post, here are the remainder of the pictures from Omaka. Top to bottom are:

de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth, ZK-BER, Omaka Real Flying Club
[actually, I liked the background a lot - the aircraft is a bit distant]
Bell 206B, ZK-HTA, Marlborough Helicopters Ltd
Piper PA28-151, ZK-EBH, Massey University School of Aviation
NZ Aerospace FU24-950 Fletcher, ZK-DDX, Aerial Sowing Ltd
Grob Twin Astir, ZK-GTU, Marlborough Gliding Club
Sign in the Marlborough Aero Club hanger :-)



P.S. A HUGE thanks to Craig for getting my camera back today after I left it in the hanger :-)