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

Finally... I got to go flying again!

After about 6 or 7 weeks of no flying, I finally got to go up again today in the Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT. It was a fairly quick flight to the north [over Petone], around the coast and back in around the south coast. The flight finished with some circuits to maintain competency.

The weather was pretty much perfect... virtually no turbulence apart from a little when I flew between a couple of hills which funnelled the gentle winds and provided a few lumps and bumps... nothing much though.

Anyway, here are some pictures. The first is the C172 [being flown by another Club pilot], then:

Diamond DA42, ZK-CTL, registered to CTC Aviation Training in Hamilton
Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IME, registered to Helicopters Otago
Boeing 737-3K2, ZK-NGM, registered to Air New Zealand
Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, registered to Air New Zealand

Changed Pacific Blue/ Virgin Australia Airlines livery

Today being a Monday I would not normally go out to the airport. Today was a bit different for reason that will come clear in my next post.

For this post though, I got a bit of an unexpected surprise. Pacific Blue is rebranding as Virgin Australia Airlines. I'm not sure how far this will go in terms of repainting the fleet, although I suspect that what I saw this evening is temporary until a full repaint of the Pacific Blue fleet.

A couple of things to note are the new "Airline of Virgin Blue" titles on the fuselage, and the original Pacific Blue branding elsewhere. Anyway, this aircraft is Boeing 737-8BK, VH-VOX. You can see the original livery by clicking here...

Other photos are of an Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, registered to Air New Zealand and a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IME from Helicopters Otago.

Enjoy!

Today's [non] flying and other stuff

So much for a couple of low-flying practice flights today. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating. I'm hoping to get one in tomorrow, as the Nationals is this coming week.

Some of the aircraft that were flying today include a three that I don't get to see too often and one that is rather more common.

Top to bottom are:

Raytheon/ Beech B1900D, ZK-EAQ, registered to Eagle Airways
British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-ECR, registered to Vincent Aviation
Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IME, registered to Helicopters Otago
Beech B200 Super King Air, NZ1882, registered to the Royal New Zealand Air Force

Turbine and a Radial

Just two photos today from my visit to the Aero Club. The first is a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IME, registered to Helicopters Otago Ltd. This helicopter has been filling in for the usual Westpac Rescue helicopter which was recently undergoing maintenance.

The second picture is of the radial engine in a Nanchang CJ6, ZK-MAO. Much nicer looking than a Lycoming :-).

More unsettled weather

More unsettled weather this weekend, so yesterday's planned C172 flight didn't happen.

A couple of pictures from today. The first is Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IWE, registered to Otago Helicopters Ltd in Mosgiel. This was being backed in to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter hanger, so I assume it is covering maintenance for the usual helicopter [can anyone confirm this?].

The second picture is just to how wet and gloomy it is today. The aircraft is an Air New Zealand Boeing 737-300, ZK-SJB. Just a pity that I didn't capture more of the "rooster tail" out the back.

Wellington arrivals

Here are a few pictures I snapped at Wellington today. All but the chopper were taken from a hill that I was experimenting with today. Unfortunately the sun wasn't much cop [I should have been there in the morning] and the chopper came in the evening as it was getting dark [I really should get myself a tripod!].

The chopper is a Kawasaki BK117 from Helicopters Otago. I'm not sure of the details, but it ended up on the Westpac Rescue chopper's pad, so I guess it's filling in for a few days [maintenance cover perhaps?].

The Qantas B737 and Mount Cook ATR72 are short final runway 16, and that last one is a seat on the top of the hill [I thought that the gorse bush underneath was doing quite nicely :-)].

Enjoy the pics!