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

Weekend photos

After quite some time of not going out to get aircraft photos, here a few photos I took last weekend from Palmer Head.

Dassault-Brequest Falcon 50, N115MF

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-JSK, operated by Origin Air

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

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXI, operated by Air New Zealand

Bombardier DHC8-311, ZK-NED, operated by Air New Zealand

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

British Aerospace Jetstream 31

Origin Air is back up and running [after Covid19 and preceding that, a loooooong period of other troubles] with their British Aerospace Jetstream 31, ZK-JSH.

I think they have a very nice livery - possibly one of the nicest around New Zealand.

British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH, operated by Origin Air

British Aerospace Jetstream J31, ZK-JSH, operated by Origin Air

For those blog visitors from outside of New Zealand, welcome!

We are very fortunate to have no Covid19-related restrictions in place, aside from isolation/ quarantine for [almost] everyone entering the country and limits on who can arrive [citizens, permanent residents and a few other exceptions].

There are no travel restrictions within New Zealand, no social distancing requirements, no business restrictions. It has been tough, but it seems a lockdown for 7 or so weeks [which was well complied with], followed by gradually loosened restrictions, has worked well so far. It will continue to be tough for some business for a while, but I would suggest, not as tough as the ongoing partial lockdowns in some other nations.

Sorry you are unable to travel here right now, but it's keeping us safe, and as other countries catch up* to us, I'm sure that restrictions on travel will be loosened.

* yes, I'm aware that Taiwan, along with Fiji, the Cook Islands, Samoa and several other of our Pacific neighbours have done very well also.

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

The end of another year, but take it easy!

It's the end of another busy year... and I can't imagine that next year will be any different!

Today's photo is of the Wellington-based Lifeflight Air Ambulance, a British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight NZ. Why this? Well, unfortunately there have been a lot of air ambulances in and out of Wellington over the past few days... 

Anyway, here's a picture of ZK-LFW.

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Air Freight NZ on behalf of Lifeflight Wellington

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's Jetstream

Today's picture is another of the Originair-operated British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-ECI. This is pictured during the landing, and as it passes a very similarly-coloured fire engine in the background :-)

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-ECI, operated by Originair

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

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

Life Flight Wellington open day

Today was Life Flight Wellington's open day. This is a big day for them the show what they do, and to raise some money for their rescue helicopter and air ambulance services.

I realised after I left I don't really have any pictures from inside the hangers, where they had food, bomb disposal, drug dogs, police, ambulances and fire service demonstrations... you'll just have to picture that :-P

Outside they had their British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW air ambulance and Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, rescue helicopter. The Jetstream was on static display with queues of people wanting to take a look through it, and the helicopter had the same queues in between its displays.

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HLF

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HLF

Soon after these photos were taken, I headed over the to Aero Club. As you'll see from the following photos, the weather got worse after I left the displays... very glad I was not flying today!

View across to the Eastern Apron. Not nice...

Boeing 737-33A, ZK-NGR, operated by Air NZ

Boeing 737-33A, ZK-NGR, operated by Air 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.

Another nice day in Wellington

It was another nice day in Wellington today. A little more breezy than yesterday, but nice nonetheless.

I spent an hour or so at the Spruce Goose cafe this afternoon with friends, and took the opportunity to get a few photos from a slightly different angle to what I usually get.

First up, it is great to see the Lifeflight Air Ambulance airborne again. It has been a rough time with Vincent Aviation going into receivership [Vincent's supplied at least the flight crew and maintenance], but these things have been worked through and now this British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3200 [J32], ZK-LFW, is flying again.

Next up is an Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJB.

Following on from that is this Jetconnect [QANTAS] Boeing 737-838, ZK-ZQH. Jetconnect of course if a QANTAS subsidiary which runs most of the QANTAS branded services between New Zealand and Australia.

Last up is another QANTAS subsidiary, Jetstar. This ia an Airbus A320-232, VH-VGN.

A wee bit wet today

I was due to go for a flight today, but with low cloud and drizzle appearing and remaining, there is no way that was going to work. In fact, it's just after 16:00 NZST and the cloud is only just lifting from my house which is a few hundred feet above sea level.

Oh well. Maybe tomorrow, although I suspect the weather will still be rubbish.

At least on days like today, there are usually still a few good photos to be had. Today was no exception.

Perhaps the most interesting landing of the day would go to the Jetstar crew who managed to land an Airbus A320 on Wellington's runway 16 and pull off at taxiway A6 - around 1100 meters from the threshold. It must have been very very light to do that as they usually exit much later, especially in damp conditions and reasonably light winds.

Anyway, here are the photos. Top to bottom are;

Airbus A320-232, VH-VQC, of Jetstar
British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, of Vincent Aviation [the local air ambulance]
Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEK, of Air Nelson [Air NZ]
2 x Boeing 737-8FE, ZK-PBD, of Virgin Australia Airlines [NZ] Ltd