Kawasaki BK117 B-2

This Kawasaki BK117 B-2 was quite a way from home recently.

ZK-HGW is registered to Helilink of a Papakura address and is seen here parked on the western apron at Wellington, outside the rescue helicopter base.

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HGW, operated by Helilink

Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter

The Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter, operated by GCH Aviation of a Christchurch address, has been in and out of Wellington recently.

Here are two pictures of the arrival and departure last Sunday.

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IMN, operated by GCH Aviation

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IMN, operated by GCH Aviation

As a bonus [and rather easy] question, take a look at the white object on the right skid [second picture, indicated by the arrow]. What is it and how might this be useful for a rescue helicopter?

Correct answers in the comments section on the blog. The prize is the respect and admiration of your peers 😁

Wellington Aero Club is 90! (post 2 of 2)

Following on from yesterday's post, here are a few more photos from last weekend's open day.

Hopefully, those of you who were able to get there enjoyed the day! I know that many of you took the opportunity to take flight for your first lesson/ trial flight with one of the Aero Club's instructors [I've seen lots of FB posts which indicated this was a lot of fun!]. There were also lots of fantastic photos and videos taken, so thanks for sharing those!

Lastly, weather permitting, my next flight is this coming Saturday, where I'll be taking the Nanchang up to Whanganui for a brief visit. Maybe see you there?!

Beechcraft Kingair 350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF

Beechcraft Kingair 350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink

BAC BAC167 Strikemaster Mk88, ZK-BAC, operated by BAC 167 Strikemaster Ltd

Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club

A new [to me] Kawasaki BK117

Here's a new one for me - a Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IFY. This helicopter is operated by Specialist Helicopter Solutions of a Palmerston North address. While the aircraft itself might be common enough, the nose appears slightly different to what I have seen before. I could be wrong though, I'm hardly a heli expert!

I do like the logo on the side though - Command Aviation - no someone I have heard of previously.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IFY, operated by Specialist Helicopter Solutions

Kawasaki C-2 at Wellington

Tuesday 28 November saw a visit to Wellington of a JASDF [Japan Air Self Defense Force] operated Kawasaki C-2, registration 68-1203. This is a first of type visit to New Zealand and was here as the Japanese Government seeks to make some foreign sales of this type, as well as the Kawasaki P-1 Maritime Patrol aircraft.

Kawasaki C-2, 68-1203, operated by the JASDF

Today's random pics

Here are a selection of pictures from today. Nothing particularly flash, although I do like the first picture of the Virgin Australia-operated Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIZ, as it was passing through a brightly lit area while most of the rest of the photo is in shadow.

Boeing 737-8FE, VH-YIZ, operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines

Next up is the Westpac Rescue helicopter, a Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, which is operated by Helilink.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink as the Westpac Rescue helicopter

Third up is an Air New Zealand-operated Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, just prior to touchdown.

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OJR, operated by Air NZ

Last up is a Mount Cook Airline-operated ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVD.

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

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

Other aircraft from Sunday

Prior to my night flying last Sunday night, I was able to photograph a couple of lighter aircraft at Wellington.

The first is a Piper PA32R-301 Saratoga, ZK-ZIG, which is operated by Golden Bay Air of Takaka. The pilot dropped off three passengers at the Aero Club instead of the usual Eastern Apron gate.

Piper PA32R-301 Saratoga, ZK-ZIG, operated by Golden bay Air

The second aircraft was a Skyline Aviation-operated Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IBK. This is a rescue helicopter/ air ambulance, although apart from dropping in the refuel, I'm not sure what it was up to.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IBK, operated by Skyline Aviation

Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Kawasaki

First photo is an Air New Zealand operated Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXE, touching down on runway 34.

Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXE, operated by Air NZ

Next is a Boeing 737-808, DQ-FJN. This is operated by Fiji Airways on their twice-weekly service to Nadi.

Boeing 737-808, DQ-FJN, operated by Fiji Airways

The following Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEH, is operated by Air Nelson/ Air NZ. This is the same aircraft type that Jetstar will introduce onto regional routes later this year.

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

Last up is a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HLF, which is operated by Helilink, as the local Westpac Air Ambulance, on behalf of Lifeflight.

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink

A quick visit to Whanganui

I had a quick visit to Whanganui over the past weekend. There was no planned aircraft spotting, but I did get to see a Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IPT, operated by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IPT, operated by Search and Rescue Services

Various aircraft at Wellington today

Unlike yesterday [and unlike the forecast for tomorrow], the wind was blowing too hard for light GA aircraft today. Well, except one as we'll see shortly.

First up is Sounds Air's latest Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, ZK-SAW. This is a better photo than my previous attempts...

Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, ZK-SAW, operated by Sounds Air

Next up is an Air Nelson/ Air NZ Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NFA. This paint job may be a little boring, but it is growing on me. It does seem to look nicer on the DHC8's than some other aircraft,

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

The real light aircraft operating today was this Piper PA28-181, ZK-ZOG. This aircraft is operated by Golden Bay Air and with the wind blowing today it looked like a very very uncomfortable ride to Takaka [although probably OK once clear of Wellington]. I'm a little surprised that a bigger plane wasn't put on given the gusty conditions.

Piper PA28-181, ZK-ZOG, operated by Golden Bay Air

Last up are two pictures of Westpac Rescue's Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF. This helicopter is operated by Helilink on behalf of Westpac Rescue/ Lifeflight.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink Ltd onbehalf of Westpac Rescue/ Lifeflight

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink Ltd onbehalf of Westpac Rescue/ Lifeflight

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

Quiet at Wellington for a good reason

The good reason is that almost every one of the Club's aircraft headed off to Masterton for a day out and a bit of practice. Therefore, there was nothing much GA-wise to see.

I did get two photos though. The first is a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IBK, rescue helicopter which is operated by Skyline Aviation of Hawkes Bay.

The second is a British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-VAI, and is registered to Vincent Aviation (in receivership).

Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IBK, Skyline Aviation


British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-VAI, Vincent Aviation

Helicopters at Wellington

I arrived back in Wellington today after my brief holiday in Whanganui. I only had an hour or so at the aero club, but I did sight a couple of interesting helicopters.

The first one is a Nelson-Malrborough rescue helicopter, a Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IMN, registered to Garden City Helicopters of a Christchurch address.

The other helicopter is a NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3301, operated by the RNZAF. This arrived and shut down at the RNZAF Air Movements Base just down the apron from the Aero Club.

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IMN, registered to Garden City Helicopters of Christchurch

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-IMN, registered to Garden City Helicopters of Christchurch

Nato Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3301, registered to the RNZAF

Lighter aircraft at Wellington today

What follows are three of the lighter aircraft to grace the skies and surface at Wellington today [I do have a fifth one, but that is up next with its own post]. First up is the Piper PA24-260 Commanche, ZK-DAA. This is registered to a Manukau addresss.

Next is a Cessna 208B, ZK-MYH, registered to Air2there.com, an operator based at Paraparaumu.

Last up is a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IBK, registered to Skyline Aviation at a Napier address and operated as a rescue helicopter.

Rescue Helicopter at Wellington

Today's photo is a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-IMN, registered to Garden City Helicopters of Christchurch, but which appears to be based at Nelson.

Nice livery - much more interesting than most aircraft that come in here.

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