Young Eagles trip to RNZAF Base Ohakea

Last Saturday, Wellington Aero Club and Kapiti Aero Club Young Eagles groups [plus a bunch of us older people!] were privileged to travel to the RNZAF's base at Ohakea for a visit. Most of us were able to fly in, with just two people having to make the trip by car. I flew three Young Eagles in, in Cessna 172S, ZK-CEO.

The flight up with a bit breezy and lumpy at times, but everyone had fun [and nobody chucked... yay! ha ha]. I have been to Ohakea once previously, but this was via a different route. This first image is my Avplan track of the flight. Look carefully and you'll see the planned arrival vs what we were asked to do. The red line is the plan, the green the actual route.

While there, we were treated really well by the personnel who greeted us and showed us around. After arrival, each aircraft was marshalled into place. I wish I had a picture of this - it's probably the tidiest gaggle of GA aircraft you've ever seen parked up :-)

After arrival, first off was a trip to the tower, followed by a visit to the 42 Squadron hanger, with its Beech King Air B350 aircraft, plus a couple of Harvard airframes [one being restored].

Beechcraft B350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF

A retired North American Harvard airframe, NZ1009, this one is for display only

Following this, we headed to 14 Squadron's Beechcraft T-6C Texan II's. These are awesome aircraft [specs here], especially when you think that these are the very first aircraft that many trainees get to fly!

Below are NZ1404 and NZ1407. What's not shown is there was an ejector seat beside NZ1404 that people could sit in [and pull the lever]. It was deactivated of course, so no new holes in the hanger roof! If I heard correctly, pull the lever and 4 seconds later you have a canopy over your head. A tight squeeze for me... I'd have to lose a bit of weight perhaps! Ha ha!

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, NZ1404, operated by the RNZAF

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, NZ1407, operated by the RNZAF

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, NZ1407, operated by the RNZAF

Last up before lunch [which was very nice], was a visit to the Texan II sims. these are fixed based sims, with amazing visuals. I'm a little jealous that I didn't get a chance, but at least the Young Eagles did!

Texan II sim!

That's all for this post - there's another one with helicopters up in the next couple of days... then maybe another surprise after that :-)

For now, a huge thanks to all those that made the day possible and very, very interesting! The RNZAF of course, as well as Young Eagles coordinators at Kapiti Aero Club and Wellington Aero Club. Thanks guys!

Ex and current RNZAF aircraft at Wellington

Two aircraft caught my eye today. The first is an ex-RNZAF jet aircraft, the mighty BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster, ZK-BAC, which is registered to RNZAF Strikemaster Ltd, of a Lower Hutt address. The "blunty" had at least a couple of flights out of Wellington today.

BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster 88, ZK-BAC

BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster 88, ZK-BAC

Second up was a current RNZAF aircraft, a Beech B200 King Air, NZ7123 which arrived this evening.

Beech B200 King Air, NZ7123, operated by the RNZAF

An Airbus and a King Air

Today's pictures are brought to you by a windy Wellington - not cold, not raining, just windy :-)

First up are two photos of a Royal New Zealand Air Force [RNZAF] Beech B200 King Air, NZ7123. Following that are two photos of one of Air NZ's Airbus A320-232 aircraft, ZK-OJQ.

The weather is still looking OK for tomorrow, so hopefully I get a second flight this weekend :-)

RNZAF Beech B200 taking off

The following picture is an RNZAF Beech B200 King Air, NZ1885, taking off from Wellington.

Beech C90A

Much like yesterday, today's weather consisted of low cloud and high humidity - not much fun for anything really. There were a lot of aircraft parked up Wellington as they could get in, but met minima was below what they could use for takeoff. Needless to say, there was no Club flying today.

One visitor was this Air Wanganui Beech C90A King Air, ZK-MKG. This aircraft was on an air ambulance run, and in between times, I was taken out for a better look at it [thanks to him who claims to have no internet presence!]. The aircraft has been repainted recently [click on the registration label below to see the previous paint scheme], and looks really flash.

Enjoy the pictures!

B1900C and C90

It's the first day of my holiday and so I spent most of the day at the Aero Club. Two photos from today were this Vincent Aviation Beech 1900C, ZK-VAE, and an Air Wanganui Beech King Air C90, ZK-MKG. I'm not sure what the 1900C was doing, but the C90 was here on an aero-medical flight.

I also got a photo of the moon this afternoon - click on it for a much bigger version.

PA-31 and B200

There was nothing much happening at the Aero Club this weekend [flying wise anyway] due to the weather. I did however manage to get a couple of photos. The first is a Royal New Zealand Air Force Beech B200 King Air. The second and third pictures are of a Piper PA-31 Navajo registered to Air Manawatu. ZK-JGA is used as an air ambulance.

The only other picture I got was of a certain weather forecaster/guru, who also has a CPL, working towards a C-Cat instructor rating, seated in the front seat of the pope-mobile. This person made me promise that I would not publish the photo, so you will just have to guess who she is [BTW - thanks for the cake!]!

Other odds and sods from today

Further to my last post regarding the CTC Diamond DA20 Katana, here are a few pictures of other aircraft. First is a Piper PA38 Tomahawk ZK-ESG, followed by King Air ZK-PLK [operated by Skyline Aviation visiting on an aeromedical mission from its Hastings base], then an Air New Zealand B737 taking off.

Beech King Air B200

This Beech King Air B200 visited Wellington today. ZK-MAN is registered to Hawker Pacific New Zealand. This particular King Air is kitted in an "executive" layout, so is not used for air ambulance work. Probably a very comfortable way to fly if you can afford it!

Beech C90

This Air Wanganui C90 King Air is just getting airborne at Wellington. Quite an ugly aircraft - short and stubby, especially up front :-) Still, it is the first time that I've got a reasonable photo of it.