Young Eagles trip to RNZAF Base Ohakea - Helicopters

After lunch, the group headed to the relatively new helicopter complex, where the RNZAF's NH90's and A109s are housed.

The AgustaWestland A109 LUH [Light Utility Helicopter] is operated by 3 Squadron as the initial type for pilots streamed onto helicopters after their initial Wings course [on the T-6C Texan II].

AgustaWestland A109 LUH, NZ3402, operated by RNZAF

AgustaWestland A109 LUH cockpit, NZ3402, operated by RNZAF

AgustaWestland A109 LUH cockpit, NZ3402, operated by RNZAF

Next up was a visit to the heavy-hauler, the NATO Helicopter Industries [NHI] NH90. This is a huge helicopter! If I heard correct, at a pinch, they can put around 20 people seated in the back. That's big!

NHI NH90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

NHI NH90 tail, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

NHI NH90 cockpit, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

Again, it was awesome that the RNZAF personnel gave up their time to show us around these awesome aircraft and especially to take the time to talk with the Young [and not so young] Eagles about these impressive pieces of kit!

Military action at Wellington today

It was a very busy day for military aircraft movements at Wellington today.

Firstly, an RNZAF operated B757-2K2 departed towards Australia, but no photos of this unfortunately.

There were also a couple of NATO Helicopter Industries NH90 helicopter movements. The following are NZ3303 and NZ3304.

NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

The other RNZAF-operated aircraft I photographed was this Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7004.

Lockheed C130H, NZ7004, operated by the RNZAF

Last up on the military front was this RAAF-operated Canadair CL600-2B16 Challenger 604, A37-003. I'm not sure if this is related to the election, or the deporting of Barnaby Joyce :-)

Canadair CL600-2B16, A37-003 Challenger 604, operated by the RAAF

RNZAF Helicopters

This post highlights the RNZAF helicopters at the air tattoo.

The RNZAF has three helicopter types in service [and a third if you include the Navy's Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprites] - the NHI NH90, the AugustaWestland AH-109E and the Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite.

First up is the NATO Helicopter Industries NH-90:

NHI NH-90, NZ3304, operated by the RNZAF

NHI NH-90, NZ3304, operated by the RNZAF

NHI NH-90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF

Next up are the AugustaWestland A109E Light Utility Helicopters. These aircraft now perform the ab-initio helicopter training for the RNZAF.

AugustaWestland A109E LUH, NZ3405, operated by the RNZAF

AugustaWestland A109E LUH, NZ3401, operated by the RNZAF

AugustaWestland A109E LUH, NZ3401, operated by the RNZAF

Next is a Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seaprite. This is operated by the RNZAF for the NZ Navy.

Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite, NZ3614, operated by the RNZAF

Last up, and parked up in the static display area, is this Bell B47G-3B-2, NZ3714. This is the since-retired RNZAF ab-initio helicopter trainer which has been replaced by the A109E [above]. I'm not sure if this is still airworthy... Does anyone know?

Bell B47G-3B-2, NZ3714, formerly operated by the RNZAF

RNZAF NHI NH90 at Wellington

Today's pictures are of an RNZAF-operated NATO Helicopter Industries NH90 helicopter, NZ3305. This helicopter was about to depart, presumably to Kaikoura as part of the earthquake recovery efforts.

NHI NH90, NZ3305, operated by the RNZAF

NHI NH90, NZ3305, operated by the RNZAF

RNZAF NH90

The final visitor of note [at least of the ones I got photos of] is this RNZAF-operated NHI NH90 helicopter, NZ3301.

I did see an NH90 depart earlier today, but I was a little late to get a photo, so I don't know if it was the same one, although I suspect that it might have been. Anyway, for this arrival, it dropped off Gerry Brownlee, who, amongst his other many roles, is the current Minister of Defence.

NHI NH90, NZ3301, operated by the RNZAF

Military activity at Wellington

Just a couple of items of note today, with the RNZAF's NHI NH90, NZ3301, still at Wellington this morning. It appears that they went to leave, only for the helicopter to go u/s [unserviceable]. This resulted in the helicopter staying until later in the afternoon.

With the NH90 still here, it meant a different parking location for the Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, much closer to the aero club. The B757 was only here for 30 minutes or so before leaving for Christchurch then back again later in the afternoon for another 30 minute stay.

Anyway, here are a few photos:

Nato Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3301, tied up awaiting a fix

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572, arriving at Wellington

Boeing 757-2K2, NZ7572 and Nato Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3301 parked up

NZ3301 getting ready to leave...

NZ3301 taxiing out for departure

NZ3301 taxiing out for departure

NZ3301 lifting off - note the helicopter crewman standing at the door with a leg out!

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

Wings Over Wairarapa: RNZAF display

As always, the RNZAF was present and did a display this year.

I could help but get the impression that this year's display was rather limited compared to previous displays for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there was no C130 display. The C130 that did arrive just turned up, landed and went on static display. There was no Kiwi Blue parachute team and with the retirement of the CT4/E Airtrainers, no red checkers.

On the plus side, the Bell UH-1H Iroquois and NHI NH90 did a good display and the brand new Beechcraft T6-C Texan II performed a few passes for the first air show since coming on strength.

Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7001, RNZAF

NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3301, RNZAF

Bell UH-1H Iroquois, NZ3807, RNZAF

NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3301, RNZAF

Beechcraft T6-C Texan II, NZ1406, RNZAF

Beechcraft T6-C Texan II, NZ1406, RNZAF

Wings Over Wairarapa: Intro post

Yesterday was spent at the biennial Wings Over Wairarapa airshow, held at Masterton airport [ICAO code: NZMS].

As usual it was extremely hot [up to 30 deg Celsius according to the official Metservice website] which is something I am definitely not cut out for, but there was still plenty of interesting stuff happening. The main purpose of the visit was to assist at the Wellington Aero Club stand where we had one of our aircraft on display and were giving out a bit of info about the Club.

While I remember, WAC does have a new website. This provides for online purchases of trial flights, so if you're in Wellington, NZ and interested in your first flight lesson, you can order one now or phone or visit us for more info. T's & C's apply [including of course, you'll need to fly from Wellington International Airport!].

Anyway, back to the airshow! As usual, there was a good mix of civil, ex-military and current military aircraft as well as the usual ground-based activities. The following series of posts wil cover it off in more detail, but here are a few highlights.

First up is the WAC stand with a couple of Club members chatting with a potential customer [Sorry Amy... had to get at least one of these in!]

North American Harvard 3* as part of a race... more photos in a later post.

de Havilland DH112 Venom, ZK-RVM

British Aerospace Jetstream J32, ZK-LFW, operated by Lifeflight as an Air Ambulance

Inside of ZK-LFW

Bell UH-1H, NZ3807, of the RNZAF. This will be the last year that these helicopters are displayed as they are to be retired in a couple of months. The RNZAF is replacing them with the following...

NATO Helicopter Industries NH90, NZ3301, the last helicopter in the RNZAF inventory [alongside the A109 LUH]

What airshow would be complete without some pyrotechnics to end it all? Very few, I would suspect :-)

Lastly, you can get a full lists of Wings Over Wairarapa 2015 posts by clicking here. The results of this search will increase as I add more posts over the next few days!

RNZAF NH90 visiting Wellington

Last Friday I was at Wellington airport getting ready for my flight up to Hamilton [and then on to Cambridge]. Prior to going to the main terminal, I was at the Aero Club when this Royal New Zealand Air Force [RNZAF] NHI NH90, NZ3303 arrived for a brief visit. While here it dropped off a film crew and waited just long enough for them to set up their gear and film the departure.

The final photo is from just prior to my trip home from Hamilton. This ATR-GIE ATR72-212A, ZK-MCJ, of Mount Cook Airline [part of the Air NZ group] would be my transport home.

Enjoy!