Lockdowns and no flying until recently

Things have been slow on the posting front recently. Until recently, all of the New Zealand was subject to a Covid19 lockdown [Auckland continues to be locked down as of writing this], so it was only last weekend that I was able to go out and have a flight.

The past couple of days I was able to get out for a trip up to Whanganui, and while there, I popped into the Wanganui Aero Club [Hi Jonathan!] for a quick look and a chat and got these photos.

The first is a Wanganui Aero Club operated Cessna 150H, ZK-CTF, with the student about to head off for some solo circuits.

Cessna 150H, ZK-CTF, operated by Wanganui Aero Club

This second photo is perhaps a little rarer - Air Chathams had a Saab-Scania SF340, ZK-KRA, off on a trip to Auckland. Rarer with Auckland still in lockdown, though once that lifts, domestic flying will get back to what has become the new normal fairly quickly.

Saab-Scania SF340, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams

Air Chathams Saab 340A

Here are two [pictures of an Air Chathams-operated Saab-Scania SAAB 340A, ZK-KRA, arriving at, then departing Whanganui. Take a look at the pictures and you'll see there was a sizable crosswind, which was well handled by the crew.

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams

Air Chathams and Heliworx

Following on from last week's visit to Whanganui [and much nicer weather than the past few days!], here are photos of three other aircraft.

The first two are from Air Chathams and their scheduled Whanganui to Auckland route. The Convair arrived while I was doing solo circuits on Sunday afternoon and departed a while later.

General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/ 580, ZK-CIF, operated by Air Chathams

Air Chathams SF340A is pictured departing on Tuesday morning. Interestingly, Air Chathams have just received two more SF340's - it'll be interesting to know what work these get put to in the near future.

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams

The final picture is a Robinson R44 II, ZK-IDO, which is operated by Kapiti Heliworx. Note the Newstalk ZK decals on the side.

Robinson R44 II, ZK-IDO, operated by Kapiti Heliworx

Wanganui Aero Club open day

Last weekend I was up in Whanganui. It was Whanganui's annual Vintage Weekend which meant a lot of vintage vehicles including cars trains and [dare I say it] people :-). Ha ha.

The airport was somewhat busier than usual with Air Chathams bringing their awesome Douglas DC3, ZK-AWP, down for scenic flights and on Sunday the aero club had an open day. Of particular fun was riding in the PZL Warszawa-Okecie PZL-104 Wilga 35, ZK-PZM, during a banner tow. Fun times!

Here are a few pictures of the open day, with the Wilga pictures following tomorrow :-)

Piper PA18 Cub, ZK-BTU, operated by Wanganui Aero Club

Piper PA22-160 Tri Pacer, ZK-FJD

De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, ZK-AUZ

AESL Airtourer T6, ZK-LDG

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Air Chathams

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA and Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

 Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

Whanganui Airport Open Day - The Cresco display

In the last post from the Whanganui airport open day, I have some pictures from a brief display put on by a Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, which is operated by Ravensdown Aerowork, a well known local agwork operator.

The photos hardly do justice to the display - it's one of those displays where you really need to be there.

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, operated by Ravensdown Aerowork

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, operated by Ravensdown Aerowork

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTL, operated by Ravensdown Aerowork

Now for the very last two photos from the open day, here's another one of the SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, currently still operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be operated directly by Air Chathams. As can be seen, it is already in the full Air Chathams livery.

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon by Air Chathams

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon by Air Chathams

Whanganui Airport Open Day - the Tower

Not too many photos here, just a couple of some old equipment in the old airport tower, which is being gradually restored by a group of dedicated volunteers.

The first picture is one I published earlier, showing the outside of the tower building. Ok, so there's a nice airplane in front of it, but you get the picture!

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines [for Air Chathams]. Also the old tower in the background!

The following pictures are of some old equipment, probably dating from the times that Whanganui was actually controlled.

Whanganui Airport Open Day - Air Chathams

Earlier today was the Whanganui airport open day, with the main attraction being the arrival of Air Chathams, who start their regular Whanganui - Auckland route from tomorrow.

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate as much as wanted with a strong crosswind all day meaning the much-anticipated DC3 flights were cancelled. Disappointing, but understandable and the right decision to make.

There was more than just Air Chathams' Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP, present on the day. they also bought down their SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA. This is still technically operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but is now painted in the really nice Air Chathams livery.

Lastly, their recently acquired Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-CID [ex ZK-NSS, an Air Ambulance] was on display also.

All three aircraft were available for the public to walk through. So, on that note, here are a few photos.

Douglas DC3C-A1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams

Douglas DC3C-A1C3G, ZK-AWP, operated by Air Chathams, airborne yesterday

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams

SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams

Cockpit of SAAB-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines, but soon to be Air Chathams

Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-CID, operated by Air Chathams

Cockpit of Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-CID, operated by Air Chathams

Poster advertising DC3 trial flights... pity the weather did not cooperate

Open Day at Whanganui Airport on 31 July!

News just in is an open day at Whanganui airport on 31 July!

This is not only a general open day for the airport, but also to celebrate the arrival of Air Chathams, which takes over the Whanganui to Auckland route from 1 August! Looking at the advert, it looks to be a fun day which a range of activities including scenic DC3 flights around the city!

While unconfirmed at this stage [ie: definitely subject to change!], it appears likely that the following range of Air Chathams and other visiting aircraft will be there:

Air Chathams aircraft

• Saab-Scania SF340A, ZK-KRA
• Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner
• Douglas DC3C-S1C3G, ZK-AWP [available for scenics!]

Other visitors

• Consolidated-Vultee PBY-5A Catalina, ZK-PBY [The Catalina Company]
• de Havilland DH-115 Vampire Jet
• One or more Yakovlev Yak-52's

A range of local aircraft will also be there, including the Wanganui Aero Club and other local operators. It should be a good day!

Information will be updated as more details come to hand.

Kiwi Regional's Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A

As noted in my previous post, I was at Hamilton airport earlier today. While there I heard an announcement about check-in being open for a Kiwi Regional Airlines flight to Nelson. This was unexpected good news, as it meant that when their Saab SF340A arrived, I'd be able to get some photos, which I did. These are the first of their aircraft and one of very few SF340's I have ever seen.

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines

Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A, ZK-KRA, operated by Kiwi Regional Airlines