Odds and sods at Wellington

Here are a couple of general pictures from earlier today at Wellington. The first is ZK-ESC, a Beech 77 Skipper from Wellington Flight Training.

The second is a visiting Cessna C172N registered to Ardmore Flying School. Interestingly, this was the first aircraft I took on a cross country flight after I achieved my PPL. I took ZK-EOX from Ardmore to Wanganui and back [with a quick scenic with my parents] on 1 March 2000. This flight was rather memorable for the bad weather [creeping through the Stratford Gap at about 500-700' AGL 6 months after getting a PPL is not as much fun as it might sound :-(].

According to the register, ZK-EOX was initially registered to Air Nelson back in August 1980.

Another fine day in Wellington...

... yeah, hard to believe, perhaps, but it was a very nice day.

Here are some pictures. Firstly a couple of approaches by Air NZ and Pacific Blue B737's, then a Beech 77 Skipper lined up and ready to depart. The final picture shows just how good the visibility was. The snow covered hills in the background are on the South Island [an estimated 40-50 nautical miles away].

Training flights into Wellington

Continuing from my last post, here are pictures of some training flights on approach into Wellington.

One of the very good points about Wellington International Airport is that we still have two GA training organisations resident on the field. This is the Wellington Aero Club and another private training organisation. It is a real benefit being able to train in class C airspace, and getting used to Air Traffic Control [ATC - the "Tower"] and operating with a range of other aircraft types [given that I did my training at Ardmore, there are also benefits in training at a very busy unattended field!].

The first two pictures are of a Beech Skipper. Personally, the second image is not a sight I would like to see from the cockpit! Thankfully in this case it's an optical illusion given that the aircraft has passed well over the top of the wires and concrete wall! The third picture is of a Piper Arrow III from the Wellington Aero Club.

Enjoy!

Two more shots...

Here's a couple more pictures from Wellington airport. The first is an Origin Pacific Jetstream 31 just a couple of seconds before touchdown. The other is a Beech 77 Skipper from Wellington Flight Training. At first glance, the Skipper looks a bit like a Piper Tomahawk. If you're sober, it doesn't :-)