This weekend in Masterton

This past weekend was spent in Masterton at the Flying New Zealand Cook Strait Regional Competitions.

Good times with a lot of good flying, fun social times and another opportunity to assist with some of the ground judging.

It was looking a bit shaky at one time though, with the weather on Friday evening consisting on low clouds and rain. Saturday [competition day] was much nicer, although with the constant threat of the thunder and lightning that was striking other parts of the lower North Island. We did have to shut down competitions for about 30-45 minutes in the middle of the day due to the weather, but it all worked out.

The first three photos are from arrival day on Friday, including a panorama of the 20+ aircraft from Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Kapiti and Whanganui that came for the competitions (Hawera also arrived on Saturday).

The final two photos are from Saturday. There are some very dark and wet places under that cloud! There were plenty more of those coming and going during the day.

Wet and windy Wellington

Here is a brief video from Wellington airport after the wind turned to the south and increased in strength and the rain set in.

#CantBeatWellingtonOnANiceDay 😂

Sunday's no-fly day

Sunday's weather was "interesting".

Just a few miles north of here, the weather was really nice. In Wellington, however, it was cloudy and wet. When I say cloudy, I mean, some of it was on the ground and the met reports were, at one stage, saying overcast at 200'.

Clearly no flying for me on Sunday.

Here are a few photos of the day. I think you'll see what I mean!

View across to the western apron

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

Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEZ, operated by Air New Zealand

Airbus A320-232, VH-VFN, operated by Jetstar Airways

Qantas B737

I know I'm the first to say that a go-around is a perfectly normal manoeuver and nothing to get excited about and this is no different [in case you needed a reminder!].

Having said that, I was about halfway down the runway when this Qantas-operated Boeing 737-838, VH-VZX when around from fairly low level [again, nothing to get excited about folks!] a couple of weeks ago or so. I guess the main thing with this photo is it shows how gloomy the day was. Look close and you can just make out the rain. Pity it doesn't show the wind as well 😃

Boeing 737-838, VH-VZX, operated by Qantas

Go arounds [and a little aviation "secret"]

It has been rather windy in Wellington today, with winds gusting up to around 60 knots on the ground. This, of course, meant a bit more work for the pilots, but nothing too out of the ordinary. I imagine it would have been a rather "exciting" ride for any passengers who are not familiar with a bit of turbulence!

At least three flights today went around and I got photos of two of them - both Qantas B737's - as they passed overhead the runway. An unusual view perhaps, but interesting.

First up is Boeing 737-838, VH-VYZ. This was just after an Air NZ A320 go-around and both aircraft headed around for a second attempt and a successful landing.

Boeing 737-838, VH-VYZ, operated by Qantas

Second up is Boeing 737-838, VH-XZC. This one did not make a second attempt and headed up north to what I presume was [but didn't check] a diversion to Auckland.

Boeing 737-838, VH-XZC, operated by Qantas

Now, just one thing that does annoy me a little. Sometimes people get rather too excited about a go-around. On occasions, social media lights up with "Qantas/ Air NZ/ Emirates/ Whatever Airline XYZ went around this afternoon! Does anyone know what happened??!??".

If you are one of these people, allow me to you let in on a little aviation "secret".

A go-around is a common procedure. It doesn't happen every day, but it is common and is normal.

If you are ever tempted to get too excited, please say the following 5 times: "A go-around is perfectly normal and nothing to get excited about". Preferably out loud so those around you can hear it also. ha ha

Thank you 👍

A day for making clouds...

Today was grey, gloomy and damp. There was rain in the morning and it was drizzly the rest of the day, but at least the cloud lifted as the day progressed.

Today's Singapore Airlines movements were much the same as always, although as can be seen below, the air and dew point temperatures were close enough that some cloud was created as the B777 landed and as it powered up to depart.

Click on the images for more detail.

Boeing 777-212/ER, 9V-SRP, operated by Singapore Airlines

Boeing 777-212/ER, 9V-SRP, operated by Singapore Airlines

Weather change

Today was a very interesting weather day. In terms of flying, it was a breezy north-westerly - not very comfortable for flying. Mid-afternoon, the wind had dropped and we headed off on a couple of Young Eagles flights - bright blue skies and a gentle north-westerly breeze. Everyone enjoyed the flights!

By 4:30pm though, just as forecast, the skies started to go dark, the temperature fell several degrees and the rain started. Fun to watch!

Anyway, here are a couple of photographs and video of what arrived. Enjoy!

Wild and windy today

Here are a couple of movements from earlier today. The wind has been gusting up over 100km/hr at times and, although I missed them, there have been some go-arounds and diversions. Fun times.

Anyway, here are the videos. It's not exactly great cinematography :-) but good enough to give you an idea of what it was like. The first is an Air NZ Airbus A320-232 landings, the second is a Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-200 departing. The departure was rather impressive - the shortest takeoff I have seen in a B777, although not at all surprising given load limitations at Wellington and the gale force winds.

Flying New Zealand National Championships 2018 at Timaru

The past few days have been very busy. I've been in Timaru for the Flying New Zealand National Championships! I was not competing but more general dogsbody and landing grid help. It was a lot of fun! There will be several posts over the next few days, but here's a quick one to start off with.

The event is run by Flying New Zealand and is the premiere flying competitions for aero club pilots from around New Zealand. This event was hosted by the South Canterbury Aero Club [well worth looking up if you're in the area]. Most competitors came from winning their regional event competitions [you may recall that I was the Event Director for the Cook Strait region competition last year] although there were a few wildcard events where people could enter for the Nationals and the winner going on to the main competition.

Timaru is a lovely place although very hot each day. I suspect there would have been a bit of sunburn for anyone who didn't make use of the free sunscreen!

Anyone, on to some photos and a video. First up are a few photos from the event days.

A few of the competing aircraft

An event is not complete without a safety briefing!

Hawkes Bay East Coast Aero Club's WA Morrison 3-ship formation team

Pyrocumulus from a local paddock burnoff

Following on from the last photo of the pyrocumulus, here's a video of the same event. It appears the local farmers like a wee burnoff, and while it's a bit hard to see in the video, the top of the cloud is developing rapidly.

Commonality...

Here are three photos from Sunday afternoon. Like Saturday, there were disruptions for fog, but the flights were arriving and departing by the time I took these [obviously...!].

Can you see the common factor in all of these flights? Can you perhaps explain why? You might need to click on the pictures and look closely.

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

Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQL, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines/ Jetstar

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

Fog at Wellington

Saturday was one of those particularly foggy days at Wellington. The morning was OK with some Aero Club flying until about 11am, then it all closed down.

What follows are a few photos of what rolled in. Keep in mind that this was not the worst of it with almost every aircraft that tried getting in. later int he day there were all sorts of diversions, including an A320 to Palmerston North.

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGV, operated by Jetstar Airways

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, ZK-SAW, operated by Sounds Air

ATR-GIE ATR72-212A, ZK-MCX, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

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

ZK-OXB a few seconds later!

WAX at Wellington

If you've followed the news, there has been a fair amount of fog around [Saturday], so very little GA flying from Wellington today.

I did see this Cessna 172M, ZK-WAX parked up alongside some of the Wellington Aero Club fleet. It's a nice paint job. If you look at the background you'll see some fog. I'll have more photos of the fog and related activities up on Sunday.

Cessna 172M, ZK-WAX

Three landings

This second video from last Sunday's flying has three landings - two at Masterton and one back home at Wellington.

As usual, the aircraft is a Wellington Aero Club operated Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT.

The thing I like about landing at Masterton is that on a hot day [and it was around 30 degrees celsius] are the thermals which make every approach a little more challenging. Combined with a gentle crosswind, it's just a bit more fun!

Anyway, here's the video.

Wellington arrival via the Karori Sector

Returning from last Saturday's trip to D'Urville Island, I was able to get an arrival through the Karori Sector which is to the west of Wellington City.

Coming via the Karori Sector involves flying over the rugged coastline followed by the Makara wind farm, then the city itself before joining [in this case] right-base for runway 16. No better option on a stunning day like last Saturday!

Here's a very brief video, starting as I approach the Ohau VRP [Visual Reporting Point], over the Makara wind farm, then on to the city then to land. Aircraft was Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT. Take a look at how smooth the water it - hardly even a ripple!

Enjoy!

Flight last Saturday

This brief video is from last Saturday. I took off for a short flight in reasonably good weather, only to return about 40 minutes later with the visibility reduced close to minimums at around 5-6km to the north of the aerodrome [where I was] and a little more to the south. Fun times?!!

Note around the 47 second mark where I pull the map out... I'm not lost, just checking the flight visibility by comparing what I can see vs what I should be able to see :-)


It was certainly a good reminder of how quickly the weather can change.

Flight to the southern Wairarapa and crosswind circuits at Wellington

This video is of a flight to the southern Wairarapa area, followed by some crosswind circuits at Wellington.


Still a bit of work to do on the landings, but I'm working on it :-)

I survived the Tron, 2017 edition

For those following the New Zealand weather news recently, you'll know it has been foggy in Wellington the last couple of days. The lack of appropriate navigation technology at Wellington airport has meant the weather played absolutely havoc with airline schedules, with Wellington all but closed for a day and a half.

Time then for a quick, same day return trip to Hamilton starting yesterday.They say timing is everything. I got out OK, but the return trip was stuffed [that's a technical phrase] with my return trip cancelled, and the alternate later trip cancelled also. This meant an unexpected overnight stay in the first class suite at the Cambridge Hotel [actually some relatives... :-)] with the first available flight back to Wellington at 3:50pm today.

Today I arrived early to the airport. after checkin I used one of my complementary Koru lounge passes to get into the lounge. Air NZ's regional Koru lounge is pretty basic, but very comfortable and well laid out [loads of places to charge via wall socket or USB]. In any case, a basic comfy lounge is better than none. Just a pity it cost me one of only two lounge passes. Oh well!

Anyway, here are a couple of photos. They are both Mount Cook Airline [part of Air NZ] ATR-GIE ATR72-600's, ZK-MVH and ZK-MVI. ZK-MVH was my ride home and looked like it had been parked up for a while. ZK-MVI arrived and departed to Christchurch while I was waiting.

ATR-GIE ATR-72-600, ZK-MVH, operated by Mount Cook Airlines/ Air NZ

ATR-GIE ATR-72-600, ZK-MVI, operated by Mount Cook Airlines/ Air NZ

ATR-GIE ATR-72-600, ZK-MVI, operated by Mount Cook Airlines/ Air NZ

On the plus side, Air NZ's communications throughout were absolutely top-notch. Clear comms [txt and via their app] along with options for self-service schedule changes made things easier. Given it was a work trip, having a travel company was also useful when the last flight out on Wednesday was cancelled...

Lesson for next time though - pack a change of clothes, even if only going on a same day trip... then again, I now have new socks and underwear! Ha ha ha

Windy New Year

It's warm enough, but as I write this, it is a little damp, rather grey and gloomy and the winds are gusting up around 100km/hr. In the middle of summer. Fun times!

There's obviously not going to be any flying for me, but after a quick trip to the airport, I have a photo which shows the scene quite well..

The aircraft is a Jetstar A320-232, VH-VGU arriving. Did I mention grey and gloomy?

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGU, operated by Jetstar Airways

Prior to this A320, FlightRadar24.com showed a DHC8 at about 1500' with a groundspeed of only 69 knots! The groundspeed did increase as it got closer to the ground [which you'd expect with the wind decreasing closer to the ground...], but still...

Flight to Paraparaumu and back

Today's flight was from Wellington [NZWN] to Paraparaumu [NZPP] and back, with 3 circuits at NZPP. The main reason was to get current in the Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk. It was also an excuse to try out my new GoPro Hero 5 Session camera.

The video isn't great - despite how it looks, the camera was attached firmly [using Blutack no less!] to the dashboard - next time I'll leave the camera's software image stabilisation off.

The weather was a little worse for my return, although perhaps not quite as bad as it looks here...

Attempt to get to Palmerston North yesterday

Yesterday another club pilot and I attempted to fly up to Palmerston North to collect another aircraft. It was always going to be marginal, but as it turned out, too marginal to be worth while pushing on. 

Here are a few photos from the weather around Wellington. It's a wee bit unusual with all the cloud hugging the coast [there was a 20+ knot westerly at around 2000'], but worse further north as we could not even get as far at Paraparaumu safely.

Oh well, better to wait for a better day. Aircraft for this flight was a Piper PA38-112, ZK-TAW.