No photos from me, unfortunately, but I had a fun afternoon of flying 5 Wellington Aero Club Young Eagles [over two flights] around Wellington today.
The first flight took us over the city, then south to Island Bay, around to close to Makara and back again. The second was north up the Hutt Valley towards Te Marua and back for an East Arrival into Wellington. again, a fun trip. Mind you, just about any day in a C172 with passengers is a good day :-)
There are a couple of photos up on Wellington Aero Club's FB page [https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonAeroClub], so check them out there before they disappear.
Fun times!
Showing posts with label Young Eagles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Young Eagles. Show all posts
Sunday, May 05, 2019
Wednesday, February 06, 2019
Young Eagles visit to RNZAF Base Ohakea - Biggin Hill!
Following the visit to 3 Squadron and their helicopters, we had yet another treat - a visit to Brendon Deere's Biggin Hill hanger!
After a quick briefing, including an introduction to the aircraft in the hanger and "if there's an earthquake, please protect the Spitfire!" :-), we were able to have a good look around.
The WW2 historic warbirds were all airworthy and flown periodically. the Bell UH-1H Huey could be made airworthy and the Aermacchi MB-337 I'm not sure. Anyway, here are the aircraft. Check out the website for details of all these aircraft.
First up is the Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX. What an awesome machine!
After a quick briefing, including an introduction to the aircraft in the hanger and "if there's an earthquake, please protect the Spitfire!" :-), we were able to have a good look around.
The WW2 historic warbirds were all airworthy and flown periodically. the Bell UH-1H Huey could be made airworthy and the Aermacchi MB-337 I'm not sure. Anyway, here are the aircraft. Check out the website for details of all these aircraft.
First up is the Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX. What an awesome machine!
Next up is the mighty Grumman TBM-3E Avenger. This was, by far, the largest aircraft in the hanger.
Last up from Biggin Hill is the Aermacchi MB339CB.
Now for the very last photo from this series. Thanks to Iain Latter for supplying this image of the 18 aircraft that flew into Ohakea. This was taken from the control tower. Thanks Iain!
Tuesday, February 05, 2019
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].
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!
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].
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| AgustaWestland A109 LUH, NZ3402, operated by RNZAF |
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| AgustaWestland A109 LUH cockpit, NZ3402, operated by RNZAF |
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| 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!
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| NHI NH90, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF |
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| NHI NH90 tail, NZ3303, operated by the RNZAF |
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| 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!
Monday, February 04, 2019
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].
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!
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!
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!
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].
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| Beechcraft B350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF |
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| A retired North American Harvard airframe, NZ1009, this one is for display only |
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!
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| Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, NZ1404, operated by the RNZAF |
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| Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, NZ1407, operated by the RNZAF |
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| 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!
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| Texan II sim! |
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!
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
On the ground at Timaru
Sporting events by the Flying New Zealand National Championships [or the local regional events for that matter] don't just need competitors and air judges. There is a frightful amount of work that occurs on the ground leading up to and during the competition.
Essential ground-based activities on the competition days include:
Some of the landing grid observers waiting for another aircraft to land. Volunteering for the grid is also a great way to safely get up close to the action!
A perk of the job was being able to "borrow" a vehicle and helpers to drive around. In this case, one of the Young Eagles and I are waiting near the bombing and liferaft dropping grid for the call to come and collect the dropped items!
Essential ground-based activities on the competition days include:
- Event Director
- Chief Scorer and team who compile all the scores and determine the results
- Landing grid with at least 11 people to monitor landing position for several events
- Chief Ground Judge and assistants for record results on the landing,. bombing and liferaft grids
- Aerobatic judges
- Formation judges
- General runabouts to do whatever, whenever
- Catering
- ... and much more
This year I spent most of my days on the landing grid. These were long, hot days, occasionally being chased by flying insects and assisting [I think I was helpful! :-)] the Chief Ground Judge as well as running around the airfield from time to time. It was hard work, but fun also.
Here are a few photos from the ground ops.
A perk of the job was being able to "borrow" a vehicle and helpers to drive around. In this case, one of the Young Eagles and I are waiting near the bombing and liferaft dropping grid for the call to come and collect the dropped items!
Young Eagles is a programme for 12-17 year olds who are passionate about flying. It originated in the USA but is run locally by many aero clubs.
Young Eagles get to fly, learn about aviation, are taught about safety, have outings to aviation related activities and they seem to have a huge amount of fun! Many airline and recreational pilots started out in a programme like this. If your teenager is interested, contact your local aero club and see if they have a Young Eagles group.
In addition to the local programmes, there are scholarships available which can help young people with their flight training and a yearly conference held at the same time as the national championships!
Young Eagles get to fly, learn about aviation, are taught about safety, have outings to aviation related activities and they seem to have a huge amount of fun! Many airline and recreational pilots started out in a programme like this. If your teenager is interested, contact your local aero club and see if they have a Young Eagles group.
In addition to the local programmes, there are scholarships available which can help young people with their flight training and a yearly conference held at the same time as the national championships!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Flying NZ National championships: A few more and "Gorillas on a Plane"
OK, so were are getting to the end of the "random" aircraft pictures. Here are a few more, then onto the weather, the PM, a very unusual formation and dinner.
Piper PA28-140, ZK-EBM, registered to Canterbury Aero Club
de Havilland DH82A, ZK-ASM, registered to a Bayswater address, including instrument panel. This aircraft was used for the "preflight defect" competition. I think from memory the engineer introduced 28 defects [!] and the winner got something like 24 of those. Amazing!
Hawker Beechcraft G58, N298WA
de Havilland DH84, ZK-AXI, registered to an Albany address. This photo was taken as it taxied in from a flight with some very excited Young Eagles [and a couple of very very happy instructors] on board. Lucky Gorillas [I'm not explaining that comment - you had to be there!]! :-)
Piper PA28-140, ZK-EBM, registered to Canterbury Aero Club
de Havilland DH82A, ZK-ASM, registered to a Bayswater address, including instrument panel. This aircraft was used for the "preflight defect" competition. I think from memory the engineer introduced 28 defects [!] and the winner got something like 24 of those. Amazing!
Hawker Beechcraft G58, N298WA
de Havilland DH84, ZK-AXI, registered to an Albany address. This photo was taken as it taxied in from a flight with some very excited Young Eagles [and a couple of very very happy instructors] on board. Lucky Gorillas [I'm not explaining that comment - you had to be there!]! :-)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Young Eagles flights and a fish out of water?
Today I had the fun of taking our Young Eagles on a quick flight out to the Hutt Valley and back. Five Young Eagles, two flights and everyone enjoyed themselves. What was even better was that two of them had never been in a light aircraft before, so this was a completely new experience for them.
Apart from that, I snapped the following picture of a fish out of water - that is, a fixed wing instructor sitting in a helicopter... Click on the photo for a good look on his face :-) The helicopter is a Robinson R44 II, ZK-IDO.
Apart from that, I snapped the following picture of a fish out of water - that is, a fixed wing instructor sitting in a helicopter... Click on the photo for a good look on his face :-) The helicopter is a Robinson R44 II, ZK-IDO.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
What a busy day!
What a busy day today! After getting out to the aero club around midday, I got in 3 Young Eagles flights with 3 passengers on each flight. Two of the flights were up to the Hutt Valley and the third to the south-west coastline.
After that, I took 3 club members [students] on a ride over to Omaka where a number of other club members were having some fun with competitions. On arrival, I realised that I had left my camera back in Wellington [DOH!] so no photos, but fun none-the-less.
All of these flights were in Cessna 172 ZK-FLT.
It was a perfect day for flying - hardly a bump anywhere, although the wind changed quite a bit. The first YE flight took off on runway 34 with a landing 0.4 hours later on runway 16. For the trip to Omaka we took off and landed back again on runway 16, although only just, with a change of runway about a minute later [seems that some Boeing pilots are not keen on 10 knot tailwinds... and understandably so I suppose].
All in all, a fun day of flying. 1.4 hours with the Young Eagles, 1.3 to Omaka and back.
Just a shame about the lack of a camera :-(
After that, I took 3 club members [students] on a ride over to Omaka where a number of other club members were having some fun with competitions. On arrival, I realised that I had left my camera back in Wellington [DOH!] so no photos, but fun none-the-less.
All of these flights were in Cessna 172 ZK-FLT.
It was a perfect day for flying - hardly a bump anywhere, although the wind changed quite a bit. The first YE flight took off on runway 34 with a landing 0.4 hours later on runway 16. For the trip to Omaka we took off and landed back again on runway 16, although only just, with a change of runway about a minute later [seems that some Boeing pilots are not keen on 10 knot tailwinds... and understandably so I suppose].
All in all, a fun day of flying. 1.4 hours with the Young Eagles, 1.3 to Omaka and back.
Just a shame about the lack of a camera :-(
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Young Eagles and visiting aircraft
It was another good winter's day in Wellington... waiting for the weather to go bad :-). Earlier this week I was asked to take some Young Eagles for a flight. As it turned out, I only had to take one up - well worth it though as the young fella had never been in a light aircraft before. As [almost] always, I took the Piper PA28-181 Archer, ZK-TDJ up; he managed to spot his house from the air and he enjoyed the flight.
Visitors spotted today include a Piper PA28R-200 Arrow, registered to Rick Lucas Helicopters, ZK-EKR. The Cessna 172M, ZK-DRM is registered to Waitomo Aero Club in Te Kuiti. Tucked in behind the Cessna is a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk from Marlborough Aero Club.
Finally you'll see a few pictures of a Morane-Saulnier MS 893E, ZK-FOX. I don't know anything much about this type, but apparently they a good little performers. Note in the last picture I have highlighted the leading-edge slats in their deployed position.
Visitors spotted today include a Piper PA28R-200 Arrow, registered to Rick Lucas Helicopters, ZK-EKR. The Cessna 172M, ZK-DRM is registered to Waitomo Aero Club in Te Kuiti. Tucked in behind the Cessna is a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk from Marlborough Aero Club.
Finally you'll see a few pictures of a Morane-Saulnier MS 893E, ZK-FOX. I don't know anything much about this type, but apparently they a good little performers. Note in the last picture I have highlighted the leading-edge slats in their deployed position.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Young Eagles and a useful lesson
I had two good flights today, both of them flights for the Club's Young Eagles [YEs]. They were fairly quick flights of 0.7 hours and 0.8 hours each, but quite enjoyable. In both cases we took off, did an Eastbourne Departure procedure then out to Mana Island and back.
It was fun putting on the GPS and showing the YEs some of its features, including the difference between indicated air speed and ground speed, and airspace boundaries [and showing them on the charts and the ground as well]. The best lesson however was a demonstration of a limitation of the GPS. In this case, the GPS map does not include Mana Island...! It shows the importance of having up-to-date paper aeronautical charts [paper charts also work better if the electrics fail :-)].
The other nice thing that happened was that on the second flight the airspace was fairly quiet, and the tower cleared us from Paremata VRP [visual reporting point] to follow the motorway south [this is through the middle of the instrument sector] then to join right hand downwind for runway 34. Awesome [and thanks!]! It's good to see some different scenery and the YEs seemed to enjoy this as well.
It was fun putting on the GPS and showing the YEs some of its features, including the difference between indicated air speed and ground speed, and airspace boundaries [and showing them on the charts and the ground as well]. The best lesson however was a demonstration of a limitation of the GPS. In this case, the GPS map does not include Mana Island...! It shows the importance of having up-to-date paper aeronautical charts [paper charts also work better if the electrics fail :-)].
The other nice thing that happened was that on the second flight the airspace was fairly quiet, and the tower cleared us from Paremata VRP [visual reporting point] to follow the motorway south [this is through the middle of the instrument sector] then to join right hand downwind for runway 34. Awesome [and thanks!]! It's good to see some different scenery and the YEs seemed to enjoy this as well.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
It's been quiet recently...
It has been really quiet for the past couple of weeks. Apart from not too many things to report, my camera has been out of action [it's almost 3 weeks now since I took it back to Dick Smith, who passed it on to Olympus for a warranty repair], so no new photos.
I did get to take up two people for a quick flight recently as part of the Flying NZ Young Eagles programme [http://www.flyingnz.co.nz/youngeagles.html], and went for 3 circuits last weekend just to ensure I maintained a level of currency.
I am looking forward to a trip around the South Island in a few weeks time, so all going well [and assuming I get my camera back...!], there'll be a few photos to show after that.
I did get to take up two people for a quick flight recently as part of the Flying NZ Young Eagles programme [http://www.flyingnz.co.nz/youngeagles.html], and went for 3 circuits last weekend just to ensure I maintained a level of currency.
I am looking forward to a trip around the South Island in a few weeks time, so all going well [and assuming I get my camera back...!], there'll be a few photos to show after that.
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