Wellington Aero Club is 90! (post 2 of 2)

Following on from yesterday's post, here are a few more photos from last weekend's open day.

Hopefully, those of you who were able to get there enjoyed the day! I know that many of you took the opportunity to take flight for your first lesson/ trial flight with one of the Aero Club's instructors [I've seen lots of FB posts which indicated this was a lot of fun!]. There were also lots of fantastic photos and videos taken, so thanks for sharing those!

Lastly, weather permitting, my next flight is this coming Saturday, where I'll be taking the Nanchang up to Whanganui for a brief visit. Maybe see you there?!

Beechcraft Kingair 350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF

Beechcraft Kingair 350, NZ2353, operated by the RNZAF

Kawasaki BK117 B2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink

BAC BAC167 Strikemaster Mk88, ZK-BAC, operated by BAC 167 Strikemaster Ltd

Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, operated by Wellington Aero Club

A lumpy approach and a BAC 167

Just a couple of very quick videos from earlier today.

I went for a flight in Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT. It was lumpy [I cleverly found all the downdrafts in the area!]. The first video is around 30 seconds of the approach and landing.



This second video is of a very cool aircraft which taxied past me after landing. Nice!

Current and ex military

It's time for a bit of a catch up after a few weeks of no posting. This post has two aircraft, one which is currently operated by the RNZAF and one which was formerly operated by the RNZAF.

First up is the current aircraft, a Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7002, operated by the RNZAF.

Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7002, operated by the RNZAF

Next up is the ex-military aircraft, a BAC BAC167 Mk88 Strikemaster, ZK-BAC. This was arriving after a short hop from Whanganui.

BAC BAC167 Mk88 Strikemaster, ZK-BAC, operated by RNZAF Strikemaster Ltd

Hello Whanganui!

Last Saturday was the day for a fun flight to Whanganui with another club member, Peter, also known as Poochie :-). The aircraft was WAC's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT.

Weather was OK around Wellington and really nice everywhere north of Wellington. Typical :-)

I don't have photos of the flying to and from Whanganui, but I do have some video which I hope to be able to post in the next week or so. Here's are a few photos from Peter and myself. First up is the Wanganui Aero Club clubrooms, hanger an a couple of local aircraft. The first aircraft, ZK-JQY, is a Maule MXT-7-180 and is registered to a Whanganui address. ZK-EHP is a Cessna A150M and is registered to a Marton address.

Maule MXT-7-180, ZK-JQY and Cessna A150M, ZK-EHP

I should also mention that, as always, we got a friendly welcome from the locals. They are always happy to see visiting aircraft, so do pop in and say hi if you're in the area (landing fees paid on arrival are also a lot cheaper...).

Next up is a BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster Mk88, ZK-BAC. This aircraft spends time in the Wellington Aero Club hanger, but also at Whanganui.

BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster Mk88, ZK-BAC, operated by RNZAF Strikemaster Ltd

The following is a rescue helicopter/ air ambulance. It's an Agusta A109E, ZK-ITR, and although registered to Helilink of an Auckland address is operated out of the Taranaki region. Nice paint job also! :-)

Agusta A109E, ZK-ITR, operated by Helilink of an Auckland address

Peter's and my ride for the day was Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT. yes, it's an ugly red spinner, but hopefully that's temporary...

Cessna 172N, ZK-FLT, operated by Wellington Aero Club

Last up are two photos of an AESL Airtourer T6, ZK-LDG, flown by Murray, a local pilot. A couple of quick radio calls and some brief formation was organised. This brings back happy memories form my formation time at Auckland Aero Club many years ago, although it was just some straight and level and one gentle turn. I must get back into this one day!

AESL Airtourer T6, ZK-LDG, registered to a Whanganui address

AESL Airtourer T6, ZK-LDG, registered to a Whanganui address

Strikemaster 72 at Wellington

Last Sunday saw the arrival of of a BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster, registered ZK-BAC [formerly with the RNZAF as NZ6372]. What a nice machine!

BAC BAC-167, ZK-BAC [ex NZ6372], operated by RNZAF Strikemaster Ltd

Ex and current RNZAF aircraft at Wellington

Two aircraft caught my eye today. The first is an ex-RNZAF jet aircraft, the mighty BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster, ZK-BAC, which is registered to RNZAF Strikemaster Ltd, of a Lower Hutt address. The "blunty" had at least a couple of flights out of Wellington today.

BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster 88, ZK-BAC

BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster 88, ZK-BAC

Second up was a current RNZAF aircraft, a Beech B200 King Air, NZ7123 which arrived this evening.

Beech B200 King Air, NZ7123, operated by the RNZAF

Blunty at Wellington!

The big surprise today was the arrival of a BAC BAC-167 Strikemaster Mk88, ZK-BAC! This aircraft came from Omaka [about 11 minutes!] earlier in the day before heading to Whanganui and back. It is registered to RNZAF Strikemaster Ltd of a Lower Hutt address.

As you can see, I got a good close up look at it [thanks Charles] and it's awesome up close :-)

Not sure there's a lot I can say about it - I think the pictures speak for themselves. The cockpit is snug but quite comfortable even for my 6'1" height, and it's, just, wow :-) About the only things missing are some stores on the wing pylons and the ejector seats have been disabled. You can't have everything, I suppose! :-)

Wings Over Wairarapa: Ex Military Jets

Very popular at any airshow is New Zealand's slowly increasing numbers of ex-military jets. In this airshow we got to see a Venom, a Vampire, 2 L39's and 2 Strikemasters. The last 3 types are shown below.

Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatross, ZK-WLM

Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatross, ZK-VLK

de Havilland DH115 Mk 55 trainer, ZK-RVM

de Havilland DH115 Mk 55 Trainer, ZK-RVM

BAC BAC167 Strikemaster Mk 88 [ex NZ6372], ZK-BAC

BAC BAC167 Strikemaster Mk 88 [ex NZ6370], ZK-STR

The L39's and BAC167's in formation

The L39's and BAC167's in formation