All fingers accounted for

Saturday was another day to head to Masterton airfield and continue my flight training on the Piper J3C-50, ZK-AHD, with Wairarapa Flying Tigers.

Today's flight was more upper air work - stalls, steep turns, slow flight, slips and an overhead rejoin. I was also seated in the rear seat, which was an interesting experience with limited visibility, but one I'll get used to since this aircraft is flown solo from the back seat. Next lesson will likely be lots of circuits. That'll be a lot of fun!

Not only that, but I am also learning some of the ground stuff, like starting the engines of the J3 and the de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths. These aircraft don't have starter motors [it seems to be just additional dead weight to carry around 😁], so they start using the Armstrong method, or swinging the propellers by hand. Fun times, and at the end of the day, all fingers are accounted for.

Only two photos from today, of two of Wairarapa Flying Tiger-operated de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths, ZK-ANL and ZK-BLK. Once up to speed on the J3, this will be the next bit of fun.

de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, ZK-BLK, operated by Wairarapa Flying Tigers

de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, ZK-ANL, operated by Wairarapa Flying Tigers

Wings Over Wairarapa 2011: Post 11 - de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth

The Tigers were out in force as always, with my favourite being the wing walking demonstration. I'm not sure I'd be too keen to be standing on a platform right over the fuel tank, but it was a good show!

In addition, there were a couple of Tigers with ribbons attached and a spray boom equipped Tiger [this will be the subject of a separate post].

Aircraft in this post are de Havilland DH82A registrations ZK-BLK, ZK-ANQ and ZK-BLI [with the wing walker "attached"].

A quick trip to Masterton: post 2 of 3

In this second post of the quick trip to Masterton, here are a few of the aircraft sitting and flying around.

Top to bottom are:

SE5A

Nanchang CJ6A, ZK-MAO, registered to Wellington Aero Club

de Havilland DH82A Toger Moth, ZK-BLK, registered to NZ Sport & Vintage Aviation Society

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-WAT, registered to Wanganui Aero Work

Pfalz DIII

Tecnam P2002 Sierra, ZK-MVT, registered to Wairarapa & Ruahine Aero Club

Wings Over Wairarapa # 2: de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth

After much thought, I thought that I would present most of the airshow images based on aircraft type or in display groups, with the exception of a few that will be "linked" together for various other reasons.

One of the most "common" aircraft at a New Zealand airshow would have to be the de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth. The Tiger Moth was known to generations of New Zealanders [somewhat older than myself I might point out!], firstly as a military, then civilian trainer and also as one of the earlier agricultural aircraft.

It is fair to say that New Zealand led the world in developing the practice of aerial application of agricultural chemicals, and the Tiger Moth led the way for New Zealand.

Alongside a couple of "stock" Tigers where a couple of ag variants. The most common noticeable feature of an ag Tiger is that the front cockpit is covered over [and used for the storage/ dispensing of the chemicals], although we were also privileged to see New Zealand's [and perhaps the world's] last spray-equipped Tiger being put through it's paces.

Top to bottom are:

ZK-BLK & ZK-BLV in formation/ribbon chasing [x 2]
ZK-AUZ, a former 'dung duster' from Wanganui Aero Work
ZK-ANL, New Zealand's only remaining spray-equipped Tiger Moth