HBBPC 2020 - Tricycle aircraft

As you might expect at an event promoting strip flying, there were a lot of taildraggers entered, although there were also a lot of tricycle undercarriage aircraft. Many of them were C172's, although there were a few different types on offer.

Here are a few of them.

First up, a Cessna 172A, ZK-CKX, which is registered to a Timaru address. Being an A model, it certainly is old, but that's no impediment to a precision landing comp.

Cessna 172A, ZK-CKX, registered to a Timaru address

Next up is a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-EQH, which is operated by Marlborough Aero Club. It's a really good example of a Hatchet having been well looked after by the aero club.

I think this was flown by several pilots in the precision landing comp and from memory there was an instructor on each flight. The reasons include one competitor being an Englishman who doesn't have a New Zealand licence and a couple of Marlborough Aero Club students. It's great to see some students having a go!

Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, ZK-EQH, operated by Marlborough Aero Club

Next up are three of my favourite aircraft from the comps. They are all Zenair CH701 STOLs and just looking at them you can see they are built for short takeoffs and landings. Needless to say they pulled off some impressive performances on the day, with ZK-NVY, ZK-JUG [previous post] and ZK-TIA getting 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the microlight category of the STOL comp.

I think if I were to own a microlight, one of these would be high on the list!

Zenair CH701 STOL, ZK-TIA, registered to a Rangiora address

Zenair CH701 STOL, ZK-SLO, also registered to a Rangiora address

Zenair CH701 STOL, ZK-NVY, registered to a Merivale [Christchurch] address

Flying NZ National championships: A place to stay and various aircraft

One of the great things about Flying NZ comps is the opportunity to catch up with other pilots - most of whom you won't have seen for 6 - 12 months. This year I was the only Wellington Aero Club competitor and stayed with the Hawkes Bay & East Coast Aero Club team in Orewa. A lot of fun, but as they say, what goes on tour stays on tour.

Anyway, here are some more photos.

Piper PA28-161, ZK-KAT, registered to North Shore Aero Club
Piper PA38-112, ZK-EQH, registered to Marlborough Aero Club
Panel in ZK-EQH
Cessna 172B, ZK-BZU, registered to an Albany address
Cessna A152, ZK-TAA, registered to Tauranga Aero Club
Cessna 177RG, ZK-DPD, registered to a Tauranga address

Across the ditch - next stop Omaka!

After the disappointments of the past few weeks, with aircraft [un]availability and weather problems, it was sooooooo good to get up and see some fine weather! After getting to the Aero Club at about 9am and checking the aviation weather, it was looking good for the entire day. Yippee!

I was able to get our transport for the day [Piper PA28-181 Archer, ZK-TDJ] preflighted and passengers called and relaxed for a short time. We left a little later than expected [we were gone around 10:30], but there had been delays for other flights with a maritime disaster exercise in Wellington harbour [hence the picture of the Helipro BK-117 ZK-HYI].

The trip across Cook Strait was uneventful and with fantastic views in all directions. Approaching the Woodbourne Control Zone, I contacted the tower and was cleared for the Ponds Arrival procedure to Omaka. Omaka is probably unique in New Zealand [someone correct me if I'm wrong] in that it is an uncontrolled aerodrome within a control zone, thus requiring a clearance for all operations... confused? Basically, you get a clearance to do something and are then pretty much left to it [for example, circuits]. The only other requirement is to report on the ground once complete.

Omaka appears to have positioned itself as a centre for aviation heritage [more in my next post], and despite being right next to Blenheim, it has a wonderful relaxed country aerodrome feel to it.

Anyway, here are pictures the Helipro BK-117 at Wellington and of some of the aircraft we spotted at Omaka. Hover over the pictures for brief details of each aircraft. More details on this Bristol Freighter can be found here.