The end of Timaru (not really!)

Although this is the last of my posts about the competitions at Timaru!

The first photo in this post is of a Yakovlev Yak 52, ZK-JPW, which is operated by Ashburton Yak Syndicate. It is a really nice livery IMHO!

Yakovlev Yak 52, ZK-JPW, operated by Ashburton Yak Syndicate

Next up is Stoddard-Hamilton SH-3R Glasair III, ZK-PGB, which is operated by PGB Syndicate of a Christchurch address. This aircraft is really fast and demonstrated this by a fast pass at 500' down the airfield. Nice.

Stoddard-Hamilton SH-3R Glasair III, ZK-PGB, operated by PGB Syndicate

A visitor not associated with the championships was this Beechcraft G58 Baron, N298WA, which arrived on a IFR flight plan. Unlike some countries, there are a limited number of foreign registered GA types operating in New Zealand - probably only because we are a long way from many places.

Beechcraft G58 Baron, N298WA

Saturday morning was the remaining competitions - the microlight circuit competitions and the Jay Peters Trophy for professional pilots. Once those comps were complete, we move onto something special with some types which most people were unfamiliar with, including the following powered parachute and some very high powered jet model aircraft!

This was equally exciting for pilots and Timaru locals who came out to watch, a welcome rest for competitors and a chance to start clearing equipment away for the rest of us.

Unfortunately I did not get any good photos of the model aircraft [including some control line combat which was awesome to watch!] but I did get one decent photo of the powered parachute.

Powered parachute

In my very last photo, it is Sunday midday and this was my ride home. I have flown down to Timaru on Air Nelson flight Link 193, and here's Link 192 ready for boarding and the flight home. It is of course a Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NFI. A nice comfy ride, a good operating crew and I was back in Wellington in around an hour.

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

That's it for this event. Hopefully I'll get to see you around at your club, regional or national event over the next 12 months!

More photos from last Sunday

Here are a few more photos from last Sunday. This time they are four Air Nelson / Air NZ aircraft.

First up are the two Air Nelson-operated Bombardier DHC-8-311's, ZK-NEG and ZK-NFI. ZK-NEG is still in the old Air NZ livery which still looks quite nice - I wonder how long until they are all painted in the new livery?

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

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

Next up are two Air NZ-operated Airbus A320-232's, ZK-OXD and ZK-OJR.

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

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

In case you are interested, these photos, and those on the previous post, were all taken from spotting location A [from my spotting locations page].