WAC Open Day 2009 #11: Air New Zealand Boeing B737-3U3

This second-last post in the series from the Wellington Aero Club open day 2009 is the Air New Zealand Boeing 737-3U3, ZK-FRE. This aircraft is most noticeable for it's unusual [for Air New Zealand] Air New Zealand Holidays paint scheme. Other Air New Zealand aircraft are white, with a blue tail [including Koru emblem]. Air New Zealand owned aircraft also have the Pacific Wave on the fuselage. Details on the Air New Zealand fleet are available on their website, just click here.

ZK-FRE was one of the original aircraft in the Air New Zealand LCC subsidiary, Freedom Air, which has since been wound up. I understand that ZK-FRE itself is about to finish its lease during May, so this may be one of the last times I get to see it before [presumably] heading off-shore. We shall see.

Anyway, to the aircraft. These are a series of outside pictures from various angles, followed by three pictures of the cockpit. The final picture is of the distinctive Air New Zealand Koru emblem. Big thanks to Air New Zealand for sending the aircraft along for the afternoon and a special thank you to the flight, cabin and ground crews who made it all happen on the day [and made us feel very welcome]!

WAC Open Day 2009 #10: Air National Jetstream J32

Wow! Another [small] airliner!

Air National sent one of the British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3200 Model 3201, registration ZK-ECJ. The J32 is a really good looking aircraft [IMHO!] - it looks like it was built to go fast :-)

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the aircraft.

WAC Open Day 2009 #9: Sounds Air

Sounds Air sent one of their Cessna 208 Caravans, ZK-TZR to the open day. The Caravan is an awesome machine - a nice little turbine aircraft. Inside, the aircraft was very comfortable with nice leather seats, and the panel looked like one I'd like to get in behind one day :-)

Unfortunately, no side-on external pictures, but if you do a search on the blog you'll find a few other examples.

WAC Open Day 2009 #8: Odds and Sods

Here are a few random pictures from the open day.

The first is of a Helipro Robinson R44 helicopter , ZK-IBJ, which was doing scenic rides for visitors. The next of a Cirrus SR22, ZK-YUG. This aircraft is privately owned and based here in Wellington.

The next picture is a Tecnam P2002 Sierra microlight, ZK-MVT, and is normally based at Wanaka. The last picture is from the back of Cessna 206, ZK-WWT during a couple of circuits. Before you ask, that's NOT me posing for the camera [and it's not the worst picture I got of you either Chris!] :-)

WAC Open Day 2009 #7: Rescue Helicopter and Air Ambulance

Two more visitors were the Westpac Rescue helicopter and Life Flight Air Ambulance.

The Westpac Rescue helicopter is a Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HLF, operated by Helilink Ltd. The Life Flight Air Ambulance is a Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, operated by Airwork Flight Operations.

Both of these aircraft are based at Wellington, and seem to be kept reasonably busy. In fact, half way through the day, the helicopter crew received an emergency call and had to extricate the helicopter and leave very quickly.

The Life Flight Trust needs community sponsorship to continue their life-saving work. They are having their own open day on Sunday 26 April - I'm sure that you visit would be most welcome, and support much appreciated!

WAC Open Day 2009 #6: Royal New Zealand Air Force

Another regular open day visitor was the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It was a small display, consisting of a Pacific Aerospace CT4/E Airtrainer and a recruiting vehicle and stand.

The CT4/E is used by the RNZAF for all ab-initio pilot training, as well at the Red Checkers formation aerobatic display team [consisting of Air Force instructor pilots].

Interestingly, the CT4/E was still in the aero club hanger today - I understand that it goes home [back to RNZAF Base Ohakea] on Monday.

WAC Open Day 2009 #5: Airport Fire Service

In the not flying, but still very cool basket was the Wellington International Airport Fire Service. Present for the day was one of the airport's Stryker fire trucks, a rescue catamaran and a support vehicle. In addition, another fire truck came over several times during the day to put on a demonstration of their "water dispensing" capabilities [photos below].

This was just one of the many examples were we received assistance of the airport company for the day, which also included provision of all of the safety/security barriers and assistance with setup/take down. Thanks!

WAC Open Day 2009 #4: Warbirds

We were privileged to have two warbird aircraft fly in especially for this day. The first to arrive was the Nanchang CJ6, ZK-JQS. The second was the mighty Goodyear Corsair FG-1D [ZK-COR].

As you'll see if a couple of the pictures, after refueling and starting, the pilot folded the wings and taxied out past the pumps before extending them again. The sound of this beast is amazing and I'm privileged to have seen this amazing aircraft again!

The Nanchang is usually based at Omaka aerodrome,. and the Corsair at Masterton aerodrome. I hope to see both of these aircraft when I head [weather permitting] to the Classic Fighters airshow at Omaka this coming weekend.

WAC Open Day 2009 #3: Wellington Aero Club

An open day would not be complete without our own aircraft out and available for a look over, so early on Saturday [around 8am] aircraft were being moved around. We had most of the fleet outside, including the three Piper PA38-112 Tomahawks [ZK-WAC, ZK-JFE and ZK-JNE], the Cessna 172 [ZK-FLT], a couple of PA28's [ZK-FHQ and ZK-TDJ], and a Cessna 206 [ZK-WWH].

Two of the Tomahawks were available for trial flights with our instructor team, and the C172 was used for some local scenic flights with one of our other CPL holders. Trial flights and scenics did slow down somewhat with the increasing breeze during the day, but it was still worth while having them there.

The pictures are of some of the fleet at various times during the day.

If you are visiting Wellington and would like the best view of the city, contact the Wellington Aero Club - we are part of a fully licenced Part 135 operation ["Capital Air"] staffed with local pilots who know the area and are keen to make your experience both enjoyable and something to remember!

WAC Open Day 2009 #2: Vincent Aviation

A regular contributor to Wellington Aero Club open days, and located just across the apron at Wellington International Airport is Vincent Aviation. Vincent Aviation has "operations throughout the Pacific, South-East Asia and beyond" [from the website].

This year, they sent across De Havilland Canada DHC-8-102, ZK-VAC, along with a number of their crew to show people through the aircraft, let them sit in the cockpit and answer all sorts of questions.

An interesting fact about this particular aircraft is that it has a mod installed that slightly extends the passenger compartment, allowing for 40 passenger seats instead of the more usual 37 seats. Apparantly this was done while the aircraft was being operated by a bus tour company, and they needed to fit the occupants of a 40 seat bus into one aircraft.

Anyway, here are the photos.

WAC Open Day 2009 #1: Introduction

Today we had the Wellington Aero Club [WAC] Open Day for 2009. As always it's a LOT of hard work for all concerned, but it worked out well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves!

A highlight for every WAC open day would have to be the range of aircraft that are made available, along with the range of assistance provided by various airport workers [Wellington is an international airport so security is always a consideration].

Over the next few days I'll load up some more images, but here are a few teaser shots that cover off the wide range of aircraft present, from basic trainers such as the Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, various rescue/air ambulance types, ex-military, right through to the Air New Zealand Boeing 737-300. I'll highlight the range of types later, but see if you can work it out from the following photos.

Reminder: Wellington Aero Club Open Day: 4 April 2009

Just a reminder for all the Wellington locals, that Wellington Aero Club has an Open day this Saturday, 4 April 2009 from 10am until 4pm. The Club is located in the Kilbernie side of the airport at 246 Coutts Street, Wellington.

Come down for a visit - we'll have our fleet on display along with visitors from Vincent Aviation, Air New Zealand [a Boeing 737!] and couple of warbirds.

For those a little more adventurous, the Club will have trial flights available, and there will be Helicopter scenic flights.

You're all welcome, and I hope to see you there!