With a construction number of P206E-00634 it was allocated the Cessna test registration of N5734J in 1970. It went to Germany and became D-ECKQ in June of 1971 with R Staudtner at Nurnberg, followed by H Schroder, also at Nurnberg.
It then moved to the UK and became G-BKSI on 18-04-1981. Owners include Joorst van Staveran of Dubai from 18-04-1983 with a change of owners on 04-04-1984 to Dougal and Shirley Dallison. It was cancelled from the UK register on 25-05-1984 and was imported into NZ & certified by Wing & Rotor for the Dallison's as ZK-FJH on 30-08-1984. I believe it carried the "Happy Flyer" name from about this time. It went to Dougal's Company, Alternate Aviation Ltd, on 22-04-1986 followed by a transfer to Westair Flying Ltd (Doug Hamilton) of Franz Josef on 22-12-1992. It then went to the Fiordland Experience Group at Te Anau from 29-03-1993 until it returned to Westair Flying Ltd on 14-12-1993. A name change to Westair Ltd was listed from 01-06-1995.
Photo below shows it marked as a Stationair 6 11 at Franz Josef on 20-06-1995.
On 01-04-1996 it was relisted to Air Safaris and Services (NZ) Ltd of Lake Tekapo.
Pic below taken at Tekapo on 09-01-2006 showing it as a Skylane.
With the fleet update at Air Safaris, ZK-FJH was one of the last of the Cessna's to be sold off - going to Manuka Air Ltd of Manuka Point Station (Upper Rakaia River) on 15-02-2009.
Pic below shows it at Christchurch on 12-01-2010 minus all the Air Safari marks.
And below as seen today in its new scheme.
This aeroplane is a real delight to fly
ReplyDeleteI Have also Been in this plane several times, is a real beauty.
ReplyDeleteEarlier nicknamed THE HAPPY FLIER, still flying happy
ReplyDelete