Friday 2 March 2012

Kaikoura visitation

Kaikoura Helicopters operate on a daily basis from a site at the old Railway Station. Today 01-03-2012 the Bell 206B JetRanger 11 ZK-HBO2 (c/n 570) was on standby, waiting expectantly. Built back in about 1970 as a B206A it joined the NZ register on 28-05-1996 with James Patrick Scott and has been pretty much Kaikoura based ever since. It was re-listed to Kaikoura Helicopters on 10-05-2002.
Assisting was the Robinson R44 Raven 11 ZK-HLA2 (c/n 10551) which was a recent addition to the Kaikoura H/C fleet (23-11-2011). It came from Ireland and the UK before that.
Just a little South of town, beside the main drag, is the fixed wing airstrip. Based here is the Air Kaikoura/ Aero Club with their Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee Archer ZK-DUQ (c/n 28-7405257). This has been with the Club since at least 1984 and has just recently come off a major titivation with a  new paint scheme and overhauled engine. It has had a couple of brief spell away from the Aero Club, with time at the Rotorua Aero Club and with Wings Over Whales at Kaikoura.
An out of towner was this Cessna 185C ZK-SMW (c/n 185C-0678) up from Birchwood Station near Omarama (normally hangared at Omarama). This one was ferried into NZ from Oz during September of 2004.

3 comments:

  1. Would be good to see some pictures of the other aircraft that operate from NZKI.

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  2. DUQ looks very nice.
    When did it do time at wings over whales? do you have any reference to this.... just interested thats all.

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  3. Morning Anonymous x 2
    I hope to be in at Kaikoura tomorrow, so will see what else I can photograph. There is usually the Sounds Air Airvan and a 172, pls the "Club" PA28.

    Re ZK-DUQ being with Wings Over Whales. I have it there between late November of 2000, until going to Rotorua Aero Club mid December 2002 - returning to Kaikaoura late February 2003.

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