The 2015 edition of the North Shore Aero Club's Great Northern Air Race started from North Shore Airfield this morning in ideal conditions. The route will take competitors to Kaitaia and Kerikeri on Saturday, then to Whitanga and Tauranga on Sunday, and returning to North Shore on Monday which is the Auckland Anniversary Day holiday. Thirteen aircraft are competing this year, all from the Auckland area.
Four of the competitors parked in front of the aero club clubhouse before the start of the race: Vans RV 7 ZK-NVS, with Super Cub ZK-BKH, Vans RV 7A ZK-VII and Robin DR 400/500 ZK-VAX in the background.
The other aircraft competing are Cessnas C172N ZK-EOL, C172S ZK-DMW2 , C172S ZK-WKT. C177B ZK-DFU, and C182S ZK-JCV3, Piper PA 28R-200 Cherokee Arrow ZK-RTE, Beech 76 Duchess ZK-CGW3, Tecnam P 92S Echo ZK-CDL2, and in what might be a first for an air race in New Zealand, Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger ZK-IND.
The other aircraft competing are Cessnas C172N ZK-EOL, C172S ZK-DMW2 , C172S ZK-WKT. C177B ZK-DFU, and C182S ZK-JCV3, Piper PA 28R-200 Cherokee Arrow ZK-RTE, Beech 76 Duchess ZK-CGW3, Tecnam P 92S Echo ZK-CDL2, and in what might be a first for an air race in New Zealand, Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger ZK-IND.
Brilliant, thanks for the initial report. Are you able to post results when able? And did they use any support aircraft as well? Thanks...planefil
ReplyDeleteI will make a note when they arrive in Tauranga.
ReplyDeletePlanefil
ReplyDeleteZK-RTE and ZK-JCV left ahead of the other competitors and I was told they were support aircraft but also competing in the race. And ZK-VAX was tail end charlie, leaving after the others. I did enquire about the results of last years race and they take some time to finalise as they need to check lots of photos. I will follow the results up and let you know.