Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-HZM

 Spotted today (11-03-2025) at Christchurch Helicopters Christchurch base was the Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-HZM3 c/n 1100. 

It spent its initial three and a half years in Germany as D-HTAN from 12-06-2015.
Then followed five and a half years on the Estonian register as ES-HCS from late 2018.    

It was registered to Christchurch Helicopters on 04-09-2024.
This is the 100th Guimbal Cabri G2 produced. 

There is a yellow vinyl label - hard to read - advertising this fact - on the side of the fuselage

By my count there have been 58 Cabri airframes registered in NZ.

ZK-ICS

 Noted at Hastings today by Des Smith was the Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-ICS2 c/n 1024 of Aroha Helicopters Ltd of Hastings.This Cabri was one of the first two to arrive in NZ being listed to CHL Investments Ltd of Christchurch on 07-10-2011 as ZK-HCS4 (along with ZK-IDC).
It was damaged near Eyrewell on 05-12-2013 and rebuilt and reregistered as ZK-ICS2 and was flying again by March of 2015.
It joined its current operator from 01-09-2020.

Western Grass at Christchurch International 01-06-2018

A late morning visitation to the Western side of Christchurch Airport today (01-06-2018) produced the following items of interest.

The first three are at the Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd's facility.

 The Aerospatiale AS 350 B2 Squirrel ZK-HND3 (c/n 2073) departs.

Catch the earlier posts on this airframe Here

 Above. Of late 1980 vintage and previously registered here as ZK-HWW and ZK-ISS2 we see the Aerospatiale AS 350BA Squirrel ZK-IOP (c/n 1299) high tailing it northward. 

It has been listed with Levo Ltd of Wanaka since only May the 3rd.

See some earlier info Here

 The Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-HZO2 (c/n 1057) arrives back from the west.

This was ZK-HCS5 in a previous life.

More on HZO/HCS Here

 Parked near the Canterbury Aero Club hangar was the Cessna 172N ZK-NPF (c/n 17268293) of Helicare Services Ltd of Nelson.

With the NP* registration you would be correct in thinking that it is ex New Plymouth Aero Club.

In fact it started as ZK-EFT with the Club at New Plymouth in April of 1977 - had a bit of an incident in July of 1978 and following due care and attention came back as ZK-NPF on 11-03-1993. 

The Club sold it in August 2007 to Wellton Air Ltd of Auckland who moved it on to Helicare in July of 2011.

The latest addition to the Canterbury Aero Club are two

 new Piper PA-28-181 Archer TX's registered as ZK LJT and ZK-LJX on 03-05-2018.

Here we see ZK-LJX (c/n 2843919) which has initially been allocated the Piper test registration of N7115J in November last year.

Back at the Helicentre

Bluebus returned to Christchurch on Wednesday the 13th bringing the long awaited rain.

After being starved of things aeronautical for so long my first stop was at the old Helicentre on the Western side of Christchurch International.

Heli Maintenance was seething with helicopters.

A first sighting for me was the Robinson R44 ZK-HHS3 (c/n 0805). This first appeared on the NZ register as ZK-HLB4 on 01-09-2004 with North Shore Helicopters Ltd followed by Helicopters Taranaki Ltd of New Plymouth from May 2006 and then with Heliflite Pacific Ltd from 30-01-2012. They re-registered it as ZK-HHS on 23-02-2012 before moving it on to Two B and S from 25-05-2012. 

Helicopter Charter and Training of Papakura listed it from 18-06-2013 and then N Z Helicopter Training Ltd of Hamilton from 16-06-2014 and changed to Helicopter Corporation Ltd (Helicorp) on 01-09-2014.

It was listed to Gerald Jefferies of Brisbane, Queensland on 29-06-2017.

The Hughes 369E ZK-HMO3 (c/n 0394E) whilst with Combined Helicopter Services Ltd of West Melton has been noted doing the 'mail run' to isolated properties in the Kaikoura area. 

With the State Highway 1 due to reopen today (15-12-2017) I guess this main run is over.
A name change to Ranger Helicopters Ltd of Christchurch took effect on 29-11-2017.

This as a 1990 model first appearing on our register on 11-03-2003.

Maybe a Christmas Present for Bill Hales of Hanmer is the Hughes 369D ZK-HNT (c/n 590514D) marked up in Alpine Springs Helicopters titles.

 Previously mentioned Here.

One of Bill Hales other helicopters is the Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HVS3 (2849) seen here with its 'racing rotor blades' fitted.

Previously mentioned HERE.

Another out of towner is the Robinson R44 Raven II ZK-IRF (c/n 13070) of D T and J C Howey of Pleasant Point. It replaced their previous R44 ZK-IRT which was sold in mid-2014.

Note the Rhodesian Ridgeback keeping me within the yellow lines.

Across the road at Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd was their Hughes 369E ZK-HCS3 (0409E).

Previously mentioned Here.

At Christchurch Helicopters 16-11-2017

 At lunch time on Thursday 16-11-2017 at Christchurch Helicopters I managed to capture these four helicopters.

 The Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HCT6 (c/n 4270) went new to Wanaka Helicopters Ltd from the NZ distributors Skysales Aviation (NZ) Ltd in April of 2006.

 

 The Hughes 369E ZK-HSC3 (c/n 0409E) initially went to Japan as JA6069 in February 1991 and joined the NZ register on 11-03-2003 with Alan Speight of Pukekohe.

See earlier post Here

Ownership passed to Otago Airspread Ltd of Mosgiel on 01-07-2016 and very recently - 26-10-2017 - to Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd.

 Above we see the Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-HZO (c/n 1057) which is a re-registration of ZK-HCS5. 

A stranger lurking over near the back fence was the McDonnell Douglas 500N NOTAR ZK-IEG2 (c/n LN016). 

This began its NZ career as ZK-IJW from 24-08-2011.

Previous posts on ZK-IJW can be seen Here

 It joined Heliventures NZ Ltd of Oamaru on 22-12-2016 and was re-registered to ZK-IEG2 on 25-01-2017.

Cabri sextet.

There were no less than six Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters on site at Christchurch today.

Alphabetically we have:-

ZK-HCS5 (c/n 1057) that was first registered to Pacific Helicopters Ltd on 31-01-2014, with a change to Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd on 02-03-2015.

 ZK-HVG3 (c/n 1077) first appeared on 10-2-2014 with RML Sky Holdings Ltd of Christchurch.

More recently, 21-03-2015, it was transferred to Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd.

 One of the very latest to arrived is ZK-HXC3 (c/n 1086) which was registered on 22-04-2015 to PLC Properties Ltd - out of Ashburton. It was unloaded from its container at Christchurch on the 24th.

 ZK-ICS2 (c/n 1024) was initially registered as ZK-HCS4 on 07-10-2011 with CHL Investments Ltd of Christchurch before transferring over to Pacific Helicopters Ltd on 20-03-2013.

It was damaged near Eyrewell on 05-12-2013 by which time it had some 687 hours up.

It was re-registered as ZK-ICS on 05-12-2013 and then listed to Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd on 02-03-2015. Following repairs it was flying again in March this year.

 Another new arrival is ZK-IIF (c/n 1088) which arrived in the same container as ZK-HXC3 on 24-04-2015. It is listed to Collective Support Holdings Ltd of Whakatane.

 If you look at the rear skid supports you will notice it has a different profile to the others (except ZK-IZM). This houses the gas line to the floatation gear which has yet to be fitted.

 ZK-IZM is c/n 1085 which was registered to Christian Burtscher of Auckland on 03-03-2015.

It is having instrument work done at the moment.

Helicopter shots - Christchurch

Three shots from Pacific Helicopters pad at Christchurch.

Above is the Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd's Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-HCS5 (c/n 1057) on short final yesterday.

Fresh out of the container yesterday (24-05-2015) were two more new Cabri's c/n 1086 and 1088.

These were registered as ZK-HXC3 and ZK-IIF on the 22nd.

The Aspiring Helicopters Robinson R22B ZK-HHQ2 (c/n 3838) was on site on 23-05-2015

******

And one from Heli Maintenance from yesterday.

Shows Robinson R44 Raven II ZK-IRW (c/n 11696) from Mount Hutt Helicopters 2013 Ltd.

This one has previously spent time as ZK-ISL and ZK-ISP.

Interesting spotting around NZCH and NZRT.

 Something different at Rangiora on March 1st was the Bob Johnston CFM Shadow Series B-D ZK-FSG (c/n 1074) as first registered to J Granger of Whitford on 02-12-1986. Bob picked it up from J and C Dale of Papakura in August last year.

 Above is the MBB BK117 B2 ZK-HGU5 (c/n 7229) as listed with Airwork (NZ) Ltd but wearing Garden City Helicopters Ltd titles above the cabin door.

 Clearing the Heli Maintenance pad is Bill Hales Hughes 369D ZK-HSD (c/n 1090595D) from Hanmer Springs. wearing "Alpine Springs Helicopters" titles.

Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-ICS2 is back flying again following the arrival of parts.

This was originally ZK-HCS4 but was damaged in an incident at Eyrewell back in December of 2013.

The three helicopter pics were taken yesterday (04-03-2015).

A vaired bunch from NZCH International today (02-10-2014)

 In my quest to capture the Raytheon 1900D's I have added ZK-EAR (c/n UE-388) to the list - before they all disappear. Just taxying out.

 Over at Pacific Helicopters there were three Guimbal Cabri G2's on view.

Below we see ZK-ICS2 (c/n 1024) on the left with ZK-HCS5 (c/n 1057) in the rear and ZK-IZD (c/n 1044) on the right.

 

 Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HXG2 (c/n 3445) and Robinson R44 Raven II ZK-HFP3 (c/n 11138) outside Pacific Helicopters hangar.

ATR72-212  ZK-MVD (c/n 1117) takes on another load whilst in the left background the C17A Globemaster III 09-9209 (c/n 50233) is holding awaiting weather info from Mactown - before cancelling it plan and taxying back to the Deep Freeze apron. 

 Metro III ZK-NSS (c/n AC692) as Lifeflight2 on start up.

The Enfield Holdings (Mainland Air's) Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain ZK-VIP (c/n 32-7405482) about to start.

NZCH yesterday 23rd and today 24-09-2014

 Robbie Burnside had his Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II ZK-EBI (c/n 28R-7535343) up from Taieri. Originally with the Hawera Aero Club in early 1976, then to Robbie for the first time from September 1980 and 12-02-1990. After five years with the Otago Aero Club it returned to Robbie in March of 1995.

 Cessna 206H (c/n 20608134) wears the registration ZK-FWC2 created from the owners initials Frederick William Coates of Hastings. This ferried into Kerikeri on 20-06-2014.

See :- http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2014/07/a-trio-from-ardmore-28-july-2014.html

and also the link within.

 A better view of the Rick Lucas's Bolkow BO105S ZK-IAI (c/n S-841) in the HELiPRO compound.

Top three pics taken today - and lower view shot yesterday.

Just across the road at Pacific Aircraft was this line up.

Nearest is R22 ZK-HXG2; R44 Raven II ZK-HFP3; Cabri ZK-ICS2; JetRanger IIIZK-HQH3 and Cabri ZK-HCS5.

ZK-HCS new livery

On a quick visit through Christchurch on 18-02-2014 I found the Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-HCS4 in its new colour scheme for Pacific Helicopters Ltd.

It has now clocked up over thirty hours.

Cabri trio at Christchurch

Yesterday at Pacific Aircraft Ltd at Christchurch International Airport the three newly registered Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters were outside lined up ready for their CAA inspection.

ZK-IZR is c/n 1004 and is destined for Tailwind Helicopters Ltd at Wanaka.

 ZK-HCS5 is c/n 1057 - a factory new Cabri for Pacific Helicopters Ltd.

ZK-HVZ5 is c/n 1003 and will join another of its kind with Frontier Helicopters Ltd at Whakatane.

Check out the earlier posts on these three.

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=izr

http://www.cabri.co.nz/more-g2s-in-nz/

More Cabris arrive at Pacific Aviation in Christchurch.

Yesterday Pacific Aircraft Ltd at Christchurch International Airport had three Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters in their hangar.

Two more arrived this afternoon (24-01-2014)

These first two photos show all five (alas with strong backlight from the sun and the concrete).

Front left is c/n 1024 ZK-ICS (previously ZK-HCS4). To the right is c/n 1003, the Dutch PH-WTW, with ZK-HVZ5 pending (Registration decals "VZ" can be seen on the box to the right).

Left centre is c/n 1057, a new airframe that will become ZK-HCS5.

Left rear is the dark green c/n 1004 F-GXRV - pencilled in to become ZK-IZR.

Rear centre is c/n 1044 ZK-IZD.

A closer view of c/n 1004 F-GXRV with "heli-challenge"  markings - Soon to be ZK-IZR.

 

Above is the factory new c/n 1057 which is to become ZK-HCS5 and is to be retained by Pacific Aircraft as their demonstrator/trainer.

 Above - c/n 1003 is PH-WTW - soon to be ZK-HVZ5.

Two more examples are due in about July and two more towards the end of the year.

These will make the Cabri a significant player in the Helicopter training role within New Zealand.