Kitplanes for Africa Explorer ZK-MSC

Recently registered was this Kitplanes for Africa Explorer ZK-MSC, photographed at Solo Wings in Tauranga by Mark Pattenden:

ZK-MSC (c/n 159-01-12) was registered to UGO Earthworks of Te Puke on 1/6/23.  It was previously registered ZU-MSC in South Africa so it wasn't very hard to apply its new rego.

It is actually our second Kitplanes for Africa Explorer, the first being ZK-EHK2 which is registered to an owner at Masterton, but I haven't seen a photo of it to date. 

AS350B2 ZK-IWE

Noted at Ardmore today was the former Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters' AS350B2 ZK-IWE which was sold to Hamilton based HeliCorp in March this year.    It was originally imported from the US back in 2016.

 

A Sad Ending at Whangarei

Across the airfield from where I was at Hangar 10 at Whangarei there were the sad remains of an aircraft that will probably not be there much longer as it is destined to become a practice for the Airport Fire Service:

I reckon it is the remains of Alpi Pioneer ZK-CIR which I understand ditched in the Whangarei Harbour and was cancelled from the register on 22/6/18.

Here it is in happier times at Whangarei on 2/3/15.

Zlin Savage ZK-ZSC at Nelson

 Zlin Aviation Savage ZK-ZSC c/n 281 was an import by Tim Harrison of Sports Aircraft New Zealand Ltd of Wellsford and registered here on 23-10-2014. Initially sold to Michael Gordon of Tauranga from February 2016 and then to private owners from December of 2017.

It arrived into Nelson late last month and is seen here thanks to Bill Mannix parked in the GA park on Saturday the third.

Air New Zealand Old and NEO at Whangarei

When I was at Whangarei last week, and after the fog had lifted, an Air New Zealand Q 300 arrived and landed:

I was pleased to see it was ZK-NEO still in the old teal colours.

This was probably one of the last times I will get to photo the old Air New Zealand colours as I understand the remaining teal tailed Q 300s are being repainted at Woodbourne.

A couple of helicopters at Pauanui

Making a brief stop at Pauanui airfield today was Agusta Bell 206B ZK-IEI2 which was one of 6 imported by Volation Ltd from the UAE in 2022 and was onsold to an Auckland owner in 2023.

Also visiting from Mechanics Bay was the Heli Me EC130T2 ZK-INX which is now in an all black scheme.   This was originally imported new in 2017 as ZK-HJW5,  becoming INX in 2022.

 

Guimbal Cabri G2 ZK-HEK/3 at North Shore on 1-6-2023

Back at North Shore after our Great Barrier trip in Martin Farrand's Bonanza we decanted into his Cherokee ZK-CUC to fly back to Kaipara Flats.  And as we taxied past I managed a quick shot of one of the two new Orbit Helicopters Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters:

ZK-HEK3 (c/n 1180) was registered to Orbit Helicopters Ltd of Auckland on 3/3/23, having been imported from Canada where it was C-GISN.  It is one of two Guimbal Cabris registered to them on 3/3/23, the other one being ZK-HEJ5.

More from Our Great Barrier Trip on 1-6-2023

We took off from North Shore airfield at 1138 hrs and headed out past the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Tiritiri Matangi and over the Hauraki Gulf:

Lift off from North Shore.

Martin's Bonanza is configured with five seats.  I was in the middle row which is rearward facing and actually was quite good for taking photos out either side.  The curtains are a nice touch!

On late downwind for Runway 28 at Claris.

  

We touched down at 1204 hrs giving a flight time of 26 minutes.  Here is the terminal with a Great Barrier Airlines Grand Caravan parked on the ramp.

VH-WHH with the cowls open to cool the engine (which after re-fastening makes for an easier start with a cooler engine).  It is a lovely plane to fly in.

While we were walking to the Fat Puku cafe another GBA Grand Caravan landed and pulled up to the terminal - ZK-SDB.  It was nice to see the Caravans in their other home.

It was my first time to visit Great Barrier Island so Martin graciously gave me an aerial tour of the island pointing out areas of interest.  This photo is looking down on The Needles at the Northern tip of the island with Aiguilles Island next in line.

Then it was time to head for home and we flew by Little Barrier Island on the way.

Arriving back at North Shore after the compulsory overhead rejoin.  Here we are about to turn onto the  base leg for a landing on Runway 21 with the distinctive tip tank in view.

Airfields of Great Barrier Island

Another great day today with a trip to Great Barrier for lunch with Martin Farrand in his Beech Bonanza VH-WWH.  Here are some of the airfields:

Getting ready to leave North Shore.

Looking back at Claris.

Okiwi.

And Kaikoura Island with Port Fitzroy behind.

I don't remember when !

 Occasionally I post a photo from some years back which I feel may be of some interest
under the heading of "I remember when".

This post however shows a photo - but I do not remember when.

Can you help with a date and a story ?

As you can see it is the Hawker Siddeley 748 ZK-CWJ parked embarrassingly on the grass at Ardmore.

*************************************

Two comments.

Anonymous31 May 2023 at 12:20

First comment

I vaguely remember it was in the late 90's as I happened to be at Ardmore a couple of days after. We had a Cessna 421 having an interior update at Aerotrim and I believe the 748 was taxing there as well for some interior work when it for some reason taxied off the taxiway onto the grass and over a drain which collapsed. There was a video floating around of it actually happening.

Second comment 01 June at 08:45

Just read the comment posted.  Pretty sure it was the 80's, late 80's, and the visit was fog related.  It definitely happened on a Sunday afternoon.