The Southerly at Christchurch

It arrived yesterday afternoon.

CB showers with graupel for much of today - 08-09-2016.

 Popping out of the cloud on short final for 20 was the Jetstar Airbus A320-232 VH-VHF (c/n 5211).

 Outside getting a cold soak and a free wash was the ANZ Airbus A320-232 ZK-OXI (c/n 6533).

Also breaking out into the sunshine on short finals we had the ATR-GIE ATR72-212A ZK-MVI (c/n 1306).

Before the Southerly

There is the Northwesterly at Christchurch International.

 Here we have the Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 ZK-OXH (c/n 6471) on final for runway 29  with the cloud build up on Banks Peninsular as a backdrop.

 Then the 'Skier' Hercules tried a different approach on runway 20.

ZK-DGV out in the sun.

Seen outside in the sunshine at Stratford on 30-08-2016 was the Jodel D.11 ZK-DGV (c/n AACA/129) as listed with Steve Barnham and R Drew.

This is the first time it has been outside for about two years

 Some trouble was experienced in getting the old girl started.

 Above and below we see Steve trying different maneuvers to sort the problem.

Still didn't work.

Thanks for the pics Nick.

Check ZK-DGV's history at :- DGV's pedigree

The MD NOTAR N778MH at Nelson.

The MD 520N NOTAR N778MH (c/n LN077) was again spotted at Nelson.

Photo taken today by Lord Nelson.

It is currently still listed on the US register to Microseal Inc of Greenpoint New York.

It is however up for sale . See :- Listed for sale.

It was previously noted and recorded at :-  N778MH at NZNS

URGENT - Mass balance found at Rangiora

Hello all, I've just had an urgent call from Pat Scotter, apparently an aircraft mass balance was found on the runway at NZRT this morning.  If you have been flying recently, check your aircraft URGENTLY!  Obviously the lack of a mass balance would pose a serious risk, with a likely nasty outcome. The mass balance is a 'large lump of lead', somewhat less than a kilo, that doesn't appear to be a factory made piece.  No matter what - check your aircraft!  If you want it back, Pat at Rangiora Aircraft Engineering is the man to see.  Please pass this on to anyone relevant, it's a serious safety risk. Stay safe,

Where they are now # 4

Another photograph from Andy Heap.

 We know what it is/was.  It is/was one of Air Nelson's Metro's

We know where it is.   At the end of Pugh Road, Brightwater.

But does anybody know which one it is/was ?

I think we have narrowed it down to either ZK-NSY or ZK-NSZ.

Below is a shot of ZK-NSY as seen at Wanaka on 14-04-2006.

Where is it now ?

Terry Fletcher New Zealand photographs.

You will recall that we posted a batch of Terry Fletcher photographs a few months back.

Terry has a very large number of photographs on this Terry's Photos. link covering his travels.

Well worth a look.

Below is just one example showing our old ZK-AEJ.

Down the bottom of the long left hand column is the NZ batch of photos.

Airvan ZK-FSR with titles at Ardmore 3-9-16

Stark Airlines Ltd of Hamilton have added titles to Gippsland GA8 Airvan ZK-FSR msn GA8-06-099 and it is seen mid afternoon today outside it's Ardmore hanger.

Where they are now # 3

 The photo below was sent in by Andy Heap and shows a somewhat damaged Bell 206B JetRanger fuselage in Richmond.

Thanks to Greybeard we can positively identify this airframe as ZK-HSL1 (c/n 2765).

Greybeard's photo below show ZK-HSL at Wellington Airport with the late Peter Button doing an inspection.

ZK-HSL was registered to Sid Lane of Taupo on 11-03-1981 and first  flew in NZ on 30-03-1981.

Other operators include Helicopters (NZ) Ltd of Timaru from 24-02-1982.

The Ministry of Transport in Wellington took it on from 30-09-1982 and then it went back to Sid Lane of Lanes Apparel at Taupo from 24-03-1983.

The Ministry of Transport leased it again during 1983 and then it went up to Wanganui Aero Work Ltd from 30-01-1984. They named it 'Kawhatau'. 

It was damaged at Horopito on 13-08-1987 (may have been the 14th) and its registration was cancelled on 21-12-1988.

There is a bit of a splurge on ZK-HSL at :-

http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/8920/jetranger-iii-force?page=1

Spring has sprung

 Andy Heap went for his first flight for the gliding silly season from Lake Station near St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes Gliding Club Grob Twin Astir last weekend.

And found some weak wave and got above the cloud.

 Looking down on St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti with Mount Robert to the right and the Kaikoura's in the far distance.

Climbing at about 3 knots through 9240 feet and with the string straight - how on earth did you manage that Andy ?