Rans S7S Courier ZK-JLS

An interesting visitor to Pauanui airfield this morning was the Rans S7 Courier ZK-JLS2.   This was originally registered back in May 2009 and more recently in August 2025 changed ownership to its current owner.

 

Savannahs

There were three ICP Savannah aircraft at the Northern Aviators Club Christmas BBQ at Springhill on Saturday - Bernie Lewis's ZK-LCF, Dave Cull's ZK-ZAV and the Whangarei Flying Club's ZK-JUN:

And interestingly, among the attendees at the BBQ were 2 guys who will have Savannahs flying soon - one new and one ex the Pacific Islands that is on amphibious floats.

We have now had 45 Savannahs of all marks registered in New Zealand to date.

Bill Mannix at Nelson today. 14-12-2025

 The Alan Caudwell built R&B Bearhawk ZK-KTY c/n 1271 about to head over towards Pakawau and Motueka. Note the fin fillet.

Down from the New Zealand International Commercial Pilots Academy at Whanganui was this Cessna A150 Aerobat ZK-ELC c/n A1520787.

This Beech C23 Sundowner 180 ZK-DVC c/n M-1566 has been with the Nelson Based DVC Flyers Syndicate since May of 2016. Still wearing its previous operators marks of Able Tasman Aviation Nelson Ltd - It is about to doddle over to Takaka and return.

The Previous 30 Years of Aircraft Evolution

If there wasn't much change in light private aircraft from the mid 1970s to the current day, by contrast there was quite a change from the mid 1940s to the mid 1970s:

Bruce Lynch's Messenger and Jim Schmidt's Tiger Moth display the Best of British at the Northern Aviators Club Christmas BBQ at Springhill yesterday.  (I must stop taking photos of the Messenger!)

Fifty Years of Aircraft Evolution

Not much has changed!  1974 Cessna 177 ZK-DNX and the latest 2025 Tecnam P2010 ZK-TCN at the Northern Aviators Club Christmas BBQ at Springhill today.
 

Autogyro Calidus ZK-RGJ

Visiting Pauanui airfield this morning was the Autogyro Calidus ZK-RGJ which hasnt featured on this blog before.   It was originally registered new in South Africa in January 2014 as ZU-RRG and in 2023 was exported to NZ being registered ZK-RGJ to an Auckland owner in August of that year.

 

Something Really Different at Wanaka - How About a Max Holste Broussard?

A recent arrival at Wanaka looks pretty spectacular and is set to display at next year's Warbirds Over Wanaka:

The Max Holste MH 1521 Broussard (meaning Bushman I think) photographed at Wanaka recently by Steve Bunting.  It arrived at Wanaka earlier this year from Denmark registered as OY-SLV.  It was built in 1961 for the French military and was civilianised as F-GGKP in June 1990.  It then went to Hungary as HA-SLV in October 1996 and then to Denmark as OY-SLV from May 2013.  It is destined to receive a very French New Zealand registration.

The type was first designed in the 1950s with the prototype flying in 1954.  It is a six seat utility aircraft and is often is referred to as the "French Beaver".  In fact it shares the same Pratt and Whitney R985 radial engine as the Beaver and has similar performance and capability.  

It has been assembled by Twenty24 Aviation at Wanaka and is awaiting registration and test flying.

Thanks very much for the photo Steve.

A brief call into Taieri.

The Airbus MBB-KB117 D-3 ZK-IDH2 c/n 21242 must have seen me coming armed with my camera and tried to avoid me. This into sun shot was taken in desperation.

This helicopter was built as D-KBKR5 by Airbus Industries before joining Helicopters Otago Ltd from 09-01-2024.

On the pad was the slightly younger Airbus MBB-BK117 D-3 (H145) ZK-IDU2 c/n 21300 which was registered to Helicopters Otago on 28-08-2024.

 Over at the Otago Aero Club was their Tecnam P92 Echo Mark II ZK-OAJ c/n 1761. it joined the Club on 25-10-2024.

In the hangar was the Clubs Vans RV-12-UL ZK-OPT c/n 121045.

This was built by Bachelor of Engineering and Technology students of Otago PolyTechnic - with the kit arriving on Campus on 20-07-2017. It first flew at Taieri on 16-08-2022.

Another Photoshoot Flight, with Moth Minor ZK-AKM on 7-12-2025

Before the NZ Warbirds Beaver arrived at Kaipara Flats airfield on 7/12/25, Michael Bach had already flown up in the DH 94 Moth Minor ZK-AKM and this was the Beaver's first photoshoot assignment.  I was invited along to be in the Beaver - what a smooth machine!

Moth Minor waiting in the sun

During Gavin Conroy's photoshoot I was able to get a photo of my own, looking back through the Beaver's rear window.

Taxying back in at NZKF after a successful photoshoot.  Maybe Gavin will share some of his photos in time - I reckon they will be spectacular!

The Photoshoot Beaver for Our Flight of 2 Messengers on 7-12-2025

The conditions were about as perfect as they could be for our photoshoot of the 2 Messengers yesterday and Gavin Conroy was taking his photos from the NZ Warbirds Beaver ZK-CKH that arrived at Kaipara Flats airfield with its port door removed:

The Warbirds Beaver and Messenger - photographer and subject.  Colourful aircraft and green grass!

Lift off from NZKF in Messenger ZK-AKE2.

The Beaver was flown by Pete McCombe and it ranged up alongside us to starboard.

Then followed an intensive period of close formation flying by Michael Bach and we were later joined by Graeme Wood in the other Messenger off to our port side.  It was neat to see Gavin directing Michael to fly up or down or in and out with his gloved hands (as well as occasional radio messages).  And as a courtesy I could only take photos of the Beaver when Gavin was between shooting as it is not a great look to have a photo with the subject photographing back.  You can see how great the conditions were.