Microlight Aircraft of New Zealand - Aerial Sprayers

 

It did not take long after the first microlights were introduced into New Zealand that farmers saw that they could be of use on the farm.  And if you were doing aerial work such as spraying only on your own farm it seemed like there was nothing to stop you.

 The Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Transport at the time did not allow their commercial use and declared microlights to be only “fun/pleasure  machines”.  However this did not stop some early microlighters from carrying out spraying on their own farms: 

Ken Hoult of Scotsman’s Valley near Morrinsville spraying his farm from his Kasperwing micolight.  The spray equipment was four micron X15 spray heads fed from a spray tank either side of the pilot.  I am not sure what he was spraying for.  The Kasperwing could spray 100 acres for two and a half gallons of two stroke fuel and cost around $6,000 at the time.  (Paul Legg photo)

 Aerial spraying by microlight was also happening in the South Island with four Pterodactyls being fitted for spraying in Southland in 1983 (on the owner’s farm of course).  They also applied the trace elements cobalt and selenium in prill form from a small hopper to promote lamb growth and stock health.  It was quite thoroughly researched with field trials. 

The Pterodactyls sprayed very successfully for yellow stripe rust on wheat and barley crops using five CDA (Controlled Drop Application) spray heads at 6 foot spacing that were each driven by an electric motor and that spun the spray out using very little water to give a spray width of 50 feet.  It took about 5 minutes to spray 10 acres.  The big advantage of spraying from a microlight was that it could cover 10 acres using only 18 litres of chemical mixed with water and achieve the same results as a helicopter which used more than ten times the volume of chemicals.  Bantams were also used for re-seeding and prill sowing work in the South. 

Murray Hagen demonstrating the spray from the CDA nozzles on his Pterodactyl.  He also used a Pterodactyl Ptiger for cobalt prill application. (Photo via Murray Hagen)

And there were also microlights spraying in other areas: 

A couple of photos of Joe Collins (I think) spraying from a Quicksilver probably in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.  These photos are from Jim Barnett.

And there was also spraying done from Bantams. - below is an unidentified Bantam B22 set up as a sprayer at Te Kowhai:.

I also know of one more recent microlight that was equipped with spray gear, being the Quicksilver GT 500 ZK-MIC3 that was registered to I M Coleman of Mahoenui which is South West of Te Kuiti.  Here is a photo of it with spray booms from Trade Me when he was trying to sell it.  It has since been sold overseas. 

Quicksilver GT 500 ZK-MIC the third with spray booms.

 And I also know of one homebuilt Jodel D 11 that was fitted with spray gear for spraying the owner’s farm.

Can anyone out there add any more information on microlights spraying in New Zealand?

Foggy Sunday morning at Nelson

 Bombardier DHC-8-311 ZK-NEE2 c/n 618 was at holding point 5 for runway 20 at Nelson this morning awaiting the clearance of the fog.

A common occurrence at several airfields around NZ this morning.

This airframe dates back to December of 2005 and entered service with Air Nelson Ltd on 09-02-2006.

Photo from Bill Mannix.

Topdressing DC 3s (3) - ZK-APK

 The next registered topdressing DC 3 (in alphabetical order) was ZK-APK:

ZK-APK in Airland ownership at Takapau 12/4/71 (photo via Graeme Mills)

and below as Fieldair at one of its fixed loading points (not sure of the location)

Douglas C47B-45-DK  (c/n 16967/34227)

Built by The Douglas Aircraft Co, Oklahoma City, OK with 2x 1200HP 14-cyl R-1830-92 Twin Wasp radial 45-964 engines. 

24 Jul 1945 USAAF but diverted under “lend-lease” Exported to New Zealand flown to New Zealand NZ3532 21 Aug 1945 RNZAF 1 ASU, Hamilton 

RNZAF 40 Sqn, Whenuapai 

Jan 1946 RNZAF 41 Sqn, Whenuapai 

Jun 1946 RNZAF 40 Sqn, Whenuapai 

ZK-AOK 19 Feb 1947 Air Secretary, Air Department, Wellington (@ 695 hours FT) 

11 Apr 1947 RNZAF Struck Off Charge Harewood 31 May 1947.  ZK-AOK cancelled May 1947.

ZK-APK 6 May 1947 New Zealand National Airways Corp, Wellington named “Poaka” Flown to Australia for conversion by Australian National Airways 29 May 1947 

19 Mar 1948 converted to passenger configuration.

Withdrawn from Use Christchurch Jun 1962 @ 28,711 hours FT 

28 Aug 1964 converted to Skyliner configuration as “Skyliner Kaikohe” 

Exported to Fiji Cancelled 17 May 1967 

VQ-FAH 22 May 1967 Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva 

Exported back to New Zealand and re-registered ZK-APK 2 Oct 1967 New Zealand National Airways Corp, Wellington 

18 Nov 1968 Airland (NZ) Ltd, Palmerston North converted to topdressing configuration Test flown as a topdresser 13 Oct 1970  

20 Feb 1978 Fieldair Ltd, Palmerston North named “Poaka” then to Fieldair Holdings (Central) Ltd, Palmerston North named “Poaka” Last flight 3 Jul 1981 @ 42,764 hours FT (6193 hours topdressing) Cancelled 30 Mar 1984 . 

1986 to tea rooms at Mangaweka in various colour schemes.

May 2024 to Kevin Gardener , West Auckland and re-assembled in one of his paddocks.

Microlight Aircraft of New Zealand - Quicksilvers (6) - Quicksilver MXs from ZK-JCH to ZK-SIG

This is the last lot of our single seat Quicksilvers of which there have been 40 registered (some with multiple registrations), and we have managed to find photos of 22 of them.  So let's go:

ZK-JCH (c/n MAANZ/171) Registered 16 Nov 1982 to J. C. Hinchliff, Wellington.  Re-registered ZK-LOU 4 Jun 1987 still to J. C. Hinchliff, Wellington, then 5 Jun 1987 Colin A. Howat, Hokitika, then 19 Apr 1997 (Mark) Pfahlert & Bishop Syndicate, Hokitika, then 7 Aug 1998 D. Vos, Karamea.  Cancelled 14 Jan 2000 as destroyed.

ZK-JMD (c/n MAANZ/147)  Registered 17 Sep 1982 to Jim M. L. Dillon, Blenheim, then 10 Feb 1984 A. J. Shield, Blenheim, then 14 Jul 1992 D. McGill, Blenheim.  Re-registered Re-registered ZK-TTO 15 Jul 1992 to D. McGill, Blenheim, then 7 Jul 1993 C. A. Rennie, Nelson, then 3 Jan 1996 David Melse, Nelson, then 6 May 1996 Evan J. Grooby, Greymouth.  Still registered June 2026.

ZK-LCG (c/n MAANZ/065)  Registered 23 Jun 1982 to L. C. Gustafsson, Auckland, then 20 Jun 1990 R. G. McMillan, Lower Hutt.   Cancelled 27 Apr 1999 as registration revoked.

ZK-MHJ (c/n MAANZ/069)  Registered 9 Jun 1982 to D. N. Knight, Whangarei, then 27 Apr 1993 R. L. Osborne, Whangarei, then 10 Jan 1994 K. J. Sisson, North Shore City.  Cancelled 12 Aug 1997 Exported.

ZK-MIA (c/n 226/MAANZ/532)  Registered 10 Apr 1995 to Henricus Aarts, Rotorua Cancelled 15 Jul 2008 as withdrawn from use.  Restored and registered 18 Feb 2025 to Christopher Saunders, Rotorua.  Still registered June 2025.  

ZK-MXL2 (c/n 1220)  Registered 1 Mar 1996 to D. J. & S. G. Smith, Waimauku.    Cancelled 24 Nov 2011 as withdrawn from use.

ZK-MXS (c/n 3645/MAANZ/051)

Registered 25 May 1982 to W. S. Cunningham, D. J. Hedley, David Campbell-Morrison, D M Evans, H C Thompson and P A Cook Auckland, then 27 Jan 1986 W. S. Cunningham, D. J. Hedley, M. J. McCormack & B. J. Arnel, Auckland, then 10 Aug 1989 I. G. Ellis, Auckland.  Cancelled 25 May 1998 registration revoked.

ZK-NJJ (c/n MAANZ/185)

Registered 31 Mar 1983 to Noel J. Dennison, Orakipaoa, near Temuka, then 10 May 1988 N. G. Crossman, Timaru Destroyed in hangar fire at Temuka 27 May 1989 Cancelled 11 Jul 1989.

ZK-SIG (c/n MAANZ/108)

Registered 18 Aug 1982 to Ian R. & S. A. Godfrey, Mititai, Dargaville, then 18 Aug 1987 A. D. Wilson, Eltham, then 7 May 1990 B. R. Trow, Wellsford, then 25 Jul 1990 L. Bauld, Whangarei, then 11 Jun 1992 K. M. Russell, Kaiwaka, then 31 Mar 1995 D. Joubert, Whangarei, then 7 Jun 1996 Nicholas T. Key, Temuka, then 14 Mar 1997 D. J. Hunt, Timaru, then 4 Dec 2000 Alan F. Cross, Timaru, then 12 Sep 2002 Grant V. Coldicott & Ian M. Sinclair, Pleasant Point, then 20 Oct 2004 David G. McCarthy, Timaru.   Cancelled 17 Oct 2005 as withdrawn from use.  That is a lot of owners!  Is now at the Timaru Airport Aviation Museum.

I will now take a break from Quicksilvers, there is still a lot more to come with the 2 seaters and the GT 400 and GT 500 models.  I will get back to them in sequence when the first MXII (ZK-FEW) was registered in February 1983.

Rocket Lab's Latest Rocket at Warkworth 11-6-2026

As the weather was brilliant today I took Honey Bebe out for a local flight.  And as I flew by the Rocket Lab facility I saw progress on the latest big rocket that they are building.  So I circled around and took a photo:

It is in the centre of the photo, a big black construction (click once or twice to enlarge).

Then I flew on out to Snell's Beach where the Brick Bay Winery has added a new folly to their collection:

It is the yellow one in the photo, with other follies at the right and centre bottom.  A folly is a building or structure constructed primarily for decoration and to provide a picturesque focal point.  The winery dining room is by the pond at the bottom left.  Again, click to enlarge once or twice.  

Nelson yesterday 10-06-2026

 Bill Mannix was at it again during his morning walk around Nelson Airport today - and snapped these aircraft of interest.

All have been mentioned previously on these pages.

This Piper PA-31-310 Navajo ZK-LWN c/n 31-8112056 is a 1981 model which reached our shores in mid 1995. It has been listed to Heli Sika Ltd of Taupo since October of 2024.

It arrived in from and returned to Taupo today.

The Cessna 182S Skylane ZK-RIK c/n 18280239 came in from Hamilton of the 8th

See Here for its history.

The Ted Smith 601B Aerostar ZK-JOS c/n 61-0361-116 was shipped to New Zealand in May of 2004 and has been listed to Matrinair Ltd of Feilding since July of 2018. It arrived down from Palmerston Norh earlier this morning.

The Kawasaki BK117 B-2 ZK-HJC3 /n 1061 seems to have been around my patch for yonks.

It joined our register with Garden City Helicopters Ltd on 23-04-1996 and has served well in the EMS role. Until recently it has been the Hokitika based rescue helicopter.

Microlight Aircraft of New Zealand - Quicksilvers (5) - Quicksilver MXs from ZK-FEC to ZK-FVT

The next batch of single seat Quicksilver MXs:

ZK-FEC (c/n MAANZ/169)  Registered 12 Nov 1982 to J. P. Jones, Foxton, then 24 Jul 1989 R. K. Bloxham, Otaki, then 8 Oct 1991 Anthony I. Moss, then 11 Jun 2000 Peter R. Williams, Hawera.   Cancelled 26 Jun 2015 as withdrawn from use.

ZK-FED (c/n MAANZ/170) Registered12 Nov 1982 tp Ken Porter Ltd, Feilding, then 8 Dec 1988 Bruce S. Enderby, Wanganui.  Cancelled 20 Aug 2003 as withdrawn from use.

ZK-FEG (c/n MAANZ/175)  Registered 30 Nov 1982 to Airsports Ltd, Mount Maunganui, then 20 Jun 1983 T. J. & R. M. Casserly, Matata, then 8 Aug 1989 D. M. Kerr & R. Swensson, Ohau Cancelled 15 Sep 1992 as withdrawn from use.  Re-registered 5 Oct 1992 to David. R. Arcus, Otaki Cancelled 27 Aug 1997 registration revoked. 

I understand this is ZK-FEK (c/n MAANZ/178)

Registered 2 Dec 1982 to Tommy D. Namais, Auckland, then Kevin Toms, Auckland (?), then 6 Dec 1983 T S Smith, Hawera, then 28 Apr 1989 I. & J. Cate, Waikawa Beach, Horowhenua Cancelled 31 Jul 1998 registration revoked.

 

ZK-FFO (c/n MAANZ/201)  Registered15 Jun 1983 to M. Day, Opotiki. Pilot hand-prop started the aircraft but it got away. He chased it, caught it but had to let go, it then took off and then turned back and crashed at Matira 31 Oct 1988.  I understand the pilot was W H "Smokin Joe" Collins.  Cancelled 16 Aug 1989. 

ZK-FHU (c/n MAANZ/235)

Registered 16 Feb 1984 to R. Ross, Wanganui, then 9 Nov 1988 M. J. Carlielle, Tuakau, then 28 Aug 1990 Graham A. Lovegrove, Tuakau.   Cancelled 29 Jun 1999 Registration revoked.

ZK-FIS (c/n 1021 and MAANZ/255)

Registered 30 Apr 1984 to Airsports Ltd, Tauranga, then 7 Jan 1986 Sidney R. Lane, Taupo. Converted to floats. Nosed over on touchdown and sank in Lake Taupo 10 Jan 1990,  later salvaged.  Cancelled 14 Apr 1993.  Exported to New Caledonia "as-is" for the Tontouta Aero Club. 

ZK-FIU (c/n MAANZ/257)  Registered 30 Apr 1984 to Airsports Ltd, Tauranga, then 11 Nov 1987 David P. Wiessing, Awanui, then 27 Jun 1989 Allan F. Bell, Kaitaia, then 30 Jun 1993 Sydney K. Ujdur, Kaitaia, then 20 May 1998 G. M. Fitzwater, Awanui, then 17 Mar 2002 Kaitaia Aero Club, Kaitaia, then 1 Feb 2003 Robert J. Hogg, Kaitaia.  Cancelled 2 Aug 2010 as withdrawn from use.

ZK-FJQ (c/n MAANZ/264)

Registered 19 Jul 1984 to B. & N. A. McNaul, Hinuera, then 21 Jan 1993 Kenneth G. Coulter, Dargaville, then 29 May 1998 A. Flynn, Masterton.   Cancelled 23 Oct 1998.  Exported.

ZK-FVT (c/n 6134)

Registered 9 Feb 1990 to R. Ross, Wanganui  Cancelled 29 Jun 1999 registration revoked.  Re-registered 11 Sep 2003 Donald H. Wykes, Rotorua, then 30 Jan 2005 Ronald W. Falconer, Putaruru, then 14 Jun 2006 David L. Kerr, Tokoroa, then 11 Dec 2007 Garry Vissers, Tokoroa.  Cancelled 11 Aug 2008 as withdrawn from use. 

AIRMED9 at Nelson

 The Airbus MBB BK117 D2  (c/n 20265) first flew using the manufacturers test registration of D-HADT11 and was delivered to Schweiz Luft-Ambulanz AG (REGA) to become HB-ZQN from 25-06-2019 and operated as Rega 1414.

It, along with a three other ex Rega machines have been replaced in Switzerland with later D-3 models, have come to New Zealand to continue in the EMS role.

This airframe was certified in Christchurch to become ZK-IGC2 on 14-11-2025 with GCH Aviation Ltd.

Its first operational flight I believe was on 07-05-2026 operating as AIRMED9

It is now Nelson based and was noted by Bill Mannix on Saturday the 6th departing for Wairau Hospital at Blenheim.

ZK-IGC2.

Topdressing DC 3s (2) ZK-APB

All of these topdressing DC 3s have long previous histories before ending their flying days dropping fertiliser:

ZK-APB above at Masterton 25/3/67 (Don Noble Photo)

and below at Oringi on 8/1/72 (unknown).

Douglas C 47B-25-DK (c/n 15945/32693)

Built by The Douglas Aircraft Co, Tulsa, OK with 2x 1200HP 14-cyl R-1830-92 Twin Wasp radial 44-76361 engines. 

15 Feb 1945 USAAF but diverted under “lend-lease” Exported to New Zealand 

NZ3534 7 Mar 1945 RNZAF 1 ASU, Hamilton 

RNZAF 41 Sqn, Whenuapai USAAF B-24 taxied into stationary NZ3534 at Morotai 9 Sep 1945 

19 Jun 1946 RNZAF 40 Sqn, Whenuapai 

Struck Off Charge Harewood 22 Mar 1947 

ZK-APB 28 Apr 1947 Air Secretary, Air Department, Wellington 

 9 Sep 1947 New Zealand National Airways Corp. “Popekotea” converted to passenger configuration by ANA, Melbourne 

6 Sep 1947 First service 30 Oct 1947 “Popotea” 

 wfu 31 Aug 1965 @ 33,685 hrs FT 

5 Jan 1965 Airland (NZ) Ltd, Palmerston North (del 10 Dec 1965) converted for topdressing 

20 Feb 1978 Fieldair Ltd, Gisborne “Popotea” 

18 Nov 1980 Fieldair Holdings (Central) Ltd, Palmerston North “Popkea” Last flight 16 Nov 1981 @ 41,588 hrs FT (7904 hrs Topdressing) 

Cancelled 19 Dec 1983. 

6 Mar 1985 transported to Wellington for use as a restaurant and bar at Miramar 

Dismantled with nose section to Sport and Vintage Aviation Society, Masterton.

15 Dec 2003 Athol Murray, Dipton (moved Feb 2014).

Below we have an extract from the Otago Daily Times dated 19-02-2014.

Microlight Aircraft of New Zealand - Quicksilvers (4) - Quicksilver MXs ZK-FCD to ZK-FDX

 Carrying on with our single seat Quicksilver MXs:

ZK-FCD (c/n 3918 and MAANZ/101)

Registered 9 Aug 1982 to J. S. Hellyar, Auckland then 11 Jul 1984 Barry W. Ford, Tuakau then 4 Jul 1988 Graeme. J. Carlson, Huntly Cancelled Dec 2002 as withdrawn from use. 

ZK-FCL (c/n MAANZ/118)

Registered 17 Aug 1982 to C. A. Berg, Taupo then 26 Oct 1983 Taupo Aero Club, Taupo.  Climbed too steeply after take-off, stalled and crashed at Taupo, 7 Jul 1984 Engine seized after take-off and force landed near Taupo 3 May 1987, On 24 Jul 1991 to Bruce H. Walker, Henry Russell Estate, Waipukurau Cancelled 21 Dec 1998.

ZK-FCW (c/n MAANZ/125)  Registered 31 Aug 1982 to I. C. Maddever, Masterton Attempted deadstick landing but landed short and hit a fence (in a storm?) near Masterton aerodrome 24 Jun 1984 cancelled 29 Aug 1989 One source quotes destroyed by gale near Masterton.

ZK-FCX (c/n MAANZ/119)  Registered 1 Sep 1982 to Steve R. Edridge & J. R. Turnbull, Hamilton Cancelled 21 Jul 1992 as withdrawn from use.

 

ZK-FDB (c/n 4126 and MAANZ/130)

Unregistered to Alan R. Duncan, Auckland Engine failure after take-off and crashed into the mudflats off Pike’s Point airstrip near Otahuhu 16 Jul 1982 Thereafter referred to as “Mudlark 2” 

 Registered 9 Sep 1982 to Alan R. Duncan, Auckland, then 28 Feb 1990 J. A. Phillips, Te Kauwhata, then 1 Aug 1994 Dennis J. Smith, Whangarei, then 24 Feb 1996 D. A. Wright, Naike, near Huntly, then 4 Apr 1997 Dennis J. Smith, Whangarei.  Cancelled 24 Mar 2003 registration revoked.

 

ZK-FDO and see below

ZK-FDO/ZK-MXZ/ZK-DJX2 (c/n 4430 and MAANZ/143)

Registered ZK-FDO on 29 Sep 1982 to Harvey Helicopters Ltd c/- Bruce Harvey, Galatea, then 3 Aug 1988 Urewera Aero Club, Murupara, then 20 Sep 1989 C. J. Gilchrist, Timaru.   Cancelled 6 Apr 1994 as withdrawn from use 

Re-registered ZK-MXZ on 20 Apr 1998 to Neville G. Crossman, Timaru, then 30 May 2011 Tony J. Devries, Timaru cancelled 20 Sep 2011 as withdrawn from use  

Re-registered ZK-DJX2 on 30 Aug 2012 to D. A. & J. A. MacLeod, Timaru Cancelled Nov 2022 as withdrawn from use.

ZK-FDQ Registered 22 Oct 1982 to F. E. Day, Rotorua, then 21 Jul 1988 H. Bennett, Taupo, then 15 Jun 1993 Raoul. E. Lealand, Taupo, then 25 Jul 1994 William H. Bartle, Taupo, then 14 Aug 1995 I. W. Kane, Taupo.  Cancelled 17 Jul 1997 as destroyed

  

ZK-FDT (c/n MAANZ/152)

Registered 11 Oct 1982 to C. Nordstrom, Cambridge. then 31 Jan 1985 M. W. Richmond, Tokomaru Bay, then 4 Jul 1988 T. R. Birdsall & D. W. Robinson, Taupo, then 12 Nov 1992 Alvan S. Cooper.   Cancelled 11 Apr 2006 registration revoked.

ZK-FDW (c/n MAANZ/154)  Registered 13 Oct 1982 to H. Zeitler, Wellington.  Crashed at Makara, Wellington 30 Dec 1982 Cancelled 29 May 1995 as withdrawn from use.

 

ZK-FDX (c/n MAANZ/160)  

Registered 13 Oct 1982 to K. C. Miller, Havelock North.  then 21 Nov 1989 Wright Products & Services, Mount Maunganui, then 27 Mar 1990 Alan P. McDonald, Parekura Bay, Russell, then 19 Feb 1992 G. R. Gilbert, Te Puke, then 15 May 1995 Gary. C. Newton, Tokoroa, then 12 Nov 2000 Raoul E. Lealand, Taupo.  Cancelled 2 Jun 2004 registration revoked.