DHC 2 Beavers ZK-AZB and ZK-BVA/2

Because we like Beavers and posted about ZK-FPZ yesterday, here are photos of Patchett Ag-Air's two Omaka based Beavers at Healthy Bastards 2026:

We have posted the extensive history of ZK-AZB HERE, but that post didn't include its ownership by Patchett Ag-Air from August 2025.

We have also posted the history of ZK-BVA2 HERE but again that didn't include its ownership by Patchett Ag-Air from May 2025.

As well as ZK-FPZ there are two other Beavers on the register - ZK-CKH with NZ Warbirds at Ardmore, and ZK-SBV with Zodie Investments Ltd of Karamea.

And there are apparently a couple more Beavers being rebuilt at Rangiora.

Thanks for the photos Tim.

DHC 2 Beaver ZK-FPZ at Tauranga

We have posted about Beaver ZK-FPZ previously HERE but we haven't yet had a good photo of it in its latest scheme, until now:

Warwick Hamilton captured it recently at Tauranga wearing Taupo Sport Skydivers script.  It is owned by Venture Aviation Ltd (John Funnell) since way back on 31/3/98. 

Thanks for the photo Warwick.

PAC 750XL ZK-JBC/2 Has Flown Again at Hamilton

The Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JBC2 has recently been returned to the air by Part 66 Maintenance at Hamilton.  It had been out of service since Farmers Air was liquidated in 2025:

It has been owned by Super Air Ltd since May 2025 and is now flying in their colours (with a nod to the old Farmers Air scheme).

Microlight Aircraft of New Zealand - Mirages (5) - Personalised Registration Mirages

For this final batch of Mirages here are six of them that had personalised registrations:

I have already covered Ken Asplin's Mirage ZK-KJA which was the first Mirage to be registered in New Zealand, on 28 December 1981.  You can see the link to that post HERE

ZK-LJT

ZK-MOT at Motueka in 1982

ZK-MRO (possibly, Not owners initials).

ZK-PAB

ZK-RVT

That is all 39 Ultrafight Mirages that we have had registered in New Zealand.  There may have been others that were not registered and there certainly were Mirages here before microlights were required to be registered.  If you were counting we have photos of 22 of them, and if any blog readers have photos of any of the others (or know of someone who might have early microlight photos) we would be delighted to see them and post them.

Two recent movements at Christchurch International.

 The Bombardier Challenger 350 N730JH c/n 20565 is seen below about to depart from Christchurch on Monday the 27th.
This began life on the oft used Bombardier test registration of C-GUGY with a move to N985CR in mid 2015.

Ferrying in from Noumea, via Auckland yesterday the 28th was this Air Caledonie ATR 72-600 (212A) F-OZKN c/n 1459 for maintenance at Air New Zealand. 

Two more great photos from Tony McFarlin.

Warbirds Over Wanaka Catchup - 7

 A final post, covering three local lighties which seemed to be of interest.

ZK-BFC/2 is a Kitplanes for Africa Safari Mk.3 (The first ZK-BFC was a Tiger Moth flown by Airlift  in the Wellington and Wairarapa areas back in the 1950s/60s)).
This Safari is operated ny the Bush Flying Company, based in Queenston, so that clues you in on the significance of the registration.

Another Queenstown local is this ICP MXP-740 Savannah S ZK-SGD. Registered back in May last year, Greg Doran is the listed owner.

The JMB Aircraft VL-3E-1 ZK-JMB/2 flew in Greece as SX-UBN before arriving in NZ for the local agents, JMB NZ Ltd. who are based in Amberley. In mid-2025 it was re-registered as ZK-VLE.

Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer. ZK-EEL

Following yesterdays post on marine aircraft in Warbirds Over Wanaka Catching Up - 6, 

I thought this a good time to drop in some more details on the Lake LA-4 Amphibian ZK-EEL2.

This airframe, c/n 1045, was manufactured by Aerofab Inc at Sandford, Maine and placed on the US register as N8007B with Lake Amphibian Inc on 31-10-1980.

N8007B was shipped to Australia and is seen above at Adelaide's, Parafield Airport on 27-10-1981 thanks to David Tanner.

It was seen below by Tony Arbon at Bankstown, Sydney on 24-11-1983 still in its US markings. 

(I have a note that the US registration was cancelled on 09-03-1981 ?).

It was placed on the Australian register as VH-XPS on 06-12-1984 for Eddystone Exploration Pty Ltd of Sandringham, Victoria.

Why did it take three and a half years to get registered in Australia ?

As VH-XPS it was noted at Moorabbin 29-01-1985 thanks to AustAirData.

Adams Aviation Pty Ltd at Bankstown, Sydney were listed owners from 05-11-1988 followed by Wyong Air Services at Tuggerawong, NSW from 23-03-1994, operating off Tuggerah Lake under the East Coast Amphibians name.

A move to Mount Tamborine, Queensland for La Rochelle Pty Ltd took effect from 07-02-1997.

Then in late May of 1998 it was relisted to Aaron Whiting of Smithfield, Queensland to be cancelled from the Australian register on 13-08-1998.

Four days later it became DQ-ACA with Aaron Whiting of Nadi, Fiji.

And operated under the Coral Air label.

Above we see DQ-ACA at Nadi in July of 2003, thanks to Peter Ricketts.

My next reference is that it was sitting engineless at Nadi in September of 2005.

At the Northern Aviation facility at Whangarei on 10-03-2008 I took the above photo of it. Still referred to as ex DQ-ACA. 

This registration was cancelled on 22-04-2008 for it to become ZK-DQN for Mike Chubb of Seabird Aero Marine Ltd of Whangarei on 22-04-2008.

My next viewing of it was as ZK-DQN at Kerikeri 06-03-2009.

Ownership passed to Paul Dalley of Christchurch from 20-11-2009 and it was noted, below, at Rangiora on 07-01-2010, in a full Vanuatu Sea Planes colour scheme and I seem to recall the name 'Missy' 

Following NZCAA requirements (a certain number of hours to be flown and water landings to be carried out) it is expected to soon fly north on its way to Vanuatu. The Company now has new owners and are replacing their previous floatplane Maule (YJ-NZ20) with this Buccaneer. 

So I imagine we will see it in "YJ " marks in due course.

On 31-01-2010 It arrived at West Melton, below.

Above and below. ZK-DQN arriving at West Melton 31-10-2010.

Below is a close-up view of its manufacturers data plate.

ZK-DQN departed from Rangiora for Wanganui and Tauranga on 02-02-2010. From Kerikeri it moved on to Norfolk Island on the 13th and to Magenta and Port Vila on the 14th.

Its New Zealand registration was cancelled on 23-02-2010 for it to take up the YJ-VSL1 makings with Vanuatu Sea Planes of Port Vila.

YJ-VSL1 at Vila on 07-2011 thanks to Peter Lewis.

On 17-02-2023 ZK-EEL2 appeared on the NZ Civil Register to a private owner.

It was April of 2023 that I next heard of YJ-VSL1 when the weary looking fuselage arrived at Rangiora to take up residence in the Rangiora Aircraft Engineering hangar for a major rebuild. 

I was advised that the wings, tailplane and pontoons had already been completed.

Follows is a selection of photos taken during its rebuild.

Above and below.

ZK-EEL2 at Rangiora 12-05-2023. Squeezed between the Westland Bell 47 ZK-HJH4 and the Cessna U206F amphibian ZK-DXC.

ZK-EEL2 Rangiora, also on 12-05-2023 clearly showing VJ-VSL1 instead of YJ-VSL1.

ZK-EEL2 on 01-09-2023. Interior work under way.

ZK-EEL2 on 20-10-2023 with rear upper skin replaced..

ZK-EEL2 on 06-01-2024 work is underway on its lower regions.

ZK-EEL2 on 01-03-2024 with nose recovered and being prepped.

ZK-EEL2 on 03-05-2024.

ZK-EEL2 on 16-08-2024 with rear fuselage panel 'clecoed' into place, with the lower nose panel being secured.

ZK-EEL2 back from the paint shop and its EEL registration applied by 04-10-2024.

ZK-EEL2 with its tail attached and nose wheel gear doors on 05-02-2025.

ZK-EEL2 at Rangiora 07-05-2025 with wings and undercarriage attached.

ZK-EEL2 on 26-05-2025 with canopies fitted and engine mounts and bit being installed.

ZK-EEL2 on 03-10-2025 with the Cessna 206 amphibian on the left and the Lake Renegade wing and pontoon mid screen.

ZK-EEL2 on28-11-2025 showing a data plate on the cockpit edge with its old Fijian registration           of DQ-ACA crossed out.

ZK-EEL2 Rangiora 10-02-2026 almost ready for its first post rebuild flight which I believe was on the 27th of February 2026.

ZK-EEL2 at Rangiora 20-03-2026 

ZK-EEL2 spent a few hours at the Wanaka Air show 03-04-2026

The factory data plate for ZK-EEL2 as seen on14-04-2026.

Note :  Corrections and additional information most welcome please.

Warbirds Over Wanaka Catchup - 6

 Just down the road from the Wanaka airfield is, of course, Lake Wanaka.

Therefore it was appropriate that there were some marine aircraft on display at the Show.
Unfortunatly the weather over Easter was such that, unlike some previous WOW events, none of these aircraft were actually able to alight on the lake over the weekend.

Lake LA-4-200 ZK-EEL/3 has a previous history operating in Australia, Fiji and Vanuatu following which it has undegone an extensive rebuild at Rangiora.

EDRA Aeronautica Supet Petrel LS ZK-ESS/2 has spent some time in Australia before arriving in NZ, and has been current here since December 2022.

The Progressive Aerodyne Searey ZK-WET/3 replaced an earlier model Searey (which has become
ZK-ZET) which was operated by the same Dunedin-based owner

The surprise was a Republic Seabee, N6224K "Honoria Glossop". Apparently this is currently living at Omarama.

Just to add a bit of floatplane flavour, Mike Scotter's amphibious C206 departed off the field on Sunday morning prior to the day's show starting.