Wellington stopover # 3

 Kawasaki BK118 B2 ZK-HLF2 (c/n 1070) is listed to Helilink Ltd of Auckland. It came under the Westpac Rescue Helicopters banner on 16-01-2004. It is Wellington based as part of the Life Flight organisation. A 1990 model it came to NZ in November of 1995 and initially served as ZK-HZJ2.

 Nice to see some young people in aviation. Here TAW gets a preflight.

 

 Sounds Air Travel and Tourism Ltd have been in the news recently with the entering into service of their 4th Cessna 208 Caravan.

I spotted three of them at their ops area at Wellington on Monday morning. Above is ZK-SAN2 (c/n 20800360) recently re-registered from ZK-TZR.

Below is the latest addition - newly painted and with upgraded instruments and interior - ZK-SAY2 (c/n 208B0861), previously ZK-MJL.

ZK-PDM was on its tie downs, whilst the 4th Caravan, ZK-SAA, I believe is now undergoing an upgrade.

Wellington stopover # 2

More from the Wellington Aero Club visitation.

Three Piper PA-38-112 Hatchets were in a photographical position.

Above is ZK-JFE (c/n 38-78A0568) joined the Wellington Club on 13-03-2006.

ZK-TAW is c/n 38-78A0716 and arrived in NZ to become ZK-JFD on 28-04-1995 but became ZK-TAW on 08-07-1995 and first joined the Wellington Aero Club in September of 95. It is now on its 4th stint with the Club.

ZK-WAC2 is c/n 38-82A0086. This originally entered our civil register as ZK-WAH on 13-12-1990 being re-registered as WAC on 26-02-2002 and entering Wellington Club service on 01-03-2002.

The Nanchang CJ-6 ZK-MAO (c/n 4432002) joined the NZ register on 21-10-2008 as ZK-JNA4 and was listed to the Wellington Aero Club on 01-08-2009. Its registration was changed to ZK-MAO on 13-10-2009;  and this can be seen in small letters just below the forward canopy.

Below is the seemingly inactive Beech C23 SunDowner 180 ZK-DVB (c/n M-1565). This was a James Aviation import in November of 1974. It has been listed with Wellington Aviation Ltd since 02-11-1994.

Below is a plug for Life Flight. This gets a lot of attention from the kids. It is located on the finger leading down towards the boarding gates.

A Wellington stopover # 1

With a couple of hours to kill at Wellington Airport yesterday (29-07-2013) - what better thing to do than to wander across to the Wellington Aero Club.

 Here I got a very warm welcome and the ok to photograph the resident flying machines.

First to fill the lens was the Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III ZK-EIF (c/n 28R-7837132). This arrived in NZ on 13-03-1978 and became the Airwork demonstrator before going to Nair Aviation at Nelson in late 1979. From April of 1993 it was the Brian Souter and Jim Hoffman machine at Wellington with ownership moving to the Wellington Club on 01-05-1994.

Dropping in across my nose was the Cessna 172N Skyhawk ZK-ELF (c/n 17270851) from Helipro Training Ltd. It is the same vintage as the Arrow above.

The resident Piper PA-28-181 Archer II ZK-FHQ (c/n 28-7790326). As the c/n tells us it is a 1977 model. It joined Brian Souter here in Wellington from 08-02-1993 and the Aero Club from 24-05-1993. It was listed with Warren Larsen on 30-06-2011.

Cessna 172N ZK-FLT (c/n 17271432) seems to have been around for years. This one served its first nine years in OZ before coming over to NZ and taking up the ZK-MJM registration with Flightline Aeronautical College at Ardmore. Three months later it was damaged but was re-built and re-registered as ZK-FLT. It first joined the Club in December of 2007.

As seen and posted by Greybeard on Sunday was the Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair ZK-JWH (c/n T20609073) of Opiki Cropping Ltd. It has all of 100 hours on its tacho.

Three of a Kind

Production of the venerable Cessna 206 recommenced in 1998 with the 'H' model, in both the normally-aspirated and turbocharged versions (T206H). The number of aircraft produced since has been relatively modest (compared to last century!), with numbers of the T206H running at around 40-50 per year. Three machines have made it here, the first being Nokomai Station's ZK-NOK, registered on 13 June 2005. It was at Fielding in February 2010.

After a significant gap, the next T206H to arrive was BLM Holdings ZK-TDO, first registered on 24 September 2012, and seen here at Masterton on 19 January this year.

And the most recent addition is Opiki Croppings ZK-JWH, which was registered on 21 February this year, and was conveniently parked on the Wellington Aero Club's ramp this afternoon.

Pietenpol Aircampers of New Zealand

Our next type of 2 seater homebuilt aircraft was the Pietenpol Aircamper.

The Pietenpol Aircamper was designed and flown by Bernard H Pietenpol in 1928, and was developed from his earlier single seat Sky Scout.  Plans for the Aircamper were published in 4 issues of the Flying and Glider Manual in 1932-33.  The 2 seater Aircamper is of wooden construction and has minimal metal fittings.  The 40 HP Ford Model A engine became the standard powerplant in the 1930's.  However in the 1960's Bernie Pietenpol favoured the smoother, more powerful and lighter Chevrolet Corvair conversion.  The Aircamper has flown with over 30 different engines over the years, which must be some kind of record?

Length is 5.39 metres (17 feet 8 inches), but this differs with different powerplants, wingspan is 8.84 metres (29 feet) and the wing area is 145 square feet.  Empty weight is around 277 Kg (610 pounds), again depending on the powerplant, and MAUW is 490 Kg (1,080 pounds) which puts the Aircamper in the Class
2 microlight category.  With all that exposed engine it is not fast, with a top speed of around 100 mph.

Our first Aircamper was Penny and Evan Belworthy's ZK-PRB (c/n AACA/755), which was first registered on 30/3/87, and first flew in December 1988.  It first flew with a Ford Model A conversion, as in the above photo taken at the 1989 AACA flyin at Tairei.  It then had a Ford Cortina motor for a while.  It was re-designated as a Class 2 microlight on 26/9/97.

And finally, the Belworthy's settled on a Toyota Hilux motor as in the above photo of it at the 2011 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton.  Thanks to Blue Bus for the photo.

Next up was ZK-JQN (c/n DP02) which was started by Glen Morgan.  It featured a spring steel undercarriage and a 2 litre Cortina motor.  The partially built project was sold to Donald Palmer of Kaiapoi and was first registered to him on 6/5/05.  It first flew in December 2005 piloted by Evan Belworthy.  It was sold to J Coleman of Christchurch on 21/1/07.  ZK-JQN then came full circle by being purchased by the original builder, Glen Morgan of Greymouth.  It was re-engined with a Toyota Hilux motor as in the above photo taken by Blue Bus, and wheel brakes and a tailwheel were fitted.  It is currently based in Greymouth.

The next Aircamper was the modified Andrew John Fairhall Special ZK-JBF (c/n 001) which was built by Andrew John Fairhall of Blenheim, and was first registered on 16/6/06.  It is based on the Aircamper and has nicely scalloped trailing edges, a spring steel undercarriage and a fully faired Toyota Hilux motor.  It is photo'd above at the 2009 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton.

And finally for now our latest Aircamper is ZK-PAC (c/n 061791 AAD) which was built by Rod Wooller who built the aircraft partly in Australia but finished it off in Auckland.  It was first registered on 29/3/11 and is based at Parakai where the above photo was taken.  Thanks to Rod Wooller for the photo.  Rod advises that it is the long fuselage version and that it is powered by a 184 cubic inch (that's 3 litres) Chevrolet Corvair motor.  ZK-PAC is undergoing its test flying schedule at Parakai.

I am sure we will see more Pietenpol Aircampers on the New Zealand register as it is such a timeless design, and it fits within the Class 2 microlight regulations.  I am aware of at least 3 more being built, one with a Rotec radial motor!

One and the same -

Back on 06-12-2007 Skysales Aviation (NZ) Ltd of Christchurch registered the Robinson Raven I ZK-IHB (c/n 1777).

                                  Photo above shows it on 29-11-2007 outside Skysales hangar.

Ownership was transferred to Brian Hall of Christchurch on 01-01-2008.

 

On the 17th June it was relisted to Duncan Storrier Holdings Ltd of Ashburton with its registration being changed to ZK-HLY3 on the 18th of this month.

ZK-HLY3 is seen here at Pacific Aircraft Services at Christchurch on 26-07-2013.

 

Izardair's new Tecnam P2008 ZK-ZZB

Debbie Evans of Izardair has kindly sent me this photograph of their new Tecnam P2008 ZK-ZZB (c/n 050)

It is one of two registered to Izard Pacific Aviation Ltd of Taupo on 29-05-2013: The other being ZK-ZZD (c/n 056).

Check out :-
http://www.izardair.com/index.php
http://www.facebook.com/Izardair

Robinson R66 Turbines c/n 0330 and 0331.

Two Robinson R66 Turbine helicopters have been sitting on their packing crate bases with Flightline at Christchurch. Each base has the helicopters construction number stencilled on it.

Pic above was taken on 27-05-2013.

This week they have been assembled and their respective pending registrations were added today 25-07-2013.

  Above - c/n 0330 becomes ZK-IXS thanks to Neville Williamson, up from Flightline at Dunedin, and Bob Jelley.

The white one is c/n 0331 and is ZK-IXT.

Thanks to Flighline for permission to take photographs in their hangar at Christchurch.

Nieuport 24 ZK-MNR.

CMM dropped into Ashburton during the past weekend and captured the Airdrome Aeroplanes Nieuport 24 Replica ZK-MNR (c/n 1642).

                                              An earlier view of MNR can be seen at :-

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/more-ashburton-pics.html

I have yet to see her with full engine cowlings in place. Maybe one of these days !

********************************************
Pic below added in response to comment.

 

NASA Boeing 747SP-21 N747A SOFIA.

Colin Boag sent in this pic of the NASA 747SP-21 N747NA c/n 21441 experimental aircraft.

There is a stack of other pics and info available at :-

                            http://www.mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/sofia-arrives.html

Oxford Fly In Sunday 21-07-2013.

C.R.A.C. fly in at Oxford on Sunday 21-07-2013.

 There was a fly in at Dave McPhersons airstrip just to the west of Oxford on Sunday.

 The meteorological condition were perfect.

Twelve three axis and four trikes called in.

Pics from Alastair Millar.

Aero Gare Seahawk Amphibian(s) of New Zealand

The Aero Gare Seahawk was a composite biplane amphibian that was designed by Canadian Garry LeGare in 1982.  The design has passed through several owners over the years, but has not been built in great numbers.  We have had only one Seahawk in New Zealand, and I think this will be the only one.

Its length is 5.94 metres (19 feet 6 inches), the wingspan is 8.23 metres (27 feet) and the wing area is 130 square feet.  Empty weight is 408 Kg (900 pounds) and MAUW is 816 Kg (1,800 pounds).  Engines can be from 150 HP to 180 HP, and on a 150 HP O-320, cruise speed is around 140 mph.

ZK-SEA (c/n AACA/175/2) was registered to Ces and Pam Collings, and Bruce Fraser of Christchurch on 13/3/87.  The above photo was taken by Greybeard at the 1999 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton on 6/2/99.  It was sold to ML O'Neil of Christchurch on 9/2/01.

It was noted for sale on Trade Me in 2009, with the above photo taken at Wigram.  It is currently stored in a hangar at Rangiora.  I do not think it has flown much.

How to Get 2 Helicopters on a Triple Axle Trailer

This is how you do it!

Two Robinson helicopters, being R 44 ZK-HXA of Heliops Southland, and R 22 ZK-IAK privately owned at Hokitika share a triple axle trailer at Ardmore yesterday.  Perhaps when they get back from where they were going, they will be a R 66!

Jodel D.18 ZK-EDR

 The lovely little Jodel D.18 ZK-EDR (c/n 301-4) is now for sale.

 This Continental C75 powered amateur built microlight class 2 was first registered to Russell Woods of Christchurch on 24-08-2011.

It has a Brent Thompson propeller, basic instruments in a lined cockpit.

It has about 40 airframe hours.

 

If interested give Russell a ring at 03 3597703 for more details.

 

If you are interested - I wouldn't wait long before checking it out.

I reckon the first to try will buy !

(I will put a chocolate fish on that).

Spitfire Re-Engine at Ardmore 20/7/2013

Warbird Adventure Rides Ltd's Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX ZK-WDQ was in the Avspecs hangar yesterday in the process of having its engine changed, probably as a result of its recent propellor strike while making a precautionary landing at Drury.  Ouch!

That is some serious horsepower in 2 Merlin engines lined up in front of the nose!  The last time there were 2 Merlins at Avspecs they were attached to a Mosquito.

The engine plate of the new engine being installed shows it to be a Packard Built Rolls Royce, model V 1650-266.

ZK-SAY with pod at Nelson

"Cessna185"  has kindly sent in this photograph of the Cessna Caravan ZK-SAY2 with its black cargo pod as seen at Nelson this morning.

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N861CM (c/n 208B0861) arrived at Kerikeri on 18-03-2007 and took up the ZK-MJL registration on March 30th for Salt Air Ltd of Paihia.

 

See the two links below for more details.

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=mjl

 

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/different-but-same.html

 

It was r-registered to ZK-SAY2 on 10-07-2013.

Cessnas at Ardmore

 Here we have three Cessna's as spotted by "Sir Minty" at Ardmore yesterday (20-07-2013).

ZK-ETP is a Cessna T210N Turbo Centurion II with the c/n 21064387.  This one arrived in Auckland on 29-06-1981 and is now the Eddie Cannon-James mount.

Cessna R182 Skylane RG II ZK-ETX is c/n R18201718. It came new to NZ in 1981 and has been listed to Professional Colour Laboratories Ltd since 29-11-1983.

Above we see the Cessna 182T Skylane ZK-SLL (c/n 18281084) which was containered into Ardmore for assembly by Flightline to join our register for Sky Lane Ltd of Papakura on 20-09-2007.

Ardmore Vans Today 20/7/2013

I went to Ardmore today looking to get new RV 7A ZK-RVD, but it was still in its locked hangar having engine baffling done.

However a real surprise was RV 9A ZK-RVQ which flew in for around 20 minutes before returning to Feilding, and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.  It was assembled in Feilding and was imported from the USA, and has flown around 30 hours in New Zealand.  It has had a new engine and cowlings installed, and it will be repainted.  It is registered to an Auckland owner.

And local RV 4 ZK-RVN was out for a local flight.  This is the first time I have seen this aircraft outside.