Vans RV 8 ZK-WLK

And here is the bigger cousin of ZK-TOY and ZK-TNT alluded to in my previous post.

Dave Wilkinson's RV 8 ZK-WLK is our latest Vans aircraft and our seventh RV 8.  The photo shows the impressive engine installation which features an inverted oil system.  Dave is planning for a first flight before Christmas.

Waimate - Fifty years. 30-11-2013.

On Saturday 30-11-2013 the 50th anniversary of the Waimate Aero Club was held.

A strong south westerly wind no doubt kept some of the smaller aircraft away.

 Above is a view, from the Club House, towards some of the visiting aircraft .

 A trap for the aircraft spotters was the Cessna 175 ZK-BCR (c/n 55658) over from Wanaka with Shaun Gilbertson.

 

 The Hanmer Springs based Cessna 182T ZK-JRY (c/n 18281923) of Paul Hood.

 Murray Patterson came up from Taieri in his Cessna 180 ZK-MDL (c/n 32882).

 A local from just the other side of Town was Mark Rollinson's Cessna 182C N9074T (c/n 52974).

Also from the same area came the Ray Eden Rans S-6S Coyote ZK-SGS (c/n 01071793) .

 A gusty south - south easterly arrived about sausage sizzle time - with ZK-CUE and ZK-SID beating the change.

 The  Ashleigh Palmer Piper PA-28-180 (c/n 28-4343) on final preceded by Sid  in his Cessna 172S  ZK-SID (c/n 172S9523).

ZK-TOY at Raglan - Watch This Space

I took this photo of Don Wilkinson's perennial flyin attendee Starlet ZK-TOY at the Black Sands flyin at Raglan earlier this month, with a typical photogenic backdrop.  It is still looking magnificent.

I had expected to see the twin Starlets ZK-TOY and ZK-TNT but Dave Wilkinson was otherwise occupied.  Watch this space for the big cousin of ZK-TOY and ZK-TNT coming soon!

Denney and Skystar Kitfoxes of New Zealand (2)

On further investigating Kitfoxes of New Zealand, I have discovered another one which means that we have had 19 Kitfoxes in New Zealand to date.

The next Kitfox to be registered was ZK-FYM (c/n 1113/AACA/770) which was a Kitfox III with a Rotax 582 engine that was built by Rohan Rudd of Christchurch. It was first registered on 5/8/93 but did not fly for some time after this. Unfortunately it was damaged in a forced landing caused by weather at Kawhia on 17/11/00, and it was cancelled on 14/4/05.

I do not have a photo of ZK-FYM.  Does anyone out there have a photo they can supply?

ZK-EWC (c/n 1640) is a Kitfox IV that was built by Ernie Collings of Wanaka.  It was first registered on 17/5/94 and was officially upgraded to a Kitfox IV on 7/10/03.  It was sold to RW and EK Roberts of Timaru on 14/3/09 where it was photo'd by Blue Bus.  It ground looped at Timaru on 19/5/09 but I assume it was repaired as it is still current, (as are all the following Kitfoxes in this post).

ZK-SDU (c/n 1114) is a Kitfox III that was built in Nelson and was registered to the Kitfox Syndicate on 17/5/94.  It was sold to the Kitfox Trust of Stoke on 27/8/96 and then to PE Thomas of Rotorua on 24/3/97.  The above photo was taken at Tauranga.

ZK-KIV (c/n 1642) is a Kitfox IV built by Charles Lamb and Arthur Ainsworth of Christchurch and it was first registered on 1/12/94.  Arthur Ainsworth took over sole ownership on 4/10/05 and it was re-designated as a Class 2 microlight on 11/01/12.  It is still current.  The above photo was taken at the 2001 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton.

ZK-JFA (c/n 94080051/MAANZ/527) is a Skystar Kitfox IV that was built by Alex Taylor of Gore, and was fist registered on 22/3/95.  It is photo'd above by Blue Bus at Gore, on 6/10/99.

ZK-WFC (c/n SAA 778) is a Skystar Kitfox IV that was built by Winston F Copland of Dunedin, and was first registered on 31/5/95.  Thanks to Winston Copland for the photo.

ZK-PCA (c/n C94080052) is also a Skystar Kitfox IV, and also originally from Dunedin.  It was built by Peter C Anderson and was first registered on 13/9/96.  It first flew in 1998, piloted by John Penno.  It is photo'd above at the 1999 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton by Greybeard.

ZK-PCA was sold to RL and LH Wine of Tirau on 21/5/05, and they re-registered it a ZK-WRL on 29/6/05.  it suffered an engine failure on 21/4/12 and force landed in a barberry hedge, however it is being rebuilt and is close to flying again.  Thanks to Ralph and Lois Wine for the photo.

Pitts S 2E ZK-ELI at Matamata

Our only homebuilt  2 seat Pitts, S 2E ZK-ELI flew in to the Matamata Aero Club's flyin on 10 November, now with stars as well as stripes.

ZK-ELI has been registered to a Papamoa address since early 2013.

Thanks very much to Gavin Magill for the photo.

Timaru Farewell # 2

Breaking my own unwritten rule about running military stuff !

A couple of pics of a dying breed.

 "Gunslinger # 11" from the sunny side.

Because of Timaru Airports layout - most of the hardware was up sun which produced a lot of ho hum back light pictures like "05" in cloak mode.

I heard from several military persons about what a gem of a site Timaru Airport was for this Southern Katipo exercise.

With nearby sandy and rocky beaches; (Yes there was an amphibious landing); heaps of flat land; rolling hills only a few km away and mountains less than 1/2 an hour away (UH-1 speed).

It was rather weird to have fully kitted foreign troops patrolling the streets of town - Memories of another time and place.

Timaru farwell

 Before departing Timaru yesterday I managed a quick squiz around the field - avoiding all the military stuff.

Actually the military were very good allowing fair photographic access to their toys.

There was one pompous civilian who seemed to think he owned the place - pulling me up for being airside and on a military controlled airfield. So I produced my ID (which he didn't do) and then inferred that I should be wearing a high viz vest (which he wasn't).

The only high viz vest I noted were on the fully armed soldiers in full cammo gear at the road check points to the airfield during the first few days of the exercise.

Anyway the civil aircraft :-

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee ZK-CIJ (c/n 28-20230) was listed to Airwork (NZ) Ltd on 18-11-1964 for delivery to the Canterbury Aero Club. It has been with Raewyn Irvine at Timaru since 11-12-2005. Raewyn has recently acquired the Piper PA-28-181 ZK-ENV.

Mark Elworthy's Bushby Mustang 1A ZK-MFE (c/n M-1-2036) was looking really tidy in the back corner of the hangar. It has been on the register since 16-08-2006.

The Nokomai Station Cessna T206H ZK-NOK (c/n T206-08525) was anchored down outside the AVTEK hangar

The Tony Schischka Thorp T18 CW Tiger ZK-VMS (c/n 867/AACA/200) was also very bright and shiny.

Bell LongRanger ZK-IWA

Registered to Ashworth Helicopters of Gisborne on 30 July this year is ex Japanese Bell 206L-3 LongRanger ZK-IWA c/n 51543.  The helicopter has been undergoing induction work with Ardmore's Oceania Helicopters team and is seen here on the move at Ardmore earlier this week. 

Pilatus PC12 ZK-TIL

New Zealand's first Pilatus PC12 has been getting an airing since arriving on our register earlier this month.  ZK-TIL, ex VH-ZBD, has been in the country since 01 August having arrived at Auckland from the Gold Coast via Lord Howe Island.  It headed to Wellington the next day where it was hangared until flying upto Ardmore, Springhill, back to Ardmore and onto Wellington 07 August.  It then positioned to Fielding 13 September and underwent a couple of flights including a Queenstown visit before months end.  

NZ certification was carried out at Fielding and it became ZK-TIL with Tara Iti Holdings Ltd of Wellsford on 05 November.  Tara Iti is associated with a new golf course being developed on the Pacific coast west of Wellsford and it is understood the aircraft will be used to ferry golfers as required and fly them in to Springhill http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/NZSL.pdf

The Pilatus PC12 was first flown on 31 May 1991 and the first aircraft delivered in 1994.  ZK-TIL, with a c/n of 837, is a PC12/47 indicating it is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine, with a maximum takeoff weight of 4740kg.  

Pilatus have made several demonstration tours to NZ over recent years so they will be delighted to finally have one of their very popular aircraft in Kiwi skies. 

Some air to air shots of ZK-TIL can be seen at the Wings over NZ forum by clicking here and scrolling down a smidgen.

Arriving at Ardmore 23 November before then embarking direct to Queenstown, C Hunter photo

Masterton Helicopters on Friday 22-11-2013.

There was a sizable collection of helicopters at Masterton yesterday afternoon (Friday 22-11-2013).

My local secret agent managed to capture three of them before they escaped for Martinborough.

 Bell 206B JetRanger III ZK-HGD3 (c/n 4143) was from North Shore Helicopters Ltd.

Canadian built it went to the US, Japan and back to the US before heading down to NZ for Rotor Flite N.Z. Ltd in September of 2003; joining North Shore H/C on 01-07-2004.

 The Bell 206L-1 LongRanger ZK-IND (c/n 45776) is from Silver Fern Helicopters Ltd of Silverdale, North Auckland.

It is a recent addition to the NZ register, appearing on 17-07-2013.

See also http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/bell-longranger-zk-ind.html

Eurocopter EC 120B ZK-IZG (c/n 1037) from I Spy Helicopters Ltd of Palmerston North.

This Colibri is a 1999 model and came to NZ ex USA for listing with Advanced Flight Ltd at Auckland on 19-01-2006.

It moved to Taupo for Sovereign Helicopters in early November of 2008 and went to I Spy at the end of June 2010.

Can anyone advise what all these fling wings things were doing ?

Forgotten snaps........

Pottering through my image files I stumbled across the following that were taken on the 1st day of the month:

Twin Squirrel ZK-HFS is now listed with Helitranz and it is seen here, with titles, at their Rosedale Road home on Auckland's North Shore. 

Squirrel ZK-HGB is registered to North Shore Helicopters and it is seen here hovering from the pumps to the operator's hangar.  This helicopter was parked at Auckland for several weeks earlier in the year covering for the airport rescue fire service's hovercraft which was out of service. 

Eurocopter EC120 ZK-HTV at its Rosedale Road base. 

Robinson R44 ZK-IAN hover taxiing to the North Shore Helicopters hangar

Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST) Sikorsky S76 ZK-IKM "Helimed 3" arrived from the northwest, uplifted fuel and then hover taxied to the North Shore Helicopters base where it was promptly hangared. 

Vans RV6A ZK-TRV at North Shore is registered to a family trust in Whangarei. 

Cessna 172P ZK-VCT is a North Shore local and is seen here about to depart for points north. 

Homebuilt Gliders of New Zealand - the Todhunter Blue Wren

The Todhunter Blue Wren is a very light homebuilt powered glider that was designed and built in Noosa, Australia by Reg Todhunter.  It was registered in Australia as VH-KYH and has the c/n of GFA/HB/106.  It is a 36 feet span powered glider that was built of fibreglass and foam with a aluminium tube for the aft fuselage.  It was originally powered by a JPX horizontally opposed twin motor of 23 HP with a recoil starter.

Sadly, Reg Todhunter died before he could further develop other gliders that he had in the pipeline, and the Blue Wren was bought by Neville Swan of Waitakere in Auckland who registered it as a Class 1 microlight on 20/5/96.  It is very light with a MAUW of only 290 Kg.  Neville installed a 3 cylinder Konig radial motor of 23 HP, which had an electric starter.  The above photo was taken at the Hobsonville Air Base.

ZK-JGQ flew successfully as in the above photo, also taken at Hobsonville Air Base.  Neville Swan sold the Blue Wren to RB Goodchild of Taupo on 28/6/00.  I did once see it being taxied under its own power with a wing walker at Taupo in the early 2000's but I think it was inactive for much of its life in Taupo.  It was acquired by GD Ellery of Taupo on 20/10/11 and was for sale on Trade Me.  More recently it has been sold to Dave Baker of Greymouth (who has also restored the Anderson Kingfisher ZK-DJH to flying condition), so we might see the Blue Wren flying again.

Thanks very much to Neville Swan for the above photos.

Tecnam P2008 ZK-ZZD

I was pleasantly surprised to catch Izardair's Tecnam P2008 ZK-ZZD arriving at Ardmore last week.  A brief post was done on the arrival of this aircraft, along with ZK-ZZB, back in July this year:

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/izardairs-new-tecnam-p2008-zk-zzb.html

ARD at it.

 Captured at Ashburton late Sunday afternoon was the Rans S6-ES Coyote ZK-ARD2 (c/n 09081902) of Ardleight Farms Ltd. It was pounding the circuit. It has a sound of its own with its Jabiru 3300 engine and what appears to be a healthy turn of speed on the down wind leg.

The bare metal strip behind the engine cowling is actually an extension to move the cowl forward so as to cover the six cylinder motor.

Whenuapai Gliding

A trip to the RNZAF Aviation Sports Club (Gliding Section) at Whenuapai Air Base yesterday resulted in a couple of photo opportunities and some interesting discussions.  The club use a very nice large grassed area to the East of the airfield and have a glider hangar that was relocated from the now closed Hobsonville Air Base.

Their towplane is the B&F Technic Vertriebs FK 9 Mark IV ZK-RDW, shown here returning from an aerotow.  The tow rope attachment structure is factory designed and supplied.

And then towing off the locally owned Rolladen-Schneider LS 4a ZK-GKP....

....with lift off.

I was told that the club's use of ZK-RDW as a towplane is proving successful, with a new engine that was required costing less than an overhaul of an O-320 (and then the repaired Rotax 912 was sold).  ZK-RDW has been registered in the Light Sport Aircraft category (from a Class 2 microlight).

Another US resident. Cessna 182C N9074T.

 One of 649 Cessna 182C's built is N9074T (c/n 52974) which had a US airworthiness date of 12-09-1960.

It is now a New Zealand resident - but will be remaining on the US register with Mark Rollinson of Waimate with whom it was (US) certified on 25-07-2013.

It is seen here on 01-11-2013 in its hangar at Waimate.

Cresco ZK-LTG at NZTU.

PAC Cresco 08-600 ZK-LTG (c/n 004) as seen at Timaru on Thursday the 15th - having a wash down after completion of its Mainland Minerals contract work. It was about to head back to Gisborne.