Zenair/Zenith CH 601 Zodiacs of New Zealand (1) - CH 601UL Models

The Zenair/Zenith CH 601 Zodiac was developed by designer Chris Heintz from his original CH 600 Zodiac that I have posted about at www.nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/zenith-zodiac-ch-600s-of-new-zealand_11.html  The CH 601 first appeared in 1984.

The original CH 601 was the HD model which along with all other CH 601 models had a wider 44 inch cockpit than the CH 600, a larger rear baggage compartment, hydraulic disc brakes and an electric trim tab.  The CH 601 HD, HDS and UL models had a similar 3 piece wing to that of the CH 600 with the main undercarriage legs at the end of the inner wing stubs.  Originally, CH 601 kits were manufactured and supplied by Zenair in Canada and the Zenith Aircraft Company in the USA.

The first model of the CH 601 to be registered in New Zealand was the CH 601UL.  This was a lighter version that was designed to meet Canadian Advanced Ultralight Aeroplane regulations.  Its empty weight was 550 pounds (250 Kg) and MAUW was 1,044 pounds (474 Kg).  It could be powered by engines of 65 HP to 100 HP.  Its length was 19 feet  (5.80 metres) and wingspan was 27 feet (8.23 metres) with a wing area of 132 square feet.

The first CH 601 to be registered in New Zealand was CH 601UL ZK-JFN (c/n 6-2262, which was built by Bryan Knights of Patumahoe and was first registered to him on 6/7/95.  It is photo'd above at the 1998 SAANZ flyin at Matamata.  It was sold to PNF Herrick of North Shore on 10/1/96 and in turn to CP Herrick of North Shore on 10/6/08.  It suffered damage undercarriage and minor wing damage at Mesopotamia Station on 10/2/03.  Finally it was sold to BM Whiteman and G Mitchell of Whangaparaoa on 18/1/12.  Tragically it crashed on 1/4/12 at South Head on the Kaipara Harbour, killing both occupants.  It was cancelled from the register on 18/5/12.

CH 601UL ZK-JLI (c/n 6-3212) was started by Bill Sample of Mt Maunganui but was completed bt Ian C Glover of Mt Maunganui, and was first registered to him on 2/8/95 with its first flight being on 4/9/95.  It is photo'd above at Tauranga in early 1998.  It was sold to MR Kilsby of Auckland on 9/2/04 then to the Golden Bay Flying Club at Takaka on 26/10/04.  next it went to the neilson Gallagher Family Trust of New Plymouth on 19/11/05 and finally to B Butler of Auckland on 24/4/10, with whom it is still current.

CH 601UL ZK-ZOT (c/n 3271) was registered to Bernie Gunn of Wanaka on 22/4/97 and first flew on 6/6/97.  Bernie flew it widely throughout New Zealand before selling the aircract to S Hyde of Feilding, with whom it is still current.  It is photo'd above at the 2011 RAANZ flyin at Masterton.

CH 601UL ZK-JHX (c/n 3472) was built by Colin Williams of Cambridge and it is still owned by him.  It was first registered on 4/5/98.  It is photo'd above at the 2005 Black Sands flyin at Raglan.

CH 601UL ZK-MCH (c/n 6-3522) was built by Michael C Hansen of Huntly and it is still owned by him.  It was first registered on 3/8/98.  It is also photo'd at the 2005 Black Sands flyin at Raglan.

 And the third CH 601UL at the 2005 Black Sands flyin at Raglan was ZK-SSF "01" (c/n 3637) which was built by members of the Stratford Aero Club and was first registered to the club on 1/8/00.

On 19/12/05 it was re-registered ZK-JPX (when the Stratford Aero Club purchased a new CH 601XL and registered it ZK-SSF "02" - it is in the background of the above photo which was taken at the 2006 SAANZ flyin at Tauranga).  On 8/6/06 it was sold to HJ Richmond of Stratford but it is still on line with the Stratford Aero Club.

And our final CH 601UL to date is ZK-ZOD (c/n 6-3665) which was built by Ian Sowman of Napier and was first registered to him on 14/10/11.  It is powered by a modified Subaru EA 81 engine which produces around 90 HP and it has larger CH 701 wheels.  It is photo'd above by Nick Furmage on take-off from Hastings while taking part in the 2013 Air Safari.

ZK-HUF

 Robinson R44 Raven II VH-HGQ2 (c/n 10754) as seen at Pacific Helicopters Christchurch on 06-08-2014.

This Raven II was first registered to Craig Doyle Developments Pty of Dayboro, Queensland on 31-05-2015 2005.

Its Australian registration was cancelled on 31-07-2014.

Above as ZK-HUF2 at Pacific Helicopters on 18-08-2014.

On 25-08-2014 just prior to delivery to Simon Lawn of Ahaura Helicopters.

Ahaura Helicopters also operate the Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HFR2 and the Robinson R44 Clipper II ZK-ICH.

Hughes 369E ZK-ITJ and Pete Robb.

 Pete Robb's Hill Country Helicopters operate three smart H500E's out of Wanganui and Taihape. One of these was ZK-ITJ (c/n 0219E), which was first registered to Pete on 28 March 2012.

Very sadly his helicopter along with Pete Robb were lost in an accident yesterday (28-10-2014) at Brunswick (North of Wanganui) whilst spraying.

 

Photo comes from an earlier post by GREYBEARD at:-

 http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/a-bit-of-this-and-bit-of-that.html

See also:-

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10669255/Fatal-helicopter-crash-near-Whanganui

A quick NZCH visit on the 25th.

Below I have four quick shots taken at NZCH on Saturday afternoon the 25th.

 Above is the Cessna 172M Skyhawk ZK-DKM (c/n 61764) as listed with Michael Punch from up Wanganui way.

 The Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP ZK-KAZ2 is c/n 10406 and is from the Kapiti Districts Aero Club at Paraparaumu.

 The Piper Aerostar 600A ZK-MVY (c/n 60-0649-7961206) is the David and Margaret Brown example down from Ardmore.

From further afield were these three foreigners - a long, moving shot taken through the screen and the heat haze.

Ardmore This Afternoon 25-10-2014

On a lovely afternoon at Ardmore, it was again pretty quiet.

But hey! quiet is OK if a Spitfire is in the circuit!  

A long shot of ZK-WDQ on approach.

Rollout.

And turn off the runway.  That's one lucky passenger.

Vincent Aviation goes belly up.

The Vincent Aviation Beech 1900c ZK-VAE (c/n UC-56) at NZWB 09-12-2004.

For those that don't follow the MRC blog - Vincent Aviation has closed their doors.

 

Check out :- http://www.mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/vincent-aviation-closes-its-doors.html

 

Check out :-http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/10658169/Vincent-Aviation-enters-receivership

 

And the Vincent history at :-http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/03/finding-niche-vincent-aviation.html

 

Shame.

 

 

 

 

I remember - But when ?

I certainly remember the occasion.

But not the date.

Anybody ?

The demonstrator C141 N4141A c/n 6110 at Wellington International.

 

A reminder to all to note the details on photographs.

Some Rangiora random pics.

The Doug Anderson Ibis Magic GS-700 ZK-DUH2 was in the circuit at Rangiora today.

An earlier post can be seen at :- http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/ibis-magic-zk-duh.html

A familiar airframe but with new marks.

Robinson R44 Raven II c/n 10083 started its career as ZK-HTZ3 in mid 1993 and moved to ZK-IFD in February of 2011. An ownership change to Way To Go Heliservice Ltd occurred on 21-08-2014 followed by an other change of registration to ZK-IFK2 on 09-09-2014.

Here it is being fitted with spray gear.

A new resident for the Christchurch area is this Vans RV-4 ZK-JRX (c/n 1320).

Now listed to Jordan Vanderlem.

Built as N30DM in the US in about 1988 and registered in NZ on 11-07-2003 to Andrew Fairfax of Queenstown.

Above we have the John Saunders Single seat Dominator ZK-RAZ4 (c/n RAZ1) down from Rotorua.

It is not a stranger to NZRT, See:- http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/local-nzrt-bits.html

A reasonably recent addition to the Rangiora Airfield population is the TL TL-3000 Sirius ZK-RNK.

It was out and about today. I got a mention previously at :-

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2014/06/tl-3000-sirius-zk-rnk-first-flight-at.html

Some from Ardmore on the afternoon of 23-10-14

Cessna A185F Skywagon ZK-EFB msn 18503046 registered to a Birkenhead, Auckland address seen parked on the grass out from Hawker Pacific and then taxiinng for departure.

A less cluttered photo of ZK-HFF than posted by Magnman earlier.

KHI Kawasaki-Hughes 369HS ZK-IAC msn 6644 of Hull Properties Ltd Penrose has been doing some flying over the last few day's from Hawker Pacific.

Our latest Robinson R66 ZK-HXC msn 0384 was only registered today to Heliflite Pacific Ltd and is seen outside their main hanger at Ardmore.

Zenair CH801 ZK-PIP msn 801-4161 ex OE-KWJ was registered on 4-8-14 to Addis Holdings Ltd, RD 1 Papakura,seen outside the Pionair hanger I assume still being assembled.

Two from NZAR 23-10-2014

Magnaman called through Ardmore today with his long lens and offers these two pics.

 Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ZK-HFF4 is c/n 4967 has been imported by Bryan Comerford for onward delivery. Seen here at Oceania. Originally N910AE from May of 2010; it changed to N351BE in January 2011 and can be seen as such at Ardmore on this post from a couple of days ago.

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/n351be-zk-hff-at-ardmore-this-afternoon.html

Above is a long shot of the MBB BK117-A4 ZK-IVB (c/n 7061). Ex USA, it has been listed to Airwork (NZ) Ltd since 05-08-2014.

Float plane takes off from trailer.

Sir Minty, most likely will have be launched from the trailer as per this 2010 video!

Taupo 16-10-2014

One week ago on our road trip North, I briefly called into Taupo airport.  The weather was foggy all the way from the Desert Road to Tokoroa so Taupo was pretty quiet.

Tecnam P 2002 Sierra ZK-LSF was waiting for the fog to lift.  It it registered to a Wellington address.

Local Cessna U206G floatplane ZK-EFI was running up its engine on a trailer.  I assume the floatpalne (not an amphibian) will take off from the towed trolley.  Can anyone confirm this?

Caravan visitor at Christcurch.

 

Pic and message from Jarden Svensson. Forwarded by Bargeldo1.
We had an unusual visitor today at CHC seen here at gate 3.
This Sounds Air Travel and Tourism Ltd's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SAA (c/n 208B0862) came down from Picton.
It operated a charter flight to Timaru.

A note from Westland 831 advises that -

It could have something to do with Fonterra…

It was into Hawera on Monday (20th) then flew to PMR

Next day (21st) PMR-NPE-GIS-NPE-NPL-PMR-WLG  (I got it at NPE)

Then (on 22nd) WLG-CHC-TIU-GMZ and GMZ-NSN today (23-10-2014)

NZCH trio 22-10-2014

 Parked near the Canterbury Aero Club this afternoon was the Cessna U206G Stationair II ZK-ENT (c/n U20603667) of Pelorus Air Ltd.

 Over the other side, at Garden City Helicopters, the Aerospatiale AS 350B Ecureuil ZK-HGH2 (c/n 1443) came and went. This is  their West Coast based EMS machine.

Garden City Helicopters Christchurch based Kawasaki BK117 B-2 ZK-HJC3 (c/n 1061) arrives back.

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - New Zealand Registered Aircraft

On a road trip from Christchurch to Auckland last week, I had the chance to visit the Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka.  Their current exhibition is "Knights of the Sky - The Great War Exhibition".  This is a world-class facility that is under the guidance of the New Zealand Aviation Museum Trust and features some of Sir Peter Jackson's WW 1 aircraft and memorabilia collection.  The aircraft and artifacts are displayed to tell some of the stories of aviation during the Great War, using the expertise of Peter Jackson's Wingnut Films and Weta Workshops.

There is so much interesting material on display but much of it does not have a New Zealand connection (apart from being displayed here), so I thought I would post about the flyable aircraft that are on the New Zealand Civil Register, as I photo'd below.  They are the aircraft with drip trays below the engines!

I did enquire at the Centre as to being able to post photos on this blog, and was given the OK.

Airco DH 2 ZK-JOJ is painted in the colours of 24 Squadron RFC.  It is a replica and was built in the USA with a Kinner radial engine as N5496.  It was first registered in New Zealand on 30/8/04.  It is displayed in a dogfight with a Fokker Eindecker.

Pfalz D III replica ZK-JPI was built in England for the 1966 film The Blue Max and has a Gypsy major engine installed.  After the film it went to the USA as N905AC.  It was registered in New Zealand on 17/3/05.  It was restored by Stuart Tantrum and painted in the lozenge scheme that it wore in the film.

Nieuport N 24 replica ZK-NIE was built in the USA with a Warner Scarab radial engine and was registered as N1893.  It was first registered in New Zealand on 16/6/05.  It is painted in the colours of French ace Lt Charles Nungesser who flew several Nieuports during the Great War, all painted in his distinctive colours.

Halberstadt D IV replica ZK-JOW was built in the USA with a Elizalde Tigre engine and was registered N1388J.  It was first registered in New Zealand on 7/9/04 and is painted in a generic 1916 German colour scheme.  It is the world's sole existing example of a Halberstadt single seater.

Four Fokker Dr 1 "Driedecker" replicas were on display.  All represent aircraft in Jasta 11 colours from early 1918.

ZK-FOK painted as Manfred Von Richthoven's all red machine,  This aircraft was built in New Zealand by Stuart Tantrum at Levin and features a Continental W 6750 radial engine, and was first registered on 20/2/85.

ZK-JOK (front, above) painted in the colours of Ltn Richard Wenzel.  It was built in the USA as N112DR with a Warner Scarab radial engine.  It was registered in New Zealand on 5/11/02.

ZK-JOB painted in the colours of Ltn Eberhardt Mohnicke.  It was built in the USA as N240TS with a Warner Scarab radial engine.  It was first registered in New Zealand on 12/12/02.

ZK-FOC painted up in the colours of Ltn Hans Weiss.  It was partly built in the USA and was completed in New Zealand by The Vintage Aviator and first registered on 7/12/06.  It also has a Warner Scarab radial engine.

The above aircraft are only four of The Vintage Aviator's seven Fokker triplanes.  The other three are currently based at Masterton.  More information on these aircraft can be found at  www.nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/fokker-triplane-replicas-of-new-zealand_12.html

I have added this one for completeness.  Not in The Aviation Heritage Centre but just across the grass at JEM Aviation was our latest Fokker Triplane replica ZK-FKD.  This one was also started in the USA and was finished off at Omaka and first registered on 9/1/14.  It is powered with a Rotec radial engine.

First flight in NZ today for ZK-IDB.

NOTAR ZK-IDB2 (c/n LN022) had its first flight in NZ today from the Heli Maintenance facility at Christchurch International Airport.

Seen here arriving back from its second mission.