Whitianga today

 Bargeld01 Senior sent some cellphone snaps of the Flying NZ National Competition, practice day. 

 held at Whitianga today.

He reckons he counted 40 aircraft or more.

Here are just a few.

There is a public day at Whitianga on Saturday.

Omaka this day - 26-02-2015

 Still on the ground at Omaka is the DC-3 ZK-JGB2 (c/n 4363) with a minor technicality which should delay its arrival at Auckland until late Monday if all goes well.

 We did have two P and W radials operating though as Beech D18S (Ten-two) N43927 (c/n A-26) arrived in from Wanaka.
It is heading for Auckland to get a maintenance sign off.
http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2014/08/n43927-sweet-as.html 

 Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee ZK-CIQ (c/n 25-3128) is locally operated by Peter Anderson.

 Also out today was the  Nesmith Cougar ZK-CNA2 (c/n RD1) of Rod Davis.

Sir Minty covered it pretty well previously at :-

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2014/06/nesmith-cougar-zk-cna.html

And wheeling in was the John Baynes De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth ZK-BAH (c/n 83589).

ZK-JGB

Douglas DC-3 ZK-JGB 

"The Jean Batten Clipper"

Named for

Jean Gardner Batten.

Born 15-09-1909 - Died 22-22-1982

See link below for more info on Jean Batten.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Batten

As N451ZS (The Jean Batten Clipper) this Douglas DC3C-S1C3G was placed in the Marlborough Aero Club Hangar in July of 2013.

Owner Mark Oremland of Airscapade Affairs Ltd has had a team of engineers from Air Chathams working on the aircraft recently and it has now been moved outdoors for engine runs.

It was transferred to the NZ register as ZK-JGB (c/n 4363) on 16-02-2015.

Pics below taken this morning 26-02-2015 at Omaka.

Awaiting arrival of crew to carry out its initial flight in NZ under its ZK registration.

If all goes well it is intended to fly her up to Auckland

Earlier pics of ZK-JGB as N451ZS can be found at :-

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/question-time-158-resolved.html

As you can imagine this aircraft has been around. Starting in the US Military as Bu4703, then down to Colombia. Back to the States as N1699M followed by a time as N69D before returning to N1699M. 

N234Z was its next registration followed by HZ-TA3 - then back to N234Z. 

South Africa was next as ZS-MRU, then Iceland and TF-AVN and in 2011 it became N451ZS.

Ardmore 23-2- 2015 - BK 117 Helicopters

One thing that I have noticed at Ardmore the last several times that I have visited is that helicopter activity well outweighed fixed wing activity.  A few days ago these helicopters from the same family were out and about.  I am interested in helicopters but not very knowledgable on the various models.

I was surprised therefore that these helicopters were all variants of the twin turbine BK 117, so I did a bit of investigation.  The original BK 117 was developed as a joint venture between Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm of Germany and Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan with the main rotor system and tailboom developed from the MBB Bo 105 helicopter and Kawasaki contributing the airframe and main trasmission.  This first model was the BK 117 A-1 and it first flew in June 1979 and entered service in December 1992.  It was developed over the years up to the C-1 model, and it was built by both MBB (330 examples) and Kawasaki (111 examples), up to 2004..

ZK-HGU5 (c/n 7229) is a MBB built MBB BK 117 B-2 that was registered to Airwork NZ Ltd on 11/12/14.  It is ex N164AM and has a long previous history with several other registrations in the US.

ZK-IEH (c/n 9110) is a Eurocopter MBB BK 117 C-2 that is ex ZK-ITF and ex ZK-IGT, registered as ZK-IEH on 23/9/14 after having first been registered in New Zealand on 16/7/07.  You can see it has the BK 117 three element tail.  It is owned by Advanced Flight Ltd of Auckland.

The BK 117 design became part of the Eurocopter line-up when MBB merged with Aerospatiale-Matra in 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group, and the C-2 model was developed by another joint venture between Kawasaki and Eurocopter with the rear section of the BK-117 being mated to the forward section of the Eurocopter EC 135.  It first flew in June 1999 and was introduced into service in 2002.  This helicopter is also known for marketing purposes as the Eurocopter EC 145.

ZK-ITF3 (c/n 20020) is an Airbus Helicopters MBB BK 117 D-2 that was first registered on 23/10/14.  It is also owned by Advanced Flight Ltd of Auckland.

In 2011 the C-2 model was developed into the BK 117 D-2 model which has improved performance and the Eurocopter fenestron shrouded tail rotor system.  This helicopter is also known for marketing pourposes as the EC 145 T2.  ZK-ITF is an Airbus Helicopter, with Airbus Helicopters having been rebranded from the Eurocopter Group on 2 January 2014.

Question time # 176 resolved.

 Finally a response to Question Time # 176.

And a correct one at that.

It is indeed the Cessna 182R ZK-NML (c/n 18267842) as seen at Ashburton on 07-02-2015.

It was noted in the same colour scheme at Ardmore two years ago.

This originally came onto the NZ register for Brian Hore of Nokomai Station on 14-07-1993.

If anonymous would care to send me his/her postal address I could send Chocky fist in that direction.

Helicopter on Floats at Ardmore 23-2-2015

An unusual sight running up outside Oceania Aviation on 23 February was this Hughes 369D on floats.

ZK-HMG is owned by Amalgamated Helicopters NZ Ltd of Masterton.  It has been around since November 1985 with multiple owners and has had several stints overseas in New Guinea as P2-HBC.  So maybe it is heading overseas again?  Can anyone confirm why it is on floats?

Ardmore Yesterday 23-2-2015 - Two Tecnam Twins

While waiting for Pasiing showers to pass at Ardmore yesterday, a different shape appeared downwind in the circuit.

It was Tecnham P2006T ZK-OBZ which is owned by Ardmore Aviation Services with a Hong Kong address.  It was the first time I had seen the aircraft which was registered VH-OBZ in Australia before flying the Tasman to appear on the New Zealand register on 9/12/14.

ZK-OBZ is configured as a Multi Mission Aircraft with electronic surveillance equipment from Airborne Technologies installed in a sensor bay in the floor and it has various bulges as could be seen as it taxied in.  I am not sure how much of the special equipment is installed in ZK-OBZ and if so what it is used for.  Can anyone advise?

Outside the Tecnam hangar.  The P2006T is powered by two Rotax 912 engines of 100 HP each so it is a very light twin aircraft.

But ZK-OBZ was not the only P2006T on the field as the Middle Earth Flying School's ZK-MTW was parked along the line.  This example was first registered in New Zealand on 7/11/11.

New Zealand has one other P2006T on the register, ZK-TWN, which is also owned by Ardmore Aviation Services.

Some parting shots

The Blue Bus is slowly cutting tracks back towards Quake City.

Below are two last shots from Motueka taken on the 22nd.

Robinson R44 ZK-HAZ2 (c/n 0745) from Coast To Coast Ltd at its home base. It joined them on 12-05-2011 from Australia.

The Cirrus SR22 G2 ZK-STU3 (c/n 1900) from Cirrus One Ltd at the fuel pumps at Motueka. It has reportedly been in the area for several days.

An unexpected sight and sound at Nelson was the arrival of the Air Chathams General Dynamics Convair 440/580 ZK-CIE2 (c/n 399).

Bell 206B JetRanger ZK-HBO2 (c/n 570) from Kaikoura Helicopters was over for some maintenance.

And the Hughes 369D ZK-HXX3 (c/n 300675D) was parked out on the grass. It has been listed to Helicopter Charter Nelson Ltd since mid 2011. 

This was originally ZK-HSW between 1984 and 2000.

Above we have the Cessna 207 ZK-MDZ (c/n 20700171) at Nelson yesterday. 

It has been carrying out survey work down "The Coast".

(As posted a couple of days ago at Hokitika).

See amended NZHK post at :- 

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2015/02/zk-mdz-at-nzhk.html

Above we see the Cirrus SR22 ZK-STU at Nelson yesterday (23-02-2015) with the Australian registered Cessna 402 VH-SVQ parked beyond.

Ardmore Today 23-2-2015 - A Wide Variety of Aircraft

Another drop-off to Auckland International today so another trip to Ardmore.  There is always something to see and such a wide variety of aircraft.  Here are a few from today:

Zenair CH 801 ZK-PIP4 was uncovered outside Pioneer Aero's hangar - the first time I have seen it uncovered.  However it is parked in a difficult position for a decent photo.  This is the best I could do.

From the other side you can see the high lift devices hung on the front of the wings.

A newbie to me was Diamond DA 40 ZK-MTZ is owned by the Geddes Brown Syndicate of Drury.  It is for sale at Dennis Thompson International and could be yours for $249,900.  This aircraft is ex N196DC and I believe was imported in a damaged state and rebuilt in New Zealand.  It was first registered on 20/9/11.

Harvard ZK-WAR flew in, I suspect from a rain delay in returning from the Art Deco weekend at Napier.

Lear Jet 35A ZK-XVL of Auckland Air Charter Ltd was undergoing engine runs.  This is ex N35QB and has been around since 25/2/03.

And also of interest were the new North American T-28B Trojan ZK-TGN was still in the Airspray Ardmore hangar being painted but progress is being made, and the Spitfire Mk XIV ZK-XIV2 being worked on at Avspecs.  This cannot be far away from flying as the goal is to have it at the Classic Fighters 2015 airshow at Omaka in early April.

ZK-MDZ at NZHK

Ben from Wilderness Wings captured this Cessna 207 ZK-MDZ (c/n 20700171) at Hokitika yesterday (21-02-2015).

 This Cessna 207 Skywagon comes with a lengthy history that runs something like this. 

It was built as N1571U and sent to Australia and allocate VH-UBR. This was not taken up and it became VH-GKU for a period before heading up to Papua New Guinea as P2-GKU. It was re-registered as P2-SEB in 1976 with Talair (Pty) Ltd at Goroka. 

On 01-05-1984 it returned to Australia to become VH-GKZ with R Lucas of Mount Gravatt in Queensland. It soon moved over to Kununarra in West Australia with Kimberley Air Charter. It then had a period off the register before re-appearing with James Chenault at Lightning Ridge, NSW in 1990, and finally with Kakadu Air Service Pty Ltd at Jabiru, Northern Territory from 13-05-1991.

It had an event at Jabiru in Northern Territory in October of 1999 and it was stored at Batchelor for some time before it was rebuilt.

I am not sure how it arrived in being shipped to NZ in its damaged condition to undergo a rebuilt at Whangarei by Northland Aviation for Salt Air Ltd.
This rebuild used parts from the Cessna 207 ZK-DAX which had been involved in a mid air collision with Cessna 207 ZK-DQF back on 30-12-1989. 
It was registered as ZK-SAL4 on 23-11-2004 to Salt Air Ltd at Paihia, with an ownership change to MDR Aviation Ltd at North Shore City on 11-09-2009.

It was re-registered as ZK-MDZ on 28-10-2009 and went to Flight Hauraki Ltd on 15-03-2010.

Rans incident near Haast on Wednesday

A report from Fridays Ashburton Guardian.

Anybody got more gen on this event on Wednesday?

ZK-JAK at Christchurch

Bargeldo1 captured our newest Cessna 510 Mustang ZK-JAK2 (c/n 510-0347) today at Christchurch.

As N9043L it was built at the Cessna plant at Independence Kansas and registered on 17-09-2010 then delivered out to Australia where it became VH-SQJ on 02-12-2010 with the Singapore Flying College Pty Ltd at Marcoola, Queensland.

It was sold to Aeromil Pacific on 05-11-2014 for ops by Flight Options (Australia) Pty Ltd of Mudjimba, Queensland. 

It arrived at Auckland on 29-01-2015 and moved on to Hastings the following day and was registered as ZK-JAK on 03-02-2015 to Air Hawkes Bay. I believe it is Rotorua based.

A Couple of Interesting Aircraft from New Plymouth

Blog reader Wayne Butt of New Plymouth has sent in a couple of photos of his two interesting aircraft.

Colomban Cri Cri ZK-CRI2 was built by Wayne and first flew on 26/12/08.  Wayne has a very interesting blog on building and flying his aircraft at www.cricri.zoomshare.com/0.html  However, he advises that the Cri Cri has only flown 12 hours to date and none in the last 2 years as he has had a problem with the right engine failing twice due to siezing of the rear big end bearing.  The engines are 240 cc 3W Modelmotoren horizonatally opposed 2 strokes producing 22 HP each.  Wayne says he feels like he is progressing backwards with flying the Cri Cri, but he also says he is like a "dog with a bone" to identify and solve the problem.  The above photo was taken in July 2010.

Wayne's second aircraft is the Zenith Zodiac CH 600 ZK-ZKZ. Wayne told me that the aircraft was commissioned by Paul Muller and built by John Raven at New Plymouth as a possible commercial venture, and it was first registered in February 1987.  Paul Muller requested some mods from the designer Chris Hientz and as a result the cockpit was widened and wing lockers were constructed - features that were later incorporated by Chris Hientz into the CH 601.  Wayne purchased the aircraft in June 1992 and re-engined it with a Subaru EA 81 engine around 1997.   The above photo was taken on the beach at Raglan November 2007.

Thanks very much to Wayne Butt for the photos and information.

A flight with Mit in MIT

I was most fortunate to go for a very enjoyable ride with Mit Brereton in his Cessna 185A ZK-MIT out of Takaka on Wednesday. 

He provided a very informative and light hearted patter and tossed in a sighting of a couple of Orca's at no extra charge.

ZK-MIT is Cessna 185A c/n 0504 which has an interesting past life having served as  ZK-CCL, ZK-CTN, ZK-CVF and ZK-SOW before becoming ZK-MIT.

Anybody got any photographs of her from the early days as ZK-CCL and ZK-CTN - please ?

Canadian Home Rotors Safari ZK-HXJ Accident

New Zealand's first registered Canadian Home Rotors Safari helicopter crashed near Te Awamutu on 10/2/15, apparently after reportedly suffering an engine problem.  Fortunately there were no serious injuries but photos showed the helicopter to be badly damaged.

ZK-HXJ2 (c/n XJ 0301N) was built by Bruce Belfield, then of Tokoroa and was first registered to him on 19/10/01.  It has been owned by him for its entire life and was a regular attendee at sport aircraft flyins in the Waikato area.  I photo'd it most recently as above at the 2014 Black Sands flyin at Raglan on 8/11/14.

Bruce is the New Zealand agent for Safari helicopters of which we have had 12 examples to date.

Question time # 176

From the chocolate fish department we have this shot.

To get a look at this fish tell us :-

What aircraft type we are looking at.

And we need to know its local registration.

As usual - no correspondence will be entered into and the said fish may be withdrawn and eaten at any time by "Blue Bus".