The delivery of Daher Kodiak ZK-KDI.

 The Daher Kodiak 100 c/n 100-03313 appeared on the US register s N321KD with the manufacture in Mid 2022 and was delivered to Fluid Aviation LLC of Kalispell. Montana in March of 2023.

Southern Wings Aircraft Sales Ltd listed it on 23-07-2024 and prepped it for its NZ ferry including a repaint into Glenorchy Air Services & Tourist Co Ltd paint scheme.

Across the Pacific: Operations Manager Megan George’s Journey with our latest Daher Kodiak 100

At Glenorchy Air, every flight is a journey. Earlier this month, our Operations Manager Meagan George, embarked on a unique flight experience that took her across the vast Pacific from Hawaii to New Zealand to bring the newest addition to our fleet to Queenstown, just in time for the busy summer season. Megan was in good company with our ferry pilot John Smith. This is the 3rd aircraft John has flown from the United States to New Zealand for us – he’s been in this business for over 50 years!

Hilo International Airport
Hilo, Hawaii, USA

Kiritimati Cassidy International Airport
Kiritimati (Christmas Island)

Faleolo International Airport
Samoa

Auckland Airport
Auckland, New Zealand

Ardmore Airport
Auckland, New Zealand

Queenstown Airport
Queenstown, New Zealand

The Daher Kodiak 100: Adventure meets luxury

The Daher Kodiak 100 is designed and built for adventure. Manufactured in Sandpoint, Idaho, USA, they are built to perform in the most challenging environments. Powered by a reliable 750hp Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 engine, the Kodiak 100 excels in short takeoffs and landings. Its robust design can handle all types of terrain and its spacious cabin comfortably accommodates 9 passengers. 

 

Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, the Kodiak ensures both safety and efficiency. Whether flying over the Southern Alps of New Zealand or over the Pacific Ocean, the Kodiak 100 combines performance, durability, and versatility, making it the perfect aircraft for our operations.

"I have wanted to do a ferry flight for years - my two favourite things combined - aviation and travelling to new places. I absolutely loved it and was totally amazed I didn't see a ship or plane anywhere on all three days. I sailed across the Pacific in my pre-aviation days. Flying across it in a non-commercial jet was always a dream."

Megan George, Operations Manager

The big island of Hawaii

Departing Christmas Island

Landing on the island of Samoa

Ofolanga, Tonga

Hunga + Nuapapu, Tonga

Arriving at Auckland Airport

The Journey Across the Pacific

Megan’s journey began in the tropical skies of Hawaii, flying over remote stretches of ocean, making two stops along the way to refuel and rest. 

• 8 October: Merced Regional Airport (MCE) → Hilo International Airport (PHTO) – 13 hours flight time
• 9/10 October (crossing over the International Date Line): Hilo International Airport (PHTO) → Kiritimati Cassidy International Airport (PLCH) – 7 hours flight time
• 11 October: Kiritimati Cassidy International Airport (PLCH) → Faleolo International Airport (NSFA) – 8 hours flight time
• 12 October: Faleolo International Airport (NSFA) → Auckland Airport (NZAA) – 11 hours flight time

• 12 October: Auckland Airport (NZAA) → Ardmore Airport (NZAR) 
• 14 October: Ardmore Airport (NZAR) → Queenstown Airport (NZQN)
• 15 October: Queenstown Airport (NZQN) → Wanaka Airport (NZWF)

"The logistics behind a flight involving multiple countries - all the paperwork required, immigration and refueling at each stop, accommodation, etc. is huge, but once airborne, it just becomes a glorious view of ocean and clouds. I loved it! Thanks John for doing all the important stuff and letting me tag along!"

Megan George, Operations Manager

Welcome to New Zealand

After days of flying over some of the most isolated parts of the world, Megan, John and N321KD arrived safely on New Zealand shores. Now in Wanaka at Performance Aviation, her new registration will become ZK-KDI once she receives regulatory approval shortly. Ready to adventure with us this summer? Book your flight here.

A Question for Labour Weekend

As it looks like Labour weekend will be washout for sport flying, how about dredging your memory banks for some info on this interesting machine:

Recently Ivan Krippner posted a video of old home movies fearturing sport flying in the Waikato.  Early on in the video is this amazing looking aeroplane taxying with verve at Krippner's strip at Ngahinapouri.  From what I know it is a replica of a 1912 Curtiss Flyer powered by a Honda engine with a huge Ducati carburettor bolted on top to provide plenty of fuel.  And the date I have is 1975!

The top photo is a screenshot and here is another smaller photo of it.

I think it may have been built by these two fine 1970s specimens.  I think they were motorcycle racers from Cambridge and may have worked at Waikato University?  From what I understand they had no plans and drew it out on the workshop floor with chalk (shades of the Jodel D9).  Can anyone identify the two guys?

I also understand that it spent many weekends taxying and doing hops down the strip at Krippner's strip before attempting a flight.  They obviously got into the air but I understand a lack of fuel issue resulted in a landing in trees alongside the strip with not much damage (shades of Richard Pearse).

And later it was craned down.  Of course it was never registered and I think the then Civil Aviation Division of the the Ministry of Transport told our intrepid would be flyers to desist (shades of Geoff Williams).

Later it went to MOTAT where it was known as the MOTAT Biplane:

Here it is on display at a motor racing meeting at Pukekohe in the mid 1990s.  Thanks for the photo Peter.

So here is your Labour Weekend challenge - what can you tell us about this pretty amazing aircraft?  Who built it?  Who were the builders?  (They could well still be around).  Where is the aircraft now?  And are there any other photos of it out there?