Alexandra back on the 16th November

 At Alexandra back on November 17th the Cessna R172K ZK-XPD c/n R1723235 of the Central Otago Flying Club Inc was giving air experience flights to the local Air Training Corps camp attendees.

The Best of Skyranger Swift ZK-SCT c/n 796 was listed to John McCaul of Christchurch on 04-12-2023 which he keeps in his Alexandra hangar. 

His Tecnam P2004 Bravo ZK-JTB is kept in his Rangiora hangar.

I originally noticed the Swift in tail wheel mode back in 2011.  See HERE

Boeing 737-83N VH-AN2 of Air Nauru at Christchurch.

 Boeing 737-83N VH-AN2 c/n 30660 and line number 1330 was captured at Christchurch on the 20th by Tony McFarlin.

First flown by Boeing as N331TZ on 17-05-2003 before heading out on lease to ATA Airlines from 09-2003. A lease to SpiceJet from 04-2006 saw it registered as VT-SPH, followed by another lease from 05-2012 as HL8268 with T'Way Airlines. From 06-2023 it was registered as LY-FBI until becoming VH-AN2 from 18-12-2023 registered to Nauru Leasing Corporation for operations by Nauru Air Corporation.

From Christchurch it headed away to Brisbane, Nauru, Tarawa and Majuro.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter at Auckland Hospital Heliport

I had cause yesterday to be down nearby Auckland hospital in the early evening (again!).  I took my camera just in case and I was rewarded with a rescue helicopter parked at the heliport outside the Starship hospital:

Kawasaki B117 B-2 ZK-HKZ3 was resplendent in the very late sun.  It is registered to Northern Rescue Helicopter Ltd of Whangarei.  After a lot of waiting around, unfortunately I had to leave before it took off.

Ex Fieldair Beaver in Sydney October 1999

Murray Kirkus has sent in a photo he took in a hangar at Bankstown Airport in October 1999, and which he has wondered about ever since:

It is the rear fuselage of a Fieldair Beaver on which has been written VH-BRF.  It never made it to VH-BRF and Murray has asked a long shot question - which Beaver is it?  Can any Beaver experts out there help?

Cessna TU206 ZK-SUY

 The Cessna TU206G VH-KPG2 c/n U20605696 arrived into Nelson from Auckland and points west on 13-11-2024.

As N5380X it arrived in Australia to become VH-AWR3 from 01-08-1980 and was re-registered to VH-KPG2 on 07-12-1998. It has spent much of its later life in the aerial survey role with FUGRO. 

It was registered privately to Gerald Lappin of Morwell, Victoria on 17-05-2024.

It was photographed above at long range at Nelson by Lord Nelson on the 15th - the same date as it was registered in NZ as ZK-SUY to Landpro Ltd of Cromwell - I believe certified by Aero Solutions NZ Ltd of Nelson.

Belated Ardmore report from Auckland.

 Back on the 3rd of November Allister Jenks kindly sent me some picks taken at Auckland International and Ardmore Airports.

Due to serious technical problems with this traveling laptop (a poor workman always blames his tools) I have not been able to post photos.Above 
 Does size have right ?
Air NZ's Boeing 777-319ER ZK-OKR c/n 44546 trundles along with the Beech A36 ZK-ACO2 c/n E1896 of R Leach and D Paterson.

Over at Ardmore we have the one engined Douglas DC-3 ZK-DAK c/n 26480 of Flight 2000 Ltd.

And the Buckley Air Ltd's Piper Aerostar 600 ZK-MVY c/n 60-0649-7961216 was parked outside its hangar.

Carbon Cub ZK-SCH/2

The Cub Crafters CC11-160 Carbon Cub ZK-SCH2 c/n CC11-00443 for Steve Lyttle of Timaru was coming together nicely at AVTEK, Timaru when I visited on November 4th.

It was registered on 13-11-2024.

Steve has been aviating for some years and has operated several gliders including LS4's ZK-GMT and ZK-GMU. the DG400's ZK-GOM, ZK-GQP and ZK-GWW - the ASW20 ZK-GRA plus the Zlin Savage ZK-LAP.

He also currently lists the Alpi Pioneer 300 ZK-SJL. 

Whilst Holly lists the Carbon Cub ZK-CSS and the Grob 103 glider ZK-GNE.

Yak 52 ZK-RUS/2 at Kaipara Flats

Yesterday at Kaipara Flats airfield it was a bit too windy for the microlights but not for Brett Hempell's "new" Yak 52 ZK-RUS2 which flew up from North Shore to do a modern version of a compass swing on the grass.

This Yak was originally built in 1989 in Romania with the Russian registration RA-02956, moved onto the UK briefly in March 2005 as G-CBPX before settling in South Africa in October 2005 as ZU-RUS.  It was imported into NZ in early 2024.

After a coffee Brett and Christoph climbed aboard for the start procedure.

The Yak is called "Russian Thunder".

Then it was back to North Shore.  A very colourful aircraft!

What Goes Up Must Come Down

A couple of days ago I posted about the Airscapade DC 3 ZK-JGB flying past Warkworth up to Kerikeri.

Well today it flew back down South past Warkworth again.  This time I heard it coming and it was again quite low, so I had time to get my camera and take a photo of it.  very nice to have a DC 3 fly over.

Look out for it at points further South.

Tecnam P2002 Sierra RG ZK-TZS in New Colours.

Tecnam Sierra RG ZK-TZS is the ex John Crone machine that was sold to Gilson Silviero of Queenstown on 18/2/24.  He has given it a major birthday with a refurbished cockpit and the latest factory Tecnam P2002 colour scheme (although it is not a Mk II):

Gilson Silviero posted this photo of ZK-TZS on Facebook and it looks very smart.

And a reminder of how it used to look, parked under the late lamented Raglan trees on a lunch stop in February 2020.

Silverer Shadow ZK-STK

Noted at Taieri on Tuesday the 12th was the Zenair CH701 STOL ZK-STK2 c/n 7-9507 which has been listed with Thomas Hoefner of Green Island., Dunedin since importation from Germany in 2012.

It has a small cargo pod beneath and is also fitted with a ballistic parachute.

An earlier post on this aircraft can be seen here HERE.

A Look Back at Beaver ZK-BMF

Back in July I posted the history of Beaver ZK-BMF as part of my series on topdressing Beavers in New Zealand.  In that post I posted a black and white photo of ZK-BMF as a Hawker Siddeley demonstration aircraft which I said was painted with a blue fuselage stripe with a dark blue lower fuselage.  This was corrected in a comment where Anonymous advised that the lower fuselage was painted maroon.

To confirm this, Murray Kirkus has sent in a colour photo of ZK-BMF taken at Rongotai in October or November 1959.  Thanks very much for the photo Murray.

I have gone back to my original post and corrected it and inserted this photo.

DC 3 ZK-JGB Heading North

I just saw the Airscapade DC 3 ZK-JGB flying quite low North over Warkworth.  I wonder what that is about?

Armistice Day Remembrance 2024

Armistice Day  marked the end of World War 1 back on 11th of November 1918.  Given the rich New Zealand history in WW 1 including the recent rise of the WW 1 original and replica aircraft here, it is appropriate to mark the 106th anniversary:

One of the Allied types that was in service at the end of WW 1 was the Sopwith Snipe.  This accurate replica of an early model of Snipe was built by The Vintage Aviator for Kermit Weeks and was registered as ZK-SBT back on 8/8/11.  It is powered by an original Bentley rotary engine.  It is now in Kermit Weeks collection in Florida as N6313S.

Pietenpol Air Camper ZK-BZY

I was talking to Paul Waterhouse yesterday and telling him about the blog.  Try searching for ZK-BZY I told him so he did and came back with "it's not there!"  Dang!  So I asked Paul for a nice pic of it and here it is:

Paul made a really nice job of his Pietenpol ZK-BZY2 (c/n PCW001) which he registered on 13/12/21.  Unfortunately Paul suffered a whoopsie on landing and overturned on John Hansen's strip near Te Awamutu on 26/3/22 but he is rebuilding the aircraft with learnings from the whoopsie, and he told me it is nearly ready to fly again.

Paul's Pietenpol should really be the first ZK-BZY I reckon but there is an interesting story about the first issue of ZK-BZY.  That was an Enzeduce 1 which was a man powered aircraft that was designed by B Little and F Lindsey of Auckland and the registration ZK-BZY was allotted on 20/3/61.  But building was never commenced and it was cancelled on 3/10/69 as Construction Abandoned.

Thanks very much for the photo Paul.  Welcome aboard.

Two new Tecnams at Oamaru.

A quick drop into the New Zealand Airline Academy at Oamaru Airport found their two latest Tecnam P2008 JC's in Action.

Above is ZK-NYF which is c/n 1330.

Below is ZK-NYG with c/n 1331.This brings the Academy's fleet up to18 aircraft.

Acro Sport ZK-YKS at Ashburton.

 Hartz Super (EAA) Acro Sport N19ED     Update

 The EAA Acro Sport N19ED c/n 18 was built by Edwin H Hartz of Green Valley, Arizona and registered as a Hartz Super Acro Sport on 17-07-1978 and gained its Airworthiness certificate on 27-05-1980.

Ed was very active in aerobatic competitions in the early years with the aircraft.

He moved to New Zealand, and I believe had a farm in the Te Anau area, where he built a hangar and airstrip for this aircraft. A change of address to Te Anau was listed on 15-07-2017.

 I don't believe he flew it all that much in NZ.

N19ED above in its hangar at Te Anau about mid 2021.

Ed's other and perhaps more active hobby was as an amateur (ham) radio operator, gaining his ticket in 1961 - I think as K8VIR. 
He continued this hobby mainly as ZL41R up until his passing in March of 2021. He was also an avid fly fisherman.
The aircraft was reported as sold on 30-09-2022 and was cancelled from the US register on 02-12-2022 and is now in the hands of Kevin Langford at Ashburton for its NZ certification for a 'Private Owner'.

The photo below was taken at Ashburton by roving reported CMM on 22-07-2023.

It was registered as ZK-YKS on 20-10-2023.

**********************

Below.

I caught up ZK-YKS at Ashburton on Sunday the 3rd whilst it was having a compass swing.

Now proudly displaying its NZ 'YKS' markings and still carrying its old US markings of N19ED on its rudder minus the national letter 'N'.

It also has the US flag on the rear fuselage and 'Snoopy' on both sides of the upper rudder.

NICE.

Mustang ZK-TAF is now VH-TF8

Hot off the press from the Pay's Aviation Facebook page is that the ex Graham Bethell Mustang ZK-TAF arrived in Australia yesterday after having been flown across the Tasman by ferry pilot Steve Death.  We have reported that this was happening HERE

The Mustang is now registered VH-TF8

Cessna 150H ZK-TOK

The Tokoroa and Districts Aero Club held a flyin at Tokoroa on Sunday 3 November.  There was a reasonable number of sport aircraft in attendance despite some higher winds.  There was one new aircraft there, being the Aero Club's appropriately newly re-registered Cessna 150H ZK-TOK:

ZK-TOK (c/n 15068325) was registered to the Tokoroa and Distracts Aero Club (Inc) on 3/5/24 after having been re-registered from ZK-CSQ which has been in New Zealand since July 1969.

Thanks for the photo Mark

Australia Post Airbus 321 into Christchurch on 03-11-2024

Airbus A321-231 (P2F) VH-XF5 c/n 2799 cruised into Christchurch International on November the 3rd from Auckland and then departed for Sydney.

It returned to Christchurch early on 05-11-2024.

First flown on 29-05-2006 as D-AVZP before moving on to G-MEDM for British Mediterranean Airways followed by British Midlands Airways before returning to Germany as D-AATD.

It became VH-XF5 on 19-04-2024 and is operated by Express Freighters Pty Ltd for QANTAS Freight and carries Australia Post titles.

All three of the Mid Canterbury WASSI Tomahawks

 On Sunday all three of the Mid Canterbury Aero Club Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawks were lined up at their home base of Ashburton.

All three are 1979 models with ZK-JRS being c/n 38-790896. ZK-MAJ with c/n 38-790517 and ZK-NJT being c/n 38-791139.

All three are owned by the Walsh Aviation Support Society Inc and are on line at Ashburton. 

They all carry WASSI titles on their fins.

See more about WASSI HERE

ZK-JRS has been on line with the Club since 05-12-2023.

ZK-MAJ joined the Club from 16-04-2024.

It had also just arrived back in Ashburton following a repaint.

ZK-NJT has been listed with the Mid Canterbury Aero Club since 01-07-2024.

Now these were not just 'repaints'. They were closer to restorations, or at the very least major refurbishments from Jay McIntyre and the JEM Aviation team, including master painter Marty Nichol at Omaka.

The Club also operates the Piper PA-28-181 ZK-EBZ c/n 28-7790262 - and has done since 25-05-1990.

And the Jabiru J150 ZK-JRW c/n 0102 since 25-03-2016.

Some Useful Things Just Look Ugly

 While prowling around Wellington airport last week I came across this item.

Apparently it's constructed from an old grain silo- with add-ons, and was set up near the Execujet hangar at the airport in February this year. A training aid for the airport fire crews.

It was created by Quality Machining Ltd. , hence the 'registration' ZK-QML See their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/qualitymachiningLTD/posts/after-months-of-hard-work-we-have-finally-completed-our-aeroplane-fire-simulator/916189650507963/

And Another WASSI Tomahawk

Photo'd recently at Omaka is the latest Walsh Aviation Supporters Society (Inc) Tomahawk to appear in their colour scheme - ZK-MAJ: 

ZK-MAJ was registered to the Mid Canterbury Aero Club at Ashburton on 16/4/23.

Tomahawk ZK-NJT at Ashburton

 The Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk ZK-NJT c/n 38-791139 was snapped at Ashburton on 02-11-2024.

It was listed to the Mid Canterbury Aero Club on 01-07-2024 thanks to the Walsh Aviation Support Society (Inc).

The WASSI insignia still on its fin.

For more on this airframe see our previous post HERE

C-GDWM passing through for another Antarctic season

The Aerospatiale AS 350 B2 C-GDWM6 was noted local flying around the Canadian Helicopters base at Les Cedres, Montreal, Canada on 27-09-2024.

I next noted it flying out of the Auckland area direct to Wanganui and then to a spot south of Nelson on 22-10-2024.

Yesterday, 02-11-2024, it flew out of the Nelson area across to Omaka and then down to the Antarctic compound at Christchurch International Airport where it was photographed by Tony McFarlin.

It was here last season but was shipped out through Lyttelton. 

For more details about is previous identity and its last years visit see HERE

About to be loaded aboard the Italian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules "55.31" for its ride to Terra Nova Bay.

Bombardier VH-8MR into Christchurch today

 The Bombardier BD-700 1A10 Global Express 6000 VH-8MR c/n 9792 arrived in from Brisbane this afternoon.This is a 2017 example which was listed to the manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace as C-FUFT3 on 13-03-2017 and was delivered to Global Jet Austria GmbH on 19-12-2017 to become OE-LMA.

It joined the Australian register on 22-09-2023 as VH-8MR with ML Aviation Ltd of Brisbane and is operated by Business Aviation Solutions Pty Ltd also of Brisbane.

Douglas DC-3 ZK-JGB at Omaka.

 Lord Nelson spotted the Airscapade Affairs Douglas DC-3 ZK-JGB2 c/n 4363 at Omaka today        30-10-2024.

It has been parked up at the National Transport & Toy Museum at Wanaka for some time.

It was recently serviced there by JEM Aviation team from Omaka and was then flown up to Omaka on 11-10-2024.

It has been mentioned HERE several time previously.

Rangiora surprise this afternoon

 Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600 ZK-LTB c/n 022 outside its hangar.

It has featured many times on this blog.

The surprise catch for the day was the NZAI Fletcher FU24-950 ZK-EGS c/n 241.

This was first registered to N.Z.A.I at Hamilton on 12-07-1977 for listing to Air Services (Wairarapa) Ltd at Masterton on 07-12-1977. It changed tie down points at Masterton from 11-01-1978 when it joined Air Contracts (1969) Ltd.  On 15-08-1980 it was listed back with Air Services (1979) Ltd.

Super Air Ltd of Hamilton took it over from 01-11-2006.

It flew into Rangiora yesterday, minus its Super Air title, via Blenheim and Palmerston North and points further north.

'Kev's Taxi' appears below the cockpit.

Ownership passed from Super Air Ltd to Roy Hill of Oxford on 29-10-2024.

Roy also operates the Gippsland GA-200 ZK-MAW and the Piper PA-28-140 ZK-CUD.

Eurocopter AS 350 B3 ZK-IBR returns to "The Ice".

 Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd's Eurocopter AS 350 B3 ZK-IBR c/n 4899 has headed south for another season in Antarctica. This helicopter is no stranger to the cooler climes having done at least five seasons (possibly more) down there.

Originally registered as ZK-IDF4 with Heli-Works Queenstown Helicopters Ltd on 23-07-2010 it quickly transferred over to Souther Lakes Helicopters Ltd from 02-11-2010 only to return to Heli-Works Queenstown Helicopters on 04-10-2011. 

They re-registered it as ZK-IBR on 19-06-2012 to free up the IDF4 registration for their new AS 350 B3 c/n 7421 which became ZK-IDF5.

ZK-IBR reverted back to being operated by Southern Lakes Helicopters from 01-11-2013.

ZK-IBR was flown from Te Anau to Christchurch International on October 16th - had its rotor blades removed and was stowed aboard the C17 Globemaster III (10-0218) - flown south - and was flying in the McMurdo, Scott Base area by the 19th.

Looking up the tail end of the Globemaster III.

Note the five abreast central seating up forward and the folded seats along the fuselage side.

Below

Not a lot of room to spare at the rotor head.

North American P-51D ZK-TAF to be Exported

Following on from the recent Warbirds exports of the two Kittyhawks, P40E ZK-RMH and P40N ZK-CAG as well as the 2 seat Spitfire Mk IX ZK-WDQ and the Avro Anson Mk 1 ZK-RRR, the long lived (in NZ) North American P-51D ZK-TAF is also heading off shore. 

It will be heading to Australia to join the Hunter Fighter Collection at Scone in NSW. after being purchased by Ross Pay of Pay's Aviation who is also the Chairman of the Hunter Fighter Collection, and it will join two other Mustangs on display there.  The Mustang will be flown across the Tasman by Steve Death (who also delivered Mustang ZK-SAS "Dove of Peace" across to Australia in June 2022).

The Mustang was built in late 1945 for the USAF but did not see service with them.  In 1951 it was transferred  to the RCAF with whom it served until 1959.  Then after several US owners it arrived in New Zealand as N769MD in 1984 for Sir Tim Wallis.  It first flew here as N769MD on 24/1/85 and became the foundation aircraft for Sir Tim Wallis's Alpine Fighter Collection, being painted as NZ2415 in the colours of the No 3 (Canterbury Territorial) Squadron of the RNZAF .  It was registered as ZK-TAF in May 1986.  It is photo'd above arriving at the 25th Anniversary Walsh Flying School airshow at Matamata in 1991.

Ownership transferred to Graham Bethell in 1990 and he has owned it all these years for which we should all be thankful as he has flown it in many New Zealand airshows and air displays over that time.  Here it is at the still amazing Mosquito airshow at Ardmore on 29 September 2012 along with three other now departed warbirds.  Sadly, such is the reality of the modern warbird scene.

The last time I saw Graham Bethell display his old faithful Mustang ZK-TAF/NZ2415 was at the 2023 Classic Fighters airshow at Omaka on 8/4/23.

Thanks for the memories Graham.

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.