A few from Ardmore today

Now featuring a smart new paint scheme is the Ardmore based Cessna 206H Stationair HD ZK-ABT2. This was originally imported in 2014 from Australia as ZK-FWC2 being reregistered in 2023 as ABT.

Also in a new paint scheme after a long term refurbishment is Uber Air's AS350D ZK-HYD2.  This was originally imported from the USA in 1996 for Rick Lucas Helicopters, later moving onto Heliflite.

Outside Airbus NZ was this brand new AS350B3 marked as just "T".  It is possibly the latest usage of ZK-HTS this being registered to Airbus NZ in October 2025,  along with 2 brand new EC130T2s, ZK-HGQ and ZK-IEC.

Question time.

 It has been some time since we have posted a 'Question Time'.

So have a gander at this photo.

Tell me what aircraft make and model do we have here ?

And what ZK registration would you put on it ?

A6-EOE in the Wimbledon Official Partner scheme.

Potted by Tony McFarlin at Christchurch International Airport today (28-10-2025) was the Airbus A380-861 A6-EOE c/n 169. 

She first flew as F-WWSZ on 31-07-2014 and was delivered to Emirates on 22-2-2014. 

As can be seen from the special markings, Emirates are the Official Partner for the Wimbledon tennis championships. These markings were applied in June.

Cessna 172 ZK-BQG

 The Cessna 172 ZK-BQG was built at the Cessna Aircraft Company factory at Wichita, Kansas in early 1956, and was allocated the US registration of N5880A and the construction number (c/n) of 28480. It was shipped to New Zealand for Rural Aviation Ltd at New Plymouth where it was registered as ZK-BQG on 01-05-1956 - with its CofA issued the following day.

This makes it the first Cessna 172 registered in New Zealand. 

It is however just the third oldest 172 airframe in New Zealand. The oldest airframe is ZK-MGR with the c/n of 28108 and ZK-BUZ with the c/n of 28138 - registered in NZ on 05-11-2014 and 20-11-1957 respectively.

(useless fact - for some years the last two numbers of the Cessna construction numbers matched the last two numbers of the registration number. In this case '80' and '80'.)

After a period on the demonstration circuit, it settled with the North Otago Aero Club at Oamaru from 28-03-1957, working alongside the Tiger Moths ZK-BSO and ZK-BMB.

ZK-BQG at Oamaru believed to be in the late 1950's. From the John Page collection c/- MoTaT

The Club traded it back to Rural Aviation Ltd on 20-05-1960 and replaced with the new Cessna 172A ZK-BWN (c/n 47304), which was listed to the Club on 07-06-1960.

             Rural sold ZK-BQG on quickly to Duncan Rutherford of Leslie Hill, North Canterbury                    from 06-07-1960.ZK-BQG as noted at Invercargill on 21-06-1969.

Thirty years on it went to Gordon Small of Knottsberry Farm, out of Rangiora from 17-05-1999.Above we see it at Omarama on 13-11-1999 with larger registration letters.

Next we see it briefly with Patchett Ag-Air Ltd of Omaka from 21-08-2002, with a transfer to Keith Baillie at Suspension Aviation Services Ltd of Omaka on 23-12-2002.As Seen at Omaka 20-04-2003 with the Kittyhawk Club/AOPA insignia on its fin.

He in turn moved it on to James Collett and James Fowler of Red Hills Aviation Ltd from 16-06-2007.Above. At Omaka 25-02-2008. (with the hair dryer running).Above we see it in a new colour scheme at Omaka on 08-12-2010.

It was back with Ray Patchett at Omaka from 15-06-2016 .And seen above at Omaka on 04-11-2016 still with tricycle undercarriage.

By mid 2018 was noted in a tail wheel configuration, as below.Omaka on 24-09-2018.

Above we see it performing at the Healthy Bastards Bush Pilots Champs at Omaka on 06-02-2021.

Above - caught during an inspection at Omaka 19-11-2023 with its Oceania Aviation Continental engine exposed.

And finally it is seen below parked at Nelson on 26-10-2025.

Bill Mannix on his Sunday morning Nelson walk

 The Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600 ZK-LTW3 is c/n 019 and has been with Ravensdown Aerowork Ltd since 03-10-2012. Currently Nelson based and seen here returning from a job in the Upper Takaka Valley. This Cesco was originally ZK-WAT from 07-07-1997.

Back on the airways today was Sounds Air Travel and Tourism Ltd's Pilatus PC12/45 ZK-PLX c/n 396.

A busy day working Blenheim to Wellington, then to Nelson and return to Wellington. Then over to Picton - Blenheim - Wellington and back to Blenheim.

Having overnighted at Nelson, refueled and now ready to depart for Queenstown was the Cessna 525B CJ3+ Citation Jet ZK-RJZ2 c/n 525B0524.

It appears to have lost its 'Robt. Jones Holdings Limited' signage along the fuselage.

Thanks to Bill Mannix for photographs.

Two arrivals at Christchurch on 24-10-2025.

Boring into Christchurch yesterday (24-10-2025) from Blenheim was Origin's, British Aerospace Jetstream 3202 ZK-JSK2 c/n 986. It later departed back to Blenheim then on to Nelson.
First flown in January 1996 with the BAe test registration of G-31-986 for delivery to Japan where it was listed as JA8590. It was back in the UK as G-CBDA between October 2001 and June 2005. The following month it was in Turkey as TC-RSA in the medevac role until moving to Iceland as TF-ORG from December 2015.
It arrived into Auckland on 24-07-2020 and became ZK-JSK2 with Origin Air Ltd at Nelson on 20-08-2020.

The QANTAS Airbus A330-303 VH-QPE is c/n 0593 and first flew as F-WWKP on 29-04-2004 and joined the Australian register on 04-06-2004.

If flew in from Sydney and after a brief stopover returned there.

ZK-IQT at NZQW today

 Noted shortly after its arrival at Queens Wharf Wellington, today 24-10-2025. was the Eurocopter          EC 120B Colibri ZK-IQT c/n 1370.

As ex VH-ADC5 it came to New Zealand to become ZK-IQT with Garden City Helicopters Ltd at Christchurch on 31-05-2007 - becoming GCH Aviation Ltd from 01-03-2018.

The Rocket VH-ROK rocks into Nelson.

 The Team Rocket F.1 VH-ROK3 c/n 125. Departed Canberra today and powered across the windy ditch at 9500 feet in 5 hours and 20 minutes - at 224 mph.

First registered on 07-12-2005 as VH-ROK to Eric Penderick of Bluff Point WA.

Lachlan Jones of Saint George, Queensland listed it on 25-05-2018, 

followed by Nicola A Thomas of Huntly, NSW from 24-10-2024.

Perhaps we will see it at the RAANZ Fly-in at Ashburton over 7 - 9 November.

In the background is the Gippsland Airvan ZK-LOR of Glenorchy Air which flew in from Queenstown back on the 17th.

The return of EC120B ZK-IRO

Visiting Pauanui airfield today was EC120B ZK-IRO which as of this month has returned to its original NZ registration of IRO,  having been operated as ZK-HGT from March 2024 until this month.  Built in 2010 it was imported from Australia in late 2016.   It is based in Hamilton.

 

Rangiora visitor on Friday the 17th October. Cessna A185E ZK-MUR.

The Cessna A185E Skywagon c/n 185-1233 was built by Cessna Aircraft Company and registered as N4766Q in about 1966 before heading off to the missionaries in PNG - initially as P2-UIH from 29-03-1976 with the New Tribes Mission at Goroka, then as P2-TAC in 1979 

Photo of P2-TAC Wewak 06-03-1983 David Carter & Aust Air Data.

                                     P2-TAC photo at Goroka on 10-09-1992 Aust Air Data.

Photo of P2-TNC Port Moresby 24-06-1993

I believe it was sold to Tony Ourdas of Heathcoat, NSW in 2003.

It popped up on the Australian register as VH-BVS3 on 08-02-2005 with Nathan Pink of Condell Park.

By October 2013 it was back with Tony Ourdas at Heathcote.

It was ferried across The Ditch from Port Macquarie to Lord Howe Island on 26-04-2014 - then on to Auckland the following day.

As ZK-MUR2 it joined the NZ register on 20-05-2014 with J D Murray Ltd.

It has a PPonked Continental IO-520D engine, a STOL kit and long range tanks.

Cessna 182Q ZK-SDX

 The Cessna 182Q Skylane II c/n 18265565 spent its first ten years in the USA as N735NX with at least seven operators/owners before being cancelled in August of 1987 for export to New Zealand.

In NZ it was registered as ZK-WFC on 14-10-1987 to S.D.S.Aviation Partnership of Lower Hutt.

(I believe that 'WFC' stood for the 'Wellington Flying Club').

ZK-WFC 1988.

Above we see ZK-WFC at Wellington - Photo from Steve Lowe.

It ferried out of New Zealand on - I actually have two dates here - On 10-02-1989 from Auckland to Lorde Howe Island - and as leaving NZ on 25-02-1989. With its NZ registration being cancelled on 13-03-1989.

In Australia it became VH-JHL on 13-04-1989 to H Black of Brigalou in Queensland.

It then has a series of owners - moving to West Australia in 2014 for operations by Skydive Geronimo.

It still carries the 'Geronimo' name on its fuselage side.

Above VH-JHL was noted at Busselton, WA, on 11-01-2019 by Brenden Scott.

Below VH-JHL is seen at Jandakot on 06-04-2019 by David Eyre.

By mid 2021 it was back east and being operated by the Goulburn Flight Training Academy Pty Ltd.

VH-JHL departed Gold Coast, Queensland for Lord Howe Island on 19-08-2025, then on to Norfolk Island and Kerikeri on the 20th, and finally to Rangiora on the 21st. 

Below we see VH-JHL in the RAE hangar at Rangiora on 25-08-2025.

NZ certification was done by Rangiora Aircraft Engineering with it becoming ZK-SDX on 27-08-2025 for Skydive Drop X Assets Ltd of Christchurch.

ZK-SDX at Rangiora on 17-10-2025.

Not Microlight Aircraft of New Zealand - Mosquitos and Paramotors

I have recently posted about a strange type of microlight in Japan (which was registered there) and followed up with an expose on a Foot Launched Powered Hang Glider called a Mosquito flying at Orewa Beach in New Zealand.

Now Guntram Gross from Whangarei who is a senior weightshift instructor has been in contact with a lot of information on Mosquitos and Paramotors.  Guntram, who owns a Mosquito himself advises that there are about 20 Mosquitos in New Zealand and they do not need to be registered because they are foot launched and come under the Part 149 certificate of the New Zealand Hang Gliding and Parachute Association (NZHGPA).  The NZHGPA also controls foot launched powered parachutes or Paramotors of which Guntram reckons that are between 50 and 70 in New Zealand.  Under the Part 149 of the NZHGPA and because they are foot launched, often from parks, Mosquitos and Paramotors can fly over built up areas above 500 feet. That is not the case for microlights which come under the Part 149 certificate of the Microlight Aircraft Association of New Zealand (MAANZ), which cannot fly over built up areas.  I guess it could be that microlights are heavier and faster too.  There is a class of microlight that is a powered parachute with a trike unit below and these are called Paramotor Trikes and they have to be registered as a microlight.

All clear then?  Below are some examples:

Guntram Gross and his Mosquito.

A couple of Paramotors that I photo'd at Parakai in 2011.

And their intrepid pilots.  On the right is Greg Dawson-Sheehan who now owns the Aeroprakt Vixxen ZK-VXN and who I was talking to only this morning at Kaipara Flats.

And to round off the story, here is the Tidco Powerchute ZK-FET that I photo'd in a hangar at Waihi Beach in 2017 which is a Paramotor Trike and is registered as a microlight.  I would love to see a photo of one of these flying in New Zealand - has anyone out there got such a photo?

I will be offline from the blog for a few weeks cruising up the Yangtze River.

Tauranga Vampire movements

Peter Layne advises that things are happening with Vampires at Classic Flyers at Tauranga Airport.

NZ5751 is being disassembled for transportation to Hamilton for display at the Classics Museum in Frankton.

And

NZ5767 is at long last on its plinth adjacent to the Classic Flyers carpark.

Both have been previously mentioned HERE

Thanks Peter

Nelson walk around - Friday the 17th

 Bill Mannix did his regular walk around the perimeter of Nelson Airport this morning and offers these three photos of visiting machines.

The GCH Avation Ltd's Eurocopter EC 130 B4 ZK-IWS c/n 4041 was at the fuel pumps - before departing back to Kaikoura.

ZK-IWS has been mentioned previously HERE

This Piper PA-23-250C Aztec c/n 27-3437 was manufactured way back on 31-08-1966 as N6201Y for delivery to the Zambian Government's Communication Flight at Lusaka as 9J-RCW.

It trundled into Auckland on 24-01-1972 to become ZK-DGT on 21-01-1972 for G F H Vetch of Hastings. 

It served time with at least eleven further owner/operators before being taken on by Dairy Tech International Ltd of Tauranga from 01-06-2003.

It was on a day trip down from Tauranga.

Cessna R172K Hawk XP II ZK-XPD c/n R172K3235 arrived in Nelson back on the 6th of the month and departed today back south to its home with Chris Rudge of Aviation Adventures Ltd at Twizel (Pukaki to you newbies). 

A couple of Pauanui visitors

Amongst the visitors to Pauanui airfield today were a couple of aircraft not noted here before, being the brand new Tecnam P2010 demonstrator ZK-TCN which is currently for sale on Trade Me.

And the latest addition to the Tauranga Aero Club fleet,  Cessna 172R ZK-TAC 3,  which is a 2001 model imported from Australia mid year.

BETA Alia CX300 for Air New Zealand at Tauranga Today 17-10-25

As well signalled, Air New Zealand's new electric aircraft has arrived in the country.  I understand that N401NZ has flown at Tauranga this morning:

A photo from the Tauranga Airport Spotters and Photographers Facebook page thanks to Naomi Jones.  Air NZ has a firm order for this aircraft and options on another two.as well as rights for another twenty.

Boldly moving into the future of flight?

Squirrel ZK-IDA Icebound

 The Eurocopter AS 350 B3e ZK-IDA c/n 8609 of Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd flew into Christchurch from Te Anau, Queenstown and Wanaka today.
It is Antarctica bound.

As I am sure you all know this airframe began as ZK-HHT5 in February 2019, switching to ZK-IDF7 in May of 2019 with a change to ZK-IDA on in October 2024.

Texan NZ1401 at Nelson today (15-10-2025).

The Beechcraft T-6CTexan II NZ1401 c/n PM-37 was noted at Nelson today by Bill Mannix.

It returned to Ohakea this evening.

This was the first of eleven such aircraft for the RNZAF.

Basically, a licence built version of the Pilatus PC-9

NZ1401 first flew at Wichita, Kansan on 10-06-2014 with the US civil registration of N2824B and was delivered as such via Stansted (London) on 02-08-2014. Through Cairns on the 19th, Brisbane on the 20th. Norfolk Island to Whenuapai on the 21st and Ohakea on the 21st.