Cessna Caravan ZK-JMP out of Wellington 29-11-2025.

Alister Jenks caught the departure from Wellington today of the Cessna 208B Supervan 900 

ZK-JMP4 c/n 208B1169.

It was built as N479DV with a P&W PT6A-114 engine by Cessna Aircraft Company at Wichita, Kansas and certified on 17-11-2005.

In January of 2006 it was taken up by DBD Properties LLC of Grand Rapids, Michigan until going to Eastlake Aviation of Oxford, Connecticut from 05-05-2007. It was then re-registered as N95EL on 05-11-2007 - still with Eastlake. Somewhere about here it was converted to Supervan 900 with a Garrett TPE331 turboprop engine.

It then went into the hands of Southern Wings Aircraft Sales of Oklahoma City on 08-10-2014 for its move to New Zealand.

It ferried Hollister to Hilo to Pago, then into Auckland and Taupo on 26-11-2014.

Its US registration was cancelled on 01-12-2014 for it to become ZK-JMP4 with Tandem Skydiving (2002) Ltd at Taupo from 03-12-2014.

 SEE HERE to check out the Third Level New Zealand blog site for more details on why ZK-JMP is working this area.

Also tap the registration into FR24 to see its recent busy schedule. 

Microlight Aircraft of New Zealand - Early Unregistered Microlights - Ken Hoult's Kasperwing

Another very early type of microlight to fly here was the Kasperwing.  This was a single seat weight shift microlight that used a sliding seat for pitch control while bank and yaw were controlled by wing tip rudders.  It was designed in the mid 1970s in the US by Witold Kasper and Steve Grossruck and first flew in 1976, which pre-dated the US ultralight rules.  It has a wingspan of 35 feet (10.7 metres) and an empty weight of 160 pounds (73 Kg).  Its wing is wire braced from a central kingpost and the airfoil designed by Witold Kasper can produce a fully stalled configuration that descends like a parachute.  It is powered by a Zenoah engine of 20 HP.

Ken Hoult of Morrinsville imported a Kasperwing in 1981 and Pete James test flew it on Ken's farm:

The above photo shows Ken Hoult spraying on his farm in his Kasperwing and he went on to become the New Zealand agent for the type.  The photo (from the book "The Topdressers" by Janic Geelen), was taken by Paul Legg who also was an agent for the Kasperwing and flew one.  The caption states that many farmers were interested in microlights for spraying but the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Transport decreed that microlights were only to be flown for pleasure.  (However that did not stop several enterprising microlight sprayers but that is another story).

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South Otago Aero Club 90th Anniversary Celebrations 22-11-2025

The South Otago Aero Club at Balclutha celebrated their 90th anniversary with a flyin at Balclutha airfield on Saturday 22 November and 40 aircraft attended, plus one helicopter (which won the spot landing competition!).  Various photos have been posted on social media and Thomas Jackson took the photos below, of aircraft that were a bit different:

Rans S 6ES ZK-ARD2 is locally owned and I have been after a photo of it in all yellow.

Rans S 7 Courier ZK-TIK2 came from Te Anau and now has a Roberts Bush Gear undercarriage.

Flight Design CT ZK-TPZ came from Otautau and has now acquired CTLS trim.

Thanks for the use of the photos Thomas.

A Couple of Accoutrements at NZAA the Other Day

 

Judging from the number plate the Airport Emergency Service has a new firefighting vehicle.

And Air New Zealand has a big new plastic covered hangar.  It is Hangar 4 and is the largest unsupported timber arch aircraft hangar in the Southern Hemisphere.  It can take a Boeing B 787 or two smaller Airbuses, but it also takes away what used to be a good aircraft photography spot.

A couple of black Helicopters

Visiting Pauanui airfield this afternoon were a couple of Auckland based black helicopters being the privately owned EC130T2 ZK-HAT4.   This is an Aston Martin AH130 version originally imported new as ZK-HAP4 in January 2024, changing to HAT in November of that year.

And the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV ZK-HNY5 which also privately owned.  This was originally imported from the USA in late 2020.

A Flight Back from Dargaville to Kaipara Flats Yesterday

After lunch at Dargaville yesterday the weather cleared to sunny as we flew a lazy route back to Kaipara Flats in Brien's Fly Synthesis Texan ZK-TXN2:

We flew down the West Coast's continuous beach until we got to Kaipara Heads.  This is a notorious piece of water that has wrecked many ships over the years.  You can see how churned up the water is down there, and I mentally thanked to reliable Rotax engine up front.  That is South Head in the distance.

We cut in at the Heads and flew on across the Kaipara Harbour passing the disused North Head lighthouse below.

An enlargement of the lighthouse.

Then we overflew NZKF and on down the Mahurangi River, which you can see all the way from Warkworth down to Scotts Landing in the photo.

Around past Snells Beach we overflew Sandspit, with the channels showing due to the low tide.

Then we flew back and landed at NZKF where there was lots of activity: (from left) Eagle 150, Chipmunk, Tiger Moth, Messenger, Robin R2160 and Cherokee.

Thanks for the great flight Brien.

A Couple of Classic Cessnas at Dargaville Today 22-11-2025

A few days of nice weather in the North made a flight up to Dargaville for lunch sound pretty good, so I joined Brien O'Brien for a flight up there in his Flight Synthesis Texan.  There was one stand out visitor for me making its first visit for a Dargaville lunch, that being the Cessna 170B ZK-JCG3 which has recently been acquired by Shane Phillips and is now based at North Shore.  It is a very photogenic machine:

And it was even better when the C 170  was joined by Simon Lowther's Cessna 120 ZK-BFK2,

After lunch, taxying out,

And taking off leaving behind a cloud of lime rock dust.

Very shiny!

QUESTION TIME. An unknown Time Machine ?

 Can you tell us the registration of this time machine ?

I do not know the answer.

Pauanui today

Amongst the visitors to Pauanui airfield this morning was the Tauranga based Savannah S ZK-LBQ.  This hasnt been blogged here before and it was originally registered to a Rangiora owner in October 2023 before moving onto its current owner in October 2025.

A second visiting Savannah was the Whitianga based XL model ZK-CVK2 which still displays its previous Australian light sport aircraft registration 19-7675.   It was imported back in early 2015.

 

And down from Auckland and displaying its new white registration is David Wilkinson's DR107 ZK-EZG2

Barrier Air's Cessna Grand Caravan Fleet at NZAA

Another nice surprise at Auckland International yesterday was almost the entire fleet of Barrier Air's Cessna C208B Grand Caravans parked up.  The conditions for photos weren't great but I managed to get photos of all of them:

ZK-SDA3 (c/n 208B-5691) has not been blogged here before.  It is ex ZK-ROW2 and was registered to GBA on 1/10/24.

ZK-SDB is ex N988BA and was registered to GBA on 21/7/15.

ZK-SDC is ex N2057 and was registered to GBA on 24/1/18.

ZK-SDD is ex ZK-SAW and was registered to GBA on 10/10/18.

(ZK-SDE was not at NZAA yesterday as it was out earning its keep.  You can see this one HERE).

And finally ZK-SDG2 is ex F-FHTR and was registered to GBA on 14/10/22.

I was pleasantly surprised to see them all, and I guess it must have been a slow day!

NZICPA Cessna 172R Skyhawk at Wanganui: ZK-WUK

 Jordan Elvy has answered the call for a photo of C 172R ZK-WUK:

ZK-WUK (c/n 17481140) one of the trio of Cessna 172Rs that were purchased by the NZICPA and flown across the Tasman in September 2024.  It was registered to the NZICPA at Wanganui on 19/9/24.

Thanks for the photo Jordan.

Airwork Flight Operations (In Receivership) Boeing 737s at NZAA Today 20-11-2025

It has been ages since I had a chance to have a look around Auckland International Airport but today a pick up from Domestic with some time to spare gave me the opportunity.  There were several Airwork Flight Operations Boeing 737s parked around plus another surprising one in the hangar:

Only just registered on the CAA website is the B 737-800 ZK-AWK3 (c/n 27988) which arrived in Auckland on 7 November and is ex VQ-BUZ. 

Parked out was the B 737-400 ZK-TLF (c/n 24709).  Surprisingly this has not been posted on the blog previously despite having been first registered here on 20/1/12 and being cancelled on 10/3/15.  It has since been registered YR-UEZ, F-GZTK and VQ-BMF, all while still owned by AFO Aircraft (NZ) Ltd / Airwork Flights Operations in Auckland.  It was re-registered back as ZK-TLF on 9/5/23.

And to complete the inactivity B 737-400s ZK-PAK and ZK-PAT3 were also parked up.

NZICPA Cessna 172R Skyhawk at Feilding: ZK-WUL

We are on a roll with ZK-WU registered aircraft!  The latest is the Cessna 172R ZK-WUL which was photo'd at Feilding recently by Tim Gorman.  Now all we need is ZK-WUK!

ZK-WUL (c/n 17281227) was one of a trio of Cessna 172s that were purchased by the NZICPA in September 2024 and flown across the Tasman to Wanganui.  It is ex VH-YUN and you can see details of its history HERE

Thanks for the use of the photo Tim.

Diamond DA 42NG Twin Star at Wanganui ZK-WUN

Prior to Bill Mannix's photo of the Cessna 172M Skyhawk ZK-WUM at Nelson a couple of days ago, I had been sent a photo by Jordan Elvy of its stable mate Diamond DA 42NG ZK-WUN at Wanganui back in September:

ZK-WUN (c/n 42 N244) was built in in the Diamond factory in Austria in 2017, becoming OE-UDL before being delivered to Australia becoming VH-YDZ in September 2017 with Medical Aviation Services Ltd of Beaumaris in Victoria.  It was flown direct across the Tasman from Sydney to Nelson on 28/2/25 and on 28/2/25 it was registered to the New Zealand International Commercial Pilots Academy (NZICPA) at Wanganui.  It is photo'd above at Wanganui on 8/9/25. 

This must surely be the last aircraft to be registered to the NZICPA as they are ceasing business next year, with their facilities being taken over by the Oamaru based New Zealand Airline Academy.  The NZAA operate a fleet of Tecnams at Oamaru and they will not take over NZICPA's fleet, so there will be a lot of aircraft for sale soon!  Here is a NZ Herald/Whanganui Chronicle article about the change:  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/new-zealand-airline-academy-setting-up-whanganui-base-after-deal-with-district-council/UCAVRBW7CNH3XPHHRC7VJLNXDA/

Thanks for the photo Jordan.

Nelson on afternoon of 17-11-2025. ZK-WUM.

 The Cessna 172R Skyhawk ZK-WUM c/n 17281235 from the New Zealand International Commercial Pilots Academy was tied town at Nelson Airport on Monday afternoon having flown in from its Whanganui base the previous day via the Wairau Valley and St Arnaud.

I am guessing that it will be looking for a new home shortly !This airframe was cranked out at the Wichita, Kansas, Cessna Aircraft Co plant, registered as N65963, and shunted off to Australia where it became VH-BZJ2 with the Singapore Flying College Ltd at Jandakot, West Australia.

For some reason it was re-registered as 9V-FCH in February of 2010 to the Singapore Flying College PTE Ltd and still operated from the same West Australian base.

It was transferred back to the Australian register as VH-YUS3 on 18-03-2016, still with the same operator.

Above is a photo of VH-YUS taken at Jandakot by Simon Coates on 24-09-2017.

It along with a couple of its hangar mates (VH-YUB and VH-YUN) were sold on to Airflite Pty Ltd of Perth from 06-04-2022. All three were then sold to Peter Hughes of Randwick, NSW and Bryan Bedwell of New Plymouth on 04-09-2024

They were ferried out of Jandakot (Perth) on 02-09-2024 and reached Wanganui on the 7th.

See previous mention HERE

Build Your Dreams - the ICP Savannah S ZK-BYD /2

 The latest ICP Savannah S off the Rangiora production line is ZK-BYD2 c/n 22-10-54-0897.

Built by Doug Anderson and Ray Corbett with help from its owner - 91year old - Wayne Wilson.

Wayne chose the BYD registration and the colour scheme from his motor vehicle which is a BYD "Build Your Dreams" of the same colour.

Wayne also currently lists the Skyranger Swift ZK-SRS and the Ibis Magic GS 700 ZK-MGC.

The original ZK-BYD was a Douglas C-47A which was converted to 'Viewmaster' standard for South Pacific Airline of New Zealand (SPANZ) and operated here between late 1960 and 1966.

DHC 2 Beaver ZK-AZB Soldiers On!

What is that old saying? - You can't keep a good Beaver down?  Well this really applies to the venerable Beaver ZK-AZB which is now owned by Patchett Ag-Air and is flying in their colours:

I have previously posted the history of ZK-AZB and you can find that HERE.  I think it entered service for Patchett Ag-Air on 8 November 2025 making it very nearly 74 years old and after 8 owners it is still earning a living as a topdresser!

Luftwaffe Airbus A321 15+10 over Christchurch today.

An approach and overshoot at Christchurch today by the Luftwaffe Airbus A321-251NX LR) 15+10 c/n 10613.

Captured by Tony McFarlin.

It flew from Wellington to Christchurch to Ohakea, Auckland and back to Wellington.

This airframe first flew on the German test registration of D-AVXU for Airbus Deutschland at Hamburg on 26-10-2021.

It then became D-APLB and was delivered to Lufthansa Technik AG on 08-12-2021 for cabin fit out for final delivery to the German Air Force as 15+10 on 06-07-2022.

Question time. Who nose ?

 

At last weekends RAANZ fly in at Ashburton we had a selection of noses. 

All belonging to the Rangiora Squadron.

All I ask is for you to name the aircraft types - from front to rear.

Once you have got that sorted out. 

Give me the aircraft registrations.

Virtual 🐟to the winner.

Boeing 767 G-DHLK into Auckland on November 7th.

 This Boeing 767-3JHF G-DHLK c/n 37810 flew Brisbane to Auckland and return to Brisbane on     07-11-2025. It is currently operating across Asia and Australasia for Tasman Cargo and supporting their three other Boeing 767-300's.

The photo above shows G-DHLK at East Midland in the UK in October 2023.

G-DHLK joined DHL in November 2012 but became N644GT in January of 2013 with Polar Air before returning to G-DHLK with DHL in February 2013.

A Couple from the RAANZ Flyin at Ashburton

The Recreational Aircraft Association of New Zealand (RAANZ) held their annual flyin early this season, at Ashburton over the weekend of 7/8/9 November.  Tony McFarlin was there and noted a total of 59 attending aircraft, and Dave Paull was also there.  Here is a selection of the aircraft they photographed that were there:

Rans S 6ES Coyote II ZK-SBW2 of Sam and Asti Boal from Leeston was likely a first time attender at a RAANZ flyin, but it probably was at previous at flyins under its original registration of ZK-AJB2.

Another possible new attendee at a RAANZ flyin was Lyall Hopcroft in his Bristell ZK-WLH2.

A local out in the sun was Michael Chaffey's Auster Mk 5 ZK-AVH.  This was first registered in New Zealand in August 1950 so it has now been here for 75 years!

The Alpi Pioneer 300 ZK-LPT2 of Gary Montagu came from Dunedin.  This was imported from Australia in early 2020 and was previously registered ZK-YAN.

Murray Bowes' Zlin Aviation Cub ZK-ZAX flew over to Ashburton from Hokitika.  This was ZK-ZAC in a previous life.

And another aircraft probably attending its first RAANZ flyin was Paul Brydon's Rans S 21 ZK-YAW from Rangiora, still awaiting it colour scheme.

Thanks for the photos Dave and Tony.