Ardmore Activity 5-9-14

Aerostar 601 ZK-JOS msn 61-0361-116 seen about to land has been a frequent sight at Ardmore in recent week's. Operated by Coventry Motors Ltd of Glenfield.

Alpha R2160 ZK-SWY msn 160A-06004 of Invercargill based Southern Wings Ltd but now based at Ardmore was busy doing circuits.

Ardmore resident American Champion 7GCBC Citabria ZK-CIT msn 1335-2002 was outside Pioneer Aero

Also outside at Pioneer Aero was BAC-167 Strikemaster Mk88 NZ6362 msn 302

Last Post from Queenstown

My apologies to any readers who don't appreciate scenic shots....

But I thought I would post this last photo from Queenstown, which does have an aviation aspect.  The photo is taken from Coronet Peak, from where you can see part of the airport.  Most airports are in pretty boring flat areas but Queenstown is different.  So this photo shows the huge landscape, but also an Air New Zealand Airbus A 320 taking off - it is just below the arrow in the photo.  I thought that the photo shows how tiny man's efforts are in comparason to nature.

The photo also gives an idea of the airliner climb-out flightpath from Queenstown - the Airbus turns slightly to the right shortly after where it is in the photo and then commences a left hand climbing turn until in is right over the airport again but now much higher, and then heads off for its destination.

Cessnas and a Yak from Queenstown

There were plenty of aircraft at Queenstown but these four took my attention.

Cessna 185F ZK-DKJ is now owned by Andrew J Bowman of Gore.  Those are big tyres!

Cessna 185F ZK-ENW is owned by Air Milford 2000 Ltd of Queenstown.

Cessna 172P ZK-ETT is owned by the Wakatipu Aero Club.  I thought that this looked a bit different, and the difference turned out to be the dark covers on its wings and tailplane, maybe as a protection against icing?

And Yak 52 ZK-YKA of Double X Aviation was similarly covered.  I did see this aircraft flying one afternoon when were visiting.  Double X Aviation also had Harvard ZK-XSA and Aero L 29 ZK-JET on the airfield offering tourist flights.

To and From Queenstown (2) - Will the Real Mt Cook Please Show Up?

Thanks to Anonymous and Mike Condon, it seems that my previous post photo with Franz Josef Glacier at the bottom and asking which peak was Mt Cook didn't in fact show Mt Cook, and that it was out to the right hand side of that photo.

So this photo must show Mount Cook as it was taken further to the right of the previous photo.  You can get an idea of where things are by noting Lake Pukaki which is in the distance in front of the wing.  Can anyone describe which peak is Mt Cook?

And in fact, knowing what I now know, I reckon that this photo must also show Mt Cook.  This is because you can see the head of Lake Pukaki behind the wing.  So Mt Cook must be the highest peak on the mountain skyline behind?

I will also post this spectacular view showing the Queenstown area from above, on approach with Air New Zealand.  It shows the airport in the middle, Lake Hayes is in the foreground with Kelvin Heights and Lake Wakatipu beyond the airport and the snow covered Thompson Mountains in the distance.  Click on the photo to enlarge for a more detailed view.

The Helicopter Line at Queenstown

As an international airport, Queenstown is secured by fences (not electrified!) so you have to photograph over them.  Here is a selection of the Queenstown based Squirrels of The Helicopter Line.

ZK-HDL returning to base on 2nd September, nicely positioned over the Remarkables.

Sitting in the morning sun...  (from left): ZK-HAO, ZK-HAE, ZK-HSM and ZK-IBV.

ZK-IBV in the late afternoon on 30 August.  Queenstown sure does offer a spectacular backdrop for aircraft photography.

Eurocopter EC130 T2 ZK-IEC

Recently imported Eurocopter EC130 T2 ZK-IEC/3 registered to Endurance Fishing of Nelson on 23 July was spied at Greymouth 02 September under stunning blue West Coast skies.

This is the first T2 variant of the popular EC130.  NZ currently has 12 B4 models registered.
The T2 features an upgraded air frame, new power plant and active anti vibration systems for a smoother ride.

A second T2, ZK-HTI, was registered to Tari-iti No 1 Ltd on 27 August.  This helicopter will no doubt work alongside Pilatus PC12 ZK-TIL in conjunction with the yet to be completed Tari-Iti Golf Course near Wellsford.

Ian Coates photo

To and From Queenstown

I was very fortunate to be able to travel down to Queenstown on Saturday 30 August for a family celebration.  We flew down on one of Air New Zealand's new Airbuses ZK-OXD, under grey skies with the gathering threat of an Easterly storm.

But what a difference a few hundred kilometres makes! - nearing Queenstown under a brilliant sky and with the distinctive winglet over spectacular snow capped mountains.

Back to Auckland today, 2 September, leaving from Queenstown on Jetstar's Airbus VH-VGH.  That is Coronet Peak in the background.

I then had an hour long magic carpet ride! - right up the Southern Alps withe the sun in perfect position and a window seat on the starboard side.  This is a view showing the Franz Josef Glacier at the bottom left and Mount Cook somewhere in the top right at about 2 o'clock from the centre of the photo I think.  Can anyone point out exactly which peak is Mt Cook?  (I guess all readers know that you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them).

Question time # 172 resolved.

 

Ethan got it right.

 

It is the Rotorway Exec ZK-HYQ.

 

If Ethan would care to forward to me his postal address to paulldj@xtra.co.nz I will forward the threatened fish.

Well done.

Golden Eagle ZK-KBF

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle c/n 421B-0943 was allocated the US registration of N5393J whilst on the production line but instead became VH-ADG on 29-10-1975 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (West Australian Section) at Jandakot, West Australia.

At the end of its Flying Doctor days it was sold to Rex Aviation Pty Ltd at Bankstown on 13-10-1986.

It was ferried from Australia via Norfolk Island into Auckland on 19-12-1986 and then flew down to Hamilton for heavy maintenance before being registered as ZK-KBF on 28-04-1987 for Monarch Aviation (NZ) Ltd of Dunedin. The registration letters being the initials of Karen and Bruce Fulton.

Below is a photograph of her at Christchurch on 01-06-1987 wearing "Lasercorp" on the nose.

A few months later ownership moved to Christchurch Corporate Charters (ie Bruce Fulton) on 27-10-1987; and then to PDL Industries Ltd  /  Lasercorp  / A Bunn of Christchurch from 07-03-1990.

It is seen below at Christchurch on 21-04-1994 with "Corporate One" on its nose. 

A few months later on 11-10-1994 it changed hands to Garden City Helicopters Ltd.

Pic below at Christchurch on 23-04-1995. It now wears "Garden City Helicopters" on its nose; "Air Ambulance" on wing tip and upper fuselage; and "Christchurch Air Rescue Trust" on its rear fuselage side.

Below it is at Timaru with AVTEK receiving attention on 16-12-1999.

Now with "ACC" forward of the door.

Below : As seen at Christchurch on 09-04-2001.

Below : NZ Flying Doctor Service now on fuselage side and NZFDS badge on forward fuse.

At Christchurch on 29-05-2001.

Below : By 18-08-2003 we have a completely new colour scheme.

Between March and October of 2004 it was away getting spar modifications carried out and it flew again on 28-10-2004.

It does not appear to have changed much since. Above it is near is hangar at Christchurch on 09-12-2010; and below refuelling at the Canterbury Aero Club pumps on 25-11-2011.

Final view below is at Timaru again with the Cessna 404 ZK-NDY behind.

It has been in a hangar on the western side of Christchurch airport for some while - having been advertised fore sale. I believe it has been sold to an Australian who has cannibalised it for parts.

So ends the working life of another old faithful flying machine.

Question time # 172

                                                        Question time # 172

                                                        

I thought it was about time to give away another chocky fish.

SO - What have we got here ?

I want the make and model;

 And in case of a flood of correct answers - tell me what you know about the tire pressure ?