Same Stunning Afternoon at Taumarunui

While Richard Currie was enjoying the stunning afternoon at Taupo yesterday, 5/5/17, I was also enjoying myself flying in the stunning conditions at Taumaunui - smooth air, not a cloud in the sky and a light Southerly blowing right down Runway 19:

The Central Plateau mountains with a fresh dump of snow.  I really enjoy flying on the centreline.

This is the distinctive peak just North of the airfield.  If you can see it you can always find the field.

Mounts Ruapehu and Tongariro with the Chateau Tongariro on the lower slopes.

 The Wanganui River just South of Taumarunui.

A stunning view out to starboard.

Standard overhead rejoin at 2,150 feet.  It sure is hilly around Taumarunui!

Tucked up in the hangar.  What a great day!

More from Taupo

Other Taupo aircraft movements over the last few days included visitors Robinson R22 HCN from Whanganui and privately owned Cessna 182T ZK-MAR.   Locally based Cessna 172M ZK-ZZC was doing circuits.

Taupo helicopters

Time spent at Taupo Airport on a stunning autumn afternoon offered a variety of helicopters including Central Helicopters Hughes 369D ZK-HBA from Opotiki,  two from the Helicopter Services BOP fleet, AS350B3 ZK-HKC and R66 ZK-IHT fitted out as a sprayer,  and Inflite's AS355F1 ZK-HPI

Classic Fighters 2017

What an amazingly wonderful event. The experience was made even better by my son being there and a chance meeting of Sir Minty on the flight from Wellington. I would also like to thank Keith who gave Jared and I a lift to and from the airport. These are some of my favorites from the show.

I cant wait to see what the organizers have for us for the 10th anniversary!

Recent travel shots

On a recent trip I captured these two interesting aircraft.

Above is the Zero UI-161.

Below is the De Havilland DH60 G-AAMX.

They were seen operating out of a strip near Darfield recently.

Thanks to the Model Aeroplane enthusiasts who braved the less than ideal conditions. 

Both of the original aircraft are still in existence.

Also Seen at Classic Fighters

A part of the Marlborough Aero Club was set aside as "restoration row" at Classic Fighters 2017.  It featured among other projects, the magnificent restoration of the Fairchild F 24C-8-C ZK-ABE3 .

ZK-ABE3 (c/n 2605) was registered to TV Collins (Trevor and Nicki) of Spring Creek, near Blenheim on 8/2/17.  It was a shame that it wasn't out flying.

A trip over the Hill.

Three pics from a recent trip over to Franz.

 The loo with the view.

Long high finals into Franz.

 Looking across the raised pads at ZK-HHM.

A Couple of Others from Classic Fighters

Noel Kruse is an 18,000 hour pilot and he is now based at Omaka, having come from the RAAF then the Sydney Aerobatic School then to Cambridge New Zealand in 2008.  Noel operates several aircraft and displayed a couple of them (that both have military histories) at Classic Fighters:

In the morning airshow Noel displayed his immaculate and highly polished Ryan STM S2 ZK-ABC2 (c/n 492).  This aircraft has its history detailed on the tail, being manufactured by the Ryan Aeronautical Company of San Diego in 1940 for the Royal Netherlands East Indies Naval Service where it was allocated the serial number S-56.  It was one of the number of RNEINS aircraft that escaped from Java to Australia ahead of the advancing Japanese in 1942 and was then operated by the RAAF as A50-29.  A more detailed history of the aircraft can be found at http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2013/12/ryan-zk-abc_21.html where it can be seen that the aircraft first flew in New Zealand in a single seater configuration, in 2013.

And the other aircraft that Noel displayed was his Pitts S 2S ZK-PIG3 (c/n 3005).  This aircraft also has an interesting history that is recorded on the tail, originally being flown as part of the Royal Jordanian Air Force "Falcons" formation aerobatic team from 1982 to 1992 as JY-RJL.  More of its history can be found at http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2011/12/pitts-s-2-specials-of-new-zealand_03.html  Noel was the Australian Advanced Category Aerobatic Champion flying the aircraft in 1994, registered VH-PIG at the time.

The aircraft was originally registered in New Zealand as ZK-PFA on 20/11/08 and was re-registered as ZK-PIG3 on 26/5/16.  It is hard to see in photos but the main colour of the aircraft is a dark green.  As can be seen on the aircraft Noel has written s series of books on safer flying that he provides free downloads of at his website www.FlyBetter.co.nz .

Pauanui

A stunning day in Pauanui brought a variety of visitors from Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland including Ardmore based Cessna 172M ZK-FJB,  which often visits to do touch & goes, and from Hamilton,  Helicorp's R44 ZK-HHS

Nanchangs at Classic Fighters

As several of the eight Nanchangs at Classic Flyers have not been posted on this blog before, I now post photos of the "fei ji's" as follows:

ZK-STP (c/n 1232011) "China Doll" is registered to a Taupo address.

ZK-JQS (c/n 3832020) is based at Omaka.

ZK-KWI3 (c/n 2432027) is also Omaka based.

ZK-OII (c/n 1532004) comes from Auckland.

ZK-CVI2 (c/n 3632001) is based at North Shore.

ZK-FRU2 (c/n 2132148) also comes from Auckland.  This aircraft has been re-engined with the more powerful Vedeneyev M 14P engine instead of the original Chinese Zhuzhou Huosai radial.

ZK-CHG2 (c/n 5032018) is based at Hamilton.

And parked separately from the Nanchang lineup was the newly restored ZK-WOK (c/n 2132042) which was originally registered to the Marlborough Warbird Association on 13/9/96 but was cancelled form the register on 19/7/07 when owned by the Nanchang 42 Syndicate of Blenheim.  It has now been restored by JEM Aviation but has not yet been re-registered.  You can see the registration under the tailplane.

By the way, the two Nanchangs missing from Classic Fighters were ZK-MAO and ZK-MUD.