Zenair Monno-Z CH-100 UL ZK-RTI

 Before we get to ZK-RTI we must start with the amateur built Zenair CH-100 Mono-Z ZK-FSH1 c/n AACA/609 which was built by Neville Read and Hans Nagelkerke of Christchurch and registered on 16-02-1989.

ZK-FSH at Christchurch on 03-08-1991 From Bob Kerr

We see it above at a Rangiora fly in on 19-02-1993.
Below it was at Ashburton on 07-02-1997. Note it has a small letter 'I" inserted between the registration letters.

Note also the Rolls Royce badge on the forward fuselage

ZK-FSH was cancelled as stored on 07-05-1999.

 Dave McDonald was the next owner but it remained in storage.

It was purchased in December 2014 by Stewart Bufton, Peter Collins, Doug Anderson, Roger Read and Tony Hanson with the intent to convert it to a glider tug for Youth Glide New Zealand.

Work began on it immediately at Rangiora in the Peter Collins hangar and below we see it in a new paint scheme and the unofficial "DME" registration letters applied.

By November 2017 (below) it had acquired a new engine mount and nosewheel undercarriage.

The RR O-200 engine was replaced with a Honda Jazz L15A turbo from a damaged motor vehicle. 

It has been tweaked to run on 100LL petrol and puts out north of 150hp to a Autoflight 3G gearbox onto a specially built Bolly propeller.

It had its first engine run on 27-10-2018.

On 16-01-2019 it was registered as ZK-RTI to Peter Collins.

A week later we see it above with Peter Collins in his trademark cap and gaiters tinkering about.

ZK-RTI's first flight was carried out by Stew Bufton on 28-05-2020. 

Above we see Peter Collins giving the engine a run on 14-08-2020.

Below wing mods include the addition of slats (to make slots) and wool tassels to study airflow at different airspeeds.

It was parked out during an open Day at Rangiora on 01-04-2023 and carried the info sheet below on its fuselage side.

I believe engine cooling and associated drag has been an ongoing issue with various solutions tried.

Aaron Murphy captured it out in the fresh air doing static engine runs on Tuesday the 24th of December.

As you can see above it has manually retractable steps at the trailing edge.

Fridays Rangiora run.

The Zenair Mono-Z CH-100 UL ZK-RTI (c/n AACA/609) was caught outside on Friday having engine power checks..

This airframe has been around since 1989 as ZK-FSH1 - see the two links below.

https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2015/11/zk-fish-zk-dme.html

https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/search?q=zk-rti

The marks 'DME' were applied but never officially registered.

It was re-registered as ZK-RTI on 16-01-2019 to Peter Collins who has been toiling away converting it to purpose built glider tug.

It has been re-engined with a Honda VTEC (Jaz) engine driving through an Autoflight 3G gearbox.

The cowl is still a work in progress

 A first sighting for me was the ICP Savannah S ZK-LAK (c/n 18-02-54-0592) as built by Tony Den Haan at Cust. 

This is the second Savannah built by Tony and has already found a new owner.

Todays Rangiora pie run. June 19th 2026.

 Friday usually = pie run day for me.

Today was particularly interesting as we recalled 'the good olde days' in the CRAC clubrooms.

It was really nice to catch the Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer ZK-EEL c/n 1045 out to play.

Above just after take off with the pilot doing a visual on the gear retraction.

And below on finals.

See HERE for a previous mention of ZK-EEL.

The JMB  Aircraft  VL-3E-1 UL  ZK-VLE  c/n 252 is a re-registration of ZK-JMB2 from 13-06-2025

It has now just found a new owner in Ashburton.

The New Zealand Airline Academy had their Tecnam P2008JC ZK-NYQ c/n 1420 up from Oamaru for some attention from Griff at 'Clear Prop'. This was first listed to them in March this year.

Discussions between the Academy and the Oamaru City Council continue - with Whanganui possibly being the winner,

The rather unusual looking aircraft is the modified Zenair Mono-Z CH-100 ZK-RTI c/n AACA/609.

Doing an engine run to test the turbo.

This started life as ZK-FSH in early 1989.

Click Here for previous mention of this airframe.

Progress

The ICP Savannah S ZK-VHS (c/n 18-07-54-0623) is about to take to the skies again after repairs following an incident in December last year in the top of the South Island.

And nearing completion is the ICP Savannah yet to be registered as ZK-CDZ2.

Above we see it at Rangiora on 12 November 2018 with its initial colour scheme layout masking tape applied.

And below as at 6 December 2018.

The colour scheme replicates that of the original ZK-CDZ which was a Fletcher FU24 with Thames Aerial Top Dressing Co Ltd (TAT Co) between 1963 and 1980.

And below as it nears completion at Forest Field.

Above. 

An engine run yesterday (8th November) at Forest Field by John McClelland  (part owner of  Savannah ZK-SRT) who is assisting with the finishing of the aircraft.

It now just awaits its wing tip strobe lights followed by a CAA survey

Another project being worked at slowly, mostly by Peter Collins, is the Zenair Mono-Z CH-100 UL ZK-RTI.

For its earlier history see here

With thanks to Craig Millar of Custom Aviation at Taieri and to Philip Seale of Westwind Aviation at Forest Field.

Rangiora Thursday lunchtime.

 No pie today - just a large belgian biscuit and a cuppa tea with the Zenair Mono-Z CH-100 UL ZK-RTI (c/n AACA/609) parked  just out the door.

You may note the modified leading edge slats and the tufts of wool on the wing surface.

Passing through from Rangitata Island with its new owner Neville Sutherland and heading for its new home at Omaka was the Jodel D.9 ZK-CTW (c/n A9-18).

Just in and out for a quick pit stop was the PAC Ceasco ZK-LTB (c/n 022) of Ravensdown Aerowork Ltd.

From Wanganui was the Kienan Trusts Cessna 172M ZK-KMC (c/n 17263524).