A couple from Ardmore this morning.

Magnaman spotted these two movements at Ardmore this morning (24-07-2015).

David Horton had his Murphy Rebel ZK-DKZ2 (c/n 724R) outside its hangar.

Below is what the NZ Aviation News Mag said about this aircraft back in 2008.

"Being co-owner of the Cub ZK-BKV, the covering of which was nearing the end of its use by date, David Horton started looking for a “metal Cub” that would fly a little faster.
Choice was finalized after seeing Graeme Weck’s Rebel ZK-WEK at Matamata. 

The kit arrived in August 2002 and by following the excellent manuals, by the time I reached page 6 of chapter 26 (and with the help of Graeme Weck and Brian Wigley) I had a new aircraft. 

David has had his pilot’s licence since 1973 and has had an interest in many aircraft, including Cessna 172 ZK-DAZ, DKH, DRT, EKF, and JAZ; Cessna 206 EJE, Cub BKV and the Tecnam P92S Echo ZK-PAB₂. 

This Murphy Rebel has a Dynon instrument panel and as ZK-DKZ₂ uses David's two initials (DK) - plus the complete registration is a palindrome. " 

The Cessna 208B Caravan ZK-SDB (c/n 208B2089) was being prepared for flight.

This Caravan first appeared on the US register on 30-01-2009 as N988BA before moving up to Nome Alaska for Bering Air Inc.

It ferried into Auckland on 13-07-2015 and was officially listed as ZK-SDB on the 21st to Great Barrier Airlines Ltd.

Grand Caravan ZK-SDB with True South

 The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SDB c/n 208B2089 has been flying our skies since July of 2015.

Initially with Great Barrier Airlines Ltd.

Since about late March it has been leased and listed to Southern Lakes Aviation of Queenstown and operates with True South titles.

Photos taken today at Wanaka by Lord Nelson.

Previous posts on ZK-SDB can be seen HERE.

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!

Barrier Air Grand Caravan ZK-SDB at Ardmore - 10-8-2015

Posing nicely in the sun at Ardmore was Barrier Air's new Cessna C208B Grand Caravan ZK-SDB.

It commenced its first scheduled services the next day, 11/8/15, from Auckland International to Kaitaia and return, and later to Great Barrier Island and return.

Around Auckland

A visit to Auckland International this morning revealed Barrier Air's 1st Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SDB now repainted in the company's fleet colours.  This was imported back in 2015 from the US.

Also Airwork Flight Operations' Boeing 737-400F freighter ZK-TLJ with "Toll" titling,  this was imported from the US back in 2015.

Over at Ardmore Oceania Aviation has imported 2 former Mercy Flight Western New York MBB BK117A-4 medevac helicopters,  N587TJ c/n 7047 and N584TJ c/n 7138

HeliSika Agriculture's AS350B3 sprayer ZK-HIP5 arrived back from a job.  This was originally ZK-IJO imported new in 2012 and reregistered HIP in 2018.

And the Central Otago Flying Club's Cessna R172K Hawk XP appropriately ZK-XPD which was imported from Australia back in 1993 and acquired by the Club in July 2020.

 

Around Auckland

A trip around Auckland's airports and heliports today offered a number of aircraft of interest,  including at Auckland International the latest addition to the Airwork freighter fleet 737-36E ZK-FXJ.   This was originally built in 1992 for the Spanish airline VIVA Air and laterly has been a freighter with Icelandic registered carrier Bluebird Cargo as TF-BBF

At HeleTranz Albany heliport AS350BA ZK-HFZ was outside wearing the company's titling

And up at North Shore airfield Barrier Air's Cessna 208B ZK-SDB departed on a scheduled Great Barrier trip

The North Shore Aero Club have refurbished the Robin HR200-120B ZK-UWZ,  repainted it in the Club's colours and reregistered it as ZK-TZI to match the rest of the Robin fleet which are all "TZ" registered.

Barrier Air

A visit to AKL saw the Barrier Air Cessna 208B Caravan fleet of ZK-SDB, SDC & SDD lined up ready for today's flights

First off the rank was the latest addition to the fleet, ZK-SDD,  which was with Sounds Air in a former life as ZK-SAW,  and added to the Barrier Air fleet in October.

More from Our Great Barrier Trip on 1-6-2023

We took off from North Shore airfield at 1138 hrs and headed out past the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Tiritiri Matangi and over the Hauraki Gulf:

Lift off from North Shore.

Martin's Bonanza is configured with five seats.  I was in the middle row which is rearward facing and actually was quite good for taking photos out either side.  The curtains are a nice touch!

On late downwind for Runway 28 at Claris.

  

We touched down at 1204 hrs giving a flight time of 26 minutes.  Here is the terminal with a Great Barrier Airlines Grand Caravan parked on the ramp.

VH-WHH with the cowls open to cool the engine (which after re-fastening makes for an easier start with a cooler engine).  It is a lovely plane to fly in.

While we were walking to the Fat Puku cafe another GBA Grand Caravan landed and pulled up to the terminal - ZK-SDB.  It was nice to see the Caravans in their other home.

It was my first time to visit Great Barrier Island so Martin graciously gave me an aerial tour of the island pointing out areas of interest.  This photo is looking down on The Needles at the Northern tip of the island with Aiguilles Island next in line.

Then it was time to head for home and we flew by Little Barrier Island on the way.

Arriving back at North Shore after the compulsory overhead rejoin.  Here we are about to turn onto the  base leg for a landing on Runway 21 with the distinctive tip tank in view.

Barrier Air

Barrier Air recently had their first Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SDB repainted in a white scheme at Napier and it was seen on line at Auckland Airport today.   It is currently advertised for sale with Premi Air.