SportAvex Fly-in weekend #4

 My last day away for the weekend came upon me, so what i did first was get up to have breakfast at Auckland and watch some of the arrivals.

Then it was on to Ardmore to see what else was showing itself:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-HGU MBB MBB-BK117 B-2
ZK-HPV Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2
ZK-HTS Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3
ZK-IIX Kawasaki BK117 B-2
ZK-IWP Robinson R44 II
ZK-IZG Eurocopter EC 120 B

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BEC De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-CXG Cessna 150H
ZK-EVL Piper PA-38-112
ZK-FIT Morane-Saulnier Rallye 235E
ZK-FYA Cessna O-1G
ZK-HJR Robinson R22 Beta
ZK-IRR Guimbal Cabri G2
ZK-JPT Vans RV-7
ZK-MVY Piper Aerostar 600
ZK-OAT Cessna 172R
ZK-PGP Stoddard-Hamilton Glastar
ZK-PWL De Havilland DH98 Mosquito T.43
ZK-TAJ Cessna 172R
ZK-UFS Piper PA-28-181
ZK-YES Beech 76

Got one photo:

Next stop was Mercer where it was a bit quiet, but nice to see a few aircraft out.

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BFK Cessna 120
ZK-DFY Cessna 172L
ZK-EAM Diamond DA 42
ZK-EJU Cessna 172N
ZK-FLH Cessna A152
ZK-TAG Cessna 152
ZK-TAQ Cessna 172R

ZK-TAS Cessna 172R
ZK-TAU Cessna 172R
ZK-TAV Cessna 172R
ZK-ZAB Cessna 172S

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BVG Cessna 180A
ZK-DSY Embraer EMB-820C
ZK-FQY Cessna 207
ZK-KMF Cessna 210-5A (Deregistered)
ZK-LAM Piper PA-18-150

Took a couple of photos;

Looking good after the rebuild!

Next stop was Te Kowhai where it was completely quiet, but did notice these locals:

ZK-BEE Fusioncopter JK-2 Nano
ZK-FUO Falcomposite Furio LN27 RG
ZK-KFP Tecnam P92 Echo
ZK-LUX Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-NGZ BRM Aero NG5

Last stop of the day before the long journey home was Hamilton, nothing happening here, but a few aircraft out for me to see;

Visiting Aircraft:
N425HB Cessna 425
ZK-DRM Cessna 172M
ZK-ILT Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3
ZK-LFL Beech B200
ZK-NRC Cessna A185F
ZK-PMJ Beech B200
ZK-SXL Air Tractor AT-602
ZK-XLB Pacific Aerospace 750XL

Local Aircraft:
ZK-EPO NZSkydive Limited 750XL-II
ZK-EPP Pacific Aerospace FBA-2C3
ZK-PAQ Boeing 737-476 (Getting dismantled)
ZK-SDT Pacific Aerospace 750XL (Getting exported soon)
ZK-TSD Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-WCD Alpha R2160
ZK-WGA Diamond DA 42
ZK-WIT Piper PA-28-181
ZK-WJH Cessna 172S
ZK-WKF Cessna 172S

Took the one photo:

A great weekend in all with 67 new aircraft for me, been a long time since that's happened over the course of 4 days.

Till the next trip!

SportAvex Fly-in weekend #3

 Today was an early start so I could get some breakfast early and get on the road up to Auckland as soon as possible.

Nothing happening at Tauranga so I took a few photos whilst waiting for Classic Flyers to open for breakfast.

First proper stp of the day was Matamata where a bit of activity was happening. Was nice to see a few Auckland gliders down also.

Here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-GBC Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Elan
ZK-GBD PZL-Swidnik PW-5 "Smyk"
ZK-GBU Schleicher Ka 6CR
ZK-GKT Glasflugel Mosquito

Local Aircraft:
ZK-GAA Elliots EoN Olympia 2B (Deregistered)
ZK-GFX Schleicher AS-K 13
ZK-JRK Skystar Kitfox IV Speedster
ZK-KTH Niki Rotor Aviation Kallithea
ZK-LMO ELA Aviacion ELA-08-R-115
ZK-MIJ Stolp SA-900 V-Star (I believe supposed to be ending up at Stratford at some point)
ZK-PFL Tecnam P92 Echo Super
ZK-PMH Vans RV-3
ZK-REG Neil Hintz Tandem Dominator
ZK-VWS Sonex

Got a couple of photos:

First time seeing this one out of the hangar!

A 12 year project that's almost complete. Interesting scheme!

Next stop was Gliding field of Drury, a bit of activity going on, so here is the locals I saw:

ZK-CEB Piper PA-25-235
ZK-GBI Schempp-Hirth Discus 2b
ZK-GDX Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus
ZK-GRI Rolladen-Schneider LS6-c
ZK-GSB PZL-Swidnik PW-5 "Smyk"
ZK-GSR Schempp-Hirth Ventus-3F
ZK-GXY PZL-Swidnik PW-6U

Next stop was Ardmore and as always there is heaps of aircraft around.

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CBC Cessna 182T
ZK-INC Robinson R44 II
ZK-JGA Piper PA-31
ZK-JIG Socata TB 10
ZK-SPY Cessna 206H

Local Aircraft:
JA6602 Aerospatiale AS 355 F2
JA9614 Kawasaki BK117 B-2
JA9967 Aerospatiale AS 355 F2
ZK-AMA De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk 1
ZK-BLI De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-CAM Piper PA-31
ZK-CBF Cessna A185F
ZK-CPF Mooney M20C
ZK-CPG AESL Airtourer T6
ZK-CZZ Cessna A150L
ZK-DAK Douglas DC3C-S1C3G
ZK-DAY Cessna 172L
ZK-DFH Cessna 172L
ZK-DJN Cessna 182P
ZK-DNE Piper PA-28-140
ZK-EAN Diamond DA.42
ZK-ETZ Cessna 152
ZK-FCO Cessna 152
ZK-FGD Cessna 152
ZK-FVA Grumman American AA-1C
ZK-HBK Kawasaki BK117 B-2
ZK-HCY Robinson R44 II
ZK-HII Eurocopter EC 120 B
ZK-HKZ Kawasaki BK117 B-2
ZK-HYH Bell 206B
ZK-IPO Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2
ZK-IZB Leonardo AW169
ZK-JBL Cessna A152
ZK-JDB Cessna A152
ZK-JMY Cessna 172S
ZK-JPA Piper PA-28-181
ZK-JRA Cessna 172S
ZK-JRG Cessna 172S
ZK-KAS Cessna 172N
ZK-LKM Cessna 182S
ZK-NTV Piper PA-30
ZK-MPE Cessna R182
ZK-NSC Cessna A152
ZK-RFS De Havilland Canada Chipmunk T10
ZK-RJD Piper PA-28-161
ZK-RQY Cessna 172R
ZK-SAR Cessna 182T
ZK-SKC Cessna 162
ZK-SON Cessna 152
ZK-TAQ Cessna 172R
ZK-TJL Cessna 172N
ZK-UAT Cessna 172R
ZK-UPS Piper PA-28-181
ZK-WAG Piper PA-38-112
ZK-WHW Piper PA-31
ZK-WLK Vans RV-8
ZK-WPO Cessna 172A
ZK-ZAC Cessna 172S

Then took a couple of photos:

Last stop of the day was Auckland, which was also the main event for me. Was given the heads up of 2 bizjets coming in from Hong Kong as I was driving up from Matamata. Little did I know they were a 737 MAX BBJ and ACJ319Neo! Sadly, I missed the 737 but I did managed to get there in time for the A319. I did later on see the 737 but was blocked by a number of aircraft for a photo.

I ended up getting 24 new aircraft at Auckland in my afternoon there, so well worth the trip up, with still some more to see in morning.

Here are highlight photos from the afternoon:

The highlight of the day along with the 737 MAX BBJ

100 years of Qantas livery, nice to see in person!

A lovely surprise to see taxi out and do a quick local scenic flight.

My first Qatar A350-1000, they are big aircraft!

Was pleased to get this aircraft, I much prefer this livery personally even if it is temporary.

My plan tomorrow is to hang around in morning till Emirates A380 arrives, then off for a quick look round Ardmore, then down to Mercer, Te Kowhai and Hamilton for visits on my way home. I most likely won't bother with Taupo as not much would have changed since Friday and there's heavy road works between Taupo and Turangi, so will probably skip those and go down other side of lake.

SportAvex Fly-in weekend #2

 As I stated yesterday, I headed to Whakatane for the continuation of the SportAvex Fly-in. Sadly, the weather was not the best and most likely put off quite a few aircraft from coming over.

It was good to see a few other aircraft around and it was also nice to be allowed out on to the field for some close-up photos.

So, here's everything that was different to when I was there yesterday:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CKD TEAM Tandem Air Bike
ZK-DXW Cessna 180J
ZK-ERX Murphy Rebel
ZK-HXJ Canadian Home Rotors Safari
ZK-IIC Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B
ZK-ISE Canadian Home Rotors Safari
ZK-JFH Hansen Deuce
ZK-JLT Vans RV-7A
ZK-KCD Jodel D.11
ZK-KSD Jodel D.11
ZK-RAW Roger Mann Ragwing Special PT2S
ZK-RVA Vans RV-6A
ZK-THK Tim Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-XTC Vans RV-6
ZK-XXI AESL Airtourer T3A
ZK-ZXZ Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CJH Bolkow Bo 208 C Junior
ZK-COW SG Aviation Storm 300
ZK-CWX Quad City Challenger II
ZK-DAR Czech Aircraft Works Sportcruiser
ZK-EJS Cessna 172N
ZK-FEL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-LWW Cessna TR182
ZK-MDS Cessna 152
ZK-MKL Quad City Challenger II
ZK-OCW SG Aviation Storm 300
ZK-PDR Cirrus SR22
ZK-PXB Aero Designs/Skystar Pulsar
ZK-REM Remos G3NZ
ZK-REV Cessna 172
ZK-TCB Pipistrel Virus SW
ZK-VGS Vans RV-6
ZK-WCO Vans RV-3
ZK-WNZ Tecnam P2008
ZK-XTA Zenair CH750 Cruzer

And photos from the day:

A really nice surprise to see 2 Canadian Home Rotors Safaris, ZK-HXJ left and ZK-ISE right, ZK-ISE was a new one for me.

A new one for me, came from a private strip near Te Awamutu.

Another new one for me, from Te Kowhai.

Nice to see Dave Wilkinson's latest acquisition from Ardmore. 

A new one from me, all the way from Cromwell! Although only flew from Whitianga today.

Yet another new one, all the way up from Gore!

A nice surprise to see this parked up, came from Hawera.

A new one for me, came from Whangarei.

Nice to finally get a good photo of this one, lovely scheme!

Finally got an outside photo of this unique aircraft from Matamata.

The local Cessna TR182 went out for a flight.

A new one for me, went out for a local flight.

A new one for me found inside a hangar.

A huge thanks to the owner for pulling it out for a photo.

Last new one for me over the weekend.

Despite the weather, it was a good turnout and was great for me to get 10 new ones at Whakatane alone!

Plan for tomorrow is heading up to Auckland for the night, hopefully getting a good look at Matamata, Drury and Ardmore on the way up.

SportAvex Fly-in weekend #1

 This weekend the SAANZ (Sport Aircraft Association of NZ) are hosting their yearly fly-in at Whakatane.

So, I took the weekend off and drove up today to see what aircraft would be around.

But of course, along the way to Whakatane are a couple of airfields that i stopped off into, first being Taupo. Here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CFI Cessna 185B
ZK-HPR Robinson R44 II
ZK-HUG Bell 206L-1
ZK-IIX Kawasaki Bk117 B-2
ZK-MTH Diamond DA 40
ZK-NRC Cessna A185F
ZK-SPY Cessna 206H
ZK-VME Beechcraft B300
ZK-WIJ Cirrus SR22

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BPT Cessna 172A
ZK-CAN Cessna 185
ZK-CDF Morane-Saulnier MS 885
ZK-CEN Jabiru SK80
ZK-CSW Cessna 150G
ZK-ELH Cessna 172N
ZK-EWF Cessna 172P
ZK-IAK Enstrom 280FX
ZK-JMP Cessna 208B
ZK-KCA Vans RV-8
ZK-SKZ Cessna U206F
ZK-SNZ GAF G22C Nomad (Deregistered)
ZK-TTS Cessna 208
ZK-UWE Cessna 172N
ZK-ZSP Partenavia P 68B

Only took the one photo, was trying to get up to Whakatane as quick as possible:

Was nice seeing this, brand new to the country only registered last month!

Next stop was Rotorua, not much happening there, so only noted these:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-ZEA Gippsland GA8

Local Aircraft:
ZK-EJN Jodel D.11
ZK-FEO Cessna U206G
ZK-GED ZSLS SZD-9bis Bocian 1D
ZK-GMM Grob Standard Astir II
ZK-ILF Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2
ZK-IVA Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2
ZK-SCJ Jodel D.18

Next stop was Whakatane where quite a few early arrivals were there, here is what I saw:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-EJY Cessna 172N
ZK-EMW NZ Aerospace FU24-954
ZK-HQD Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2
ZK-JCS Cessna U206G
ZK-LCL Cessna 172N
ZK-LMR BRM Aero Bristell LSA
ZK-MAM Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL
ZK-TWA Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-TWT Cessna A150L

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-ATE Vans RV-8
ZK-BRV Vans RV-6
ZK-CAW EAA Acro Sport II
ZK-CIY Saab-Scania SAAB SF340A
ZK-CJE Bolkow Junior
ZK-ESY Zenair CH701 SP
ZK-FNY Cvjetkovic CA-65
ZK-JQD Murphy Rebel
ZK-LDI Corby CJ1 Starlet
ZK-LSF Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-MPM Pitts S-1S
ZK-MRH Cessna T182T
ZK-PGU Cirrus SR22
ZK-PSA Dyn'Aero MCR 4S
ZK-RRG Tecnam P2004 Bravo
ZK-SJC Vans RV-6
ZK-SMH Avid Heavy Hauler
ZK-SXR Sonex
ZK-TCG AutoGyro Europe MT03 Eagle
ZK-TOY Corby CJ1 Starlet
ZK-VLF Vans RV-12
ZK-VNZ Vans RV-6
ZK-VRV Vans RV-6
ZK-ZRV Vans RV-8

Took a few photos whilst there, Whakatane is not the best for photos, but hopefully will get some more tomorrow.

Last stop for the day was Tauranga where i'm staying for the next 2 nights.

Here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-HGS Hughes 369HS
ZK-HRI Hughes 369D
ZK-IJD MDHC-600N
ZK-IKE McDonnell Douglas 500N
ZK-IPR MD Helicopters 500N
ZK-IWX Hughes 369D
ZK-SME Cessna 185A

Local Aircraft:
VH-CSD Cessna P206A (Derelict)
ZK-CAL Piper PA-31-350
ZK-CBW Rutan Quickie
ZK-CBZ Cessna 172M
ZK-CNV Piper PA-28-160 (Derelict)
ZK-DIR Piper PA-23-250
ZK-DKP Cessna 180K
ZK-DPT Beech A36
ZK-DXO Cessna 172M
ZK-ECM Piper PA-23-250
ZK-EVP Piper PA-23-250
ZK-FLT Cessna 172N
ZK-HBG Bell 206B
ZK-HEW Robinson R44 II
ZK-HQG Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2
ZK-IIK Bell 206B
ZK-IMF Robinson R44 II
ZK-KRS Rutan Long-Ez
ZK-MEL Vans RV-7A

ZK-MRM Vans RV-8
ZK-MTY Piper PA-23-250
ZK-PIW Piper PA-23-250 (Deregistered)
ZK-PTA Pacific Aerospace CT/4E Airtrainer
ZK-RAD Cessna 180J
ZK-RFX Vans RV-7A
ZK-SBB Cessna 182N
ZK-TAY Cessna A152
ZK-TMR Grumman American AA-5A

ZK-WCV Aeroprakt A-32
ZK-YRV Vans RV-12
ZK-ZAN Cessna 172S
ZK-ZZW Jurca MJ-8 (FW 190)

A good day in all of 10 new ones for me.

Plan for tomorrow is to spend the day at Whakatane and see what else decides to show up, i'll onlypost up what i didn't see from today.

Gyrocopter, Vintage Aircraft and Glider airfields today

A very neat day today of seeing a nice range of aircraft.

The first stop was being Dannevirke where the NZ AutoGyro Association were holding their annual Gyrocopter AGM and fly-in.

Here is what I saw:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-DGL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-IQG Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2
ZK-RIT Neil Hintz Tandem Dominator
ZK-TFP Vans RV-12

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-IHA Guimbal Cabri G2
ZK-LMO ELA Aviacion ELA-08-R-115
ZK-RCB Rotor Flight Dominator
ZK-RCI Bensen B8M Gyrocopter
ZK-RCR Magni Gyro M16
ZK-RCT Rotor Flight Dynamic Sub 4 Single Dominator
ZK-REG Neil Hintz Tandem Dominator
ZK-RKK Paul Scherrer KB3
ZK-VPM VPM M16 Tandem Trainer
ZK-YGG AutoGyro Calidus

And photos from the event:

My first new ZK- aircraft for the year, nice to see a Bensen Gyro!

As part of the Gyrocopter fly-in, on Sunday they head down to Athby's strip near Woodville for lunch. Sadly Athby no longer has an aircraft, so there were only visiting aircraft there. This is what i saw:

ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-LMO ELA Aviacion ELA-08-R-115
ZK-PTP Rans S-7S Courier
ZK-RKK Paul Scherrer KB3
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-TFB Dyn'Aero MCR ULC
ZK-YGG AutoGyro Calidus

Then a couple of photos from there:

Next stop of the day was Masterton as every last weekend of the month between October and April they have a vintage flying weekend, so today they should have been out. When I got there, low and behold there they were. So here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-EBH Piper PA-28-151
ZK-PUG Pitts S-1S
ZK-SXN Air Tractor AT-502B
ZK-UPF Waco UPF-7

Local Aircraft:
ZK-ANL De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-ANQ De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BEW De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BFS De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-CBE The Vintage Aviator BE2c-1L
ZK-DHA De Havilland American DH-4 Replica
ZK-DOS Piper PA-28-180
ZK-DOY Tecnam P.2002 Sierra
ZK-DVA Albatros DVa-1
ZK-EIN Fokker E.III Replica
ZK-END North American Harvard 3*
ZK-FOD Fokker D.VII Replica
ZK-JBX Piper PA-38-112
ZK-JOF Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600
ZK-JOK Fokker Triplane Replica Scout
ZK-LGT Akrotech G200
ZK-NIM Nieuport XI Replica
ZK-REK The Vintage Aviator RE8-1
ZK-SBY Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe
ZK-SGQ North American Harvard 2A*
ZK-SOP Sopwith Triplane Replica
ZK-TRG Tecnam P92-2000RG
ZK-TVE Albatros DVa-1
ZK-OTU North American Harvard 2A*
ZK-ZEP The Vintage Aviator BE12-1

A few photos from the day:

ZK-NIM taxiing in

ZK-REK taxiing in, my first photo of this bird!

ZK-DVA taxiing in.

Last stop of the day was the glider strip of Papawai. Was pleasantly surprised to see a fair few gliders around, so here are what I saw, only locals:

ZK-GHA Rolladen-Schneider LS1-f
ZK-GLD Schleicher ASW 20
ZK-GNB Glaser-Dirks DG-100G Elan
ZK-GNC Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus
ZK-GNK Rolladen-Schneider LS 4
ZK-GNP Grob G103 Twin II
ZK-GUB Grob Speed Astir IIB
ZK-GXN Schempp-Hirth Discus b

Last photos of the day:

A very nice day today, glad to have visited a few airfields.

Have nothing planned until weekend of the SAANZ Fly-in at Whakatane, which i'll be driving up for the weekend. So, expect to see photos from that in 2 weeks!