Hawkes Bay visit 16-02-2025

 Yesterday I ventured out to Hawkes Bay for a couple of aviation events on out there.

First stop was Waipukurau for the national gliding comps on there. Weather wasn't the best, but there was a fair few gliders there and some locals out.

Here is what I saw:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BVV Cessna 180C
ZK-CHB Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-DJQ Jodel D.11
ZK-ETJ Cessna A152
ZK-JDP Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-KSS Piper PA-18S-105
ZK-POR Porterfield 35-70
ZK-REQ Auto Flight Dominator II
ZK-YAT Cessna R172K

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CPD Champion 7ECA
ZK-FNT Cessna 172E
ZK-GBE Schempp-Hirth Ventus-3F
ZK-GCW Schleicher ASW 27-18E
ZK-GGR DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000S
ZK-GHB Grob G 103 C Twin III SL
ZK-GKP Rolladen-Schneider LS 4-a
ZK-GLZ Glaser-Dirks DG-200/17
ZK-GML PZL-Bielsko SZD-48-1 Jantar Standard 2
ZK-GNM Schempp-Hirth Discus CS
ZK-GNR AMS Flight Apis 13
ZK-GOM Glaser-Dirks DG-400
ZK-GTD Schleicher ASW 27-18E
ZK-GVA Glaser-Dirks DG-400
ZK-TZB Robin DR400/180

Next stop on the agenda was Napier where the Art deco was on with a few vintage aircraft around. Saturday was better for the aircraft and as I got there a lot of them were preparing to depart back home due to the incoming weather.

Here is what I got anyway:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AJP De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-CEY Cessna 172D
ZK-EUD NZ Aerospace FU24-954 (Long Term rebuild)
ZK-ICJ Bell 47G-3B-1
ZK-ICS Guimbal Cabri G2
ZK-MSL Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-NPR Piper PA-31
ZK-PLK Beech B200C
ZK-ROW Piper PA-46-500TP
ZK-WRB Piper PA-38-112
ZK-YDZ Cessna 510

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-AXI De Havilland DH 84 Dragon
ZK-BOE Boeing-Stearman E75
ZK-EMW NZ Aerospace FU24-954
ZK-ENF North American Harvard 3*
ZK-ENJ North American Harvard 3*
ZK-MJN North American Harvard 2A*
ZK-MTY Piper PA-23-250
ZK-OTU North American Harvard 2A*
ZK-TDM Piper PA-23-250
ZK-TZV Robin R 3000/160
ZK-WAR North American Harvard 3*
ZK-YNZ Yakovlev Yak-52

Now with titling on the tail

One to rarely see, glad to finally get a photo of!

Highlight of the day! Was awesome to watch take off

Next stop was Hastings where the field was pretty much dead. But did manage to see a few aircraft around:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-DON Maule M-4-210C
ZK-ENE North American Harvard 3*
ZK-HBM Hughes 269C

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BSP Cessna 180
ZK-CDK Aero Commander 680-F
ZK-EQB Piper PA-38-112
ZK-KCW Cessna 177RG
ZK-LNU Cessna 172R
ZK-MRD ICP Savannah S
ZK-NEX Sonex
ZK-SMB Vans RV-12
ZK-TJK Micro Aviation Bantam B22J
ZK-TUT Cessna 152

Last stop of the day was Dannevirke where it was also dead, but did notice these locals:

ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DGL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-RIT Neil Hintz Tandem Dominator
ZK-RJW AutoGyro MTOsport
ZK-RKK Paul Scherrer KB3

Was an awesome day today despite the weather. Got 3 new ones out of. Next event on is Masterton open day on 2nd March, looking forward to it!

RNZAF C-130H Hercules farewell flight

 Today the last 3 remaining RNZAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules did their last flight round the north island. I was in Kapiti for their flight past in the afternoon and what a sight it was to see.

Grabbed a few photos of them as they went past.

They will be missed, but they did a fantastic job. Now looking forward to seeing one of the new C-130Js!

Fleeting Christchurch visit

 Today I did a last-minute trip down to Christchurch for a few hours and had some time at the airport. My main reason for down there was to catch the United Aircraft, which was a 787-10 which I haven't seen one of before. Plus got a fair few other aircraft whilst there.

Here are some photos from the day:

Was awesome to finally see a 787-10!

Singapore Airlines A350-900 9V-SMT

Desperation shot of USAF Lockheed LC-130H taxiing out. One of 5 USAF C-130s present.

Global 7500 N1111G parked up

As was Gulfstream G650 T7-688NJ

I ended up getting 8 new ones, so well worth the trip. looking forward to the next trip.