Auckland weekend part 2

 Continuing on with the Auckland weekend last weekend, on the Sunday I first went to Auckland for a bit of heavies spotting.

My first time seeing the new Korean livery

On a wet-lease to Air NZ for the summer period

A lovely surprise to see, not too many 747s down this end of the world.

Once done there I headed down to Drury for the gliders there. There was a bit of activity, and this is the locals I saw:

ZK-CEB Piper PA-25-235
ZK-GAK Schleicher ASK 21
ZK-GFR Schempp-Hirth Discus 2cT
ZK-GKO Schleicher ASW 17
ZK-GLW Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Elan
ZK-GQQ Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus
ZK-GRI Rolladen-Schneider LS6-c
ZK-GSB PZL-Swidnik PW-5 "Smyk"
ZK-GSR Schempp-Hirth Ventus 3F
ZK-GXF PZL-Swidnik PW-5 "Smyk"
ZK-GXY PZL-Swidnik PW-6U
ZK-RMT Cub Crafters CCK-1865

Afterwards I went up to Ardmore to see what was different to my visit back on the Friday, here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
N3193G Boeing B-17G (Under restoration)
VH-OEZ Cessna 208B
ZK-CAN Cessna 180
ZK-CNZ Cirrus SR22
ZK-DXW Cessna 180J
ZK-IDN Eurocopter AS 350 B2
ZK-UPS Piper PA-28-181
ZK-VGS Vans RV-6

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AKC De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BOE Boeing-Stearman E75
ZK-CAZ Vans RV-6
ZK-DAA Piper PA-24-260
ZK-DBU Auster J5
ZK-DGY Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
ZK-EBX Piper PA-28-181
ZK-EFV Grumman American AA-1C
ZK-ELI Pitts S-2E
ZK-FGU Cessna 152
ZK-JFZ Cessna 152
ZK-JQP Sonex
ZK-NKH Jabiru J430
ZK-OII Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-RVW Vans RV-7A
ZK-RVY Vans RV-9A
ZK-VNZ Vans RV-6
ZK-SXR Sonex
ZK-XSG DR-107 One Design

Next, I went up to Whenuapai because the Luftwaffe who are in the country for a few weeks were sending up their A321N for a Missed Approach before heading back down to Woodbourne. So had to time it right and just about did. Then it was back to Auckland for the evening.

The next day was the trip back down, firstly was to Ardmore and there was a few other aircraft noted out:

Visiting Aircraft:
N11ZP Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3
ZK-HFA Eurocopter AS 350 B2

Local Aircraft:
N2WG Cessna 510
ZK-BDB Cessna 180
ZK-HIN Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3
ZK-HIP Eurocopter AS 350 B3
ZK-HNG Robinson R66
ZK-IEI Agusta-Bell AB206B
ZK-MVY Piper Aerostar 600
ZK-PCG Pilatus PC-9/A
ZK-PGP Stoddard-Hamilton Glastar
ZK-VRR Beech A36
ZK-ZEK Cessna 680 Sovereign

A lovely surprise to see, I believe from a yacht

The next stop was down to Te Kowhai, nothing happening and only saw a couple of locals:

ZK-BTC Piper PA-18A-150
ZK-FUO Falcomposite Furio LN27 RG

Next stop was down to Hamilton, again not much happening, but did note these different aircraft then the last visit;

Visiting Aircraft:

ZK-IVY Robinson R44 II
ZK-JRA Cessna 172S
ZK-MKP Stoddard-Hamilton SH-3R Glasair III
ZK-TAE Cessna 152
ZK-VXM Cessna 510

Local Aircraft:
ZK-WGA Diamond DA 42
ZK-WJH Cessna 172S

Last stop of the trip was Taupo, not much happening but did note these aircraft out that were different to before:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-IWB Robinson R44 II

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BPT Cessna 172A
ZK-CIA Piper PA-18-150
ZK-ELG Tecnam P96 Golf
ZK-HKC Eurocopter AS 350 B3
ZK-HKP Robinson R44
ZK-HZD Eurocopter AS 350 BA
ZK-MGW Tecnam P92-2000RG

An awesome weekend with me getting 57 new ones. Hoping for some good weather next weekend for the Turangi AOPA BBQ Fly-in.

Auckland weekend 2025 Part 1

 Over the weekend I travelled up to Auckland and spent 3 nights there visiting various airfields.

So, on Friday was the drive up, so the first stop was at Taupo in mid-morning. Not much happening, but did note these aircraft in:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-IGL Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CNU Piper PA-28-140
ZK-CSW Cessna 150G
ZK-EBA Piper PA-28R-200
ZK-EWF Cessna 172P
ZK-HEP MBB MBB-BK117 B-2
ZK-HZW Robinson R22 Beta
ZK-IAE Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3
ZK-IHQ Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2
ZK-KCA Vans RV-8
ZK-SNZ GAF Nomad G22C (De-Registered)
ZK-TTL Pacific Aerospace 750XL
ZK-UWE Cessna 172N
ZK-ZSP Partenavia P 68B

Next stop was Centennial Park where they were just wrapping up a long week comp. Sadly only a few comp aircraft around. But did note these aircraft:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-GCK Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2cT
ZK-GOB Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C 18/21
ZK-GZI Rolladen-Schneider LS6-a

Local Aircraft:
ZK-EKO Tecnam P92S Echo
ZK-GNA Glaser-Dirks DG-200
ZK-GNM Schempp-Hirth Discus CS
ZK-GYF Schempp-Hirth Discus CS

Next stop was up to Hamilton, not much happening. Was hoping for the new electric plane for Air NZ but was a no show. Did note these aircraft anyway:

Visiting Aircraft:
N115MF Dassault Falcon 50EX
ZK-DBD AESL Airtourer Super 150
ZK-LDY Cirrus SR22
ZK-MLP Cessna TU206F
ZK-PLK Beech B200C
ZK-XLB Pacific Aerospace 750XL

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CBA NZ Aerospace FU-24-950M
ZK-DEJ Piper PA-28-140
ZK-FXM Boeing 737-4Y0 (Being scrapped)
ZK-JGP Cessna 172M
ZK-PAQ Boeing 737-476 (Being scrapped)
ZK-TSD Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-WCD Alpha R2160
ZK-WIT Piper PA-28-181
ZK-WKF Cessna 172S

Last stop of the day was at Ardmore. As usual busy as and plenty of aircraft to see, here is what I noted:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-ICT Eurocopter EC 155 B1
ZK-IJL Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3
ZK-IXD Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2
ZK-RMM Mooney M20C
ZK-ROW Piper PA-46-500TP

Local Aircraft:
JA6602 Aerospatiale AS 355 F2
JA9438 Eurocopter AS 350 B
JA9967 Aerospatiale AS 355 F2
N198LS Kawasaki BK117 C-1
ZK-CBF Cessna A185F
ZK-CTY Cessna 172S
ZK-CXG Cessna 150G
ZK-DAK Douglas DC3C-S1C3G
ZK-DAY Cessna 172L
ZK-DFH Cessna 172L
ZK-DKC Cessna 172M
ZK-EAN Diamond DA 42
ZK-EBQ Piper PA-28-181
ZK-ETK Cessna 172N
ZK-ETX Cessna R182
ZK-ETZ Cessna 152
ZK-HAW Hughes 369D
ZK-HBR Eurocopter AS 350 BA
ZK-HCY Robinson R44 II
ZK-HFB Robinson R22 Beta
ZK-HIS Hughes 269C
ZK-HKZ Kawasaki BK117 B-2
ZK-HLF Kawasaki BK117 B-2
ZK-HSU Robinson R44 II
ZK-HYD Airbus Helicopters AS 350 BA
ZK-IAN Robinson R44 II
ZK-IAW Agusta A109E
ZK-ILS Robinson R44 II
ZK-IRB Leonardo AW169
ZK-IRR Guimbal Cabri G2
ZK-JBL Cessna A152
ZK-JBU Cessna 152
ZK-JDB Cessna A152
ZK-JED Beech 76
ZK-JRA Cessna 172S
ZK-JRG Cessna 172S
ZK-JSP Cessna 172S
ZK-KAS Cessna 172N
ZK-LKM Cessna 182S
ZK-LYC Piper PA-28-235
ZK-MPE Cessna R182
ZK-MYF Partenavia P 68B
ZK-NTV Piper PA-30
ZK-NUC Cessna 172R
ZK-RJD Piper PA-28-161
ZK-RQY Cessna 172R
ZK-SFC Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-SLL Cessna 182T
ZK-SNE Piper PA-28-180
ZK-SWL Piper PA-44-180
ZK-SWX Cessna 172S
ZK-SWY Alpha R2160
ZK-SWZ Alpha R2160
ZK-TAN Cessna 172R
ZK-TAP Cessna 172R
ZK-TAS Cessna 172R
ZK-TAU Cessna 172R
ZK-TAV Cessna 172R
ZK-TFD Piper PA-28RT-201T
ZK-TJL Cessna 172N
ZK-UAT Cessna 172R
ZK-UFS Piper PA-28-181
ZK-WHW Piper PA-31
ZK-XAT Cessna 172S
ZK-XPL Cessna T206H
ZK-ZAT Cessna 172R


The next day I ventured up to Kaipara Flats to have a catch up with Keith Morris from the NZ Civil Air Blog. Was a good catch up and he kindly got some of the local pilots to open up their hangars. out of respect for the pilots I won't post up photos here.

Here are the locals I saw:

ZK-AKE Miles M.38 Messenger IIA
ZK-AMW Aeronca 100
ZK-ASM De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-DCU Fantasy Air Allegro 2000
ZK-EBR Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-EJU Cessna 172N
ZK-FDE Flight Design CTLS
ZK-IEW Canadian Home Rotors Safari
ZK-JAT Pipistrel Alpha Trainer
ZK-JBK Cessna A152 Aerobat (De-registered)
ZK-JHR Isaacs Fury II
ZK-KMM Jodel D9
ZK-RSB Jodel D.11
ZK-SAS Shark Aero Shark 600
ZK-SLG The Airplane Factory Sling
ZK-SPN Robin R2160
ZK-TXN Fly Synthesis Texan Top Class
ZK-TXS Fly Synthesis Texan Top Class

Whilst I was there Keith offered to take me up to Omaha Flats airstrip. Having never been there before, of course I said yes. Lucky for us Keith managed to get in touch with the strip owner and he gave us permission to open up all the hangars and have a look. Again, no photos out of respect, except for the one outside.

Here were the locals there:

ZK-AWZ Auster J1B
ZK-BDK Auster J5G
ZK-NBC Cessna 172RG
ZK-TRC Beech A36
ZK-ZAR Zenair CH701 STOL

There was one aircraft outside though which I think is alright to post up.

The rain had picked up at this point, so I just headed down to Auckland to watch the heavies for the afternoon:

Taildraggers 2025

 Over the weekend Hawkes Bay held the annual Taildraggers fly-in and comps. on the Saturday it was held at Hastings, whilst on Sunday it was held at Waipukurau.

So yesterday I ventured up to Waipukurau to see what was about. I had sadly just missed the bearhawk group that was doing their fly-in at Waipukurau over the weekend. But nonetheless there were still some aircraft that flew in on a beautiful day:

Visitors:
ZK-AEL Waco UOC
ZK-BEW De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BFK Cessna 120
ZK-BPM Piper PA-18A-150
ZK-BTC Piper PA-18A-150
ZK-DXA Cessna 180J
ZK-EFI Cessna U206G
ZK-LMG Zenith Zodiac CH 650
ZK-MRD ICP Savannah S
ZK-PTP Rans S-7S Courier
ZK-RJK Gardan GY-20 Minicab
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4
ZK-SCA Zlin Aviation Savage
ZK-TAH Cessna 172RG
ZK-UPF Waco UPF-7

Locals:
ZK-ARL De Havilland Canada DHC-1A-1
ZK-ATO Auster J1B (Deregistered)
ZK-BQL Auster J5
ZK-BVV Cessna 180C
ZK-CHB Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-CJB Bolkow Junior
ZK-CTU Aero Commander 100
ZK-DJQ Jodel D.11
ZK-DMC Aero Designs/Skystar Pulsar
ZK-ETJ Cessna A152
ZK-IXE Innovator Mosquito XE
ZK-JDP Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-KSS Piper PA-18S-105
ZK-POR Porterfield 35-70
ZK-RDL First Strike Bobcat
ZK-REQ Auro Flight Dominator II
ZK-YAT Cessna R172K

A pleasant surprise to see was this aero commander 680F do a low missed approach

Nice to see Simon down with his Cessna 120

Been a while since i've seen this Waco, still looking gorgeous as ever

Afterwards I headed up to Hastings to see what was around, here is what I saw:

Visitors:
ZK-FNT Cessna 172E
ZK-HEU Hughes 269B
ZK-HLT Hughes 269C
ZK-HZF Hughes 269C
ZK-ILH Guimbal Cabri G2
ZK-JPC Cessna TU206A
ZK-ROC Piper PA-34-200
ZK-ROG Cessna T182

Locals:
ZK-BPM Piper PA-18A-150
ZK-BQS Piper PA-18
ZK-BSP Cessna 180
ZK-CDK Aero Commander 680-F
ZK-CHG Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-CPD Champion 7ECA
ZK-EDS Beech F33A
ZK-EQB Piper PA-38-112
ZK-EYH Cessna 180K
ZK-FQQ Piper PA-28-181
ZK-GHB Grob G 103C Twin III SL
ZK-GMX Grob G103 Twin II
ZK-GOM Glaser-Dirks DG-400
ZK-GRJ Schleicher ASH 25 M
ZK-GXS Rolladen-Schneider LS8
ZK-HLQ Hughes 269A
ZK-JMY Cessna 172S
ZK-JTC Piper PA-38-112
ZK-JVC Piper PA-38-112
ZK-KCW Cessna 177RG
ZK-LNU Cessna 172R
ZK-MAV Cessna R172K
ZK-MBI Piper PA-34-220T
ZK-RBC Aviat A-1B
ZK-RGZ Cessna T182T
ZK-TJK Micro Aviation Bantam B22J
ZK-ZAN Cessna 172S

Next stop was up to Napier, nothing really happening but did note these aircraft:

Visitors:
ZK-MAP Cessna 402B
ZK-MTD Diamond DA 40
ZK-XLF Cessna F406

Locals:
ZK-EFI Cessna U206G
ZK-EUD NZ Aerospace FU24-954
ZK-MSL Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-NPR Piper PA-31
ZK-ROW Piper PA-46-500TP
ZK-WRB Piper PA-38-112

Last stop of the day was Dannevirke on the way home, nothing happening again but did note these:

Visitors:
ZK-CHL Cessna 185C

Locals:
ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-EBL Piper PA-28-140

A great day in all, with bagging 2 new aircraft for me. Next event is Black Sands in 2 weeks up at Te Kowhai. Hoping for some good weather!