Hawera BBQ Fly-In

 Finally, a Fly-In after 4 months of either bad weather or no fly-ins.

Today was the day of Hawera Aero Club's annual daylight savings BBQ fly-in. Whilst the weather wasn't the best of the drive up or just before the aircraft started arriving. It was nice for the rest of the day!

Here are the aircraft that braved the fly-in today:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AIL De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth (Under rebuild)
ZK-BKV Piper PA-18
ZK-CAW EAA Acro Sport II
ZK-CJE Bolkow Junior
ZK-DGO Piper PA-28-180
ZK-DGQ Piper PA-28-140
ZK-FMP Cessna 172M
ZK-MAG Cessna 172P
ZK-TEL TRI-R KIS TR-4 Cruiser
ZK-UNB Cessna A152

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BTC Piper PA-18A-150
ZK-CBH Cessna 180
ZK-CTF Cessna 150H
ZK-DKM Cessna 172M
ZK-DPL Cessna A150L
ZK-EBR Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-FRS Piper PA-38-112
ZK-JFG Cessna 180K
ZK-JIP Cessna 172S
ZK-KFA Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-OCC Cessna 170A
ZK-OFC Cessna 182R
ZK-PBH R & B Bearhawk
ZK-RIK Cessna 182S
ZK-RTO AutoGyro MTOsport
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-THK Tim Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-YGG AutoGyro Calidus
ZK-YRA Yakovlev Yak-52
ZK-ZIM Beech C23
ZK-ZKP Zenair Zodiac CH 601-HD
ZK-ZOT Zenair Zodiac 601 UL

And some photos from the day

Very nice to see this rock in, seen here taxiing out to head home!

My first time getting a photo of this lovely looking bird!

A slight update in livery since I last saw it!

Been a long time since I've seen this gyro, glad it turned up!

Always nice to see a classic Cessna show, with a slight change in livery since I last saw it!

After the fly-in, I decided to head up to the other Taranaki airfields whilst i was in the area. The next airfield was Startford with a bit of activity happening, here are the locals I saw:

ZK-JLZ Zenair CH701 STOL
ZK-JNV ICP Savannah
ZK-JTA Aeroprakt A-22
ZK-RFD B & F Technik Vertri FK 14 B
ZK-RPL Rotor Hawk Falcon 1
ZK-TKF Micro Aviation B22 Bantam
ZK-WER Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200

Then I headed up to Norfolk Road, sadly the gate to the airfield was shut on way up and back down, so sadly couldn't see what was around. So last stop was New Plymouth where a bit was happening, here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-EFP Piper PA-28-140
ZK-SHB Diamond DA 42

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CYT Piper PA-24
ZK-DOK Piper PA-30
ZK-EGN Cessna 320E
ZK-JDH Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-JEZ Cessna 172N
ZK-PBY Consolidated Vultee PBY-5A
ZK-VCE Alpha R2150
ZK-WTD Cessna 172M

And I got one photo:

A good day in the end, despite the poor weather at the start. Looking forward to Flat Hills Fly-In this coming Sunday.

Hawkes Bay visit 27-08-2023

 Finally, some good weather that also fell on the same day as when i'm free.

So, with the good weather in mind I went off to Hawkes Bay to see what was around.

The first visit was Dannevirke where nothing was happening, but did note these locals:

ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-DGL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-EBL Piper PA-28-140
ZK-IBP Bell 206B
ZK-RIT Neil Hintz Tandem Dominator
ZK-TFP Vans RV-12

Next stop on the agenda was Waipukurau where a bit more activity was noted.

Here's what I noted:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-ULL Cavalier SA102.5

Local Aircraft:
ZK-ARL De Havilland Canada DHC-1A-1
ZK-DHZ Jodel D.9
ZK-ETJ Cessna A152
ZK-JLD Micro Aviation B10 Bantam
ZK-RPH Evektor-Aertechnik Sportstar Plus

Next up was Hastings, where quite a few aircraft were up aviating.

Here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BZR Cessna 180
ZK-FNT Cessna 172E
ZK-HBQ Airbus Helicopters AS350B2
ZK-HLT Hughes 269C

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BSP Cessna 180
ZK-CDK Aero Commander 680-F
ZK-CHG Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-CPD Champion 7ECA
ZK-DFL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-DSK Piper PA-28-151
ZK-EDS Beech F33A
ZK-EIR Piper PA-38-112
ZK-EKG Cessna 172N
ZK-EQB Piper PA-38-112
ZK-FCQ Cessna 152
ZK-FQQ Piper PA-28-181
ZK-FTQ Piper PA-38-112
ZK-FWK Cessna A152
ZK-GHB Grob G103C Twin III SL
ZK-GHN Glasflugel Standard Libelle 201B
ZK-GJA Schempp-Hirth Ventus-3M
ZK-GLZ Glaser-Dirks DG-200/17
ZK-GMF Rolladen Schneider LS3-a
ZK-GMX Grob G103 Twin II
ZK-GRJ Schleicher ASH 25M
ZK-GWG PZL-Swidnik PW-5 Smyk
ZK-GXS Rolladen-Schneider LS8
ZK-HLQ Hughes 269A
ZK-IDR Airbus Helicopters AS350B2
ZK-JFY Cessna 152
ZK-JHF Piper PA-38-112
ZK-JKA Cessna 172R
ZK-JMR Cessna 172S
ZK-JSD Cessna 172S
ZK-JTC Piper PA-38-112
ZK-JVC Piper PA-38-112
ZK-LKA R & B Bearhawk
ZK-NJT Piper PA-38-112
ZK-NPK Cessna 152
ZK-SHB Diamond DA 42
ZK-SMB Vans RV-12
ZK-SVQ Cessna 402B
ZK-TLP Pazmany PL-2
ZK-TOD Cessna 152
ZK-TUT Cessna 152
ZK-WAJ Piper PA-38-112

Then a few pictures

Last stop of the day was Napier, not much happening here, but did note the following:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-DXF Cessna 172M
ZK-ECQ Piper PA-31-325
ZK-IBZ Robinson R44 II
ZK-MRR Grumman American AA-5A
ZK-WTA Grumman G-164B
ZK-XLR Pacific Aerospace 750XL

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BZZ Morane-Saulnier MS 880B
ZK-CKZ Cessna 182J
ZK-EUA NZ Aerospace FU24-954 (Major maintenance)
ZK-LQA Cessna 172M

ZK-MJO Cirrus Design SR22
ZK-MSL Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-NPR Piper PA-31
ZK-ROW Cessna 208B

And one photo:

A great day out, despite not seeing much aircraft flying. Looking forward to the next trip, got many planned from end of September right through October.

Manawatu trip 10-06-2023

 A beautiful day across the bottom of the North Island meant for a trip round all the fields in the Manawatu and Kapiti Coast.

First thing I did though was meet up with Mark Pattenden from the Tauranga Blog who was staying in Levin for a couple of nights.

First airport stop was Palmerston North, not much was happening just the Massey Aircraft in the circuit and parked up, so moved on to Feilding where a few things were happening.

Here is what I saw at Feilding:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CJE Bolkow Junior
ZK-SXS Air Tractor AT-602
ZK-YUG Gippsland GA8-TC 320

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CBM Cessna 172S
ZK-EJV Cessna A152
ZK-EOJ Cessna 152
ZK-FHB Jodel D.11
ZK-FWB Light Miniature LM-1
ZK-FXG Micro Aviation B22 Bantam
ZK-GAN Schleicher Ka 6CR
ZK-GDG DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000S
ZK-GHF Glasflugel Standard Libelle 201B
ZK-GLI Rolladen-Schneider LS 3
ZK-GLK Rolladen-Schneider LS 3
ZK-GMA Grob Astir CS 77
ZK-GPE Schleicher ASK 21
ZK-JBU Cessna 152
ZK-JSG Cessna 172M
ZK-KEM Pitts S-1D Special
ZK-KVZ Cessna U206G
ZK-LLY Tecnam P2004 Bravo
ZK-LPD Alpi Aviation Pioneer 300
ZK-MBI Piper PA-34-220T
ZK-MEJ Piper PA-22-108
ZK-MMC X-Air Hanuman
ZK-OFC Cessna 182R
ZK-PMD SPA Panther
ZK-PNL VPM VPM M16 Tandem Trainer
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-STG TL-Ultralight TL-2000 Sting
ZK-SUG Piper PA-25-235
ZK-TRD Tecnam P92 Echo
ZK-UDY Zenair Zenith CH-200
ZK-UPX Piper PA-34-220T (Unregistered)
ZK-XPA Maxair Drifter XP503
ZK-ZOT Zenair Zodiac 601 UL

And a couple of pics:

My first time seeing outside its hangar, moved over for some TLC!

Afterwards we headed to the Kairanga Airstrip where a few locals were around:

CX-AYC Transland Ag-2
ZK-AZB De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk 1
ZK-BXO Auster B8 Series 1
ZK-PJO Zlin Z-37T
ZK-PWZ Edgar Percival Prospector Type EP9

Next stop was Foxton, sadly nothing was happening, but local Piper PA-32-300 ZK-WGO showed up from New Plymouth and opened up to also show locals Cessna 172L ZK-DAT and SG Aviation Storm 300 ZK-VEE.

Next stop was Otaki and for the first time ever i got to go on to the Airfield, so was very nice getting to see the locals, even if most were locked up inside hangars, here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-VIA Vans RV-6A

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BLV De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BQY Piper PA-18
ZK-CLX Jabiru J160
ZK-DCL American Champion 8KCAB
ZK-EHH Cessna 172N
ZK-FZR Staaken Flitzer Z-21a
ZK-UPF Waco UPF-7

Had to get a couple of pics whilst i was there:

Nice to see ZK-FZR up close! Shame about the cover blocking most of the aircraft from view.

Of course, I had to get a picture of ZK-UPF who was out doing joy flights for some people today.

Last stop of the day was my home airport of Kapiti, for once i will put a list of everything I saw, but I didn't take any pictures.

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-DUN Piper PA-28-151
ZK-FHQ Piper PA-28-181
ZK-KAT Piper PA-28-161
ZK-MDF Cessna 152
ZK-MLN Cessna 208B
ZK-MTI Diamond DA 40
ZK-NAI Cessna 152
ZK-TWU Harmon Rocket II

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CTE Cessna 150H
ZK-DIO Piper PA-23-250 (Unregistered)
ZK-DKW Grumman American AA-5
ZK-DRP Cessna 172M
ZK-DRT Cessna 172M
ZK-DYB Jodel D.11
ZK-ELA Cessna 152
ZK-ELS Cessna A152
ZK-EKM Cessna 152
ZK-FLC Cessna 152
ZK-IMZ Guimbal Cabri G2
ZK-JEN Cessna A152
ZK-KAL Cessna 172S
ZK-KAZ Cessna 172S
ZK-KID Cessna A152
ZK-KEA Falconar F-11
ZK-LSF Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-MTZ Diamond DA 40
ZK-MWM Piper PA-28-181
ZK-NML Cessna 182R
ZK-TDL Piper PA-38-112

A great day in all, now to enjoy a nice couple of days resting!

Feilding Dawn Raid

 A bit of an early start of 5:30am, meant getting to Feilding about 7am and what a stunning it was or a dawn raid. Unlike the Waipukurau dawn raid, there was no fog, so everyone was able to come in straight away!

Aircraft came from various places and was great to see them and a load of the locals come outside.

Here is everything I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BAQ Auster J1B
ZK-BEF De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BPM Piper PA-18A-150
ZK-CBH Cessna 180
ZK-CFT Sud Aviation Gardan GY80-150
ZK-CJE Bolkow Junior
ZK-CXB Gardan GY-20 Minicab
ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DBZ Zenair CH 601-HDS
ZK-DGL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-DGO Piper PA-28-180
ZK-DKF Tecnam P92 Echo Mk II
ZK-DOY Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-DRU Cessna 177B
ZK-EBL Piper PA-28-140
ZK-EKG Cessna 172N
ZK-FGJ Cessna 172P
ZK-FMP Cessna 172M
ZK-FNA Piper PA-28-181
ZK-FPI Cessna 152
ZK-FRS Piper PA-38-112
ZK-JDL Stoddard-Hamilton SH-2 Glasair TD
ZK-JDP Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-JIP Cessna 172S
ZK-KMA Tecnam P92 Echo Super
ZK-KMC Cessna 172M
ZK-LJG Cessna A185E
ZK-MAE Air Tractor AT-502B
ZK-MMJ Miller M1-Superchamp
ZK-PFL Tecnam P92 Echo Super
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4
ZK-SCA Zlin Aviation Savage
ZK-SXL Air Tractor AT-602
ZK-WHC Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200
ZK-WRA Tecnam P2002-JF
ZK-YGG AutoGyro Calidus
ZK-YUG Gippsland GA8-TC 320 (Heavy Maintenance)

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BEB Cessna 195
ZK-CBM Cessna 172S
ZK-CHH Cessna 150D
ZK-CHI Cessna 150D
ZK-DBG Titan T51 Mustang
ZK-DEM Cessna 310Q
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EHP Cessna A150M
ZK-EJV Cessna A152
ZK-EMK Cessna 180K
ZK-EOJ Cessna 152
ZK-FHB Jodel D.11
ZK-FWB Light Miniature LM-1
ZK-FXG Micro Aviation B22 Bantam
ZK-JBS Robertson B1-RD
ZK-JBU Cessna 152
ZK-JOS Aerostar 601
ZK-JSG Cessna 172M
ZK-KEM Pitts S-1D Special
ZK-KFA Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-KVZ Cessna U206G
ZK-LLY Tecnam P2004 Bravo
ZK-MBI Piper PA-34-220T
ZK-MEJ Piper PA-22-108
ZK-MKV Sling Aircraft Sling 4 TSi
ZK-MMC X-Air Hanuman
ZK-MSW Cal Parker Teenie Two (Not yet Registered)
ZK-NWY Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-OFC Cessna 182R
ZK-PAY Pterodactyl Ascender II+2
ZK-PMC Piper PA-24-260
ZK-PMD SPA Panther
ZK-PNL VPM VPM M16 Tandem Trainer
ZK-PPP Percival Provost T Mk 1
ZK-RVT Vans RV-10
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-SLN Sling Aircraft Sling 4 TSi
ZK-SLR Jabiru Jabiru J230
ZK-STG TL-Ultralight TL-2000 Sting
ZK-SXN Air Tractor AT-502B
ZK-TEC Cessna 177B
ZK-THK Tim Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-TRD Tecnam P92 Echo
ZK-UDY Zenair Zenith CH-200
ZK-UPX Piper PA-34-220T (Unregistered)
ZK-USK Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-XPA Maxair Drifter XP503
ZK-ZOT Zenair Zodiac 601 UL

Then a few photos from the morning:

Nice to see ZK-PFL again, been a while!

First time getting a picture in this livery.

First time getting a picture of this aircraft!

A new one for me!

One I haven't seen in many years! Always good to see a straight tail Cessna!

Lovely to see ZK-BEB outside once again, always nice to see a radial!

A very good day in all, seeing all these aircraft and catching up with friends. Looking forward to Dannevirke in 3 weeks time!

Waipukurau Dawn Raid 2023

An early start for me of 4:30am today to get over to Waipukurau for their annual dawn raid. The drive over was good with mostly blue skies, till hitting about Norsewood where heavy fog was. I hoped it was just a small patch, but it went all the way to Waipukurau.

So sent out a warning to a few of the pilots coming over that it was fogged out. The fog didn't start clearing up for a couple of hours and by mid-morning was completely gone and so all the aircraft started heading over, mostly from Dannevirke where they were waiting. A good day in all despite the fog and about 35 aircraft flew in for the Fly-In.

Here is everything I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-ADT De Havilland DH 60G Gipsy
ZK-BEF De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-CBH Cessna 180
ZK-CHG Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-CHL Cessna 185C
ZK-CTF Cessna 150H
ZK-DBG Titan T51 Mustang
ZK-DLY Cessna A185F
ZK-DSK Piper PA-28-151
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EBL Piper PA-18-140
ZK-EBR Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-EKG Cessna 172N
ZK-FRS Piper PA-38-112
ZK-IRJ Bell 206B
ZK-JIP Cessna 172S
ZK-JKA Cessna 172R
ZK-JPC Cessna TU206A
ZK-JQY Maule MXT-7-180
ZK-JTC Piper PA-38-112
ZK-LDL Gardan GY-20 Minicab
ZK-LKA R & B Bearhawk
ZK-LLY Tecnam P2004 Bravo
ZK-LMW Cessna 180B
ZK-LPD Alpi Aviation Pioneer 300
ZK-MWM Piper PA-28-181
ZK-NEX Sonex
ZK-RJK Gardan GY-20 Minicab
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4
ZK-RZB Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL
ZK-SCA Zlin Aviation Savage
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-SLN Sling Aircraft Sling 4 TSi
ZK-THK Tim Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-ULL Cavalier SA.102.5
ZK-UPF Waco UPF-7
ZK-WAJ Piper PA-38-112

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AGD Piper J-2
ZK-ARL De Havilland Canada DHC-1A-1
ZK-ATO Auster J1B (Unregistered)
ZK-BQL Auster J5
ZK-CBN Druine Turbulent
ZK-CJB Bolkow Junior
ZK-DHZ Jodel D9
ZK-DJQ Jodel D.11
ZK-DWO Cessna 172M
ZK-EDA Evans VP-1 (Unregistered)
ZK-ETJ Cessna A152
ZK-FEQ Ultralight Mirage Mk.II (Unregistered)
ZK-FJC Aerodyne Vector 610 (Unregistered)
ZK-FNT Cessna 172E
ZK-JDP Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-JFT Johnston Sky Bird  (Unregistered)
ZK-JLD Micro Aviation B10 Bantam
ZK-JVW First Strike Bobcat (Unregistered)
ZK-KSS Piper PA-18S-105
ZK-MYT Bruce Walker Custom/Skylark
ZK-RDL First Strike Bobcat
ZK-TWO Rand KR-2
ZK-WYZ TEAM Hi-Max

Then a few photos from the morning:

Not part of the Fly-In, but nice to see nonetheless.

A welcome surprise, nice to finally see it whole!

Recently re-registered from ZK-RWC

Another recently re-registered, from ZK-PAI.

Afterwards went and had a look round Hastings, quite a bit going on and some of the Waipukurau fly-in attendees were returning.

Here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CTE Cessna 150H
ZK-ENE North American Harvard 3*
ZK-HEU Hughes 269B
ZK-HKU Sikorsky EH-60A
ZK-HTP KHI Kawasaki-Hughes 369HS
ZK-IRJ Bell 206B
ZK-THB Cessna 172S

Local Aircraft:

ZK-ADT De Havilland DH 60G Gipsy
ZK-BRO Piper PA-18A-150
ZK-BSP Cessna 180
ZK-CDK Aero Commander 680-F
ZK-CHG Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-DFL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-DSK Piper PA-28-151
ZK-FTZ Staaken Flitzer Z-21a
ZK-FQQ Piper PA-28-181
ZK-FWK Cessna A152
ZK-GYP PZL-Swidnik PW-5 "Smyk"
ZK-HLQ Hughes 269A
ZK-HOI Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2
ZK-IJG Airbus Helicopters AS 350 BA
ZK-ITG Kawasaki BK117 B-2
ZK-JHF Piper PA-38-112
ZK-JKA Cessna 172R
ZK-JTC Piper PA-38-112
ZK-KRT Rand KR-2
ZK-RJH Cessna 180D
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4
ZK-RZB Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL
ZK-SCA Zlin Aviation Savage
ZK-SMB Vans RV-12
ZK-TLP Pazmany PL-2
ZK-VIX Bellanca 17-30A

And a couple of pictures:

Always good to see Rose!

A nice surprise, one i haven't seen in many years and was completely black last time I saw!

Then did a quick visit up to Napier where not much was happening.

This is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-DVF Maule M-5-210C
ZK-FDS Beech 200C
ZK-SDD Cessna 208B
ZK-WTA Grumman G-164B

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BZZ Morane-Saulnier MS 880B
ZK-ELK Piper PA-32-260
ZK-EUD NZ Aerospace FU24-954
ZK-MSL Piper PA-34-200T
ZK-NPR Piper PA-31
ZK-ROW Cessna 208B
ZK-WUG Piper PA-34-200T

Last stop of the day was Dannevirke on the way home, nothing happening and only noted these locals:

ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-DGL Piper PA-28-180
ZK-EBL Piper PA-28-140

A really good day in the end, even without the fog, bring on the Feilding Dawn Raid in 2 weeks' time!

Lower North Island round trip 16-4-22

 Having seen the weather was looking good, decided on doing a nice trip up to Feilding and down to Masterton.

I had pre-arranged meeting with some of the local aircraft owners, but was nice to see a load of activity at Feilding, here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-DSK Piper PA-28-151
ZK-WBL Cessna A185F

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AWH Auster J1B
ZK-BZB Piper PA-28-160
ZK-CBM Cessna 172S
ZK-CPP Mooney M20C
ZK-CWJ Alpi Aviation Pioneer Jay Hawk
ZK-DUQ Piper PA-28-180
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EBR Meteor S.p.A Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-EJV Cessna A152
ZK-EMK Cessna 180K
ZK-ENB North American Harvard 3*
ZK-EOJ Cessna 152
ZK-EYI Ultralight Mirage
ZK-FWB Light Miniature LM-1
ZK-FXG Micro Aviation B22 Bantam
ZK-JBU Cessna 152
ZK-KFA Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-KOS Rans S-9 Chaos
ZK-LJI Piper PA-28-181
ZK-LLY Tecnam P2004 Bravo
ZK-MBI Piper PA-34-220T
ZK-MMC X-Air Hanuman
ZK-PGU Cirrus Design SR22
ZK-PMD SPA Panther
ZK-RVT Vans RV-10
ZK-SKO Meteor S.p.A Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-SLH Jabiru J160
ZK-SLN Sling Aircraft Sling 4 TSi
ZK-SMJ Rand KR-2 (Unregistered)
ZK-SPO Glasair Sportsman 2+2
ZK-STG TL Ultralight TL-2000 Sting
ZK-SVG ICP Savannah
ZK-THK Tim Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-TRD Tecnam P.92 Echo
ZK-TRO Cessna T210R
ZK-UDY Zenair Zenith CH-200
ZK-USK Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-XPA Maxair Drifter XP503
ZK-ZOT Zenair Zodiac 601

And a few photos from today:

Recently moved over from Takaka. A very nice looking Auster!

First time getting a proper look at this Light Miniature!

A pleasant surprise to see being moved in to the Flying Club hangar, soon to be flying again!

After a couple of hours of catching up with people, decided to see what was going on at Masterton. Sadly there wasn't anything happening, but did see these local aircraft:

ZK-CJG Bolkow Bo 208 C Junior
ZK-DOY Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-JBX Piper PA-38-112
ZK-LGT Akrotech G200
ZK-LTQ Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600
ZK-MBO Piper PA-44-180T
ZK-WRA Tecnam P2002-JF

Last stop was the nearby Glider strip at Papawai, where a bit of activity was happening. Here's the gliders I saw:

ZK-GMB Grob Astir CS 77
ZK-GNB Glaser-Dirks DG-100G ELAN
ZK-GTR Stemme S 10-VT
ZK-GUS Schempp-Hirth Arcus T
ZK-GVA Glaser-Dirks DG-400
ZK-GZY Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2cT

Not too bad a day, no new aircraft for me, but nice to catch up with a few people.

Wairarapa Balloon Festival

 Originally, I was planning on going to Classic Fighters at Omaka over the weekend, sadly those plans fell through.

So, for the last week, I have been keeping an eye on the weather for the Wairarapa to judge if it would be good enough for the Balloon festival to go ahead. It was very on and off, but yesterday it looked promising for today and the organizers announced their intentions to let them fly.

So, I risked it and got up at 4am this morning for the drive over to Martinborough, where they were planning on lifting off at the golf course. At 6:30am the go ahead was given, so everyone got to work inflating the balloons. The first one lifted off just before 7am.

Was nice to see a total of 18 balloons get up and head towards Featherston way.

Here are the ones I saw:

G-OPAW Cameron Z-105
N9129V Aerostar S-52A
ZK-FAA Kubicek BB30Z
ZK-FAI Boland 38-8
ZK-FAN Thunder and Colt AX8-90 Series II
ZK-FBA Kavanagh C-77
ZK-FRE Kavanagh D-84
ZK-KKH Cameron O-65
ZK-LAR Cameron C-80
ZK-LOP Boland 52-12
ZK-OAK Cameron Z-275
ZK-PNG Ultramagic H-77
ZK-PPI Cameron C-70
ZK-RYZ Kavanagh C-77
ZK-SEL Cameron N-90
ZK-UCF Kubicek BB20E
ZK-WBC Cameron Z-90
ZK-ZVE Cameron N-133

The only special shape, buster the dog! G-OPAW, a new one for me!

N9129V, also new for me.

ZK-FAA, new one for me!

ZK-FAN new one for me!

ZK-FRE, remember seeing that registration on a 737! New one for me

ZK-UCF, new one for me!

ZK-WBC, new one for me!

ZK-ZVE, my last new one!

Just had to get this shot, just through the trees, showing 12/18 of the attending balloons!

Was fun chasing them to Featherston, but an incredible sight to see in the sky as I was driving home. I didn't see where they landed, but at a guess it was towards Lake Domain reserve at the top of Lake Wairarapa.

Currently i'm planning on going up to Whanganui on Monday in hopes of catching the Classic Fighters aircraft on their way home. Most of the aircraft dropped in for fuel there on way down to the airshow, so hope they do same on the reverse!