Northland Trip Part 1

 Plan for this weekend was going to be driving down for Warbirds over Wanaka, but sadly the COVID restrictions seized those up. So instead decided to head to the far north. Today being the first day.

The original plan was to head up to Taupo quickly before the holiday traffic started, well one of those parts worked out, we got to Waiouru by 10am, but the desert road was closed due to an early crash. So the plan quickly changed to going via Te Kuiti and up.

The first thing noted was not far out of Feilding being Robinson R.44 ZK-HLY spraying in a field.

A quick fly past Te Kuiti with nothing really on show

First proper stop was Hamilton and quite a nice selection on offer.

Visiting Aircraft:
N77NZ Bombardier Global Express
ZK-CTY Cessna 172S
ZK-DIR Piper PA-23
ZK-FDN Beech C90A
ZK-HVF Bell 206B
ZK-HYL Bell 206B
ZK-IDI Aerospatiale AS.350
ZK-IKF Eurocopter EC.120
ZK-JDH Piper PA-34
ZK-LTT Pacific Aerospace Cresco
ZK-NSP Piper PA-31
ZK-SDT Pacific Aerospace 750XL
ZK-SKL Beech C90A
ZK-SRC Piper PA-31
ZK-SXP Air Tractor AT-502
ZK-XLC Pacific Aerospace 750XL
ZK-XLF Cessna F406

Local Aircraft
ZK-ECY Piper PA-28
ZK-EGS Pacific Aerospace Fletcher
ZK-EME Pacific Aerospace Fletcher (Unregistered)
ZK-HOD Bell 206B
ZK-JFO Cessna 150H
ZK-JGP Cessna 172M
ZK-JLU Pacific Aerospace Fletcher (Unregistered)
ZK-NPA Cessna 172R
ZK-PGE Pacific Aerospace Cresco
ZK-PSR Mitsubishi Mu.2
ZK-TSD Piper PA-34
ZK-UFS Piper PA-28
ZK-WIT Piper PA-28
ZK-WKF Cessna 172S

Just the one photo

Then next stop was Te Kowhai, following aircraft were noted there:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-SLR Jabiru J230

Local Aircraft

N100NA Piper PA-32
N5JP Cessna 150G
ZK-AZL Douglas DC-3 (Unregistered)
ZK-DKT Micro Aviation Bantam
ZK-EHA Cessna 172
ZK-FER Cirrus SR22
ZK-JCK Rand Kar Xair
ZK-MJK Flylight Airsports Skyranger
ZK-WPR Micro Aviation Bantam
ZK-ZEN Zenair CH200
ZK-ZYZ Micro Aviation Bantam

Next stop was Mercer, following aircraft were noted there:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-DIM Diamond DA40
ZK-EWZ Cessna 172S
ZK-FCR Cessna 172S
ZK-JIG Socata TB10
ZK-TAC Cessna 152

ZK-TAS Cessna 172R
ZK-ZAQ Cessna 172S
ZK-ZAT Cessna 172R

Local Aircraft:
N814AR Aerospatiale SA.330J
ZK-CMW Cessna 185B
ZK-COZ Puffer Cozy
ZK-FQY Cessna 207
ZK-FSA Cessna 172M
ZK-HEV Sikorsky S-92A
ZK-LAM Piper PA-18
ZK-SBB Cessna 182N

Got a couple of Pictures:

Last stop for the day was Ardmore and oh boy was there a lot of aircraft, but only locals!

A94-927 Canadair CA-26 (Unregistered)
JA7620 Sikorsky S-76C
N425HB Cessna 425
N45EA Bell 206L-3
N883MX Found FBA-2C3
ZK-AAC Cessna 162
ZK-BUD Cessna 152
ZK-CAM Piper PA-31
ZK-COP Piper PA-38
ZK-CUS Piper PA-23
ZK-CXG Cessna 150H
ZK-CZZ Cessna A150L
ZK-DAK Douglas DC-3C
ZK-DAY Cessna 172L
ZK-DFH Cessna 172L
ZK-DJN Cessna 182P
ZK-DNE Piper PA-28
ZK-DOD Cessna 180J
ZK-DOT Piper PA-28
ZK-EAM Diamond DA.42
ZK-EAN Diamond DA.42
ZK-EBX Piper PA-28
ZK-ECM Piper PA-23
ZK-EFD Cessna 150J
ZK-EFP Piper PA-28
ZK-EOX Cessna 172N
ZK-EVL Piper PA-38
ZK-FGD Cessna 152
ZK-FLH Cessna A152
ZK-FRL Piper PA-28
ZK-HBK MBB Kawasaki Bk.117B-2
ZK-HDO MD Helicopters 600N
ZK-HFB Robinson R.22
ZK-HJR Robinson R.22
ZK-HKZ MBB Kawasaki Bk.117B-2
ZK-HLH Agusta AW169
ZK-HMJ Bell 206L

ZK-HPX Aerospatiale AS.332L
ZK-HRP Aerospatiale AS.332L
ZK-HYN Aerospatiale AS.355
ZK-HZM Aerospatiale AS.350

ZK-IBJ Robinson R.44
ZK-ICG Sikorsky S-76C
ZK-IKL Hughes 369E
ZK-IZB Agusta AW169
ZK-JBL Cessna A152
ZK-JMC Cessna 172S
ZK-JME Diamond DA.40
ZK-JMY Cessna 172S
ZK-JPA Piper PA-28
ZK-JRA Cessna 172S
ZK-JSP Cessna 172S
ZK-KAS Cessna 172N
ZK-LKM Cessna 182S
ZK-MDV Cessna 172N
ZK-NTV Piper PA-30
ZK-OAT Cessna 172R
ZK-RJD Piper PA-28
ZK-RMM Mooney M.20C
ZK-RVS Vans RV-7
ZK-SAR Cessna 182T
ZK-SAX DHC 1 Chipmunk
ZK-SFC Piper PA-34
ZK-STU Vans RV-9A
ZK-SWW Zenair CH601
ZK-SWX Cessna 172S
ZK-SWY Alpha R2160
ZK-TAD Cessna 172R
ZK-TAN Cessna 172R
ZK-TAP Cessna 172R
ZK-TAU Cessna 172R
ZK-TAX Cessna 172R
ZK-TJL Cessna 172N
ZK-VAT Cessna 172R
ZK-WAG Piper PA-38
ZK-WFT Cessna 172N
ZK-XAT Cessna 172R
ZK-XYZ Cessna 172S
ZK-ZAB Cessna 172S
ZK-ZAQ Cessna 172S

Plan for tomorrow is to have a look at Auckland, North Shore, Parakai, Kaipara Flats and Whangarei. Looking forward to it!

Kapiti Airport 11-04-2022

 After missing out on the 8 choppers that arrived at Kapiti together last Friday, I was hoping to get them all on the return from the south island today. Noted them arriving in to Omaka this morning so didn't have much hope they'd come in, but glad I was wrong as 2 of them still decided to come in, the rest flew past just off the coast of the airfield.

Here are the photos I got anyway:

Whilst not part of the helicopter group, always nice to see Sikorsky S-76B ZK-IBI come in for fuel on her various south island trips.

Fuel uplifted and time to continue on south.

Bell 206B ZK-HGD arriving for fuel, this was part of the helicopter group last week.

Robinson R.44 ZK-INC also coming in for fuel, also part of the helicopter group.

Kapiti Airport 10-04-2022

 A quick visit out to Kapiti Airport this morning to watch the young eagles head over to Masterton.

Nice to see a big turnout for the young eagles with at least 8 aircraft heading over, each aircraft full also.

Also at the airfield were a couple of visitors:

Cessna 172M ZK-DRS having a rest after doing survey work across the entire country for the last month. This usually resides at Rotorua

Wellington Aero Club's Cessna 172N ZK-EKE parked up.

Hope the Young Eagles enjoy their time with the Tiger Moths at Masterton today, also hope the weather is better over there then here!

Manawatu trip 03-04-2022

Did a trip up to the Manawatu today due the the Heritage flight coming out of Ohakea down to Christchurch.

Got to Ohakea just in time for them to come out, the formation flight consisted of 2x RNZAF Beech T-6C Texans, Grumman Avenger and Vickers Spitfire.

Here is what i saw at Ohakea anyway:

Visiting Aircraft:
NZ7001 Lockheed C-130H

NZ7003 Lockheed C-130H

Local Aircraft
NZ1401 Beech T-6C Texan
NZ1407 Beech T-6C Texan

NZ1411 Beech T-6C Texan
NZ2353 Beech B300
ZK-SPI Vickers Spitfire

ZK-TBE Grumman Avenger

Sadly the Spitfire didn't join the formation whilst over Ohakea, so this was best I could get.

Then with the nice weather, decided to go over to Feilding, which was a good call, was super busy there and so heaps of aircraft around

Here is everything I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:

VH-BHR Piper PA-46

ZK-CBH Cessna 180
ZK-DBZ Zenair CH.601HDS

ZK-KMA Tecnam P.92
ZK-OBH Zenair CH.601XL
ZK-PMC Piper PA-24
ZK-SNW Monnet Sonerai

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AGY Auster J1
ZK-BXO Auster B8
ZK-CBM Cessna 172S
ZK-CIG Piper PA-25
ZK-CJG MBB Bo.208
ZK-CWJ Alpi Aviation Jay Hawk
ZK-DBG Titan T-51
ZK-DEM Cessna 310Q
ZK-DUN Piper PA-28
ZK-DUQ Piper PA-28
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EHP Cessna A150M
ZK-EJV Cessna A152
ZK-EMK Cessna 180K
ZK-EOJ Cessna 152
ZK-ERK Cessna 172N
ZK-EYI Ultralight Mirage
ZK-EZY Cli-mate 300

ZK-FSD Micro Aviation Bantam
ZK-FSM Hovey Delta Hawk
ZK-FWB Light Miniature LM-1

ZK-GAN Schleicher KA 6CR
ZK-GDG DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000S
ZK-GLI Rolladen-Schneider LS3
ZK-GLK Rolladen-Schneider LS3
ZK-GMA Grob Astir CS77
ZK-GPE Schleicher ASK21
ZK-JBS Robertson B1-RD (Unregistered)
ZK-JBU Cessna 152
ZK-JSG Cessna 172M
ZK-KEM Pitts S-1D
ZK-KFA Tecnam P.2002

ZK-KVZ Cessna U206G
ZK-LDJ Pitts S-2C
ZK-LLY Tecnam P.2004
ZK-LPD Alpi Aviation Pioneer 300
ZK-MBI Piper PA-34

ZK-MEJ Piper PA-22
ZK-MMC X-Air Hanuman
ZK-OFC Cessna 182R
ZK-PAJ Tecnam P.2002

ZK-PAY Pterodactyl Ascender
ZK-PMD SPA Panther
ZK-PNL VPM M16
ZK-PPP Percival Provost
ZK-RWS Piper PA-25
ZK-SLH Jabiru J160
ZK-SLN Sling 4
ZK-STG TL Ultralight 2000
ZK-SVG ICP Savannah
ZK-SXN Air Tractor AT-502B
ZK-TFB Dyn'Aero MCR
ZK-THK Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-TRD Tecnam P.92
ZK-UDY Zenair CH,200

ZK-UPX Piper PA-34 (Unregistered)
ZK-VHS ICP Savannah S
ZK-XPA Maxair Drifter XP503
ZK-ZOT Zenair CH.601

Phew! What a list of aircraft seen at one airfield! Now the photos:

ZK-PAY Taking off for a local flight

ZK-CIG with ZK-GLK in tow

A very nice find and only just had wings fitted, recently registered Sling 4 TSi ZK-SLN. This will be New Zealand's demo aircraft in due course.

Kapiti Airport Diversions

Well today was a bit of a special day for Kapiti, with Wellington Airport not operational due to dense fog, Kapiti had a few diversions in hand.

Sadly the first one I missed due to being at work, which was Cessna 510 ZK-YDZ coming from and returning to Napier.

But the next lot I was around for:

A very very special visitor, Pilatus PC.24 VH-FGM, seen here taxiing out for departure to Wellington. This arrived from Invercargill earlier.

Sounds Air's Pilatus PC.12 ZK-PLB, this diverted doing the Wellington-Taupo run around midday. Later departed to Woodbourne.

Air Whanganui's Beech B200 ZK-MDC arriving from Whanganui, this later returned to Whanganui. This did another return trip later in the day.

Other diversions were:

MBB Kawasaki Bk.117 ZK-IPT trying to reach Wellington as back up for MBB Kawasaki Bk.117 ZK-HLF which has gone in for Maintenance. This has stayed at Kapiti overnight.

As I type this post Air Whanganui's Beech C90A ZK-MKG is arriving from Auckland.

Goes to show how vital Kapiti is when Wellington Airport is not operational for whatever reason.

Foxpine 27-03-2022

Today was the monthly Foxpine BBQ and Fly-In. Sadly no aircraft flew in despite the beautiful weather.

But the locals took the opportunity to come out with most of them showing up, so was nice to put names to faces!

Here is what showed themselves today whilst I was there:

ZK-DAT Cessna 172L
ZK-EEO Gardan GY-20
ZK-EMP Johnston Acrolite
ZK-HTG Robinson R.44
ZK-OUZ Zenair CH.701
ZK-SAQ Fly Synthesis Storch S

ZK-VEE SG Aviation Storm 300
ZK-WGO Piper PA-32

Took a few pics:

Trip up north part 2

As I put in my post yesterday I was doing a trip up around Matamata and Tauranga for 2 days. As I suspected the weather wasn't the best in Tauranga, so decided to just head straight back home with quick stops to look at Rotorua and Taupo along the way.

So firstly I did a quick look round Tauranga again and only change was the local Cessna R172K ZK-KDB showing itself.

Next up was Rotorua and here is what I saw

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-PGE Pacific Aerospace Cresco

Local Aircraft:
ZK-EJN Jodel D.11
ZK-GED ZSLS SZD-9
ZK-GMM Grob Standard Astir
ZK-IKJ Aerospatiale AS.350
ZK-IVA Aerospatiale AS.350
ZK-SCJ Jodel D.18
ZK-VAS DHC 3 Otter (From nearby Lake)

Only the one photo:

Then next stop was Taupo, sadly there was no change from yesterday, but did grab a few pics:

Orbit Helicopter's Aerospatiale AS.355 ZK-ICK

Cessna 172N ZK-UWE

Orbit Helicopter's Cessna 208B ZK-EXX

Lastly I stopped off at Kapiti as I had made good time getting home and got a couple of pics:

First time i've seen a Gyro at Kapiti. AutoGyro MTOsport ZK-RTO has been at Kapiti over the weekend doing some local flights.

The afternoon Sounds Air flights were being operated by Pilatus PC.12 ZK-PLB still in the RFDS of Australia scheme.

Not too bad of a weekend, 7 new ones for me. Now to rest for the week I think!