Hawera Lunch Fly-In

 Today the Hawera Aero Club held a Lunch fly-in and the forecast leading up to the event looked hopeful for some nice weather, since the rest of the north island fly-ins this year have been washed out since the New Year's fly-in at Waipukurau.

The drive up was all over the place, sunny in Kapiti, cloudy from Levin round to Whanganui, raining in Whanganui and then the rain stopped around Waverley. Then arriving to Hawera the sun came out, but not for long as it disappeared behind cloud shortly after arrival and never returned.

But nevertheless, this didn't turn people away from flying their aircraft in with about 70 aircraft flying in from as far south as Ashburton and as far north as Ardmore! Also, most of the locals came out to have a look at, a great day in all!

Here is everything I saw:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CAW EAA Acrosport II
ZK-CJE Bolkow Junior
ZK-DGQ Piper PA-28
ZK-DKT Micro Aviation Bantam B22J
ZK-EOS Cessna 172N
ZK-FMP Cessna 172M
ZK-MAG Cessna 172P
ZK-PHL Vans RV-10
ZK-SHN Vans RV-7
ZK-UNB Cessna A152

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BAQ Auster J1B
ZK-BEF De Havilland Tiger Moth
ZK-BQV Piper PA-18
ZK-BTC Piper PA-18
ZK-CAV Cessna 185
ZK-CBH Cessna 180
ZK-CDY Cessna 180A
ZK-CFT Gardan GY80-150
ZK-CHB Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-CJV ICP Savannah S
ZK-CPP Mooney M20C
ZK-CQF Cessna 172G
ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-DAT Cessna 172L
ZK-DBD AESL Airtourer Super 150
ZK-DGL Piper PA-28
ZK-DJG Just Aircraft SuperSTOL XL
ZK-DKM Cessna 172M
ZK-DKW Grumman American AA-5
ZK-DLL Grumman American AA-5A
ZK-DMK Alpi Aviation Pioneer 300
ZK-DOD Cessna 180J
ZK-DOL Vans RV-12iS
ZK-DXA Cessna 180J
ZK-DXG Cessna 185A
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EBL Piper PA-28
ZK-EBR Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-EJO Cessna 182P
ZK-EKS Piper PA-32
ZK-FGJ Cessna 172P
ZK-FNT Cessna 172E
ZK-FRS Piper PA-38
ZK-JCG Cessna 170B
ZK-JFG Cessna 180K
ZK-JFH Hansen Deuce
ZK-JGP Cessna 172M
ZK-JIP Cessna 172S
ZK-JQY Maule MXT-7-180
ZK-KEA Falconar F-11
ZK-KRD Cessna 180C
ZK-KRM Cessna 180H
ZK-LAX Aeroprakt A-22LS
ZK-MAR Cessna 182T
ZK-MMJ Miller M1-Superchamp
ZK-MTZ Diamond DA 40
ZK-MWM Piper PA-28
ZK-OFC Cessna 182R
ZK-OPA Vans RV-6
ZK-PCB Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200
ZK-RGH Tecnam Astore
ZK-RPH Evektor-Aertechnik Sportstar Plus UL
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-SNE Piper PA-28
ZK-SRG Tecnam P2002 Sierra RG
ZK-TES Tecnam P92 Echo Super
ZK-THK Tim Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-UFS Piper PA-28
ZK-USK Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-VQM Piper PA-32
ZK-VRV Vans RV-6
ZK-WBG Cessna 180J
ZK-WCB Aeroprakt A-32
ZK-WER Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200
ZK-WGT Cessna 180
ZK-WHC Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200
ZK-WKF Cessna 172S
ZK-YAK Yakovlev Yak-52
ZK-YGG AutoGyro Calidus
ZK-ZIM Beech C23

Then my highlights from the day:

A really nice and pleasant surprise, Cessna 170B ZK-JCG from New Plymouth.

Recently moved to Whanganui is Auster J1B ZK-BAQ

Now with big tyres, ZK-MMJ taxis out to head back to home base at Ohakea

Recently changed registration from ZK-DVH is Beech C23 ZK-ZIM heading back home to Te Kowhai.

My first time seeing this aircraft and first time seeing an RV-12iS!

A nice surprise to come down from the Te Awamutu strip is Airtourer ZK-DBD

About time we had a good fly-in in New Zealand, the weather really hasn't co-operated so far this year, especially now we're going into proper fly-in season. Next week off to Tokoroa's spring fly-in if weather is good!

Feilding 18-09-2022

It was nice to head up to Feilding today to attend a BBQ celebration of Sling 4 TSi ZK-SLN, whilst the first flight was back on 14th, it was still nice to have a look over it and then watch it go up for a flight afterwards. A really nice aircraft, I look forward to seeing the other 3 slings currently being in Kapiti, New Plymouth and North Auckland!

There was also a decent number of aircraft around so here is everything I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CES Cessna A185F
ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DJB ICP Savannah
ZK-EQQ Piper PA-28
ZK-JQY Maule MXT-7-180
ZK-MTD Diamond DA40
ZK-MTJ Diamond DA40
ZK-OUZ Zenair CH701 STOL

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CPP Mooney M20C
ZK-CWJ Alpi Aviation Pioneer Jay Hawk
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EOJ Cessna 152
ZK-EYI Ultralight Mirage
ZK-EZY Cli-mate 100
ZK-FSM Hovey Delta Hawk
ZK-JBU Cessna 152
ZK-LJI Piper PA-28
ZK-MBI Piper PA-34
ZK-MMC X-Air Hanuman
ZK-NWY Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-PGU Cirrus SR22
ZK-PMD SPA Panther
ZK-RWS Piper PA-25
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow
ZK-SLH Jabiru J160
ZK-SLN Sling Aircraft Sling 4 TSi
ZK-SLR Jabiru J230

ZK-STG TL-Ultralight TL-2000 Sting
ZK-SVG ICP Savannah
ZK-TFB Dyn'Aero MCR ULC
ZK-THK Tim Bygate Tiger Hawk
ZK-UPX Piper PA-34 (Unregistered)
ZK-VHS ICP Savannah S
ZK-XPA Maxair Drifter XP503

And then the photos from today:

Getting prepped for the flight today

Taxiing back in after completing the demo flight

A nice surprise to call in on the way home to Rangiora. This is the first Savannah to have been imported to New Zealand!

A lovely day out at Feilding and I pass on my congratulations to the team at Sling Aircraft New Zealand on a job well done completing ZK-SLN "Nemo"

Taildraggers 2022

 The annual Taildraggers was held this weekend, usually the Saturday is held at Waipukurau but because of prior rainfall, the location was changed to Hastings. The weather forecasted was far from the best, but still decided to have a crack and see what happens.

Upon arrival the weather was just overcast and very little wind. So was great to see a bunch of locals out and a few nearby visitors in for the Taildraggers event.

Here is what I saw

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-EYH Cessna 180K
ZK-KSS Piper PA-18

Local Aircraft:
ZK-ADT De Havilland DH.60G
ZK-BHP Cessna 182B
ZK-BMY De Havilland DH.82A
ZK-BPM Piper PA-18
ZK-BQS Piper PA-18
ZK-BRO Piper PA-18
ZK-CDB Alpi Pioneer 200
ZK-CHG Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-CLS Gardan GY-20
ZK-DFL Piper PA-28
ZK-DLY Cessna A185F
ZK-DSK Piper PA-28
ZK-DXA Cessna 180J
ZK-EDS Beech F33A
ZK-EQB Piper PA-38
ZK-FJS Piper PA-38
ZK-FKO Thruster R377
ZK-FQQ Piper PA-28
ZK-FTZ Staaken Flitzer Z-21a
ZK-FWK Cessna A152
ZK-GXS Rolladen-Schneider LS8
ZK-HLQ Hughes 269A
ZK-JHF Piper PA-38
ZK-JKA Cessna 172R
ZK-JLW Rand KR-2
ZK-JTC Piper PA-38
ZK-LDL Gardan GY-20
ZK-LKA R & B Bearhawk
ZK-LLX Milholland Legal Eagle XL
ZK-MRD ICP Savannah S
ZK-NEX Sonex
ZK-NIC Avid Flyer STOL
ZK-PTU Protech PT2
ZK-RJH Cessna 180D
ZK-RJK Gardan GY-20
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4
ZK-SCA Zlin Savage Cub
ZK-SLX Grimmer Skylux
ZK-STM Boeing Stearman A75N1
ZK-VGR Stinson 108-2
ZK-WHO Vans RV-3

A select few photos:

A huge surprise to see, a first of type for me to see!

Another surprise, I have never seen this aircraft outside before!

Masterton visit 14-08-2022

Finally a day off from work and some gorgeous weather forecast, I decided to head over to Wairarapa to see what was about and I was not disappointed to see quite the bunch of aircraft around! Even gliders from the nearby gliding strip at Papawai were over, sadly they didn't come out before I had to leave. Regardless a very nice morning out!

Here is everything I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BRP Piper PA-18
ZK-GLI Rolladen-Schneider LS3
ZK-GPJ Glaser-Dirks DG-1000S
ZK-GPK Glaser-Dirks DG-1000S
ZK-PTS Pitts Model 12

Local Aircraft:
N861WP DHC 1 Chipmunk
ZK-AHD Piper J.3C
ZK-ANL De Havilland Tiger Moth
ZK-BAT De Havilland Tiger Moth
ZK-BCZ De Havilland Tiger Moth
ZK-BEW De Havilland Tiger Moth
ZK-BLK De Havilland Tiger Moth
ZK-BZR Cessna 180
ZK-CCW Beagle A.109
ZK-CIM Glasair-Stoddard GlaStar
ZK-CJG Bolkow Bo.208C
ZK-DKD Cessna 172M
ZK-DOY Tecnam P.2002
ZK-END North American Harvard
ZK-FLY EAA Acro Sport II
ZK-GEX Schleucher Ka.6CR (Unregistered)
ZK-GFU Bolkow Phoebus B1 (Unregistered)
ZK-JBX Piper PA-38
ZK-JIM ICP Savannah S
ZK-KKQ TL Ultralight TL-3000
ZK-LEZ Rutan Long-Ez
ZK-LGT Akrotech G.200
ZK-MBO Piper PA-44
ZK-RMA Van's RV-10
ZK-SDQ Neico Lancair 235
ZK-SVA ICP Savannah S
ZK-SVH ICP Savannah
ZK-SXM Air Tractor AT-502B
ZK-TBD Sequoia Falco F.8L
ZK-THG Piper PA-46
ZK-TRG Tecnam P.92-2000RG
ZK-TUX Just Aircraft SuperSTOL
ZK-UAE Stoddard-Hamilton SH-3R
ZK-WRA Tecnam P.2002JF

And the pictures:

Couldn't have asked for much more. One of the better days I've had at Masterton!

Hawkes Bay visit 07-08-2022

 A very late moment decision to have a look around Hawkes Bay airfields due to the weather forecast all week. It didn't look bad and it wasn't too bad once over the hills.

First visit was to Dannevirke where nothing was happening, but did note these locals around:

ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-EBL Piper PA-28
ZK-WRB Piper PA38 (Appears to be being used between Takaka and Dannevirke at present)

Drove on up to Waipukurau where no hangars were open and nothing outside, so onwards to Hastings where a few things were happening, but most were tinkering inside hangars.

Did note the following aircraft:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-HGP Hughes 269C
ZK-HLT Hughes 269C
ZK-ZAX Zlin Savage Cub

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BSP Cessna 180
ZK-CHG Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-CPD Champion 7ECA
ZK-DCM Piper PA-34 (Unregistered)
ZK-DFL Piper PA-28
ZK-DSK Piper PA-28
ZK-EDS Beech F33A Bonanza
ZK-EIR Piper PA-38
ZK-EQB Piper PA-38
ZK-FJS Piper PA-38
ZK-FTQ Piper PA-38
ZK-FTZ Staaken Flitzer Z-21a
ZK-FWK Cessna A152
ZK-GHW Schempp-Hirth Discus 2T
ZK-GXS Rolladen-Schneider LS8
ZK-HLQ Hughes 269A
ZK-JFY Cessna 152
ZK-JKA Cessna 172R
ZK-JMR Cessna 172S
ZK-JSD Cessna 172S
ZK-JTC Piper PA-38
ZK-JVC Piper PA-38
ZK-LKA R&B Bearhawk
ZK-MAP Cessna 402B
ZK-NPK Cessna 152
ZK-RAC Delta Trikes J-RO
ZK-RGZ Cessna T182T
ZK-RVH Van's RV-4
ZK-SCA Zlin Savage Cub
ZK-SVQ Cessna 402B
ZK-TOC Cessna 152
ZK-TOD Cessna 152
ZK-TOE Cessna 152
ZK-TUT Cessna 152
ZK-WAJ Piper PA-38

And a few photos:

Then went on to Napier to have a look, also not much happening but did note a few aircraft out:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-EFI Cessna U206G
ZK-OMB Gippsland GA-200
ZK-PGE Pacific Aerospace Cresco

Local Aircraft:
N932DT Cessna 208B (To become ZK-ROW apparently)
ZK-BZZ Morane-Saulnier MS.880B
ZK-LTX Pacific Aerospace Cresco
ZK-NPR Piper PA-31
ZK-MSL Piper PA-34
ZK-PTL Pacific Aerospace CT/4E

And a couple of pictures:

Then on the way home stopped by Waipukurau which had a few hangars open and a bit more happening than before, so here's what I noted:

Visiting Aircraft
ZK-LMG Zenair CH.650UL

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AGD Piper J-2
ZK-ARL DHC 1 Chipmunk
ZK-ATO Auster J/1B (Unregistered)
ZK-BQL Auster J/5
ZK-DHZ Jodel D.9
ZK-EDA Evans VP-1 (Unregistered)
ZK-ETJ Cessna A152
ZK-FGJ Cessna 172P
ZK-FLI Jodel D.9
ZK-FNT Cessna 172E
ZK-JVW First Strike Bobcat (Unregistered)
ZK-KSS Piper PA-18S
ZK-MYT Walker Skylark
ZK-RDL First Strike Bobcat
ZK-RPH Evektor-Aertechnik Sportstar Plus
ZK-TWO Rand KR-2
ZK-WYZ TEAM Hi-Max

Not too bad a day considering the weather forecast, my next mission is to try get pictures of the 4x RAAF PC-21s at Ohakea currently on exercise till 19th August. Hope for some nice weather!

Wellington and Kapiti visit 01-08-2022

 An absolute stunner of a day today gave the perfect excuse to go out for a drive down to Wellington to have a look at the USAF C-37A parked up, plus to do some aircraft spotting.

Firstly some pics from Wellington:

USAF Gulfstream C-37A 01-0028 parked up at Wellington, this arrived from Sydney back on 30th July.

Skyline Aviation's Beech B200 ZK-SDH taxiing out for departure to home base at Dunedin.

GCH Aviation's Beech 200C ZK-FDR taxiing in after arriving from Nelson.

Then about midday I drove back home and decided to make the most of the good weather at Kapiti by watching the movements there and a number of visitors were present:

Pelorus Air's Cessna A185F ZK-PRM parked up after arriving from Picton earlier, later departing back there.

A nice surprise, RNZAF Beech T-6 Texan NZ1411 came for a quick Touch and Go.

Wellington Aero Club's Piper PA-28 ZK-KAT in for maintenance after arriving Wellington.

Canterbury Aero Club's Piper PA-28 ZK-LJF parked up at Kapiti after arriving from Christchurch, departing back there later.

Cessna 208 ZK-EAV parked up, this arrived from Omaka back on 29th July.

Then got a few pictures of locals out:

Merlin Labs Cessna 208B ZK-MLN got brought outside. This finally arrived a few weeks ago.

Merlin Labs Cessna 172S ZK-CTY also got brought outside to go up for a local flight.

Grumman American AA-5 ZK-DKW parked up quite nicely in the sun.