Wanganui Aero Club Open Day 2023

 Whanganui Aero Club, as part of the local vintage weekend, held their annual open day. The weather started off cloudy but turned in to a stunning day with a bit of wind.

The event was well organised and plenty of aircraft to look at, so here is everything I saw:

Aircraft on Static display:
ZK-APT De Havilland DH 83C Fox Moth
ZK-ARL De Havilland Canada DHC-1A-1
ZK-BAQ Auster J1B
ZK-BEF De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BTU Piper PA-18
ZK-BUE Cessna 172
ZK-CTF Cessna 150H
ZK-FJD Piper PA-22-160
ZK-FRS Piper PA-38-112
ZK-HFW Schweizer 269C-1
ZK-KIT Denney Kitfox II
ZK-LDG AESL Airtourer T6
ZK-LSD Titan T51 Mustang
ZK-LTJ Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600
ZK-RWW Skycraft Scout Mk.III
ZK-SLF Skycraft Scout Mk.III
ZK-SPI Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX
ZK-SXT Air Tractor AT-502A
ZK-TJK Micro Aviation B22J Bantam
ZK-VNM De Havilland DH 112 Venom Mk 1
ZK-WHC Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200
ZK-WUA Diamond DA 42
ZK-WUD Cessna 172S
ZK-WUF Scottish Aviation Bulldog Series 120 Model 121
ZK-YGG AutoGyro Calidus

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CAW EAA Acro Sport II
ZK-CIZ Saab 340B
ZK-CJE Bolkow Junior
ZK-CSL Sonex
ZK-DLI Grumman American AA-5A
ZK-FQY Cessna 207
ZK-MSV Tecnam Astore
ZK-PDX Piper PA-32-300
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CAA Cessna 172S
ZK-CTG Cessna 150H (Unregistered)
ZK-DKM Cessna 172M
ZK-DGK Piper PA-28-235
ZK-EGK NZ Aerospace FU24-950
ZK-FIY Diamond DA20-C1
ZK-HFA Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2
ZK-HFD Schweizer 269C
ZK-HTM Bell 206B
ZK-JDL Stoddard-Hamilton SH-2 Glasair TD
ZK-JMI Micro Aviation B22J Bantam
ZK-JQY Maule MXT-7-180
ZK-LTS Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600
ZK-MDC Beech B200
ZK-MDF Cessna 152
ZK-MDO Cessna A152
ZK-MYF Partenavia P 68B
ZK-NEI Cessna 152
ZK-NFO Cessna 152
ZK-NPA Cessna 172R
ZK-PEG Pitts S-1E Special
ZK-TAD Cessna 172R
ZK-WUB Cessna 172R
ZK-WUE Cessna 172R

Then a selection of photos:

Very nice to see the Spitfire come over from Ohakea, if even only for static!

My only new one from the event, recently registered Skycraft Scout ZK-SLF

Cessna 172 ZK-BUE looking a lot better than last time I saw it back in 2019 as a wreck!

Nice to see Ron come over in his Chipmunk with Ross Macdonald!

Bell 206B ZK-HTM was doing joy flights for most of the day

Same goes for Fox Moth ZK-APT, which is in from Omaka for the long weekend.

Air Whanganui's Beech B200 ZK-MDC off on another mission, this one to New Plymouth

A very nice surprise to come in for fuel on the way home to Mercer from Omaka, our one and only Cessna 207!

Couldn't have asked for a better day, looking forward to next year's one!

Hawkes Bay Trip 15-01-2023

 With all the bad weather over the last couple of weeks, it was nice to have a day off and some good weather. So, with that in mind I did a trip out to Hastings. Mostly fine with little wind over there, there was quite a few nice finds around.

Firstly, was Dannevirke, nothing happening but did note the following locals:

ZK-DAL Cessna 150G
ZK-DAN Cessna 177B
ZK-DGL Piper PA-28
ZK-EBL Piper PA-28
ZK-RCT Rotor Flight Dynamic Sub 4 Single Dominator
ZK-RIT Neil Hintz Tandem Dominator
ZK-TFP Vans RV-12

Next stop was Waipukurau, a bit of activity happening and was nice to catch up with Ron Day and see his amazing collection. Here is what I noted:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-DON Maule M-4-210C
ZK-IZG Eurocopter EC 120B
ZK-NIC Avid Flyer STOL
ZK-SMB Vans RV-12

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AGD Piper J-2
ZK-ARL De Havilland Canada DHC-1A-1
ZK-ATO Auster J/1 (Unregistered)
ZK-BQL Auster J5
ZK-DHZ Jodel D9
ZK-EDA Evans VP-1 (Unregistered)
ZK-ETJ Cessna A152
ZK-FGJ Cessna 172P
ZK-FLI Jodel D9
ZK-FNT Cessna 172E
ZK-JFT Johnston Sky Bird (Unregistered)
ZK-JLD Micro Aviation B10 Bantam
ZK-KSS Piper PA-18
ZK-MYT Bruce Walker Custom/Skylark
ZK-RDL First Strike Bobcat
ZK-TWO Rand KR-2
ZK-WYZ TEAM Hi-Max

Then a couple of photos:

Then onwards to our main destination of Hastings and bot was there a lot of activity, here is everything I noted:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-IDI Airbus Helicopters AS 350B2
ZK-KSD Jodel D11
ZK-LSF Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-MTZ Diamond DA40
ZK-MWM Piper PA-28
ZK-PCC Air Tractor AT-402B
ZK-RWC Cessna 180B
ZK-VRV Vans RV-6

Local Aircraft:
ZK-AON De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BPM Piper PA-18
ZK-BQS Piper PA-18
ZK-BRO Piper PA-18
ZK-BSP Cessna 180
ZK-CDK Aero Commander 680F
ZK-CDR Cessna 182T
ZK-CHG Nanchang CJ-6
ZK-CLS Gardan GY-20 Minicab
ZK-CSL Sonex
ZK-DFL Piper PA-28
ZK-DLY Cessna A185F
ZK-EDS Beech F33A
ZK-EIR Piper PA-38
ZK-EKG Cessna 172N
ZK-EQB Piper PA-38
ZK-EYH Cessna 180K
ZK-FJS Piper PA-38
ZK-FKO Thruster R377
ZK-FQQ Piper PA-28
ZK-FWK Cessna A152
ZK-JFY Cessna 152
ZK-JHF Piper PA-38
ZK-JKA Cessna 172R
ZK-JMR Cessna 172S
ZK-JSD Cessna 172S
ZK-JTC Piper PA-38
ZK-JVC Piper PA-38
ZK-KMA Tecnam P92 Echo Super
ZK-LDL Gardan GY-20 Minicab
ZK-LKA R & B Bearhawk
ZK-MRD ICP Savannah S
ZK-NEX Sonex
ZK-NIC Avid Flyer STOL
ZK-NPK Cessna 152
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4
ZK-SCA Zlin Aviation Savage
ZK-SHB Diamond DA42
ZK-SMB Vans RV-12
ZK-SNP Just Aircraft SuperSTOL
ZK-STM Boeing-Stearman A75N1
ZK-TLP Pazmany PL-2
ZK-TOC Cessna 152
ZK-TOD Cessna 152
ZK-TOE Cessna 152
ZK-TUT Cessna 152
ZK-WAJ Piper PA-38

Then a couple of photos:

My only new one for the day. New resident for Hastings having previously been at Rangiora.

My first time getting a photo of this aircraft surprisingly!

Last airfield visited of the day was Napier. A bit going on, so here is what I noted outside of Air New Zealand stuff.

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-LTD Piper PA-31
ZK-MDC Beech B200
ZK-OMB Gippsland GA200

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BZZ Morane-Saulnier MS 880B
ZK-EUD NZ Aerospace FU24-954
ZK-FTQ Piper PA-38
ZK-MSL Piper PA-34
ZK-NPR Piper PA-31
ZK-PLK Beech B200C
ZK-ROW Cessna 208B
ZK-YDZ Cessna 510

A good day in all. But looking forward to Sunday for the Whanganui Aero Club open day, have heard of an awesome schedule planned, so here's hoping for good weather!

New Years Day Fly-In 2023

 Another year another New Year's Day fly-in, this year the event was being held at Whanganui and the weather was excellent besides being a tad bit windy.

The attendance wasn't too bad with a final count of 34 flying in from as far south as Ashburton and as far north as Tauranga.

A great day in all.

Here is everything I saw during the day:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-BAQ Auster J1B
ZK-BEF De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-BTU Piper PA-18
ZK-CTF Cessna 150H
ZK-CTG Cessna 150H (Unregistered)
ZK-EGK NZ Aerospace FU24-950
ZK-FJD Piper PA-22
ZK-FLN Zenair STOL CH750
ZK-FRS Piper PA-38
ZK-JDL Stoddard-Hamilton SH-2 Glasair TD
ZK-JIP Cessna 172S
ZK-JMI Micro Aviation Bantam B22J
ZK-JQY Maule MXT-7-180
ZK-JVB Zenair CH701 STOL
ZK-KIT Denney Kitfox II
ZK-LDG AESL Airtourer T6
ZK-LSD Titan T51 Mustang
ZK-LTS Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600
ZK-MDC Beech B200
ZK-MDK Cessna 152
ZK-NEI Cessna 152
ZK-PEG Pitts S-1E Special
ZK-PMJ Beech B200
ZK-RWW Skycraft Scout Mk.III
ZK-SOR Solo Wings Windlass Aquilla
ZK-SXT Air Tractor AT-502A
ZK-TJK Micro Aviation Bantam B22J
ZK-VNM De Havilland DH 112 Venom Mk 1
ZK-WHC Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-ADT De Havilland DH 60G Gipsy Moth
ZK-BEW De Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth
ZK-CBH Cessna 180
ZK-CIZ Saab 340B
ZK-CPP Mooney M20C
ZK-CWJ Alpi Aviation Pioneer Jay Hawk
ZK-DAT Cessna 172L
ZK-DGK Piper PA-28
ZK-DUN Piper PA-28
ZK-DWU Cessna 177B
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EBR Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-EKG Cessna 172N
ZK-JKA Cessna 172R
ZK-KAZ Cessna 172S
ZK-KFA Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-LLY Tecnam P2004 Bravo
ZK-MMJ Miller M1-Superchamp
ZK-MWM Piper PA-28
ZK-NPT Evektor - Aertechnik Sportstar Plus
ZK-PMD SPA Panther
ZK-PTP Rans S-7S Courier
ZK-RVF Vans RV-6A
ZK-RVH Vans RV-4
ZK-RVT Vans RV-10
ZK-SAL TL-Ultralight TL-2000 Sting
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-SNW Monnett Sonerai IILS
ZK-STG TL-Ultralight TL-2000 Sting
ZK-TEL TRI-R KIS TR-4 Cruiser
ZK-TES Tecnam P92 Echo Super
ZK-TFB Dyn'Aero MCR ULC
ZK-TRD Tecnam P92 Echo
ZK-USK Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-VTE Tecnam P92 Echo Classic
ZK-WBF Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-WGK Czech Aircraft Works Sportcruiser

Then my favourite photos from the day:

Always nice to see John take up his Venom!

Surprise of the day, coming over from Masterton

Now sporting Manawatu Aviation Club titles

One I haven't seen for a while, down from Tauranga

Winning Furthest travelled, all the way from Ashburton

Always love seeing a Mooney

One that seems to elude me, nice to finally get a picture of!

Also, a first to photo for me, over from Hastings.

A brilliant way to start off the year and hopefully a look in to how the fly-ins for the year are going to look.

Koputaroa Breakfast Fly-in

 Today was the annual Breakfast Fly-in held at Koputaroa. This fly-in is great for me as it's just a 40-minute drive up the road and I always help out the strip owner, Peter, with the fly-in.

Sadly, this year though there were 2 other aviation events also on today, Turangi Lunch Fly-in and Warbirds on Parade at Ardmore. Due to these 2 events, it was likely there was less that attended that could of.

But still, there was 28 aircraft that flew in for breakfast.

Here is everything that showed up:

Local Aircraft:
ZK-PLP Ultravia Pelican PL
ZK-PTP Rans S-7S Courier

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BFK Cessna 120
ZK-CES Cessna A185F
ZK-CFT Sud-Aviation Gardan GY.80-150
ZK-DAT Cessna 172L
ZK-DXL Cessna 172M
ZK-EBR Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-EMK Cessna 180K
ZK-EQQ Piper PA-28
ZK-ETJ Cessna A152
ZK-JDP Rans S-6S Coyote II
ZK-KFA Tecnam P2002
ZK-KMA Tecnam P92
ZK-KSD Jodel D.11
ZK-KTA Quicksilver MXLII
ZK-LLY Tecnam P2004
ZK-LSF Tecnam P2002
ZK-MMJ Miller M1-Superchamp
ZK-NWY Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-OBH Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL
ZK-OFC Cessna 182R
ZK-OUZ Zenair CH701 STOL
ZK-PMD SPA Panther
ZK-PWR SPA Panther
ZK-SKO Sky Arrow 480T
ZK-TES Tecnam P92
ZK-TRD Tecnam P92
ZK-USK Aviat A-1C-180
ZK-XPA Maxair Drifter XP503

And then a selection of my favourite pics:

Winning furthest travelled Tecnam P92 ZK-TES from Tauranga.

SPA Panther ZK-PMD from Feilding, lovely colours!

My only new one, SPA Panther ZK-PWR from Stratford.

One I haven't seen for a while, Tecnam P92 ZK-KMA from Hastings.

Cessna 120 ZK-BFK from Ardmore, didn't win furthest travelled due to only coming from Whanganui today. Nice to meet you today, Simon!

Always nice to see Gavin hop across from Foxpine in his Zenair CH701 ZK-OUZ.

A great morning out and a huge thanks to Peter for organizing the fly-in!

Aviation Weekend trip #4

 As I put in my last post, plan today was to head to Matamata for the gliding comps and eventually back home.

So, I got to Matamata mid-morning and noticed about a dozen or so gliders out waiting for the comps to start.

So here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-BKJ Piper PA-18
ZK-GET Schleicher KA 6E
ZK-GFS Sportine Aviacija LAK-17B FES
ZK-GKR Schempp-Hirth Mini-Nimbus B
ZK-GNM Schempp-Hirth Discus CS
ZK-GSA Glaser-Dirks DG-200
ZK-GSP Schempp-Hirth Ventus bT
ZK-GSW Schempp-Hirth Ventus cT
ZK-GTD Rolladen-Schneider LS8
ZK-GTE PZL-Swidnik PW-5 "smyk"
ZK-GWD DG Flugzeugbau DG-808C
ZK-GXM Schempp-Hirth Discus-2cT
ZK-GYF Schempp-Hirth Discus CS
ZK-TZB Robin DR400/500

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CNC Piper PA-25
ZK-GBA Glaser-Dirks DG-300 Elan
ZK-GDR Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2b
ZK-GJD Glasflugel Hornet
ZK-GNV Glaser-Dirks DG-100G ELAN
ZK-GOP Schempp-Hirth Ventus cT
ZK-GPC PZL-Bielsko SZD-50-3 Puchacz
ZK-GPK DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000S
ZK-GUL TeST TST 14 Bonus M
ZK-GVR Jonker JS1-B
ZK-GXB Jonker JS3
ZK-GXP Schempp-Hirth Discus b
ZK-GYR Centrair ASW 20F
ZK-JRK SkyStar Kitfox IV
ZK-JUS Just Aircraft Highlander
ZK-RBK RAF 2000 GTX
ZK-RVA Vans RV-6A
ZK-SJS Tecnam P2002 Sierra
ZK-TCX Thatcher CX-4

Then a fair few pictures:

Then the only other stop for the day was Taupo, a few more aircraft were noted than what I saw back on Friday.

Here is what I saw that differ from Friday:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CYT Piper PA-24
ZK-EGS NZ Aerospace FU24-950
ZK-HFS Bell 206B
ZK-HLB Aerospatiale AS350
ZK-MHS Lancair 360
ZK-MRV Vans RV-6

Local Aircraft:
ZK-HKC Aerospatiale AS350
ZK-HNL Aerospatiale AS350 (From nearby Strip)
ZK-HZQ Bell 222B

ZK-ILV Bell UH-1H
ZK-JIG Socata TB10
ZK-ORZ Piper PA-46-310P

Then a few pictures:

A very awesome weekend away, been looking forward to it all weekend and was even better with the flight to and from Te Kowhai and then to end it having the Singapore C130 currently basing itself out of Ohakea doing a few circles over me as I was passing between Hunterville and Ohakea on way home today.

Aviation Weekend trip #3

Bit of a change of plan from what I said yesterday and instead of going out to Thames and Matamata, I stayed in the Auckland area.

So firstly, I went off to North Shore where a bit of activity was happening from the Aero Club and a few other locals.

Here is what I saw:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-CGD Cessna 182P
ZK-SDE Cessna 208B

Local Aircraft:
ZK-CGW Beech 76
ZK-DMW Cessna 172S
ZK-DSJ Yakovlev Yak-52
ZK-EOH Cessna 180K
ZK-HMQ Aerospatiale AS355
ZK-IIC Aerospatiale AS350
ZK-JQA Cessna 172S
ZK-JRV Vans RV-12
ZK-LEO Cessna 182P
ZK-MDX Cessna 172P
ZK-NAZ Beech A36
ZK-RLT Maule MXT-7-180A
ZK-SRZ TL-Ultralight Tl-3000
ZK-TSP Vans RV-12iS
ZK-TZF Robin R2160
ZK-TZG Robin R2120 U
ZK-TZH Robin R2120 U
ZK-TZI Robin HR200-120B
ZK-TZK Robin R2120 U
ZK-TZL Robin R2120 U
ZK-TZM Alpha R2160
ZK-TZN Alpha R2160
ZK-VAX Robin DR400/500
ZK-WKT Cessna 172S
ZK-WYT Cessna 182T
ZK-ZGR Cessna 152
ZK-ZZB Tecnam P2008

Then a few pics:

A new one for me, nice scheme!

Looking good in the Aero Club colours at last!

First time I've seen the coastguard plane outside of the hangar, usually resides at Kerikeri

Afterwards I went down to Whenuapai as I noticed there was a bit of glider activity. Sadly, by time I got there that looked to have packed up as there was nothing happening. I did see a couple of aircraft though and there was 2 Orions and a 757 from the RNZAF parked up.

The 2 locals I saw were:

ZK-GNW Grob G109
ZK-RDW B&F Technik Vertri FK 9 Mk IV

Last stop of the day was Ardmore

Here is the different aircraft I saw compared to last 2 days:

Visiting Aircraft:
ZK-WIT Piper PA-28

Local Aircraft:
N2WG Cessna 510
N815AR Aerospatiale SA315J
ZK-BOE Boeing-Stearman E75
ZK-CAZ Vans RV-6
ZK-CKH De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
ZK-DAA Piper PA-24
ZK-DGY Pacific Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer
ZK-DFH Cessna 172L
ZK-ENG North American Harvard
ZK-ENJ North American Harvard
ZK-EVL Piper PA-38
ZK-FRL Piper PA-28
ZK-JJA North American Harvard
ZK-KRM Cessna 180H
ZK-LVA Vans RV-7
ZK-MHS Lancair 360
ZK-OPA Vans RV-6
ZK-SLL Cessna 182T
ZK-TVI North American Harvard

The a few pics:

A new one for me, nice to see!

Finally getting to see this elusive one, coming in from Woodbourne

I always love seeing a Piper Comanche, first time i've seen this one outside of its hangar!

Plan tomorrow is to head home via the Matamata glider comps on for the next week. Other airfields will depend on how long i'm at Matamata, but most likely will just go straight to Taupo for a look and then home.