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Agusta AW139

November 18, 2016, 11:42 pm
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A quick visit to Wellington airport this morning resulted in my first sighting of Helicopters New Zealand LTD's Agusta Westland AW139, ZK-HNZ. I have no idea where it came from but the passengers were wearing survival suits so it could have been an oil platform or ship of some sort. It was soon put away in Execujet's hangar.









Agusta Westland AW139, ZK-HNZ, c/n 31103

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Another Gyrocopter at Gyro Central

November 19, 2016, 10:41 pm
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It seems as if Tauranga is gyro central these days as gyrocopters are registered in increasing numbers.

Another type is the Magni M 16 ZK-RPA2which was registered to Peter Avery of Taupo on 29/9/16, and in which he was receiving some further training at Solo Wings in October.  The above photo is from the Solo Wings Facebook page.

According to CAA records we have 68 gyrocopters currently registered in New Zealand (with another 4 still to be registered at Tauranga).

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Three Helicopters at Ardmore 20-11-16

November 20, 2016, 8:22 pm
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Caught Kawasaki BK117 B2 ZK-IPT msn 1080 of Search & Rescue Services Ltd Taupo at the fuel pumps just before 07.15 yesterday. It has been at Airwork undergoing work but after taking on fuel it departed to the south.


Just over 12 hours later I photographed what I assume to be ZK-HMR a MBB-BK117 B2 msn 7173 operated by Helilink but marked as BK-HMR at the same fuel pumps. I believe this is appearing in a film being made in the area.

Just before 20.20 I caught Eurocopter AS 355 F2 ZK-HFS msn 5388 of Albany based Heletranz Ltd returning to Airwork and at around 20.43 taking on fuel . I assume by the extra items attached to it that it is involved in film work.

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It's Coming Up to Monarch Butterfly (Gyrocopter) Season

November 21, 2016, 4:19 pm
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In a previous post on yet another gyrocopter at Tauranga, I posted that according to CAA records there are 68 gyrocopters registered in New Zealand.  While this is true it only reflects those gyrocopters that are registered under the category of "Gyroplane"., such as the Calidus, Cavalon and MTO Sport models - these are all 2 seaters.

However, I realised there are other single seat gyrocopters that are registered as Class 1 microlights.

Originally the ZK-RAA to ZK-RDZ block of registrations were reserved for gyrocopters, but now they can be registered with any registration.

And this brings us to the Butterfly Aircraft Monarch Butterfly ZK-YZM (c/n B208) that was built by WP Terry at Stratford and was first registered on 14/10/11.  However it was not completed for some years as it is photo'd above by Nick Furmage during test flying at Stratford in January 2015.  ZK-YZM is registered as a Class 1 microlight and is now registered to a Queenstown address.

I did a quick check of our registered aircraft types, and I reckon we have around 106 gyrocopters registered here, so around 40 must be Class1 microlights.
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The Yanks are visiting!

November 21, 2016, 11:31 pm
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Its quite alarming how the sight of an aircraft can lead to a very different day! I was on my way to photograph the navy ships in Wellington harbour when a large biz jet passed overhead. Well I knew it was one that I had not seen before so a slight detour would be in order. It turned out to be one of the US navy's C-37B Gulfstream VI's with the Secretary of the navy on board. He was in town to have talks with the US ambassador and the commanding officer of the USS Sampson at anchor in the bay. Arriving at the airport I saw a Seasprite and a Seahawk (about to head out to the USS Sampson) outside the RNZAF Air Movements unit. The Seahawk returned about an hour and a half later and the fellows climbed aboard the GVI and off it went!!

Sikorsky MH-60R (Romeo) Seahawk, NA-701, (166568). ( It is one of two Seahawks on board the USS Sampson. They are part of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM 73) which has the nickname "Battlecats"








US Navy Gulfstream Aerospace C-37B (G-V-SP Gulfstream G550) 166376

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Takaka

November 23, 2016, 10:30 pm
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I had the good fortune to trundle into Takaka the other day and found these four aircraft resident at the local airport.
 ZK-MJB (c/n AACA/297) is a Zenith CH-300 Tri-Z as built by Murray J Bensemann of Nelson and registered on 16-12-1982.
Its history was previously shown HERE
 Another Zenith product is this Zenith CH601-XL ZK-TKA2 (c/n 6-9788) has been with the Golden Bay Flying Club since 12-01-2006.
 Golden Bay Air Ltd operate out of here and run the Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP ZK-ZIG (c/n 32R-8013045)
Another Golden Bay machine is this Piper PA-28-181-Archer II ZK-ZOG (c/n 28-8690010).

An earlier Takaka report from CMM can be seen HERE
Things haven't changed a lot since then.

Check out a more detailed history of Golden Bay Air on the 3rd Level NZ site HERE
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Seen near Takaka

November 23, 2016, 10:34 pm
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I found this unidentified Hughes 369 based at the Labyrinth Rocks near Takaka.
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Vertol Hummingbird 260L ZK-IBU.

November 25, 2016, 1:47 pm
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Our one and only Vertical Aviation Hummingbird 260L was built by Glenny Johnson of Brightwater and was registered to Johnson Aviation Imports Ltd on 09-07-2008 as ZK-IBU.
It was cancelled as exported on 24-08-2016.
In conversation with Bob Wagner he mentioned that he had some photographs of IBU.
And here they are.
Below it is at 6000 ft over Golden Downs.
More Hummingbird stuff can be found HERE
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A new Robinson R44 Clipper in country

November 25, 2016, 10:03 pm
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I have had two reports regarding this Robinson R44 Clipper II C-FOTY4 (c/n 12888).
Above we see a photo from Grayson Ottaway of it at Tauranga in less than ideal conditions on Friday the 25th.
Below - in much better conditions - a shot from Richard Currie showing it at Pauanui today.
Built as N457R by Robinson Helicopters of Torrance, California in June of 2009 it was listed with Central Illinois Air Corp out of Mattoon, Illinois before going to Jim Jacobs of Great Barrington Massachusetts later in that year. In January of 2010 it was with Cannon Colibri LLC of Wilmington Delaware before taking up with Zen Aviation In of Dover Delaware during August 2010.
It moved up to Canada to become C-FOTY4 with Ian Underdown of Calgary Alberta.
Being a Clipper you will note the flotation devices attached to the skids.
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Hope - springs eternal

November 26, 2016, 8:20 pm
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Back on the 18th of this month I dropped into a private strip near Hope.
And there I found the lovely Pietenpol Aircamper M/L ZK-ABY2 (c/n 02-ZK-ABY) which was first registered on 22-09-2016 to a Private Owner.
Its first flight was recently carried out by Evan Belworthy.
The Sonex Ltd Sonex ZK-WBS (c/n 160) was registered to Bill Sargent of Ashburton on 24-04-2003. Bill now resides in Richmond and the aircraft is based here.
There are two Zenith Zodiac CH 601-XL's on site.
ZK-RZB is c/n 6-9832 has been listed with Charlton Properties of Richmond since 25-05-2006.

ZK-ZNR is one airframe earlier with its c/n of 6-983. It came onto the register on 13-06-2006 and is now listed to a private owner.
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Tauranga this afternoon 28-11-2016

November 27, 2016, 8:21 pm
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Grayson Ottaway has earned his pay packet for the day by snapping these three Cessna's at Tauranga this afternoon.
 Cessna 172A ZK-CKX is c/n 47376 and has a history longer than the space available here.
It started its NZ career as ZK-BWM in mid March of 1960.
 It didn't last long as it was damaged on a strip landing on 30-09-1960. 
It was rebuilt and re-registered as ZK-CBJ on 11-10-1961. 
After at least three more accidents it was again rebuilt and came out as ZK-CKX on 08-09-1965.
Now some 14 owners later it was listed to Tony Johnston of Otorohanga in February last year.

Lurking in the background is the Cessna 172N ZK-WFT (c/n 67712) which was listed with CMC Investments of Pokeno on 16-04-2011.
Above we see the Cessna 210G ZK-DCA2 (c/n 58895) currently with Ryan Lees of Thames.
Bluebus did a bit on this one earlier HERE
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Mt Erebus. Flight TE901 28-11-1979

November 28, 2016, 8:43 am
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Wellington International Recently

November 28, 2016, 6:56 pm
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Another trip to Wellington produced a variety of weather! - from gale force winds over the weekend to a lovely Monday morning.

Some of Air New Zealand's newest aircraft:  ATR 72-600 ZK-MVM registered on 12/8/16...

and ATR 72-600 ZK-MVN registered on 19/8/16.  This is the newest aircraft to date as ZK-MVO was registered out of sequence in December 2015.

also Airbus A 320 ZK-OXK registered on 7/9/15.  The A 320 fleet is now up to ZK-OXM.

QANTAS Boeing 737-838 ZK-ZQA "Jean Batten" is now wearing the airline's 75th Anniversary logo on the nose.


With so many black and white aircraft about, Jetstar's all orange Airbus A 320 VH-VGF makes a colourful contrast.



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Some belated Nelson shots

November 28, 2016, 7:44 pm
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 The Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six E ZK-DEF is c/n 32-7200007 and has been listed with Helicopter Charter Karamea (2006) Ltd since 28-05-2015 and prior to this with the Pratt Family Trust/Air Charter Karamea from 11-12-2010.
It flew into NZ from Pago Pago as N2671T on 21-11-1971.
 The Nelson based Ravensdown Aerowork Ltd's Fletcher FU24-550GT Crusader ZK-DDX is c/n 160.
That's 'Bluebus' parked behind.
It has had several mentions before.
 An unexpected sight was this Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel ZK-HEE5 (c/n 3780) arriving with its spray gear neatly folded away. 
It has been with Skyworks Helicopters Ltd since 03-11-2009.
 On display in the foyer of the HNZ New Zealand Ltd's building is their Bell 47J-2 Ranger ZK-HGI4  (c/n 1865).
More posts on ZK-HGI HERE
 The HNZ New Zealand Ltd's B2 Squirrel ZK-HJV3 (c/n 2846) arrives back at base.
A 1995 model - it has worn the ZK-HJV marks on three separate occasion between oversees sojourns.
An out of towner is the Cessna 510 Mustang ZK-JAK2 (c/n 510-0347) of JAK Air Ltd of Rotorua.
She has been mentioned briefly several time before HERE
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Some recent Christchurch fixed wing sightings.

November 29, 2016, 10:19 am
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Below we have four fixed winged aircraft noted at Christchurch International over recent days.
 The Cascade Whitebaiters Ltd's Cessna 185A ZK-CMS (c/n 1850482) has been mention previously 
This has the Horten STOL conversion - note the turned down wingtips and the changed wing leading edge compared to ZK-CKP below.
 Another ex Mt Cook machine is the Cessna 185D ZK-CKP (c/n 185-0796) which went to the Otematata Station Ltd in December of 1987.
This one has also been posted before HERE
 The Auckland Aero Club (Inc) first listed the Cessna 182T ZK-JRY briefly in August 2008 before it went down to Hanmer Springs for Paul Hood at the end of the year.
In December of 2013 it returned North to Leanne and Stephen Davies of Auckland and from 26-06-2014 it was back with the Auckland Aero Club.
On the 22nd I caught this long shot of the Falcon 900EX N993AM (c/n 265) departing Christchurch for Kerikeri.
It is listed in the books of the Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Trustee and is operated by Affiliated Managers Group Inc.
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Wellington International Rescue

November 29, 2016, 11:17 am
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After my arrival at Wellington International I was comforted to know that the Thunderbirds R4 had my back should we have ended up in the drink.

And even Thunderbirds need refuelling.
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Some recent rotary wing Christchurch sightings.

November 29, 2016, 12:30 pm
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On a couple of visits to the Christchurch Helicopters facility I managed to snap these helicopters.
I presume all were involved in the Kaikoura emergency.
 The Aerospatiale AS 350 BA ZK-HBI4 (c/n 1447) arriving back from Kaikoura with a full house.
Registered to Fox Franz Heliservices Ltd it is operated by Tekapo Helicopters Ltd.
 Mount Hutt Helicopters 2013 Ltd had their Aerospatiale AS 350 BA ZK-HDQ2 (c/n 1932) was parked up.
 Christchurch Helicopters 2001 Ltd's Eurocopter AS 350 BA ZK-HOQ3 (c/n 1912) has been very active.
 As indeed has their Eurocopter AS 355 F2 ZK-HUQ3 (c/n 5512) seen here lifting off.
 Another of the Fox Franz Heliservices Ltd's Squirrels operating under the Lake Tekapo label is this Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ZK-ICR (c/n 4225).
Also busy was the Bell 429 Global Ranger ZK-IXW2 ( c/n 57026) from Advanced Flight Ltd.
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Corby Starlet ZK-YGL Test Flight

November 29, 2016, 3:32 pm
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Gordon Lindsay's Corby Starlet ZK-YGL made its first flight from North Shore Airfield on Monday 28 November.  David Wilkinson was the test pilot and said it flew with no issues at all. There is a video of the take off and first flight at https://youtu.be/72gkg3DqsQY and of the first landing at https://youtu.be/E5re56qhfuM

Congratulations Gordon for sticking with it for 30 years to a successful conclusion.  The photo shows Gordon in the cockpit, and thanks to David Wilkinson for the photo.

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Another look at NZCH 30-11-2016

November 30, 2016, 12:28 am
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Christchurch International
30-11-2016
Early afternoon.
 The daily Emirates Airbus A380-861 was A6-EUF (c/n 218).
Above it makes the olde Fairchild F27 look small.
And below it scrapes the surface behind the NZ Met Services's dual automatic weather stations.
 At rest at the Christchurch Helicopters base was the Aerospatiale AS 350 BA ZK-HFX2 (c/n 1391).  from Wanaka Helicopters.
 An unexpected find was the Aerospatiale AS 350 BA ZK-HNX3 (c/n 1828) of HNZ New Zealand Ltd. 
It was acquired in 1999 from the Philippines and served in SE Asia coming to NZ in August 2010 for a rebuild. It was then shunted over to Australia to the HNZ subsidiary Helicopters (Australia) in February of 2011.
It returned to Nelson in January 2012 to become ZK-HNX again.
 Below is another view of the Fox Franz Heliservices/Tekapo Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ZK-ICR (c/n 4225) arriving.
 Also doing good work in the Kaikoura region is Arch King with his Cessna U206G Stationair 6 ZK-JDV ( c/n U20604775).
It wears 'Air Rangitata' and 'StationAir' graphics on its fin.
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Aussie visitor at Ardmore this afternoon

November 30, 2016, 9:41 pm
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This smart looking Vans RV-7 VH-VNT msn 73177 arrived at Ardmore this afternoon from Norfolk Island and Kerikeri,after doing some form of local flight it returned to Ardmore and is now hangered.

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