Piper Malibu ZK-MPG

A slightly better shot of Piper PA46-310P Malibu ZK-MPG than that previously posted, taken at Ardmore 08 November 2011.

MRC photo

Also see:
http://galonghaulnews.blogspot.com/2011/05/piper-pa46-malibu-n957jk.html
http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2011/07/piper-malibu-zk-mpg.html

Lake Station report.

Andy Heap has forwarded to me the following pics taken at Lake Station on 05-11-2011 - the home of the Nelson Lakes Gliding Club.
Above are three Grobs belonging to the Club. ZK-GAJ, ZK-GMZ and ZK-GNH.

Above we have the Grob 103A Twin 11 Acro ZK-GAJ2 (c/n 3730-K-46) on short final.

Grob 103 Twin 11 ZK-GMZ (c/n 3674) awaiting a winch launch.

Grob 102 Club 111b Astir ZK-GNH (c/n 5612CB) also in line for launching.

Some recent Taupo sightings.

 

Some belated sightings at Taupo.

Henry M has sent in several photographs recently but the “Blue Bus” is currently operating down country and mixing it with the NZ Defence Force around the Oamaru area.

On 03-11-2011 Henry noted the Cessna 170A ZK-OCC (c/n 19878) which is listed to the Phoenix Trust of Huntly. This is a product of 1951, spent twenty years in Canada between 1974 and 1994; returned to the US and arrived on our register on 24-01-2008.

 Also on site was the Fly Synthesis Texan Top Class ZK-TKP₂ (c/n F700960512/550). This has been listed with Herdhomes Systems Ltd of Whangarei since 2008.

 The Eurocopter EC135 P2 ZK-IGL (c/n 0195) from North Shore Helicopters Ltd at the pumps on 04-11-2011

The lovely near original 1962 Piper PA24-250 Comanche ZK-BAZ2 of Barry (Baz) Payne was seen on the 5th. It is now Taupo based.

Pitts S 1 Specials of New Zealand - Imported Aircraft

New Zealand has also had 5 Pitts S 1's that have been imported, as detailed below.

The photos are from the Keith Morris collection unless otherwise noted.
ZK-PAC (c/n 1-0029) was ex N76NZ, obviously with a Kiwi connection. It was bought to New Zealand by Pam Collings and registered on 6/10/76. It was named "Flying Kiwi". It is photo'd here at the 1981 AACA flyin at Mt Hutt. It was cancelled on 27/10/81 and sold to Australia as VH-PUG.

ZK-FRJ (c/n 1-0025) is an Aerotek built S 1S model that was first registered in the USA as N8036 in 1974. It was imported into new Zealand by the Ashburton Aerobatic Syndicate and was first registered on 14/6/88. It was named "Inexcusable Extravagance". It is photo'd here at Hastings having some work done on its motor during a break from the 1991 New Zealand Aerobatic championships. It suffered a takeoff accident at Cust on 25/5/03.

It was sold in a damaged state to Morris Tull of Rangiora on 8/1/04. Morris rebuilt ZK-FRJ and its first flight after the rebuild was on 30/1/10. It is photo'd here at the 2011 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton. Blue Bus took the photo.

ZK-PPS (c/n 1-0057) was ex N14RN and was first registered in the USA in 1978. It was imported into New Zealand by M J Gosling and C M Cook of Wellington and was registered on 30/11/88. It suffered a landing accident at Paraparaumu on 7/1/02 and it was cancelled on 15/7/03. It is currently under restoration by Colin Alexander and Colin Sutherland The above photo was taken at Paraparaumu.

ZK-JFD (c/n SS-102) was first registered in the USA as N13TW in 1982. It was imported into New Zealand by Claus Petry of Oxford in Canterbury, and was registered on 27/7/95. The above photo was taken by Blue Bus at Rangiora. Claus then moved to Nelson wher ZK-JFD is currently based.

ZK-JNW (c/n DMS-1) was a factory built S 1E model that was first registered as N33DS in the USA in 1986, and then later as N131RH in 1993. It was imported into New Zealand by G S Harrington of Tauranga and was registered on 28/5/02. It is photo'd here by Blue Bus in t6he Classic Flyers Museum at Tauranga on 10/2/07. It was sold to Jagair of Wellington on 26/1/08, and I am not sure of its current whereabouts or status.

Citation Sovereign ZK-JTH

NZ's sole Citation 680 Sovereign ZK-JTH first arrived in NZ during 2009 as N121TL and was placed on the ZK register following first of type certfication on 20 November 2009.  Initially registered to its owner, Jet Trader Holdings of Auckland, the Sovereign underwent a paperwork change to show it being operated by Pacific Jets of Christchurch during 2010 however remains Auckland based.

http://www.pacificjets.co.nz/
http://pacificjets.atomicrobot.co.nz/our-aircraft/citation-sovereign/

Departing Auckland for Napier from where it returned late the same night 05 November, Phillip C photo

Tecnam Sierra ZK-TZS

First registered to Mr R W Izard of Taupo in April 2008, Tecnam P2002 Sierra ZK-TZS became an Ardmore resident 12 months later and resides in one of the hangers at the east end of the airfield.  It was captured on camera returning to land at Ardmore 05 November.

Phillip C photo

Expensive Strawberries this Season??

At the east end of Puhunui Road, Auckland Airport, near the interchange with the Southwestern motorway, is a well established strawberry patch which for a number of years now has employed an aerial application of spray, I guess insecticide.

Oceania Helicopters Pukekohe based team (closer to Drury on the western side of State Highway 1) have been tasked in recent years to carry out the job, utilising  Bell 206L-3 ZK-ILR.  

Amongst the weeds 05 Nov, Phillip C photo

Skycatcher changes Identity

NZ's sole Cessna 162 Skycatcher operated by Ardmore's Auckland Aero Club has undertaken an identity change this month moving from ZK-DNA to ZK-AAC/2.

Landing at Ardmore 05 Nov, Phillip C photo

The first ZK-AAC was an Avro 594 Avian IIIA registered in January 1929 ex G-NZAV.  It was badly damaged by a hangar collapse (caused by strong winds) at Parorangi, Fielding in January 1936 and struck off the register in 1939.

From http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/avian.pdf

Avro 594 Avian IIIA No UK CofA issued [build date 23.7.28]. Sold to NZ agents, The Goodwin-Chichester Aviation Co Ltd. Regd G-NZAV 17.12.28 to Goodwin-Chichester Aviation Co Ltd, Wellington. Regd to Capt Ken WJ Hall, Hororata [replacement for DH.60 G-NZAU]. Regd ZK-AAC 4.1.29 to same owner. Regd 12.3.30 to Miss Aroha Clifford. Dd 14.7.30 & regd 31.7.30 to R Berryman, Wellington [still painted as G-NZAV]. Regd to Wellington Aero Club. Regd 1.32 to C Bowden. Regd 21.3.32 to Manawatu Aero Club, Palmerston North. Regd to MH Oram, Parorangi. Destroyed when gales wrecked hangar Fielding Aerodrome, Parorangi 2.2.36. Remains stored but burnt Auckland 18.2.39. Regn cld 19.4.39.

Pitts S 1 Specials of New Zealand - Homegrown (3)

The photos are from the Keith Morris collection unless otherwise noted.

Our sixth Pitts S 1 Special was ZK-PEG (c/n AACA/179/2) which was built at Hamilton as an S 1D model, mostly by Max Clear, for Peggy Perry. It was first registered to Peggy Perry on 18/9/86 and it was sold to S P 'Taylor Investments of Auckland on 6/3/87. It underwent a change of wings to the symmetrical airfoil sections and its designation was changed to an S 1E model on 21/5/87. It is photod here at the 1989 New Zealand Aerobatic Championships at Waipukurau.

2 years later this photo was taken at the 1991 New Zealand Aerobatic Championships at Waipukurau in this altered colour scheme. It was sold to J R Main of Hamilton on 8/8/98.

Finally it was sold to John Luff of Wanganui on 2/11/00 and it is photo'd here at Wanganui on 16/4/06. As can be seen it is now a S 1F model with Falcon wings.

Our seventh Pitts S 1 Special was ZK-RTP (c/n AACA/716) which was an S 1C model built by Ray T Philpott of Rotorua. It was first registered on 18/5/87 and it is photo'd here at the 1990 AACA flyin at Waipukurau.

By 2000 it had been converted to a S 1F with the Falcon wings, and also a sprung steel undercarriage, as photo'd here at the 2000 SAANZ flyin at Matamata. It is now owned by Dave Monds of Palmerston North and is based at Feilding Aerodrome along with Pitts ZK-KEM.

And finally (for now), our eighth Pitts S1 Special is ZK-MPM (c/n 9627) which was built by Maurice P McGruer of North Shore over a period of around 35 years since 1974! That is true homebuilding aircraft dedication! ZK-MPM was first registered on 6/8/10 and the above photo was taken at North Shore Airfield on 24/10/11. It is currently undergoing its test flying schedule.

There has been one other Pitts S1 Special registered in New Zealand, being Wayne Milburn's ZK-WAM (c/n AACA/645), which was being built at Nelson in the 1980's and 1990's. Wayne told me that the aircraft was nearly complete but was never finished. He took the aircraft to Australia when he moved there and he sold the fuselage and wings separately. ZK-WAM was cancelled on 28/6/95.

Steps Drilled and Conical Bend

I've drilled the holes in the skin and interior ribs for both steps. Wasn't near as hard as I was expecting. I was able to use the drill press and fly cutter despite the large size of the skins. The steps are an option that just make it easier to get up onto the wing. The steps are the two dark bars pointing up in the picture below. They're pointing up since the fuselage is upside down for working on the bottom. I also did the conical bend on the skin behind the step. It starts with a tight bend at the step and opens to a gentle bend where it joins with the aft fuselage. That was a little more difficult. I did get a small crease right were the tight bend starts but I don't think it will be seen and it's only cosmetic.

Rangiora today (02-11-2011).

Above : doing a couple of quick circuits was the Phil Meredith Bolkow Bo208C Junior ZK-CJG (c/n 601). This served with the Middle Districts Aero Club between 1965 and 1969, then spent six years in Samoa before returning to NZ in 1975
Below. The Mountain View Helicopters Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HFL4 (c/n 2280) was long line training on the south side of the field.

A stranger in town: The Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HCE2  (c/n 1602), currently registered to Back Country Helicopters of Makarora was pounding the circuit.

Still Looking A Million (or three) Dollars.....

Wellington based Citation 510 Mustang ZK-MUS/2 has been sitting at Ardmore the last couple of days and still looks like brand new after being delivered to the country in May 2010.

It replaced another Mustang that had also worn ZK-MUS and was subsequently re-registered ZK-MOT.  It spent almost 12 months in Australia before returning to NZ on 15 March 2011 and is now hangered at Ardmore with Dennis Thompson International.

http://www.dtiaircraftsales.com/aircraft_details.cfm?aircraftID=106

At Ardmore 01/11/11

Hughes 369D ZK-HOJ

Helilink/Airwork have operated Hughes 369D ZK-HOJ on and off since 1993 with the all white machine often spotted around NZ on deployment with various agencies and is shown here http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2008/06/unidentified-hughes-369.html without an identity.  On occasion the Hughes has been known to sport "Police 5" markings on the tail boom.

Ardmore 01/11/11.

Joined Center and Aft Fuselage

I've joined the center and aft fuselage. Looks a lot like a canoe now that it's upside down. I think that's what I'll tell people I'm building if they don't already know and drop by the garage to ask. It's getting quite long and I had to scoot the sawhorses back away from the garage door to get it to fit. The picture doesn't show it because the "blue" side skin is curved inward but the new "blue" skin is the same length as the silver side skin.

Everything went together easily after I got some help from good neighbor Tim flipping the center section. It's the structural heart of the aircraft and was too heavy to handle by myself. I'm still amazed at the accuracy of the kit and how well the pre-punched holes line up.

Pitts S 1 Specials of New Zealand - Homegrown (2)

The Pitts S 1 is a very small aeroplane. The wingspan is 17 feet 4 inches (5.28 m), the length is 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m) and the wing area is 98 square feet (9,15 square metres). Its empty weight is 720 pounds (326 Kg) and its maximum weight is 1,115 pounds (521 Kg). It has a rate of roll of 400 degrees per second.

The photos are from the Keith Morris collection unless otherwise noted.
Our third Pitts S1 was Max Clear's ZK-EES (c/n AACA/28/1) which was another Pitts out of the Hamilton area. It was built with 2 ailerons so I think it was a S 1C. It was first registered on 21/8/75 and it is photo'd here at the 1977 AACA flyin at Masterton.

It was sold to an Auckland syndicate of Owen Harnish, S P Taylor, Richard Hood and M Waring on 11/5/83. It is is photo'd here at the 1989 National Aerobatic Championships at Waipukurau. It was rebuilt in 1994 with a 180 HP engine, and I guess it was rebuilt with 4 ailerons as photo'd below.

Finally it was sold to Darrell Brown of New Plymouth on 5/2/06, and it now operates with Taranaki Flight Tech Ltd markings. It is photo'd here at the 2011 Brian Langley Memorial aerobatic competition at North Shore Airfield on 15/1/11.

Our fourth Pitts was ZK-EEU (c/n AACA/24/1) which was built by Keith Trillo of Auckland and was first registered on 2/10/75. Its first flight was in January 1978. It is photo'd here at the 1978 AACA flyin at Nelson. I do not have a record of who took this photo but it clearly shows that it has 4 ailerons so it is probably a S 1D model.

ZK-EEU spent nearly all its life owned by Keith Trillo. It is photo'd here at the 1981 AACA flyin at Mt Hutt. It was sold to the Southern Pitts Syndicate at Mandeville and is currently on rebuild.

And our fifth Pitts S1 was ZK-KEM (c/n AACA/404) which was built by Kurt Maluschnig of Levin. I do not have a record of who took this photo, or where, but it shows it to be a S 1D model with 4 ailerons.

It is photo'd here at its Foxpine base in late 1980 where it now sports a white flash at the junction of the fuselage and rudder. I think this was to hide a repair when the aircraft possibly overturned early on in its life. Kurt sold ZK-KEM to Ray Patchett and Rex Handley of Blenhiem on 9/10/85, then it was sold to the Ashburton Aerobatic Syndicate on 13/8/86, but it didn't last long with them as it was damaged at Ashburton on 27/1/87.

The damaged aircraft was sold to Anthony Stuart Clarke of Torbay, North Shore on 27/1/88 and it was cancelled on 1/2/99. However it was re-registered by Mr Clarke, now of Warkworth, on 6/8/04 and it was based at North Shore Airfield. Finally it was sold to Neil Jepsen of Palmerston North on 4/4/09. It is based at Feilding Aerodrome where I photo'd it on 1/1/11.

Completing the Set of Fisher R 80 Tiger Moths of New Zealand

I was most impressed with the collection of Fisher R 80 Tiger Moths posted by Blue Bus. To complete the set here is a photo of Jon Farmer's ZK-CCC taken at Matamata. I don't have a record of who took this photo. (I did see and photograph it in its hangar at Matamata in September 2007, but this is a better photo).

Seeing Double at North Shore Today

In my earlier post on Corby Starlets of New Zealand (2) I posted a photo of ZK-TNT at the 2010 Black Sands flyin and I commented that it was "part way through getting the Wilkinson treatment".And in a double take at North Shore airfield this afternoon ( 2 hangars, 2 yellow Starlets), the full extent of the Wilkinson treatment was revealed! A winter's worth of work by David Wilkinson and his father Don has resulted in Starlets ZK-TOY and ZK-TNT becoming like two peas in a pod! They will make a great sight at the 2011 Black Sands flyin in 2 weeks time.

Tiger country

Rangiora today (30-10-2011) Four Fisher R80 Tiger Moths in a "finger four" formation over the field.

 

Above and below is ZK-JAL2 (c/n 22) the James Loughnan example. First registered on 26-02-2009. The wings of this one were constructed while James was working in Australia.

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Above and below we have ZK-LAS (c/n 18) the Ivan Campbell machine. This was registered on 29-11-2005.

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The Peter Parkinson built ZK-LIF (c/n TM43) was first registered on 01-02-2007. This I believe is Rotax 912 S powered.

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ZK-NOX (c/n 17) is the Russell Warnock aircraft. Listed on 31-03-2006.

ZK-JAL, ZK-LAS and ZK-NOX are powered by Suzuki G13B twin cam engines and drive through a Raven redrive unit. They also have Simplex digital engine management systems

Almost an "I remember when" view of all four on the ground. Spoiled by a Cherokee wing tip.
The number on their respective engine cowlings is the same as their c/n's, and the pseudo military serial numbers on the fuselage side are : NZ - for obvious reasons : R80 is the model number - 80% scale of the DH82, and the c/n is then repeated again.
There is a fifth example, ZK-CCC2, with Jon Farmer away up north, but it is currently being rebuilt with a larger engine following an accident.