3rd Level New Zealand

06 October 2022

Sounds Air Flight S8 901 to Westport

Thanks to Liam Fullerton for this great pics of a recent flight to Westport

I have done many flights into Westport over the years, but every single time, the weather has been a bit miserable. How lucky then to have a trip to Westport, and back again, with both flights in absolutely pristine weather.

Boarding Soon - Sounds Air Flight S8901 to Westport. An absolute benefit of flying with the smaller players, is once all four passengers were checked in, we were wheels up 20mins early.

On-board ZK-PLV for our 45min flight to Westport

Taxiing Out to Runway 16 at Wellington International Airport

Take-off from Wellington, straight out over the Cook Strait

Few Clouds around over the Cook Strait

Looking towards the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges

Nelson Lakes National Park with St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti centre of picture

Kahurangi National Park. The Benefit of only 4 passengers on-board the 9-seater Pilatus PC12, is being able to view out both sides of the aircraft

Murchison somewhere down there under the fog

Looking up towards Karamea

Great Views over the Stockton open cast coal mine.

The beautiful coastal strip north of Westport

Waimangaroa just behind the aileron, with the Denniston Plateau and Mount Rochfort behind

Good morning Westport, ZK-PLV on finals for Runway 22

Low and Slow over the mighty Buller River/Kawatiri

Touchdown Westport

Shutdown outside the small Westport Airport Terminal. I still remember the old, even smaller terminal that served the airport faithfully for many years.

No queues at the Rental Car desk for me, with my booking being the only for a few days, according to the agent. At $210 for a 22hr Toyota Corolla Hire I can maybe see why!

01 October 2022

Only one photo at Hamilton

Farmers Air Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JBC at Hamilton on 27 September 2022

30 September 2022

Sunair's New Cessna 172

I was delighted to capture Sunair's latest Cessna 172 ZK-DXO at Whangarei on 29 September 2022. The 172 has had a major renovation at Tauranga after languishing in Hamilton for some years. Congratulations to Dan and the Sunair team... it looks great

Also at Whangarei on 29 September 2022 was Piper PA23 Aztec ZK-EVP arriving back from the Kaitaia medical staff flight. ZK-FVP was also present but had a cover over it so not photographed.

Cessna 172 ZK-CBZ was also present

29 September 2022

Farewell NSP

Departing New Zealand for the Philippines today was Piper PA31-350 Chieftain RP-C8186, or as it was more well known in New Zealand ZK-NSP. Today it flew from Ardmore to Auckland and then on to Norfolk Island.

Piper PA31-350 Chieftain RP-C8186 at Ardmore on 28 September 2022. Photo : AgAirNZ

The Chieftain was a 1975 model being initially registered as N59980 to West Freedom Mining Corp of Kittanning, Pennsylvania on 22/09/1975. In April 1982 it was sold to Custom Sales Analysis Inc of Chicopee, Massachusetts and then July 1983 to Barr Aviation Inc of Hollis, New Hampshire. In October 1984 it moved to Maui Airlines of Newport Beach, California and operated with them until September 1987 when its US registration was cancelled.

It became ZK-NSP with Motueka Air Ltd of Motueka which traded as Air Nelson on 24/09/1987. It was used on Cook Strait routes to Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim and Palmerston North and in Canterbury connecting Christchurch, Timaru and Oamaru.

Air Nelson also operated three Piper PA31-350 Chieftains ZK-FQW, ZK-NSO and ZK-NSP... ZK-NSP is seen at Nelson on 5 February 1989

Air Nelson's Piper Chieftain ZK-NSP at Hokitika on 26 November 1989

Air Nelson was the only airline it saw service with. On 22/12/1992 it was registered to Helicopter Leasing NZ Ltd of Taupo, to Helicopter Services (BOP) Ltd, Taupo on 27/02/2001 and Search & Rescue Services Ltd, Taupo on 15/10/2009.