Exciting Developments for Glenorchy Air

A big thanks to James Stokes, owner and managing director of Glenorchy Air.

Glenorchy Air's James Stokes

James writes,

Just though I would pass on a few images of the changes at Glenorchy Air since purchasing the business In July. The new Cessna 206 Stationair HD (ZK-JTK) made its maiden New Zealand flight today (12 December 2019) and will enter service as soon as it gets on our certificate. This replaces Cessna 172 ZK-RNX which was sold in August.

Glenorchy Air's new Cessna 206 Stationair HD ZK-JTK at Queenstown on 12 December 2019. The 206 has been purchased brand new from the Cessna factory in Wichita, Kansas and features the latest Garmin G1000 NXI glass cockpit avionics, comfortable leather seats, noise-cancelling headsets and many safety features, including airbags in the seat belts. The 206 has a 6-cylinder turbo-charged Lycoming engine, producing 310 horsepower at all altitudes, giving it an excellent rate of climb and a cruise speed of around 150 knots, making it ideal for our longer trips.

...and with Airvan ZK-LOR at Wanaka

GippsAero GA8 Airvans ZK-LOR and ZK-JRR have been repainted in new Kea livery for the 2029/20 summer, this was done by Daniel Frew at Mercer. Another Airvan will go next winter for a similar refurbishment

Airvan ZK-LOR at Omaka on 10 December 2019 after being repainted in the sharp new Glenorchy Air colour scheme 

The two repainted Airvans, ZK-JRR and ZK-LOR at Wanaka on 12 December 2019 

We have also placed an order for a new Cessna Grand Caravan EX which will join the fleet in April, replacing one of our other Airvans.

Glenorchy Air’s factory new Grand Caravan EX will be equipped with the G1000 NXI, the latest in integrated glass cockpit avionics. Our passengers will enjoy a 10-seater Executive interior with comfortable leather seats and window seats all around. The Grand Caravan EX has a Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6-140 Turboprop engine which produces 867 shaft horsepower, driving a 4-blade constant speed propeller, which will make it one of the quietest aeroplanes operating in Fiordland.

We have also expanded our Mount Cook options which was the main reason for purchasing the faster Cessna 206, allowing the Airvans to focus on Milford volume.

Airvan ZK-JRR at Mount Cook earlier this year.

For more on Glenorchy Air's operation check out their website, https://www.glenorchyair.co.nz/