Air Chathams' first Fairchild SA227-CC Metro 23, ZK-POF has been repainted back into Air Chathams' full colour scheme as shown immediately below. What follows is a look at POF through the years...
And just reposting about the Metro 23 from Wikipedia... improvements beyond the Metro III provided better systems, more power and a further increase in takeoff weight. This design effort resulted in the SA227 CC (for Commuter Category) and SA227-DC models, initially called the Metro IV then renamed Metro 23, so named as they were designed for certification under FAR Part 23 (Amendment 34) standards. The SA227-CC was an interim model with TPE331-11U engines and only five were built.
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Metro 23 ZK-POF in full Air Chathams' colour scheme
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 | | The Metro 23s ZK-POE and ZK-POF were originally imported for AIrwork's contract with NZ Post. Fairchild Metro 23 ZK-POF in full NZ Post colours at Auckland on 27 November 1996 |
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From the 31st of May 199 Origin Pacific entering a strategic alliance with Airwork NZ Ltd. This enabled Origin to utilise Airwork’s Fairchild Metroliner 23 aircraft, ZK-POE and POF during the day time. Fairchild Metroliner 23 ZK-POF taxis in at New Plymouth in full Origin Pacific colours on 18 October 1999
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Stipped of Origin Pacific titles and logo but still in their colours but back with Airwork doing NZ Post flights, ZK-POF at Christchurch on 24 February 2005
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| Still with Airwork doing NZ Post flights but now all white, Fairchild Metro 23 ZK-POF at Auckland on 2 October 2014 |
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Airwork's Fairchild Metro 23s were withdrawn from service on the 19th of January 2017 and eventually picked up by Air Chathams. Only ZK-POF has flown since then and it is seen here at Whakatane on 1 September 2018.
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Still in the white scheme but carrying Air Chathams' titles, Metro 23 ZK-POF at Whakatāne on 7 September 2019.
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Lovely big locker in the nose cone unlike CIC!
ReplyDeleteAll metros have nose lockers. CID has less space than CIC/POF due to its EFIS and Autopilot equipment.
DeleteYes I know this. I meant CID, typo.
DeletePOF/POE also use to fill in alot for the only Air Nelson operated metro flight into Rotorua, also being the only Air Nelson operated flight from AKL to ROT until Air Nelson Q300 replaced the Eagle air Beech... 8am week day flight.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of times I would go to the airport in the school holidays to capture that elusive, one and only Air Nelson Metro flight into Rotorua and I would always get one of those boring white aircraft yet....
Every single day at school, that turquoise and blue air Nelson metro would taunt me!!!
Along with a Mount Cook HS748, a Air Nelson metro was the only aircraft that once use to regularly operate out Rotorua that I never was able to photograph..