Flying the Edges of Ex-Cyclone Lola

My flight from Kaitaia back to Auckland this afternoon was in the windy edges of ex-Cyclone Lola... Doing the honours was George in Barrier Air's Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-SDG. It was a very gusty wind at Kaitaia but SDG did a perfect crosswind landing... You can get an impression how it was from the people getting off and everyone seemed happy and not fazed by the conditions... 

Kaitaia Traffic, Barrier 714 rolling 12

The abandoned cross runway which would have been useful today

A big bounce played havoc with my horizon - Kaitaia and Ahipara Bay in the distance. Apart from a lumpy departure a smooth flight that put some pax to sleep

Kelly's Bay in the Kaipara Harbour

Woodhill Forest and Lake Kereta

The black sands of Te Oneone Rangatira Beach

Muriwai Beach

Muriwai

The rugged coastline north of the Manukau entrance

Piha

Coming up on the Manukau entrance

Piha again

Manukau entrance

Looking towards Auckland International

The coastline south of the Manukau entrance

Grahams Beach, Manukau Harbour

Emirates' Airbus 380 is the largest type serving Auckland - Barrier Air's Caravans are the smallest type

Thanks for waiting Jetstar and Air Chathams

Thanks again to the Barrier Air team and Kaitaia airport's legendary Darren

Evening flight to Kaitaia

 

A work trip to Kaitaia on 28 October 2023 flying in Barrier Air's Caravan ZK-SDC, GB619 with a 6.15pm departure from Auckland on a rather cloudy evening

A couple of Barrier Air Caravans parked up after a busy day and a wanna be part of the fleet

Airborne 23

Manukau Entrance

Muriwai Beach

Helensville

Approaching Kaipara Harbour

Approaching the Kaipara Entrance

Lake Rototoa

The Wairoa River entering the Kaipara Harbour

Ruawai and the Wairoa River

Dargaville and the Wairoa River

A gap in the clouds as we pass the Hokianga Harbour

Rawene - the light was getting worse

On descent into Kaitaia

Finals Runway 30 Kaitaia

ZK-SDC getting a quick turn around for the Friday evening flight back to Auckland

Another great flight. Thanks again Team Barrier Air