Once upon a Kiwi Airliner #3

Resident in the Queensland Air Museum at Coloundra in Australia are some ex-New Zealand airliners. This is the third example of photos sent to me by Kelvin Paterson, now living in Australia and features GAF N22B NOMAD VH-BFH (c/n 035) which operated in New Zealand by Southern Air as ZK-SAL. A full account of SAL with Southern Air can be found at http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/05/nzs-southern-most-airline-part-2.html  

Above, ZK-SAL at Invercargill on 16 November 1982. Photo : B Whebell

Below, VH-BFH still showing something of the scheme 28 years on at Coloundra on 19 September 2010. Photo : K Paterson  

Eagle Air adds two more flights between Wellington and Taupo

Source : http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=28415

Enterprise Lake Taupo, the region’s economic development agency, would like to thank Eagle Air for listening to our local business community and adding two more flights which make it easier to do business in Wellington. There is an additional flight, Wellington to Taupō, later on a Wednesday evening and another early morning back to Wellington on Thursday which opens up two more working days for Taupō people wishing to do a full day in Wellington. We would also like to thank our business community for participating in an online survey earlier this year and also providing useful data indicating future demand. Taupō Airport Authority has also been hugely supportive of the changes and has assisted Eagle Air in their decision making. “This has been a real community effort and we are so pleased that Eagle Air values their Taupō customers and has shown it through their increased commitment to our region” said Sue de Bievre from Enterprise Lake Taupō. “I would also like to thank, in particular Steve Smith from Poronui, who had many helpful suggestions on how the sectors might work for Eagle Air.” Air transport is a vital part of our travel infrastructure and any positive developments are hugely beneficial to our town. “Please use the flights as we will use them or lose them!” concludes Sue. Please contact Air New Zealand for details of the new flights that commence from 3 November.

Two Discoveries Today!

The first was Great Barrier Airline's BN Trislander ZK-LOU at North Shore. this Trislander had the loss of an engine propeller assembly, near Claris on Great Barrier Island on 5 July 2009. It looks as if repairs are well on the way. In the background is, I am guessing, Islander ZK-FVD all stripped down, while on the right is yet to be registered Islander ZK-KTR. Photo : S Lowe

The other discovery was the Muriwai Gannet Colony on Auckland's wild west coast... well worth a visit!

Once upon a Kiwi Airliner #2

Resident in the Queensland Air Museum at Coloundra in Australia are some ex-New Zealand airliners. This is the second example of photos sent to me by Kelvin Paterson, now living in Australia and features Fokker F.27 Mk 400 Friendship VH-WAN (c/n 10315) which operated in New Zealand as VH-FNQ and ZK-RTA.

 

Prior coming to New Zealand VH-FNQ was operated by Ansett of Australia. Ansett had intended to operate it as a freighter but instead it was leased to New Zealand's Safe Air to replace an Argosy which was out of service. It was ferried to New Zealand on the 6th of December 1989 and was in service with Safe until the 19th of May 1990 after which the aircraft returned to Australia. It was photographed above at Christchurch on the 6th of March 1990 by M Beaven.

In November 1990 the aircraft was sold to Ansett New Zealand Air Freight Limited who registered it as ZK-RTA and operated it under contract by Rex Aviation (N.Z.) Ltd. At that time Rex was wholly owned by Pacific Aviation Pty Ltd, Sydney, which was owned in turn by Ansett Australia Holdings. Australia. The registration ZK-RTA is derived from the initials of Ansett New Zealand Air Freight's Operations Manager, Ross T. Allen. Initially the aircraft operated with Rex Aviation titles as seen above at Christchurch on the 15th of May 1991 - Photo : S Lowe. The aircraft was later rebranded with Ansett Air Freight titles as seen below at Nelson on 27 March 1992. Photo : M Beaven

The aircraft returned to Australia on the 31^st of March 1996 whereupon it was registered VH-WAN to Independent Air Freighters Pty. Ltd. It is seen as VH-WAN at Coloundra on the 19th of September 2010. Photo : M Beaven

Airlink to Alexandra for 15 weeks

In May 1989 Arthur Ecroyd, Kevin Dore and Mike Pero established Airlink Services (NZ) Ltd and applied to the Air Services Licensing Authority to conduct a Category "B" air transport service between Christchurch and Timaru and return, and Christchurch and Oamaru and return, with one Piper Pa31 aircraft.

Operating under the name, Airlink, it was, in the event, Timaru and Alexandra that the company serviced, the operation being linked with Ansett New Zealand flights in and out of Christchurch. The timetable was designed to enable Timaru business people to connect to Ansett flights to allow a full day in Wellington and Auckland as well as enabling Auckland and Wellington business people to spend a day  in Timaru. 

The Press, 4 August 1989

Piper Chieftain ZK-FOP clearly taken at Timaru on the 28th of August 1989.

Using Piper Pa31-350 Navajo Chieftain, ZK-FOP (c/n 31-7405227), the first flight, which was more a positioning flight, left Christchurch for Timaru at 6.00am. The return flight arrived in Christchurch to connect with early northbound Ansett flights at Christchurch. The second southbound flight flew to Timaru and then on to Alexandra returning on the same route. In the late afternoon there was another return service to Christchurch. At that time Ansett New Zealand was in the process of expansion and developing its own co-ordinated feeder network which were eventually operated under the Tranzair and later Ansett New Zealand Regional banners. Airlink was the third feeder service to be set up.

The airline had an open day at Timaru on Sunday the 20th of August 1989, the day before the company got airborne. The Timaru Herald reported that “the striped refreshments tent was there for the invited guests, the band was playing and the children all had their balloons. South Canterbury people turned up in their hundreds to have a look at the aircraft that forms the basis of the latest air service for the region. And sitting on the tarmac at the Richard Pearse Airport the twin engined Piper Chieftain was admired by the spectators. It wasn't difficult to tell Airlink was the company behind the new air service that starts today - even the control tower was flying balloons with the Airlink insignia for the day.”

Company officials were confident that the service had a bright future but their optimism was thwarted on the first day of service, the 21st of August 1989, as thick fog forced the cancellation of the first Christchurch-Timaru-Christchurch flights. Speaking to the Timaru Herald company director, Kevin Dore, said “Bookings for the first flights were light but this was to be expected this early in the company's new service. Forward bookings looked more promising and reaction from the inaugural passengers yesterday was good.” A few days later the Airlink announced it was looking at the possibility of flights between Christchurch and Greymouth but these did not happen.

ZK-FOP taken at Timaru on 17 September 1989. Photo : S Lowe

Despite being linked to a major carrier the service never really took off. On the 3rd of December, only 15 weeks after getting airborne, the company announced its decision to terminate operations due to a lack of patronage, their final flight having been flown two days before on the 1st of December 1989. Kevin Dore told the Timaru Herald that there were times when the aircraft was full, but normal loads were of only two or three passengers. Two receptionists and three pilots lost their jobs as a result of the closure.

Aero Commander for Golden Bay Air?

Blue Bus from the NZ Civil Aircraft Blog has squashed all the rumours about Golden Bay Air by emailing owner Richard Molloy direct... He writes...

Rumours are great. We hadn’t considered a Twin Comanche, but maybe we should have! We have contemplated many types, including BN-2, Cessna T303, 402B and C, 414A, 421C, Seneca III & IV, and more... We need good short field performance, useful load, reasonable speed and de-icing, all at a cost we can afford. Lately we have become interested in Aero Commanders, particularly 500B and U models....  they seem to be able to combine the above features. I hope to return to the US in a couple of weeks to take a look at some for sale. Even with the new twin online, ZIG will remain our mainstay as it has been an efficient workhorse for us. Attached is a pic of new livery at Takaka Aerodrome we have used in recent advertising. We enjoy the blog—it’s a great record. Hope you guys can keep up the good work.

I for one would love see an Aero Commander back in NZ skies on a regular service... Also, with Golden Bay Air flying also to Karamea it is remiscent of Golden Coast Airlines's Aero Commander ZK-CTM that used to operate from Nelson through Karamea to Westport and Greymouth.

Sunair Adds More Whitianga Flights

Source : http://www.peninsulapost.co.nz/_literature_72313/7_October_2010

More flights in and out of Whitianga will be available from this week. Tauranga-based Sun Air is adding flights to Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua to its schedule at least until the end of summer. Spokesperson Beverly Power says flights introduced last November to Auckland and Great Barrier Island went quite well over summer and continued on a reduced basis over winter. The company will trial the extra services this summer, with two flights in and out a day, seven days a week to the three new destinations. More planes will be brought in if needed and another pilot could be stationed in Whitianga if necessary, Ms Power says.

Golden Bay Air Twin Replacement

Mystery still surrounds what form Golden Bay Air's new twin will take (see http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/09/golden-bay-air-profile.html. There was some speculation that is was going to be Piper PA30 Twin Commanche N2V. More recently the speculation was that it was going to be Piper Pa34 Seneca N21GP that arrived in New Zealand yesterday. This, however, is actually for Ridge Air of Omaka for IFR training and charter work, they also operate C402 VAD.

Recent Register Changes

According to the register added to Air Wanganui's fleet is Beech C90A King Air ZK-SNM (c/n LJ-1127)



Meanwhile cancelled from the register is Vincent Aviation's Beech 1900C ZK-VAE. It is seen below at Christchurch on 9 June 2005. Photo : S Lowe

Once upon a Kiwi Airliner #1

Resident in the Queensland Air Museum at Coloundra in Australia are some ex-New Zealand airliners...

Being prepared for export, Metroliner ZK-SWC at Nelson on 21 January 1986. Photo : S Lowe

Swearingen SA226-TC Metroliner II, VH-BPV (c/n TC-270), was operated by Air Albatross in 1985.  It was registered as ZK-SWC on the 22nd of February 1985 arriving in New Zealand on the 15th of March 1985. It was operated by Air Albatross until the airline's collapse on the 20th of December 1985. It was subsequently exported to Australia on the 27th of January 1986 where it was registered to Kendall Airways as VH-BIF. It is displayed at Coloundra in its original Bush Pilots Airways colour scheme and registration.

At Coloundra as VH-BPV in Bush Pilots Airways colours and registration on 19 September 2010. Photo : K Paterson

Planes and Trains in Picton

Picton Railway Station is getting a lick of paint, to the delight of some residents. Picton Railway Village Ltd director Ron Tabb said the building had last been painted 10 years ago and the current refurbishment had been on the cards since late last year, but had been delayed by bad weather. The maintenance follows a letter to the editor of The Marlborough Express in August from Picton resident Stan Main, who said the station was so dilapidated "as to be a disgrace to the town and the province". He added that the station was "totally inadequate" for the number of passengers using it in summer. Last week, Mr Main said it was looking a lot better. "A coat of paint always smartens things up." However, that didn't fix all its problems, he said. Sounds Air has its office in the railway station and manages the train and ticket sales. Managing director Andrew Crawford said it was good to see the historic building getting a paint job. "We have so few historic buildings in this country that the ones we have should be protected." A spokesperson for KiwiRail, which owns the railway platform, said there were maintenance programmes in place for all its assets. Mr Tabb said Picton Railway Village was limited in the changes it could make to the historic building, adding that painting it a different colour seemed an almost impossible objective.

Auckland Area of Late

Still retaining most of its Mountain Air colour scheme with the Great Barrier titles removed is Fly My Skys BN Islander, ZK-PIZ, seen at Ardmore on 14 September 2010. Photo : S Lowe

Fly My Sky's normal colour scheme. BN Islander ZK-DLA taxis out at Auckland on 1 October 2010. Photo : S Lowe

Sunair's Cessna 172 ZK-DKK taxiing out on its return to Whitianga on 3 October 2010. Photo : S Lowe

Great Barrier Airlines' red baron - Trislander ZK-LGF at Auckland on 3 October 2010. Photo : S Lowe

Not a third level airliner... Air Transport International's Boeing 767 Freighter N761CX on its regular flight for Qantas at Auckland on 3 October 2010. Photo : S Lowe

1988 Nelson Dog Fight

How times have changed.. When there was a dog fight of the third level airlines over Nelson in the late 1980s Air NZ and Mount Cook were the bad boys with Eagle Air, Air Nelson and Pacifica all looking for a slice of the pie. Pacifica lost its battle to stay airborne and 22 years on the others are all part of the Air New Zealand group. Source : Nelson Evening Mail, 6 May 1988.

Pacifica Air Profile

Both SPANZ and Mount Cook Airlines had services that connected Christchurch and Alexandra, though both operators included other stops; SPANZ stopped at Oamaru and Timaru while Mount Cook's flights were via Queenstown and Mount Cook. Goldfields Air was the first airline to introduce a direct service and the next airline to operate to Alexandra also tried this route. This is Pacifica Air 's story.

In early December 1986 Skeggs Food Limited applied to the Air Services Licensing Authority to conduct a Category "B" air transport service between Nelson and Wellington, and Nelson and Christchurch using a 12-seater Beechcraft Super King Air aircraft. The man behind the airline, Cliff Skeggs, was at that time the Mayor of Dunedin, and owner of Skeggs Foods and Pacifica Shipping and he hoped to improve Nelson’s air service.After the collapse of Air Albatross Nelson was left with a single daily Friendship flight to Christchurch in the middle of the day and with Coast Air operating twice daily on the route with an 8-seat Piper Navajo. Like Air Albatross, it had over extended itself with its Twin Otter and had downsized to the Navajo. With the announcement of the Pacifica service Coast Air’s chief executive, Phil Heaphy, announced that Coast Air would continue servicing Nelson until Pacifica got started before concentrating on its Greymouth-Christchurch services. Competition was also found on the Cook Strait flights to Wellington in the form of Air Nelson.

The Beech, which was to be called the Spirit of Nelson, was to offer two flights a day between Nelson to Christchurch and two flights a day between Nelson and Wellington. But Cliff Skeggs was cautious noting that the public had lost confidence with the Air Albatross collapse. The airline intended leasing its aircraft to test the market. He also noted that the new airline, like Pacifica Shipping, would be run by a very small team.

The airline had hoped to commence operations on the 23rd of March 1987 but in the event the aircraft did not arrive in New Zealand until the 28th of April. Services began on the 11th of May 1987 when the newly registered Beech 200 Super King Air, ZK-CGS (c/n BB-301), began Pacifica Air’s operation. The company initially planned to operate for a three month trial period and initial responses were encouraging, particularly on the Nelson-Christchurch sector. The Nelson-Wellington flights, which were not so convenient for business traffic, had not attracted the same level of patronage.

The day after arrival on Beech Super King Air ZK-CGS, taken at Christchurch on 29 April 1987.

Nelson Evening Mail, 13 May 1987

The increase in patronage was encouraging enough, however, that a second aircraft was added to the fleet in the form of a Swearingen SA226TC Metroliner II, ZK-MES (c/n TC-231), the Spirit of Nelson II, which entered service on the 21st of September 1987. The additional aircraft meant that the airline could offer a more extensive timetable, including peak hour flights to Wellington.

Swearingen Metroliner II, ZK-MES at Christchurch on 9 September 1987.

Pacifica Air’s expansion did not go unchallenged. On the same day Pacifica’s Metroliner started operations Mount Cook Airlines commenced Hawker-Siddeley 748’s on the Christchurch-Nelson service in direct competition with Pacifica. The Timaru Herald reported the Mount Cook Group chairman Mr Norman Geary saying of the new Nelson service that “there had been a developing need for a service with the right type of aircraft together with the right timings to serve an important area with positive regional growth." Nelson’s mayor, Peter Malone, was right on the button when he said: "To put 44-seater Hawker-Siddeley 748 aircraft on at the same time as Pacifica's connections did not make sense, unless the aim was to make Pacifica fail.”

About to face the competition... Pacifica takes a swipe at Mount Cook Airlines...
Nelson Evening Mail, 11 September 1987

What do you think??? Was Mount Cook Airlines move predatory? Their timetable with the existing Air New Zealand service shown below.

CHC-NSN    0710  0805  DX7  HS7

CHC-NSN    0815  0910  6        F27
CHC-NSN    1205  1300  DX6  F27
CHC-NSN    1750  1850  DX6  HS7

NSN-CHC    0825  0925  DX7  HS7
NSN-CHC    1040  1140  D       F27
NSN-CHC    1905  2005  DX6  HS7

The competition was not the only turbulence Pacifica Air had to weather. In early December the Beech was struck by lightning and was out of action for nearly two weeks while awaiting a power control unit which had to be sent to Australia for repairs. While the Beech was out of service, the Metroliner had an inflight engine shut down. Unfortunately, the fault necessitated an engine replacement which had to come from the United States leaving the airline without an operational aircraft for some days. Chartered aircraft were used to move passengers and by the 6th of January 1988 both Pacifica Air’s turboprops were back in the air.

Also on the 6th of January 1988 the airline started a new route from Christchurch to Alexandra and Wanaka. The first flight was operated by the Metroliner but normally a nine-seat Piper Pa31-350 Navajo Chieftain, ZK-FOP (c/n 31-7405227) was used. Marketed as the Edgewater Express the service was designed to fly guests to Wanaka’s Edgewater Resort hotel as well as other holidaymakers and visitors. Once again the new air service was operated on a three month trial with two flights being operated on weekdays and with a single flight on Saturdays and Sundays. At the time the Central Otago air service started Pacifica Air formalised their connection with Ansett New Zealand.

Another shot of Swearingen Metroliner II, ZK-MES at Christchurch on 26 April 1987.

Piper Pa31-350 Navajo Chieftain, ZK-FOP, at Christchurch on 28 February 1988.

Early in the new year a Cessna 402B, ZK-EHS Utililiner (c/n 402B-0217), was leased and operated out of Nelson replacing the more expensive Beech King Air. Cracks were starting to appear and in the end Mount Cook Airlines competition and new Airways Corporation charges proved too much.

Cessna 402B Utililiner ZK-EHS taken at Nelson in April 1988 with the Pacifica Air flag to the left of the aircraft. 

Initially, cutbacks were made to flights between Nelson and Wellington, and then, a week later, the announcement that the company would withdraw entirely from Nelson on the 7th of June 1988. Pacifica Air was philosophical about the move. The company’s general manager, Rod Grout, expressed regret about having to withdraw from Nelson to the Nelson Evening Mail but, he noted, “We believe that Mount Cook Airline and Air New Zealand have recognised the need to provide cheap, regular services to the Nelson community that they should continue to operate at the current levels. Should they fail to do so, Pacifica would have to evaluate the possibility of reintroducing its service." With the Metroliner out of work Air Nelson looked at leasing it for a one period as it took over Air New Zealand’s West Coast services and some Nelson-Christchurch and Nelson-Wellington services. However the lease did not eventuate and eventually the aircraft was exported.

"The Edgewater Express" being flown by Piper Chieftain ZK-FQW departing Alexandra on 1 December 1988.

The Christchurch-Central Otago route continued to operate using Piper Pa31-350 Navajo Chieftains ZK-FOP and ZK-FQW (c/n 31-7952206). The company also used Piper Pa23-250 Aztec ZK-DHB (c/n 27-3735) on this service. This service too, however, was not sustainable and on the 27th of February 1989 Pacifica Air ceased scheduled operations and ending its Christchurch-Alexandra-Wanaka service. As a postscript a third Piper Pa31-350 Chieftain ZK-CGS (c/n 31-7852068) was registered to the company but this was not used by them on a schedule.

Piper Pa23-250 Aztec ZK-DHB at Christchurch on 24 February 1988.