East Coast Explorer

Yesterday I had the amazing experience of flying around the East Coast with Andy Stevenson in his Piper PA-46 Meridian ZK-UTE...

Lined up on Runway 32 at Gisborne

Aorangi and Waitahaia River

Aorangi

Hikurangi at 1,752 m (5,748 ft) is the highest peak in the Raukumara range - trying to hide in the cloud. It is the North Island's highest non-volcanic peak

On the other side of Hikurangi - The Tapuaeroa River

Aorangi from the other side...

and Hikurangi from the other side

A look at the erosion on Tapuaeroa River

Ruatoria

Waiapu River

Tikitiki

Waiapu River looking down the Coast

Waiapu River with Hikurangi clear now in the distance 

Port Awanui - Shipping came here until the 1930s. The wharf has long gone

A beautiful day down the Coast

Another look at the erosion... Andy talked about earth flow as akin to the ice flow on the glaciers.

Whareponga 

Waipiro Bay

The community of Te Puia Springs and Whakauparangi peak

Forestry - a blessing and a curse on the East Coast

Entering Tokomaru Bay

Tokomaru Bay wharf

Tokomaru Bay

Mawhai Point

Motuhina Island and Nuhiti

Motuoroi Island and Anaura Bay - Cook's Landing Place 1769

Paerau Point

Karaka Bay

Tolaga Bay

 

Cooks Cove in front of the wing... He took Endeavour in there

More of Tolaga Bay

The old coach rode that went along the Coast

Gable End Foreland and Light

Sam fishings for crays

Whāngārā, the setting for Whale Rider. The legendary voyager Paikea reached Whāngārā after journeying from Hawaiki on the back of a whale. The whale became the rock, Whāngārā Island, at middle right in this image, with its distinctive ‘whale’ shape.

Wainui and Gisborne

Views of Gisborne before rejoining for Runway 32

Add caption

My ride, Piper PA46T Meridian ZK-UTE 

More on the Pilotless Plane Service

A Boston-based startup and the founder of a Middle Eastern air freight company are planning to make Nelson the world’s centre of unmanned aircraft flight – powered entirely by artificial intelligence. And now they have New Zealand Government backing to the tune of $3 million. However, that number represents a tiny portion of what Apollo Flight Research and Hawke Eye plan to spend on the project. The companies have a vision to achieve the first world’s first unmanned flight certification which would allow it to operate commercially. “It’s a big game changer,” says John Chisolm of Hawke Eye. “It will attract people from all over the world to see it, so it will be good for Nelson.” John, who lives in the Nelson region, has had a long career in logistics and freight aircraft – including starting Texel Air in Bahrain several years ago. He was approached by Matt George of Merlin Labs, trading as Apollo Aviation, to develop the concept of bringing that company’s IP to New Zealand. Merlin Labs, based in Boston, has had backing from several venture capital companies in its seed round, including backers of ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft. The company uses technology including artificial intelligence, machine-learning, and systems similar to those used in driverless cars. The aircraft differ from drones, which are operated by a pilot. Speaking from the United States, Matt said the company already had competed successful test flights in the Mojave Desert in California. In the Nelson project, the idea is to put that technology into existing aircraft, such as Cessna Caravans, to start unmanned freight flights between Nelson, the West Coast and Canterbury. That project will take place over at least two years, carrying an onboard safety pilot in all the early phases. John says that it is all in service of reinventing the flight industry to save costs on freight. “A critical differentiator of Apollo’s system is the use of existing affordable aircraft that are already certified and approved for operation without the need for complex aircraft development.” Matt says the company elected to centre the company’s civil certification programme in New Zealand because of the country’s supportive regulatory and business environment. He also says the Civil Aviation Authority has a “progressive approach” to go along with the country’s relatively uncluttered airspace. In Boston, Apollo employs a team of highly qualified professionals in several fields including artificial intelligence and machine learning scientists, test pilots, flight test engineers, data analysts, aircraft maintenance, repair and modification and avionics. Matt says most of these skills will be replicated in New Zealand, requiring significant employment of skilled personnel, and Apollo will be making a substantial investment in the New Zealand operation. Apollo has also approached New Zealand universities and research agencies to identify collaborative research opportunities. months. 

Source :  https://nelsonweekly.co.nz/2020/08/no-pilots-no-problem/

I hope it's not true...

Kāpiti Coast Airport faces possible closure with its owners “reviewing all options”, and word leaking out that it could shut by next month. National Party candidate for the Ōtaki electorate Tim Costley said he understood the airport’s closure was imminent. Stuff understands it could be within five weeks. The owner NZPropCo (NZPC) would look to rezone the land for residential development, Costley said. NZPC says no decision has been made to close the airport but it is “reviewing all options” in the face of economic and safety concerns. It says it is looking for the “best solutions” for the future. National Party candidate for the Ōtaki electorate, Tim Costley. Costley said the community fought hard to get continued air services such as Air Chathams and Sounds Air. It also had the thriving Kāpiti Aero Club, which would be "absolutely gutted". “The region needs an emergency airfield for when Wellington is fogged in, or during a civil defence emergency. Kāpiti would be a critical hub if a major earthquake was ever to isolate or cut off Wellington from the coast. The move was a kick in the guts for the community and Kāpiti Coast District Council would be "crucified” if it allowed the land to be rezoned, he said. Costley, a former airforce pilot, said he understood the owners would raise safety concerns about the departure of Airways flight information services from Kāpiti, but this was a “red herring”. Flights could safely continue with or without the services, he said. The airport was part of a nationwide property package, sold by the Todd Property Group to NZPC, a New Zealand-based investment group last November. An NZPC spokeswoman said the airport faced “significant economic viability issues”. The withdrawal of Air New Zealand flights in 2018 had a major impact – and Covid-19 had affected aviation worldwide. “Kāpiti Coast Airport is not immune to these and passenger numbers continue to decline.” She said safety was now also a significant concern for the airport with the announcement in April by Airways that it was removing flight information services from seven regional airports, including Kāpiti. This air traffic controller service started in Kāpiti after the 2008 mid-air collision that resulted in three deaths, she said. “We are therefore reviewing all options for the future of the airport.” NZPC had met the council “to seek their support and assistance to review how we can collectively identify the best solutions moving forward”. ”In the meantime the airport remains fully open and operational.” Kāpiti Coast mayor K Gurunathan said he was not aware of the potential closure of the airport. However, NZPC representatives met him the previous week for an “exploration meeting”.“They were saying they were interested in discussing with council, what they could do ... my challenge to them was this: if they are wanting to rezone the land, they will hit very strong public opposition.” If they threw out an “amazing” alternative plan for the land then they might win support, he said, but he doubted that was possible. Air Chathams general manager Duane Emeny said he was not aware of any potential closure of the airport. It would be concerning for Air Chathams if it was correct but “we haven’t had any notification at all from Kāpiti Airport yet”. Sounds Air chief executive Andrew Crawford also said they were not aware of any potential closure. He said the airport was important for the entire region during an emergency such as an earthquake. “To lose it as a strategic asset is unthinkable.” Todd Property bought a majority stake in the airport in 2012 from previous owner Sir Noel Robinson, who in turn had bought the airport in 2006, and planned to launch a business park development. The airport sits beside Kāpiti Rd, only a few hundred metres from a full interchange connecting north and south to the Kāpiti expressway. The expressway would connect to Transmission Gully, once completed, allowing four-laned travel to the Terrace Tunnel in central Wellington.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/122391465/kpiti-coast-airport-could-be-closed-as-owner-says-theyre-reviewing-all-options

Anemic Airliners

 Thanks to Alex who sent in some great photos last night of some very anemic airliners taken at Auckland on 8 August 2020

From right to left - Air Chathams' Fairchild Metroliner III ZK-CIC has had its White Island/Whakatane decals removed... In the background Barrier Air's Cessna 208 Grand Caravan has been browned off and is painted all white awaiting sale and Airwork's Boeing 737 ZK-PAU with the company's anemic no title scheme

A closer look at Fairchild Metroliner III ZK-CIC

Barrier Air's Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-SDB

And despite Coral Sun Airways coming from close to the Equator, their PNG registered Beech Super King Air P2-ALC looks quite anemic too - It was in Auckland on a medevac. Coral Sun Airways operates Piper Aztec which, I believe, is leased to it by Sunair... ex ZK-WDP 

Virgin Australia - Hamilton's last international air service

On the 7th of December 2011 Pacific Blue was rebranded as Virgin Australia and it inherited Pacific Blue's four times a week service between Brisbane and Hamilton. 

In March 2012 Virgin Australia decreased the number of flights between Hamilton and Brisbane from four to three a week due to softened demand. The company also indicated it would have to re-evaluate demand for the service if people didn't use it.

Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBJ at Hamilton in 2012

On the 14th of October 2012 Virgin Australia announced its intention to withdraw its Brisbane-Hamilton flights from the 27th of October 2012 due to a lack of demand. The route was being flown three times each week. Virgin Australia's New Zealand Executive General Manager, Mark Pitt, said, "Despite our support and our positive relationship with Hamilton Airport over the past three years, demand for this service has continued to deteriorate and the service is no longer sustainable. "Therefore, after careful consideration, we have made the decision to cease operating this service. Our last flight will be on 27 October." 

Part of the Virgin Australia fleet was Virgin Samoa's Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBF which is seen at Hamilton on 12 March 2012

Hamilton Airport CEO, Chris Doak, said the decision by Virgin Australia was disappointing for the region. "Virgin Australia has supported the region with their aircraft and has worked hard to connect with the local traveller. This was a decision that came down to passenger numbers. There just weren’t enough people using the services," he said. 

The final services were operated on the 26th and 27th of October 2012. Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBD operated inbound flight, PBN86, from Brisbane to Hamilton on the 26th of October 2012 and then on the 27th of October 2012 ZK-PBD operated the final flight, PBN85, from Hamilton to Brisbane. This marked the end of international flights to Hamilton.

Even though the airline was operating as Virgin Australia, the aircraft used at that time were still New Zealand registered and crewed. The transition to the aircraft being Australian registered happened long after Virgin Australia withdrew its Hamilton services.

Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBB on departure from Hamilton in 2012

These photos are 'borrowed' from Awesome in NZ's Flickr page, see https://www.flickr.com/photos/49222841@N06/. 
He has got some excellent photos, largely from Hamilton and Auckland around the early 2010s.
If you know who Awesome in NZ is and how to contact him can you let me know.

Tauranga Spotting

I have had these photos to post for a while, all taken at Tauranga on 26 July 2020.

A bitterly cold wind but good company with Mark and Warwick also plane spotting

In my book Tauranga is the best airport in NZ for plane spotting.

Cessna 172 ZK-DFH waiting before its next fish spotting mission

Cessna 172RG heading home to Paraparaumu

Bell Jetranger ZK-HKB roaring off carting people somewhere

It's been a long time since I photographed a Hughes 300... ZK-HQF

A new one for me Bell Jetranger ZK-IIK

A couple of Cessna 172s on the taxi for departure, ZK-JKA...

... and ZK-JMC

Massey University Diamond DA40s ZK-MTF...

...and ZK-MTI

Another new one was Tecnam P96 Golf ZK-OGX

The Tauranga Aero Club's Cessna 152s ZK-TAK 

ZK-TAY 

What domestic Air NZ route hasn't restarted yet?

If you answered the question Hamilton-Palmerston North-Wellington you are correct... I'm not sure if that is the only route not operating yet. And I presume this is the reason Originair's BAe Jetstream 31 ZK-JSH was in Hamilton today have flown Nelson-Palmerston North-Hamilton. It has now returned to Palmerston North. Perhaps doing a charter? Or is something else happening?

Originair BAe Jetstream 31 ZK-JSH at Hamilton on 4 August 2020

Pacific Aerospace ZK-KEO at Hamilton on 4 August 2020 - perhaps ready for delivery???

Interesting news here...

So what you notice??? There is a typo and there is an interesting piece of news...

There was a distinct buzz in the air when Chatham Islanders gathered at their airport for an announcement on Sunday. The press release to announce a $40 million cash boost was embargoed but the folks present had a pretty strong inkling they were in the money when the location for the announcement was revealed. It was a pretty jubilant crowd, says Mayor Monique Croon. Most of the money - $36 million - will go towards making their tiny Tuuta Airport longer and stronger. The 1400m runway will be extended by a further 400m. That means the local airline - Air Chathams - will eventually be able to upgrade their 1950s Convair 580 craft to 737s, cutting the travel time from Wellington to less than an hour and increasing capacity for passengers and freight, Croon hopes. More modern aircraft also meant a more reliable service for the island’s population of 663, she says. The grunty 60-plus-year-old Convair aircraft cannot land in fog or mist and it’s not uncommon for weather to close the airport and leave passengers and much-needed freight, like groceries for locals, stranded on the mainland for days. Air Chathams is already planning to introduce the 68-seat ART-72 in October once its long-range navigation equipment has been adapted to meet requirements for the route. But a longer runway will mean it can take a bigger payload of passengers and freight - a crucial development for the island’s tourism and export markets. Covid has been terrible in many ways but the Government’s shovel-ready fund had been a blessing for the island, Air Chathams chief operating officer Duane Emeny says. The need to fly bigger craft with capacity for much bigger payload was long overdue, he says. If the tourism and export market plays ball, he hoped to introduce 737s into their fleet by 2023. Air Chathams has been hurting since Covid reduced their flight schedule from 120 flights a week to the Chathams, Norfolk Island and various mainland destinations, to a paltry six flights. That’s a tough reality for a small, family-owned business. The silver lining of the more than five year battle for the runway project was that it had united the sometimes divided community in a common goal, says Emeny. The island, situated 800km east of the mainland, has been reeling from the Governments’ rejection of the airport upgrade under the Provincial Growth Fund last year. Croon says they had hoped to piggy-back the airport project onto the $50 million upgrade of its wharf in 2018. “We had been lobbying the government to fund the airport project on the back of the wharf because we had all the equipment here to just get on with it but it wasn’t to be.” The airport project will create at least 20 local jobs and a further spin-off of around 230 jobs in tourism jobs, Croon says. A tender process for the design and build will happen as soon as possible but it’s anticipated the new runway will be open by 2022. Maui Solomon, executive chairman of the Hokoteh  Moriori Trust, says Chatham Island was playing ‘catch-up’ with other mainland regions in terms of infrastructure developments. If tourism ramped up, much work would need to go on improving roads, additional accommodation and better internet connection, which was patchy at best. He hoped the development of the airport and the airline might mean cheaper airfares out to the Chathams, which can currently set you back north of $800 for a return fare. Current fares can be a barrier to tourists who could pay the same for a beach holiday in the Pacific, he says. But don’t hold your breath for cut-price fares. Emeny says it might be some time. With a Boeing 737, they would increase their payload departing the Chathams by an additional 6000KG. “Provided we have grown the market sufficiently by the time an aircraft like that is introduced then it could allow the airline to reduce rates for passengers and cargo.” The $40 million package announced by Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones, would also go into developing the shellfish aquaculture industry, creating a further 20 jobs. It would fund a dedicated tourism manager, help restore indigenous flora and fauna to a coastal area that has been cleared and grazed for more than 100 years, and improve electricity capacity on the island. NZ Airports Chief Executive Kevin Ward said the Chathams produces fantastic seafood but the problem has always been getting it to customers. The runway upgrade will allow bigger and faster aircraft to be used. The upgraded runway will be Boeing 737 capable – more than three times the weight of the current Convair aircraft – and will set the airport up for the next 50 years.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300072760/chatham-islanders-welcome-40m-windfall--and-shorter-flights-to-the-mainland

Does this mean a Boeing 737 for a Convair replacement?

The Chatham Islands will receive close to $40 million for projects that will improve its infrastructure, add to its attraction as a visitor destination, and create jobs through a planned aquaculture venture, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has announced. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the islands, first through the halting of crayfish and blue cod exports and then through the drying up of livestock and wool sales. Fishing and farming are the islands’ main sources of economic revenue. This, coupled with a lack of tourism, has resulted in an estimated of $20m in lost revenue to the island and unemployment of up to 30 per cent,” Shane Jones said. The Government has agreed to provide $36 million for an infrastructure project to lengthen and strengthen the runway at Tuuta Airport, on Chatham Island. “Every study on the issues and opportunities for the Chatham Islands economy has identified effective air services as critical for sustainable growth,” Shane Jones said. “This new runway will allow larger planes to use the airport, improving connectivity for those living on the island, and for visitors. Doing this work now, which includes associated infrastructure such as building, lighting and fencing upgrades, is expected to future-proof the airport for half a century.” The project, which is being overseen by Chatham Islands Airport Ltd, will create up to 20 jobs during the construction stage. It is expected to take about 18 months to complete.

In addition to funding the airport redevelopment, Shane Jones also announced a $2.15 million Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment in projects to further boost the regional economy through aquaculture, tourism and infrastructure. A total of $1.69 million has been allocated to two project to develop a shellfish aquaculture industry on the Chatham Islands. It is planned that the first farm will be established at Whangamoe Inlet, providing up to 20 jobs. “Chatham Islanders have a long connection to the kaimoana industry. This project will diversify the industry into shellfish and premium seafood smallgoods. It will provide jobs and training opportunities for locals, strengthen the local fishing industry, improve food security and enhance biodiversity,” Shane Jones said. Another $490,000 has been allocated to help establish a dedicated tourism manager for the Chathams to grow the tourism sector. “With the redevelopment of the airport, it is crucial that the islands are well-placed to take advantage of the potential that brings. There are many attractions on the islands, including Moriori petroglyphs and tree carvings. A new museum is being built, and the number of accommodation providers is increasing. “A dedicated tourism manager for the islands could be a game-changer in terms of attracting more visitors, and that means New Zealanders, to explore this piece of our country.”

Flight Reintroductions

Sounds Air have re-introduced a number of flights between Wellington & Taupo and Blenheim & Christchurch to their August/September schedule!

TAUPO

From Tuesday 11 August Sounds Air are re-introducing morning services on Tuesdays and Thursdays:

• WLG-TUO 7:45am | TUO-WLG 9:15am

From Monday 31 August TAUPO flights will be available Mon-Thu AM and Tue-Fri PM.

CHRISTCHURCH:

From Wednesday 12 August Sounds Air are re-introducing midday services on Wednesdays and Fridays:

• BHE-CHC 11:45am | CHC-BHE 12:55pm

From Monday 31 August CHRISTCHURCH flights will be available Mon-Fri AM & PM + Sun PM + Mon/Wed/Fri Midday.

Another Classic Flyer

A couple more photos Logan sent to me some days ago. He writes...

ZK-JGB (DC-3C)'s future has been more strongly set in stone. With air tours in the Hawke's Bay region now its official purpose. I spoke with some people affiliated with the DC-3, and they were measuring the cabin to organize a new seating layout. Once the seats are reconfigured. The aircraft is set to begin operating. A new livery is possible but I can't confirm the truth of that as of yet. 

Logan also tells me The Viking Twin Otter C-GVKI is set to remain present at Napier for the next months until border restrictions allow for its safe return to Canada

The Beaver - Once Used on Some Air Services

The plane of the day award on Sunday at Tauranga went to DHC Beaver ZK-CKH

In the past Beavers have been used on some regular services...

The first was James Aviation which operated a Beaver from Tokoroa to Auckland...
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/06/beavering-away-in-tokoroa.html

Float Air Picton also ran a scheduled service from Picton to Porirua Harbour north of Wellington. I haven't done a profile on Float Air and their Flying Dolphin service yet but here are a couple of links to photos of their Beavers...
https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-north-island-road-trip-25-years-ago-24.html
https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-north-island-road-trip-25-years-ago-24.html

And from Tauranga Island Air Safaris ran a shuttle between Tauranga and Motiti Island... Again no profile done yet but photos here...
https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2013/05/25-years-ago-19-may-1988-north-island.html

In addition to these regular service operations other operators have used Beavers for flightseeing

More reflection on MRO

I missed seeing this last week... An interesting read from the Wairarapa Times

Wairarapa politicians are ready to fly from Hood Aerodrome, but airlines are not set for take-off. Wednesday’s announcement of a multi-million-dollar investment in the airstrip relaunched talk of a Masterton-Auckland commuter trip. Councillors, MPs, and officials seem keen to attract commuter flights back to the airfield. But with airlines reeling from the covid-19 lockdown, big city arrivals are not imminent, says the company most often linked with running the service. A $17 million local and national government pledge will pay for runway widening and lengthening, and infrastructure upgrades. Masterton District Council will supplement the $10 million from central government with $7 million in funding, from its renewals budget, reserves, loan funding, and user fees and charges, Kath Ross, MDC chief executive said. Ross said the work aimed to “transform Hood from a community airfield, supporting recreational pilots and a select group of commercial operators, to a centre for cutting-edge commercial activity, manufacturing, and training, alongside existing and new tourism attractions and businesses. This work will open the door to some exciting opportunities for future business development.” But Air Chathams, repeatedly linked with landing in Wairarapa, are interested in talks only at this stage. Air New Zealand ended regular flights linking Masterton to main centres in 2014. It was thought smaller providers would see a gap in the market. But they have been reluctant to sign up to date. Duane Emeny, Air Chathams’ general manager, said they had to be persuaded to submit a business case to Masterton District Council last year. “You know it’s getting hard when they come to you and say “can you please put an application in?,” he said. “We thought about it, decided ‘well, we will’. But in all honesty we limped into it. “We weren’t overly impressed with the research that had gone on into what services there would be.” He said the company had held talks in the past with Wairarapa representatives, and would again. But Hood’s current infrastructure was “really limited” for the fleet. “I haven’t been privy to the detail but what I understand it’s a widening and lengthening of the runway. Our CEO, my father [Craig Emeny], said to the Mayor [Lyn Patterson, of Masterton] point blank that is what absolutely must happen. It looks like they’ve taken that onboard, and got that across the line with government, which is great.” Emeny said he did think a service could be successful, but had concerns over bureaucracy across all Wairarapa’s districts. “We think there may be strong demand as it’s a beautiful part of the world and there are a lot of people who live there who do business in Auckland, or internationally. “It’s quite similar to Whanganui in that respect. My only concern would be the separation of districts, from north to south. With recent experience, it could be like in the Kapiti Coast, where each community is fragmented and slightly unique. I think Wairarapa is similar, so it’s hard to get that real parochial support that we do get in Whanganui and eastern Bay [of Plenty] regions.” He said although the prospect was “a long way away”, Air Chathams would “certainly be interested in a conversation”. However, the impact of the pandemic response made expansion in the short term highly unlikely. He said the company had scaled back about 35 per cent of its schedule after international flights out of Auckland ended. International flights dropped by 95 per cent during lockdown, and connecting services are a main source of airline income. Patterson said, “it is no secret that we want an air passenger service to return. Without this service, our regional businesses lack important essential national and international connectivity. And with the large number of people moving to the Wairarapa, re-establishing a link to Auckland would enable people to commute to Auckland. It would also support the region’s tourism sector.” As one of the shovel ready projects funded by central government, the upgrades at Hood Aerodrome should start within 12 months.

Source : https://times-age.co.nz/airlines-not-set-for-take-off/