31 March 2017

Final boarding...


Air New Zealand retires its Boeing 767 fleet today with Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCI flying Auckland-Sydney-Auckland tonight as NZ105/108...

I've loved my flights on Air New Zealand's 767s... A comfortable airliner which has given the national carrier great service.

Haere ra


28 March 2017

Air Milford - The Scenic Flyer that also tried Scheduled Services





UPDATED August 2026

Air Milford was established Dave Bunn Aviation by David and Philip Bunn in 1993 when Cessna U206F Stationair ZK-DWX (c/n U20602641) was purchased. Meanwhile, in 1998, Hank Sproull bringing with him his experience as a pilot and aircraft engineer and importantly, Cessna A185F ZK-ENW Skywagon (c/n 18503133). With Hank's arrival the name of the company was changed to Air Milford, a company he was soon to take over. 

In January 2023, after 50 years of flying, he reflected on his entry into the aviation industry in  the "Lakes Weekly." Tourism was in the blood with his dad operating a tourist launch on Lake Te Anau, but young Hank gravitated to the Te Anau Airstrip across the road from his primary school, hanging out with southern aviation greats like Bill Black, Gary Cruickshank and Ian Ritchie. “They took me flying in de Havilland Dominies, Cessna 180s and their Tiger Moth.” He would later learn to fly himself, as an aircraft engineer, in exchange for doing a maintenance overhaul on that Tiger Moth in Queenstown for Mount Cook Company director Owen Marshall, a World War II RNZAF flight instructor. Wakatipu Aero Club head instructor, the legendary Jim Jefferies, also taught Hank to fly privately and commercially.

The move to Queenstown for an aircraft engineering apprenticeship at Frankton Aerodrome in 1972 provided excellent grounding, gaining extensive qualifications to certify planes. Flying lessons took a back seat for a few years while Hank pursued his passion of motocross which he excelled at. He reached the top echelon for New Zealand, also racing in the Mr Motocross Series in Australia in 1977, which led to meeting his Aussie wife of 44 years, Kerrie.

Hank gained his commercial pilot’s licence in 1986 while working as an aircraft engineer for Mount Cook, graduating to part-time flying on its flightseeing routes, working there for 27 years. Milford Sound, as now, was the jewel of the crown.

In 1997 Mount Cook sold out to The Helicopter Line/Real Journeys joint venture and Hank left, teaming up with local farmer Dave Bunn, who had an Air Operators Certificate. With one Cessna each, they formed Air Milford in 1998, with Hank and Kerrie buying the Bunns out in 2000. “It was very hard going in the early days. We had to come up with a formula to beat the established operators.” They threw in small boat cruises at Milford, bush walks, coffee, tea and muffins, personalised service. It worked. The Japanese, Americans and Australians loved it.





On the taxi at Queenstown, Air Milford's Cessna 185 ZK-ENW on 20 November 2010

Air Milford's Cessna 206, ZK-DWX at Milford Sound on 10 January 2014





In 2005 the company introduced Cessna 208 Caravan, ZK-SKB (c/n 20800244). Hank Sproull reflects, With just a team of four they bought the first Cessna Caravan turboprop aircraft in 2005. “Nobody else in the area had one so we were pioneers.” However, it was a calculated punt, having to secure a loan of $1.25m from UDC Finance. It was hard work trying to pay that back for the first two years but Hank says in the first year business doubled with that aeroplane. Air Milford's pioneering of the Cessna Caravan in Fiordland was the beginning of a trend, with the type becoming the mainstay of flights into Milford Sound and the successor to the previous de Havilland Dominies and Britten Norman Islanders. It made its first flight to Milford Sound on the 6th of May 2005. Reflecting on the introduction of the Caravan in 2026 Hank Sproull said, It carried 12 passengers, double other planes’ capacity, was "very quiet and very safe", and offered good viewing. "They present a product to tourists that is really, really appealing."

Mixing it with the jets, Air Milford's Cessna Caravan ZK-SKB on the taxi to the hangar at Queenstown on 20 November 2010


At this stage Air Milford offered a number of flight options. The Milford Sound flights were the most popular with four options including, the Fly/Cruise/Fly which included a cruise aboard a small boutique cruise ship, the Milford Sound Overhead Flights (via alps and glaciers) which also included a landing at Milford Sound, the Milford/Helicopter/Glacier Landing which landed on one of the glaciers above Milford Sounds and the Milford Sound Fly Back which was for people to explore the region by the Milford Track or road and fly one way. 

A similar option was available a Fly/Cruise/Fly tour of Doubtful Sound. This offered flights from Queenstown to Manapouri, then a cruise across Lake Manapouri visiting the underground power house and crossing the Wilmot Pass by bus and then a cruise on Doubtful Sound before the trip back to Queenstown. 

The Southern Alps Discovery package included, being picked up and dropped off from accommodation, flights to and from Mount Cook, a ski plane glacier landing flight, with the return flight operating from Mount Cook via West Coast to Milford Sound for a lunch stop. 

Finally a Fly/Explore the Catlins option was also available which involved flights to Balclutha and then transport in a luxury vehicle, visiting Nugget Point, Surat Bay, the Purakanui Falls, Tautuku Bay and Lake Wilkie.

An interesting addition to Air Milford's operations was offered in late 2006 as the Lakes Weekly recorded. Always an opportunist, Hank put on special flights from Queenstown out off the coast of Dunedin to see the massive spectacle of icebergs in November 2006, and the Kiwis and Aussies flocked on board. “That was a real shot in our arm.”

The Caravan was used to operate a new air service between Queenstown and Mount Cook. Air Milford was contracted by The Hermitage Hotel at Mount Cook to fly a daily Monday to Thursday service, starting on the 1st of January 2007 on a three month trial basis.  This service was the first scheduled service between the two destinations since 2001. A flight time of 40 minutes was allowed for the service. The service, however, did not last.

In late 2011 Air Milford built a new $250,000 hangar and revamped its existing offices. The 19m-wide, 24m-long hangar was built to also accommodate the company’s Cessna Caravan and the two smaller Cessnas. 

Air Milford at Milford... The company's first Cessna Caravan ZK-SKB at Milford Sound on 10 January 2014


With the demand for its services increasing Air Milford looked to purchase a second Cessna Caravan. Delays in its delivery led the company to lease Salt Air's Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-MJL during the 2013/14 summer. In January 2014 Antony Sproull, Air Milford's operations manager, along with two other ferry pilots, flew Cessna 208 Caravan SX-SKV from Greece to Queenstown via the Greek Islands, Egypt, Oman, the Maldives, the Cocos Islands and Australia to Queenstown where it was registered ZK-SKA (c/n 20800524).

Air Milford's Cessna Caravan ZK-SKA. Photo : Air Milford Facebook page

A third brand new Cessna Caravan ZK-SKM (c/n 20800581) arrived from the United States in February 2016. The ferry flight took was piloted by Air Milford's chief pilot Matt Cameron and professional ferry pilot John Smith across the Pacific from California to Hawaii, Pago Pago, Auckland and Queenstown.








In December 2016 Air Milford announced it would begin its first scheduled service between Te Anau and Queenstown in early 2017 to test the appetite for a regular commuter service. Operations Manager Antony Sproull said "the trial service would begin on Saturday January 14, and will run every Saturday for 12 weeks through the peak tourist season for a special trial price of $99 per person. We believe the timing is ripe to re-launch this service — the first since Mt Cook Airlines cut the link over 16 years ago."  

The first scheduled flight to Te Anau's Manapouri Airport was flown on 21 January using Cessna Caravan ZK-SKA flown by Antony Sproull. A second Caravan, ZK-SKB, was also needed for the return flight. The flight carried two paying passengers - Eleanor Pearson and her 8-year-old grandson Kayden Pei. It was Kayden's first time on a plane. The 25-minute flight that showcased views of Mt Nicholas, Mavora Lakes, Von Valley and Lord of the Rings scenery. Antony Sproull said. "If the service was a success, a permanent service would be run through the summer time as fog and weather conditions in winter would be a hinderance." 



Cessna Caravans ZK-SKM and ZK-SKA at Manapouri. Photo : Air Milford


In August 2017 the Cessna 206 ZK-DWX departed the fleet and it was replaced with a fourth Cessna Caravan, ZK-SKY, which was added to the fleet in December 2017. 

Air Milford's fourth Cessna Caravan ZK-SKY at Te Anau Downs on 16 September 2018. Photo : Air Milford

Air Milford's Antony and Hank Sproull


In August 2020 Air Milford also tried offering flight tours from Queenstown to Stewart Island...

NZ Herald, 25 August 2020

The company's website says, Gather your friends & family and join Air Milford for a spectacular group trip to Stewart Island. Choose from a range of activities to fill our day, or if a day isn’t long enough to explore New Zealand’s third largest island, spend the nigh and return to Queenstown the following day. The Stewart Island your includes:
  • Return Scenic flight from Queenstown to Stewart Island
  • Fantastic aerial views of Southland, Foveaux Strait & Stewart Island
  • All day on the island to explore
  • Option to add on a range of activities to fill your day 
  • Option to add on an overnight visit and return the following day
The on-demand flights operated year around but required a minimum of 8 passengers to operate. Air Milford will tried to buddy up individuals or smaller groups with other groups to achieve the minimum passengers required. 

In late 2022 it was reported Air Milford plans to trial three scenic flights out of Invercargill, with the hope of a permanent service in 2022. The trial day is on December 11, when a 13-seater Cessna Caravan will leave Invercargill at 8am, noon and 3pm on two-and-a-half-hour trips over the western Southland coastline and Fiordland. Air Milford’s chief pilot Antony Sproull said the scenic flights were a new way for the company to attract passengers with the New Zealand border closed to overseas travellers. “Pre-Covid last year, we were 95 per cent international tourists,” Sproull said. Air Milford’s domestic traveller market had picked up with Auckland customers until the lockdown in August. “It’s really challenging times right now. It’s the hardest we’ve had in 20 years of business, we’ve got to be creative now.” Invercargill Airport suggested the possibility of scenic flights to Air Milford last year. 

Air Milford re-opened the idea after the lockdown in August with the support of the Fiordland Business Association. For Air Milford to seriously consider having the flights as a permanent part of air travel out of Invercargill, it would need each of the three flights on the trial day to have all 13 passenger seats filled, Sproull said. Air Milford will donate the fare for the 13th seat on each flight to the Southland Charity Hospital. If the scenic flights were introduced permanently at Invercargill Airport, it would provide another sightseeing service to people visiting the south, Sproull said. Invercargill Airport chief executive Nigel Finnerty said if the scenic flights became permanent it would bring a new opportunity to Southland. “It’s a real chance for people to see parts of New Zealand that most people never see. “There wouldn’t be many people in NZ or tourists that have seen Puysegur Point or Preservation Inlet.” If it became a permanent service it would give visitors to Southland another opportunity to do something different, Finnerty said. Great South tourism and events general manager Bobbi Brown said the scenic flights would allow people to see “special and unique” areas of Southland. “Particularly Fiordland, it’s absolutely spectacular. I see this as really encouraging that this is a [new] product and an experience, which is using Invercargill as the gateway to access the rest of Murihiku. And it’s not at the detriment of the northern or eastern gateways, which are Queenstown and Dunedin.” Landmarks on the flight path will include Te Waewae Bay, the Humpridge Track, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, hydroelectric sites at Deep Cove and West Arm, Puysegur Point and Preservation Inlet. A 45-minute stopover at the Manapouri Airport is included in the trips. If bad weather forces a postponement, reserve days will be on December 12, 18 and 19.




Air Milford's Cessna Caravan ZK-SKA at Queenstown on 13 January 2022. Photo : A Murphy

A surprise visit to Auckland on 25 February 2022, Air Milford's Cessna Caravan ZK-SKA after a charter flight.


In August 2025 Air Milford acquired Cessna U206F Stationair ZK-DWV (c/n U206-02585).

In June 2026 Air Milford launched a new winter sunset scenic flight, offering passengers a chance to experience Queenstown and the Southern Alps during the golden hour – the last hour before sunset, when the low sun casts a warm glow across the landscape. The company's website describes the flight... Operating from 14 June to 31 August, the Sunset Scenic Flight at ‘Golden Hour’ has been created for skiers, snowboarders, and winter visitors wanting to experience Queenstown’s alpine landscapes at their most photogenic.

Departing from Queenstown Airport in the late afternoon, the 40-minute scenic flight passes over Coronet Peak, Cardrona and The Remarkables, offering a rare aerial perspective of Queenstown’s ski terrain, basins and ridgelines. As daylight fades into sunset, snow-covered peaks and alpine lakes are bathed in rich golden light, revealing new detail across the landscape throughout the flight.

Designed as an ideal start or finish to a Queenstown ski holiday, it gives guests the chance to see the mountains they’ve skied – or are about to ski – from a different perspective, with three of the region’s ski areas viewed from the air in one unforgettable flight.

“Winter in Queenstown really changes how the place feels, and Golden Hour is the best time to see it,” says Antony Sproull, Air Milford Operations Manager. “This flight is about making the beauty of the mountains more accessible and giving people the chance to experience their scale and beauty in a way you simply can’t from the ground. It also feels like it stretches the short winter days a little longer, as we head out chasing the last of the sun. Even for those of us who’ve grown up around these mountains and spent so much time flying here, it never gets old.”

Air Milford's Cessna 206 ZK-DWV at Queenstown on 10 July 2026

Repainted, Air Milford's Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-SKB at Milford Sound on 10 July 2026

Air Milford's Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-SKM at Milford Sound on 10 July 2026

27 March 2017

New Rotorua Flights



FlightHauraki's Facebook page has announced that are operating a scheduled daily flight from Auckland (Ardmore Airport) to Rotorua. The morning flight departs Ardmore at 8:00 am and the return flight departs Rotorua at 5.30 pm. Special introductory flights are being offered at $99.00 each way. 

Tickets are available at $99.00 per sector.

Flights can be booked by calling 0508 235 969 or explore www.flighthauraki.co.nz

25 March 2017

A quick stop at Ardmore...

I dropped off a friend at Auckland International yesterday and partly to avoid the crawling traffic along the Southern Motorway I did a quick detour through Ardmore...

Outside and ready for a charter was FlightHauraki's Piper PA31 Navajo ZK-JGA. Photo taken at Ardmore on 24 March 2017

I have updated my profile on FlightHauraki - it can be found here

Also captured at Ardmore was Rockwell Commander 114 ZK-JHL.

22 March 2017

Sunair's Whangarei Expansion


Air travellers will soon have an option for same day travel to Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua or Great Barrier Island from Whangarei without the need to travel through Auckland. Encouraged by the increasing population of Whangarei and the surrounding districts, Tauranga based commercial airline Sunair Aviation is extending into Whangarei with scheduled flights out of Whangarei starting April 3. The company is privately owned by Dan and Bev Power who are proud of its 30 year history and excellent safety record. Dan is a commercial pilot and qualified aircraft engineer while Bev takes care of the office and administration part of the business. It offers a fleet of Piper Aztec six seater all weather planes. The airline has created its own terminal at the Whangarei airport by refurbishing an existing building which will allow easy boarding and disembarking. "There is ample free parking and the terminal has coffee and tea making facilities," Bev says. "Initially an experienced flight crew will be relocated to Whangarei from existing Sunair bases." The opportunity to employ local crews may be considered in the future. Daily flights are scheduled Monday to Friday with a 15 minute check-in required. "Same day return flights eliminate overnight accommodation costs for businesses and leisure travellers." One way flights range from $190 to $290 depending on the destination. Charter services will also be available. Bookings can be made by phone, email, via the website and through a 24 hr call centre. At this stage no personal bookings will be taken at the terminal. Power says Sunair is already operating flights from Whangarei for the Northland District Health Board and have been approached to extend this further. The company has been selected by the All-of-Government panel to be one of two non jet (the other is in the South Island) preferred carriers for all Government personnel air travel. In addition Sunair is starting a flight training school at the airport which will include training for both private pilot and commercial licences. The company currently runs a training school in Tauranga and will offer this same level of service to the local community. A training aircraft will be based at Whangarei.


Sunair's new timetable, effective 3 April 2017


The Sounds Air Pilatus Movie



Check out Sounds Air's "Pilatus movie"

20 March 2017

5 minutes, 3 photos at Kerikeri

I had a five minute stop at Kerikeri's Bay of Islands Airport this morning, 20 March 2017 and tokke three quick photos...

First in was Air New Zealand's Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEB

A couple of minutes behind was NZ Air Ambulance Services' Beech Super King Air ZK-MFT



And just behind it was Skyworks Helicopters' Squirrel ZK-HSS

19 March 2017

More flyers for Sunair



Tauranga-based airline Sunair Aviation has become the first regional non-jet operator in the North Island to be selected as a preferred air carrier on the All of Government panel. The airline tendered for the panel last year and, after an exhaustive process, was advised late last year that its application had succeeded. The new status became effective from the beginning of this month and the airline has already begun carrying government personnel. "We're very excited about this - it's a real coup for us," said director Bev Power, who co-owns the airline with her husband, Daniel, the chief executive and a certified commercial pilot and aeronautical engineer. Last year All of Government air travel was said to be worth $223 million, split between a number of large operators. Jetstar made it on to the panel this year for the first time, but the only other regional non-jet carrier to be selected was the South Island's Picton-based Sounds Air. New Zealand Government Procurement said suppliers on the new panel collectively provided the Government with a suitable range of services for international and domestic travel while increasing connectivity to New Zealand's regions.

Source : 

Is it just me or is there is something seriously wrong here???



Two top car rental franchises have abandoned Whanganui due to the city losing its ties with Air New Zealand. Air Chathams general manager Duane Emeny said he received an email from the Avis head office last week stating that both Avis and Budget had closed in Whanganui. "It's not a good thing - we want people to have a range of options and not having a leading car rental service, like Avis and Budget, takes away customer choice which means people may opt to fly to Palmerston North instead," he said. Mr Emeny said Air Chathams had started working with Avis and Budget and had altered their website with an online portal to the car rentals' website. "Interestingly, when we started a flight route from Auckland to Whakatane, Avis and Budget decided to pull out. "Unfortunately for us Air New Zealand has a lock on corporates as well as commercial agreements with companies like car rentals," Mr Emeny said. Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall said it was a real disappointed the two companies had decided to leave. "It's a shame that these large businesses are pulling out but it may be an opportunity for a local car hire service to fill the gap," Mr McDouall said. A concerned customer rang the Avis head office yesterday after not being able to book a car on Saturday and was told Whanganui was not worth the spend for the franchise. "In a city of 46,000 people, with Air Chathams flying in three times and out three times, I find that hard to believe, " the customer said. "I know of two people just last week who picked up a rental in Whanganui to drive to Hastings." Budget Rent a Car New Zealand was wholly owned by the Avis Budget Group. It is understood that Hertz and Pegasus Rental Cars are the only franchises left in Whanganui.

Airline Wanted for Masterton



Work is underway to bring a commercial airline back to Wairarapa. Discussions have been ongoing between Masterton District Council and leading New Zealand airlines, with a registration of interest to go out in the next few weeks. Hood Aerodrome Manager David Hayes said there were “no guarantees” that a suitable airline would be secured, but was hoping to secure a service similar to what Air New Zealand offered previously – “in other words, the Masterton to Auckland route”. “In my opinion, the issue is not starting up an airline – that’s do-able,” he said. “The issue is, can we get one that’s going to endure and be sustainable? The world is littered with examples of small airlines starting up on small routes and failing, so we’re not unique in that regard. We’ve got to be really careful to get it right if it’s going to survive.” Mr Hayes said council staff had analysed the likely travel demand in Wairarapa, “and based on that work, we think the demand could be well in excess of what Air New Zealand offered previously”. 

‘Strong demand for Auckland link’
Air New Zealand ran a service in Masterton through its subsidiary, Eagle Air, from 2009 until it was cancelled in 2013 due to a reduction of the Beechcraft fleet. In 2014, Masterton District Council accepted a proposal from Vincent Aviation to operate weekday flights over its rival, Air Chathams, but the company went into liquidation later that year and the service never eventuated. “We know there is a strong demand for a commuter service to Auckland,” Mr Hayes said. “And we know this is driven by the demand of largely business travel. We’ve had people say if there was a reliable Auckland to Masterton link, they would start thinking very seriously about moving to Wairarapa. “However, as we know, despite there being a strong demand, it is difficult to get a viable commercial service, so there are no guarantees in this process.” Mr Hayes said it was too early to know what size aircraft would be likely. “We’d be looking at the whole range, from the smaller ones which are ten seats to the larger ones with more than 30 seats.” The next step along with the registration of interest process was to get businesses and community leaders involved in discussions. There are funds available if further development is required at Hood Aerodrome.



18 March 2017

Hamilton Planes in Kaitaia

A quick visit to Kaitaia Airport today (18 March 2017) saw six Hamilton based aircraft visiting.... I could have caught a flight up...

Piper Cherokee 140 ZK-ECY
Tecnam Astore UL ZK-RGH
Tecnam P2002 Sierra RG ZK-SRG
 


Cessna 172 ZK-WAM
Alpha R2160 ZK-WCD
Zenair Zenith CH-200 ZK-ZEN

09 March 2017

Sunair Timetable 56


Sunair's new timetable has just appeared on the website.

Effective from 3 April Sunair will return to Whangarei with daily flights offered to and from Great Barrier Island and Monday to Friday services to Hamilton, Tauranga or Rotorua. The company previously operated Whangarei flights to these three cities between August 2004 and March 2009. Flights were also previously operated between Whangarei and Great Barrier Island for a period in 2015. At present Sunair operates the doctor's flight between Whangarei and Kaitaia. 

Other changes from Sunair's new timetable include the removal of Whakatane and North Shore as destinations.


08 March 2017

COMMEMORATING The Founding of NAC 1st April 1947




NAC 70th ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON, CLASSIC FLYERS MUSEUM.
Tauranga
24 MAY 2017



Join us for this Anniversary Celebration Luncheon at the wonderful Classic Flyers Museum, Tauranga.

Date: Wednesday 24th May 2017

Times: 11:30 Meet & Greet, Bar Open
12:45 Be seated - 13:00 Buffet Lunch

Dress: Smart casual

Cost: $46.00 per person for a full Buffet meal including dessert & tea/coffee

Cash Bar: For wine, beer and soft-drinks

RSVP: By 8th May 2017 phone Graham Lister 021 1958356

Payment: Forward cheque payable to ‘NAC Familiarisation Account’
Send To: Phil Jameson
198 Devonport Rd
Tauranga 3110
Or: Direct Credit Payment to
ANZ Bank, Mt Maunganui, Acct# 01-0373-0098952-00
Ref “your name(s)” Please

Note: ALL ex- NAC, TEAL, Mt Cook, Safeair & SPANZ staff are extended an
invitation and are most welcome to attend.

Travel to the event in style
It is with great pleasure that we announce our DC-3 Skyliner ZK-AWP is back in the fold for our luncheon. Air Chathams have proudly come on board for the day with their 28 seat historic DC-3. Therefore we encourage those people coming to this event from Auckland to fly from Mangere Airport to Tauranga Airport and return for this “one-off”
experience.




Special return airfare of $199.00 per person
Convenient departure/return times of 10.00 hours ex AKL and 15.00 hours ex TRG

At this stage there are 17 tickets sold with only 11 to go, which is fantastic given that it was only announced last week. Anyone wanting to book a flight down on the DC-3 should ring Classic Flyers 07 572 4000 pronto. 

Added incentives
And it’s always Naomi’s birthday so it just might be a “party plane”.

All bookings though either Garry or Sandra at Classic Flyers 
phone 07 5724000
Payment is required at time of booking
Reserve your seat(s) now!

Enjoy an unforgettable flight in one of NAC’s original aircraft. Every seat offers outstanding photo opportunities as it flies over the local Bay of Plenty area. 

ZK-AKU was one of a number of DH89A Dominie aircraft that NAC obtained from the RNZAF in late 1946. ZK-AKU (TAWAKA) had a long career flying domestic routes until sold on 9th May 1963. Flights are offered for Wednesday 24th May 2017 departing from Classic Flyers museum:

 Flight 1 Departs 10.00am
 Flight 2 Departs 11.00am

Each flight is of 30 minutes duration
Fare $75.00 per person per flight
Please add this cost to the meal cost when paying 



Auckland Contact for information
Bill Howell phone 09-478 5530

Welcome aboard once again for another enjoyable afternoon catching up with old friends and colleagues.
Phil Jameson ph 027-2232407
Paul Bowe ph 021-2618703
Graham Lister ph 021-1958356