Sounds Air Flight S8 901 to Westport

Thanks to Liam Fullerton for this great pics of a recent flight to Westport

I have done many flights into Westport over the years, but every single time, the weather has been a bit miserable. How lucky then to have a trip to Westport, and back again, with both flights in absolutely pristine weather.

Boarding Soon - Sounds Air Flight S8901 to Westport. An absolute benefit of flying with the smaller players, is once all four passengers were checked in, we were wheels up 20mins early.

On-board ZK-PLV for our 45min flight to Westport

Taxiing Out to Runway 16 at Wellington International Airport

Take-off from Wellington, straight out over the Cook Strait

Few Clouds around over the Cook Strait

Looking towards the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges

Nelson Lakes National Park with St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti centre of picture

Kahurangi National Park. The Benefit of only 4 passengers on-board the 9-seater Pilatus PC12, is being able to view out both sides of the aircraft

Murchison somewhere down there under the fog

Looking up towards Karamea

Great Views over the Stockton open cast coal mine. 

The beautiful coastal strip north of Westport

Waimangaroa just behind the aileron, with the Denniston Plateau and Mount Rochfort behind

Good morning Westport, ZK-PLV on finals for Runway 22

Low and Slow over the mighty Buller River/Kawatiri

Touchdown Westport

Shutdown outside the small Westport Airport Terminal. I still remember the old, even smaller terminal that served the airport faithfully for many years. 

No queues at the Rental Car desk for me, with my booking being the only for a few days, according to the agent. At $210 for a 22hr Toyota Corolla Hire I can maybe see why!