Air New Zealand Colours as seen on the ATRs

What is and will soon be, what was... ZK-MCJ on approach to Christchurch on 11 January 2013, in the traditional Air New Zealand teal and blue colours.

What is for a few years...  ZK-MVA on approach to Christchurch on 11 January 2013, in the Rugby World Cup scheme. 

What increasingly will be... ZK-MVB on approach to Christchurch on 12 January 2013, its first day of operations with the new Air New Zealand script and black tail.

So if it was up to me... the colour scheme would feature the ferns as on MVA but with a blue background (instead of black), the white/silver fern (as on MVA) and the grey one being in teal... The painted tail and white fuselage (as on MCJ) has never done anything for me... it lacks originality and doesn't reflect the dynamism we have seen in Air New Zealand that has enabled itself to rebrand itself as a low cost carrier but still a national carrier to be proud of. I lament the loss of the traditional Air New Zealand colours! Black is too colourless! That's my thoughts... what are yours?

Mount Cook ATR72-212A (600) ZK-MVB enters service

Mount Cook Airline's second -600 new generation ATR72 ZK-MVB entered service this morning flying from Christchurch to Dunedin as NZ5351.  The aircraft was delivered to Christchurch on 30 December and wears the fully revised Air NZ livery featuring the black tail and revised titles font.  As shown the photo below, taken on New Years Day at Christchurch, the aircraft proudly displays the Mount Cook name on the forward fuselage along with the Mount Cook lily.

Motiti Flyer

Cessna 206 ZK-WWH at Tauranga waiting its next Motiti flight. Photo take on 28 December 2012.

The latest flyer on the Island Air/Aviation Adventures run from Tauranga across to Motiti Island is Cessna U206G Stationair ZK-WWH (c/n U206-3550) which does the run along with Cessna 206 ZK-PAI and Cessna 172 ZK-WGE.

ZK-WWH has had a long history in New Zealand being imported for Mount Cook Airlines as a floatplane and originally registered in this country in December 1976. On the 15th of March 1977 it overturned in Earshell Cove in Fiordland and the registration cancelled. The aircraft was rebuilt later that year for Whirlwide Helicopters, hence the registration ZK-WWH. 

Over the years it has operated for a number of operators including, Wanaka Aviation, Aspiring Air, Skydive Lake Wanaka, Air Fiordland, Canterbury Aviation, Wellington Aero Club and more recently Air Discovery. 

Here are some pictures that I have scanned into my computer from its history...

My first picture of ZK-WWH while with Whirlwide Helicopters . Photo taken at Hokitika on March 1980.

Following Whirlwide Helicopters take over by the Helicopter Line - Photo taken at Timaru on  10 December 1988

While engaged as a tourist operator - at Wanaka with Wanaka Aviation on 14 February 1992

The previous operator was Air Discovery. For a time Air Discovery was using WWH while operating the Motiti  service for Island Air but here it is seen while operating Air Discovery's transfer flights to and from Waiheke Island. Photo taken at Auckland on 9 March 2010

Caravans in the South

Patrick W has also provided some photos of Cessna Caravan's in operation around the South Island.

Salt Air's Cessna 208B Caravan ZK-MJL is making a living in the south following the  Northland operator's exit from scheduled passenger services.  It was noted arriving at Queenstown on 17 December 2012 concluding a stint with Paraparaumu based Air-2-There. 

 

Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-SKB has been around for almost seven years and flies on behalf of  Air Milford 2000 Ltd who appears to be also operating ZK-MJL. 

Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-PMT at its Pudding Hill base on parachute operations. 

Islanders in the South

Patrick W has kindly provided the following images from the first week of 2013 as he moved around the South Island.

And a couple of other southern Islanders can be found here

South East Air Ltd BN2A-26 Islander ZK-FWZ at Invercargill

Aspiring Air BN2A-26 ZK-EVO at Invercargill

Aspiring Air BN2A-26 Islander ZK-EVT at Invercargill with a power plant issue....

Milford Sound Scenic Flights BN2B-26 Islander ZK-ZQN at Milford Sound

Milford Sound Scenic Flights BN2B-26 Islander ZK-MFN at Milford Sound

Eagle Air - Index of Posts

Recording the history of Eagle Air is a long term project and I am still in the process of gathering material. I would be most grateful for any information, photos, stories you might have about Eagle Air and, after they are posted, corrections and omissions to me at westland831@gmail.com  - Thanks, Steve

Eagle Air – Complete History

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/eagle-airways-part-1-fledgling-eagle.html

Regional Histories

                                                                                   

Hokitika Service

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2012/06/to-hokitika-by-eagle-air.html

Masterton Service
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/au-revoir-masterton.html

Oamaru Service

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/01/31-december-2009-air-new-zealand-drops.html

Wanaka Service

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/final-boarding-call-for-wanaka.html

Westport Service
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/the-national-carrier-at-westport-part-4.html

Oamaru - Index of Posts

Recording the history of operators through Oamaru is a long term project and I am still in the process of gathering material. I would be most grateful for any information, photos, stories you might have about air services through Oamaru and, after they are posted, corrections and omissions to me at westland831@gmail.com - Thanks, Steve



1952 - Safe Air

The following post focuses just on the Oamaru service

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/05/eggs-can-fly-oamarus-air-freight-service.html

Safe Air's full history can be found here

https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2026/05/safe-air-our-first-freighter-airline.html

1952 - Southern Scenic Air Services

The following post focuses just on the Oamaru service
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/12/oamarus-first-passenger-air-service.html
Southern Scenic's full history can be found here
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/08/southern-scenic-and-nac-vying-for.html

1953 – South Island Airways

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/oamarus-first-christchurch-connection.html

1957 – Trans Island Airways
https://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2021/11/trans-island-airways-story-of-what.html

1965 – SPANZ

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/oamarus-1960-christmas-present-spanzs.html

1966 – Mount Cook Airlines

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/mount-cook-airlines-operating-to-oamaru.html

1972 - NAC
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/go-friendship-way-oamaru-nacs-last.html

1978 – Air New Zealand

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/farewell-to-friendship-oamarus-air-new.html

1981 – Air Timaru

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/air-timaru-friendly-line.html

1989 – Air Nelson
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/from-friendship-to-chieftain-air.html

2006 – Eagle Air

The following post focuses just on the Oamaru service 

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/01/31-december-2009-air-new-zealand-drops.html

­Eagle Air's full history can be found here

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/eagle-airways-part-1-fledgling-eagle.html

2014 - Mainland Air
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/10/mainland-air-last-airline-to-operate-to.html

Air Nelson - Index of Posts

Recording the history of Air Nelson is a long term project and I am still in the process of gathering material. I would be most grateful for any information, photos, stories you might have about Air Nelson and, after they are posted, corrections and omissions to me at westland831@gmail.com - Thanks, Steve

Air Nelson – History up to 1990

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2017/07/air-nelson-part-1-nelson-wellington.html

Hokitika Service

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/air-nelsons-hokitika-service.html

Oamaru Service

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/from-friendship-to-chieftain-air.html

Takaka Service

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/06/air-nz-announce-departure-of-flight.html

Westport Service
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/06/the-national-carrier-at-westport-part-3.html

Wanaka Yesterday

Before Air New Zealand pulls the plug on its Wanaka service I took the opportunity to do a trip down and back thanks to Grabaseat... In the few minutes between the flight being turned aound I managed to capture three new pics...

A new one for me, de Havilland Tiger Moth ZK-ALJ at Wanaka on 8 January 2013. 

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-ROK taxis in after another "meat bombing" mission. Photo taken at Wanaka on 8 January 2013.

U-Fly Wanaka's Tecnam P92 Echo ZK-TLS at Wanaka in 8 January 2013.

Dominie at Tauranga

Grayson Ottoway captured the  NZ Historic Aircraft Trust's de Havilland 89B Dominie ZK-AKU at Tauranga today, the 8th of January 2013. Interestingly I was just reading a piece in Don Stafford's Flying the Thermal Skies about this aircraft when it was operated by Rotorua Aerial Charter on its Auckland-Rotorua service... 

On 11 March (1968) the club's Dominie aircraft while over WAihi and en route to Auckland was suddenly diverted to Mount Maunganui. It was reported that weather conditions prevented the aircraft carrying on but a passenger, Mr J Killick, said the pilot diverted because he was concerned about the condition of a wing on the aged plane. He claimed that the fabric was pulling away from the frame of one wing. The aero club secretary, Mr Wright reiterated, however, that weather conditions and not the condition of the wing had caused the change in plans. He added that to ensure public confidence the aircraft was being insepcted by an engineer at Mount Maunganui but as yet no report was available. Within a day or two the report was made known and it revealed several cracked ribs on one wing which probably caused a ballooning effect on the fabric. However, the skin of fabric was not broken and repairs put the plane back in service almost at once...

It was opportune that Ian Palmer was, at this time, in the US sourcing an Aero Commander for the service. Don Stafford continues...

It was, oc course, essential that the Dominie be replaced for it was an old machine that had long since been superseded for passenger work. Apart from this the club was granted its oroginal Rotorua-Auckland licence for a period of only one year because of the age of the Dominie. With a newer aircraft the licence could be renewed (without a public hearing) for a term of seven years. The Dominie was sold to Mr D W Gray of Auckland, a real enthusiast who was to ensure that it still had a place in the aviation world.

WLG enroute to CHC

The day started off with a bit of a disaster - Paraparaumu airport and a flat battery on the camera... not the first time this has happened so I have invested in an inverter...  So I had a couple of hours at Wellington. Also went back hoping to get Vincent's Whisper jet but it was on top of descent when I needed to go and check in...

Wellington was very quite this morning when I was there...  I checked out  the  Strathmore viewing site for the first time...  I want a bigger zoom lens! On approach for Runway 34 was Eagle Air's Beech 1900 ZK-EAR. Photo taken at Wellington on 7 January 2013.  

Air New Zealand's Boeing 737-300 ZK-NGG at Wellington on 7 January 2013. 

Jetstar's Airbus 320 VH-VGU at Wellington on 7 January 2013. 

A better one of Mount Cook Airline's ATR-72-600 ZK-MVA taken at Wellington on 7 January 2013

Arriving home at Wellington was Life Flight's BAe Jetstream 32 ZK-LFW. Photo taken  at Wellington on 7 January 2013...

...while departing was Skyline Aviation's Piper Navajo ZK-LWN,  Photo taken  at Wellington on 7 January 2013...

Regular Cook Strait commuter ZK-PRM at Wellington on 7 January 2013.

Meanwhile, in Christchurch, it is cold!

Oamaru still grounded???

 

Plans to resume passenger flights out of Oamaru Airport may not go ahead, due to fears for the longevity of the proposal.    Dunedin-based Mainland Air had originally hoped to start regular passenger services between Oamaru and Christchurch in mid-January, but Mainland Air general manager Shirley Kean said the company had not been able to garner enough support from the Waitaki District Council to make the proposal viable.    ''At this stage it is on hold. We really needed council support to ensure that it was going to be a long-term service, but the council is not in a position to come up with what we were asking for.''    Mrs Kean said details of what kind of support was asked for would remain confidential. Mainland Air has already scrapped plans to fly from Dunedin to Queenstown and Christchurch in October, due to lack of demand. However, Mrs Kean said other options for the Oamaru plan would be explored. The company was ''really trying'' to make the Oamaru-Christchurch route a reality, she said. ''We haven't given up. We just need to contact a few more people to see what they can do. ''We just need a wee bit of support to make sure that it is going to stay up and running. ''We can come in tomorrow and get it up and running. But if we do that and we don't have bums on seats, it won't last, and we are not in a position to do that for Oamaru at this stage. ''If no-one can give us that level of support it won't be going ahead.''

 

Source : http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/240572/flights-may-not-go-ahead

Sunset.......

Couldn't resist posting these nice shots of Air New Zealand Link/Air Nelson Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEW with a setting sun taken at Tauranga 04 January shortly after its arrival from Wellington as NZ8570.  

ZK-NEW, the 19th Q300 in the Air Nelson fleet, was delivered to Nelson on 17 October 2007 arriving as C-FLUH from Pago Pago.  It entered into service on 28 October 2007 as NZ8388 from Nelson to Auckland. 

The Nelson based Link operator has two Q300's "based" at Tauranga to provide early flights direct to Wellington (25 per week) and Christchurch (9 per week).  In addition, the Bay of Plenty gateway airport receives Q300's on the run from/to Auckland up to 17 times per week to compliment the Eagle Air operated Beech 1900's (18 per week) and Mount Cook ATR (1 flight on a Friday evening).   Air Nelson started services from Tauranga in the last quarter of 1990 when Air NZ started to withdraw the Fokker FK27 Friendships from service and replaced them with the Air Nelson operated Saab 340A's. 

Twin Comanche ZK-ERH

Does anyone happen to have a photo of Twin Comanche ZK-ERH taken mid 1979-early 1981 or thereabouts that I can use on a post in a couple of weeks. The first photo I have or ERH was taken mid 1990s.

Many thanks

Steve
westland831@gmail.com

New Year, New Direction for 3rd Level NZ

Happy New Year to all the followers and visitors at 3rd Level New Zealand...

 

It is hard to believe that I have been doing this blog for three years... I started the blog in December 2009 and since then there have been over 1000 posts. From the 25th of April 2010 I have posted an airline profile or history every Sunday morning (though there were airline profiles done before that on an "unscheduled" basis). In addition I have tried to keep abreast of the local airline scene with news posts of what is happening with all New Zealand's airlines big and small. I've also posted what I am photographing and what I have photographed in the past.

 

During this time I've met some great people and have received some good feedback via email. I am grateful to Mike Condon who has posted on my blog and for those who have given me information or pics to post... this has made life a while lot easier. Also, a big thanks to Bruce Gavin, Dave Paull, Ian Coates and Bob Kerr who have filled in a lot of historical gaps.

 

However, looking back to the year that has been and to the year ahead I have come to realise that with the other things in my life the blog has been consuming too much of my time and I need to cut back on it... So this year, unfortunately, the posts will not be so frequent. It is my intention to always have an airline profile on the second Sunday of each month and probably a second post in  the weeks between.  

 

I am, as always, grateful for any information, comments, corrections or pics as this all helps keep a record of the New Zealand airline scene.

 

Steve - westland831@gmail.com