Boxing Day passing through Rotorua

Swiss-registered Bombardier Global 5000 HB-JRS at Rotorua on 26 December 2016 

Volcanic Air's Aerospatiale Squirrel at Rotorua on 26 December 2016

Happy Christmas

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

to

all 

readers 

of 

3rd Level New Zealand

EHS goes to new operator

Cessna 402 ZK-EHS was brought into New Zealand for Air Central... It is seen here with Air Central at Napier in November 1977...

...over Hawkes Bay on 30 June 1979...

and at New Plymouth on 30 November 1979.

EHS was then used by Eagle Air as seen here at Palmerston North on  18 May 1984

I next photographed EHS at Napier on 20 February 1985

Jensen Air introduced a non-scheduled service between Auckland and Tauranga in 1986. EHS is seen with Jensen Air titles at Tauranga on 1 September 1987

Later it was used by Pacifica Air. Photograph taken at Nelson in April 1988 

The last airline operation it was used on with Sunair. Photographed at Tauranga on 30 December 1989

It was looking rather derelict at Ardmore on 1 October 2012

ZK-EHS now flies with Gardens Air in a play centre in South Auckland training a new generation of airline pilots.

Tekapo Visit

The final post from Matthew's road trip...

Heading south, Air Safari's Robinson R44 ZK-HCO at Tekapo on 18 November 2016

Heading north, Gippsland Airvan ZK-SAU was at Tekapo on 20 November 2016...

...as was Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-SRI...

and the new model Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX ZK-SRX

Cromwell and Wanaka Visit

Continuing Matthew's road trip...

Heliview Taranaki's MDHC 600N ZK-IHI at Cromwell on 18 November 2016

Bushworks' Hughes 300 ZK-HLT at Wanaka on 18 November 2016

And from the Southern Alps Air stable, above Cessna 207 ZK-FQY and below their latest addition Gippsland Airvan ZK-MLF. Both taken at Wanaka on 18 November 2016

Queenstown Visit

Thanks to Matthew Beaven who sent me these pics from a Queenstown road trip last month... I think I need to take my car down south again!

The Helicopter Line's Aerospatiale Squirrel ZK-HUC at Queenstown on 18 November 2016

Southern Lakes Helicopters BK117 ZK-IMX at Queenstown on 18 November 2016

A couple of Milford Sound Flights' newer aircraft, Gippsland Airvan ZK-MCZ (above) and Cessna Grand Caravan ZK-MSF (below) at Queenstown on 18 November 2016...

...and some of their older aircraft, Ex Mount Cook Airlines' BN Islanders ZK-MCE, DBV and MCD at Queenstown on 18 November 2016

On 19 November 2016 Alpine Helicopters' Aerospatiale Squirrel ZK-HAA was at Queenstown

and BN Islander ZK-MCD was still covered up

An opportunity...

Air New Zealand has dropped its direct flights between Auckland and Norfolk Island because of declining passenger numbers. The flights will cease in May 2017, but passengers will still be able to fly to Norfolk Island with the carrier using connections through Sydney and Brisbane. "The Auckland-Norfolk Island route is not commercially sustainable so it makes sense to focus our operations out of Australia, where there's good potential," general manager networks Richard Thomson said. Air New Zealand said the small number of customers holding bookings on the Auckland-Norfolk Island flight after May 2017 could instead travel there via Australia, put their fare towards another destination or get a full refund. The airline's flights to Norfolk Island will continue to leave from Sydney twice a week and Brisbane once a week. During the peak season from September to April, five flights per week will leave.

Source : http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/air-nz-drops-direct-flights-to-norfolk-island/

More on Sunair

Tauranga airline Sunair will be returning to the skies after the Civil Aviation Authority reissued their air operator certificate. Last Friday SunLive reported the airline had been grounded for 10 days following a complaint. We can now report the complaint came from CAA itself. Sunair co-owner Dan Power says during a routine audit, the CAA became concerned the company's senior team was too small for the size of the business. “They had concerns around our management structure as not being adequate for the size and complexity of the business. I addressed that, and they're accepting of the fix.” He says it was not difficult to get the certificate reissued, although roughly thirty flights had to be cancelled during the period the airline was grounded. “Hopefully the week's suspension hasn't affected our customer base to any extent. “We provide essential services to remote areas, which no one else does. So it has had an effect on the travelling public in those areas.” Dan emphasises there were no other issues for the CAA regarding Sunair. “It needs to be made clear there were no concerns from the regulator about the proficiency of our flight crew or the air-worthiness of the aeroplanes. There weren't aeroplanes flying around prior to the shutdown that were not up to standard.” He says the company is now looking forward to returning to normal service. “The future is bright; we're busier than ever.”

Source : http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/142852-sunair-flying-again.html

Sunair Cleared for Take Off

This from Sunair's Facebook page

SUNAIR ARE BACK ! Yes, you read right......as of Friday 16th December we are back in business. We would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of our colleagues, passengers, friends and family from near and far who have given and offered their support and kind words to Sunair through this difficult time - it is most appreciated.

All flights from Friday are back to normal and our booking system is back online. We look forward to seeing everybody on our flights and would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.

Glad to see you guys back in the air again!

FlyStark expanding

Whitianga's very own airline, FlyStark, is expanding. Their second Gippsland GA8 Airvan ZK-FSS arrived at Whitianga Airport for the first time on the 6th of December 2016. The aircraft, which was previously owned by Tekapo-based Air Safaris as ZK-SAF, is in full FlyStark colours.

Currently being built at Whitianga airport is a hangar for FlyStark.

FlyStark's Cessna 172 ZK-CWD at Whitianga with the new hangar under construction behind. Photo : FlyStark

For more on FlyStark see http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/11/flystark-little-boutique-airline.html

Sunair Grounded

Tauranga airline Sunair has been grounded for 10 days after a complaint was made to the Civil Aviation Authority. The nature of the complaint is not known at this stage. Sunair co-owner Bev Power says she is unable to go into details at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. “We are working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority to satisfy their concerns. The CEO has gone to Wellington today to attend meetings this afternoon. “It's our view, and the view of other experienced people in the industry, the suspension of the certificate is an over-reaction to the matters being considered. The proficiency of the company's flight crew and the air worthiness of the aeroplane fleet is not in question. “It's our hope, and belief, that our airline operation will be back flying shortly.” In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority says the Director of Civil Aviation has suspended Sunair Aviation Ltd's Air Operator Certificate, effective from December 6, due to serious concerns about the safety of Sunair's operation. “The suspension is an initial 10 days suspension, however, it remains in force if the safety issues are not addressed to the satisfaction of the Director of Civil Aviation.” The actions follows the launch of a Section 15 A investigation, which is ongoing. “The Sunair AOC has been suspended under section 17 of the Civil Aviation Act because this operator poses an imminent and unacceptable risk to public safety. “The suspension will result in disruption to public travel but other flight options are available on the main routes flown by Sunair. Travel to places such as Motiti Island may be affected in the short term, but it is possible another operator may fly these routes in future.” The Authority says the suspension of Sunair's AOC is ongoing until the operator addresses the concerns that have been raised as a result of the investigation. 

Source : http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/142378-tauranga-airline-grounded.html

Interesting comment on Breakfast this morning :
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tauranga-based-airline-grounded-civil-aviation-authority-over-serious-safety-concerns

Air Milford to offer Queenstown-Te Anau flights

Air Milford has announced it will begin weekly scheduled flights between Te Anau and Queenstown next year 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," he said. "My father, Hank (Air Milford CEO), worked for Mt Cook Airline for 30 years so knows the pros and cons of this connection intimately.' 'The tourism scene has never been busier in Queenstown or Te Anau. If Mt Cook Airline could justify 44-seat aircraft, then we should have no trouble filling our four-to-12 seat machines.' Air Milford operates a fleet of five aircraft including three Cessna Caravans, the latest of which was flown to New Zealand, brand new from the Cessna Factory in USA, by Air Milford's Chief Pilot in January this year Mr Sproull said a feasibility study into the proposed service highlighted increasing frustrations with the road trip which used to be travelled comfortably in under two hours but with increased traffic and congestion at the Kawarau Bridge often took significantly longer. Flying between the two locations took 25 minutes and those planning onward flights would also save on airport parking fees. To launch the new service, an open day is planned at Te Anau Manapouri Airport between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday December 17. Fiordland locals can enjoy scenic flights in the new Cessna Caravan in return for a donation to a local charity, while children fly free with accompanying adults. 

Source : Advocate South, 8 December 2016

Filling the Gap

Sounds Air will offer more flights between Blenheim and Christchurch this Christmas as travellers look skyward to save themselves time on the long inland bypass. The collection of highways connecting Christchurch and Blenheim through the Lewis Pass has become the defacto main route following the closure of parts of State Highway 1. But the added distance, an extra 150 kilometres, combined with the amount of heavy vehicles using the road has made flying an attractive option for Christmas travellers. Marlborough airline Sounds Air is the only company offering direct flights between Blenheim and Christchurch, after the national carrier, Air New Zealand, pulled out of the route earlier this year. Managing director Andrew Crawford said the airline planned to offer about 20 more flights over the Christmas period, in addition to its scheduled morning and afternoon return options. "Usually I would expect the Blenheim-Christchurch route to die down over Christmas because it's predominantly a business sector," Crawford said. "But I think we're seeing more people, holidaymakers, that are going, 'we just don't want to drive'. "We're providing a 45-minute alternative to an eight-hour drive." Crawford said demand for the service was likely to continue as long as SH1 remained out of action, with the company also extending its flights in and out of Kaikoura. Sounds Air had committed to offering the service, between Blenheim, Kaikoura and Christchurch, until January 10 and would review its decision before Christmas. The only road access in and out of Kaikoura was on the Inland Rd, which was still limited, so Crawford said he expected demand to continue for some time, especially on the Blenheim-Kaikoura sector. Landing fees on its Kaikoura flights had been waived for two months by both Christchurch and Marlborough airports, as well as Airways New Zealand fees, which helped keep prices down, Crawford said. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the airline was conscious of the impact of the earthquakes and was liaising with the Government around recovery efforts. However, she said they had no plans to re-instate direct Blenheim-Christchurch flights, which were cancelled earlier this year due to a lack of demand. A Jetstar spokesman said the airline had not investigated flying between Nelson, or Blenheim, to Christchurch and had no plans to enter into new routes.

Source : http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/87195215/sounds-air-offers-additonal-christmas-flights-as-travellers-look-to-avoid-inland-bypass, 5 December 2016

Air Chathams' Latest Convair...

Spotted at Auckland today, 2 December 2016, was Air Chatham's 'newest' Convair 580 ZK-KFL. The ex-Air Freight (NZ) Convair remains in all freighter configuration

What I SAW today

On the walk out to my gate I passed Sounds's Air Cessna 208 Grand Caravan ZK-SAW which had just arrived from Picton. Photo taken at Wellington on 1 December 2016 

The Taupo plane, Sounds's Air Pilatus PC12 ZK-PLT. Photo taken at Wellington on 1 December 2016 

The Westport plane, Sounds's Air Pilatus PC12 ZK-PLT. Photo taken at Wellington on 1 December 2016

Grrrrr frustration... I was there early enough to walk down and get a reasonable photo of Air Chatham's Convair 580 ZK-KFL so a desperate shot as I boarded. And to add salt to the wound we pushed back right beside it and I was on the wrong side... Grrrrrrrrr! Photo taken at Wellington on 1 December 2016 

Back in Hamilton Pacific Aerospace 750XL left on what I presume is its delivery flight. Photo taken at Hamilton on 1 December 2016

And yesterday I took Kiwi Air's Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-FNZ. Photo taken at Hamilton on 30 November 2016