3rd Level New Zealand

13 November 2019

Black Sands Fly In

On Saturday 9 February 2019 I got to spend 90 minutes at the Black Sands fly in at Raglan... Unfortunately the weather forecast scared a lot of aircraft away on what turned out to be a beautiful day... Nonetheless a few new ones for me... It was also great to catch up with a few other spotters there...

Auster J5Q ZK-BLW

In a new colour scheme that I hadn't seen, Tecnam P92 Echo ZK-CDL

Piper Cherokee 140 ZK-DOQ

Cessna 172 ZK-EOF

Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200 ZK-LPI

Tecnam P2002 Sierra RG ZK-MEG

Jodel D11 ZK-MMB

Tecnam Astore ZK-MSV

Vans RV-8 ZK-PDN

The first new one for me, Maule MXT-7-180A ZK-RLT

Another new one was Sonex Aircraft LLC Sonex ZK-SXR

Vans RV-12 ZK-TFP

Pazmany PL-2 ZK-TLP

Corby CJ 1 Starlet ZK-TNT

Tecnam P92 Eaglet ZK-TNZ

Yakovlev Yak-52 ZK-TYS

De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk 22 ZK-UAS

Another new one for me was Aeroprakt A-32 ZK-WCB

Vans RV-8 ZK-WLK

Yakovlev Yak-52 ZK-YAK

Tecnam P2002 Sierra RG ZK-ZZT

12 November 2019

Ramping up Regional Services

Air New Zealand is adding hundreds more regional flights to its schedule at the start of 2020 following the withdrawal of Jetstar's regional services. The airline will operate 586 additional one-way flights from January to March on services it operates between Auckland and Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson and Palmerston North, as well as between Nelson and Wellington. The added capacity comes following an Air New Zealand announcement in late October that it would be adding 253 one-way services on the same routes in December, reflecting an increase of more than 15,500 extra seats. Air New Zealand said the added capacity was in response to rival Jetstar's decision to cease its regional services in New Zealand at the end of November 2019. Air New Zealand acting chief executive Jeff McDowall said the airline had been looking at ways to utilise its turboprop aircraft and crew to support routes impacted by Jetstar's withdrawal. "These additional services reflect an increase of nearly 50,000 extra seats to and from regional New Zealand from December through to the end of March." Air New Zealand is also assisting affected Jetstar customers with a special fare. Eligible customers can email jqsupport@airnz.co.nz with proof of their affected Jetstar ticket. Jetstar began servicing regional centres in December 2015 and offered up to 130 return services a week during the peak season across five routes – Auckland and Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North and flights between Nelson and Wellington. But on in September the low cost carrier announced it was stopping its regional Q300 turboprop services due to the operation losing money, combined with higher costs and a softening of the regional travel market.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/117356855/air-new-zealand-adds-further-capacity-to-regions-following-jetstars-withdrawl

Gisborne last week...

The construction of the new airport terminal at Gisborne has made it a plane spotter's nightmare at present. The only shots I could get were through the window of Sunair's Aztecs

Air Napier's Piper Cherokee 6 ZK-ELK back tracks for departure on the courier run to Napier at Gisborne on 6 November 2019

Farmer's Air's Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JBC had landed on the grass and was crossing the main runway to its base at Gisborne on 6 November 2019

Cessna 206 ZK-MAF taxis in at Gisborne on 7 November 2019

Air Nelson Bombardier Q300 ZK-NER taxis out at Gisborne on 7 November 2019

Air Nelson Bombardier Q300 ZK-NET taxis in at Gisborne on 7 November 2019

11 November 2019

Saab Services for Whakatāne

Air Chathams has announced the introduction of a SAAB 340 for its flights between Auckland and Whakatāne. The regional airline says demand is continuing to grow for air travel to and from the eastern Bay of Plenty town. The new SAAB can carry up to 34 more passengers than the aircraft that is currently being used on the route, which is a Fairchild Metroliner. Air Chathams will also have a flight attendant onboard serving tea, coffee and Tim Tams. "We're really excited to begin bringing the SAAB to Whakatāne," says Duane Emeny, Air Chathams' general manager. "We know our regular fliers will appreciate the extra comforts provided and this will give us some flexibility across the service, where other flights exceed the Metroliner capacity. We hope to be able to offer the SAAB service more permanently in the future." Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner says the SAAB service will help to boost visitor numbers to the Whakatāne District, just in time for the busy summer season. "This is great news for our District, and will be beneficial for locals and visitors alike," says Mayor Turner. "We're grateful that our investment into the airport is being supported by Air Chathams, and the SAAB service is a great example of the airline's commitment to the Whakatāne District." The first flights begin on the November 29.

Source : https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2019/11/air-chathams-introducing-new-bigger-aircraft-on-whakatane-service.html

The Saab will operate the Friday afternoon flights from Auckland to Whakatāne at 3.15pm and 6.35pm and the Whakatāne to Auckland Friday afternoon service at 4.45pm. It will also operate the Saturday morning 8.00am flight from Whakatāne to Auckland. On Sundays the Saab will operate from Auckland to Whakatāne at 11.00am and 6.15pm, and from Whakatāne to Auckland at 4.45pm. On Mondays the Saab will operate the morning flight from Whakatāne to Auckland at 6.45am.

Sunair 41 and 22

Last week I had my first opportunity to use the Sunair service between Hamilton and Gisborne since it was reinstated. The service is offered twice a day on weekdays... Unfortunately it was a couple of gray dreary days and not for photography until the latter part of the return flight...

SAV 41 from Hamilton to Gisborne