3rd Level New Zealand

17 November 2020

More from Whakatāne

More from at Whakatāne on 15 November 2020

Piper Tomahawk ZK-COP on the taxi for departure

SG Aviation Storm 300 ZK-COW arrives at Whakatāne

Quad City Challenger ZK-CWX had been flying locally.

Robinson R44 Raven ZK-IGK had overnighted

East Bay Aviation's Cessna 206 ZK-JCS had been on a scenic

Cessna 172 ZK-JKA had also overnighted

Cirrus Design SR22 ZK-LDY went out for some circuits

SG Aviation Storm 300 ZK-OCW had been out for a local

The Colours of POF

Air Chathams' first Fairchild SA227-CC Metro 23, ZK-POF has been repainted back into Air Chathams' full colour scheme as shown immediately below. What follows is a look at POF through the years...

And just reposting about the Metro 23 from Wikipedia... improvements beyond the Metro III provided better systems, more power and a further increase in takeoff weight. This design effort resulted in the SA227 CC (for Commuter Category) and SA227-DC models, initially called the Metro IV then renamed Metro 23, so named as they were designed for certification under FAR Part 23 (Amendment 34) standards. The SA227-CC was an interim model with TPE331-11U engines and only five were built.

Metro 23 ZK-POF in full Air Chathams' colour scheme

The Metro 23s ZK-POE and ZK-POF were originally imported for AIrwork's contract with NZ Post. Fairchild Metro 23 ZK-POF in full NZ Post colours at Auckland on 27 November 1996

From the 31st of May 199 Origin Pacific entering a strategic alliance with Airwork NZ Ltd. This enabled Origin to utilise Airwork’s Fairchild Metroliner 23 aircraft, ZK-POE and POF during the day time. Fairchild Metroliner 23 ZK-POF taxis in at New Plymouth in full Origin Pacific colours on 18 October 1999

Stipped of Origin Pacific titles and logo but still in their colours but back with Airwork doing NZ Post flights, ZK-POF at Christchurch on 24 February 2005

Still with Airwork doing NZ Post flights but now all white, Fairchild Metro 23 ZK-POF at Auckland on 2 October 2014

Airwork's Fairchild Metro 23s were withdrawn from service on the 19th of January 2017 and eventually picked up by Air Chathams. Only ZK-POF has flown since then and it is seen here at Whakatane on 1 September 2018.

Still in the white scheme but carrying Air Chathams' titles, Metro 23 ZK-POF at Whakatāne on 7 September 2019.

16 November 2020

Sunair Update

Registered to Sunair this month was Cessna 172M ZK-DXO (c/n 17265417). Sunair currently are operating Cessna 172s ZK-CBZ and ZK-DPN.

Sunair have also published their summer timetable...

The new timetable, effective 16 November 2020

The previous timetable, effective 20 April 2020

Sadly I can't see myself using Sunair to Gisborne any time soon.

Black Sands 2020

After a morning meeting I got to the Black Sands Fly in at Te Kowhai at lunch time on 14 November 2020... Good to catch up with some other spotters too...