Kiwi On Air

Day 54 - New Plymouth and coastal - 16/01/13

Aerokiwi — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:47:08 GMT

Here it is, with weather and imminent travel plans, it’s my last day for flying. This time under some cloud cover I took a run up the coast as far as Awakino, then turned back to New Plymouth. The plane was the very nice Cessna 172 from the NP Aero Club.

Pictured, is Mokau; and some tasty traditional lunch afterwards in Pukekura Park. Goodbye for now NZ – I will be back!

PIC 1.0 hours, NP – Awakino.

Day 53 - Tauranga orientation - 07/01/13

Aerokiwi — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:16:13 GMT

Ah Mount Maunganui, my old friend. At last a chance to get back in the air near familiar territory. Just a brief run today, a few circuits to get familiar. And unfortunately, it turns out the only chance for an East coast run.

PIC 0.6, TG circuits

Day 52 - More New Plymouth circuits - 27/12/12

Aerokiwi — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 05:00:13 GMT

Ho ho ho.. Christmas has now been and gone. Unfortunately I had been suffering from a cold so couldn’t fly, while many great weather flying days passed me by. This time I took the 152 up for a fairly brief run in the NP control zone. Beautiful sunny weather but a bit blustery wind conditions.

Pictured are the 152 – a scheduled Air NZ flight getting in the way – and a view from above of the Motonui methanol plant.

PIC 0.9 hours, New Plymouth local.

Day 51 - Taranaki circuits - 20/12/12

Aerokiwi — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:21:37 GMT

Finally, after 10 months, back in the pilots’ seat, this time in a Cessna 152. A beautiful sunny day in the skies over New Plymouth, with great views.
Not much adventuring today, just circuits, and reorientation of the aircraft and aerodrome. The aero club are saying they have much more availability this year so given some decent weather I hope to get some good flying sessions in while I am here.
Dual 0.8 hours, NP circuits.

Day 50 - North Island cruise - 11/02/12

Aerokiwi — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:43:59 GMT

At last, I have managed to get a plane booked for a bit of recreational flying. I left New Plymouth and headed inland East to Taumarunui, then Northwest crossing some great countryside. I emerged on the coast at a small town called Marokopa.
I then turned South and back down the West coast, back to New Plymouth. The pictures say it all, a great day out. This is what it’s all about. Sadly the last chance to fly until next time I am in NZ! Back to the frozen northern hemisphere tomorrow. Where’s that travel agent…
Technical: Pilot in cmd 2.0 hrs, NP-TM-NP

Day 49 - License Renewal Part 2 - 30/1/12

Aerokiwi — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:36:03 GMT

The Biannual Flight Review is complete and I am set for another two years. Great flying weather, circuits, low flying, steep turns, forced landings without power. A bit of paperwork and review, and it’s done!
Pictured we see a returning “dead stick” pilot, who is, of course not dead. They have just done a real turn off of the engine, cool! And rush hour on the apron, two commercial planes at once.
Technical: Dual 1.o hours BFR.

Day 48 - License renewal part 1 - 26/1/12

Aerokiwi — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:21:58 GMT

Some more paperwork for the license renewal, or Biannual Flight Review.

Today I completed a large part of the BFR, flight testing exercises over the Motonui sector of the New Plymouth zone. More nice weather! Unfortunately the next part, hopefully leading to completion, is not till Monday.

Technical: Dual 1.3 hours, BFR

Day 47 - New Plymouth circuits

Aerokiwi — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:43:49 GMT

Back in the air at last. After a year of flying cold turkey it was great to get behind the column of the Cessna 172 at the NP Aero club.

There are light winds and clear skies today. I have enjoyed a few circuits, to get back into the swing of things. With luck more flying tomorrow.

Technical: Dual 0.7, local flying.

Day 44 - Testing at Tauranga 172 - 04/01/11

Aerokiwi — Sun, 01 May 2011 03:44:00 GMT

We’re now on the East coast after driving over from Taranaki. It’s time to find a plane to borrow! After wandering the airport my roads led to the Tauranga Aero Club, otherwise known as Air Discovery.

I jump into their 172 with one of the instructors, with Beth in the back seat, looking forward to her first ride with me as the pilot! We take off, do a little bit of cruising over Matakana Island, then two circuits before returning it for a landing.

Yes.. yes.. not bad.. it has two wings, a couple of wheels, four seats, a go button, I think it will do nicely. So now I am ready to go for some cruisin’ with a local plane, tomorrow could be the day.

Technical: Dual 0.7, local flying.

Day 46 - Patea Dam and Mountain - 11/01/11

Aerokiwi — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:13:38 GMT

Another super-sunny day in Taranaki, with spectacular views in all directions. Departure was in the morning taking a Southern track to Patea dam and back to Mount Egmont for a summit orbit.

Next down the ranges and approach taking in Oakura and New Plymouth city views. I am returning to the Northern hemisphere tomorrow so this could be my last flight for a while.. I will miss it!

Technical: Pilot in cmd 1.6 hrs, NP-HA-NP

Day 46 - Round the mountain - 10/01/11

Aerokiwi — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:30:47 GMT

It was a beautiful day in the ‘Naki, perfect for a trip “around the mountain”. Mother, father and daughter were enlisted for this scenic event!

We set off around 4:30pm, headed South towards Inglewood then gained some height up to 9,000ft, and circled West under Mount Egmont, descending over Okato and Oakura before coming in over the city. Great views!

Technical: Pilot in cmd 1.0 hrs, NP-Egmont-NP

Day 45 - Cruise up the East coast - 06/01/11

Aerokiwi — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 04:56:25 GMT

We had the Portuguese visitors touch down last night on the East Coast. The very next day it was looking like it was going to be the best weather of their three days in town so I booked the 172 and we made our way to Mount Maunganui.

Me, Mark and Nuno took off from Tauranga airport and made our way North tracking the coast as far as Pauanui then turned around for a Southbound return, this time with the passengers facing inland for prime photographic opportunities! These thumbnails are but a few of the many dozens of photos in the library.

We headed back to the aero club for a 1700 return. Great weather and views throughout!

Technical: Pilot In Cmd 1.3 hours, TG-UN-TG

Day 45 - Cruise up Coramandel Peninsula - 06/01/11

Aerokiwi — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 02:44:00 GMT

We headed back to the aero club for a 1700 return. Great weather and views throughout!

Technical: Pilot In Cmd 1.3 hours, TG-UN-TG

Day 44 - Testing a 172 at Tauranga - 04/01/11

Aerokiwi — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 23:03:57 GMT

Technical: Dual 0.7, local flying.

Day 43 - Cessna 172 type rating - 31/12/10

Aerokiwi — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 06:14:50 GMT

Another sunny day in New Plymouth. Being keen to get under way, I make a morning arrival to start on the Cessna 172 rating. This is the four-seater version, the most common passenger bus around.

First up was some ground work reviewing facts and figures, followed by higher flight work, stalls, turns etc. A second flight followed after lunch with circuit work. Then after finding some crash-test dummy volunteers, futher flying for a third set laden down in max weight configuration.

It’s a nice plane to fly.. now I am rated on it, the next trick will be to try and find myself a spare that I can rent, so I can finally start on some scenic flights. It won’t be happening in the next couple of days though. Everyone is having some time off. Happy New Year!

Technical: Dual 2.5, type rating