Air Chathams to Kapiti, 20/8/2018

[delticman]

Air Chathams starting Kapiti services in August, similar timings to Wanganui and Whakatane, (three return flights per weekday) and weekends using the SF340B.

[thomarse]

I wondered if they might have made some of the flights a "cream run" PP - WU - AA and reverse. I wouldn't have thought the mid-morning one would have upset the punters too much

Would've been great fun for the enthusiasts, like the B1900 WN - WU - AP used to be

[Dave Homewood]

Paul Harrison sent this through today from the Dominion Post:

[isc]

I think if they put the DC-3 on the run, there might not be enough room for the locals, it would be all overseas tourists, they would love it. isc

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I'd be more inclined to believe that photograph was simply the result of a lazy reporter using google to find a picture of an Air Chathams aeroplane.

Well that's what I thought when I saw the photograph in the print edition of the newspaper this morning.

[planewriting]

Well if they did put AWP on the fun then it had better get back to Tauranga quickly on a Friday night! What I am really saying is that AWP is set to resume its summer scenics from Classic Flyers:

The following bulletin (in part) has been issued

"Scenic Flights over the Bay of Plenty are back for the Summer
Last season over 1000 people treated themselves to a good old fashioned luxury 30 minute scenic flight over Tauranga.
We invite you to enjoy that same experience this summer and view some new destinations
Max 28 passengers per flight!
So tickets will be limited each day.
Flights depart Classic Flyers with up to 3 flights each day starting at 11.45 am, followed by one at 1.00pm and then finally at 2.15pm.

COST - $99 per person (adult or child)
10% Family Discount (2 x adults & 2 x kids travelling together)

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th November
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th November
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December
Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th December
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th December
Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th January
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th January
Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th January
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd February
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th February

HIGHLIGHTS & INCLUSIONS

Depending upon the weather and local conditions on the day, the aircraft may stretch its wings to different destinations in the Bay of Plenty such as the Rotorua Lakes or Hobbiton views over the Waikato - these will be announced at the pilot briefing before each flight.
All passengers get free entry to the Classic Flyers museum before and after the flight.
A range of DC-3 gifts to remember your flight can be brought from the Museum Gift Shop.
Make an event of your flight by enjoying a meal or a drink the AvGas cafe & Bar with friends and family.
WHITE ISLAND SPECIAL EXCURSIONS

We will also be scheduling a number of special White Island scenic excursions again this summer. These were very popular and advance bookings will be required to secure your seat.

WHY NOT CHARTER THE DC-3 FOR A PRIVATE FUNCTION?

A scenic flight in the DC-3 is a great way for any boss to show his appreciation to his employees for a job well done during the year. We can put together a special flight and meal package at Classic Flyers, that would truly make a memorable day."

[TS]

Time for a DC6 I reckon...

[tbf25o4]

I emailed the journalist of the article shown above and politely pointed out to her that while the DC-3 is a marvelous aeroplane and was the type that established the Auckland/Paraparaumu
service in 1945, it would take twice as long on each leg than the SAAB340 and with a capacity of 28 seats would leave 8 disgruntled passengers (34 on a SAAB) missing out on each leg.
As observed Journo's are getting lazier in their research and knowledge of aviation

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Jul 4, 2018 9:28:56 GMT 12 TS said:

Time for a DC6 I reckon...

Even a DC-4 would be fun, and probably cost a lot less to run than a DC-6.

[planewriting]

By my calculations 2 DC-3s would be best. Thinking back to my school days, and if my memory serves me right, if 2 x 3 = 6 then 2 x DC-3 = DC-6

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Jul 4, 2018 13:15:30 GMT 12 planewriting said:

By my calculations 2 DC-3s would be best. Thinking back to my school days, and if my memory serves me right, if 2 x 3 = 6 then 2 x DC-3 = DC-6

Well....if the Israelis hadn't stolen the last airworthy DC-5 (which was on the Australian civil register) for their air force (yep....they literally nicked it from an Italian airport), then Air Chathams could have acquired that. Imagine the aviation enthusiasts who would have attracted from overseas to take a scheduled airline flight in a DC-5. They'd be booked out years ahead. And....I guarantee the average journalist wouldn't even have a clue what a DC-5 looks like.

[Peter Lewis]

Anyone know what is happening (or what has happened) to the Chats SF340A that was registered as ZK-CIY back in January?
It arrived as N135GU.
I have never seen it, and there appears to be no trace of it on FlightAware.

[joey05]

I saw it at the Air Chathams hangar in mid May, still all white and still with N rego.

[planewriting]

Sept 6, 2018 0:09:04 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

Anyone know what is happening (or what has happened) to the Chats SF340A that was registered as ZK-CIY back in January?
It arrived as N135GU.
I have never seen it, and there appears to be no trace of it on FlightAware.

Hi Peter
I followed this up with Duane Emeny just now who replied, "ZKCIY will undergo C of A on 25th Sep and should be operational after that." 


From that it should be only a matter of time and it will be out and about for photography.

[Peter Lewis]

Yup, SAAB ZK-CIY is now outside now and then.

[pjw4118]

I have flown to Kapiti a couple of times lately and its been CIZ , quite an old aircraft.