Flying NZ National Champs news article

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The 2008 Flying New Zealand National Championships took to the skies over Richard Pearse Airport yesterday.

The three day event features more than 100 competitors who are the winners from the country's five area rallies held at the end of last year.

The South Canterbury Aero Club last hosted the national championships in 1990 which was also the last display of the RNZAF kiwi red planes.

Nine South Canterbury aviators will be on show during the competition with South Canterbury Aero Club hoping for some good results.

"We are hoping for the home ground advantage," club president John Scott said.

Yesterday's action included an aerobatics competition as well as the wildcard competitions in which any pilot could enter.

Canterbury Aero Club's Sue Grundy took out the wildcard circuit and landing competition and Southland's Wayne Matheson won the forced landing competition, so the duo will now take part alongside the other regional winners in today's main competitions.

Overall the event features 24 different competitions.

The Trans-Tasman Wings Trophy will see the four best New Zealand pilots take on the Aussies and the premier teams trophy, The Wigram Cup, will cover four categories -- junior and senior landing, non instrument circuit and instrument flying.

The event will conclude with an awards presentation dinner on Saturday evening at the Greyway Lounge.

South Canterbury competitors in the championships are Tony Page, Ian Hart, Di Pearce, Jess Lindsay, Na'ama Gueta, Bob Greer, Peter McCaskill, Nick Wyngarten, Matthew McTague and Andrew Stewart

www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/timaruherald/4391943a6571.html

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Flying champs offer an aviation treat
The Timaru Herald | Monday, 11 February 2008

A rare sight was seen in Timaru skies over the weekend.


A 1968 Chinese Nan Chang CJ6, flown by Auckland man Mark Menzies, took part in the acrobatic section of the 2008 Flying New Zealand National Championships held at the Richard Pearse Airport.

It is the first time Mr Menzies has competed in the section.

"But it's my fourth time in the national competitions and my first time competing in this particular aircraft," he said.

"This particular aircraft" is a very rare plane, owned by a syndicate of five members, Mr Menzies included.

"One of the owners lives in the UK and the rest live in New Zealand, but I probably fly it the most."

The Chinese Nan Chang CJ6 is a warbird aeroplane making it a very unusual vessel for the national competitions, he said.

"It was used primarily by the People's Liberation Army Airforce as a military training vehicle."

It was imported to Australia from China a number of years ago by an Australian company.

"As it's an 01 it's the very first aircraft of its type and the first aircraft to be registered on the Western Civil Aircraft Register."

Eighteen years ago it was purchased by a New Zealander who owned and operated it before selling it to the syndicate.

"I decided to buy a share because I thought it was a fantastic aircraft."

The plane is valued at $144,000 and Mr Menzies paid $24,000 for his share in the syndicate.

"But it has been money very well spent."

The plane is very versatile and great for touring, he said.

"I flew it from Auckland to Timaru to take part in the competitions.

"It certainly attracted some attention," he said, with a laugh.

While unplaced in the acrobatic section Mr Menzies is looking to the future.

"I'm still a newbie in that section.

"You have to start at the bottom."



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