Post by vgp on Oct 4, 2008 21:01:30 GMT 12
Mighty Hercules' manoeuvres create a buzz
By Cassandra Pokoney - The Southland Times | Saturday, 04 October 2008
Invercargill residents have been given an airborne thrill for the second time in a week, after a Royal New Zealand Air Force C130 Hercules dropped in on the city.
The giant plane, which is based at the Whenuapai Air Base, near Auckland, landed in Invercargill on Tuesday.
It is the second military aircraft to land in Invercargill in five days, with an Orion having visited Invercargill last Friday to refuel and carry out training exercises.
Flying Officer Matt Ferris, formerly of Invercargill, said the Hercules heavy transport and its crew were in the south for routine training exercises, including landings and takeoffs, and parachute drops.
Standard training circuits were flown around the city yesterday, while parachute drops to the north of the city were planned for last night, he said.
The plane, which can carry up to 92 troops but yesterday had only eight personnel aboard created a stir when it buzzed the city repeatedly yesterday morning.
Concerned residents said they felt the plane was flying too low, creating too much noise, and too much air pollution. One man said he could see the pilot's face from his Rosedale house as it flew overhead.
"(They were) flying too low over residential areas," he said.
However, Flying Officer Ferris said the plane was required to adhere to Civil Aviation Authority regulations and had done so.
With four beefy engines, the Hercules was much louder on approach than civilian aircraft, and often drew criticism, he said. The plane was expected to head home today or tomorrow.
Photo located on this link:
www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/4714184a6568.html
Caption:DAVID AND GOLIATH: A Southern Wings twin-engine Piper Seneca is dwarfed by an air force Hercules at Invercargill Airport yesterday.The Hercules has been in southern skies this week on training exercises.
people.
By Cassandra Pokoney - The Southland Times | Saturday, 04 October 2008
Invercargill residents have been given an airborne thrill for the second time in a week, after a Royal New Zealand Air Force C130 Hercules dropped in on the city.
The giant plane, which is based at the Whenuapai Air Base, near Auckland, landed in Invercargill on Tuesday.
It is the second military aircraft to land in Invercargill in five days, with an Orion having visited Invercargill last Friday to refuel and carry out training exercises.
Flying Officer Matt Ferris, formerly of Invercargill, said the Hercules heavy transport and its crew were in the south for routine training exercises, including landings and takeoffs, and parachute drops.
Standard training circuits were flown around the city yesterday, while parachute drops to the north of the city were planned for last night, he said.
The plane, which can carry up to 92 troops but yesterday had only eight personnel aboard created a stir when it buzzed the city repeatedly yesterday morning.
Concerned residents said they felt the plane was flying too low, creating too much noise, and too much air pollution. One man said he could see the pilot's face from his Rosedale house as it flew overhead.
"(They were) flying too low over residential areas," he said.
However, Flying Officer Ferris said the plane was required to adhere to Civil Aviation Authority regulations and had done so.
With four beefy engines, the Hercules was much louder on approach than civilian aircraft, and often drew criticism, he said. The plane was expected to head home today or tomorrow.
Photo located on this link:
www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/4714184a6568.html
Caption:DAVID AND GOLIATH: A Southern Wings twin-engine Piper Seneca is dwarfed by an air force Hercules at Invercargill Airport yesterday.The Hercules has been in southern skies this week on training exercises.
The plane, which can carry up to 92 troops but yesterday had only eight personnel aboard created a stir when it buzzed the city repeatedly yesterday morning.
Concerned residents said they felt the plane was flying too low, creating too much noise, and too much air pollution. One man said he could see the pilot's face from his Rosedale house as it flew overhead.
"(They were) flying too low over residential areas," he said.
Concerned residents said they felt the plane was flying too low, creating too much noise, and too much air pollution. One man said he could see the pilot's face from his Rosedale house as it flew overhead.
"(They were) flying too low over residential areas," he said.
people.
(gotta love the smokey allisons...) the second military aircraft in a week... oooohhh! 
;D
