NZ Air show / open days in 2011

[bell407]

Hi all.

Good thing I called Whenuapai first, I've just gotten off the phone with them and they told me that there would not be an open day in March of next year (Didn't say if there would be one at any other time during the year)because they are doing extensive work on the runway,
(I wonder if they are strengthening / extending it for potential future increased large aircraft (B52) visits).

I phoned Ohakea and was told that there are no planned open days yet for next year so far either.

War Birds over Wanaka is only a every other year isn't it? and there was already one this year, so I don't think there will be anything in 2011, I think that rules out any major
air shows / open days that I can think of where there may have been a B52 visit, at least for the 1st half of 2011 anyway.

[matariki]

Ohakea's likely not having an open day next year, as there's one planned for 2012.

[baz62]

Jul 2, 2010 15:36:51 GMT 12 bell407 said:

Hi all.

Good thing I called Whenuapai first, I've just gotten off the phone with them and they told me that there would not be an open day in March of next year (Didn't say if there would be one at any other time during the year)because they are doing extensive work on the runway,
(I wonder if they are strengthening / extending it for potential future increased large aircraft (B52) visits).

I phoned Ohakea and was told that there are no planned open days yet for next year so far either.

War Birds over Wanaka is only a every other year isn't it? and there was already one this year, so I don't think there will be anything in 2011, I think that rules out any major
air shows / open days that I can think of where there may have been a B52 visit, at least for the 1st half of 2011 anyway.

What about Classic Fighters at Omaka? Thats in 2011.

[Deleted]

Theres Omaka at Easter 2011 as well

[conman]

I don't think either the B52 or B-1B are currently considered nuclear capable (or at least set up in current config for nuclear weapon delivery), definately not the B-1B, I suspect the B2 is the only US "bomber" considered nuclear capable. And the practice of flying around with nuclear weapons on board was abondoned years ago. I think more of an issue would be the association with dropping ordanance on Iraq and Afganistan.

Nothing beats a low and fast pass by a B52.

Not sure why the RAF are so paranoid about deploying the Red Arrows to NZ, they could go via Norfolk Is, I suspect cost is the real reason with massive cutbacks occuring in the RAF, the USAF have deployed single engine fighters here in the past (F-16's out of Japan)

[flyjoe180]

Does the Hawk used by the Red Arrows have air to air refuelling capability? I wouldn't think the range of a Hawk would be all that great.

[conman]

Aug 4, 2010 15:53:34 GMT 12 flyjoe180 said:

Does the Hawk used by the Red Arrows have air to air refuelling capability? I wouldn't think the range of a Hawk would be all that great.

I've done the math on the ferry range for the Hawk and it is an easy do to cross the Tasman via a stop in Norfolk Is (pretty sure the field length is OK too)