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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2009 7:46:22 GMT 12
I guess all the Fletchers and Crescoes we see flying round here are in Hamilton for servicing then? Super Air's maintenance base is at Hamilton and they do have a serious amount of aircraft around the North Island. I believe they may also look over many of the turbine conversions, as Super Air had a major part to play in the introduction of the Walter. PAC is, of course, also based at Hamilton, so it wouldn't surprise me if you see new 750XLs out and about quite often. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 29, 2009 10:33:53 GMT 12
We see the 750 XL's occasionally, not often, overhead hear. Foreign pilot training takes up most of the airspace over Leamington nowadays, as well as an amazing amount of homebuilds these days (rich farmers out for jaunts no doubt). The Fletchers still plod round the sky past Mum's place on the northern side of Cambridge but I don't think there are as many as there usedto be. We used to get 4 or 5 a day go over at least up till ten years ago, most heading east from the airport or west to it.
Yesterday a most unusal site overhead was a large silver helicopter flying right over the house, headed in a Rukuhia-to-Karapiro direction, flying at 500 feet at the most (naughty as it's meant to be 1000 feet over here). It looked similar to an early model Iroquios in size and shape but wasn't, and it had spray booms. It was very shiny too for an ag aircraft. Anyone got any clues as to what it was?
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Post by fletcherfu24 on May 29, 2009 17:48:44 GMT 12
A Squirrel or R44 would be the most likely candidates for a chopper with spray booms on.Becks big white Iroquios is quite often around the area too but I'm sure it only does topdressing with a bucket underneath.
Most Fletchers and XL's seem to get painted in Tauranga,its not uncommon to see them come over for a paint job.Farmers Air and WAW also work around the Waikato,as well as the 400hp Fletchers from Matamata and Pukekohe are often seen flitting about.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 31, 2009 19:57:15 GMT 12
Definately not a Squirrel. And no way was it an Iroquois as I know them well. As I was directly under it I guessmaybe an R44 as I've never looked at one from below before but I think perhaps it was too big. It looked distinctly European to me. Quite squarish from below. And a nice silver paintjob, perhaps a grey-silver, not chrome silver. A bit like your Fletcher above in your signature.
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Post by Dave.K on Jun 15, 2009 19:50:47 GMT 12
I see EMC in the video clip has/had the oil coolers in the square ducts under the bottom cowl, same as EMA did, Correct me if I am wrong, but these were part of the batch that were to go to Pakastan and would have had air conditioning fitted as well if they went. The nose was quite draggy so the 954 came with the air cleaner turned side on with the landing light to one side and the bottom of the cowl much smaller.
An old loader operator gave me a couple of pointers once.
1. If you dent the plane leave the bag in the hopper so he can't open the canopy to thump you, you can then have a chat to settle him down. One had to be carefull the fletcher didn't sink onto the mudguards with the flaps, and not stall the truck or the pilot might roar off giving the elevator a wrenching.
2. This old guy used to smoke rollies so when he wanted time to roll on he bumped the load up a bit so to quote: will take him another 40 acres to turn around.
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Post by Fletcher400 on Jun 16, 2009 5:39:17 GMT 12
Like the turn he does at the end then cleans out the hopper. Was a neat little find on youtube, pity its not longer. Looks to be filmed a fair few years back.
That first pointer is a good one!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 7:34:07 GMT 12
Superb video! Can't make out the pilot's name though. Would be interesting to see where/when/who etc.
Big week for Fletcher fans at Wanganui - our own EGK is back in town, as is EML. We've got all employees of the company at home base for training days. Both Fletchers were parked together outside our hangar yesterday morning....too cool!
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Post by Fletcher400 on Jun 16, 2009 8:30:54 GMT 12
Get the camera out  Heard the guy mention his names Dave ?? Def looks to be late 80s early 90s maybe? Zac if you ever get the chance wouldnt mind a side photo of one of the endplates on the airlerons. Cheers |
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johnh
Squadron Leader
Posts: 118
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Post by johnh on Jun 30, 2009 19:51:45 GMT 12
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Jun 30, 2009 21:58:08 GMT 12
LAY came to a sticky end.....   |
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Post by mstokes on Jun 30, 2009 23:06:09 GMT 12
Even after all these years and many incidents, I still can't get used to the image of a smashed Fletcher...
Do you know what happened Pool Guy? Was it an engine failure on take off?
Cheers Mike
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 1, 2009 0:46:59 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 1, 2009 1:24:58 GMT 12
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Post by Fletcher400 on Jul 1, 2009 3:57:05 GMT 12
Great photos there guys. Think I just found my next modelling subject. I remember that airshow at hamilton.
Not a pretty sight with LAY, Looks like the fence stopped it, hope the pilot got out without injury.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jul 1, 2009 9:52:31 GMT 12
From CAA:
Accident Brief, Occurrence # 00/614
Registration: ZK-LAY Nature of Flight: agricultural
Aircraft Model: NZ Aerospace FU24-950M Pilot Licence: CPL (Aeroplane)
Date and Time: 10 Mar 00 at 09:30 Pilot Age: 62 yrs
Location: Te Miro Flying Hours (Total): 26400
POB: 1 Flying Hours (on Type): 20000
Injuries (Fatal): nil Last 90 Days: 22
Injuries (Serious): nil TAIC Ref.:
Injuries (Minor): nil Publishing Ref.: Vector, Jan/Feb 2002
Damage: substantial Date Published: 17 Jan 02
Synopsis:
On the first flight after refuelling, the aircraft was taking off on an uphill strip with a quartering tailwind. The pilot commenced jettisoning the load when he realised he was not going to get airborne. The aircraft collided with a deer fence and a water trough on the lower side of the strip.
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Post by Dave.K on Jul 2, 2009 16:33:14 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2009 18:00:19 GMT 12
I'm no farmer so have no idea, so a genuine question here - would snowfall be detrimental to any paddocks that have just been topdressed? Or would it not matter?
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 2, 2009 18:50:04 GMT 12
Excellent shots there.  I bet these pilots love seeing people out with cameras capturing all the action. Dave, love those shots from the early-90s too - especially the first one. You can have a karma point from me! ;D |
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Post by tukituki on Jul 2, 2009 19:17:10 GMT 12
If the pilot is using gps it shouldnt matter, dont think landing the walter in the snow would be that much fun, in the rain it can be hard work
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Post by Fletcher400 on Jul 3, 2009 7:03:30 GMT 12
Nice shots there Dave J. First time Ive seen a fletcher working in the snow, really like the last pic.
Cheers
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Heard the guy mention his names Dave ?? Def looks to be late 80s early 90s maybe? 
