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Post by mstokes on Jul 25, 2009 22:10:21 GMT 12
Long time since an update on this one, was flicking through the latest copy of the Wings from September 1976 and came across this ad, showing a spatted Fletcher doing a run at what I assume is Rukuhia. Interestingly a supporting article refers to the future of Aerospace in which it is mentioned that CT4 production is to wind down and that Fletcher production is expected to go through the roof with mass orders expected from Libya, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Thailand and Tanzania. hmmmm... the way things turn out!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2009 19:59:15 GMT 12
Gotta print that one out! Great find dude  |
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Post by Fletcher400 on Jul 27, 2009 4:04:45 GMT 12
And its still the real aircraft for the job |
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Jul 27, 2009 7:41:36 GMT 12
Even if its 55 years since the design first flew.... |
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Post by tukituki on Jul 27, 2009 18:58:42 GMT 12
U guys need to sit in a 950 for a day and I am sure you will have a different view on the fu24
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Post by mstokes on Jul 27, 2009 21:38:56 GMT 12
I fortunately got to spend about 5 years with the 950 and I cant help but see it as the 'real aircraft'. It really is a love/hate machine pilot to pilot.
I suppose I am lucky, in that dad and I were genetically blessed with large shoulders so never really thought they were heavy on the controls. I suppose the Stokes were the long armed and short legged monkeys that Thorp thought of when he designed the fletcher!
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Post by aussieo2 on Jul 29, 2009 13:26:52 GMT 12
Just to add a bit more history for c/n 140. After Samoa 5W-FAJ, exported to Australia as VH-CCH and registered on 31.05.1973 to Cropcair Aviation of Archerfield. It was then struck off the register on 06.06.1975. CCH returned to the register on 24.02.1978 with Pays Air Service of Scone, then sold to Tablelands Air Service of Mudgee on 21.09.1981 and withdrawn from use on 19.10.1982. Again returned to the register (same operator) on 23.02.1984. Sold on 05.03.1997 to Tablelands Top Dressing of Armidale. Registration cancelled on 23.12.2005 as exported to New Zealand.
Can anyone advise a ZK reg and current status ?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 17:30:52 GMT 12
I just had a look at the CAA website and C/N140 doesn't appear among any of the NZ Aerospace/Fletcher FU24 listings. My info also says ZK-?.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jul 29, 2009 18:18:14 GMT 12
c/n 140 was intially ZK-CXW. No mention of it being currently active in NZ.
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Post by slackie on Jul 29, 2009 18:39:55 GMT 12
Back in the late 90's a prominent Poverty Bay Cresco operator rebuilt a Fletcher to "concourse" condition and I believe installed seating in the back....he registered it ZK-UTE and used it as his personal transport...rumour has it to fool the IRD  "Just taking the UTE down to the shops". However it only lasted a couple of years (at most) probably due to its (lack of) speed/comfort etc...so he's upgraded ZK-UTE to a Bonanza...not sure where the other UTE went? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2009 20:05:04 GMT 12
I've received information that s/n140 did indeed come to NZ, but the owner bought a 750XL instead...s/n140 was last heard of at Napier after being modified with Cresco parts as a sort of stretch.
Would love to see shots of the UTE Fletcher!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jul 30, 2009 21:04:12 GMT 12
Would love to see shots of the UTE Fletcher! As requested, at Napier 2001. It's now ZK-CRY/2 with Super Air. Anyone know what the 'ae' logo on the fin is for?  |
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Post by mstokes on Aug 1, 2009 18:29:06 GMT 12
I suppose in some of the more hilly topographic regions of NZ, the fletcher would be suited as a personal transport if landings on farm strips were common. Down in the king country there were always incidents with aero cub aircraft losing an undercarriage leg every now and then landing on airstrips I say the designers never envisaged being used. However I am sure it is an 'airsick' machine, especially if pax were sitting in a part of the aeroplane that previously carried fert and hormone chemicals etc... you can clean but it still permeates.
Now the 'AE' thing... could 'A' stand for Andy???
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Post by tukituki on Aug 1, 2009 20:26:56 GMT 12
My guess is that "AE" stands for Andy and E is his wife and not 100% sure But matbe Eilane? Ute used to be VAL back when it was with Van Air and was first fu24 I got a ride in.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2021 12:39:06 GMT 12
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Post by Mustang51 on Aug 14, 2021 21:36:29 GMT 12
I would not have thought the Cherokee couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding....my hat's off to the pilot !!!
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"Just taking the UTE down to the shops". However it only lasted a couple of years (at most) probably due to its (lack of) speed/comfort etc...so he's upgraded ZK-UTE to a Bonanza...not sure where the other UTE went?
