Post by Ykato on Oct 28, 2011 16:31:28 GMT 12
Manfeild fireworks up in air
A flying display has always been as much of a feature of the event as a giant bonfire and the largest, most spectacular fireworks display in the region.
However this year organisers of the most explosive night in Manawatu, on November 2, have really excelled - with no less than three distinctly different, but equally enthralling, aerial displays.
The on-the-up action kicks off with back-to-back routines flown by Feilding father and son pilots Bob and Dave Monds, then tops off with a show by the Red Checkers, the Royal New Zealand Air Force's precision flying team based at nearby Ohakea.
"I think it is going to be amazing. Having aircraft displays has long been a key part of this great night and we've seen some great flying action, especially when it is put on by local pilots," noted Manfeild Park chief executive Heather Verry.
"For instance, two years ago we hosted the first full display in local airspace by the only flying Spitfire in New Zealand, also based at Ohakea and locally-owned.
"This year's programme really pulls out the stops. It's a great warm-up for a night that always ends with the biggest bang heard in the region every year."
The Monds' displays will be activities of extremes - their respective aircraft, though designed for different extremes, are both highly agile in these specialist pilots' hands.
Dave Monds earned his wings at 16 and is a corporate jet pilot, a career that has taken him all over the world. Away from that life he is known as one of the country's most experience aerobatic fliers. His aircraft is a classic purpose-built design, the Pitts Special, a small biplane.
The ExecuJet New Zealand flier will put the single-seat plane through stunts corporate clients are assuredly never subjected to. His display will demonstrate the full capabilities of the Pitts with loops, rolls, stall turns, snap rolls, spins, tail slides and a few moves of his own creation. The aircraft will reach up to 300kmh in speed and subject the pilot to up to six positive and negative Gs.
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After the Pitts' play comes a workhorse that is three times as powerful and at least twice the size - but just as exciting to watch. Bob Monds' Ag Tractor 402 is purpose-designed for agricultural aviation, in which precision and manoeuvrability is of equal importance to load-hauling.
The third contributing factor for a stunning display is experience - and Bob has plenty of that. The chief pilot and co owner of Rural Air Services has been agricultural flying for 30 years. In that time he has clocked more than 24,000 hours - that's almost three years in the air.
Mr Monds says his aircraft is one of the safest, most efficient aircraft ever designed for the aerial top dressing and spraying.� "It utilises GPS technology to deliver chemicals to farmland and crops with pin-point accuracy."
�
Bob's vast experience and commitment to safety and professionalism has earned him a safety award from the Aviation Industry Association.
After the solo displays comes an elite team that requires no introduction. The Red Checkers are a world-famous act, known for their professional high standard of flying. Their Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainers are incredibly nimble and will perform a series of difficult manoeuvres designed to wow audiences.
Full item Here:
www.voxy.co.nz/lifestyle/manfeild-fireworks-air/5/105532
A flying display has always been as much of a feature of the event as a giant bonfire and the largest, most spectacular fireworks display in the region.
However this year organisers of the most explosive night in Manawatu, on November 2, have really excelled - with no less than three distinctly different, but equally enthralling, aerial displays.
The on-the-up action kicks off with back-to-back routines flown by Feilding father and son pilots Bob and Dave Monds, then tops off with a show by the Red Checkers, the Royal New Zealand Air Force's precision flying team based at nearby Ohakea.
"I think it is going to be amazing. Having aircraft displays has long been a key part of this great night and we've seen some great flying action, especially when it is put on by local pilots," noted Manfeild Park chief executive Heather Verry.
"For instance, two years ago we hosted the first full display in local airspace by the only flying Spitfire in New Zealand, also based at Ohakea and locally-owned.
"This year's programme really pulls out the stops. It's a great warm-up for a night that always ends with the biggest bang heard in the region every year."
The Monds' displays will be activities of extremes - their respective aircraft, though designed for different extremes, are both highly agile in these specialist pilots' hands.
Dave Monds earned his wings at 16 and is a corporate jet pilot, a career that has taken him all over the world. Away from that life he is known as one of the country's most experience aerobatic fliers. His aircraft is a classic purpose-built design, the Pitts Special, a small biplane.
The ExecuJet New Zealand flier will put the single-seat plane through stunts corporate clients are assuredly never subjected to. His display will demonstrate the full capabilities of the Pitts with loops, rolls, stall turns, snap rolls, spins, tail slides and a few moves of his own creation. The aircraft will reach up to 300kmh in speed and subject the pilot to up to six positive and negative Gs.
�
After the Pitts' play comes a workhorse that is three times as powerful and at least twice the size - but just as exciting to watch. Bob Monds' Ag Tractor 402 is purpose-designed for agricultural aviation, in which precision and manoeuvrability is of equal importance to load-hauling.
The third contributing factor for a stunning display is experience - and Bob has plenty of that. The chief pilot and co owner of Rural Air Services has been agricultural flying for 30 years. In that time he has clocked more than 24,000 hours - that's almost three years in the air.
Mr Monds says his aircraft is one of the safest, most efficient aircraft ever designed for the aerial top dressing and spraying.� "It utilises GPS technology to deliver chemicals to farmland and crops with pin-point accuracy."
�
Bob's vast experience and commitment to safety and professionalism has earned him a safety award from the Aviation Industry Association.
After the solo displays comes an elite team that requires no introduction. The Red Checkers are a world-famous act, known for their professional high standard of flying. Their Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainers are incredibly nimble and will perform a series of difficult manoeuvres designed to wow audiences.
Full item Here:
www.voxy.co.nz/lifestyle/manfeild-fireworks-air/5/105532
