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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 10, 2006 18:19:41 GMT 12
Air force trainers salute city's golden years09.09.2006 "Five of the RNZAF bright yellow CT4 Airtrainers motored through the skies yesterday in celebration of Hastings 50th Birthday. The crowd gathered at the Hastings City Stage was in awe as the planes, flying in a V formation, flew above the procession along with the 50 bright red balloons that were released to mark the occasion. About 100 air force personnel are living and working in a tent camp near Bridge Pa where they will there will be flying displays using Iroquois, Sioux and C-130 Hercules helicopters this weekend. Students from the air force will be doing formation training, meaning residents in the area can expect to see the CT4s in action all weekend." Go to the link to see the photo www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3700477&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=I'm amazed to read Hastings is only 50 years old, and more amazed to read the C-130 Hercules is a helicopter.
Is this a Wise Owl at Bridge Pa?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 10, 2006 18:29:52 GMT 12
More Bridge Pa news www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3700020&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=Hercules to land at Hastings aerodrome 06.09.2006 ROGER MORONEY A giant C130 Hercules transporter will touch down this Saturday at Hastings' aerodrome at Bridge Pa on a runway more used to the lighter landings of much smaller aircraft. "Well, that's the plan," Flight Lieutenant Gus Black of Hastings said today. If the runway is dry the Hercules will touch down in a first for both the air force and the aerodrome. But if it is wet, it will abandon the attempt. Flt Lt Black said although the aerodrome's runway was long enough to take the Hercules, there were safety limitations brought about by the composition of the runway and its width. In dry conditions, no problem. But in the wet - no dice. "We'll make the call on Friday," he said. If the runway is wet but flying conditions are reasonably clear, Flt Lt Black said they would probably bring the giant aircraft down and carry out a display in the afternoon. In anticipation of a landing, they will run the aircraft light. Its "dry" weight is 34 tonnes, while its maximum normal take-off weight is about 70 tonnes. The Hercules, along with Iroquois helicopters, will join the squadron of CT4 Airtrainers currently stationed at the aerodrome as part of the RNZAF's Wiseowl 87 training camp. "There is a lot of learning going on," Pilot Officer Steve Ramsay said today. "The aircraft are only on the ground to get refuelled." There are nine personnel on the senior pilot's course, 10 on a junior wings course and four on the student instructors' course. "First flights go out at 8 in the morning and the last ones come in at 5.30." Pilot Officer Ramsay described conditions since setting up on Monday as "brilliant". As well as an aerobatics show on Saturday, there will be a six-plane, low-level fly-past over Hastings on Friday as part of the city's 50th birthday commemorations. The Saturday public open day will run between 10.30am and 3pm. The air force has also been hosting daily groups from high schools in the region. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 10, 2006 18:44:14 GMT 12
Yes, the NZ Defence Force website confirms it is a Wise Owl
30 August 2006
The Air Force’s student pilots will descend on Hastings next week as they take part in their first major deployed exercise.
Exercise Wiseowl 87 will be held at Bridge Pa Aerodrome from 4 -14 September.
Eighty personnel will take part in the flying training exercise and will live in a tent city on the edge of the aerodrome.
Each day three to four waves of the distinctive yellow and black Airtrainers will fly from Bridge Pa as the student pilots and their instructors focus on formation flying.
The bi-annual exercise gives the student pilots their first taste of working in the ‘field’ and flying in unfamiliar territory.
The camp will be self-sufficient; to support the exercise there will be a field kitchen, medical facility, administration unit, communications centre, as well as a maintenance centre for the aircraft.
Numbers at the camp will swell to over 130 on September 9, when the camp is open to the public.
Iroquois and Sioux helicopters, a C-130 Hercules and Beech Kingair will join the Airtrainers for both static and some flying displays when the camp opens its gates between 10.30 and 3pm.
ENDS
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