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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Nov 14, 2013 16:10:11 GMT 12
Their website hasn't changed.
It still doesn't give any details of flights offered, or have a link you can click on to book flights.
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Post by harrysone on Nov 14, 2013 22:36:51 GMT 12
apparently, the word is they will be sorting those details out in the next week or so...
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 15, 2013 7:38:00 GMT 12
There is a job ad on the noticeboard at Ardmore.
They are seeking a gofer to run the ground/water side of the operations - loading, cleaning, mooring etc.
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Post by harrysone on Nov 16, 2013 17:25:07 GMT 12
Four of us die-hard Catalina reprobates ('boat people')plus another tag-along went up for a fly with Auckland Seaplanes this morning, it turns out we were their inaugural passengers  We met owner Chris and chief pilot Steve down by the cement silos at the end of Beaumont Street near Wynyard Quarter (Westhaven). After a full safety briefing it was on with the flight, 'Alpha-Mike-Alpha' is an immaculate Beaver with only 4000 hrs on it and a very nice comfortable leather interior. We seemed to draw quite a bit of attention from passing boaties while taxiing out for take off, but they kept a safe distance away.  When the boat traffic allowed for it, the takeoff run commenced just out from Wynyard Wharf and towards the Auckland harbour bridge. We flew out over Takapuna Beach, Rangitoto & Motutapu islands heading for the west end of Waiheke Island and a couple of touch and go landings then across Waiheke and another touch and go off Onetangi Beach (north coast of the island) before heading back up the harbour & return, what a great way to spend 45min to an hour on a fine calm sunny day! You couldn't help but think that these guys stand to do quite well with tourists/sight-seers particularly over the summer/cruise ship season. Steve was good value and interesting to talk to, he is originally from Coromandel but has spent many years flying beavers on floats along the northern Queensland Coast, in Oz.              'Boat people' Steve is first to the left and Chris is far right (man those floats have quite a bit of buoyancy!)  Chris mentioned that they have purchased and intend to operate a second beaver at some stage to help cover operations and all eventualities such as annual inspections & other maintenance downtime etc. They are currently working out destinations ('route proving') they apparently have flown to Great Barrier Island, Kawau Island and Coromandel over the last couple of days and hope to fly to Bay of Islands. They have also done some commercial/TV advertising work as well (keep your eyes focused on the small screen over the coming weeks). They are still in the process of setting up, bringing websites up to date/doing facebook pages and publishing brochures etc, after all they have only had their operators certificate for just under a week! However I suggest you guys, particularly the local Auckland ones definitely drop them a line (021 280 0964 or email chris@aucklandseaplanes.com ), flying off water is fun! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 16, 2013 18:12:06 GMT 12
Great photos and report Harry!
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Post by chinapilot on Nov 16, 2013 18:53:29 GMT 12
Looks great - hope they do well!
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Nov 16, 2013 19:16:25 GMT 12
Awesome, great to say a float operator back on the harbour, here's hoping they're a success. |
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Post by suthg on Nov 17, 2013 8:45:34 GMT 12
Awesome, great to say a float operator back on the harbour, here's hoping they're a success. One more post Leo... 999 >> 1000 A lovely set of photos, thanks - and a great confidence booster for them to know folks are enthusiastic about their arrival and their capability! Let's hope they can get some summer demand, and the boaties don't complain too much - is just a bit of noise, and the same as a fast boat out in the middle... |
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Post by TS on Nov 17, 2013 10:07:55 GMT 12
It won't be the boaties complaining, it will be the people living on the cliff edge of Stanley Point and Devonport that will moan me thinks.  |
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Post by harrysone on Nov 17, 2013 10:22:07 GMT 12
the noise is pretty much a non event on take off though, I can tell you, not that much noise at all. The three bladed props help (two bladers on a beaver rasp heaps more) The take off run was opposite the viaduct and a couple of hundred meters off shore. Apparently there are likely to be more noise issues these days around Waiheke residents!
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Post by suthg on Nov 17, 2013 11:03:34 GMT 12
Yes you wouldn't want the sound of a Harvard taking off on the water!! (Some might though ) I'll keep in contact with my brother out there on Waiheke - to gauge what the level of disruption and annoyance there is - as he is close to a large contingent of greenies and alternative lifestylers... |
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Post by ErrolC on Nov 17, 2013 11:58:37 GMT 12
Yes you wouldn't want the sound of a Harvard taking off on the water!! (Some might though ) ... One of the great things about Ardmore Open Days - 3 pairs of Harvards making your chest hum has they take off! |
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Post by TS on Nov 17, 2013 21:15:01 GMT 12
Yes you wouldn't want the sound of a Harvard taking off on the water!! (Some might though ) I'll keep in contact with my brother out there on Waiheke - to gauge what the level of disruption and annoyance there is - as he is close to a large contingent of greenies and alternative lifestylers... Gosh!!! Here was I thinking that all of the people living on Waiheke were all long haired friends of Jesus, wear mohair jerseys roman sandals and fight to save the snails.... Guess I was wrong.....  |
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Post by suthg on Nov 17, 2013 21:27:50 GMT 12
To be honest - I think/know he's one of them... LOL! He ticks some of the boxes... plus he's a chef, an author, a gardner, horticulturist and viticulturist... but he hates snails!! |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 18, 2013 20:31:09 GMT 12
Here was I thinking that all of the people living on Waiheke were all long haired friends of Jesus, wear mohair jerseys roman sandals and fight to save the snails Given current Waiheke property prices, most of the inhabitants there now tend to be MPs, lawyers, foreign exchange dealers and medical specialists. |
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Andy U
Pilot Officer
Posts: 48
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Post by Andy U on Nov 21, 2013 15:48:27 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2013 16:41:50 GMT 12
Super photos Andy!
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Post by slackie on Nov 22, 2013 7:23:21 GMT 12
Very cool... Tell you what... I'd prefer to take the Beaver from Downtown to GB than all of the hassles with a TriLander/Islander from AA!! Are they publishing $$$ yet?? Wonder if they've considered a schedule... Downtown -NorthShore (Takapuna?)- GB maybe once or twice a day?? Or even just Monday and Friday.
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Post by harrysone on Nov 22, 2013 8:03:08 GMT 12
newsletter no.1 (in email yesterday) Welcome to our first Splash - The Auckland Seaplanes Newsletter. We have re-established seaplane operations in the Auckland CBD area and are now ready to take you on board. Scenic flights with a duration of 15 or 25 minutes, as well as longer options covering both coasts (up to 70 minutes) are on offer. Additionally we fly you and your friends for lunches and wine tastings to Waiheke. We also offer transfers or take you out on adventures in lodges on Great Barrier Island, Kawau, Rakino, Rotoroa and the Coromandel peninsula. Our De Havilland Beaver Floatplane has 7 passenger seats –comfortably seating 6 adults - and we take off in the centre of the harbour in downtown Auckland. This allows us to reach our destinations very quickly, while providing breath-taking views of the city and the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland Seaplanes also offers a charter service, which can be used to fly to e.g. the Bay of Islands in about 1 hour 10 minutes. The aircraft has a 500 nautical mile (approx. 800 km) range and with the seats removed can also be used to transport more than 600kg of equipment - Fishing gear, Surfboards and more. The aircraft is available for film and TV work, research and observation flights (pest-free warrant is being applied for to access sensitive DOC areas) and operates during daylight hours, with the earliest departure at 7am during the summer. We are looking to expand our service portfolio in the coming months and plan to add a 2nd aircraft to increase capacity and cater for group events in 2014. Thank you for contacting us if you have a location that you would like us to investigate and include in our service. Work has begun on updating our website with the full service offering, which should be done within the coming weeks. You will also find some pictures of our recent flights on our facebook page, we hope you like them! Thanks for calling us for further information on 09-3901121 or for contacting us via our booking inquiry form on www.aucklandseaplanes.comChris and the Team PS. We are offering gift vouchers with a one year validity for all our flights, including a romantic island picnic which will be added to our services next week. |
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 6, 2013 9:45:12 GMT 12
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