dodgy
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 89
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Post by dodgy on Sept 8, 2014 9:20:58 GMT 12
I took a pilot friend up in the tiger yesterday and other than flying up the beach, wingovers and stuff, it got a bit tedious after 30 mins. As usual, we were the only ones in the sky and the only people at the airfield. Oh, for a god ol' tail chase!
Now, are there any airfield in the Wgtn - Horowhenua region that would be reasonably busy and serve good coffee in the weekend? When MS had the Snap Roll cafe, that was a possibility, but even then the place was (is) dead apart from when TVAL had a practice day. Do pilots no longer get out and about and kick the tyres together on a Sunday morning?
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Sept 8, 2014 13:14:34 GMT 12
You could always "go for broke" and head for Wellington International and the Spruce Goose Café in the former Wellington Aero Club building. Do you reckon they would handle having a tail-skid on their runway?
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dodgy
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 89
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Post by dodgy on Sept 8, 2014 13:27:19 GMT 12
We did that once, put a nylon skid on the back. Taking off is okay on seal, landing is not for the faint hearted!
Have you seen the aircraft parking fees there? It would very quickly become the $500 coffee...
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Post by dakman on Sept 8, 2014 13:34:51 GMT 12
Is FOXPINE /PINE PARK still active ? weekend were often busy . Coffee was a byo though . Or is that your base ? .
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dodgy
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 89
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Post by dodgy on Sept 8, 2014 14:03:38 GMT 12
Yes, that is my base. Dead as a dead thing during the weekend. I should encourage a monthly fly in and have a proper coffee cart turn up.
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Post by dakman on Sept 8, 2014 14:13:16 GMT 12
Is Fielding a little to far .? Have driven past there often in weekends and always aircraft in the air .Don.t know about the coffee though .
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 8, 2014 18:24:18 GMT 12
Do pilots no longer get out and about According to a note in the latest Aviation News, there are 1000 less actve Class 2 medicals now than there were before the "$310-to-get-the-form" charge was introduced. That could be your answer - all the ex-pilots are now out there playing golf.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 8, 2014 18:49:08 GMT 12
And the rest can't afford the coffee?
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Post by dakman on Sept 8, 2014 18:57:03 GMT 12
Flyernzl ,had similar thought.s
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dodgy
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 89
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Post by dodgy on Sept 8, 2014 21:04:54 GMT 12
Of course, many of those 1,000 have possibly gone over to the RPL. I suspect that is the sneaky plan of CAA anyway.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 9, 2014 9:55:50 GMT 12
If you come up north a bit, things are marginally better:
Raglan - the airfield is handly located within walking distance of the town. Plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes open there during the weekend.
Tauranga - park around by the aviation museum. Lots of airborne activity in the weekend, and the cafe there is good.
Pauanui - the town commercial centre is a very short walk from one end of the strip, and the beach is close at the other end. A couple of food service operations are usually open through the weekend. Infested with a few too many Audis for my liking, but otherwise OK.
Ardmore - the cafe beside the aero club is now running seven days a week, and you might even meet up with Colin H. Very active aircraftwise. Quite high landing fees are a bit of a bummer though.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Sept 9, 2014 13:06:22 GMT 12
The upgraded Paraparaumu Airport terminal has a café that is operated most days and on Saturdays, plus the Aero Club is immediately next door, and major cafes within walking distance at the beach or the new shopping area at the end of the old 29/11 runway
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Post by hardyakka on Sept 9, 2014 17:41:53 GMT 12
Of course, many of those 1,000 have possibly gone over to the RPL. Guilty.
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Post by baz62 on Sept 9, 2014 19:11:58 GMT 12
Yep my PPL Medical expires next month (that was a waste of money. STILL haven't done my BFR.) Going to start flying shortly and do it but going the RPL route too.
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Post by flyinkiwi on Sept 10, 2014 15:55:53 GMT 12
The ONLY thing stopping me going the same way is, I like taking more than one person up with me to help cost share. The right to overfly built up areas would be nice but is not essential.
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Post by baz62 on Sept 10, 2014 17:48:10 GMT 12
Maybe if more and more PPL holders transfer to the RPL the rules will change. I mean if you were ok to fly with passengers on a PPL you should still be ok on an RPL. Also one passenger doesn't include crew....................Teresa is now a flight attendant lol.
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Post by suthg on Sept 10, 2014 19:48:34 GMT 12
Or a Navigator...
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rossi
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by rossi on Sept 13, 2014 8:11:46 GMT 12
Is Fielding a little to far .? Have driven past there often in weekends and always aircraft in the air .Don.t know about the coffee though . You did well to drive past....Feilding is the best little aerodrome in the country...just like there is an "aviation" muscle in my neck that tilts my head skyward whenever an aeroplane flies over, there is an override in my vehicle's steering gear that turns in to this airfield whenever I pass by. Many a fine day and certainly every weekend you will find a beverage at one or other of the flying clubs resident here...follow the signs and check out the Manawatu Microlight Club, the Feilding Flying Club, the Middle Districts Aero Club, the Manawatu Gliding Club, and Flight Training Manawatu...all have websites...all welcome fellow pilots...guess where I'm off to now.
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