Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand - News and Events

[Dave Homewood]

For the record those three Texans are not the Air Force Heritage Flight, they are regular No. 14 Squadron/Central Flying School aircraft and pilots I believe.

[nuuumannn]

Apr 25, 2022 22:14:27 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

For the record those three Texans are not the Air Force Heritage Flight, they are regular No. 14 Squadron/Central Flying School aircraft and pilots I believe.

Yes, you're right Dave, I put this in the wrong thread!

The Heritage Flight didn't come down this way this time.

[davidd]

So I guess they were from the Pilot Training Squadron/Central Flying School then? Do both those sub-units form a Flying Training Wing or some-such? I do not seem to be up to speed with the modern air force!

[Dave Homewood]

No such thing as the Pilot Training Squadron any more David. It is now No. 14 Squadron.

[tbf2504]

David, As part of the introduction of the T6 into the RNZAF a re-organisation of flying training was made and the old traditional (wigram era) Flying Training Wing PTS/CFS was disestablished and all flying training
was devolved to 14 Squadron for ab-initio/instructor training and multi-engine/crew training to 42 Squadron.

[Deleted]

Apr 25, 2022 16:32:13 GMT 12 Damon said:

nice pic's Zac. Nicely composed !

Thanks Damon - a too-small lens means careful cropping and repositioning makes passable photos a little better! I messed with one of the photos I rather liked to get a little more light and colour (the sun was behind cloud the whole time unfortunately):
DSC_3701 (2) by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[altmikey]

Apr 26, 2022 15:33:33 GMT 12 tbf2504 said:

David, As part of the introduction of the T6 into the RNZAF a re-organisation of flying training was made and the old traditional (wigram era) Flying Training Wing PTS/CFS was disestablished and all flying training
was devolved to 14 Squadron for ab-initio/instructor training and multi-engine/crew training to 42 Squadron.

Almost: Flying Training Wing comprises 14 SQN for pilot training, CFS for instructor training, display flying (including Black Falcons) and Heritage Flight, and 42 SQN for multi engine training and operations. There is a Commanding Officer FTW, and Officer Commanding positions for 14SQN, CFS and 42 SQN. 14 SQN, CFS and 42 SQN are separate units.

[davidd]

Thanks for the clarification Dave H, tbf2504 (Paul) and altmikey, we are now all so much better informed than before. So arrangement much the same (well, sort of), but the names have changed (except CFS).

[ex]

The display flying and black falcons draw pilots from both 14 and CFS

[Dave Homewood]

David, No. 42 Squadron has done the multi-engine flying training for decades. So no change there either. The only change is PTS stood down and No 14 Squadron stood up again in its place.

[davidd]

Thank you Dave H.

[Dave Homewood]

SPITFIRE FLYPASTS! MASTERTON, HUTT VALLEY, KAPITI COAST!

The Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand are excited to announce a flypast program for Saturday 14 May 2022. Consisting of the superlative Supermarine Spitfire leading modern Beechcraft T-6C Texan IIs of the Central Flying School, the formation will on Saturday 14 May fly from Ohakea to Masterton and the Hutt Valley before returning to Ohakea via the Kapiti Coast.

The Air Force Heritage Flight had earlier in April attempted to recognise the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 14 Squadron at Masterton in 1942 with a flyover whilst en-route to Christchurch, but were prevented from doing so by low cloud on the day. The flypast planned for Saturday 14 May will mark the final Air Force Heritage Flight event for the 2021/22 display season, and will be achieved on this occasion without the Grumman Avenger.

The Supermarine Spitfire barely needs an introduction, as it is a machine woven into New Zealand’s military aviation heritage via the exploits of the Royal Air Force’s No. 485 (NZ) Squadron during World War Two, and individual New Zealanders in that conflict such as Al Deere from Whanganui. The Spitfire that will lead this formation is in fact painted to represent this famous New Zealander, and it is a special privilege for the RNZAF to be able to participate in these events with such an iconic aeroplane.

The inclusion of the RNZAF’s modern T-6C Texan II aircraft is appropriate given that they are utilised by both the Central Flying School and No. 14 Squadron. The Texan II is a modern training aircraft which all New Zealand Defence Force pilots must master before progressing onto the other aircraft in our fleet.
Please find below the flight schedule for Saturday 14 May. Be sure to comment with your pictures and video!

The event is highly weather dependant, however rest assured that we will do our best to achieve the listed flypasts:
1039 Ohakea
1039 Sanson (Cnr. SH1 and SH3)
1042 Feilding (Clock Tower)
1045 Ashhurst (Cnr. Oxford St and Cambridge Ave)
1047 Woodville (Cnr. SH2 and SH3)
1049 Pahiatua (SH2)
1051 Konini (SH2)
1052 Hamua (SH2)
1053 Newman (SH2)
1054 Eketahuna (SH2)
1054 Waiwaka (SH2)
1056 Mauriceville (Opaki Kaiparoro Rd)
1059 Opaki (SH2)
1100 Masterton (Queen Elizabeth Park)
1102 Carterton (SH2)
1104 Greytown (SH2)
1106 Tauherenikau (SH2)
1106 Featherston (SH2)
1108 Pakuratahi (SH2)
1109 Kaitoke (SH2)
1110 Te Marua (SH2)
1111 Upper Hutt (SH2)
1113 Lower Hutt (Avalon Park)
1114 Petone Wharf
1116 Johnsonville (Alex Moore Park)
1117 Tawa (Redwood Park)
1118 Porirua (Elsdon Park)
1119 Paramata (Ngatitoa Domain)
1120 Pukerua Bay (Brendan Beach Ocean Parade)
1121 Paekakariki (Campbell Park)
1123 Paraparaumu (Southward Car Museum)
1124 Waikanae Beach (Beachfront from Te Moana Rd North)
1125 Peka Peka (Beachfront)
1126 Te Horo Beach (Beachfront)
1127 Otaki (Centennial Park)
1129 Waikawa Beach (Beachfront)
1131 Levin (Levin Domain)
1134 Foxton Beach (Beachfront)
1136 Himatangi Beach (Beachfront)
1140 Ohakea

The Spitfire is operated by the Biggin Hill Trust. www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555

[Dave Homewood]

HAWKES BAY TODAY
Air Force Heritage Flight Spitfire flying over Tararua
10 May, 2022 12:40 PM



Supermarine Spitfire and two modern Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft flying in formation.

Bush Telegraph
By Steve Carle

The skies over Tararua will reverberate to the sound of New Zealand's military aviation heritage on Saturday May 14, as the Air Force Heritage Flight (AFHF) conducts flypasts in celebration of 80 years since the formation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) No. 14 Squadron.

The Flight's Supermarine Spitfire and two modern Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft will take off from Base Ōhakea in time to fly over Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park at 11am. The flight path will also cover as many towns and settlements as is possible during the one-hour flight, including Feilding, Ashhurst, Woodville, Pahiatua, Eketahuna, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Paekakariki, Paraparaumu, Otaki and Levin.

The AFHF Flight Commander, Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Michael Williams, said the display team had planned to fly over Masterton - the birthplace of No. 14 Squadron - on their recent trip to Christchurch but were thwarted by low cloud.

"This special flight has been mounted to ensure that the significant support base in the lower North Island does not miss out this season," he said.

Formed from the remnants of No. 488 Squadron at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome in 1942, No. 14 Squadron has a proud history that includes operational service in the Pacific during World War II. The squadron continues to serve New Zealand today by training pilots in the modern T-6C Texan II.

The purpose of the AFHF is to commemorate and sustain the memory of New Zealand's military aviation heritage, and to remind New Zealanders, friends and allies of our past shared sacrifice and continued commitment to global security. The flight also aims to inspire current and potential Defence Force personnel through engagement, respect and pride.

SQNLDR Williams said that the AFHF benefits the RNZAF in four distinct areas, including as a tool for international influence and defence diplomacy.

"It shows our international defence partners how much we value the times we stood together and honours that shared sacrifice."

It also educates the wider New Zealand public on their military aviation heritage while highlighting the Defence Force as a relevant career option.

"New Zealand's military aviation heritage is part of the heritage of all New Zealanders, so we're grabbing the attention of people who don't normally think about aviation and out of that flows the idea that maybe they could have a career with the RNZAF," SQNLDR Williams said.

"This in particular is a benefit of having the modern Texan II aircraft in formation with the older machines.

"It also underscores our current core values - these are machines that RNZAF aircrew flew in the fight for what was right, which is the same military focus as we have today."

• Exact routing and timings will be available on the AFHF Facebook page: @airforceheritageflightnz

www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/air-force-heritage-flight-spitfire-flying-over-tararua/WDVYLQJYK3LTCCQ4YMDGYEYUFE/

[Dave Homewood]

Whilst the Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand continues to monitor the weather forecast in the hope of conducting the postponed Wairarapa / Hutt Valley / Kapiti Coast event, please see below our latest article. This edition is written by RNZAF stalwart Squadron Leader Jim Rankin, and describes what it is like to lead the Flight's display team in the mighty Grumman Avenger.

FLYING WITH THE HERITAGE FLIGHT
The Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand is a new initiative to celebrate and showcase New Zealand's military aviation heritage. The Flight uses a combination of civilian operated heritage aircraft; often in formation with modern RNZAF T-6C Texan IIs from the Central Flying School. We currently use a Harvard to train and keep current pilots that can then fly the Avenger and Spitfire. I’ve been the lucky pilot who gets to fly the Biggin Hill Trust's immaculate Avenger “Plonky”. That also means I get to lead the 4-ship formation with Sean Perret in the Spitfire, and Mike Williams and Paul Stockley in the Texans. They are all very experienced pilots and instructors who do an amazing job of formation and make my life a lot easier.

Lots of questions have been asked about how we operate as a formation, so here is a quick overview of some of the regularly asked questions.
The three aircraft types are very different in performance and handling. The Avenger is the slowest, with a comfortable cruise of 180 knots. It’s also the heaviest, putting it in the medium wake turbulence category. That means there is a 3 minute delay after my take-off before the others can depart on the same runway. So for a short sortie they often take off before me, then join up when I get airborne. For the recent flypasts to Christchurch the Texans were very tight for fuel, so I got airborne first to avoid them holding unnecessarily. The Spitfire has a very limited time on the ground before overheating the engine, so is pretty much “start and go” which needs to be co-ordinated with ATC.

The slower Avenger cruise speed actually reduces the range of the Texans. They are more efficient at a higher speed and altitude, so having to slow down to 180 KIAS at low-level does limit their range. Ohakea to Christchurch is about the maximum for the combined formation at low level. So, there are lots of places we’d love to visit, but it just isn’t possible given the range constraints, and a limited number of hours available to do the flights.
The Avenger and Spitfire are VFR (Visual Flight Rules) only, so we have no ability to go through cloud, which can be quite limiting at times.
When in formation we use the callsign “Heritage”. The only aircraft squawking (transmitting an identification signal visible on radar and modern aircraft systems) is one of the Texans. This means we can then use their TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) to help spot traffic. If we all squawked the Texan's TCAS would be swamped. The Flight Identification (an electronic "fingerprint") many of you have seen on flight tracking Apps such as Flight Radar 24 will show TEXGLD (Texan GOLD), TEXSIL (Texan SILVER), or TEXBRZ (Texan BRONZE). We will be getting our own Heritage Flight ID in due course, but don’t yet have Civil Aviation Authority approval to use it.

Speaking of CAA it is important to understand that the Heritage formations are operated to civil rules, with the pilots requiring civil licences for the Avenger and Spitfire. That means that our overflight of built up areas is strictly not below 1000 ft AGL. Any overflight also requires CAA approval. David Gill from CAA has been very helpful and proactive in getting us these approvals for the flights.

Our recent flight to Christchurch attracted a lot of attention. Thanks to all the people who have posted comments and images. We are really happy that most of you enjoyed the chance to see us fly by. The weather on the east coast of the North Island unfortunately precluded our planned route to Masterton. There was a gap in the cloud that allowed us to regain our planned route north of Upper Hutt, but 10 minutes ahead of time. I thought about orbiting somewhere to get back closer to the publicised timing but elected to push on. This was mostly due to the possibility that with the lower North Island east coast being socked-in with cloud then the same would likely be true for the Clarence to Kaikoura area. Given the very tight fuel margins for the Texans we just didn’t have much ability to backtrack or divert inland from the coast in the South Island if the weather was no good. Fortunately the weather did allow a transit down past Kaikoura, at which point we slowed down to make sure we arrived in Christchurch at our scheduled time. There were a number of light aircraft flying out of Rangiora enjoying the lovely day in Canterbury, too many for comfort, so we tracked seawards a bit earlier than planned to get to New Brighton. I had planned an orbit over Wigram prior to joining at Christchurch, but due traffic ATC required us to orbit over the city instead. They then made a hole in the traffic for us to allow our opposition break to land. This occupies the whole airfield for about five minutes, so was greatly appreciated. This was just one example of the superb support provided by everyone in the Air Traffic Control teams all along our route. Big Thanks for that.

Another point to note for the first flypasts to Christchurch is that our publicity was deliberately lacking in detail on exactly where we would fly over each location. This was due to Covid rules at the time which required vaccine passes for organised gatherings. We couldn’t say that we would be over this point at this time, or that the best view would be from such and such a venue. Any such uncontrolled gathering would not be allowed under the traffic light system so we couldn’t be more specific. Many will have noted the more specific detail publicised for the subsequent flypasts under the revised Covid 19 rules now in place.
Some closing words from the Flight Commander of the Air Force Heritage Flight Squadron Leader Michael Williams.

The formation that we have used for these flypasts is actually a display team. We have a ten-minute air show routine which comprises formation passes and individual aerobatic displays. The Team are proud of the routine; it has lots of noise and constant action. The cancellation of air shows this season has meant that the budgeted hours were instead converted to the flypasts that we have conducted to date.

The Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand Team is looking forward to the 2022/23 air show season, and hope to bring the display routine to as many of you as is possible. Whilst the Avenger will not be available, we are working on some exciting alternatives that will see us through to the return of the Avenger, which all going well is slated for the 2024/25 season. Following this page is the best way to stay informed of our planned events and updates.
Lastly a huge thank you for all of the support that you the New Zealand public have shown to us so far in this our formative season. The engagement that we have seen has been incredible. We think that we might be onto something!

The Avenger and Spitfire are operated by the Biggin Hill Trust.https://www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555

The Harvard is operated by Rex Brereton.

[Damon]

The (latest) Air Force News #246 magazine has a wonderful centrespread and 4 page article on the Air Force heritage Flight. Try to get a copy of you can. Well worth it!

[gibbo]

May 23, 2022 22:40:29 GMT 12 Damon said:

The (latest) Air Force News #246 magazine has a wonderful centrespread and 4 page article on the Air Force heritage Flight. Try to get a copy of you can. Well worth it!

Yes an excellent article in the AF news #246, a couple of other interesting articles too.  If you're reading this now then it's easy to download or read online:

 issuu.com/nzdefenceforce/docs/airforcenews_issue246?fr=sMDk1MDM5NjExMzQ

[Dave Homewood]

SPITFIRE FLYPASTS! MASTERTON, HUTT VALLEY, KAPITI COAST!
The Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand are excited to announce a flypast program for this coming Saturday 28 May 2022. Consisting of the superlative Supermarine Spitfire and three modern Beechcraft T-6C Texan IIs of the Central Flying School, the formation will on Saturday 28 May fly from Ohakea to Masterton and the Hutt Valley before returning to Ohakea via the Kapiti Coast.

This event is that previously postponed earlier this month, and recognises the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 14 Squadron at Masterton in 1942. The flypast planned for Saturday 28 May will mark the final Air Force Heritage Flight event for the 2021/22 display season, and will be achieved on this occasion without the Grumman Avenger.

The Supermarine Spitfire barely needs an introduction, as it is a machine woven into New Zealand’s military aviation heritage via the exploits of the Royal Air Force’s No. 485 (NZ) Squadron during World War Two, and individual New Zealanders in that conflict such as Al Deere from Whanganui. The Spitfire that will lead this formation is in fact painted to represent this famous New Zealander, and it is a special privilege for the RNZAF to be able to participate in these events with such an iconic aeroplane.

The inclusion of the RNZAF’s modern T-6C Texan II aircraft is appropriate given that they are utilised by both the Central Flying School and No. 14 Squadron. The Texan II is a modern training aircraft which all New Zealand Defence Force pilots must master before progressing onto the other aircraft in our fleet.
Please find below the flight schedule for Saturday 28 May. Be sure to comment with your pictures and video!

The event is highly weather dependant, however rest assured that we will do our best to achieve the listed flypasts:
1039 Ohakea
1039 Sanson (Cnr. SH1 and SH3)
1042 Feilding (Clock Tower)
1045 Ashhurst (Cnr. Oxford St and Cambridge Ave)
1047 Woodville (Cnr. SH2 and SH3)
1049 Pahiatua (SH2)
1051 Konini (SH2)
1052 Hamua (SH2)
1053 Newman (SH2)
1054 Eketahuna (SH2)
1054 Waiwaka (SH2)
1056 Mauriceville (Opaki Kaiparoro Rd)
1059 Opaki (SH2)
1100 Masterton (Queen Elizabeth Park)
1102 Carterton (SH2)
1104 Greytown (SH2)
1106 Tauherenikau (SH2)
1106 Featherston (SH2)
1108 Pakuratahi (SH2)
1109 Kaitoke (SH2)
1110 Te Marua (SH2)
1111 Upper Hutt (SH2)
1113 Lower Hutt (Avalon Park)
1114 Petone Wharf
1116 Johnsonville (Alex Moore Park)
1117 Tawa (Redwood Park)
1118 Porirua (Elsdon Park)
1119 Paramata (Ngatitoa Domain)
1120 Pukerua Bay (Brendan Beach Ocean Parade)
1121 Paekakariki (Campbell Park)
1123 Paraparaumu (Southward Car Museum)
1124 Waikanae Beach (Beachfront from Te Moana Rd North)
1125 Peka Peka (Beachfront)
1126 Te Horo Beach (Beachfront)
1127 Otaki (Centennial Park)
1129 Waikawa Beach (Beachfront)
1131 Levin (Levin Domain)
1134 Foxton Beach (Beachfront)
1136 Himatangi Beach (Beachfront)
1140 Ohakea

The Spitfire is operated by the Biggin Hill Trust. www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555

[Dave Homewood]

Awesome work. The Masterton flypast should be spot on for the 80th Anniversary of the formation of No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron. Fingers crossed for the weather this time!

[Dave Homewood]

SPITFIRE! TEXANS! SATURDAY 28 MAY
The Air Force Heritage Flight has completed all of the planning, the aircraft are ready, and the weather forecast looks good for our flypasts tomorrow, Saturday 28 May. Departing Ohakea at 1039, the Spitfire and Texans will be over Masterton at 1100 before preceding to the Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast. Please see the link below for a list of locations and timings.

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=135643505736590&id=100078728232300

For those wishing to follow progress with flight tracking software, the Flight ID will be TEXGLD.

The Spitfire is operated by the Biggin Hill Trust.https://www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555

[tbf2504]

No Avenger?