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Post by hairy on Oct 24, 2006 11:45:41 GMT 12
Sitting at Bridge Pa aerodrome there is a a derelict Beech 65, ZK-CIA, which has been sitting there for at least 10 years according to locals. It belongs to Air Chathams and is still registered to them and appears on their fleetlist. What I would like to know is why they maintain the registration of an aircraft and not maintain the aircraft itself, and why was it abandoned there in the first place?   |
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Post by hairy on Oct 24, 2006 11:47:15 GMT 12
Oops I just checked the CAA web site and ZK-CIA is no longer registered. But in my defence it was only deregistered on 10 Oct. 2006. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 24, 2006 20:34:15 GMT 12
This would be the bird you mention, taken at Bridge Pa in 1997:  Built in 1970 and imported second-hand, it operated in NZ from December 1987. My guess would be the discovery of an airframe problem - corrosion? spar cracks? If this was the case, no doubt there would have been the intention to repair it, but (as often happens) the cost of the repair is greater than the cost of a replacement aircraft. |
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Post by Bruce on Oct 24, 2006 21:47:13 GMT 12
I think 'CIA was put out to pasture about the time Chatham Island Airways started Metroliner operations. Since that time the operation has grown considerably so there wasnt much incentive to get it going again. I believe that there could well have been an airframe problem of some sort, and there wouldnt be too much of a demand for old-style queenairs these days. Incidentally Chatham Island Airways is owned by the Solomon Family, as is Hawkes Bay Aviation, who currently look after the Queenair. Those familiar with early NZ history would recognise the name as belonging to the last full-blooded Moriori (Chatham Island Native for non NZers) who died in the 1920s. Certainly Wattie Solomon (HB Aviation's director) takes pride in that part of his heritage. (Just a little trivia anyway...  ) |
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Post by corsair67 on Oct 25, 2006 13:03:44 GMT 12
Wasn't one of Chatham Island Airways Convair's registered ZK-CIA at one stage?
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Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 25, 2006 14:44:49 GMT 12
Very suspicious registration...
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 25, 2006 19:56:44 GMT 12
Incidentally Chatham Island Airways is owned by the Solomon Family, as is Hawkes Bay Aviation,That explains a lot. I could never work out why the smaller Chathams aircraft were serviced at HB. Figured that there had to be a reason somewhere! Wasn't one of Chatham Island Airways Convair's registered ZK-CIA at one stage?Nope. The First ZK-CIA was a Pawnee 235, current from 1964 thru 1985, then the Queenair went from 1988 until now. The Convairs are ZK-CIB CID CIE and CIF. Very suspicious registration...Too right . . . I'm looking for Air America in there somewhere. ZK-CIA the first, resting at Wanganui February 1966: 
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Post by corsair67 on Oct 26, 2006 11:31:02 GMT 12
Thanks for that info, Peter.
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Post by hairy on Oct 27, 2006 10:58:09 GMT 12
This would be the bird you mention, taken at Bridge Pa in 1997: It looks pretty much the same now except it is covered in moss, mould, tyres are flat and one of the spinners is missing. Its even in the same place. |
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