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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 11, 2009 13:20:30 GMT 12
Does the great Plains four day SAA fly-in at Ashburton have an airshow on the final day like the North Island equivalent, Sport Avex, does?
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Post by Bruce on Jan 11, 2009 17:48:39 GMT 12
Great Plains doesnt have an airshow due to the amount of logistics involved.(once every two years is enough of a hassle!) It has always been intended as a low key alternative to the SportAvex showcases so there are no plans to include an airshow. This also allows time for spot landing competitions etc which arent possible over the SportAvex weekend. There are also fly - aways and the normal seminars etc. Last time the RNZAF Historic Flight Harvard did a display, but nothing formalised.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 11, 2009 21:03:04 GMT 12
Thanks Bruce. No doubt NZ1015 will be at Wigram instead this year.
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Post by Bruce on Jan 12, 2009 15:37:01 GMT 12
I'm currently trying to scrounge a ride down as CKE wont be ready to take me. I really need to get there as I am on the National Council this year. If anyone from parts north is heading down and has a spare seat, let me know (i will share costs)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 12, 2009 21:22:06 GMT 12
That's a shame about CKE. Have you run into particular snags or just the usual 'it'll fly when it's ready' issues?
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Post by Bruce on Jan 12, 2009 21:44:19 GMT 12
Bit of both really, the engine controller had to go back to florida for repair, its come back but delayed in Customs (I have to explain to them I have Already paid GST on it!) The other big issue is now the aircraft is at the airport, I can only work on it during business hours, And I am running out of leave in order to get the work done - should have been sorted over the Christmas break, but the logistics wouldnt work. Then there are the usual compass swings, Radio checks, wighing, fuel calibration and paperwork checks to do.... It may well fly before Ashburton, but test flying definitely wont have progressed far enough for it to make that sort of flight.
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Post by Bruce on Jan 21, 2009 20:27:05 GMT 12
Looks like I've sorted a ride down to Ashburton, A little adventure in a Jodel D11... should be fun.
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Post by hardyakka on Jan 22, 2009 20:23:33 GMT 12
Noel B?
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Post by Dave.K on Jan 24, 2009 15:56:35 GMT 12
Hi Dave, will be at Ashburton, be good to catch up, who's jodel are you coming in? I built a D9 FRK,and have a sky-princess half built .
Regards Dave Kenny southland chapter
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Post by Bruce on Jan 24, 2009 16:43:05 GMT 12
Hi Dave, I guess you mean me (Bruce)  I'll be coming down with Bill Izard in ZK-DBY - Jim Barracloughs old machine. this will be the furthest I have ever flown by light aircraft, and although I'm disappointed it wont be my own machine it should still be a great adventure - Jodels fly so nicely! I'll keep my eye out for you and FRK and make sure I introduce myself - see you there! |
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Post by Bruce on Feb 4, 2009 19:59:23 GMT 12
OK, departing for points South Tomorrow (Thursday) Morning. there are several "gaggles" of waikato aircraft heading down south. The group I am with in Jodel DBY will assemble at Te Kuiti and then proceed via Wanganui, Foxpine, Marlbourough Sounds Headlands, cape Campbell, Kaikoura, Rangiora and on to Ashburton. return may be a different route. Look out for us along the way (we wont necessarily land at all the points mentioned though) and say Gidday if you see us.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2009 20:39:22 GMT 12
Bon voyage Bruce, have a great and safe trip. And please, lots of photos!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2009 6:11:41 GMT 12
Bruce, feel free to pop over to the Wanganui Aero Work engineering hangar, would be great to meet you!
We had a few early ones yesterday, a lovely little silver Spitfire replica from Tauranga, and later in the afternoon two Corby Starlets (TOY and TNT) and another single-seat taildragger, unsure of the type, maroon and white.
Will be interested to see what else passes through today.
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Post by Bruce on Feb 8, 2009 22:05:39 GMT 12
OK, I'm back froam a great weekend at Ashburton and as requested i have a LOT of photos. As I have to resize most of them, I'll take a few days to get them on. I'm also totally stuffed as the flight home today took close on 7 Hours, and what with socialising and staying in a tent, I hadnt had too much sleep!. I departed with Bill Izard from Kihikihi on Thursday morning in 100Hp Jodel D11 ZK-DBY (at max weight). We were to hook up with several other aircraft near Te Kuiti, however Gary William's 115hp D11 left us well behind, and most of the others had got away earlier, so we were basically on our own. Approaching Te Kuiti:  After crossing the tiger country of the upper Wanganui we appeared near the city the flew south towards Ohakea. The Raumai range was not active, so we could transit via the coast:  shortly thereafter we landed at Foxpine, near Foxton, where a number of other aircraft had stopped on their way south:  with lifejackets on, we proceded down the coast and across Cook Strait at fairly low level. here we approach Tory Channel entrance to the Marlborough Sounds. Note the reflection of the navigation chart!  Across Cloudy bay we overflew the salt works at lake Grassmere (green does not appear to be a common colour in these parts!)  and off down the coast towards Kaikoura  landing at Kaikoura we were hoping to have lunch, however the cafe was closed for some reason and we departed southwards once more.  On this part of the flight we found a pod of approx 40 Dolphins leaping out of the water, then proceded to land at a farm airstrip of a mate of Bills near Confay Flats. This was interesting as due to the nature of the strip, we were required to land with a 25Kt Cross - tailwind. This was no problem at all as Bill is pretty experienced, and despite its low power the D11 is an extremely capable strip machine. After a brief chat to the farmer and refilling our water bottles (which we forgot to do at Kaikoura). we headed down to Rangiora to top up fuel and see if any food could be had.  Food turned out to be somewhat basic, however the Canterbury Microlight club were extremely hospitable. One of the guys mentioned he had a Jodel at a strip near Cust, so shortly afterwards we headed there to have a look. We found the strip, but conditions werent suitable, so we continued to Ashburton - crossing the Rakaia River en route:  We safely arrived at Ashburton shortly thereafter according to the GPS logs, total time airborne was 5 hours 59 minutes! Next day we visited Rangitata Island to see Russell Brodie's Microlight Museum and buy some stuff from the Pilot shop. Typical Canterbury Plains Scenery (and tough job finding the strip!)  On Saturday Bill Sisley (SAA President) took me flying in his Europa ZK-CHV (Which is very different to a D11). We attempted to get up the Rakaia river Valley, however we got as far a lake Coleridge (Below) before we hit serious turbulence and were hanging off the straps several times. We therefore made the call to turn around and return.  On Sunday temperatures suggested an early start, so we departed northbound by D11 once again at approx 0830. DBY was "equipped" with a "Glass cockpit" with dual navigation systems (Bills GPS and Mine) Digital Comms (Cellphone) and Flight recording device (Camera).  Low cloud around Christchurch suggested a pause at Cust once again, this time at the Evan Bellworthy's lovely airstrip a short distance from the earlier Jodel strip. Evan welcomed us and showed us the hangar containing his Family's varied collection of Homebuilts (many own - designs). Airborne Again we stopped at Rangiora for more fuel, as we intended travelling to Omaka via Hanmer and Molesworth Station. High temperatures limited the Jodels climb performance significantly, and oil temps were too close to the limit to enable us to get enough altitude to cross the passes into the hills, so we returned via a valley system to the coast at Kaikoura. Finally we landed at Omaka for lunch and a visit to the Aviation heritage Centre. Whilst there I briefly caught up with Al, (whom I head met the previous day at Ashburton).  Topping up fuel and oil again, we headed northward over the strait - into a significant headwind. GPS Groundspeed was less than 60 kts at times. To gain a little altitude en - route, we used the significant updrafts off the seaward side of Mana Island!  We stopped at Foxpine once again for a welcome break, however as we didnt have a Shell Fuel card, and no-one was manning the clubhouse to process a cash sale, we headed on to Wanganui. the stop at Wanganui was very brief, as we were blocking a B1900 on the apron whilst we refuelled! It was also ver windy, so we didnt stay long at all. we were soon climbing oput over the City:  heading inland back towards Te Kuiti, we were once again in tiger country:  En Route we spotted two wildfires in the Wanganui river bush - we reported these to Christchurch Information as Pilots are required to do  we finally landed at Kihikihi just before 6pm, after nearly 7 hours total time airborne since leaving ashburton. Time to spare - go by air! More Pictures of Great Plains to follow in the next few days..... |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 9, 2009 14:01:37 GMT 12
Great photos Bruce! It looks like you got great weather and had a real adventure.
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 9, 2009 16:38:29 GMT 12
Great selection of shots there, Bruce, and it sounds like you had a great weekend.  |
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Post by Bruce on Feb 9, 2009 18:21:19 GMT 12
More Pics: general view of aircraft park during arrivals on Friday.  Murphy Mile - 3 more arrived after this photo was taken.  Corby Corner - note DBY in the background (as at all SAA fly -ins these machines were out flying so much it was difficult to get a photo of them on the ground!)  Another Corby Starlet - however this brand new example is the very first CM2 All - metal variant  Best single seat microlight - this VERY red Midget Mustang  The Hurricane won best military replica  A great little Fokker  This Air Cam twin flew regularly over the weekend  A very nice single seat cub replica  and a nice example of the real thing  |
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Post by Bruce on Feb 9, 2009 18:35:14 GMT 12
Dry, dusty, (and very hot!) conditions prevailed for most of the weekend  Evan Belworthy brought this classic Pientenpol Aircamper from the field at Cust (which we later visited)  A certain Al Marshall arrived in this little classic - Andrews A1 BLU  Harvard 7660 was busy with joyrides most of Saturday  The RNZAF was present on Saturday despite the Wigram Airshow the next day. Historic Flight Harvard 15 and the airtrainer bringing John Lanham, who presented the CAA Av - Kiwi safety seminar.  Rotax Agent Colin Alexander hosted a well - attended workshop on Rotax maintenance  One of the Canterbury-Based Rans Microlights departs under the command of a young student pilot and instructor  Tiger 43 arrived from Rangitata Island, a short hop to the south  Without a doubt the star of the show was Bob McGarry's beautiful 1929 Spartan 3 seater. Bob (left) presented an excellent talk on the trials and tribulations of turning a basket case of broken bits into such a stunning work of art.   |
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Feb 9, 2009 20:16:10 GMT 12
Great photos Bruce, I'm jealous, that looks like it was an awful lot of fun. The Air Cam is a strange looking thing, had to look at it a few times for the brain to register that it's a twin!
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Post by chewy on Sept 11, 2009 21:26:15 GMT 12
The midget mustang. Is that Mark Elworthy's? If it is, i helped with the riveting but i moved to christchurch and never got a chance to see it finished and flying.
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