West Auckland Airport Parakai is available for General Aviation, drop-in visitors welcome. Radio 123.5 in MBZ.  Due to frequent skydiving, please join downwind, base or final (not overhead).  Visitor parking by the hangars down taxiway

Summer Maintenance Program:   The soft spot that had appeared on the threshhold of runway 25 was fixed on Monday 21st, and the runway re-opened at midday as hoped.   The soft spot turned out to be shallow, and if it all settles down nicely a top coat will be put on soon to complete this summer's runway maintenance program.    

Meanwhile the Skydivers' property to the north has had a substantial tide gate installed on their drainage system, so the whole area has a lot more resiliance against unexpected events, such as a storm surge coinciding with a 'super moon' that caused problems last year.   The capacity of the area drainage system is now twice what it was then.

Building maintenance is almost done with the Pilot Room and Hall painted, the area between the hall and the tower cleaned up and ready for grassing.

The Airport's Tecnam, ZK-CDL, will soon be due for the major maintenance session that occurs each 1200 hours, where the wings are taken off, inspected, and the major bolts replaced etc.    We'll take advantage of it being out of the air to have the seat unholstery and carpets replaced,  and possibly a paint job.   The aircraft is carefully maintained for reliability and has an excellent availability record, but training aircraft do tend to visually age, and its time for a general tidy up so the 'optics' match the internals.     With the increased number of Rotax engined aircraft on the airport, Leading Edge is now keeping on hand stocks of the Rotax components that tend to fail, such as regulators, to speed up turn-around.

West Auckland Airport, view from SW (non traffic side)

JANUARY 15th to March 15th... Drones in NZWP Zone....

The Auckland Airspace Users Group writes:

Hi everyone,

Adam Lawson at Whenuapai Tower has requested that the following information be circulated to our distribution list;

·         From 15 January – 15 March 2019 Airways will be conducting a series of RPAS trials inland of Bethells Beach in the southwest quadrant of the Whenuapai Control Zone.

·         The trial area will be subject to a NOTAM, the normal operating height of the RPAS unit is expected to be 400ft agl, although on occasions it may be higher.

·         All RPAS flights will be contained within the CTR and Whenuapai Tower will be on watch.

·         Anyone flying in the area is strongly recommended to double check the status of the trial with Whenuapai ATC on 134.5, particularly before descending towards the Bethells area.

Regards,

AUCKLAND AIRSPACE USERS GROUP

Qwilton Biel

Flights by West Auckland Aircraft:    Murchison NZMR.   After finding Murchison town easily enough, it took a bit longer to find the airfield.   Several minutes flying around town and looking at the position of the river, the bridge etc eventually produced this view, on final for NZMR.  A strip had been mowed on either side of the runway which is just one of the paddocks... not noticeable flatter or smoother than those around but most welcome as we were ready for lunch, and it is kind of the farmer to keep it available for the occasional visiting aviator.   We parked up and walked into town for one of their famous pies, and had a look at the very original General Store which has been in business for more than 100 years... and appears to stock a wider range of items than The Warehouse.  From Baby shoes to an Anvil, its all there.

On final for Murchison NZMR, the strip a little to the right of the sewage ponds behind the prop.

Confirmation that we had arrived at the right place 

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Coming Events:

26th January, Thames Wings and Wheels:  10 am – 3 pm Thames Aerodrome Contact 027 2003433

26th to 28th Jan 2019, Weekend.  Autogyro Assn fly-in at Dannevirke.  Annual get together for gyros and all manner of rotary wing aircraft, though fixed wing also welcome.   Flyout to Athbey Farm, socialising, AGM, lunches and more.   For details see www.autogyro.org.nz

2nd February, NAC Poker Run from North Shore NZNE:    Leaves from Paul Hopper’s hangar at North Shore airfield, get there by 9.30am for morning tea and the briefing. The event will call into around 6 local airfields to pick up cards and end at Dargaville for their regular Saturday lunch. Entry cost $10 per person and the best poker hand wins 2/3 of the pot with the runner up hand winning 1/3 of the pot.

9th February, Te Kowhai NZTE Country Market Day:    Always a fun event with lots to see, and an easy flight from West Auckland.  Click here for airfield details.

9th February, Dargaville.  The Gordonton Microlight Club are visiting Dargaville for lunch if you want to catch up with any of those guys.

23rd February, Mata Annual Flyin:   At Leo John's Mata airstrip just to the south of Whangarei.  Always well attended from near and far.   Click here for airfield details.

Mata airfield 

COROMANDEL NZCX:  Second Sunday of each month from 12:30. Clubhouse Ph 07 866 2055. Click here for airfield details.

WHANGAREI NZWR: Last Saturday of each month at hangar 10, the Western end of the row of hangars.  Whangarei Flying Club meeting at 10:30 with lunch to follow.  Clubhouse phone 09 436 4053.  Click here for airfield details.

MATAMATA NZMA:   Last Sunday of every month from 12 noon. BBQ flyin.  BYO meat for BBQ + gold coin.  Click here for airfield details.

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Tower and Engineering