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Aircraft
Portraits:
Portraits,
Next Page.
All photos
taken at West Auckland Airport (Parakai). Click on small photos to enlarge.
Tecnam
Echo, ZK-CDL: An Italian factory built 'Tecnam P92 Echo
Super'.
ZK-CDL
was imported in December 2003 for Harvey Lockie. It is currently
owned by Kevin Taylor and operated by FlyWest Flying School for
flight training, and available 'on-line' for hire by suitably licenced
pilots.
Built
with Aluminium airframe and skins and able to be flown on a Microlight
licence or PPL.
Engine
is a Rotax 912S engine. Fuel consumption is 17 L / hour at 110kts
(approx 8L / 100km) and like all planes with a Rotax 912 engine,
it prefers to burn normal unleaded petrol (Mogas) but can use Avgas
if nothing else is available at a remote airfield.
ZK-CDL
won the NSAC's Great Northern Air Race, cruising division, in 2004. |

Tecnam
Echo, ZK-CDL
|

DynAero 'Club', ZK-WIK
|
DynAero
'Club', ZK-WIK: Factory built near Dijon, France, this
'DynAero MCR01 Club' was imported in May 2007 by Bryn Lockie of
Leading Edge Aviation Ltd. ZK-WIK is built of carbon fibre with
oleo suspension, carbon prop with hydraulic CSU, and long range
tanks holding 182L giving Auckland to Sydney direct range with several
hours fuel to spare.
Engine
is a Rotax 912S engine with tuned exhaust and ram air feed. West
Auckland to Paraparaumu in 1hr 55mts, West Auckland to Rangiora
(Chch) in 3h 29mts.
At
the 'NZ Air Games' at Wanaka in Dec 2007 with Bert Gregory at the
controls, ZK-WIK was the outright winner of the race for aircraft
under 544kg, with a measured speed of 146kts (approx 270 km/h) across
the line. ZK-WIK is believed to be the fastest aircraft registered
in the Microlight category in NZ... challengers are welcome to try
their luck! |

Mooney,
ZK-CFV |
Mooney,
ZK-CFV
This
Mooney, owned by Leading Edge Aviation and currently stuck to the
back wall of their engineering hangar at West Auckland, is the 'Hangar
Queen'... the aircraft that sits in the back of the hangar to be
worked on when there is a quiet moment between other jobs.
Mooneys
are top-of-the-line four seat American aircraft with 360 c.i. engine,
high performance and a luxury fitout. ZK-CFV will be a nice aircraft
when restored to its former glory, and will be available for hire
by suitably licensed RPLs, PPLs, CPLs who are rated for the type
and approved by Leading Edge. |
Tecnam
Echo, ZK-PAB:
ZK-PAB
is the long wing variant of Tecnam Echos.
Initially
imported for David Horton, this Tecnam Echo was sold to Kevin Taylor
in Feb 09 and used for personal flying and ML training at West Auckland.
After being damaged in an runway over-run in 2011, it was sold to
a Christchurch owner and has gone there to be restored. |

Tecnam
Echo, ZK-PAB |
Cessna
152, ZK-ZGR:
One
of Judith Grant's Cessna 152s, ZK-ZGR is 'on line' with West Auckland
Flying School for PPL and CPL flight training, and available for
hire by suitably licenced pilots. |

Cessna
152, ZK-ZGR |

Harman
Rocket, ZK-RMD |
Harman
Rocket, ZK-RMD:
Dave
Simpson, who is the Chief Flying Instructor at Parakai Aviation
Club, built this Harman 'Rocket'... a derivative of the Rans RV4,
which has a 540 ci 6 cylinder engine in place of the usual RV4 360
ci 4 cylinder engine.
The
aircraft is beautifully constructed and has very high performance
with an excellent power to weight ratio and aerobatic capability. |
De
Havilland 'Fox Moth', ZK-APT:
A
1930s DH 83C Fox 'Moth', beautifully restored by vintage aircraft
expert, Stan Smith who is based at North Shore airfield.
Seen
here flown by Stan, attending the Parakai Aviation Club's 2009 'Vintage
Day'.
|

De
Havilland Fox Moth, ZK-APT |
Cessna
210, ZK- KMF: One
of the jump ships that 'Blue Skies Skydiving' previously used to
lift tourist skydivers from West Auckland, it then moved to Whangarei
lifting skydivers for 'Ballistic Blondes'.
ZK-KMF
is a C210-5A with a 540 ci engine. It is fitted with a lift up door
for easy exit from the aircraft.
Seen
here lifting off runway 25 at West Auckland with another load of
jumpers.
The
aircraft started its life doing Aerial Surveys in Australia for
'Adastra Airways' working out of Essendon, Melbourne. |
Cessna 210, ZK-KMF
|

Cessna,
ZK-KAL
|
Cessna,
ZK-KAL:
Currently
'Blue Skies Skydiving' main skydive lifter at West Auckland, ZK-KAL
is specifically modified for skydiving with a powerful motor, and
lift up door to allow easy exit.
The
aircraft was previously based at Christchurch and purchased by 'Blue
Skies' in May 09. |
Cessna
182, ZK-DXJ
Cessna
182, ZK-DXJ is another one of the jump ships used by 'Blue Skies
Skydiving' for lifting sports and tandem tourist skydivers from
West Auckland.
With
jumpers typically taking the big first step at 7500 ft or 10,000
ft, the view is magical... looking down over Muriwai and the Tasman
to the West, the Kaipara Harbour and up past Dargaville to the North,
down to Ruapehu and Mt Taranaki to the South, and over the whole
Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel Peninsular and out to the Pacific to
the East.
|

Cessna
182, ZK-DXJ |

Falco,
ZK-SMR |
Falco,
ZK-SMR
George
Richard built his 'Falco' over nine years from 1994 to 2003, and
the result is in the photo... a wooden moulded ply airframe (like
the WW2 'Mosquito'), making for a beautiful aircraft with retractable
under carriage and a great turn of speed.
ZK-SMR
is registered under the 'experimental' class and lives in George's
own hangar at West Auckland.
|
Sea
Sprite, Navy Helicopter
The
Navy and Air Force helicopters drop in at West Auckland from time to time
to carry out operational exercises from small airfields for military
and rescue purposes.
West Auckland's
close proximity to Whenuapai (where the Navy's Sea Sprites are based)
makes it a convenient training field for both Military, and Search
and Rescue people to exercise.
|

Navy
Sea Sprite practicing winch drops and retrievals on West Auckland Airport (Parakai). |

Cessna
172, ZK-MDV |
Cessna
172, ZK-MDV
Paul
McSherry's Cessna 172, ZK-MDV has a wide range of instruments and
is equipped for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight. It has a high
quality internal fitout with grey leather upholstery and everything
in 'as new' condition.
ZK-MDV
was imported from the USA in May 2008 sharing a container with ZK-MDS,
with the aircraft being assembled and set up to NZ specs by Leading
Edge Aviation at West Auckland.
Like
the smaller two seat C152s, the four seat C172s are known for their
reliability and ease of flying, there are many flying around NZ
and they are widely used for flight training. |
Cessna
182, ZK-SAR ('Search And Rescue'):
ZK-SAR
is busy most weekends patrolling the Auckland coast to provide the
Coastguard with a good view of the action on the water, and the
ability to patrol and search large areas of sea very quickly. In
addition to the usual aircraft radios, this Coastguard Search and
Rescue aircraft is fitted with marine radios for the observers to
communicate directly with surface vessels and the coastguard base.
With
West Auckland (Parakai) being in close proximity to the stormy West
Coast, ZK-SAR is quite often seen around West Auckland.
The
C182 model is similar to the C172 but with more power and space.
|

Cessna
182, ZK-SAR |

Cessna
Caravan, ZK-VAN |
Cessna
Caravan, ZK-VAN
One
of the GA operations that have taken place over many years, Parakai
Aviation ran a scheduled passenger service between West Auckland and Gt
Barrier Island in the 1990s using this Cessna Caravan.
It
also lifted tourist tandem skydivers to 13,000 ft and sports skydivers
to 20,000 ft making use of the Caravan's Turbine (jet prop) engine
with its ability to climb strongly with a heavy load.
|
Eurocopter
AS355 Twin Squirel, 'Police2':
'Police2'
is a Eurocopter AS355 'Twin Squirel' with two Alison 400hp engines,
which can produce 450hp for single engine operations if necessary.
The
police helicopters are one of the emergency services that make use
of West Auckland Airport (Parakai) when necessary, seen here on a visit.
Airfields
are an important part of the civil defence infrastructure to keep
services going in event of earthquakes or other disruption affecting
roads and bridges.
|

Eurocopter
'Twin Squirel', 'Police2' |

Rotoway
Exec Helicopter, ZK-IOH
|
Rotoway
Exec 162, ZK-IOH:
A
two seat kitset helicopter with an 'Exec' 4 cylinder engine with
fuel injection giving good performance and relatively low operating
costs.
This
Rotoway is easily recognised by its 'Jaws' paint job.
Seen
here in a hangar at West Auckland, ZK-IOH is normally based on its owner's
property and visits West Auckland when it needs an official airfield.
|
JODEL,
ZK-PAS:
Previously
owned by engineer Steve White and based at his farm airstrip at
South head. Steve was able to fly or drive to West Auckland when
he was working at Leading Edge aviation.
This
Jodel is a two seat plane with good short strip characteristics,
and often arrived back loaded with venision from Steve's hunting
trips down south. |

Jodel,
ZK-PAS |

Rans
Coyote, ZK-JLE
|
Rans
Coyote, ZK-JLE:
Sandy
Eglinton's 'taildragger' configuration Rans 'Coyote' is an example
of a type of aircraft with excellent short strip capability for
rough farm airstrips.
The
Coyote is a side-by-side two seater with 'rag and tube' construction,
and a popular kitset built aircraft type with many flying worldwide
in both nosewheel and tailwheel configurations. |
Cessna
172, ZK-FGV:
Brewin
Aviation's very tidy C172 has the 'Salt Air' livery, 'Northland
Best Seen from Above', having been used in the past for scenic flights
from Kerikeri, and as a jump ship by 'Blue Skies Skydiving' at West Auckland.
C172s
have four seats, fixed undercarriage and either a Lycoming or Continental
engine, usually 160 to 180 hp.
The
Cessna 172s and 152s are aluminium aircraft built in the USA.
|

Cessna
172, ZK-FGV |

Bantam |
Bantam:
Iain
Blyth's Bantam has the optional the rear fuselage with fabric and
clear covering.
There
are
several 'Bantam' aircraft flying out of West Auckland Airport (Parakai).
Built with 'rag and tube' construction and a fibreglass pod with
windscreen.
Most
Bantams use two stroke engines, which are designed for aviation
use with two spark plugs per cylinder and separate magnetos. Bantams
are built at Te Kowhai Airfield near Hamilton, and are popular with
aviators who enjoy back to basics and 'wind in the face' aviation. |
Robinson
R44, ZK-IMH:
Chris
Batton's R44 operates out of his own farm, visiting West Auckland when
it needs an official airfield.
The
R44 has four seats, a 6 cylinder 540 ci Lycoming engine giving a
100kt to 120kt speed, comparable to most 4 seat fixed wing planes.
Robinson
R44 helicopters are not only the biggest selling helicopter worldwide,
but are at present also the biggest selling single model of any
aircraft including fixed wing types. |

Robinson
R44, ZK-IMH |

Piper
Tomohawk, ZK-EVG |
Piper
Tomohawk, ZK-EVG:
The
'Piper PA 38 Tomohawk' is an aluminium aircraft made in the USA.
ZK-EVG
is one of a model that has been widely used by flying schools in
the past for initial pilot training. Many of today's commerical
pilots did their initial training in a Tomohawk.
|
Terrier,
ZK-EZY:
Paul
Hopper's 'Terrier' is a carbon fibre aircraft powered by a Rotax
912 engine.
Most
Terriers are under 544kg take off weight and so are registered in
the Microlight Class, but ZK-EZY was built with carbon fibre rather
than the usual fibreglass, which makes it immensely strong but also
heavier so it is registered in the 'experimental' class.
As
the photo shows, ZK-EZY is easily recognisable with its yellow and
blue colour scheme.
|

Terrier, ZK-EZY |

Gyrocopter
(Auto gyro)
|
Gyrocopter:
This type of aircraft was popular in the 1930s but interest
moved to helicopters once those became practical.
Despite
the superficial similarity to helicopters, 'Auto Gyros' (as they
are also known) are a quite separate type of aircraft, where the
engine drives a forward motion propeller, and the rotor is free
to rotate in the airflow which provides its only drive.
Gyrocopters
typically have a short takeoff run and can land in only a few meters.
The aircraft type is making a comeback with the benefits of modern
materials and aerodynamic design.
Photo
taken during the Feb 2007 fly-in. |
Alpi,
ZK-PKT:
This
aircraft was previously owned by Rex Swensson and operated from
his own airstrip at Makarau, before he changed to the retractible
Alpi 300, ZK-LPX.
Seen
here with Rex on late final for runway 07 at West Auckland.
Alpis
are Italian aircraft with a wooden airframe and fabric/aluminium
cladding. ZK-PKT is an 'Alpi 200' with fixed undercarriage.
|

Alpi,
ZK-PKT |

Cessna
152, ZK-MDO
|
Cessna
152, ZK-MDO:
Paul
McSherry's ZK-MDO is a C152 that has been converted from the standard
nose wheel configuration to tail wheel. This conversion reduces
air resistance (the tail wheel is smaller than a nose wheel and
further from the slipstream) which is important for aerobatic aircraft
where any inefficiency of the energy conversions between height
and speed limit the length of an aerobatic sequence. It also has
a larger motor so can do a wider range of aerobatic manouvers than
a standard aircraft while retaining safety margins.
Imported
from the USA in early 2008, ZK-MDO was set up for NZ conditions
by Leading Edge Aviation at West Auckland. |
Bantam,
ZK-FVM:
Brett
Flavell's Bantam is easily visible with its bright yellow pod. Bantams
are a 'rag and tube' microlight with fibreglass pod and windscreen,
providing simple flying with a reasonable degree of comfort for
those who want to have the freedom of the air at low cost.
ZK-FVM
has a two stroke two cylinder engines specifically designed for
small aircraft with two spark plugs per cylinder driven by separate
magnetos. The type is built at Te Kowhai Airfield near Hamilton. |

Bantam
ZK-FVM |

Hughes
500D, ZK-HRF |
Hughes
500D Helicopter, ZK-HRF:
Owned
by Hawkes Bay Helicopters and based at Napier, this aircraft flew
a large number of sorties from West Auckland with a spreading system hanging
from the lift hook, during the operations on behalf of MAF to eliminate
the Salt Marsh mosquito from the Kaipara harbour from 2003 to 2008.
Although
a small aircraft, the USA built Hughes 500 has a turbine engine
able to deliver a continuous 360 bhp and is able to lift heavy loads
while still having reserve power to operate safely when 'up close
and personal', as in this photo taken while dealing to the mosquitos
near West Auckland Airport (Parakai).
|
Titan
Tornado 2, ZK-RSR:
Vern
Booth's Titan Tornado has an easily recognisable shape, and is a
tandem two seater. It has an aluminium airframe and a Rotax 912
(horizontally opposed four cylinder four stroke engine), in 'pusher'
configuration.
ZK-RSR
shares a hangar with the Sea Rey amphibian ZK-REY and the Rans Coyote
ZK-RNS at West Auckland Airport (Parakai).
|

Titan
Tornado - ZK-RSR |
|
|

Searay Amphibian, ZK-REY |
Searey
Amphibian, ZK-REY:
Phot
here when owned by Gordon Swann and kept at West Auckland. The 'Sea
Ray' has a fibreglass hull built much like a fast boat when the
wheels are rotated back up under the wing struts, to clear the water.
With wheels down it operates like a normal land plane, giving these
aircraft a wide range of possible landing places on airfields as
well as lakes and rivers.
The
Searay is a side-by-side two seater with a Rotax 912 engine in 'pusher'
configuration, and shared a hangar with ZK-RSR and ZK-RNS at West
Auckland Airport (Parakai). |
Rans
Coyote, ZK-RNS:
Owned
by Jeff Carrol and based at West Auckland Airport (Parakai), the
'Coyote' is a strong kitset aircraft constructed of fabric over
tube, and designed for short take-off and landings on rough farm
strips... note the big wheels and wide tyres.
ZK-RNS
shares a hangar at West Auckland with the Titan Tornado ZK-RSR and
a Sea Rey amphibian aircraft ZK-REY. |

Rans 'Coyote', ZK-RNS
|

Robinson
R44, ZK-HRR
|
Robinson
R44, ZK-HRR:
Robinson
R44s are the most popular 4 seat helicopter in the world, USA manufactured
with an aluminium airframe.
ZK-HRR
is seen here doing a 'touch and go' approach and pass along runway
07 at West Auckland Airport (Parakai). |
Grob,
ZK-GMP (glider):
The
Grob G102 glider ZK-GMP being towed off runway 25 at West Auckland
on 15th March 07 by its Cessna 172 tug plane, ZK-DML.
Murray
Wardell of the Auckland Gliding Club flew the Grob to sucessfully
establish a new World Gliding Record for a PW5 distance of up to
three turn points = 597.1 km, Flight Time 6 hours 45 minutes.
Both
aircraft are normally based at Whenuapai, and were pre-positioned
to West Auckland for the record attempt because of the close proximity
to the West Coast beaches, and its sandhills for lift. |

Grob ZK-GMP glider being towed |

Cessna
172, ZK-DML |
Cessna
172, ZK-DML:
ZK-DML
is the tug that pulls gliders into the air at Whenuapai Airbase
for the gliding club based there. Most of the gliders were previously
based at Hobsonville before that airfield was closed and they moved
to Whenuapai.
ZK-DML
is seen here being serviced by Leading Edge Aviation at West Auckland. |
Corby Starlet, ZK-TOY:
A well
named little single seat Corby Starlet powered by a VW 2100cc engine
specifically modified for aviation use with two spark plugs per
cylinder powered by separate magnetos, and other mods required for
automotive engines to be used for aviation.
Built
by the current owner's father 30 years ago, this aircraft is aerobatic
and has clocked up many flying hours. |
Corby Starlet, ZK-TOY
|

Thunder
Mustang, ZK-TMG |
Thunder
Mustang, ZK-TMG:
Seen
here doing a fast pass down runway 07, Simon Gault's Thunder Mustang
was a very much appreciated visitor to the 2006 and 2010 fly-ins
at West Auckland Airport (Parakai).
The
aircraft is a scale replica of a WW2 Mustang figher plane, beautifully
built and equipped with a 600 bhp V12 engine giving the sound and
fury of the original aircraft in a modern airframe. Note the size
of the propeller required to absorb all that horsepower.
A real
show stopper, the Thunder Mustang was greatly admired by all the
aviation enthusiasts at the fly-ins as it went through its paces. |
Helicopter,
ZK-HJU:
Seen
here in the hover and about to land during the 2006 fly-in.
The
very nicely finished helicopter ZK-HJU is noticeable for its unusual
sound... despite it's small size it has a gas turbine (jet) engine
driving the rotors, which is unusual for a single seat helicopter. |

Helicopter,
ZK-HJU |

Tiger
Moth DH82 model
|
Tiger
Moth: First flown in 1931, the De Havilland Tiger Moths
were widely used as an initial trainer for pilots in WW2.
Build
of wood and fabric covered and braced with wires, these 'stick and
string' biplanes with open cockpits are the architype classic aircraft.
The passenger sits in the forward cockpit under the wing with the
command pilot flying from the rear cockpit, so that weight distribution
is less affected between solo and dual.
Engine
is a Gypsy Major 4 cylinder in-line engine. These are different
from most in-line engines in having the cylinders 'upside down'
below the crankshaft so as to allow a clear view forward.
In
this photo the Tiger Moth is taking up veteran pilots for a reminscence
flight during the 2006 fly-in. |
Fletcher
FU24, ZK-CRY:
One
of the 'Super Air' company's FU24 aircraft, ZK-CRY's was based at
Paparoa at the time of this visit. Seen here working out of West
Auckland loading cricket baits for dropping on a local farm.
Fletchers
are specifically designed for topdressing with a powerful engine,
long and thick section wings to generate plenty of lift, and forgiving
slow speed flight characteristics .
Topdressing
is essential to some types of agriculture, and the only economic
way to distribute some loads in difficult country. |

|

Nanchang, ZK-FRU |
Nanchang
CJ-6A, ZK-FRU:
The
Nanchang is a radial engined aerobatic plane, related to the Yak
52.
A nimble
and popular aerobatic aircraft seen here in a Russian paint scheme. |
Flyitalia,
ZK-MDT:
The
'Flyitalia MD-3 Rider' has large areas of clear window low in the
doors, giving an excellent view of the terrain.
Another
example of modern microlight construction, providing fast and economical
flying with a good level of comfort. |

Flyitalia,
ZK-MDT |

Beaver,
ZK-CKH |
Beaver,
ZK-CKH:
The
De Havilland 'DHC-2 Beaver' is a very robust aircraft type with
considerable lifting capacity built for heavy lifing from rough
airstrips. It is often said that if something can be fitted through
the Beaver's wide cargo doors, then the aircraft can lift it with
its large radial engine.
The
particular aircraft, ZK-CKH, is in the livery it wore when used
on one of the Trans Antarctic Expeditions.
A
different Beaver was also in continuous use at West Auckland in
the 1990s lifting many thousands of tandem tourist skydivers. |
Cricri,
ZK-LBW:
Neville
Hay's MC-15 'Cri cri' ('Cricket') always attracts a crowd.
The
Cricri is a Michel Colomban designed twin engine aircraft with more
than 100 flying worldwide. The are so tiny that it's hard to believe
they can lift a pilot... but they can easily, and despite the tiny
wings they have a good rate of climb and fly well.
As
Neville also flies Boeing 747s, his flying spans a wide range of
aircraft sizes. |

Cricri, ZK-LBW |

Robin,
ZK-TZA |
Robin,
ZK-TZA:
Chris
Johnstone's Robin, ZK-TZA, is the four seat model.
Robin
aircraft are a well proven French aircraft designed in the 1950s
by Pierre Robin. Built of aluminium, this aircraft is one of those
that was manufactured in NZ when Alpha Aviation owned the design.
The
North Shore Aero Club has a fleet of the smaller two-seat Robins
that look similar, also with 'TZ' registrations, which are frequent
visitors to West Auckland. |
Bantam,
ZK-FYF:
Rim
Malskaitis' Bantam is a common sight at West Auckland Airport (Parakai),
both on the ground and in the air.
ZK-FYF
lives at Rim's home on its trailer and is bought frequently to West
Auckland to be have the wings installed and be flown. Rim and his
mates know exactly what they are doing and can set up for flight
very efficiently. |

Bantam,
ZK-FYF |

Cessna
182, ZK-DNZ |
Cessna
182, ZK-DNZ:
The
Cessna 182 is similar to the popular Cessna 172, but a little larger
and faster. The high wing with struts allows for simple construction
while still making it easy to provide the required strength.
Seen
here as part of a line of visiting aircraft, the four seat Cessnas
have always been popular in NZ with many flying both privately and
with aero clubs. Cessnas
are aluminium aircraft manufactured in the USA. |

Piper
PA18, ZK-TOW |
Piper
Cub, ZK-TOW:
Owned
by Bay Flight Flying School at Tauranga, ZK-TOW is seen here when
the Tauranga Aero Club had group fly-away which stopped at West
Auckland for lunch.
Piper
Cubs are a fabric covered two seater often used in the past as an
initial trainer and now popular as glider tow planes. |
Cessna
150 Aerobat, ZK-TWT ('Tweety')
'Tweety'
was a training aircraft at West Auckland, before being sold and
moving down South.
During
its earlier life it was Bryn Lockie's daily transportation when
he was living at Dairy Flat and working at Ardmore airfield in 2003.
During a 12 month period it clocked up 288 flights between AR and
NE with 100% availability (no unscheduled down time).
|

Cessna
150 Aerobat, ZK-TWT |
Portraits,
Next Page
We'd
like to add to this collection of West Auckland aircraft portraits.
If your aircraft is not shown and you have a photo taken at
West Auckland, or can improve the description, please send
to:
[email protected]
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