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Aircraft
Portraits, Page Two:
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All photos
taken at West Auckland Airport (Parakai). Click on small photos to enlarge.
Embraer,
ZK-RDT:
ZK-RDT
flew in for a film shoot at West Auckland Airport (West Auckland) in 2007, where it was
a prop for a video... film crew, cameras and lights were used to
set up the image of a South American airfield.
The
toitoi in the background being a good approximation of South American
pampas plants. Not clear why the palm fronds were there. This shot
was taken with the plane lined up on West Auckland runway 25.
Owned
by Air Chathams for use on the Chatham Islands run, the aircraft
type is a Piper Chieftan made under licence by Embraer in Brazil.
|

Embraer,
ZK-RDT
|

The
Sting, ZK-STG
|
The
Sting, ZK-STG:
The
'TL-2000 Sting', ZK-STG, is based at North Shore Airfield, and seen
here visiting West Auckland for maintenance.
The
designers of 'The Sting' have taken advantage of the freedom that
composite airframes allow, to build smooth aerodynamic curves and
thus a fast aircraft with low fuel consumption.
ZK-STG
runs a Rotax 912S flat four engine of 1350cc, giving quiet operation
and good fuel economy on normal unleaded petrol.
|
Cessna
Caravan:
Previously
based at Springhill Airfield near Wellsford, this Cessna Caravan
is fitted with a luggage compartment underneath for extra carrying
capacity.
Cessna
Caravans have a turbo-prop engine and are popular with operators
of short range commercial air services as they can use small town
airfields not suitable for larger aircraft.
|

Cessna
Caravan |

Schweizer
300CBi Helicopter |
Schweizer
300CBi:
Seen
here doing a 'touch and go' along runway 07 at West Auckland.
The
'Schweizer 300' follows a 'minimalist' approach to helicopter design.
The effort has gone into reducing panelling and structure to the
essentials, in order to save weight and allow high performance with
reasonable fuel consumption for training.
|
Cessna
172, ZK-EOG
ZK-EOG
is a Cessa 172N, with drag reducing wingtips, a 180 hp motor and
Pen Yan propeller. The aircraft has a three axis autopilot slaved
into the GPS which means that it is capable of following a predefined
route by itself. It is fully IRF equipped with all essential instruments
having duplicate redundancy allowing it to fly into controlled airspace
in cloud or at night if it has a suitably rated pilot.
Amongst
ZK-EOG's previous syndicate owners are Gerard Hall, Harvey Lockie,
Phil Pacey. And Dave Simpson who is the current owner. (Not the
Dave Simpson who is the West Auckland Instructor.)
|
Cessna 172, ZK-EOG
|

Zenair
601, ZK-MZP |
Zenair
601, ZK-MZP:
A
Czech aircraft with a wooden frame and aluminium cladding, able
to be flown on a Microlight licence.
Engine
is a Rotax 912S engine, fitted with a ground adjustable 3 bladed
propeller. The Zenair has a large wing area and thick wing section
giving a stall speed of only 27 knots, giving it forgiving flying
characteristics.
|
Cessna Cardinal, ZK-DWU
Michael
Redgrave's Cessna Cardinal at the 2009 West Auckland Fly-in. ZK-DWU is
currently based at North Shore airfield, having previously been
at Taieri near Dunedin in the South Island. Note the venturi exhaust
extractor just above the front wheel, to provide better power output
at speed.
The
'Cardinal' is a longer and higher performance aircraft that was
intended to be a replacement for the Cessna 172, however, the Cessna
172 refused to be replaced and continued in production.
|
Cessna Cardinal, ZK-DWU
|
Mosquito Helicopter, ZK-IXE
|
Mosquito Helicopter, ZK-IXE:
Seen
here at the 2009 West Auckland Fly in, the Mosquito is a microlight helicopter
with a high level of equipment and fitout... and paintwork.
|
Alpi
200, ZK-LPI:
Peter
Randal's aircraft is based on his farm at Te Kopuru on the Northern
Kaipara harbour, which makes West Auckland a convenient place to land
when visiting Auckland.
Alpis
are an Italian wooden framed and fabric/aluminium clad aircraft
with the '200' model having fixed undercarriage and '300' being
retractable. ZK-LPI has a Rotax 912, flat four cylinder engine of
1350cc.
|

Alpi
200, ZK-LPI |

Alpi
300, ZK-SHL |
Alpi
300, ZK-SHL:
This
photo shows the Alpi 300 doing a fast pass down runway 07 during
the 2006 Fly-in at West Auckland Airport (Parakai).
ZK-SHL
is a retractable undercarriage aircraft, and came to the fly-in
from its base in the South Island, doing the leg from Rangiora (near
Christchurch) to West Auckland non-stop in 4.5 hours.
The
Alpi 300s are fast, taking 2nd and 3rd places in the 'under 544kg'
class at NZ Air Games at Wanaka in December 2007, with a speed of
over 140 knots (260 km/h). |
Alpi
200, ZK-LPM:
Owned
by Bruce Ussher and now based at Kerikeri.
Previously
owned by Edward Nee Nee, who had it to commute between West Auckland and
Great Barrier Island.
This
photo was taken when ZK-LPM was on display for sale at West Auckland by
Leading Edge Aviation's brokerage service...
|

Alpi
200, ZK-LPM |

Piper,
ZK-EFP |
Piper
PA28, ZK-EFP:
This
Piper was on a visit to Auckland from its previous base at Wanganui
when this photo was taken.
Since
then it has been purchased by Middle Earth Flying School's Piper
and is now based at Otorohanga.
|
Rans
RV4, ZK-RVV:
The
Rans aircraft are homebuilt from a basic kitset that requires a
lot of time and hard work to turn into a finished aircraft.
Amateur
built aircraft are checked at critical stages by CAA appointed inspectors,
and go through a testing process when finished they are registered
in the 'experimental' class as they are amateur built.
Like
many other 'RVs' in NZ, ZK-RVV is a beautifully finished aircraft
that has been built to a high standard.
|

Rans
RV4, ZK-RVV
|

Cresco |
Cresco:
One
of Super Air's topdressing planes based at Paparoa near Maungatoroto,
the Cresco is seen here loading cricket pellets for dropping on
farms near West Auckland.
For
economical spreading by air it is important that the loading airstrip
is close to the drop zone and long enough to allow full loads to
be lifted safely.
|
Sea
Rey Amphibian, ZK-SRY:
Mike
Carlielle's 'Sea Rey' is based at North Shore and sometimes seen
landing on the rivers, lakes and sheltered bays around the area.
For
landing on a runway the wheels swing down as seen here for a normal
landing.
For
water landings (and in flight to reduce drag) the wheels rotate
back to tuck up under the wing struts.
|

Sea Rey amphibian, ZK-SRY |

Tecnam JF, ZK-TVB |
Tecnam
JF, ZK-TVB:
Partly
obscured by the yellow Falco, is Auckland Flight Training's certified
Tecnam JF, ZK-TVB.
The
Tecnams can conform to either the microlight or certified aircraft
regulations depending on fitout, so can be registered as a Microlight
to fly on a ML certificate, or as a certified aircraft to be flown
on a PPL.
ZK-TVB
is based at Ardmore.
|
Alpi,
ZK-JRA ?:
Alpi
200 at a West Auckland fly-in, registration JBA, JRA?? uncertain.
Logan
McLean, the NZ Alpi agent, is standing by the cockpit.
In
the background, a Sukoi aerobatic plane is turning onto the grass
taxway to follow the yellow Falco to the holding point for runway
25.
|

Alpi |

Alpi
200, ZK-CJW
|
Alpi
300, ZK-CJW:
Colin
Wade's retractable Alpi 300, see here as part of the big display
of Alpis at a West Auckland fly-in. |
Alpi
200, ZK-LPJ:
Peter
Mullooly's Alpi 200, based at Whakatane, is seen here picketed for
the night with other Alpis during a 'Logan's Fly in' held at West Auckland.
|

Alpi 200, ZK-LPJ |

Alpi 300, ZK-CJN |
Alpi
300 ZK-CJN:
Colin
Nagel's Alpi 300 retractable undercarriage aircraft, based at Hood
Aerodrome, Masterton.
Seen
here overnighting during one of the 'Logan's Fly in' events held
at West Auckland.
|
Eagle
Autogyro, ZK-RGG:
Tony
Unwin's MT03 Eagle.
The
rotor of an autogyro is free to rotate in the airflow and generates
lift as it revolves. The engine drives the pusher propellor and
there is no drive to the rotor except for a 'pre rotator' which
spins it up before the takeoff run commences. in order to shorten
the run.
Despite
the appearance, autogyros are a 3rd type of aircraft with quite
different flying characteristics, and aerodynamics, than either
airplanes or helicopters. Tony is a Gyrocopter instructor based
at Tauranga.
|

Eagle autogyro, ZK-RGG |

Sukoi SU-29, ZK-SUK |
Sukoi,
ZK-SUK:
Rob
Fry's Sukoi Su-29 is a high performance unlimited class competition
aircraft, a type often seen in the top level aerobatic displays
and pylon air races. Rob flys with Jurgis Kairys worldwide in the
Air Bandits aerobatics group.
The
engine is a nine cylinder geared radial engine producing 360 hp,
with all systems capable of operating for an unlimited time in any
attitude, including upside down.
|
Alpi
200, ZK-LPA:
Graham
Stokes' aircraft is based at Whangarei, seen here at West Auckland on
a visit to Auckland.
Alpis
are an Italian wooden framed and fabric/aluminium clad aircraft
with a fixed undercarriage and ZK-LPA has a Rotax 912, flat four
cylinder engine of 1350cc.
The
Rotax 912 engines have a relatively large propeller geared down
2.4 to 1, so that when the engine is at 5000 rpm the prop is turning
at around 2100 rpm. A large prop turning slowly gives more efficient
fuel consumption and is much quieter than a smaller prop turning
at high revs.
|

Alpi
200, ZK-LPA |

Mosquito Helicopter, ZK-HNG
|
Mosquito
XEL, ZK-HNG:
Oskar
Stielau's Mosquito XEL helicopter is a single person aircraft, aviation
reduced to the basics.
The
Mosquito is a complete helicopter with everything necessary for
safe flight, but to keep the weight down (and weight is critical
for helicopter performance) and allow quick building of the kitset,
absolutely no frills.
|
Eurocopter:
ZK-HEK
Powerful
and fast, the Eurocopters are easily recognised by the 'fenestrated'
tail rotor, where the tail rotor occupies a window in the tail boom.
This increases the flight efficiency and gives Eurocopters a distinctive
appearance and sound.
ZK-HEK
is a Eurocopter EC 120 B, based at Hamilton, and seen here at West Auckland Airport (Parakai) exchanging ground staff while doing commercial power line
inspection work in the South Head area after a storm.
|
Eurocopter, ZK-HEK
|

Cessna 172, ZK-EJR
|
Cessna
172, ZK-EJR:
The
Rodney Aero Club's Cessna 172, ZK-EJR on a visit from the Club's
home base at Kaipara Flats.
Kaipara
Flats airfield near Warkworth is about 12 minutes flying time from
West Auckland.
|
Rotor
Hawk 'Falcon', ZK-RDF
Owned
by Geoff Woodward, the Rotor Hawk 'Falcon' is a single seat gyrocoptor
with a good turn of speed.
Gyros
requre a run like a plane to get airborne, but much shorter if the
rotor is pre-rotated to get it spinning before the takeoff run.
ZK-RDF
is based at Geoff's farm at Tahekaroa and uses West Auckland when it needs
an official airfield.
|

Rotor Hawk 'Falcon', ZK-RDF
|

Titan Tornado, ZK-JKD
|
Titan
Tornado, ZK-JKD:
Tornados
are normally parked with the nose wheel off the ground, as in this
photo but once a pilot is on board the nosewheel is on the ground
for taxying and takeoff run.
With
the engine a 'pusher' mounted on the wing, the design allows for
a low fuselage with short legs while still having a good ground
clearance for the prop.
|
Rans
RV6, ZK-PRV
Kevin
Paulsen's, an aircraft engineer, owns this very nicely presented
RV6.
The
RV4 and RV6 are popular planes for those wanting to build from a
kitset and are usually registered under the 'experimental' category.
|
Rans RV6, ZK-PRV
|

Zenair 701 STOL, ZK-LOK
|
Zenair
701 STOL, ZK-LOK:
Niol
Lockington's Zenair is an example of the popular Zenair '701' aircraft,
and lives on a private farm airstrip.
ZK-LOK
is 'Short Take Off and Landing' (STOL) aircraft.
The
thick leading edge slats (painted red on ZK-LOK and extending into
the airflow ahead of the white wings) and wide wheels are ideal
for operating with good safety margins for operating from short
and rough farm airstrips.
|
-
Alpi
300, ZK-LPD:
Peter
Donald's Alpi 300 is based at Palmerston North, and visited West Auckland
for the 2007 fly-in.
Seen
here as part of the Alpi aircraft display with ZK-XLD, ZK-ZAM, ZK-LPM
and many other aircraft in the background.
|

Alpi
300, ZK-LPD
|

Alpi 300, ZK-LPX
|
Alpi
300, ZK-LPX:
The
retractible undercarriage Alpi is owned by the Rex Swensson and
based at his airstrip at Makarau.
Alpis
are Italian aircraft with a wooden airframe and fabric/aluminium
cladding. ZK-LPX is an 'Alpi 300' with a retractable undercarriage.
|
Jabiru
J200, ZK-ORN:
Owned
by Dennis Horne, the Jabiru is an Australian designed aircraft with
composite construction giving a smooth shape and a good turn of
speed.
They
normally use Jabiru or Rotax engines.
|
Jabiru J200, ZK-ORN
|

Fisher, ZK-SOL
|
Fisher Dakota Hawk, ZK-SOL:
Gary
Mitchell's Fisher ZK-SOL is seen here at the Northland Microlight
Club's 21st birthday celebration at West Auckland.
|
Avid, ZK-PCL
Ron
Leach's Avid Flyer has transparent doors giving very good visibility
of the passing scenery.
'Avid'
aircraft are a popular aircraft with kit builders being relatively
easy to build, making a robust aircraft with forgiving flight characteristics. |
Avid, ZK-PCL
|

Furio, ZK-LLG
|
Furio,
ZK-LLG:
Giovanni
Nustrini's 'Furio' is the #1 prototype from the production line
at Falcocomposite Ltd's factory at Ardmore.
A very
high performance aircraft generally seen disappearing into the distance,
with a distinctive sound and appearance.
Seen
here with Giovanni discussing the finer points of the front suspension
with a fellow aviator.
|
Murphy 'Rebel', ZK-DKZ
This
nicely fitted out Murphy 'Rebel' dropped in at West Auckland on one of
its early flights, after being built over the previous six years
by David Horton (owner) assisted by Brian Wigley.
|
Murphy 'Rebel', ZK-DKZ
|

Jabiru, ZK-DAM
|
Jabiru, ZK-DAM:
Colin
Ashby's Jabiru SK80 aircraft has a Jabiru 4 cylinder engine, and
is based at Kaipara Flats airfield near Warkworth.
A composite
airframe aircraft with smooth lines, seen here visiting West Auckland
for service by Leading Edge Aviation at their engineering hangar.
|
Jodel, ZK-EDG
Tony
Den Haan's nicely presented Jodel D11. A popular type of home built
aircraft, wooden frame covered with fabric. Jodels are easily recognised
by their characteristic turned up wingtips.
|

Jodel ZK-EDG
|

Tecnam, ZK-SRG
|
Tecnam, ZK-SRG:
Giovanni
Nustrini of Tecnam NZ with a new 'Sierra' model with retractible
undercarriage. On display at the 2009 West Auckland fly-in.
Tecnam
NZ are the importers of these Italian manufactured aircraft , some
of which can be registered in either the Microlight or Certified
aircraft categories.
|
Bantam, ZK-FWJ:
Peter
Barrowman's 'Bantam' is based at West Auckland.
A side
by side two seat aircraft, Bantams are built at Te Kowhai near Hamilton
and are just the thing for people who like 'wind in the hair' basic
aviation, great for seeing the sights on a nice day.
|
Bantam, ZK-FWJ
|

Cessna 172, ZK-BZU
|
Cessna 172, ZK-BZU:
Peter
McKay's Cessna 172b... an early model Cessna 172 in nice condition
and well cared for, seen here at the 2009 West Auckland fly-in.
|
De Havilland 'Chipmunk', ZK-RFS (WB693):
Bryan
Stokes De Havilland 'Chipmunk' WB693, at the West Auckland fly-in 2009.
These
aircraft were popular airforce training aircraft for many air forces
around the world, and also used for liason between air bases.
|
De Havilland Chipmunk, ZK-RFS (WB693)
|

Remos, ZK-PRH
|
Remos, ZK-PRH:
Philip
Hart's 'Remos' is a composite airframe aircraft based to the South.
Seen here at the 2009 West Auckland fly-in.
|
Cessna 206, ZK-CRW:
Imported
from the USA in 2008, the Cessna 206 turbo is seen here about to
fly away after Leading Edge Aviation have assembled it, fitted it
out to NZ requirements, placed it on the NZ register and set it
up for use as a skydive jump ship.
Owned
by the Auckland Skydiving Club and based at Whenuapai.
|
Cessna 206 Turbo, ZK-CRW
|

Cessna 172, ZK-ELY
|
Cessna 172, ZK-ELY:
A Cessna
172N manufactured in 1979, this aircraft is owned by the Pukekohe
Flying Group, and seen here on a visit to West Auckland.
|
Cessna 172R, ZK-TAU:
One
of a fleet of recently built Cessna 172s operated by Ardmore Flying
School.
Flights
between Ardmore and West Auckland are a good training exercise for students
as they involve moving through several radio frequency zones with
different reporting requirements.
|
ZK-TAU
|

Eagle gyro, ZK-RBG
|
Eagle Gyro, ZK-RBG:
Oskar
Stielau's new Eagle gyro, which arrived at West Auckland in March 2010.
This
aircraft adds to Oskar's growing fleet of rotorcraft based at West Auckland,
and is the first two person (and four stroke engine) of Oskar's.
|
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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] AucklandAirfield.co.nz
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