KiwiFlyer TM Magazine of the New Zealand Aviation Community Issue 43 2015 #6 South Island Akrofest $ 6.90 inc GST ISSN 1170-8018 NZDF SK15 Products, Services, News, Events, Warbirds, Recreation, Training and more. KiwiFlyer Issue 43 2015 #6 From the Editor In this issue Welcome to Issue 43 of KiwiFlyer, jam packed with 8. Southern Katipo 2015 holiday reading. It’s also jam packed with some great Our NZ Devence Forces recently conducted a images and includes our annual gallery pages from major multi-national exercise at the top of the Gavin Conroy. There’s more excellent photography South Island and invited us along for a day. in our feature article from Chris Gee, who tagged along for a day with our Defence Forces on Exercise 20. Aerosport’s New AirCentre Southern Katipo in the ‘media’ NH90. Most readers An exciting recreational aviation development is will know I’m a keen rotorcraft pilot, and Chris got taking place near Hamilton. to spend a day in an NH90, not that I’m bitter of course... Also aboard were TV and radio crews, and 22. The South Island Akrofest well-known aviation journalist Peter Clark. Chris Andrew Love wanted to celebrate the Pitts’ commented that it appeared only he and Peter had 70th birthday and put together an ‘Akrofest’ for any appreciation of how privileged they were to be aerobatic enthusiasts in the South Island. sitting there. As you’d expect, he had a marvellous 25. Aircraft Passenger Legal Liability Insurance time and put together a comprehensive report on this Bill Beard from Avsure explains an important significant multi-nation event. technicality of insurance particularly for tourism operators. Another feature of this issue is an extended essay by regular contributor John Nicholson on Aero 26. Gyro Training at Dargaville Aero Club Clubbing. Some time back John and I were discussing Already one of our most progressive aero clubs, the aero club scene and particularly the GA versus Dargaville have just added gyro training to their LSA debate. John said he might do some research mix - likely the first aero club to do so. on that and put an article together along with some history of ‘aero clubbing’ in New Zealand. He sent 27. All New Foxbat A32 Available me the finished work just a few weeks ago. I’m very The very popular Foxbat A22 has received sad to say that John passed away on 9th December. something of an all-over treatment with the He had a great love of writing and of aviation, and launch of the new Foxbat A32.. that always showed through in his writing style. I’ve 28. Gavin Conroy’s 2015 Gallery put a few notes together for John, later in this issue Gavin had another great year and shares the alongside the article. Farewell to an aviation friend. highlights on these pages. There’s quite a lot of autogyro content in this 34. Become Enlightened: Fly a Gyro issue. In fact they are becoming more and more Gyrate Auckland celebrates its first year of mainstream and perhaps it’s nearly even time to put operation at Parakai with a new distributorship. one on the cover. There’s been movement among distributorships, with one changing ‘hands’ and 36. Aero Clubbing three more types arriving over the next six months. John Nicolson writes of the history of Aero There’s also much more training taking place by Clubs and the often vigorous GA/LSA debate. private providers and most recently Dargaville Aero 42. En-route: Coromandel Cruising Club – probably the first to formally incorporate gyro Nick Ashley continues his series of scenic instruction into their club operations. airborne touring, this time to Coromandel. Christmas is upon us, along with the summer holiday 45. The Joy of Wave Flying season and all the good things that brings. All I want In 1964 John Day flew his glider to 30,000 feet. from Santa is a bit more free time with which to Jill McCaw uncovered his story of the flight. indulge myself in recreational aviation. Here’s hoping. 46. Stall Turns and Hammerheads Lastly it remains to sincerely thank all of our Another instalment from our aerobatic expert advertisers who support KiwiFlyer so loyally, and to Grant Benns. Don’t try this without some help. thank our contributors who make the publication enjoyable for me to put together and for all of us to 50. An interview with Paul McSweeny read. From all of us at KiwiFlyer, have a very Happy Paul McSweeny and his team are responsible for Christmas and a safe and restful holiday season. several of our most loved warbirds. Jill McCaw spoke to Paul about his work. 53. Event Guide Michael Norton 54. ZK Review Editor, KiwiFlyer Magazine Front Cover: A trio of Pitts Specials photographed by Gavin Conroy during the South Island Akrofest. Contact KiwiFlyer | 09 279 9924 or 021 667 866 | [email protected] | PO Box 72841, Papakura 2244. Industry and Community News KiwiFlyer Industry News Briefs New AS350 Bike Racks includes other aircraft photographed air-to- Tim Harrison of Sports Aircraft NZ The Helicopter Concept’s new air in the USA, Canada, Australia and NZ. Limited, says that shorter delivery times Eurocopter AS350 Bike Racks have been Along with air-to-air photography, are now available from the new Flight developed in conjunction with two of New images of the engines, instrument panels Design manufacturing facility of AeroJones Zealand’s most experienced commercial and other key areas of the aircraft are Aviation. Headquartered in the Central helicopter operators. included. Fighters and Bombers also Taiwan Science Park, AeroJones Aviation contains text from some of the best WWII Technology Co. Ltd. acquired the rights display pilots in the world, describing what to represent Flight Design in Asia in 2013 it is like to fly these classic aircraft. and following transfer of production Our copy arrived just before going to technology from Europe and the USA, set up a joint venture manufacturing facility in Xiamen, China. Now production-ready having completed four prototypes to the satisfaction of Flight Design’s German The racks have been developed to ensure that mountain bikes are flown safely, securely and will not be damaged (the bikes don’t touch each other) during the flight into our awesome backcountry tracks. print. It’s a solid and beautifully presented The racks are able to be easily installed book. You only have to look at Gavin’s and removed by the pilot in less than one photos in this issue of KiwiFlyer to minute per side. The racks are only 27kg imagine how good it is. $70 from leading per side, can take up to a 29 inch wheel booksellers or visit www.pottonandburton. owners, serial production of the very diameter and have a VNE of 115 kts. co.nz to purchase online. popular Flight Design CTLS from the new These market-leading racks are fully CAA plant has commenced. AeroJones also has STC approved (STC14/21E/8). If you New Gyro Dealerships the exclusive rights to represent Cicare in have an AS350 series helicopter and want Tony Unwin from Gyrate reports that Asia. For more information see advert on to take advantage of the growing mountain they are now agents for Niki Rotors of page 51 or www.sportsaircraftnz.com biking market in NZ then contact The Bulgaria who manufacture a revolutionary- Helicopter Concept (details on page 26). looking ‘Lightning’ gyroplane together with North Taranaki Aero Club a more conventional model the ‘Kallithea’. When the New Plymouth Aero Club Free Tickets to Warbirds Over Wanaka He visited the factory with two Engineers went into receivership in May 2013, Chris We have several Warbirds Over Wanaka in September at which time they were Morrison was 25 hours into flight training. Sunday family passes and Sunday adult flying with a 2.6 litre 4 cylinder D Motor, a He eventually completed a PPL in January silver passes to hand out to lucky readers new engine produced in Belgium offering 2015 with Hawera Aero Club. over the next few months. We’ll draw some 95 hp at the same weight as a 912 but for Recently Chris and about 20 New at the end of December, January, and less cost. They have since moved on to a 6 Plymouth locals held a meeting and agreed February. All you need to do is indicate cylinder version giving 125 hp which claims to start a new aero club based at Norfolk your preference for a family pass or single better power to weight than a 914. These Airfield, focused on providing flying at a adult silver pass, plus tell us about anything aircraft are flying in Bulgaria and France reasonable cost. new or different you’d like to see in the and have started the approval process in Attending that meeting were Bryan magazine. Send an email to michael@ the USA, Germany and the UK. Tony says Bedwell (who has provided access to C172 kiwiflyer.co.nz or phone 09 279 9924 and he has a deposit in place and will test fly ELH) and Kevin Wisnewski - owner of we’ll get you into the draw. both models in March. A similar situation Norfolk Airfield. Chris says their support, exists with two new Spanish designs giving and that of Gareth Semenoff plus Gavin Conroy’s Latest Book Gyrate a wide range of models to replace encouragement from Hawera Aero Club Gavin Conroy has produced another the German Auto-Gyro brand which the have been much appreciated. masterful book of warbird photography, company has relinquished the agency for – An open day for the new North just in time for Christmas.