PROP TALK NORTH SHORE AERO CLUb BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE // FEBRUARY 2021
INSIDE: NORTH SHORE’S HELICOPTERS FROM THE ARCHIVES BARRIER AIR’S NEW ARRIVAL
Contact the office if you would like to RECEIVE a printed copy of prop talk PROP TALK CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2021
Prop Talk is a bi-monthly magazine North Shore published by North Shore Aero Club. Views expressed by contributors are Directory ...... 3 not necessarily those of NSAC. From The Editor...... 4
Editor: Ian Couper Presidents [email protected] Publication ...... 6
Compiled By: Campbell McIver & from the Stef Gwilliam archives...... 8
This Edition’s Contributors: north shore David Saunders, John Punshon, helicopters...... 10 Daryl Gillett, Ian Couper. barrier air’s new Photo Credits: arrival ...... 14 Front Cover: Larry Bennett Rear Cover: Larry Bennett gnar ...... 16 Backgrounds: Chris Opperman, Managers Memo...... 18 Steve Matheson, Jamie Davis, Levi Daniel, Stef Gwilliam. north shore helicopter Front Cover: Robinson R44, on the ground at North Shore. training...... 20 nationals at Rear Cover: Fleet of Helicopers parked up. nzwl...... 24 CFI Report...... 26 Meet The Team...... 28 nsac boneyard...... 30 Milestones...... 31
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North Shore Directory Phone: 09 426 4273 | 300 Postman Road, Dairy Flat RD4 0794
President: David Saunders 021 115 4696 Vice President: Brent Hempel 021 194 5546 Treasurer: Andrew Crowhurst 021 266 6656 Secretary: Ian Couper (09) 478 6351 Club Captain: David Wilkinson 021 468 270 Patron: Stan Smith 027 477 5475 Committee: Roy Crane 021 340 654 Douglas Kruger 022 545 6968 Lloyd Morris 021 493 360 Stephen Jones 021 737 268 Rodger Coleclough 021 705 859
General Manager (A-Cat & Flight Examiner): John Punshon Office Manager: Lynn Packer
CFI (A-Cat & Flight Examiner): Office Staff: Claudine Allen, Daryl Gillett Stacey Olsen
B-Cat Instructors: Paul Ryan, Tim Bar Staff: Brian Clay Marshall, Dawson Boles, Chantel Strooh, Rob Graham, Andrew Groundsman: Caleb Hanham Fisher, Jamie Davis NS Helicopter Training: Roy C-Cat Instructors: Ming Zhang, Crane Brendon Frame, Hamish McGill, Pierce Hargreaves, Campbell McIver, Josh McKoy, Brendon Sheehan
3 FROM THE EDITOR
IAN Indeed increased demand COUPER from North Shore and Rodney residents is such that in addition to Fly My Sky offering North Shore residents up to 20 return flights a week travelling by air to Great Barrier in peak periods, Barrier Air island have a stark choice - has had to add a fourth 12 seat either a 40 minute plus drive to Cessna Grand Caravan to their Auckland International fleet. The airline now flies this Airport - or a much shorter hop quiet, state of the art aircraft to North Shore Airport, where twice daily, five days a week to both Barrier Air and Fly My Sky Great Barrier offer a regular service to the island. [ See article inside ] island. The Club’s application for “increasing North Shore Airport to be given demand from Airport Authority Status is North Shore primarily to protect its position and current status as an airport and Rodney and the increasing demand residents to from North Shore and Rodney take advantage residents to take advantage of services from the airport of services highlights the value of the from the airport to the club and airport” more importantly the wider community it serves. 5 PRESIDENTS PUBLICATION
DAVID open days, Wings and Wheels SAUNDERS and aviation get-togethers in the aviation calendar to participate in and enjoy. Welcome to 2021!
I hope that everyone has had a special Festive season for 2020 and that you were able to catch up with family and friends as best you could. Kiwis have been so fortunate in that we have been able to isolate ourselves in our slice of paradise and continue to enjoy a pretty The Great Northern Air much normal life, compared Race, that was recently held to the other parts of the world over Auckland Anniversary that are still being ravaged and weekend, succumbed to the disrupted by the coronavirus. coronavirus disruption. The original plan was to hold the I hope that you have been able race around Northland using to get out and about, and get NZKK and Paihia as a base, but in lots of flying in the great the recent community outbreak summer weather that we have in Northland put paid to this been having. As per this time of plan and it was decided on the year, there are plenty of fly-ins, Tuesday before to pull the pin,
6 Images courtesy of David Saunders and go to plan B. A huge effort been a long time since we ensued , very ably led by Steve last opened our doors to the Jones, to completely re-route public and it is long overdue. the race using NZNE as the The plan is to display as many base. It was a fantastic effort to different types of aircraft as get all the planning, routing , we can, showcase the different hospitality etc done in 3 days, users of the airfield and provide and the GNAR was ready to trial flights to those interested. go on time on the Saturday We will be promoting the day morning. By all accounts it was to all the northern aviation another fun-filled event that it clubs as a fly-in. We will need is renowned for. The weather a lot of members to help to was perfect and this made it all make this a successful day , the better. so please register your name with reception or call Stacey or Rodger if you can help, even if it is only for a few hours.
Finally I would like to wish the team going to the FNZ Nationals to be held at West Melton Aerodrome in mid- February all the very best as they represent the Northern Region in the Wigram Trophy The North Shore Airport Open competition and in their Day is well under way with its individual competitions too. planning. It will be held on Let’s hope they can bring home Saturday March 27th. This is the Wigram and a host of other a great way to pull members trophies too. together and to showcase the airport and the club to the Safe skies, David Saunders. Hibiscus Coast and North Harbour communities. It has
7 from the archives
IAN COUPER a Club sign on East Coast Bays Road – circa early-mid 1990s. Former Virgin 737 check and A youthful Andrew Fisher training captain Andrew is still assists Dave Donaldson (far involved at the Club as a part right) and club members erect time B Cat Instructor.
September 2007 and construction of the Club hangar is well advanced. Robin ZK-UWZ is now ZK-TZI and both it, TZG and TZK are now resplendent in their new NSAC colours.
In addition to the hangar providing security for the Club’s training fleet it generates a good income stream from housing members’ aircraft and has more than doubled in value since completion.
8 Images courtesy of Larry Bennett and Ian Couper 9 NORTH SHORE HELICOPTERS
IAN COUPER A year later he left the Air Force and having gained his CPL joined Wishart Helicopters as a loader driver/training pilot. He One time owner, operator and completed his helicopter rating Chief Pilot of “North Shore in 1973 gaining helicopter pilot Helicopters” Larry Bennett, licence number 22 and became now semi retired, continues to the base agricultural pilot in add to his 16,500 flight hours Rotorua, flying the Bell 47 of in his role as an A-Cat Flight “Mash” fame. Instructor and Flight Examiner.
Learning to fly in Wanganui in a trusty Cessna 150 Larry gained his PPL there and in 1971 started flight training with the Air Force where his flight log records almost 200 hours on Harvards and Devons.
10 Images courtesy of Larry Bennett Tourism was in its very early stages and in those early days helicopter flying for Larry consisted mainly of agricultural work and supply dropping for the NZ Forest Service, known better today as DOC. Loads often constituted timber for hut construction and loads of metal NORTH SHORE for track maintenance. “Larry was HELICOPTERS often called on to carry out an emergency evacuation company’s Bell 47 or Hughes using one of the 500 helicopters. Neither company’s Bell machine was equipped for such 47 or Hughes 500 missions and any seriously helicopters” wounded evacuees would be flown out on a stretcher secured Formal air rescue services such (hopefully) to the outside skid as today’s “Westpac Rescue and in some cases underslung Service” were not in existence loads. and Larry was often called on to carry out an emergency Moving to Auckland in 1984 evacuation using one of the Larry flew the Westpac rescue helicopter three or four days and nights a week and a year later formed North Shore Helicopters, based at North Shore airfield. An instructor’s course at the Robinson factory in the USA upgraded his licence
11 to a B-Cat and an A-Cat followed Helicopters consolidated the two years later. North Shore corporate management side of Helicopters was fortunate the business, managing a fleet in the early years to have of up to 13 advanced corporate trained several of Auckland’s helicopters, including the top business leaders who Squirrel AS350, Jet Ranger, eventually went on to purchase BK117, EC135 and EC145. In their own helicopters, which addition to advanced flight the company was contracted training the commercial to manage for them and to operations included Corporate use commercially which had charter, Government surveys, benefits for both parties. transport to gulf islands and golf courses, water sampling, In the mid 1990s the Abinito property and boat still and training side of the business video photography and heli- was sold off and North Shore fishing.
12 A new hangar was built in serving member of the club 2001 to house the fleet and in he is supportive of the club’s 1997 and 2002 the company Airport Master Plan and was awarded the contract to believes without adherence spray the moth invasions in to it the club is in danger long Auckland, utilising the BK117. term of losing its continued Also from the early 1990’s Larry operation from the existing site has spent time in Australia at Dairy Flat. fighting fires, training pilots to fight fires and giving type ratings and pilot checks in the bigger twin engine helicopters.
Larry sold North Shore Helicopters in September 2011 and today keeps himself occupied in his semi retirement making good use of his A-Cat licence and role of Flight Examiner. As a long
13 Barrier air’s new arrival
IAN COUPER
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THEIR LATEST 12 SEAT CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN BRINGING THE FLEET TO FOUR BARRIER AIR IS NOW FLYING FROM NORTH SHORE AIRPORT TO GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TWICE DAILY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
14 15 photos from nsac’s annual air race courtesy of levi daniel & jamie davis
16 17 MANAGERS MEMO
great opportunity for us fellow JOHN aviators to indulge ourselves in PUNSHON aviation for the day, and it is also a wonderful opportunity for the local community to see what Happy New Year!!! Let’s start the club has to offer, find out off by hoping that this year more about us and help build manages to be a little better up the relationship we have than 2020. with them.
It seems every 10 years or so, the “Although aviation industry gets tipped on its head. The early nineties COVID-19 has saw the Gulf crisis, the 2000’s been by far the saw 9/11 and hot on the heels of biggest upset that, we had the GFC in the late to the industry 2000’s. Then just as it seemed we were having a good run, we have seen, along came COVID-19. Although we can rest COVID-19 has been by far the assured that biggest upset to the industry we the industry have seen, we can rest assured will bounce that the industry will bounce back, just as it has done time back, just as and time before. it has done time and time On to more cheery matters, before” many of you will know we are hosting an Open Day on Rodger Coleclough and his Saturday 27th March. This is a team have done an awesome
18 Offers to job so far with organising the event but they will undoubtedly Hangar Owners be needing help, particularly on the day. Anyone willing to The club would like to offer volunteer to help on the day hangar owners the option of would be much appreciated. having the grass and weeds maintained around their hangars Being a good neighbour is more by the Airport Ground Staff. For important than ever and with those interested, this service the recent controversy around will cost $40 per month. Those our application for Airport interested may email; Authority status, this is a chance [email protected] to give a little back to those who may feel a little aggrieved.
On the topic of Airport Authority status, the Change in WIP submissions have just been released and make for an Pricing interesting read. It is quite saddening that so many of the Due to an increase in negative opinions are based on maintenance costs and the nothing more than the fruits requirement for a new engine in of people’s imaginations. That 12 months time, the price of WIP said, there are a lot of positive will increase to $139 per hour. submissions too. A big thank Further details can be seen in you to everyone who supported the January Committee Meeting the application process. Let’s Minutes. keep our fingers crossed that the Minister agrees and grants • This will become active as of the status without too much the 1st of March 2021. • Pre purchase bulk deals will no fuss. longer be available for WIP. • The club will honour the That’s all for now, Happy Flying. existing bulk deals until they have run out or expired. 19 19 north shore helicopter training
IAN muster cattle in Australia that COUPER caught Roy’s attention and set him on his chosen career pathway. Today, having sold his flight training and charter Growing up in Sussex, England, business Orbit Helicopters in Roy Crane’s introduction 2019, Roy continues as their to aviation was through his CEO and Operations Manager grandfather who, having with over 4500 flight hours to maintained Lancaster bombers his credit. during WW2 went on to form the East Sussex Gliding Club based at Ringmar. But it was “within ten a documentary showing weeks of helicopters being used to commencing training he emerged with a new PPL”
Travelling through Australia at the time, Roy set his mind
20 Images courtesy of Roy Crane excellent pupil and within ten weeks of commencing training he emerged with a new PPL.
Having run a finance company back in the UK, he then moved to Canada where he gained his Commercial Licence. In 2003 Roy was approached by Anne on flying helicopters and in Robertson with a proposal to 2001 moved to New Zealand sell him a 50% share in the where flight training was company. Roy took up this considerably cheaper. North offer and in 2005 became the Shore Helicopter Training, 100% owner of North Shore then owned and operated Helicopter Training, operating by John Clements and Anne a fleet of three Robinson R22 Robertson, found Roy to be an helicopters.
21 A typical CPL entails 150 hours Business was good but flight training at a cost of following the global financial $95,000 of which a student loan crisis, flight training slowed will provide upto $70,000. In and in 2012 Roy sought to a typical year 5-6 students will improve matters by applying for and being granted NZQA approval. This was no mean feat and today the company remains the only Ministry of Education approved helicopter training organisation in the North Island. The company is now able to offer students the NZQA Diploma in Aviation and to provide government funding under the Studylink Student Loan Aviation Funding Scheme.
22 avail themselves of the loan whilst up to a further cohort of Editor’s note: - Despite being the students will train in a private second largest Aero Club in New capacity. Zealand, NZQA approved and professionally managed, NSAC’s In addition to Ab-initio flight application for Student Loan training in its R22s, Orbit Funding continues to be declined Helicopters also offer VIP and by authorities, stating a lack of corporate charters and scenic funding. flights and tours, utilising its modern corporate fleet of AS355 and EC145 helicopters.
23 NATionals at nzWL
24 Images courtesy of Stef Gwilliam Results... North Shore Aero Club - 2nd Equal, Wigram Cup
Stef Gwilliam; 1st - Airways Corporation Trophy 1st - Jean Batten Cup 2nd - Wigram Junior Landing
Cristoph Berthoud; 1st - Wigram Non Instrument Circuit 2nd - CAA Trophy
25 CFI REPORT effective we are at ensuring and DARYL maintaining a safe presence GILLETT within the community will be a key component of our future success and sustainability. Our Judging by how things have safety policies are not only panned out so far, I think 2021 established to keep pilots and will be another interesting other airport users safe, but the year. But if last year showed local population too. us anything, it’s that we’re resilient enough to overcome To an even greater extent the considerable challenges when Police ‘Eagle’ Helicopter and we encounter them. As well its crew hold an important role as always strengthening our in keeping our communities core functions, we will need safe. Often, they are required to continue to diversify our to pursue vehicles along interests. Threats, whether the northern motorway, they are global pandemics, or among other thoroughfares, the ever-present menace of which can and does mean urbanisation, will continue to transiting through our circuit jeopardise our position with environment and the local area. increasing vigour. Change is Many of you will have heard inevitable, and it is necessary them operating in and around if we are to successfully defend the Auckland region, using the what the club and our members call sign “Police 1”, or similar. have worked so hard for. The Police helicopter will A primary area of required normally remain clear of change and continual the aerodrome circuit, as is improvement, is Safety required by all aircraft not Management. It is an essential established in, or joining the function of the club, and how circuit. But on occasion, if members of the public are in 26 mortal danger for example, to maintain heightened deviation from the ideal might situational awareness when be crucial. It is for this reason operating in and around shared that, whilst we all appreciate spaces. When passengers are the joint responsibility of pilots embarking, or disembarking to uphold the requirements on the terminal apron of Part 91 – to comply with (immediately north of the main standard procedures, and club hangar apron), please be to see and be seen – I ask vigilant of itinerant persons that pilots be considerate of and avoid using that location Police helicopter operations. for engine run-ups. As circuit procedures are designed to minimise the risk Notwithstanding the of conflict, and under normal complications, by all accounts circumstances must be adhered the Great Northern Air Race to at all times, it may be most was a success. Thanks to Steve, appropriate to remain clear of, Tim, and Christoph for putting or vacate the circuit, if essential in a huge effort under trying Police helicopter operations circumstances. I trust all who are infringing. And remember, attended had a great weekend. while it is not a substitute for seeing and avoiding, clear We had a small, but and concise radio telephony enthusiastic group of members will help to ensure potential representing NSAC at the conflicts are managed in a safe national flying competitions and effective way. in West Melton last week. Well done, stellar effort team, and We’ve seen a significant congratulations to our place- increase in the amount of getters! Competition flying is a commercial/regular public bunch of fun, and a great way to transport flights to and from hone your piloting skills. So North Shore Airport this please look out for details of summer. Given how busy upcoming club competition Barrier Air and Fly My Sky have events which will be advertised been, and as the aerodrome through all of the normal manoeuvring areas at NZNE channels. are so limited, we do need Please stay safe everyone. 27 MEET THE TEAM Management
John Punshon Daryl Gillett General Manager CFI Ground Staff
Lynn Packer Claudine Allen Stacey Olsen Caleb Hanham B Cat Instructors
Paul Ryan Tim Marshall Dawson Boles Chantel Strooh Rob Graham
Andrew Fisher Jamie Davis
C Cat Instructors
Hamish McGill Pierce Hargreaves Brendon Frame Ming Zhang Campbell McIver Josh McKoy
28 NEW MEMBERS North Shore Aero Club extends a warm welcome to our new members: Nicko Scott William Taylor Oliver-James Grant Tanner Guo Jack Coleman Claire Rose Martin Jannik Wittgen Doug Moisuk Hamilton Sophie Kranz Jack Taylor Jack Honing James Gell Tim Riddell Matthew Wynyard Robert Hill John Kang William Gingell Craig Donaldson Philip Coster Chris Hewitt Hugo Donaldson Clementine Bayvel Vince Yang Sam Wallace Martin McMullan Eitan Bi Jared Came Andrew Lindsay Arnauld Kindt Cameron Dellaway Damien Chung
Committee meetings All committee meetings start at 7:15pm
Upcoming committee 23rd of March 2021 meeting dates: 27th April 2021 25th May 2021 DRAFT AND APPROVED COPIES OF ALL MINUTES ARE PUBLISHED ON THE MEMBERS ONLY SECTION OF THE NSAC WEBSITE ; THE DRAFT MINUTES WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE MEETING AND FINAL MINUTES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED AT THE NEXT MEETING.
29 NSAC boneyard A collection of images taken by Ian Couper around NSAC
MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT PHOTOS FOR PUBLICATION IN “AROUND THE CLUB”. SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO IAN COUPER AT [email protected] 30 Milestones
Sam Cook - First Solo 15th December 2020
Adrian Roberts - First Solo 21st December 2020
Romesh Anandaraja - First Solo 23rd December 2020
Twan van Duivenbooden - First Solo 5th January 2021 31 Andrew Wigney - First Solo 5th January 2021
Ian Schipper - PPL 6th January 2021
Zane Trevarton - First Solo 7th January 2021
Canon Delaney - First Solo 16th January 2021 32 Paul Eichler - C Cat 26th January 2021
Alan Thompson - CPL 28th January 2021
Greg Feyen - First Solo 2nd Feburary 2021
James Harrison - First Solo 6th Feburary 2021 33 Matt Dwen - PPL 8th Feburary 2021
Stef Gwilliam - PPL 9th Feburary 2021
Vince Jefferson - First Solo 21st Feburary 2021
Rinemare Holtzhausen - First Solo 21st Feburary 2021 34 35 NORTH SHORE AERO CLUB Postman Road, Dairy Flat RD4 | Phone: 09 426 4273 | Email: [email protected] 36