KiwiFlyer TM Magazine of the New Zealand Aviation Community Issue 38 2015 #1 $ 6.90 inc GST ISSN 1170-8018 Wings Over Wairarapa Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Flight Tracking and more with v2track Products, Services, News, Events, Warbirds, Recreation, Training and more. KiwiFlyer Issue 38 2015 #1 From the Editor In this issue Welcome to another edition of KiwiFlyer. There’s 6. Cessna TTx touring NZ during March plenty of good reading packed within. There’s also Oceania Aviation have the latest all-composite, plenty of good photos too, thanks to the efforts very fast Cessna TTx on tour in March. of Chris Gee and Gavin Conroy at Wings Over Wairarapa in January. Gavin also got to spend some 10. v2track: Much more than asset tracking airborne time with the collection of jets that were Developed here in NZ, v2track is a there and has produced some stunning images. Even sophisticated tracking product in use in many Gavin thinks that one of them in particular is his best remote regions throughout the world. yet, but we’re saving that for a future issue . The 14. Aerobatic Aircraft Design Quirks airshow at Masterton was again testament to the ability Grant Benns explains what’s different about of the NZ aviation community to turn on an excellent aerobatic aircraft (besides their pilots). event, as you can see from our coverage. Next up, is the biennial Classic Fighters Omaka at Easter and 1 7. Aircraft Liability Insurance Explained that also promises to be a great weekend of aviation Avsure’s Bill Beard explains some of the terms indulgence for all those who attend. and principles of aircraft liabiliity insurance. Running alongside the Wings Over Wairarapa event 18. An Introduction to Microlighting was a symposium on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Richard Seymour-Wright provides a history New Zealand. These devices are proliferating at some and introduction to an aviation sector that now pace and no longer just for commercial purposes. covers a very wide scope of aircraft. Anyone with not much more than a thousand dollars can pick up a highly sophisticated ‘recreational’ drone 24. Second Strikemaster now flying at Ardmore and set about flying it with virtually no training nor Too good to become an attrition airframe, Brett skill requirements, nor awareness of things aviation, Nicholls’ second Strikemaster is now airborne. whatsoever. Hmmm. We’ve got commentary in this 26. Bush Pilots Champs at Omaka issue from Aviation NZ who have recently set up a Gavin Conroy was at the annual ‘Healthy UAV division, and also a report from Chris Gee who Bastards’ Bush pilot Champs held recently. attended the symposium to look at some of the quite outstanding UAV developments that have been taking 28. Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow place right here in New Zealand. Another great NZ Airshow was held over Wellington Anniversary weekend at Masterton. Speaking of technology development in NZ, we also Chris Gee and Gavin Conroy captured the have a profile in this issue of Waikato-based v2track action for readers who couldn’t be there. who offer vehicle tracking solutions with a lot more depth than simply a tracking device. Developed over 36. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles the last decade, their products have flown somewhat Coverage from the recent NZ symposium at under the radar in New Zealand but are widely used in Masterton, plus commentary from Aviation NZ. some very remote regions around the world. 40. The 49th Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School Our cover for this issue has two ex-RNZAF A photo essay from Murray Miskelly on this Strikemasters in formation. Just missing out on joining excellent annual fortnight at Matamata. them, but now flying at Ardmore, is another. Its 42. Places to Go: Omaka story is also in the pages within. Three Strikemasters Just in time for Classic Fighters, Ruth Presland together will surely make the most magnificent noise. covers what to see and do at Omaka. I hear Brett Nicholls’ one take off at Ardmore from home 5km away (and always run out onto the deck to 43. How high can you go? look), so three together will be quite a treat. Jill McCaw glides towards the stratosphere. Lastly a quick mention that our ‘free list’ for KiwiFlyer 44. Autogyros at Dannevirke distribution to all aircraft operators and aviation Coverage of the annual gyro fly-in and AGM. businesses is due for a refresh and tidy-up. If you wish to change any details when the next issue comes out, 46. Ag. Aviation’s pioneering high accident rate or if you think you have missed out on your copy, then John Nicolson continues his ag. series, and also do let me know and we’ll sort it out for you. includes a tribute to Jack Mehlhopt. Enjoy your flying. Be safe. 4. News Briefs 48. Event Guide & Training Directory 50. ZK Review Michael Norton Front Cover: Dave Brown and Brett Nicholls in NZ6370 Editor, KiwiFlyer Magazine with Dean Beverley in NZ6372 nearby Masterton. Gavin Conroy took the photo from an L-39 flown by Peter Vause. Contact KiwiFlyer | 09 279 9924 or 021 667 866 | [email protected] | PO Box 72841, Papakura 2244. Industry and Community News Briefs KiwiFlyer Six more Just Aircraft SuperSTOLs arrive numbers not usually seen together. News Briefs Just Aircraft NZ Ltd have recently For example, three DC-3 Dakotas will imported six more SuperSTOL aircraft be present and parked together on the FlyWest Microlight Academy to from the States. Four are for NZ clients grass airfield – a rare sight anywhere. The distribute Quicksilver Aircraft and two are to be repacked and exported first (on static display) is a US registered example flown here from the UK in 2012. Air Chathams’ ZK-AWP will operate scheduled trips from Wellington direct to Omaka on Easter Saturday and Sunday. (email: [email protected]). They will be joined by ZK-DAK, operated from Ardmore by Fly DC3 NZ (0800 FLY DC3) which will also bring passengers to the show from Ardmore. Seats are limited in both cases but scenic flight opportunities Quicksilver Aircraft, manufacturers of to Mark Radford, in Caloundra, to be will also be available on the weekend. Light Sport and Microlight aircraft has built up for Australian clients. Of the And not to be outdone by the Auckland recently appointed FlyWest Microlight NZ aircraft, one US factory built aircraft property market, organisers expect a record Academy as their agent in New Zealand. (ZK-PSK) is to be commissioned by Just number of Chinese [ex-military aircraft] to FlyWest (previously Parakai Flying Aircraft NZ Ltd Directors John Hood and be at Omaka over Easter. School) was recently taken over by Richard Grant Coldicott for ex Aerial Top dressing The Chinese designed and built Seymour-Wright and is an established company owner, Chris Pask of Hastings. Nanchang CJ-6a warbird has enjoyed a microlight / recreational flight training Two of the remaining kits will be built by successful half century long career in its operation based at West Auckland Airport Craig Miller at Taieri. country of birth, and thanks to the efforts Parakai. Richard believes a wider range SuperSTOL ZK-CVV delivered to of Kiwi Nanchang enthusiast Grant of microlight aircraft need to be locally John Kokshoorn in Wanaka just prior to ‘Muddy’ Murdoch, there’s a good chance available in order to help the sport grow. Christmas has clocked over 50 hours now that 10 of the aircraft will be present for “There are a number of options in the and John reports some wonderful flights the show. Six of these have been flying in high performance category of microlight around South Westland and Fiordland. NZ for some time, one is Muddy’s own that aircraft, each offering great value, if you Grant says that Just Aircraft USA has just been restored by JEM Aviation, want to go places quickly. However, these are about to announce some exciting and three more are ‘in the pipeline’. come at a premium,” says Richard. developments to the SuperSTOL, with a More info at: www.classicfighters.co.nz He says the new Quicksilver Sport 2SE longer fuselage and new Lycoming power SLSA offers flying described as ‘freedom plant options. KiwiFlyer mailing list update personified’; wind in the hair, incredible More info at: www.justaircraft.co.nz Every issue of KiwiFlyer is (and will visibility and without compromising safety. continue to be) posted out for free to all Other models provide for closed or open Classic Fighters Omaka Updates registered aircraft owners and aviation cockpit flying, and still have the legs to go Odd-numbered years and Easter mean businesses in New Zealand. We merge the places when needed. All Quicksilvers have it’s coming up time for another Classic latest register changes to the mailing list rear engines for an uninterrupted view with Fighters Omaka Airshow. Organisers every two months. Every couple of years no prop-wash in the face. have of course been busy and say they are though, a full refresh is required and that’s Along with new Quicksilver sales and expecting to see over 100 display aircraft due to happen before the next issue. If for training, Richard will support those aircraft at this year’s event. Amongst all the other some reason your name drops off the list, that are already in NZ. Richard can be drawcards, visitors can expect to see or if you would like an extra copy, then do contacted at FlyWest on 0800 FLYWEST. multiple representations of some types in let us know and we’ll sort that out for you. at Your Place Contact David: 027 222 0872 Fully mobile avionics service catering for customers throughout Canterbury and the South Island.