KiwiFlyer TM Magazine of the New Zealand Aviation Community Issue 37 2014 #6 Annual Maintenance Supplement $ 6.90 inc GST ISSN 1170-8018 Diamond DA42-VI Flight Review The Fieldair Way Gavin Conroy’s 2014 Gallery Products, Services, News, Events, Warbirds, Recreation, Training and more. KiwiFlyer Issue 37 2014 #6 From the Editor In this issue Being number 37 and with 6 issues a year, this edition 6. Diamond DA42-VI tours New Zealand of KiwiFlyer marks the start of our seventh year of The latest Diamond DA42 toured NZ during publication. Time for a vote of thanks to all those November. Grant Benns wrote our flight report. who have contributed to the magazine over the years, and especially to the advertisers who essentially fund 14. Places to Go: New Plymouth the whole enterprise. There are some contributors Ruth Presland found much more than she and advertisers who have never missed an issue. expected during a great stay in New Plymouth. Thank you. And Happy Birthday to all of us. We still 16. Competition Aerobatics send every issue out for free to all registered aircraft Grant Benns explains the motivation behind operators and aviation businesses in New Zealand, competing. And beginners are welcome too. plus of course it’s on retail sale – and we still allow free downloads of back issues from our website. For 20. The Kiwi Flyer Interview the coming year we have added regular articles on Jill McCaw interviewed Steve Moore, Aerobatics and on AviationNZ, but it needn’t stop accomplished aviator and GM for GA, CAA. there. If there’s something you would like to see in KiwiFlyer and/or if you would like to contribute 23. Ag. Pilots - Above and Beyond yourself, then do get in contact. John Nicolson profiles our few woman ag. pilots and takes a look at some current flying stats. Our cover story is the Diamond DA42-VI, recently toured through New Zealand by Hawker Pacific. I 24. Aviation New Zealand: Now and the Future recall a most enjoyable morning’s work, whereby I A discussion from AviationNZ on where things rode along in the luxurious back seat looking at the are heading and the opportunities within. view, whilst Grant Benns undertook the flight review 26. Maintenance Shop Insurance and Chris Gee shivered in the camera plane with the Things not to assume about insurance during canopy back. maintenance. Bill Beard from Avsure explains. This issue includes a couple of annual features. We get 27. Gyroplane popularity proving exponential great feedback on some of the photographs we print Tony Unwin on the huge growth of in KiwiFlyer and those of you so inclined will enjoy participation in this sport. the gallery pages we’ve created from Gavin Conroy’s 2014 collection. Gavin has become the go-to person 29. Thermals in New Zealand for stunning air-to-air photographic Jill McCaw explains the basics of free lift. work and in the last 12 months has also exercised his talents abroad, at airshows in the USA and Australia. 30. Gavin Conroy - Gallery 2014 Six whole pages of outstanding photography to The other annual feature is our Guide to Maintenance feast your eyes upon. Providers. Taking a third of the pages in this issue, 36. The Annual KiwiFlyer Maintenance Feature we have profiles on numerous maintenance and We profile a wide variety of maintenance supply organisations of all types and sizes throughout providers, including articles on the following: New Zealand. Some have taken the opportunity to make significant announcements and to release new 36. The Fieldair Way products. There’s plenty of interesting material within, Fieldair has come a long way since its humble including an article on aircraft washing. It is well worth beginnings with a top-dressing Tiger Moth. reading this with a view to the potential savings to be had in future maintenance costs. 40. The correct way to wash an aircraft This could save a fortune in future maintenance. In theory, this issue goes to print just in time to be in the post for Christmas. If that theory has worked 44. Solo Wings launches SAMMS in your case, then Happy Christmas from all of the An exciting new developent from Solo Wings. KiwiFlyer team. If the post arrives a little late, or you’ve picked up a retail copy during the holidays, then 46. Oceania Aviation Calibration Lab opens Seasons Greetings instead. Either way we wish you a New calibration services at Hamilton Airport. restful holiday season combined with good weather 4. News Briefs for aviation and lots of time to do what you enjoy. 18. Event Guide 56. Training Directory Take care and travel safely. 58. ZK Review 61. Classified Advertising Michael Norton Editor, KiwiFlyer Magazine Front Cover: Grant Benns brings the Diamond DA42-VI alongside the camera plane. Chris Gee photograph Contact KiwiFlyer | 09 279 9924 or 021 667 866 | [email protected] | PO Box 72841, Papakura 2244. Industry and Community News Briefs KiwiFlyer and event logging system for aeroplanes, Reproduction Pearse confirmed for News Briefs helicopters and ground-based vehicles on Wings Over Wairarapa contract to the Australian National Aerial Ivan Mudrovcich’s Richard Pearse Spitfire debut for Firefighting Centre. With this approval, reproduction aircraft has been confirmed Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow v2track’s Next Generation Hybrid Satellite/ as one of the feature aircraft for the Wings Cellular GPS tracker can now be used Over Wairarapa Airshow in January. The to provide real-time positioning data to Pearse will undertake engine runs and taxi AFAMS. One of v2track’s founders, Kylan demonstrations during the event being held Diprose says that the company is involved over Wellington Anniversary Weekend, in several exciting projects and innovations January 16 – 18th. for its customers around the globe and that Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow this is a natural next offering for v2track’s Director Tom Williams says securing the Australian customers who are already reproduction Pearse will help rekindle involved in this line of work. interest in the story which has long been The rare Spitfire Mk.XIVe NH799 has More information from www.v2track. the source of inspiration for aviation just entered its final restoration stage with com (and advert on page 11). enthusiasts, film makers and story tellers. a view to having it make its public debut Also look out for a feature article on “Visitors to Wings over Wairarapa are in at the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka, ‘v2track’ in the next edition of Kiwiflyer. for a treat as two of New Zealand’s earliest next Easter. Restorers AVSpecs Ltd. had Having operated somewhat under the radar flying machines will be in a remarkable line- the aircraft very well advanced before work in New Zealand, readers may be surprised up of aircraft that spans 100 hundred years stopped about 18 months ago. The Spitfire to see just how mature and internationally of aviation history,” he says. (The other is a is part of the Chariots of Fire Fighter well-respected this product is. replica 1910 Pither Monoplane.) Collection (owners of the Omaka based Auckland’s Ivan Mudrovcich, a retired Focke Wulf Fw190 and Sopwith Pup). First flight for Bell 505 Jet Ranger X automotive engineer, has spent the last Other priorities had led to the pausing of 10 years building the engine and the body the Spitfire until now however CFFC owner of the Pearse aircraft – a two-cylinder Murray Miers has indicated he’d like work oil engine mounted onto a tricycle to recommence to bring the aircraft to undercarriage complete with wings made completion in time for the Easter airshow. of Bamboo and lightweight steel tube All of the rebuild work carried out covered by linen and having a 13m wing on the airframe up until now has been span. This will be the Pearse’s first public performed by AVSpecs Ltd whilst the outing. Griffon engine has been overhauled in California by Vintage V-12s and the The maiden flight of the all new Bell RNZAF joins Wings Over Wairarapa propeller by Safe Air in Blenheim. 505 Jet Ranger X recently took place In other Wings Over Wairarapa news, More recently the AVSpecs team have at Bell Helicopter’s Mirabel, Québec the RNZAF’s new Beechcraft T-6 Texan become known for their work on restoring manufacturing facility, lasting approximately Trainers will make their public debut at the de Havilland Mosquito fighter bombers. To 30 minutes and achieving 60 knots. airshow in January. do justice to NH799 within the time frame, Australasian Bell Distributors, Hawker RNZAF Squadron Leader Jim Rankin AVSpecs’ proprietor Warren Denholm has Pacific say the aircraft has been highly says the RNZAF is pleased to be able some items being completed by associated anticipated and “is set to be a leader in the to support Wings over Wairarapa; “The companies such as a new spinner skirt short-light single class and aims to achieve primary purpose in attending is to engage by Metalspin Ltd., paintwork by Airspray the same successful operational reputation with the general public and allow them Ardmore Ltd., and a range of tasks by as its predecessor,” said Nick Jones, Hawker Pioneer Aero to help get the aircraft Pacific’s Vice President, Aircraft Sales. through its final restoration hurdles. The Jet Ranger X is a five-seat, single- If all goes to plan, the Spitfire, (which is engine turbine helicopter and has a cruise the only Mk.XIVe in New Zealand) will be speed of 125+ knots, with a range of based permanently at Omaka, just in time more than 360 nautical miles and a useful for the Easter airshow where it will join load of 1,500 pounds.