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Across the World in a C295 with 502 ElephantsIn February, a single Airbus Defence and Space C295 of the Portuguese Air Force travelled to New Zealand. Rob Neil was invited to fly with and report on this Pacific Wings EXCLUSIVE Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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AIR5428 and the ADF's Future Pilot Training SystemRob Neil gives a detailed comparison of the Beechcraft T-6 and the Pilatus PC-21.Article Details | |
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Shoreline HelicoptersRob Neil reports on locally based Shoreline Helicopters and its versatile Hughes 300. Article Details | |
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Two vs FourRob Neil discusses the changing times when four engines were once better than two. Article Details | |
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neo Said, MAX SaidRob Neil compares in detail the differences between the A320 and B737.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Reaching Goals—the A350 XWBThe world’s newest airliner from Airbus—the A350 XWB—is now a flying reality and is on track to meet all of its design and production schedules. Pacific Wings was in France to see the new plane (and its most beautiful wings in the world) only days before its first flight.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Eurocopter—Defining InnovationAs Rob Neil discovered, “innovation” is more than just a buzzword for Eurocopter, the European helicopter manufacturer with world-leading vision and drive—and sales figures to vindicate its operating model.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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A400M UpdateA strategic airlifter or a tactical airlifter—or both? The A400M will revolutionise thinking about military airlift and change the way military planners conduct their business. Rob Neil revisits the A400M with an update on progress and delivery schedules.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Squirrel - AStar PerformerRob Neil summarises the successful career to date of the worldbeating Eurocopter AS350/355 family.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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NZ International AirshowThe New Zealand International Air Show featured a host of outstanding live broadcast technology aimed at bringing a new “face” to the air-show scene. Sadly, even the “Jetman”, Yves Rossy, did not draw the crowds organisers had hoped for.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Warbirds Over Wairarapa—The Ultimate WOWAlong with around 30,000 other spectators, Rob Neil and Gareth Davies attended the outstanding Warbirds Over Wairarapa air-show where the action-packed programme included the last public display in New Zealand by Mosquito KA114 Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Making it Happen—Aviation Safety Management Systems LtdWith a growing number of Part 115 operations gradually making their presence felt, Rob Neil spoke to the ASMS team about their part in helping Adventure Aviation operators get their businesses up and running.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Final Season for Vulcan XH558As a sad counter to the two restoration/recovery stories in this issue, Rob Neil explains why 2013 is likely to be the last time a Vulcan will ever fly.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Training Tomorrow’s RNZAF—A “Single” Solution?The RNZAF is approaching a critical stage in its pilot training capability.Rob Neil looks at the future of this capability and suggests that a single type, all-through high-performance turboprop trainer is the best answer to the future of military pilot training in New Zealand.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Quiet Achiever—The Airbus A330Despite the impending introduction of carbon-fibre airliners incorporating swags of new technology in their every feature, the 18 year-old Airbus A330 is now selling better than ever. Rob Neil looks at why this might be.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Final Goodbye - Singapore Airlines’ Last 747 Passenger FlightLast month, Rob Neil accompanied the last ever passenger flights by Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 747s—SQ747 and SQ748 from Singapore–Hong Kong–Singapore. Rob reports on the flights and the celebrations, while Rudi van der Zwaal looks back nostalgically on his experience as a Singapore Airlines B747 pilot.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Pipistrel—Innovative WinnersRob Neil summarises the story of the Pipistrel Company, which has rapidly gained international credibility for its innovative and eco-friendly approach to sport aviation and aviation technology.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Ice Aviation—the Tip of an IcebergAs Rob Neil discovered, for students training with this apparently small Taranaki-based company, what they see is not what they get—in the best way possible! Like an iceberg, Ice Aviation is only the small tangible tip of a much greater intangible wholeFull Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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The A400M—Rewriting History’s LessonsAirbus Military’s A400M has defied history’s odds and confounded the pessimists by surviving a convoluted political background and not one, but two multi-national development programmes—not to mention a global economic crisis. Rob Neil gives a brief summary of an ongoing flight test programme that almost never was.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Dreamliner Down UnderRob Neil was lucky enough to attend the historic first visit to New Zealand of a Boeing 787. The first 787 to fly, ZA001 was just two weeks from permanent retirement when it touched down at Auckland.Full Text On Zinio | Article Details | |
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Avanti II—the Next Step ForwardThe Piaggio Aero P180 Avanti was born 25 years ahead of its time. Today, quarter of a century later, the time has come for the Avanti II—still the world’s fastest civil turboprop and still its greenest business aircraft—to step forward and claim the recognition it deserves. Rob Neil reports. Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Mount Cook Airline and the ATR72Mount Cook Airline is an “icon” in the New Zealand aviation industry, just as the mountain from which it takes its name is an icon of the New Zealand tourism industry. Serving both Mount Cook Airline and the New Zealand Tourism industry admirably is an aircraft that is likely to become another icon—for “green” commercial aviation—the ATR72. Rob Neil reports.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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A “Grizzly” Future for the RNZAF?With budgets ever tightening and governments seeking new ways to make their money stretch further, Rob Neil hypothesises about how the New Zealand government might potentially decrease its defence spending while simultaneously increasing the RNZAF’s air transport capabilities.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Promising Partnership—Timor Air and Vincent AviationVincent Aviation first went to East Timor to support United Nations peacekeeping efforts there. Now, as Rob Neil reports, the Kiwi airline has returned as a vital partner in founding a new national airline for the embryonic nation.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Master of Ceremonies—Flight Design’s “MC”When Rob Neil got the opportunity in Australia recently to sample Flight Design’s latest LSA, the Flight Design MC (Metal Concept), he came away mightily impressed.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Avalon 2011Rob Neil reports on the 2011 Australian International Airshow at Avalon, which, this year, celebrated the 90th anniversary of the RAAF.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Uncontained “Fallout”Rolls-Royce and the A380. Rob Neil reviews the “fallout” from the uncontained engine failure that afflicted one of Qantas’s A380s soon after its departure from Singapore last month.Article Details | |
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Wakatipu Aero Club—A Remarkable ExperienceSitting at the foot of The Remarkables on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown Airport is home to the Wakatipu Aero Club. Rob Neil visited the club recently for some refresher training in the club’s speciality: mountain flying.Article Details | |
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Boeing—The Asian Component(s).Pacific Wings was privileged to participate recently in a tour of major Asian factories supplying components for Boeing’s Dreamliner programme. Rob Neil reports.Article Details | |
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Biofuel—The Inevitable FutureWhen Airbus’s “Head of New Energies”, Paul Nash, visited New Zealand recently, he spoke to Rob Neil about the urgency and importance of commercialising sustainable biofuel production.Article Details | |
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Air Nelson’s New ShedAir Nelson recently opened a new hangar at its Nelson Airport base—an impressive $12-million facility that will allow it to service Mount Cook’s ATR72s as well as its own fleet of 23 Bombardier Q300s. Rob Neil joined the opening celebration for Air Nelson’s “new shed”.Article Details | |
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Massey University School of AviationAmongst the dedicated schools and universities attempting to provide a new generation of pilots with the qualifications needed to face the new generation of flight, Massey University’s School of Aviation believes it produces “aviators with a difference”. Rob Neil talks to Massey’s CEO, Ashok Poduval.Article Details | |
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Wise Owl 94—Wisdom of ExperienceExercise Wise Owl is an important regular training exercise for RNZAF pilot trainees. Rob Neil joined the RNZAF at Napier for the 94th Wise Owl, held this time at Napier.Article Details | |
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The History of the Future—the Open Rotor StoryThe future of aviation propulsion technology has already been partially written in history. Rob Neil re-visits the development of “open rotor” technology that was sidelined only by a coincidence of social and economic circumstances.Article Details | |
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Airbus A400M UpdateA hectic flight-test programme is underway for the Airbus A400M, which came within a whisker of being cancelled before it flew. At the recent Airbus Innovation Days, Fernando Alonso, Airbus’s head of flight operations and senior vice president of flight and integration tests, summarised the now successful test programme, as Rob Neil reports.Article Details | |
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Airbus Innovation Days, 2010Each year, Airbus hosts what it calls “Innovation Days” at one of its European facilities to offer the Airbus view of its products and programmes. Rob Neil went to Broughton in the UK to hear Airbus representatives’ views on the company’s programmes and the state of the world’s airliner market.Article Details | |
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Fly Dakota to Wanaka—the Romance LivesRob Neil considered himself extremely fortunate to step back in time to the romantic age of airline travel when he flew with the Fly Dakota Syndicate between Wanaka and Queenstown to attend the Wanaka air show each day.Article Details | |
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Double Hill Station and Alpine HelicoptersWith both aviation and farming in Tim Hutchinson’s blood, he and his wife, Anna, aim to provide the very best “New Zealand experience” for visitors by making the most of their Double Hill Station property—and their helicopter. As Rob Neil discovered, they have something pretty special to offer…on the ground and in the air.Article Details | |
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Return of the TurbopropAs the world’s oil reserves shrink and oil prices skyrocket, the humble – but effective – turboprop is making a global comeback. Rob Neil outlines the turboprop’s benefits and the reasons why it is back to stay.Article Details | |
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Graduation – RNZAF 08/2 Wings CourseWhen Rob Neil attended the graduation ceremony of the RNZAF’s 08/2 Wings Course recently and met its graduating pilots, it reinforced his impressions of the Air Force’s professionalism – and the high quality of its recruiting process!Article Details | |
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Aviation and the New Zealand Customs ServiceRob Neil spoke to Nikki Hooper of the New Zealand Customs Service recently to find out how the country’s aviation community has the potential to assist the Customs Service to protect the country’s vulnerable borders.Article Details | |
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Derek Erskine—Double Survivor (Part 2)In the last issue, we featured the story of Derek Erskine’s first aviation “survival” story—his WWII fighter pilot days. In part 2, we tell the story of his survival of New Zealand’s early topdressing years in an industry that claimed many lives.Article Details | |
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Derek Erskine—Double SurvivorIn this first part of a two-part feature, Rob Neil relates the story of Derek Erskine’s RAF service in World War Two. One of very few of “the few” still alive today, Derek also survived a second hazardous aviation career as an early topdressing pilot.Article Details | |
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Christchurch Engine CentreRob Neil visits the engine overhaul facility operated by the Pratt & Whitney Air New Zealand Services partnership at Christchurch and talks to its General Manager, Bill Moeller, about the company’s success in a highly competitive global market.Article Details | |
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Flight Design—Right DesignRob Neil explains why the latest aircraft to join New Zealand’s growing fleet of wonderfully competent light sport aircraft is the right design…(by Flight Design).Article Details | |
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Whenuapai Open Day 09Rob Neil was at Whenuapai for the RNZAF’s annual Open Day. An outstanding day’s fun, flying and entertainment was made all the better by the welcome return and participation of Australian and American allies.Article Details | |
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Air Safaris—Southern Scenic Supremacy-Part 2In Part II of Rob Neil’s Air Safaris story, the GAF Nomad features prominently. Perceived by those who don’t know it as an “ugly duckling” or an unwanted “orphan”, the Nomad has been a much-loved “swan” in the history of Air Safaris, which is the biggest operator of the type in the world.Article Details | |
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XFLIGHT’s Excellent ExtraThe Extra 300 used to be a regular competitor in the now famous Red Bull Air Races. New Zealand aviators and thrill seekers can now experience the thrill of an Extra 300 flight with Auckland’s XFLIGHT, as Rob Neil reports.Article Details | |
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Miracle Workers: Air NZ Technical Operations—Part IIIn Part I of this article in December last year, Rob Neil followed ZK-NGJ through a major check to tell the story of the hard-working men and women working behind-the-scenes to keep air travel safe and reliable for the rest of us. In Part II, as the weight of paperwork approaches the weight of the aircraft, NGJ finishes its check.Article Details | |
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Air Safaris—Southern Scenic Supremacy: Part IAir Safaris’ story is too big and interesting to tell in a single instalment. Part I outlines the history of this exceptional company and the uniquely suitable aircraft it has used since it began operating in the seventies.Article Details | |
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3 Squadron Salutes—Full Fleet on ParadePacific Wings joined the RNZAF’s 3 Squadron in December for an impressive formation flight by a full complement of its five Sioux and 14 Iroquois helicopters. Rob Neil has the story.Article Details | |
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AVEX 2008—Small Steps to a Big FutureLast month, Pacific Wings was one of 38 exhibitors at AVEX 2008—New Zealand’s first aviation trade expo. Rob Neil summarises a successful event that will be back, bigger and brighter, in 2010.Article Details | |
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Vision and Excellence—General Flying Services’ StoryWhen Rob Neil visited Melbourne recently, he spoke to Ross Carrington, the owner of General Flying Services—Australia’s largest airline pilot training school—and discovered why the school had become so successful.Article Details | |
The Citation Mustang - Horses for Courses.Picking the right tool for the job is an obvious key to a successful business. For increasing numbers of companies, private jets are becoming essential tools. Rob Neil finds out why their Cessna Citation Mustang is the ideal business tool for the owners of ZK-MUS.Article Details | |
Radial Renaissance.Since the advent of the jet, many true aviators have been mourning the virtual demise of the radial engine. Grieve no more, fellow radialists! AsRob Neil discovered, Melbourne’s Rotec Engineering is leading a global radial revival with its own remarkable “roundies”.Article Details | |
Swannanoa Science DaysA story that highlights the kinds of wonderful people involved in aviation. Rob Neil attends a Science Day at Swannanoa airfield, where Des Lines and a group of inspiring volunteer helpers use aviation to bring science to life for local children.Article Details | |
Spider Tracks-NOT “Just Another” Global Tracking SolutionSpider Tracks’ story is another example of New Zealand initiative, lateral thinking and innovation; it is not “just another” tracking terminal, as Rob Neil discovered when he looked at the product and met one of Spider Tracks’ directors, Bruce Bartley.Article Details | |
Wanaka Helicopters’ Advanced Mountain Flying Training.New Zealand’s National Qualifications Authority (NZQA) recently approved Wanaka Helicopters’ world-leading advanced mountain flying training course as a nationally recognised educational qualification. Rob Neil visited Wanaka Helicopters to find out what this means for the company and its national and international students.Article Details | |
NZ’s Outstanding Airman – FAI Recognises Richard HayesIn six of the years since it was established in 1985, the FAI’s Outstanding Airmanship Award was not awarded at all when the FAI decided there were no suitably meritorious recipients. However, in 2007, as Rob Neil reports, New Zealand helicopter icon Richard “Hannibal” Hayes became the first New Zealander ever to receive the honour.Article Details | |
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The Face of MD Helicopters – Lynn Tilton in New ZealandIn June 2005, MD Helicopters had ceased trading and was within 24 hours of extinction when Lynn Tilton of Patriarch Partners LLC made the decision to buy the company – and save it. During a recent brief visit to New Zealand, Tilton and took time out to speak to Rob Neil about the revitalised MD.Article Details | |
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Targeting Terror’s Roots - Part 2 – On the Ground in AfghanistanPacific Wings’ August issue featured the first of two articles on the DOS-INL Air Wing’s operations in Afghanistan. In March 2007, Rob Neil returned to Afghanistan during the opium poppy season and witnessed eradication efforts on the ground as well as from the air.Article Details | |
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Saab Swan SongThe last of Air Nelson’s Saab 340As was withdrawn from (official) service on 24 September to make way for its Q300 replacement. Pacific Wings was invited to Nelson to say goodbye to the faithful and reliable Saab.Article Details | |
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Earlybird – The Story of Phil LightbandAt 82 years young, Phil Lightband has lost none of the passion for flight that saw him pioneering many developments and changes in New Zealand aviation. His time as a WWII fighter pilot was just the beginning of his service to his country as Rob Neil discovered.Article Details | |
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Exercise BlackbirdEach year, the RNZAF holds Exercise Blackbird—a mountain flying training exercise for its helicopter crews. Andy Heap and Rob Neil joined 3 Squadron to observe a day of high altitude training in the Southern Alps.Article Details | |
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The Delightful Dyn Aero MCR01The Dyn Aero MCR01 Club is one of a new breed of microlights that is revolutionising general aviation. Rob Neil meets Dyn Aero’s New Zealand agent and flies his delightful MCR01 Club demonstrator.Article Details | |
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Falcomposite FurioA brand new and completely indigenous New Zealand aircraft is preparing to take the general aviation world by storm. Rob Neil reports on the heart-poundingly beautiful Falcomposite Furio—due to fly for the first time before the end of the year.Article Details | |
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Targeting Terror’s RootsThe DOS-INL Air Wing in Afghanistan: In September 2006, Rob Neil joined HeliOps magazine on the first of two trips to Afghanistan to spend time with the DOS-INL Air Wing, which supports the Afghan Eradication Force in their efforts to eradicate the opium menace. This first article backgrounds the fine efforts of a dedicated bunch of aviation professionals doing a dangerous job.Article Details | |
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Flightcell International—A Kiwi Success StoryNelson-based Flightcell International has successfully taken on the world’s “big boys” in aviation communication technology, as Rob Neil reports.Article Details | |
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ANZSASI Conference ReportRob Neil reports on the annual conference of the Australia New Zealand Society of Air Safety Investigators.Article Details | |
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Southern Wings’ Southern HospitalityThe insidious decline of aero club flying and general aviation around New Zealand appears to have been halted in the country’s southernmost city. Rob Neil talks to the people behind Invercargill’s Southern Wings to find out how.Article Details | |
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Airbus VisitEach year, at its headquarters in France, Airbus hosts aviation publishers and editors from around the world for a Technical Press Briefing. Rob Neil joined over a hundred other aviation publishing industry professionals in Toulouse.Article Details | |
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The New Zealand Helicopter MuseumThe preservation of aviation history relies on a surprisingly small number of individuals and groups, and one man’s dedication to preserving an often overlooked part of New Zealand’s aviation history has resulted in a fascinating museum, as Rob Neil discovered.Article Details | |
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Heli-Expo 2007To describe Heli-Expo as an “interesting” event is like describing the Hoover Dam as the bit of concrete at the end of Lake Mead. Aviation expos really do not get any more interesting than this. Rob Neil reports.Article Details | |
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Omaka's Amazing Aviation Heritage CentreThanks to the foresight and hard work of a bunch of dedicated individuals, New Zealand now boasts an unequalled facility to house the world's largest collection of WWI aircraft. Rob Neil attended the official opening of Omaka's Aviation Heritage Centre in December.Article Details | |
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Pacific Wings in AfghanistanA photo essay by Rob Neil of images taken on a recent visit to AfghanistanFull Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Vincent Aviation: NZ's Other International AirlineJust over four years ago, Pacific Wingsran an article on VincentAviation and its expansion into Australia and beyond. Rob Neil re-visits Vincent to see what's new and backgrounds the company's interesting historyFull Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Boeing 787 UpdateBoeing's ""Director, 787, Government, Environment and Certification,"" Jeff Hawk, recently visited New Zealand to talk to Air New Zealand. While in Auckland, he made time for a media briefing and answered questions about the 787 programme. Rob Neil reportsFull Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Zephyr's Flight-Following LifelineWhen Michael Erceg and a companion went missing on a flight from Auckland to Queenstown last year, it seemed impossible that it should take two weeks to find his modern and properly equipped helicopter in such a small country. Zephyr Technology's iBox FFM could prevent such a thing from ever happening again, as Rob Neil reports.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Dawn of a New EraWhen he visted Commercial Helicopters (Australia) in Mudgee, Rob Neil discovered an Australian helicopter operator that puts its money where its mouth is when it talks about environmental responsibilityFull Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Triple-7 and BeyondAir New Zealand's Future Today.As Air NZ's 6th Boeing 777 nears completion, Rob Neil visits the Boeing factory for a behind-the-scenes look at the technology behind this mighty airliner and rest of Boeing's model line-up.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Personal TrainersThe Christchurch Flying School WayAs many flying schools become bigger and more impersonal, Christchurch Flying School focuses on a more personal approach yet still caters for everything from ab initio to SPIFR Multi. Rob Neil visited the SchoolArticle Details | |
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Passion with a Capital P(51)It is not without justification that the sound of the Merlin engine has often been described as the ""sound of freedom."" One man who still hears the avenging roar in the Merlin's every note is Robert Borrius-Broek — owner of the Wanakabased P-51 Mustang ZK-SAS, Dove of Peace, whose passion for this ultimate heavy-metal warbird is as infectious as it is genuine, as Rob Neil found out recently.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Omarama - Gliding's Global Colosseum2006 has seen the advent of a new breed of 21st century gladiators whose Colosseum is the vastness of the South Island's magnificent alpine sky Rob Neil attended the World Gliding Grand Prix at Omarama recently and reports on the new global sporting phenomenon that is televis glider Grand Prix racingFull Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Size - Does it Matter?Queenstovvn company Air Milford has managed to prove that size doesn't matter — at the same time as it daily proves just how important size is. Sound confusing? Not really. A small company with a big aeroplane - and big hopes for the future = Air Milford leads the way for smaller operators in the politically charged atmosphere of the Fiordland National Park access debate, as Rob Neil found out recently.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Masterful CommanderRob Neil takes a look at a delightful four-seat single, not common in new Zealand skies, and discovered its talents match its stylish good looks.Article Details | |
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Cirrus-ly Good!The writing is most certainly on the wall for manufacturers of old technology light aircraft; as Rob Neil discovered, the writing is in loud, bold letters three feet high, and it says… CIRRUS!Article Details | |
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Once an Ugly DucklingRob Neil discovers that Aerospatiale's once ugly duckling - the capable Sa 365 Dauphin - is now a beautiful swan, and the flagship of Helipro's current fleet.Article Details | |
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WX.comRob Neil talks with Southtec, a Dunedin-based company that has invented a cunning solution to a familiar problem facing pilots.Article Details | |
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Spartan ExistenceNew Zealand's skies are home to more rare and interesting aircraft per head of population than anywhere on Earth. The latest addition to the living museum of flight that is New Zealand is the sole surviving Spartan Three-Seater II belonging to Te Anau helicopter pilot, Rod Hall Jones. Pacific Wings' Rob Neil caught up with Rod and his immaculate Spartan in Dunedin during the aircraft's post-restoration test flying.Article Details | |
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The ultimate training packageTo become a jet pilot for Air New Zealand is the ultimate career aspiration for many Kiwi aviators. They will have already spent years and a great deal of their own money training for the role by the time they get the long-sought ""yes"" letter - and an invitation into the ultimate aviation training system, Rob Neil talks to Air New Zealand's 777 fleet manager, Dave Allard, about training the Air New Zealand way.Article Details | |
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The Worldliner world tour: Boeing's brains, brawn and beauty on showSince its introduction, the Triple-7 has embodied the ultimate in virtually every aspect of aviation technology and following the demise of the Concorde, is now arguably the most beautiful airliner in the world - an outstanding combination of brains, brawn and beauty. Photographs and text by Rob Neil.Article Details | |
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Eagle flight training - Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, red or green…Rob Neil talks to a couple of aviation's ""old"" hands about their ""new"" approach to flight training using a variety of ""borrowed"" (and owned and leased) aircraft of various makes, models and colours to overturn the usually unavoidable, age-old inverted triangle of aviation experience.Article Details | |
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Willow air and the (no) agro turboThere is probably no other aviation endeavour so demanding, so influential on the nation's wealth, and yet so seldom appreciated as ag flying. In today's environment, successful operators are those whose skills in business must match their skills in the air, as Rob Neil found when he visited Balclutha-based Willow Air recently.Article Details | |
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Kiwis Love KoalasSnow, frost, cold strong wind, jagged snow-capped mountains - and not a gum tree in sight. Hardly the sort of conditions in which one might expect a Koala to even survive, let alone thrive, but as Augusta Westland's head of civil sales for Australasia and Pacific Rim, Martin Biles and the team from Australia's Augusta distributor, Heliflite, have been demonstrating, New Zealand's topography, temperate climate and environment have proved to be ideal habitat for one particular species! By Rob NeilArticle Details | |
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Kiwi Thunder - Three men and a dreamSimon Gault, Chris Bromley, and Rob Burns are three New Zealanders whose dreams know no limits. After surmounting the many obstacles in their way, the three have brought into New Zealand one of the most beautiful and rare aircraft in the world - the Thunder Mustang ZK-TMG. Rob Neil talks to the trio and gets a ride in this wonderful aircraft; fulfilling his own lifelong dream in the process.Article Details | |
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The Specialists - CTC Aviation Training opens in HamiltonThe latest company to make itself at home in Hamilton as a result of that far-sighted council's B2H programme is UK company, CTC Aviation Training. CTC is a specialist organisation that provides aviation training and consultancy services to airlines around the world; its new facility at Hamilton is a synergistic ""win-win"" accomplishment for both CTC and the Hamilton region, as Rob Neil learned at the company's official opening in April.Article Details | |
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G1000 … Gee Whiz!The costs of certifying new aircraft and product liability issues have bequethed to the aviation public a legacy of barely-adequate 50-year-old-and-still-aging aircraft designs. Rob Neil visited Wanake recently to see how electronice cockpit technology offers a completely new lease of life to the new-build, older technology aircraft designsArticle Details | |
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Soaring Southern HopesBig moves are afoot in New Zealand's gliding community. Rob Neil visited Omarama recently to find out what's going on and took the opportunity to experience the absolute essence of flight in one of mankind's most beautiful creations - the modern fibreglass glider.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Razor sharp ingenuityHundreds of dollars an hour for teams of men on the ground or thousands of dollars an hour for a helicopter - which is cheaper? Why the helicopter of course! Rob Neil recently spent time with one of the country's most experienced operations and found out why when he saw the thirteen blades of Keith McKenzie's venerable Huges 500d in action.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Wet feet in TaupoPacific Wings correspondent Rob Neil meets Neil Kemp - chief pilot and operations manager of Taupo's Floatplane - and discovers there is much more to flying and operating a floatplane than meets the eye!Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Winner - By milesZK-CMM, a Miles Messenger 2A in pristine condition, is a recent addition to New Zealand's treasure-trove of historically valuable warbird aircraft. Almost forgotten by many, this extremely rare aircraft never gained the reputation its exceptional performance warranted. Rob Neil talks to owner David Cowie about Miles aircraft in general, and his outstanding Messenger in particular.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Montane Flyers - Wanaka FlightseeingNew Zealand's face is often best revealed to the world's travellers by the many ""flightseeing"" operations based in and around the country's scenic highlights. One such operation is Wanaka Flightseeing, whose flight operations manager, Andy Woods, talked to Rob Neil about flying in this southern alpine paradise.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Dynamic DuoMatching the best qualities of his wonderful new aircraft, Rangiora-based Bruce Drake talks to correspondent Rob Neil about his move into the future of general aviation with the arrival of ZK-DYNFull Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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The Ultimate Czech rideAlready the South Pacific's warbird ""Mecca"", Wanaka is now home to New Zealand's first Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros - one of the loveliest military jets ever to fly. Rob Neil looks at the aircraft and talks to owner Robert Broek about hopes to offer the ultimate ""Czech-rides"" in the L-39 from its new alpine paradise home.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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NZ's largest taildragger - ZK-DAK celebrates 60 yearsOn the auspicious occasion of DAK's anniversary, Rob Neil talks with the people who keep this aircraft flying and ensure that the ""Dak"" remains an unending source of interest.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Falco … Bello!An innate sense of style just seems to be an Italian thing, with style and artistic design brilliance having been recognised as national traits throughout history - and Stelio Frati's Falco F8L is no exception. It has been almost 50 years since the maiden flight of the ""Ferrari of the sky"" and Rob Neil takes a look at this very Italian aircraft.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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A back-blocks icon: 50 years of the Cessna 180The cessna 180 celebrates its 50h year since the type was first put into production. Revered by pilots and owners alike, this iconic taildragger workhorse has become the perennial favourite in New Zealand. Rob Neil admires the country's oldest example, ZK-BKG, while Dave Paull, who once flew 180s in the mid-1970s documents a brief history and evolution of the type.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Aluminium Admiration, The Ryans Zk-Bem And Zk-RynJust What Is It About Polished Aluminium That Even The Merest Glimpse Of A Burnished Spinner In A Line Of Parked Aircraft Is Enough To Attract Every Aviation Nut Within A Five Kilometre Radius? Rob Neil Discovers That There Is More To Auckland'S Ryans Than Just A Shiny Surface.Article Details | |
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High FlyersThe Recent Arrival Of The Cessna Cj1, Zk-Tbm, For Pacific Jets Heralded The First Full-Time Bizjet Charter Service Seen In New Zealand. But, Far From Being Accessible Only To The Rich And Famous, This Service Is Well Within The Reach Of The Average Flyer. Rob Neil Sampled This Enlightened Way To Travel And Met The Men Behind The New Venture.Article Details | |
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The Mainland TouchWho, What And Where Are Mainland Air Services, And What The Heck Do They Do? Rob Neil Recently Headed To Dunedin (A Small Village Situated South Of The Auckland Control Zone) To Find Out.Article Details | |
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The Blue Line Beyond The Black Stump, The Northern Territory'S Police Air WingHaving Seen Some Of The Northern Territory In The Dry Season, Rob Neil Jumped At The Opportunity To Revisit In The ""Wet"" To Spend Some Time With The Air Wing And Write An Article On Their Operation.Article Details | |
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Rescue SquadFrom its humble one-ship-shop beginnings, Garden City Helicopters' fleet now numbers seven helicopters. Its flagship, the BK 117B1 ZK-HJC, is one of the South Island's best-known and most-beloved aerial saviours. Rob Neil went along for a ride and found out first-hand what really goes into running a rescue operation.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Coming of Age - the Asia Pacific Aviation GroupNew Zealand's helicopter industry has survived its ""teenage years"" and a new breed of helicopter pilot has since been emerging - professional, smart, masterly. Rob Neil talks with the three men behind the Asia Pacific Aviation Group, one of the industry players stepping up to the plate.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |
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Vincent InnovationRob Neil Writes Of New Zealand's Only All-Kiwi-Owned International Airline, Vincent Aviations.Article Details | |
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Colourwings No.168Like No Other Before Or Since - The Classic Lines Of Mr Douglas' Dc-3. ZK-AWP Was Photographed Over North Canterbury By Rob Neil In September 1991.Full Text in Archive | Article Details | |