< PreviousKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 72 40 NZ Warbirds contributed by Frank Parker with images by Gavin Conroy Just as our previous issue of KiwiFlyer was heading to print, NZ Warbirds held one of their very popular Open Days at Ardmore Airport. This included their usual broad offering of air displays plus a rare and interesting new arrival to supplement Ardmore’s WWI enemy ranks. NZ Warbirds President Frank Parker explains the workings of the day and offers plenty of reasons not to miss the next local event in June. Frank writes: Roaring 40s out for a practice on the day before the big open day. Behind a NZ Warbirds Open Day Despite the uncertainty of possible further Covid restrictions, NZ Warbirds decided to plan an Ardmore Open Day for December. As most readers will know we run two Open Days each year, generally at the beginning and end of summer. Date for the early summer ‘gig’ is always a compromise, too early in November clear of other events is a lottery with the weather and too late in December we clash with Santa! With that in mind December 6th seemed a good date to plan for. NZWA has been organising these events in the current Gavin Conroy image CAA Part 115 certified LIVE YOUR DREAM FLY IN A WARBIRD EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF FLIGHT IN A WWII FIGHTER WITH WARBIRD ADVENTURE RIDES HARVARD l P-40 KITTYHAWK l SPITFIRE WWW.WARBIRD.CO.NZ GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE41 2021 #1 format for the past 11 years and we have developed a well-defined template to follow. Moreover, we are fortunate to have an enthusiastic and experienced team of volunteers to attend to the myriad of tasks required to make these days work. The standard format is quite simple, three one hour flying display ‘slots’ through the day with normal airfield operations between times. This is to lessen the impact on other Ardmore tenants and allow the airfield operators to continue with their business during the day. This event was themed ‘Warbirds on Parade’, an opportunity to display our Ardmore based fleet which has continued to grow over the past years. We also host car clubs, other volunteer groups, and trade displays in our hangars plus for this event a static display by the RNZAF and Police ‘Eagle’ Team. Whilst a fundraiser, the Association endeavors to make this an affordable family day for ‘plane buffs’ and the local populace, more so with people looking for something different in Covid times. Attendance numbered about 4500, a pleasing result for the day. Of that number about 60% pay a modest entry fee, the balance being made up of families - kids free - and airfield tenants and guests. While there is an opportunity to increase the gate takings we feel it is important to make this an affordable event for visitors and of course we must engender the friendly co- operation of other airfield users who we are disrupting for the day. What do the crowd get for their day? In my humble view, quite a lot… Firstly we have a lineup of 25 plus static display aircraft covering most of our fleet from WWI types, Tiger Moths, Spitfire and Skyhawk and a few in between. This is accompanied by historic military vehicles, classic cars, trade stands, food stands etc. - all the fun of the fair! Flying for this event had an added dimension with our WWI Fleet on display. This included the BE.2, Bristol Scout and Bristol Fighter representing the ‘Goodies’ and Siemens Schuckert D-IV (on debut) and Fokker Triplane from the ‘other side’. These aircraft opened the display with an aerial joust and formation fly pasts. Star of the show was the Siemens Schuckert which is new to the fleet. The aircraft is a replica of a 1918 German aircraft which was late to the crumbling German ‘Front’. Only a handful were ever operational, however, it had a startling performance. This aircraft has a 1918 vintage Gnome rotary engine Gavin Conroy image Doug Brooker low and fast in his Spitfire. For a demo, please visit www.datahangar.co.nz Contact us by email: sales@datahangar.co.nz Flight Schedule • Daily Flight Record • Rostering Flight and Duty • SMS Reporting • XERO Invoicing Developed in New Zealand Surrounded by forms and paperwork? Wishing your time could be more productive? Take your aviation business paperless in 2021 with Datahangar Dave Brown in the North American T-28G Trojan. Liz Needham rolling her beautiful P-40N Kittyhawk.Dean Beverley looping Harvard 52 in the ‘40s. Gavin Conroy imageKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 72 42 NZ Warbirds F K with a unique exhaust noise - some would say a raucous racket! This was followed by a variety of single aircraft and formation displays featuring most of our fleet, including Tiger Moths, Chipmunks, Ryan, Airtrainer, Harvard, aerobatic routines, Harvard Formation Team, plus the ever popular WWII fighters, Kittyhawk and Spitfire. Additional ‘heavy metal’ this event was the Pratt and Whitney 2000 powered T-28 Trojan on debut. As has become the norm, the finale was a Battle Field re-enactment with ground troops (from the Military Re-enactors Association). Attacking ‘Harvard’ bombers were repelled by the P-40, Spitfire and T-28. Let’s not forget the coffee, hotdog, waffle, ice-cream, and other food stalls, although they were a little overwhelmed by the crowd. An event like this does not just ‘happen’. There is a lot of planning and organising involved and while we have developed a well-oiled procedure there are still a lot of ‘i’s to dot and ‘t’s to cross to ensure success. Our planning group starts meeting ten weeks out to achieve this. Then on the days prior there is a big effort to prepare the airfield with crowd barriers and signage. On the day of the event there is traffic and crowd control, and the flight line crew start at 5am to ensure aircraft are positioned, then finish after dark when everything is in the hangar. The Ops folks need to prepare display programmes, always a moving target, conduct briefs, complete event paperwork, ensure pilots are appropriately authorised, plus undertake display control during the flying slots. Then of course there are the crews who participate. Often their seven-minute display is the culmination of many hours of practice. The December timing for the day is the beginning of Warbirds display season, an opportunity for pilots to dust off their aircraft and work up their routines. In December we also had a strong presence at the Thames ‘Wings and Wheels’ and next week (at time of writing) head off to Art Deco in Napier followed by Wings over Wairarapa at Masterton. Looking further ahead we have Classic Fighters at Omaka on Easter weekend and we have just decided on June 6th for the next Ardmore Open Day. Get out those diaries! As President of the Association I am extremely proud that we can deliver an event of this calibre. Regards, Frankly@xtra.co.nz www.lightsportaircraft.co.nz Full build support and replacement parts available in New Zealand. Contact your NZ ICP light sport aircraft agent Philip Seale at Westwind Aviation on 021 747494 ICP Savannah SICP Ventura Factory built aircraft and kits in stock NEW Factory built aircraft2021 #1 43 Another pairs display, this time by a pair of lovely old Tiger Moths. Pairs displays were popular on the day, this time a pair of Cessna Bird Dogs. Frank Parker flying the Siemens Schuckert and Tim Sullivan in the Triplane. DH Chipmunk pair flown by Milton Donovan and Dean Beverley. Siemens Schuckert pursued by Bristol Fighter F2B.The BE.2 looks magnificent on a clear blue day.NZ Warbirds latest is a replica Albatros D.Va. DC-3 heads out for a scenic flight between displays.Liz Needham gets airborne in the F2B Bristol Fighter.The Polikarpov PO-2 was on static display. Fokker Dr.1 Triplane on the tail of the Sopwith Scout.Doug Brooker’s spectacular aerobatics in his MXT.Gavin Trethewey flew the Sopwith Scout.KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 72 44 Event Report contributed by Cameron McKenzie With 55 years of operation behind it, there can’t be many people in the NZ aviation community that aren’t aware of the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School held during two weeks of January at Matamata every year. The school sees first solos achieved by dozens of young ab-initio aviators who enjoy a fortnight of intense aviation training from highly qualified volunteer instructors. This year’s report on the event is written by just such a student, Cameron McKenzie who shares his experience of the event including the moment his instructor asked “Do you want to have a go by yourself ? ” Cameron writes: Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School An ab-initio student’s perspective In 2013 I joined the Young Eagles, a branch of the local aero club under the parent body of Flying NZ which provides young New Zealanders with an opportunity to learn about and experience general aviation first hand. Through the Young Eagles I have been privileged to 0500 starts ensure maximum use of calm conditions during the 55th Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School 2021. visit numerous aviation-related facilities, participate in several aviation events throughout the region, and also to fly in a range of aircraft. Among these have been a Titan T-51 Mustang and a two-seat three-quarter scale Supermarine Spitfire, owned by family friends. I have also been fortunate enough to fly in a Model 18 Beechcraft, a Boeing Stearman, complete an aerobatic flight in an ex-RNZAF Airtourer, and to fly right-hand seat from Woodbourne to Christchurch and back in a Sounds Air Pilatus PC-12. It was while speaking to instructors at the Marlborough Aero Club who had been past students of the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School that I first learnt of the school. Run by Scouts New Zealand (although you don’t have to be a Scout to attend) and named in honour of pioneer New Zealand aviators Leo and Vivian Walsh, the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School is an annual two-week programme held at Matamata Aerodrome. Its purpose is to provide young New Zealanders aged sixteen to nineteen, with little or no experience in aviation, premium instruction in the basics of flight up to their first solo. Intrigued, Walsh presented an exciting new opportunity and a great way to launch my own flying to the next level. The prospect of furthering my experience in aviation and hopefully completing that monumental first solo within a condensed two week period was exciting and would be the first step on the path to achieving my ambition of becoming a pilot. Having held an after school job for several years, saving my income towards acquiring my PPL, I began also saving to attend Walsh and applied for the 2021 school after my sixteenth birthday. I was elated to be accepted to Walsh and equally so when it was given the go-ahead for its 55th consecutive year from the 6th to the 20th of January in spite of COVID-19. Scouts New Zealand image Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School 2021 44 ab-initio students 26 returning students 28 Instructors 33 support staff45 2021 #1 Scouts New Zealand image Students, Instructors, and Support Staff of the ‘Walsh’ 2021. Classroom time at the Walsh is a well rehearsed process. There were plenty of traditional first solo dunkings. Numerous visitors provided variety and ride experiences. Elliot Neil receiving the Walsh Trophy and a $1000 flying award from Mr. Allen Williams. Elliot was also awarded the Air NZ Group Award: $5000 towards a PPL plus a B787 Simulator experience plus a ‘work experience day’ with an Air NZ crew. CAA Part 145 Approved Parts Supply Installation & Repair Ardmore based Fully mobile Representing Advanced Flight Appareo Avidyne David Clark Dynon Kannad PS Engineering Trig Aeroshell (reseller) 23 Victa Lane, Ardmore Airfield 09 299 9289 info@icea.co www .icea.co AVIONICS l Comprehensive stocks of Aircraft AN, MS, NAS Hardware l US Industrial Tooling l Covering Products l Aircraft Spruce (NZ) Distributor (fortnightly delivery from USA)KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 72 46 Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School 2021 Cameron’s background Visitors to ‘the Walsh’ find that they can just about smell the enthusiasm for aviation in the air. It’s what makes this event a fixture on the calendar for so many of the volunteers who generously give their time to it. The backgrounds of the students who attend vary considerably, but Cameron’s is not untypical. Here’s his story: Just when my passion for aviation began I am not entirely sure. It has been my ambition for as long as I can recall to become a pilot. What attracts me to flying is also a mystery, though with family and friends involved in varying areas of NZ aviation, it has been an integral part of my childhood which has invariably contributed to my own love for flying. My grandfather, a farmer from West Otago, acquired his PPL in 1965 owning four aircraft over his thirty years in general aviation with roughly 1,500 logged flying hours. I was never fortunate enough to fly with him as he gave up flying for health reasons before I was born, though his love for it never subsided. Having been brought up around aviation my father developed the same passion for flying, though eyesight requirements prevented him from acquiring his PPL until recent years. His own health issues made the process challenging but his resilience to these obstacles served as a great inspiration to me. Among other family and friends in the aviation industry, my great uncle operated his own airline for a short while and instructed at a number of aero clubs around the country, serving as Marlborough Aero Club’s CFI for several years. He also flew Air Ambulances in more recent times and spent almost two decades flying for SAFE Air (Straits Air Freight Express), accumulating 25,000 flying hours throughout his career. So I could not help but inherit the ‘flying gene’. My first flight as I recall, was in a Cessna 172 with my father’s cousin, also a private pilot, in Queenstown on Easter weekend of 2008. This was followed by a scenic flight in the PBY Catalina at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Air Show. While only three at the time, I vividly recall both experiences and feel they too largely contributed to my ongoing passion for aviation. (Did that last sentence make anyone else feel really old ? Ed.) Living just outside of Blenheim I have been privileged to be right on the doorstep of one of New Zealand’s premier aviation communities with the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and Marlborough Aero Club barely five minutes down the road at Omaka Aerodrome, home of the Classic Fighters airshow and Healthy Bastards Bush Flying Championships. The country’s oldest aero club, the Marlborough Aero Club has an active and friendly community of members of varying ages and experience from all corners of the aviation industry. Adjoining the aerodrome, the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre museum contains a magnificent collection of historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia, besides numerous incredible restoration projects taking place in surrounding hangars. Of course, the highlight of my time around aviation is the biennial Classic Fighters Air Show, hosted at Omaka Aerodrome on Easter weekend, alternating with Warbirds Over Wanaka. A world-class display of historic and modern aircraft, it is a must-see for anyone even remotely interested in aviation. The three-day event draws friends, family, and aviation enthusiasts from all over the country, making it very much an integral part of our family calendar. Dr Anton Wiles & Dr Jon Nelson - ME 1 (New Zealand) - Australia (CASA) - U.K. and Europe (EASA) - AME (Canada) - United States (FAA) - Fiji Your Experienced Aviation Medical Services Team 027 493 9975 1 Ingram Rd, Rukuhia, Hamilton hamish@centralaero.nz DC Starter Generators Aircraft Magnetos Actuators Generator Control Units Starter Motors Alternators We have many exchange/overhaul components on the shelf and offer prompt turnaround time for all repairs and overhauls For more information, visit centralaero.nzWith two or three flights per day, one or more briefings on various topics relating to aviation, 0500 starts, daily duties, and with what little time left over being reserved for study, socialising, or having a much needed nap, the full-on schedule was exhausting at best, but also extremely rewarding. While the focus of the school remained primarily on learning to fly, Walsh maintained all the attributes of a great summer camp with tall stories, sing-alongs, overly competitive cricket matches, swimming, sunburn, and the constant joy that is tenting. On the 15th of January my instructor Lucian and I were in the air at 0700. By this time we had completed the majority of the practical flying course and were now revising the standard circuit plus scenarios such as simulated EFATO (Engine Failure After Take-Off), flapless take-off and landing, go-around, and aborted take-off. Following the abort Lucian took control, but rather than vacating the runway to the left, back towards the flight line, we turned onto the taxiway which led back to the threshold of the active runway. Turning to me he said, “Do you want to have a go by yourself?” These words echoed in my mind, but my nerves promptly settled. I was confident, though by no means complacent, that I had been well trained and was ready for this. And so, after a little over seven and a half hours logged during the preceding week, I was going solo! It was not until I was airborne that it fully occurred to me that Lucian was no longer beside me to take over should I make an error, a slightly daunting thought. Nonetheless, the sensation of being alone in the air was exhilarating, a feeling most pilots will understand. It seemed however, as though barely any time had elapsed before I was on short finals and gently touching down, ready to surrender myself to the traditional ‘dunking’ following a first solo. Thanks to I cannot praise the organisation and leadership of the camp enough. With up to 800 take-offs and landings per day, making Matamata Aerodrome the country’s busiest airfield for the duration of the school, the team of Air Traffic Controllers did a great job in monitoring the aerodromes airspace. The kitchen staff did an amazing job in ensuring we were all well fed and at our best, and the team of 28 of the country’s best instructors provided all students with the finest training possible - the number of first solo’s achieved throughout the camp testament to the quality of their efforts. All told, there is a great team of people behind Walsh whom generously give their time to provide young New Zealanders with a spectacular experience. There are also many generous sponsors who have continued to support the school despite the challenges of the past year. I can safely say that attending the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School has been the greatest experience I have been privileged to have. Not only was the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of aviation and achieve my ambition of going solo monumental and special, but I also greatly appreciate the close bond formed with my peers, many of whom will remain life-long friends. There have been so many people who have helped develop my love of aviation and to each and every one of you I owe a great debt of gratitude. In whatever form it may take, I look forward to my ongoing participation in the New Zealand aviation community. Cameron McKenzie Attending to preparation and paperwork. Airways provide vital traffic control for the fortnight. Tent city at Matamata Cameron McKenzie. 47 2021 #1 F K For more information or to arrange a demonstration flight please contact Jim Lyver 027 440 0747 info@foxbat.nz www.foxbat.nz FOXBAT l VSTOL: Take off and land in just under 100m l VHF radios l The best ab-initio trainer to teach students to fly in l Tundra Tyres l Mud Flaps l Y shaped yoke with twin throttles l 30kg metal baggage bin with side door l Carry over 200kgs after full fuelKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 72 48 Event Report contributed by Phil Craig Continuing the legacy of original hosts Athol and Betty Sowry, who founded the New Year’s Day fly-in at their Athbey Farm airstrip near Woodville, the 16th occasion of this first in the world annual event was hosted this year by the Manawatu Aviation Club at Taonui Airfield. Phil Craig reports: A delightful day for aviating greeted all who participated. With forty visiting aircraft plus passengers, the hosts ended up serving a delectable lunch to over ninety people. The range of aircraft that arrived stretched from microlights and autogyros to homebuilts, sport and certified aircraft, First Fly-in at Feilding Winning the prize for first aircraft to arrive and for the Spot Landing competition was Alex Dent in his Piper Archer. both modern and vintage. During the lunch break the attendees were able to watch John Luff complete two approaches in his de Havilland DH-112 Venom ZK-VNM. While having lunch and catching up with fellow aviators, a quiz was available for participants to demonstrate their aeronautical knowledge. This was followed by the prizegiving Prize for the first arrival went to Alex Dent flying Piper PA-28 Archer ZK-MWM. Apologies to Alex from the landing spot set-up crew who were not quite ready for your early arrival, requiring a go around. This obviously did not have much impact as Alex nailed the landing on the spot next Phil Craig image time around. Not bad for his first landing competition in this aircraft type too! Alex thus also received the Spot Landing prize, followed closely by Bruce Brownlie in his Cessna 195 ZK-BEB (thanks for clearing the cut grass on the landing spot with your departure Bruce) and Mark Miller in his Miller M-1 Superchamp ZK-MMJ. The oldest pilot was judged to be Peter Bannister who flew his Tecnam P2008 ZK-CJN to the event, while Darren Luff was awarded a prize for arriving in the oldest aircraft - his de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth ZK-BEF. The furthest travelled was awarded to Phil Richards from Rangiora in his Europa C anterbury A ircraft M aintenance now has Magneto Servicing capabilities Talk to us about 500 hour servicing on Bendix and Slick mags. Hangar Facilities and full workshop available at Rangiora Airfield Special inaugral rates of $85 +GST per hour Ask us about Discounts for AOPA members Phone 03 310 6675 to enquire or make bookings49 2021 #1 Ike and Trish Stephens in their Murphy Super Rebel. While attendees were consuming lunch, John Luff made a couple of approaches in his DH-112 Venom ZK-VNM.Blenheim-based Bolkow Bo208C Junior ZK-CJK. Jonathan Mauchline from Whanganui in his Bantam. Mark Miller in his Miller M-1 Superchamp ZK-MMJ. Murray Farr & Titan Tornado II ZK-RSR from Stratford. Spritely performance from Aviat Husky ZK-USK. F K Phil Craig image There's a new level of customer focused maintenance at Hastings Aerodrome Fixed Cost Services Repairs & Restorations Scheduled Maintenance Modifications Bring your aircraft to Plane Torque Ltd and benefit from our co-operative approach to all your aircraft maintenance requirements. Contact Nic Roberts on 021 068 2271 email: nic@planetorque.co.nz www.planetorque.co.nz i i Classic ZK-MOF. On behalf of the trustees of the fly-in, Athol announced that the 17th “First in the World” Fly-In will be held on 1st January 2022, hosted by the Central Hawkes Bay Aero Club at Waipukurau Airfield. No time like the present to plan to be there! Phil Craig Next >