Air Chathams Flight CV803 bound for Auckland

Whakatane  (NZWK/WHK) to Auckland (NZAA/AKL), Fairchild Metroliner III ZK-CIC

Was a stunningly beautiful day to be flying on the new Air Chathams service from Whakatane to Auckland. Air New Zealand subsidiary Eagle Airways had only withdrew from Whakatane 6 days before. In the wake of the shock announcement, Air Chathams came to Whakatanes rescue. Using a mix of 50 seater Convair 580s and a 19 seater Fairchild Metroliner, Air Chats offer 3 flights daily to/from Auckland.

Air Chathams check in times are 45 mins prior to departure, compared to Air NZs 30 mins. All fares include a 23kg baggage allowance.

We boarded on time, 12 people on today's mid morning flight to Auckland. We started up and taxied out. Taking off to the west, we climbed to our cruise altitude. I had forgotten how low the ceiling is on the Metro, however it is quite a bit wider than the Beech 1900D. Nice views over the townships of Matata, Edgecombe and Kawerau. Slight bank to the left meant no views over Tauranga City for me. Ruapehu and Taranaki in the distance looked pretty against the Autumn blue sky. More views over the Waikato Dairy country before starting the descent into Auckland. Quite a firm landing in Auckland. Taxied to the far distant prop gate.

It was a nice flight, and at $89 two days prior to departure, it was a steal!

Q300 Icing

NZ8568, Wellington to Tauranga

Bit cold as we flew north over the Central Plateau. Little icing on props and leading edges

ZK-CIC at Auckland Airport

Fairchild Metroliner III ZK-CIC at Auckland Airport (NZAA/AKL)

This Metro spent some time up in the Kingdom of Tonga before returning to New Zealand. Air Chathams initiated services into Whakatane following Air New Zealands withdrawal to the Centre. This Metroliner is the mainstay of the route, with the larger Convair 580 putting in a occasional appearance

ZK-MCA at New Plymouth Airport

ATR 72-500 ZK-MCA at New Plymouth Airport (NZNP/NPL)

ZK-EAC and ZK-EAG at Taupo Airport

Beechcraft 1900Ds ZK-EAC and ZK-EAG at Taupo Airport  (NZAP/TUO)

A sight that will no longer be seen at Taupo Airport. Since April, Air New Zealand have ceased to operate on the TUO - WLG route. Prior to April, both midday flights to Auckland and Wellington were on the ground at Taupo at the same time, making for a good photo opportunity.

ZK-NEG and ZK-NEE at Tauranga Airport

Bombardier Q300s ZK-NEG and ZK-NEE at Tauranga Airport (NZTG/TRG)

A quiet night at TRG as two Q300s are locked down for the night. Both aircraft will overnight before departing to Auckland and Wellington the next morning

ZK-MCB at Tauranga Airport

ATR 72-500 ZK-MCB at Tauranga Airport (NZTG/TRG)

Mount Cook Airlines start their ATRs in hotel mode. Im not a pilot but from a Groundy point of view, it is the #2 engine started but with the prop brake on. Instead of removing the Ground Power Unit (GPU) whilst both props are started and in feather like other prop aircraft, the GPU is removed once the ATR has gone into Hotel Mode.

ZK-MVD at Gisborne Airport

ATR 72-600 ZK-MVD at Gisborne Airport (NZGS/GIS)

ATRs are not a common sight at Gisborne. The period between Christmas and New Years always sees a mass influx of visitors to the Eastland Region, and Air New Zealand responded by scheduling ATRs on a daily basis. Other than this period, ATRs are rarely seen. March 2015 saw a few ATRs in Gisborne, chartered to take groups of Kapa Haka Teams to the championships in Christchurch. ZK-MVD arrived mid afternoon from Christchurch empty, and returned 25minutes later to Christchurch with a full load of 68 passengers on board.

ZK-EAQ at Tauranga

Beechcraft 1900D, ZK-EAQ at Tauranga Airport (NZTG/TRG)

ZK-EAQ along with EAR were purchased second hand by Air New Zealand. Both these aircraft feature large cargo holds due to the lack of onboard lavatories.