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Parakai Airfield is available for General Aviation. Drop-in visitors are welcome.
ZK-DAX: Newly arrived at Parakai and crouching amongst the shipping containers, are the remains of the Cessna 207, ZK-DAX.
This aircraft has an interesting history, having been involved in the original 'Japanese Tourist Syndrome' event in 1989... one of the tourists on board filmed another aircraft approaching very slowly on an almost (but unfortunately not quite) parallel track, and continued filming during the whole slow approach right up to the moment of impact. Apparently the tourist though that each pilot must have known that the other was there.
Since then its become usual to brief their passengers to avoid the 'Japanese Tourist Syndrome', by asking them to give the pilot a tap on the shoulder and point at any aircraft that looks a bit close... if the pilot has seen it they don't mind being shown it again, and if they haven't seen it then they really don't mind being shown it.
Over the last 20 years, ZK-DAX has been cannibalised for spare parts and somehow has worked its way north, covering the 1796 km (1000 nm) road distance from Milford to Parakai, without the benefit of flight. Having arrived by truck, if it ever leaves it will be by the same method.
Meanwhile, Simon is eyeing it up as a nice 'aviation theme' chicken coop.
From the WFC Newsletter... A very pretty photo shot by John King.
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Airfield Facilities & Services: Avgas and Mogas.
Clubrooms with Coffee, Tea, Cold Drinks, EFTPoS, Toilets, Showers,
Children's playground, Icecreams at Blue Skies Skydiving base.
Aircraft
Engineering, Brokerage, Aerial Photography, Skydiving, Introductory
flights, Flight Training for PPL, CPL and ML. Overnight and Permanent
aircraft parking, Hangarage, Hangar building sites. Courtesy
car by arrangement (37mts to Auckland CBD, 30 mts
Albany, 24 mts Silverdale). Ring first Ph '0800FlyWest' if you
want to be certain of particular facilities being open, as sometimes
we're all off flying. |
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Taxiway 'A' now concreted: Taxiway Alpha, which runs from the fuel apron to the wide seal threshhold of runway 07, has now been concreted... should make it easier to get to the fuel. Eventually this will be extended out the other side of the fuel apron to form a concrete holding and passenger loading loop at the western end of the runway, with the fuel moved to the large concrete pad between the two main hangar blocks . . . more
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Ballistic Parachute saves the day: A video that's gone viral on YouTube shows a wing collapsing on a RANS S-9 Chaos during an air show, with the pilot being saved by a ballistic parachute that lowered the whole plane to the ground with pilot emerging uninjured.
The parachute is similar to that fitted to the Parakai training aircraft ZK-PAB, also to the DynAeros ZK-WIK and ZK-SML that are often seen around Parakai.
Structural failures are very rare on aircraft and this is no reflection of the strength of the Rans... the pilot was performing extreme manouvers for the entertainment of the crowd, and doing things that you'd never go near in normal flight (pulling up sharply when upside down at high speed, is not the way anyone flys unless they're heavily into aerobatics).
RANs S-9 is a cheap single seat aerobatic microlight, aluminium tube frame with sailcloth covering, and a 2 stroke rotax engine.
The image shows the red chute doing its job, and though it wrapped around the tail due to the rapid spin at the time, it did it's job. Like the airbags in a car, you never expect to have to use them but nice to know they're there.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/video.cfm?c_id=2&gal_cid=1502757&gallery_id=113321
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Facebook page: The airfield has its own page on 'Facebook', edited by Carreen Lockie. <--- click on logo |
Coming Events:
28th August
(Saturday), WFC lunch at Whangarei: The Whangarei Flying Club's
'$5 lunch' at Hangar 10, Whangarei airport.
3rd and 4th
September (Sat and Sun), Whangarei. WFC Fly-in: The 'Whangarei
Flying Club' is holding a fly-in on on both days, as a 'Fathers Day
take Dad for a fly' promo to the public, with other clubs welcome
to come along and join in. For more information check the WFC
web site site or phone: Hangar 10 on 09 436-4053, Club Captain Lou
on 09 434-3305. For airfield details click on airfields
and go down to 'Whangarei'.
19th Sept
(Sunday), Warbirds 'Battle of Britain 70 year Anniversary' at Ardmore:
Many beautifully restored WW2 warbirds going through their paces.
More details to come.
18th - 19th Sept (Sat and Sun), NAAG Kaitaia and Beach landing weekend (and more): (1): Tentative at this stage, for an overnight at NZKT, tell Cliff McChesney if interested to be kept informed as it firms up. (2): In the foreseeable future the NAAG is also planning a day trip to Rotorua to visit the Caterpillar Museum. (the metal variety). (3): A few
of us NAAGs are planning to do the Otago Rail Trail in either
late September or early October. At this point we intend to fly
commercially to avoid any weather issues. Let Cliff McChesney know if you would like more information as these firm up. |
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| 2nd
- 3rd Oct (Weekend) Opotiki Fly-in. The EBOP-ASC writes:
"Opotiki Fly-in: How far will you fly for a bbq sausage?
Attached is a flyer
inviting you, and other fellow aviators to come and join us, the
Eastern Bay of Plenty Aviation Sports Club, for a Fly-in at Opotiki
over the weekend of 2-3 October. There is no particular reason for the weekend other than to offer an excuse for you to be able to fly a bit further afield than you might have been over the winter. We would love to have you join us for a day or the weekend and look forward to hearing back from you if you are interested. cheers, Martin Taylor, Club Captain, Eastern Bay of Plenty Aviation Sports Club" |
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25th Oct (Labour weekend Monday), Te Kowhai Fly-in: There will be a spot landing competition for aircraft landing between 10 am and 12 noon, with a BBQ lunch to follow, with a nominal charge of $10. Website with details "The prize for the spot landing competition will be awarded to the aircraft that touches down closest to the spot, which will be a marked area on the runway in use. There will only be one attempt allowed per pilot per aircraft. Please advise when joining overhead if you wish to enter, with aircraft registration. If there are two pilots wishing to enter, advise us on the ground before taxing for a second circuit. Heavy landings or ‘stuka attacks’ on the spot will be disqualified. Remember, this is just for fun!" Fly-in details: http://www.supercub.co.nz/html/tekowhai_fly-in_2010.html For airfield
details click on airfields
and go down to Te Kowhai. |
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Recurring Events:
DARGAVILLE: Every Saturday. Fly in for lunch. Clubhouse Ph 09 439 8024. Click here for Dargaville airfield details.
COROMANDEL: Lunch 2nd Sunday of each month from 12:30. Clubhouse Ph 07 866 2055. Click here for Coromandel airfield details.
WAIKATO: 4th Sunday of each month. BBQ from about 11:00am onwards at 'Collins Rd' airstrip. Clubhouse Ph 07 970 1035. Click here for Collins Rd airfield details. Waikato ML Club website.
WHANGAREI: Last Saturday of each month at Hangar 10. Whangarei Flying Club meeting at 10:30 with lunch to follow. Clubhouse Ph 09 436 4053. Click here for Whangarei airfield details.
KERIKERI: Last Sunday of each month at 12:00. Fly in for lunch (sandwiches or hamburgers). Clubhouse Ph 09 407 3000. Click here for Kerikeri airfield details.
Future Events:
19th Feb 2011 (Saturday), Parakai Airfield, Summer Fly-in: The big event of the year at Parakai, lots of aircraft and lots of action. Aviation newsletter and magazine editors, please put the date to your calendar of coming events.
26th Feb 2011 (Saturday), North Shore Airfield, Air Show: Our neighbour's event is being held one week later than the Parakai event, so it will be a busy time in the area. All Parakai airfield aircraft are invited to attend.
Parakai Airfield from the South West (non traffic side). Click for larger photo |
ZK-WIK over runway 25 |
This webpage is updated weekly.
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