The annual open day at the AutoGyro factory was scheduled for Saturday 14th August but,  with a couple of UK gyro friends,  Sue and I  went a few days early to take in some tourist activity.   We flew to Hannover and then drove into what had been East Germany before the wall came down in 1990.   The one thing that strikes home to those of us that knew the period of division is the total lack of border or even any variation in conditions from one side to the other.   I was flying holiday charter flights from Berlin in 1990, this involved crossing East German territory along a narrow corridor and woe betide any one straying off course.   Many years earlier I had competed in the world parachute championships in Leipzig  and been very aware of the surveillance and suppression of the populace not to mention the lack of  normal provisions.    Looking closely today it is easy to see the remnants of military lookout posts left standing in fields that had been mined and fenced but today are calmly bearing crops.   Maybe a ghostly silhouette to remind the young generations of the dark shadow that hung over their parents for so many years.   Today the deprived and dilapidated have been transformed to provide visitors and residents the highest standards of accommodation and cuisine and a quiet veil is drawn over recent history.   Let’s not forget this successful transformation in a world now focussed on other apparently insurmountable issues.

A remnant of days gone by remains in the local station, the age of steam is thriving for the tourist and daily trains chug from Wernigerode’s Bahnhof  up to the 4000 foot summit of the Hartz Mountains.  The day I did the trip we went into Instrument Meteorological Conditions some way below the summit!  At a lower and warmer level lies the town of Hamlyn, world renowned for the tale of the Pied Piper.  Not only did we get to meet the chap but our small hotel was over run by the fabled rats!  Fortunately they were static as they appeared carved in the furniture and adorning the breakfast table in wooden form.

The weather had been warm and pleasant for most of our visit but really improved to offer a fine sunny welcome to the factory open day.  I first visited AutoGyro some five years ago and one can only wonder at their development in that time.   From a small start up operation strongly supported by local government development aid they have blossomed, due largely to the enthusiasm and endeavours of both the management and staff.  This year they tripled the floorspace used for gyroplane production and development;  the staff doubled to around 70 and they took responsibility for running the airfield where they are based.   Every aspect of the operation is designed for efficiency and the requirement for outstanding equipment and working environment is driving the Company decision making process.   Customers were welcomed to attend the event and a wide variety of colour schemes adorned the flightline, one eye catching example from a jeweller gleamed in silver and gold and was arrayed with diamonds (well cut glass look alikes) around the edge of the body shell and instrument panel!  Could this promotional tool have a tax advantage?

A mass formation was planned to try and set a world record for the most gyroplanes flying at any one time.   I was graciously offered a Company machine to fly in a striking lime green!   The flight briefing was about 30 minutes of German followed by a translation for me condensed to ‘ just follow ‘.  The formation take-off was thwarted somewhat by two fixed wing machines entering the line-up but twentyfive gyros ended up in ‘loose formation’ and meandered painlessly around the surrounding plains before stream landing in a semblance of order.

To close the day in traditional style a ‘sunset’ flight saw most aircraft in the air flitting past the local wind turbines that stand nearly 500 feet high and remind one of the power of air to drive machines, whether static or airbourne!  The final line-up of aircraft is a truly great salute to the efforts of a young team of engineers who will continue to expand the capabilities of Mr Cierva’s design .

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Each year Gyrate has traditionally taken an eight week winter break from normal operations and I have returned to Europe for some traditional R & R combined with research into the future imports of gyroplanes for the Company.

Sue had been in the UK since May and had arranged for a week of holiday on the Mediterranean coast to help me put jet lag and work well behind me.  Well the idea was good and we knew a quiet hotel in Dalyon, Turkey which is so private it can be considered a personal villa.   We expected high temperatures but had not counted on the extremes that have hit Europe so very hard.   Russia this week has forest fires threatening daily life in Moscow but Turkey was also baking, over 40c for a week required serious rest and the intake of local cooled fluids to avoid heat stroke or worse!   Fortunately we were on a waterway and the swimming pool also stayed below boiling!   A novel activity we avoided was to immerse one’s body in a mud bath that had the accumulated dirt from ten thousand previous occupants before baking brick-like in the scorching sun.   Like hitting your head on a brick-wall it is said to nice when you stop and utilise a dribbling shower to remove the filth!   Wonderful what you can sell to a tourist!

Returning to my UK base I found the next item on the calendar was a ‘secret’ party for family and friends.  My daughter Rosie thought it inappropriate to celebrate my birthday out of the Country so like the Queen I was given an official birthday removed from reality but on a date  suitable for the occasion.   England supplied a great summer’s day, a couple of guys played gentle jazz and we all enjoyed a day of warm friendship well accompanied with quality food and drinks.   How lucky we are to enjoy an oasis of beautiful countryside and plenty when we see so many crying out for simple peace, water and something to eat.

I guess that’s a good spot to mention that I have managed to squeeze in a visit to the local Rotary club and exchange notes on our own club activities back in Tauranga.

With socialising well in hand I turned my attentions to other things rotary and undertook a journey North to the Scottish border in search of suitable pre-owned gyroplanes to ship back to the Gyrate hangar.  Kirkbride Airfield is defended from marauding Scottish hordes by Hadrian’s Wall, this was constructed by the Romans some 2000 years ago when it was in somewhat better condition and  more essential.   Today Kirkbride is home to a full-time gyroplane school and stores some 20 or so machines of various makes and vintages.  Like Gyrate, the main workhorse for training is the super reliable AutoGyro MTO3 and the CFI Chris Jones was airborne in one throughout my visit.  The other type of aircraft in storage here is the look alike machine from Spain known as the ELA.  These first arrived some 5 years ago and have been awaiting UK CAA approval to fly.  A number of owners have become disillusioned  and are seeking to sell their aircraft to other parts of the world where they fly prolifically;  hence my visit.

I was asked to research the situation on behalf of a Tauranga pilot wishing to find a two-place aircraft offering modern design but at a price below that of a new machine.  I am pleased to report that although several years since manufacture, and hence a little dated, these unflown aircraft could offer a suitable  stepping stone on the ladder of gyro progression.  It is highly likely that a container shipment will be heading South very soon.

Next week I go to Germany to visit the new AutoGyro factory at Hildesheim, this has doubled the production capability but still there is a backlog and about 45 people are working flat out to fulfil orders.

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The shortest day has passed in New Zealand and Spring is on its way, I have returned to Europe to find the longest, warmest, dryest UK Summer on record has just turned to showers and the nights are drawing in!  However the ground is still solid and the garden needs water; its still light at 9.30pm!

Before I left Tauranga we had a hectic few weeks of gyro activity.  First a fully qualified Jared Thomas departed with his Xenon to Taupo.   To house the aircraft a new hangar was built in not much more than a week!  This was achieved by the delivery of a 40ft. open-top container and the attachment of a metal structure to carry a canvas type roof made to measure.  Another Xenon owner, David Church, qualified for his Advanced National Certificate and is free to roam the Country.

Another container with a gyro in it left Tauranga last week bound for Melborne, Australia.  Brian Murphy sold his two-place Dominator complete with trailer and both can be seen snugly tied down ready for dispatch by Solowings.

Just off the ground again is ‘LittleRay’, this Montgomery Benson always has a touch of the 007 about it and now Mr Bond is flying it, yes Ray Bond. Neither shaken or stirred Ray enjoyed some calm conditions to move from the Eagle to single seat gyro flying, albeit within the airfield perimeter so far. Never fear Mr Bond we have plans for you.

Whilst in Europe I will be arranging some more containers, firstly to ship two new Calidus aircraft from Germany to arrive just before Christmas and then hopefully some pre-owned two-place aircraft from the UK to fill a gap in the price range available in NZ.

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Wow we are having some interesting weather, since I took the Calidus South the whole of the Timaru – Dunedin area has been flooded with record rainfall that closed the main highway.   Back in Tauranga it is a mild 17-18c with a mix of sunny spells and torrential rain.  The last Sunday of May was just perfect with any early mist clearing to provide visibility of 50k and blue skies everywhere.  I had arranged to visit Paraki where Oskar Steilau had access to a vibration measuring device that he had used to reduce stick shake on his own Eagle.

Bruce Watson flew me up in the Eagle that we use for training and I took the camera in the back seat.  Hub Hall was looking for an excuse to fly so arranged to meet us but chose to fly up the West coast direct from his own farm strip which is South of Hamilton.

The photos don’t do justice to the natural beauty which was shimmering with colours brightened by the recent rains.

No sooner had we touched down and Oscar was fitting equipment to the machine and in no time we were airborne to check the readings.  The initial result was pleasing as he could see that things were not too far out, this was our own view however until we could measure accurately it was only an opinion not a fact.

There was room for improvement and with just the addition of a small weight in the form of a piece of tape to the leading edge of one blade the readings reduced by a third.   Oskar kindly did the same work on Hub’s machine but found the readings so good that no adjustment was required.

Having refuelled ourselves from Hub’s flask and goodies bag we did the same for the aircraft grateful that Paraki is one of the few places where MOGAS is available in bulk.

We decide to start the return journey in formation and with Whenuapai Airbase closed for the weekend  we routed along the Auckland harbour getting up close and personal with the Sky Tower and the harbour bridge; a  great photo opportunity inspired by Mike Norton’s much better shots taken from his dominator some years ago.

The journey home was uneventful although we could see evening mist beginning to form in the Waikato valley as the clear skies allowed the temperature to drop once the warmth of the sun fell away.

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Yes I know its not a gyro and no the dramatic mountains of South Island are not on fire but it did get your attention!  Part of the deal in selling the new Calidus to Jim Service was to join him on a delivery flight from Tauranga to his farm strip at Palmerston, just North of Dunedin.  The weather was not looking brilliant but it looked as if we could follow a front down the Country and with luck and careful timing maintain VFR throughout.  One of the bonuses of waiting for weather is a leisurely start, cloudbase lifted nicely at Tauranga but with temperature and dewpoint within a couple of degrees the route to Taupo was fraught.  We decided to follow a clear patch towards Rotorua and soon received a reluctant clearance to cross their control zone which had just one other aircraft flying circuits.  Due to a wall of mist down to the tree tops we chose to climb VFR on top until we could let down through a gap near to the gliding site at centennial park, and on to land at Taupo.

No rush, we meet up with Mike Groome the airport manager who shows us where an open-top 40ft. container had been positioned to accommodate the Xenon XJE which is anticipated shortly.  We explained how pleased we were that the new changes to the AIP only referred to helicopters and not gyroplanes as closing a runway to our type of aircraft would be detrimental to the safety of gyroplane operations.  This point was noted but had not been considered!

Onward after lunch and the desert road was clear with only 5 octars of cumulus spoiling the mountain views.  Clear skies beckoned ahead and arrival into Foxpine was uneventful in perfect calm and peace.  What an oasis of real grass roots aviation this is!

Refuelled we followed the coast towards Mana Island and having obtained radar monitoring from Wellington control we track across Cook straight heading for Tory Point.  A glassy millpond crossing but it does get lonely with not even a boat in sight!  As evening light is closing in there is little traffic and we are cleared direct to Omarka where the flying club kindly slipped us into their huge hangar.  This is where we planned to night-stop and all is on schedule,  after some 4 hours 20 minutes in the air, which is somewhat comforting.

We plan our departure for when the air has warmed enough to allow cloudbase to lift but even so the hills around the airfield are shrouded.  Slipping low level out to the coast we plan to follow the shoreline and refuel at Rangiora, just outside Christchurch.  The forecast is for the Eastery flow to bring cloud and mist along our track and when we get the ATIS from Christchurch information this is confirmed with 4000 mtrs vis and 800ft ceiling.   Not a stopper but the inland route now looks clear towards Hamner Springs and although we could be heading for a dead end we set route up the huge glacial valley knowing we will need to cross a pass at 3700 ft.

This is where I regret not having a camera to hand as it is all new to me and very spectacular.  Jim is doing all the flying and I am in charge of navigation and radio; a good system that allows us both time to enjoy the scenery and contemplate such things as fuel burn and alternates.

With the valley floor close enough to watch horsemen herding cattle and the mountains towering high on both sides radio communication is impossible for almost an hour, thank Garmin for satellite navigation!

After clear conditions down the valleys it is a bit of a shock to find that we have to climb ‘on-top’ again before descending into the long deserted grass strip that the GPS has found.  A quick call to the owner, Roger Smith, and we are soon on route to the local garage for fuel and airborne again.  What great friendly service!  Thanks again Roger.

Up and under a layer of Strata Cu. we set course for Ashburton, which soon gets updated to Timaru, as the flat fields of the Canterbury plains slip by.  A quick turn-around as a heavy overcast is now threatening to lower and prevent us reaching the farm before the light fails us.  Out towards Oamaru airfield, then with increased power, we follow the coast maintaining about 800ft until turning inland in failing light for about 3 miles to descend around a welcome windsock.  Home for Jim and Calidus in a total of 9 hours flying .

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The 1st May is the start of the Duck shooting season in New Zealand and it was also the day that I had organised for the members of the NZ Autogyro Association to gather at Raglan airfield on the West coast of the North Island.

Having declared myself the safety officer to the District Council who own the airfield I thought that I should try to arrive fairly early however the weather had other ideas.

David Church and I prepared the 914 powered Xenon and considered the prospects.  Cloud could be seen backed up on top of the Kaimai hills west of Tauranga so we delayed departure until the temperature had risen enough to lift early mist and then headed North for the local pass known as the Waihi gap.  This pass often allows aircraft to cross into the flat expanse of the Waikato valley when cloud  covers the hill tops and so it was to be for us.  Heavy frontal showers were forecast for the West coast and so my plan was to get out to the coast via the Waikato river mouth and then hug the coastline South to Raglan, this would avoid crossing any more high ground.  Before we could reach the river estuary the whole of the Western horizon turned an inky black right down to the ground, with no way through we scurried back towards the sanctuary of Matamata Airfield and a coffee.  The rainwas falling on the clubhouse roof  when my phone rang to say that it was fine in Raglan and when were we coming!  We departed with full fuel and things looked brighter in all respects, ahead the horizon showed broken cumulus and good visibility and so it stayed until six miles out.  We could see the airfield and made the joining radio call but as we came over the estuary so did one of the darkest wettest clouds of the day.  I let down over the water and followed the shoreline whilst a nasty gusty squall produced some unpleasant downdraught and a couple of minutes discomfort.  No sooner had this happened when it cleared away leaving fine views and a simple arrival.

It turned out that we were the last of four aircraft to arrive, two by trailer and another flown in from Tauranga, Mark Humbke in an Eagle, who had come via Te Kofai.  With mixed weather I wrapped up the Xenon and headed for some socialising which developed into a party of about 20 gyronaughts at the local hotel for dinner, a good result for a dismal day.

Next day was beautiful, calm winds warm sunshine and visibility for ever.  We had a brief gathering to discuss aspirations for such events and future venues to suit all tastes and then headed skyward.  David and I took the Xenon North along the scenic coastline before heading in along the Waikato river enjoying perfect flying conditions, even a practice forced landing worked out well!  As the pictures show the coast at Raglan produces great surf and the harbour entrance is a Mecca for kite surfers, not to mention wind surfers and board sailors.    With the accommodation and flying facilities on offer it could also become a regular destination for gyro pilots, see you there.

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Well it’s taken a while but we are back to normal at Tauranga.  After the focal point of the Safari we have returned to our primary task of training pilots and introducing gyroplanes to a wider audience.  Hub Hall has taken his Eagle ZK-MTO home to his own strip and is establishing himself in the microlight world West of Hamilton.

No sooner did that happen when Sid Lane took up the space  in our hangar with ZK-RSL complete with a large ‘FOR SALE’  notice.

On the training side we have enjoyed the company of Rex Telfer and Jim Service for a week.  Both these guys are from Dunedin and they found it hard to come to terms with the fine weather that we take for granted in the Bay of Plenty.   Rex was on a concentrated training routine and clocked in 2 or 3 hours a day, Jim came looking for a Biannual Flight Review and left with a serious interest in a Calidus.   All being well this will become our first machine to be based on South Island.

Elton Haakma has completed instructor training and will be joining our team to provide cover for me, he is now very comfortable in both the Eagle and the Xenon and having been trained on a single seat Dominator he also understands the process for conversion very well.

Those of you familiar with the school machine ZK-KIW need to hit the delete button in your memories.   This machine has changed registration and now flies as ZK-MOR,  it is now owned by Mike O’Rourke although it will still remain in our training fleet.  KIW is reserved for future glory!

Anybody interested in a Calidus should not delay as we expect to have some wait for the next machines to arrive.  We have some significant interest and could be placing an order for resupply very shortly, however it makes sense to order more than one at a time.

Looking ahead we are preparing for the fly-in at Raglan next weekend and hoping for some good flying conditions.  There is a tentative booking for 20 on Saturday night at the local hotel where they offer a wide choice from simple Burgers to Fancy Food.  See you there?

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The following youtube clips and this picture file may give an idea of the personal side of the Safari, enjoy. Also now pics from Andreas and Melanie!!!

http://www.worldflight.tv/Australia-NewZealand.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j80rNvCGyCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qtGHa30tfs

http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2010/03/safari-at-rangiora.html

http://flyinggeek.blogspot.com/2010/03/wellington-aero-club-open-day-2010-7.html

Taken on the day we checked out Otmar, Melanie and Andreas for the conversion of their German Licences to New Zealand Microlight Certificates. Waihi Beach offers special facilities and sunshine!  With no time to introduce them to the ways of Kiwi flight our briefing involves a huge emphasis on maintaining formation and  following the guy ahead.

Onward and upward we start clocking the hours in, a total of around 45 flying hours from start to finish, about 30% more than the fixed wing contestants due to speed and range issues.

Refreshment is earned and appreciated.

The Safari neck tags show the meals and facilities that were pre-paid for each contestant, they also help to remind you who you are after a very heavy day!  All this took a huge amount of organising which became more and more apparent as the trip progressed.

Elton Haakma accompanied Hub Hall in MTO with both parties benefiting from the experience.  Elton soon traded shorts for thermal long johns as we headed South and the  temperature dropped with latitude and altitude.

Hub was benefiting from a full face visor and noise limiting helmet which makes for a really comfortable flight and crystal clear communications.  He also had the latest portable GPS from Garmin with a touch screen that offers both car and aircraft facilities.  I think he had worked out which mode he was in by the time we got back!

The Stuetz family are both pilots and camera persons, they were intent to demonstrate their skills in both arenas and not only did they expand their flying experience but provided us with a picture record of each leg which is most appreciated.  On an off day we were shown their DVD from the gyro flying that they did in Africa, outstanding.  They say the New Zealand material is just as good so we are certainly anxious to see the results.

Melanie is gregarious and a great ambassador for the gyro community.

The first night at Ardmore required the teams to find their own accommodation and we stumbled upon some real treasures.  Up in the hills near the well known ‘Waterworks’ reporting point is a rural retreat with great views.  Thanks to Steve Holmes for the transport!  We enjoyed a great team BBQ which set us up for day one.

Otmar was flying the Calidus which meant he was always ready first as such details as warm boots and coveralls were not included in his personal wardrobe.

Most of the time his patience held as we all piled on layer after layer including lifejacket PLB and map holder.

I really enjoy flying the Eagle and one up I was able to carry a large holdall with kit for the team, only occasionally did I relish the heater and map folding facility of Calidus.

Patience was a virtue all round, here the team wait while I take the CFI of gliding at Omarama for his first flight in the safest design of flying machine known to man.   Much to his surprise he was well impressed!   This also had the benefit of getting our landing fees paid.  We revisited Omarama on our return route from Queenstown and were very grateful not only for their fuel but also the welcome we received.

There was a prize for the best team uniform and our token caps were left unnoticed alongside the more flamboyant ‘Blues Brothers’ and the flowing robes of Arabia which somehow got into small cockpits without fouling the controls.

In the variety of weather conditions encountered I think we were the more practical and of course publicised the gyro logo, this also got well displayed in most of the club rooms we visited in the form of bumper stickers!

On our rest day at Marsterton we were invited to fly to Wellington for the club anniversary, Sue took the opportunity to enjoy the back-seat of the Calidus and reported it to be quite stable compared to the Eagles that fought through the 35knot Wellington winds.  Certainly the camera evidence supports this view.

Although my recall is of wind and cloud the evidence would point to generally fine conditions and a lot of photography took place both in the air and on the ground.  All credit to Andreas and Melanie for thinking camera while we were intent on aviation issues and organising the next cold beer.

These two are travelling the world with only the kit that they can carry, which includes several cameras, one a large high definition unit with multiple accessories, they have reduced personal items to an absolute minimum yet seem to have adequate atire for every occasion, there must be a lesson for us all in their suitcase.

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Well we may not have been to the moon but it feels as if we have pushed back some of the frontiers that have thwarted the progress of modern gyroplanes in New Zealand.

Along with most other pilots on the Safari we had to return by coach to Invercargill to retrieve our five machines and position them to Queenstown to attend the final celebrations and prize giving at the Millenium Hotel.

A resistance to early starts had spread throughout the 160 participants and so reluctantly the organisers allowed a one hour respite and wheels rolled sometime after eight; by the time mid-morning arrived we could see a respectable cloudbase above the Invercargill airfield.  With the poor weather passing through,  some teams chose to head further South to Stewart Island while we took a conservative option North, via the deep river valley, to Alexandria, Cromwell and over the ‘Roaring Meg’ pass to Queenstown.   Despite rumours that microlights were banned from landing the clearances and help that we received from the air traffic controllers was superb, we felt welcomed and privileged to be there.

This same attitude prevailed throughout the final dinner; at every  opportunity the organisers expressed their satisfaction and indeed pleasure at having us take part while openly admitting to some scepticism beforehand.

All credit to the aircraft and the pilots who overcame some foul conditions to shine and gain respect from every quarter.

Onward and upward the team departed Queenstown Airport as professionally as they arrived.  In neat formation past Bungy Bridge, holding low to avoid turbulence until rising ground and increasing air movement indicated the need for greater terrain clearances.  The routing passed adjacent to the Airshow at Wanaka but with gathering dark clouds threatening rain we were glad to be leaving early.  On through the Lindus Pass to Omarama for a quick fuel stop and then over familiar ground direct to Rangiora where the conditions were warm and fine.  I had in mind that we should try to make North Island before dark as there was a front forecast to be troublesome the next day however when asked if we would like to see a new gyro that had just started to fly we couldn’t resist.

Well here was another homebuilt single seat machine with a large Subaru engine and a large pilot.  Having some 200 hours on fixed wing aircraft and five hours on gyros the statistics were not favourable for ongoing success but we watched a perfectly acceptable circuit before heading on to Omaka airfield at Blenheim.  Some twenty miles out we hit the headwind from hell and yet another battle against turbulence began.  The airfield was reporting a 30knot North-westerly on the ground and although the skies were clear it was clearly unwise to push on further with the evening closing in.   With the benefit of daylight saving clock adjustment we planned on a first light departure which materialised in perfect calm.  Cook’s Straight was millpond still and the Sounds shimmered in the morning sun, superb.  Wellington radar monitored our progress and as we left them we could see that there was low cloud and rain on track.  A quick adjustment and we were on the ground refuelling at Paraparumu before any movements had occurred.  A met review showed our best chance of progress was over the hills towards Masterton and then North – which we did without delay.  Persevering through some challenging shower cloud we found that beyond Dannevirke the skies cleared and Hastings welcomed us around 11.00am in glorious warm sunshine.  Clearly we had left the frontal weather behind us and we were intent on it not catching us up.  A direct track to Tauranga, via the Napier to Taupo road, is less than two hours and so we were soon celebrating a successful conclusion with a hearty brunch at the Classic Flyers Cafe.  A text from Otmar showed him to be in Munich much the same time!

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Well where did we leave you, this continual early morning briefing gets darker the further South we get.  To be honest as we are not entering into the competitive side of the Safari we have been skipping the early start which we have christened ’hurry up and wait’.  We had our ground support team back with us for our rest day in Timaru and made full use of the hire car to shuttle to and fro with cans of mogas.

The support and interest from local flyers was outstanding and the five gyros slipped into an immaculate hangar which had been especially reserved for them and attracted serious viewers.  We even had gyronaughts from Dunedin meet up and exchange notes!

Back to the schedule, we chose our own itinerary and headed inland for the McKenzie pass and the high desert towards Tekapo and Twizel.

Up here the views of the mountains is spectacular despite some cloud cover and the barren landscape appears inhospitable in the extreme.  We turn South and use ridge lift to soar our way to Omarama, an airfield truly world famous in the gliding world. This friendly location is where Phil Chalmers and I landed in an Eagle two years ago and promised to return to give the CFI a gyro experience.  Well finally we were able to fulfill and achieve another convert.  ’You could have a lot of fun in one of these!’

Having enjoyed brunch in the Kahu cafe we set off down hill towards the coast following a line of lakes, power stations, dams and a river to Oamaru.  Touching down just as the main body of the Safari was launching we found that the schedule had been accelerated due to the forecast of impending rain at Invercargill.  The gyros were quickly refuelled and we selected a direct track which showed 145 nautical miles over some highish hills.  I took my usual place at the head of the group that we like to call a formation and Otmar played shepherd at the rear.  Initially there is a tail wind indicating that we have some two hours to run but as we climb over the foothills it swings to the West and strengthens.  The turbulance is significant downwind of the ridges and so we take care to seek out areas of lift.  As the terrain becomes higher we find ourselves following the line of a valley heading South East with some twenty plus knots behind us.  My machine starts climbing and so I throttle back and still find myself ascending even on idle power with the nose down, a moment later I am on full power trying to stop an uncommanded plummet towards the high ground below.  Time to increase the margins, we all spend the next half hour somewhere between 3500 and 6500 feet with little control of altitude.  I recall my briefing ‘fly the aircraft’ and how meaningless controlled airspace and other issues become at these times.

Gradually we see the change in landscape and enjoy a reduction in the force of nature, the grip on the stick becomes less intense and the GPS leads us on.  Approaching the plains North of Invercargill we pass Gore and Mandeville Airfields which are scheduled for tomorrow.  The Safari proper is still landing as we join downwind and slip swiftly, with some relief, towards the concrete runway and the aeroclub bar.  Rain is steady by the time the coach deposits the team at the hotel in town and we resolve to have a late breakfast before joining the ‘hurry up and wait’ routine.

April the first is traditionally called All Fools Day, despite being married that day I have yet to fathom why.  Maybe this title had a sobering effect because I was less than keen to venture into the fluctuating cloudbase and damp heavens overhead Invercargill even though the weather guru assured us it was clear just up the coast.

Plan B saw us on a coach to Mandeville for lunch at the most amazing collection of De Havilland and other historic aircraft.  New Zealand, you can truly be proud of the artisans who lovingly restore Sir Geoffry’s designs to better than original condition, this is a World Heritage Site and no mistake.  Besides the Moths, Rapides and Comets stand Beech Staggerwings and the like, more perfect than ever before, this is unbelievable.  I take pride that my first solo was in a DH82a Tiger Moth which then took me on to more than a hundred other types of flying machines  since 1964.

Decision time again and we stay with the coach to Queenstown, irony is the fine sunny welcome along the dramatic shoreline of the lake but tomorrow is another day and we will deal with its challenges refreshed.

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I will get some pictures to support the story but my camera was temporarily unsure of its position for 24 hours and is in retrieval mode as I type!   On Sunday Masterton dawned dull and overcast so there was a fair amount of hurry up and wait going on.  The early briefing at 7.30 left us all in limbo as there was clearly nowhere to go except the coffee shop which was a bit stretched with 160 unexpected guests.  The forecast indicated that the chances of making Motueka for lunch were slim to non-existent.  This was a great disappointment not only to the weather bound pilots but even more so for the hundreds of people in the welcoming party standing around in fine sunshine.  The flying club had laid on a spread and the local children had done posters of support for each crew, we will try to say thanks on the way back.

At lunchtime the cloud-base had lifted at Masterton and sporadic sighting of the sun also lifted the air of depression, machines fired up and although the Safari competition had to be scrapped it seemed that we should be ok to head for our destination at Omaka Airfield, Blenheim.   The gyro formation headed down the now familiar valley towards Wellington and rounded the headland in somewhat calmer conditions than the day before.  Wellington air-traffic asked us to route around their control zone and so the loneliness of the open sea was soon very apparent.  Leaving land behind we headed West with no horizon and a grey blanket reaching down to the sea ahead, no fear it’s only 35 nautical miles so we should see the land through this murk before too long.  A rain shower developed on track so we descended, the clouds descended and turned a threatening dark grey.  Time to turn and fortunately away to our right we could spot the outline of cliffs silhouetted  in sunshine so tension eased and we threaded our way around the shower and back down the coast with the reassuring tones of a radar controller coaxing us to tidy up the formation!  Again we enjoyed the view of sixty plus aircraft awaiting us and before long we had hangared the gyros and were heading for the Aviation Heritage centre for refreshments and a tour.  What a great display they have to offer, tableau scenes from the first world war with unique memorabilia including the aircraft insignia cut from the downed Tri-plane of the Red Baron.

Morning briefing is 7.30 which leaves little time for breakfast before the coaches circle the motels to collect crews and luggage for the next day’s flying.  Today the skies are clear at the airfield but cloud prevents the planed route via the mountain passes so a coastal track is taken by all.  The gyros lead the take-off roll and keep very low to avoid the high speed hardware that follows.  Cutting around the cliffs a fresh North-East breeze picks up the ground speed and we are soon looking for whales at Kiakora.  This makes a nice coffee stop and on departure we see large pods of dolphins entertaining the tourist boats, tracking the coast a colony of seals basks below us on the rocks.  We make good time towards Christchurch and land at Rangiora airfield where the Safari fleet is parked for lunch.  Our status is improving and we are marshalled to a position in front of the clubhouse where much interest is shown and questions are answered to satisfy the curious.   With little delay we head South choosing our own route via Littleton harbour to Ashburton where again we are greeted with much enthusiasm and guided around another aviation museum which includes an ‘almost’ working Harrier jump jet.  The Safari Catalena is doing joy rides her and so the largest and smallest of the safari aircraft are seen in full contrast.

Just 20 miles further South is a must do destination for me and so we get the gyro formation airborne and arrive at Rangitata Island just as the main Safari fleet is streaming overhead on their navigation exercise.  This field is home to an incredible artisan who builds restores and loves aeroplanes both young and old, passion is alive and well in this collection of sheds and workshops.  Our arrival warrants a full tour followed by launching the bright yellow Tiger Moth to lead us to our night-stop at Timaru.  Our position calls attracts the Aviation News camera ship and so our tight formating on a lead ship some 70 years older than our own design is recorded and will be published with pride.  Timaru is another warm welcome and the temperature rises too!  What a fine opportunity to demonstrate the abilities of the Eagle to an appreciative audience in the evening sun!

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This title is probably wasted on a NZ audience but at this time of year the large Hares (enormous rabbits) which inhabit UK airfields can be seen scampering to and fro as Spring is in the Air.  I feel as if I am doing much the same scampering with less excuse!  Last weekend we had a presence at the Parakai fly-in, and it has been full-on ever since.  Normal flight training and intro flights stopped on Thursday when I took the ‘Calidus Fern’ to Te Kowhia to be measured for a lightweight all weather cover for protection during the up-coming Safari.  Leaving as a wall of wet mist engulfed the western end of the airfield I scurried North to Ardmore where we had to set up for Pilot Expo.

The direct route up Highway 1 was blocked by thick cloud down to the surface so I headed further to the West and followed the line of pylons which bring you in from that side.  Ardmore stayed clear long enough for us to assemble the  display tent and arrange cover for the aircraft and then the rain set in for the evening.  We watched the damp scene and enjoyed canapés and drinks in the exhibition hangar, early bird bonus!

Networking never thrills me but I was overjoyed to find that the representative from Flight Design (they sell the popular CA fixed wing microlight) was a buddy from Saudi Arabian Airlines whom I last saw some twenty-five years ago.  It took us a while to realise that we hadn’t changed a bit.   Next morning it was early bird again as we had to attend Expo for a TV broadcast, live to the Channel 1  Breakfast Show.  Fortune shines on the pushy and we were well covered live on air!

Friday brought good interest from both the attending Pilots and some general public/ TV viewers, Calidus does look outstanding and the graphics have been well received.

Saturday started at Expo but by midday Sue and I had to strip the stand and make haste to Matamata where I met up with Sid Lane to perform our dual airshow routine.  This required an aircraft change as the Eagle with smoke system had been left in Tauranga, fortunately Elton Haakma had positioned the machine across that morning and the plan was working.  Barry Winslade and Bruce Watson set up a gazebo and did stalwart duty selling gyros to a large crowd of locals throughout a long day, the reward a new Gyrate cap!

Next stop was Rotorua where Sid and I had another display booking at the Lakefront, slotting in between six Yaks and a Mustang.  At least we can get close and personal with the audience which makes up for size and speed!

I hurried back to Matamata to collect Calidus and in formation with Elton in the Eagle enjoyed a brisk tailwind back to Tauranga.  I would like to say that Sunday was a day of rest but instead I was collecting fuel at the Shell station by 8.00am and finished instruction around six that night, retirement is great!

Monday was different, I had great pleasure in handing over a new MT03 (Golden Eagle) sport to Oskar Stielau, he first flew with me at Tauranga around three years ago and it was great to fly with him again.  Oskar flies a single seat gyro and a couple of microlight helicopters but now adds a go places machine to his stable at Parakai.  This may well be the last blog for a while as the Safari starts next Monday and our German friends arrive this weekend.  The March Hares are on the move again!

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Yes, it’s the end of the first week of March, next week we appear at Pilot Expo at Ardmore (watch out for breakfast TV1 on Friday morning)  followed by a display at the Matamata Airshow and then another at Lakefront Rotorua.  The weekend after we have German pilots arriving and then we start the Safari.  Last weekend it was the Parakai fly-in where we had three Eagles in attendance.  In between all these events we have had delivery of a 40 foot high cube container containing three aircraft and a serious set of spares.  Maybe now you will understand why the blog is overdue!!

The CAA came and approved the three new machines which includes a ‘new to New Zealand’ ‘Calidus Fern’.  Thanks to the sterling work of Colin and Saul Alexander at SoloWings the formalities passed without incident and we have already started to fly off the 2 hours of shakedown required for each machine.

Sadly we have to report our first in flight incident where a rotor tie-down bag, which had been secured behind the pilot’s back as a cushion, came adrift in turbulence and struck the rotor system about six foot out from centre.  The damage cause vibration but the flight continued to the nearest airfield where a replacement set of blades were fitted.

Unconnected to the previous item I have to report that Sid Lane has decided to sell his 914 Turbo-charged Eagle after 2 years of trouble-free flying during which he has achieved amazing things.  More details on the services / aircraft sales page of this site.  Sid is anxious to retain the RSL registration for his next foray into gyro flying so there appears to be life in the old dog yet.  On that note Sid has just become the proud and dedicated owner of a small terrier who had better have a head for heights.

Amongst all this activity it is easy to forget our stalwart owners of very capable but less glamorous aircraft.  Ray Bond has achieved daylight beneath the wheels of his Montgomerie Merlin albeit only just.   Brian Murphy has improved his two-seat Dominator by dogged determination, world-wide research and great patience.  With an improved rotor system tailored to the weight of the aircraft we are expecting great things.

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Already it is a week since the dust settled and the organisers sighed with relief as the weather was near perfect and some 20,000 people (or a fifth of the population of this city)  attended an incident free spectacle of aviation to be proud of.

My Rotary Club had been responsible for the trade and entertainment sites and such items as car parks, people handling and clean up.  Smooth running and friendly was the hallmark and the litter amounted to half a bin bag – well done all you Mums who set a good example and left only footprints.

The flying was the traditional warbirds event with plenty of loud bangs and aeros from both vintage and modern.  Sadly the Airforce aerobatic team was noticeable by its absence.

We were fortunate to be offered a display slot due to the wow factor that was attributed to the chase routine that Sid Lane and I have developed.

Unfortunately it was cut in half to accommodate other items that were overrunning in the program.  For the first time we were able to provide our own commentator, Barry Winslade, to bring some knowledge to the microphoneAnother first was the smoke system that we trialled at Dannevirke which added a touch of interest but obviously needs improving.  Our display stand was visited by a constant stream of interested people, most of whom left their fingerprints on Mark Humbke’s immaculate paintwork!  By the Sunday a protective rope arrived!

Well that was a week ago and we seem to have been airbourne ever since.  Mark and Hub Hall flew to Raglan in their Eagles, Mike O’Rourke has been completing his check out/conversion in KIW and Elton Haakma has tried instructional training from both front and rear seats in the Eagle.
It is a week until our next consignment from Germany arrives in a container which will be just a month before the start of the Flyingnz Safari 2010!  In between we have a show at Parakai then Pilot Expo at Ardmore followed by a display at Matamata and Rotorua on the same afternoon!

Colin at SoloWings is planning hard how to maintain his flow of fixed wing machines while satisfying the CAA requirements for new Gyros and servicing the ones already flying.  With the fleet expanding at this rate it is lucky he is moving to a bigger hangar.  We hear that our German pilots will not be here much before the Safari start which will also create pressure all round!

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I had intended to publish more pictures in the last blog but finally had to go to press so that the next epistle could be started.  Great news is the progress of our fledgling aviators and the successful fly-out to the New Zealand Autogyro Association annual gathering and AGM.  Friday 29th January dawned fine after some indifferent weather earlier in the week, by 8.00am gyros were fuelled, by 9.00am flight planning and GPSs were sorted.   By 10.00am all kit had been stowed and secured and engines were running.  By 10.30 we had taxied out in a formation of three and then neatly returned to the hangar to adjust the rear-seat baggage that fouled Mark’s control system.   At 11.00 we were finally airbourne, I do hope we can do better on the Safari next month!  Mark was leading and shot off towards Rotorua with Hub Hall desperately trying to catch him up.  Bruce Watson was flying me in KIW and we were very pleased to have the performance of the Airmaster propellor to help us keep up.  With transponders on two machines we were able to negotiate our way through the control zone and settled down for a steady transit over lakes and forestry to pick up the road through the hills towards Napier.  We climbed to 3500ft where the air was noticeably fresher but as we turned East along the winding highway we could see rain clouds scudding along the deck just upwind of our track.  We crossed the main range of hills but ahead the final saddle was only just clear and black storm clouds were lurking in the distance.  A joint decision to turn South along a valley that looked brighter was made and soon we were able to make a direct track to Hastings airfield where we were expected for some introductory flights.

The assembled fliers were suitably impressed by three Eagles arriving even though Sid Lane, from Taupo, was there ahead of us in his 914 powered machine.  The hospitality was great and we had a good afternoon flying with much favourable comment   from the fixed wing pilots.  With the Eagles housed in excellent accommodation we were entertained in the club bar which has a regular event on a Friday night.  Next morning we took a formation of four Eagles to Dannevirke in glorious clear visibility while Tauranga endured some unseasonal downpours.  Arriving at the airfield we could see a swathe of colour where around a dozen gyros were already lined up in front of the association tents.  The stream landing was great as was the flying for the rest of the day.  We all benefited with Hub practising circuits, myself and Sid finalising a display routine and Mark expanding his capabilities and learning from the antics of others.   Overnight the rain arrived and Sunday was almost unflyable, this meant the AGM was well attended and lively.  Good humour prevailed and the vibes were very positive for the year ahead, we hope to offer members what they want and to represent the Association in a meaningful way to other aviators and the authorities.  Gyrate was well represented in the trophy distribution department and I find myself elected vice president and safety officer.  I seriously hope that the safety side of our sport is high in all our thoughts and that the year ahead proves to be better than the last in that respect.   Lloyd Hislop takes the president’s post and already, ably supported by Jan, we can feel some direction developing.

The weather continued to offer good reason to study the shops of main street Dannevirke on Monday and so while our ground transport returned to base the pilots booked another night in the local motel.

Tuesday dawned much the same with the damp North-easterly airstream maintaining a low cloudbase and poor visibility.  Reports led us to believe that this was limited to the local area and that if we could cross the Rumutakas things would improve.  I decided to lead the formation along the railway line towards the Manawatu gorge with Sid Lane following behind our less experienced colleagues.  With some concern I maintained a modest speed below the solid grey ceiling, well below the height that we would need for crossing the hills.  I briefed for a return procedure over the radio but as I did so I could see the flow of the airstream striking the ridge ahead and lifting the cloudbase upward sufficiently for us to cross above the gorge.  No sooner were we past the local turbulence and the world opened to blue skies and visibility for ever.  We turned North to stay clear of controlled airspace and headed straight for the Desert Road.  What a great flight, four Eagles step climbing to 5500 feet for the transit through the corridor and the letting down to Taupo.  With an Easterly of 12-16Kts I elected to use the cross runway which conflicts with the parachute drop zone.  Suitable calls were made and a short approach at high speed brought all four aircraft smoothly down with no issues.  I took the opportunity to chat with Mike Groome, the Airport Manager, as he is involved with the upcoming Flying Safari  and this proved very helpful.  We left Sid to hangar his aircraft and took off on a direct track for Tauranga which crosses overhead Rotorua.  Our crossing coincided with the inbound A320 from Sydney and the controller made out that this was a quite a big deal.  I resisted any comment but thought of the thousands of hours that I had at the controls of that particular machine.  Arriving back at NZTG preparation for the upcoming airshow had closed grass runway 34. So with a fresh Northerly blowing we all landed, in sequence into wind, across 07 grass in front of the tower.  A neat finish to a really neat weekend.

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Yes the blog report is late again! But we have not been idle, either in Hangar 16 or at SoloWings.  The new owners of Eagles and Xenons have been clocking in some serious flying and we have also enjoyed visits from European Gyro pilots as well as completing a steady flow of introductory flights.   Hub Hall has opened his own farm strip which is well prepared, including the repositioning of a power pole.  We took two Eagles in recently and had an interesting departure as the wind was less than helpful.  A choice of towards obstacles and rising ground with a slight head wind or obstacle free with a slight tail wind.  Anxiety led to over rotation followed by more anxiety as the fence approached!  Mark Humbke has now completed his advanced national certificate and passenger rating and is fast approaching 100hrs flight time.  How nice it is to be able to give full-time to progressing your hobby.

Hub is now flying solo on MTO, his Christmas present to himself, consolidation is difficult as it is peak time in the Deer industry for taking velvet from growing antlers.  I only found out recently that in a past life he was also a champion sheep shearer, talent indeed.  We were disappointed to learn that a routine check by German customs resulted in our container of gyros missing the scheduled boat and will not now be here in time for the Tauranga Airshow on the 7th February.  The CAA have promised to do all it can to expedite the approval of Calidus so that it can be flown in the Flying NZ Safari in March.  We are pleased to have Otmar Birkner, owner of AutoGyro Germany, coming here to fly the event with us.  From the same airfield at Hildesheim we had Bernhard Pausebuck visit this week, he works as an instructor at the ‘factory school’ and he amassed 700 hours instructing on the MTO3 in just nine months last year.  No wonder he is here relaxing before the next European summer season!  Only two weeks before I accompanied Dr Angelo Troedheim on a tour of the Coromandel for four hours, another interesting pilot whose day job is facial surgery.  Anybody want a nose job?  How nice it is to have experienced pilots fly you around reminding you what a wonderful environment we are privileged to enjoy.  We are assured that both these guys will be back to do it again, Bernhard is even hinting about instructing with us in his ‘off season’!

While all this aviation has been happening Colin Alexander has been been preparing the last off our stock Eagles for service.  This will be the machine that I will fly on the around NZ Safari and then use as the school training aircraft.  Some special mods have been incorporated including a constant speed propeller from Airmaster.  This is an amazing unit normally found pulling fast microlight aircraft through the sky while sipping fuel.  On the Eagle it is easy to use and very efficient, well proven warpdrive blades have been implanted into a high quality piece of precision engineering that is made in New Zealand.   I have only flown a few hours but can already see some 20mph increase for the same power setting as a fixed pitched prop!

The final amazing item is a smoke generator that feeds a diesel mix into the exhaust and should put new interest into our display routine.  I have yet to try this item but I hope to have it available for the Danevirke fly-in at the end of the month.  I think a good cleaning agent will be required for the tail unit!

Last week-end I was flown to Taupo in the Xenon by Jared Thomas.  This is where Jared has a company called Tongarero Expeditions which assists those wishing to undertake the six or seven hour Togarero Crossing trek.  We were able to conduct flight training in the environment in which Jared will be operating his Xenon and look at the complications of mixing a busy skydiving centre with commercial aircraft movements and all sorts of general aviation.  Although there is no formal control good situational awareness, sensible use of the radio and consideration for others can produce a very smooth operation.  It was interesting to note the change in aircraft performance at a higher altitude combined with high temperatures.  Having enjoyed a brilliant stop-over with the Thomas family we returned to Tauranga via Whakatane, here we were met by fellow gyronaught Bret Oswald and Willie (permanent resident of the microlight club room).  Phil Charmers had been seen departing for the high hills in his Eagle earlier in the day, welcome home Phil.  This week has been standard with Brian Murphy flying his Dominator and David Church his Xenon, I must find time to flightplan for the Safari, continue Elton Haakma’s instructor training and produce the flight manual for the Calidus.  Who ever said retirement was boring!

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Well how do you feel? Ok, well you can do more damage at New Year!  We held the first ever Gyrate Christmas gathering and thanks to the efforts of all involved it turned out to be a great afternoon.  The weather was warm blue skies but with a 30Knot gusty wind the only fly-in guest was Sid Lane who made it in a record time, downwind from Taupo.   We pushed most of the aircraft outside and brought the Gazebo in from the gales and with BBQ venison, trout, prawns and sausages not to mention great dips and salads, we had some 40 people drop by and the chat flowed as well as the vino and beer.  Thanks again to all who contributed and consumed, see you for another one next year if not before.  Flying has been hectic and despite all the commitments of Christmas we have achieved numerous cross country outings in both Xenon and Eagles. Mark Humbke achieved his advanced local certificate and has been exercising the privileges ever since.

We had hoped to have the new school Eagle in the air before Christmas but the CAA failed to turn up to inspect the machine.  This was a let down for Colin Alexander and the team at SoloWings who had strived hard to meet the deadline while dealing with unexpected calls to work on aircraft all over North Island.   We are currently still operating our previous school machine on ‘loan-back’  from its new owner, Hub Hall, this could get embarrassing as Hub is now flying solo and will be spreading his wings more independently as his confidence grows.

I have just returned from a 4 day break and the weather looks set fair for some more aviation and we have new faces eager to join the expanding ranks of gyronaughts, who could blame them as we are privileged to enjoy some magnificent views every time we lift off.  I close with a couple of shots from the Xenon crossing the Kaimai Hills inbound from Matamata, this is a regular training run and it never fails to impress me as we pass over the top of a 2000ft waterfall on the escarpment.

Well maybe just one more point of interest is the regular ground school that we have available and that has helped several pilots to pass the technical exams required.  Peter Rutledge of Aero Hire is holding weekly classes on a Monday night and also offers one to one instruction by arrangement.

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What a fantastic flying season, warm blue skies before Christmas just hasn’t happened  since I started training in New Zealand but this year is different.  If this is global warming then it has some good points for aviators.  This of course is my excuse for not writing blog pages for so long, I have been flying full-on and when on the ground the  pressure has been to organise the Safari for March, get insurance for third party liability, Air displays not to mention a new school Eagle to replace the one sold to Hub Hall.  Did I mention that on top of all this there is a 40ft HC container being packed with gyros and spare parts being packed as I type, this is scheduled to arrive with only hours to spare before the Tauranga Airshow on the 7th February.  With luck and hard work we will then be able to show the first Calidus to the New Zealand public – exciting stuff.

Well all this flying activity has resulted in some first solos in Gyrate Eagles, a few weeks ago Mark Humbke ticked this box in YOG and this week we were able to enjoy the same success for Hub Hall in his newly acquired MTO.  To make life easy for Hub we flew the machines over to Matamata for a less intense radio regime but we encountered significant gliding activity and numerous visitors arriving with circuit training on their mind.  Weather conditions were near perfect as were Hub’s solo efforts despite the audience.  To celebrate we departed in formation with Mark to Waihi Beach Airfield and generously allowed Hub to buy the tea and cakes!  The picture includes our new trainee instructor, Elton Haakma, who was coaching Mark from the back seat of YOG and setting the scene for the year ahead.

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Well I note the biggest gap since I started running a blog!  The good news is that we are so busy living and flying that time is at a premium.  On the plus side we have been doing a lot of work with Mark Humbke in his shinning new Eagle YOG.  Mark flew with me last summer to solo standard and then went overseas for what turned out to be an eight month break.   Much of this time was spent researching gyros around the world including a visit to the AutoGyro factory in Germany.  Eventually Mark committed himself to buying an Eagle from us and when he returned it was waiting for him.  Many thanks to SoloWings for fitting the 912s Rotax and to the CAA for attending to the registration and other paperwork on schedule.  Could this be the most polished aircraft in New Zealand?  I doubt it, I know of many well tended aircraft that have had years of TLC, this includes the Tiger Moth BFF in a neighbouring hangar which appears to have an engine bay cleaner than when it was first made in  1930 something,  immaculate!

Mark went solo about a week ago but the winds have been to challenging to build on this, instead we have been checking his navigation skills against his new Garmin 296.  Garmin wins hands down!

About a week earlier we had checked his nerves by sending him as a passenger with Bruce Watson – Bruce’s first ever.  They flew to Matamata over the spectacular Kaimai Hills on a glorious afternoon and all was well.   On return they came back into Tauranga and were cleared to the main runway in use 25.  Unfortunately the wind at this time was Northerly and fresh with gust over some new hangers that have just been built alongside this runway.  Bruce dealt well with the approach and put RGG down in the centre of the runway looking good, then as the airspeed dropped and the normal weathercock tendency started to turn the aircraft  there was insufficient rudder input to keep straight.  This in turn, combined with a lack of into-wind stick lifted one wheel and the inevitable rotor strike followed.   When learning to fly a tailwheel aircraft they always say that ‘the landing is not over until the aircraft stops’,  add ‘and kill the lift’ and it is just the same for Gyros.  The lesson here is if you’re not current and very capable with crosswind landings insist on an into wind runway for landing, your passenger won’t mind the go-around and your wallet will appreciate your decision!

This slow-speed incident was somewhat overstated in the press and I had a number of calls asking if I was involved in the Gyro Crash at Tauranga.   Unfortunately the next ‘crash’ that was reported was just that!  It is with great sadness that we came to hear of the deaths of two keen New Zealand Gyronaughts doing what we all love to do.  From every incident there are lessons to be learnt and although we have little knowledge of the machine or the circumstances we wait with anxious concern to discover how things went so horribly wrong for our friends.

Remembering is always significant to me in November, my birthday happens to fall on the 11th.  In England everyone of a certain age or with military connections wears a poppy on this day so it’s hard to forget.  The poppy emblem came from the Belguim fields of Flanders where so many New Zealanders died in the first World War.  The poppies bloom in their thousands and sway like untamed spirits as the breeze passes by.   Sad that so many young untamed spirits are now fighting over the poppy fields of Afganistan;  to quote Julie Felix, ‘when will they ever learn’.

In Tauranga something else must have stirred the memories for without a poppy in sight, 24 of my aviation friends arranged a surprise gathering to celebrate my Birthday.  This was quite rightly shared with my wife  Sue, who has  her Birthday on the 3rd November.  We were both astounded that having only been in this town for three years we have such support from aviation people who are all becoming close and valued friends.   Thank you all again for coming.

Things have changed for the better in those three years, we established Gyrate and met a lot of sideways looks from the aviation community in Tauranga and indeed in New Zealand.   After around a thousand hours of gyroing we find ourselves almost accepted by a growing sector of the flying community and have again been invited to display at various locations throughout the country.  The modern factory made gyro is proving as reliable as any other aircraft and one day soon we hope that even the insurance world will realise this and offer us some cover.  I hear that sales of the MTO3 Eagle have reached 70 in the UK and that the order book for 2010 is planned for 2 a month with a further 2 of the new Calidus model as well.  Is this the fastest growing sector of light aviation?

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Well this is the time of year when the weather is mixed and the agents for advertising circle like Cessnas while revenue and flying are both limited.   Sunday was brilliant blue and I took a ride as a passenger in the back of an Eagle owned and flown by a past student.   How great it is to see someone become a pilot and enjoy the skies as a direct result of your efforts.

Today was grey in two senses, yes it was overcast but I also learnt of the passing of Alf  Crow a couple of weeks back.  A true piece of New Zealand gyroplane history Alf was known to me more by reputation than in person, however I was most impressed by the effort that he put into producing a gyroplane training manual and by his ability to survive the exploits for which he was famous.  I have taken the liberty to add some articles about other ancient pillars of the worldwide gyro community who have taxied clear without major mishap.  These can be found under the resources tab and articles from the Gyrate home page.

I also heard that Murphy caught up with another ex student (If it can go wrong it will).  He conducted a successful engine out landing (in his own made machine) without power but no matter how often you tell people it seems that the rate at which Airspeed vanishes when the engine stops comes as a complete surprise!  I have just finished a piece for Kiwi Flyer which may help refresh some basics but having a large enough margin for Murphy is the best insurance, whatever you fly.

We placed an order for a customer for another machine to be delivered from Germany in February, the major difference is that the colour is yellow.  Should we call this a Golden Eagle?

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Gyrate is back at full strength as Sue arrived at the end of September, my potential additional instructor has run off to Perth until Christmas but we will be drumming up work for him in the meantime!  Colin and Saul Alexander of Solo Wings have done great work preparing another Eagle with a 912s engine for the return of Mark Humbke in mid October.   I spoke to Richard Main today and he is clocking up hours on his Sportcopter which is now based on his own farm strip, I think the Bantam is feeling a bit deserted!  I have been asked to reserve a place on the around NZ Safari for another pilot who is keen to join in but is currently just at solo stage, great to be looking ahead but we have a few bridges to cross before March!  We will overcome.

Steve Holmes and Sibie Haakma have been enjoying flying together out of Matamata with their single place Dominators, they made it through the gap to Waihi Beach where the cafe has reopened under new management.  Really nice people and the food is just as good.  Caution if you head that way as the ground is still wet and groundwork is in progress.  Likewise caution at Pauanui as improvements to the surface have closed that strip for weeks past.

It looks like we will have at least one new Eagle coming here in the container with Calidus, this should arrive in February and Calidus will be up and flying in the Safari in March.  Otmar Birkner, the head of Auto Gyro, will be piloting it and has rejected a copilot for the trip!

Please note that Tauranga City Airport are staging a major Airshow first weekend in February, as well as demonstrating gyros I am involved, through my Rotary Club, with organising the event.  Anyone wanting a stand should get in touch or visit the Tauranga Airshow website.  See you there we have stands 74/75 and it should be good.

The pictures here are taken by John Rochfort from and of his Xenon.  John has moved from Dannevirke to Otaki airfield and reports that his access to his machine is much improved and he his progressing well.  Great to see John enjoying his flying after all the hurdles of distance and time that he has overcome.   The Calidus pictue is from the UK magazine ‘Flyer’ that has just done an airtest report for those who might be interested.

The blog has been on a back burner for a wee while due to domestic issues and the need to write items for the upcoming Kiwi Flyer.  Normal service should return from here on so I hope to be back in print again very soon.

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I arrived back in New Zealand exactly a week ago, the total travelling time was around 40 hours door to door and it has taken a full week to be completely free from the effects of jet lag and dehydration.

The eight weeks that I was away were fully occupied and although the UK suffered the wettest July on record I was able to complete  most of the tasks on the list.  Four some ten years I have enjoyed the use of a local Farmer’s 12 acre field to operate gyroplanes but due to a change of ownership I was now required to move my hangar and mowing equipment.   Fortunately I had another suitable site available but the transporting of a 30 foot (10 metre) by 10 foot (3 metre) high aluminium container requires special skills.

This is the sort of task Kiwi chaps would leap at but in Somerset it took a good deal of encouragement to achieve a result.

With some skill a sling was eased under the centre section and with the power of modern hydraulics the whole assembly was positioned onto a low trailer that normally carried hay bales.  The trailer was too short and so the ramps had to be extended and by overhanging at the front transportation was just achievable.

I enjoyed the social life in our Somerset village including a pig roast and Jazz lunch organised by the local Rotary Club, a catch up with a flying mentor who trained me to fly DC8s back in the seventies and in whose shadow my career followed until retirement came to us both.

The trip to Austria was interesting and no doubt will be repeated as the Arrow gyro develops but I guess the week in Germany was the more significant.  Following on from that I am registering four AutoGyro aircraft in the around New Zealand Safari starting on the 23rd March.  One of these will be a Calidus shipped from the factory for the event.  Another is the Eagle Sport just ordered by Mark Humbke which is being prepared with a Rotax 912s as I write.   Mark was at solo standard when he departed for Yeman last March but will need to brush up and qualify appropriately when he returns this October.   If there is anyone out there who would like to join the Safari either with their own aircraft or as a passenger then do get in touch.

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Each year that I have visited the factory I have been impressed by what I see and what has changed, progressive is an understatement for this organisation!  A year ago I discussed the need for an enclosed machine, within weeks a project emerged and although progressed with haste it has now developed  into a sophisticated market leader.   The market has embraced the concept with such enthusiasm that a new production unit has been built to accommodate demand and now stands along side but almost dwarfing the existing factory complex.

As well as checking out the new model I had timed my visit to co-incide with the annual fly-in and celebration for owners and staff to enjoy.   AutoGyro did us proud and laid on a feast and entertainment not only in the air but late into the night as well.  It was great to see the enthusiasm that this young workforce has for its creations;  many of the staff have learnt to fly including several of the ladies.  It has been Company policy to try to take engineering staff on test flights to encourage the highest standards of reliability.

Joined by customers, the staff enjoyed presentations showing the exploits and achievements of the past year as well as an award for Industry.   This recognised not only success as local employers but as contributors to the County’s engineering esteem.   The Mayor of Hildesheim was on hand to make the presentation and to offer congratulations and support for the future.

Much effort had been made to ensure that the latest machine, finished in a fine metallic Burgundy, was on the flight line for the week-end.   This allowed for plenty of inspection and explanation of the detailed design and also an opportunity to fly P1.     First however I was taken for a rear seat experience in the  ’Hot Weather Model’.   Due to the large canopy  the cabin can become very warm on anything like a sunny day so large cut-outs have been tried to provide protection with ventilation.  The experience was like being in a sports car with no wind on the face but some turbulance around the back of one’s neck.  This was suprisingly acceptable and with noise cancelling headsets a great idea for the hotter climates.  Flying in the front seat is very akin to being in a modern sailplane, supurb visibility and total peace thanks again to the construction of a sealed cabin with a fire wall and the excellant headsets.

.Sufficient to say I really enjoyed the experience and more detail will follow.

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On Sunday a party of five, two friends (gyro engineers), myself and two wives, headed from our local Airport at Bristol bound for Linz in Austria.   Although the budget airline industry covers Europe very extensively the closest we could get from Bristol was to Prague in the Czech republic.   From there we drove for four hours in a people carrier and arrived in time for a late dinner.   Next morning we enjoyed perfect sunshine as we drove along the side of the Danube river for 30 minutes to find FD composites, makers of the Arrowcopter.

Martin K, who spoke perfect English, told me that the Company developing the Arrowcopter is small and expected me to be surprised that this meant a team of six.  In New Zealand 54% of companies have no employees so small is not unusual.

The team was formed from an organisation that specialised in R & D in composite materials and the design office is an uncluttered oasis surrounded by displays of previous high tech projects.   There is now much effort moving from first prototype to serial production with everyone of the 800 components detailed and specified on a sophisticated software package.   I always find it fascinating to see coloured components revolving in 3D as the computer offers every conceivable view.

Outside its a different story with various cast-off fibreglass items pushed aside to allow the latest development pride of place.  In the centre of this activity stands the gleaming Arrowcopter prototype on top of a purpose built trailer; exactly maximum width (2.5mtr) to be road legal, this is also the width of the aircraft.

First impression is that the body-shell is more like a modern glider/sailplane than a conventional gyro, there is no flexing of the skin but a firm rigid construction capable of withstanding much force.   Indeed it is explained that the design concept is to create a cocoon to protect both occupants both from impact and from fire.   All fuel tanks, pumps and piping are external to the cockpit;  the engine compartment is separated by a firewall as found in other forms of aviation.  Toe brakes allow differential braking on the main wheels and combined with a castoring nose wheel this creates a very small turning circle.   The rotorhead and blades come straight from AutoGyro although a sleeker design is on the drawing-board, likewise the slim control rods seen on the prototype are scheduled to be replaced by cable controls in the production models.   A large cluster of LEDs are built into each wheel fairing and with navigation and anti collision strobe make for impressive illuminations in flight.   We followed for some 15 Kms to a small grass field used for demonstration flying but, despite an earlier assurance that I would be allowed to fly the machine, it was explained that due to insurance and regulations regarding registration the aircraft could only be flown one-up by the owner.  With an air temperature of 40C I could understand the decision to fly topless although if I had been on board handling in the enclosed configuration would have been essential.   We were  entertained to a good display of flight characteristics that were similar to those expected from any modern machine with a weight of 250/300Kgs , 8.4 Mtr blades and a Rotax 914;  all very satisfactory.

The airfield was host to a flexwing pilot who showed us an interesting way of trailering a Trike!  Behind his vehicle he towed a platform with the wing mounted sideways, the Trike was trailed with the nose wheel lifted and the whole rig was road legal up to 10 Kph.  Note the extra jockey wheel on the downwind axel which is used to resist x-winds on the wing.

Having digested all the development detail available I was well pleased to move onward in the knowledge that we would be welcome back in a years time to actually fly a serial production machine created by pilots for pilots.

After a further night in Lintz, we had allowed time for poor weather, we drove along the Danube before heading North for Prague.   With all day in hand we revelled in the relaxing atmosphere of canal barges and warm sunshine.  A friendly portable GPS navigator helped us along until we reached the old Eastern Block border where the voice died until we offered more money to expand the software!

Our return to Bristol involved doing the tourist bit of enjoying  a night-stop in Prague to discover the fantastic architecture and beauty of a city that was hidden from the West for many years.   By night Prague City is a mecca for young folk on stag/hen outings that involve excessive alcohol but in contrast, rising above human indulgence, stand spires and towers that have seen history develop over centuries.  Since the fall of the iron curtain funds have been directed to clean off the tarnish of time and today it is awe inspiring to take in the beauty of design and elegance created by skilled hands with limited tools and technical support.

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Well it’s almost halfway through my trip to Europe and it’s gone in a flash because each day is different and life is full on.   As you may know England has had the wettest July on record yet surprisingly flooding has been minimal.   Down here in the Southwest it has been particularly soggy and the field from which I used to fly is awash.   Despite this Sue has created an Oasis of colour in a traditional English garden which is abundant in fruit.   The pear crop looks fantastic but I may miss the best of it by returning to NZ in Early September.

Somerset is an Oasis of tranquility positioned between the areas of high density housing and employment and the traditional holiday destinations of Devon and Cornwall.  However as a result the major roads become congested with towed caravans and overloaded family saloons nose to tail for miles every weekend.  We escaped to London by train last weekend and enjoyed a mass family gathering and a long walk through Hyde Park the next day to clear the head!  

The water feature constructed in memory of Diana Princess of Wales was a magnet for children who scampered around in the flowing stream and waterfalls in a manor she would have embraced, truly a living and fitting point of remembrance.  A somewhat larger water feature is the nearby Serpentine which was created by George the second for Queen Charlotte in 1725 some 50 years before Captain Cook came to New Zealand!

Amongst all this social activity I have been busy on the aviation front also.  I visited Gary Layzell who is marketing the Montgomerie Benson as well as his own manufactured rotorblades and Cricket gyros.

I have ordered more helmets of the style that I use on a daily basis in Tauranga, the features are exceptional as is the comfort and noise suppression.  The shell interior is constructed from NASA designed ‘memory foam’ which provides a perfect fit moulded to an individual head.  The acoustics are excellent and the BSI certification reassuring.

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Well they say the Brits always talk about the weather so why not.  I have been back for just over a week and the only difference from Tauranga is that the water that falls is from the Atlantic rather than the Pacific, its rained every day!

I still have a house in the South West of England, in Somerset where the ‘Cider Apples Grow’  as they say.   Well certainly Cider did bring a considerable wealth to the area but this followed industries such as wool which used the power of local rivers to drive the mills.

I spent a fabulous day discovering a hidden treasure that was once a woollen Mill and then a Cider Factory and in the Fifties became owned by the Showering Family who produced ‘Babycham’ the tipple of the Baby Boomers.   World renown one day and forgotten the next!  Today the fabulous traditional gardens are open to the public and they boast views of one of the highest and longest railway viaducts in the Country.

Although I have not seen an aircraft since leaving Heathrow my mail box had some interesting items!   Fortunately as we all know there is a limit to the ‘G’ load that you can pull on a gyro – not so on fixed wing aircraft.  Unlike Airbus there is no doubt which bit broke first but the good news is that with sufficient height some things are survivable, particularly with a bang seat, a parachute and flat terrain below!  You do have to ask what happened to the shoulder harness, head butting the panel is not a good precursor to an informed decision to abandon ship.  Enough said, expect the unexpected and fly safe!

News from Tauranga is that ground school classes are being organised particuarly aimed at Gyro and other Microlight pilots.   Anyone wishing to prepare for exams or just to brush up on the core subjects of aviation should contact Colin at Solowings.

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Well after a very hectic couple of weeks I am finally on my way to Europe again to check the gyro sceene and research new and used machines for the NZ market.  We have launched a Franchise program to spread the use of modern gyroplanes throughout the Country.  Flying Clubs, established or new, are encouraged to participate and enjoy launch benefits such as centralised advertising and webpage, targeted phone leads from 0800 FLY A GYRO and a full training package.  To start things moving Sid Lane has an operation forming at Taupo to offer sales and training throughout the Central North Island.

Despite some very mixed weather over the past few weeks we have seen the Sportcopter of  Richard Main checked over by Colin at Solowings, I then enjoyed its first flight and Richard hopped the aircraft along runway 22/04 at Tauranga.  When the cloud lifted over the Kaimai Hills I flew the Sportcopter over to Matamata for Richard to continue training in a relaxed environment.  I was very pleased to combine this exercise with sending Elton Haakma solo on his father’s dominator just before departing for Europe.  The plan is for both these gyronaughts to build experience while I am away and then we can look at increasing the pool of gyro instructors available to the Sport.  Elton and Sid lane are lining up for a combined course before the summer season.  0800 FLY A GYRO is now available across NZ so we hope to hear from you soon.

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The attached picture shows the Metvue forecast for today, well I didn’t fly but as you will see from the third picture it would have been possible.  The Bay is exceptional in that the worst of the weather normally leaves this area to enjoy a micro-climate so much better than we should expect.  The Kaimai hills protect us from the Westerly winds and when the Easterly gales come in off the ocean the moisture mainly falls when the orographic lift of the Kaimais cools the air and the  precipitation falls inland.  Having said that this tropical depression will no doubt dump a fair bucket load on us tonight!  The weekend past was very damp also and with misty clouds and low temperatures I have taken some time to catch up on domestic duties and administration which is missing Sue’s steady hand.

I will be taking a short winter break and flying to Europe on the 10th July and returning on the 10th September when the days will be noticeably longer and hopefully warmer.  The trip will include an extended visit to the Auto-Gyro factory in Germany to test fly the enclosed spin-off from the MTO3 Eagle design and to attend the annual gathering of owners and agents.  The blog will continue to be active and photographs will abound!

The Sport Copter Lightning aircraft seen here is a first for New Zealand and has just been built by Richard Main and passed inspection by Colin Alexander of  Solo Wings.  I am told that an earlier look alike Vancraft was operated at Fielding some years ago.  It was about 12 years ago that I visited the factory in Origan USA where Sportcopters are produced and was very impressed with the quality of product and the years of experience that has passed from father to son in the family business.  Any doubters should watch the video of this machine being looped!!

I have been asked to test fly the aircraft for Richard Main and then complete his transition training onto the machine.  Richard has many hours on Bantam Microlights and became comfortable with gyroplanes some two years ago when he flew the school Eagle to solo standard.  I anticipate that we will both enjoy his new aircraft which has many sound design features to commend it.

I have been working on a project to franchise the Gyrate product around New Zealand and have already moved positivly in that direction.  The sharing of a common website and advertising will be the first step to create a ‘win win’ situation. Today I inaugreated the 0800 FLY A GYRO freephone number which will be a common facility shared across the franchise network.  Clubs or instructors interested in this concept are welcome to discuss the way ahead.

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Yes it has been a bit quiet on the blog for a while, with the night-time temperatures in Tauranga matching Dunedin this week a flyer could be forgiven for hibernating.  After all as we know it chills 2 degrees centigrade for every thousand feet of altitude and that’s before we factor in wind chill.  I saw a dominator pilot shivering so much on Sunday he couldn’t even hold a coffee cup.   However dressed for the part winter flying can be great, I hear that Sid Lane was up at 13,200 feet on the shortest day of the year!!  The 914 turbo Rotax just purred all the way it was only the pilot  getting short of air that stopped further climb.

I was in Matamata for training this weekend and the pictures here show the Kaimai hills in winter sun, not a cloud in the sky and calm air meant  we could enjoy a good look at the waterfall discharging some of the torrential rains of the past few weeks.

Flight training in the Eagle has been continuous with just the occasional trial flight thrown in.  A friend of mine from way back in the sixties, when we were both parachuting, asked me to look after a visitor for him.  I should not have been suprised when an attractive blonde showed up because such creatures always formed part of his retinue!  Hailing from Toronto Taryn had no trouble with the temperatures and we had a great flight  around the local area with its stunning sceenery of which I never tire.

At the beginning of June we had the Queen’s Birthday weekend which by tradition sees a gathering of gyros at Tokaroa.  This year I was able to set a cross-country task for Bruce Watson in his Eagle and follow discretly with Hub Hall in the school machine.  Three miles from destination a heavy shower blotted out everything from the surface upwards and so we grouped together for a diversion to let the rain pass before continueing on.  Arrival found only a few hardy soles had made it including Sid Lane in another Eagle from Taupo.

The machines can be seen standing in freezing temperatures while the pilots huddled around a hot jug in the shelter of a hangar, this has been a hard winter by New Zealand standards!

Looking forward Summer is coming, the days are getting longer!

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Flight training was curtailed last week for Hub Hall, he was required to attend the annual gathering of the New Zealand Deer Industry and to be awarded their prestigious National Trophy.  

Whilst this is actually a substantial sized gold statue the recipient takes away a small replica which in itself is quiet impressive.  As you can see Hub was anxious to establish if he could attach this, as a ‘flying lady’, to the nose of his  prospective aircraft!  Congratulations Hub well deserved I’m sure.

Today we had two Eagles in the circuit at Tauranga which is an indication of the growth the modern fleet of gyroplanes in New Zealand.  No longer the butt of uninformed jokes but serious aircraft proving very capable of long distance cruising and offering many of the capabilities of helicopters at a fraction of the price.  Police and other government agencies have recognised these features overseas and it is likely NZ will follow suit as the realities of the current economic situation hit home.  To this end I was able to fly the Kahu prototype again this week following some significant modifications, performance of all the new systems proved very satisfactory and longer proving trials are planned to follow.

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Despite the weather bomb and the Southerly winds straight from Antarctica flight training is progressing well, the picture shows our octogenarian Rhys Jones complete with ski suit enjoying the challenge.

 While we are dealing with everyday flying events Mark Humbke left us to return to the Yemen travelling via Frankfurt.  This coincided with one of Europe’s major trade showcases for aviation held at Friedrichshafen and so under the influence of jet lag he hired a car and sent back some pictures of the gyro section, state of the art or what!

So back in the real world last week end saw the Northern Microlight club organise a fly in to North Shore Airfield which as the name suggests is just North of Auckland.  To demonstrate that gyros should not be left out we took a Xenon(ZK- XEN Tony Unwin and Hub Hall) and an Eagle (ZK-RGG Bruce Watson) from Tauranga on what turned out to be a superb day weather wise and excellent socially.  We planned an early start to make sure we didn’t miss out on the sausage sizzle and so the early morning Waikato mist and fog was still hanging about as we approached the Waihi Gap.  Fortunately by the time we reached it breaks were appearing and we continued ‘clear of cloud and in sight of the ground’.  We transited over Waiheke Island Airfield in crystal clear air, Bruce Watson in the Eagle declared it to be ‘ice crystal clear’ as even his thermals were struggling to keep the chill out.

How about buying that nice heated jacket that we have in stock Bruce? Right on schedule after 101nm North Shore showed up, an unusual runway with grass to each side of a narrow concrete strip.  Gyro formation reported overhead and did a standard join to be greeted warmly by the assembled microlighters, thanks guys it feels so good to be accepted as ‘normal’ aviators these days.  After lunch and a look around some interesting projects and unique aircraft we set off towards Matamata to meet up with to other gyronaughts, Steve Holmes and Sibie Haakma who had been flying their single seat Dominators locally.  To enhance the party we found Stephen Chub with his Magni M16 also flying around at Matamata.  A few yarns over a brew and we headed back over the Kaimai Hills with a brisk 30knot tailwind carrying us back to base.   Next weekend its off to Tokaroa for the Queens Birthday when New Zealand takes the Monday off as well.

Has Your Airplane Been Drinking?

We surely hope not. While the cost-savings of using autogas in your aircraft may be enticing, it is important to ensure it doesn’t contain ethanol, a mix that can be extremely dangerous inside your engine. Among the primary concerns for using ethanol in airplanes not designed for its use are vapor lock, incompatibility with certain engine parts, and its tendency to absorb water. To learn more about the dangers of using ethanol in GA aircraft, see Peter Rouse’s article “Why Does My Airplane Smell Like It Has Been Drinking?” in the May/June 2009 issue of FAA Aviation News. For a live presentation on this important topic, you can catch Rouse at the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight in Suffolk, Virginia, May 30 and 31. The important thing to remember:  The aircraft owner is ultimately responsible for determining autogas does not contain ethanol. 

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Having just published the last sunny picture I have to record that the mild Bay of Plenty was hit by what the media called a weather Bomb.  This involved water spouts, torrential rain, high winds and a hail storm so ferocious as to leave a layer of hail stones the size of kids marbles some six inches deep.  The temperature dropped and the remains could be seen still lying around two days later.  Some would think that open cockpit flying would stop in these conditions but far from it we have been flying almost every day.  With suitable kit and the large windscreen the Eagle offers year round aviation however it also offers heated clothing for those that need it.  That may well include Sid Lane as he now contemplates an altitude record in his well travelled machine.  This time of year official night starts around 5.30pm local time and we have been using this to train students in low light landings, an experience best experienced first in controlled conditions rather than when struggling home late one night in failing light.   The first thing to realise is how dark it can be on the surface while you are cruising along still enjoying good visual conditions  a thousand or two above.  Descending into a black pit can become a serious challenge to a safe arrival so we have been practicing and experiencing such matters as well as also enjoying the fully lit runway at Tauranga.  On the subject of lights let me ask ‘how bright are you’.  When you leave the airfield at any time of day you are at more risk than when flying but you probably don’t think about putting on your anti-collision lights unless you drive a motorbike.  Why not? It can only be that you havn’t thought about it because you know that in bright sunshine your pupils close down to exclude light yet that same bright sun creates the darkest shadows to hide vehicles and other obstacles.  In New Zealand the Government is running adverts to warn of the huge accident rate at intersections, the use of headlights on vehicle makes them more obvious and allows better judgement of speed, it cost nothing and it could be considered to be your anti-collision beacon, why not turn them on always!

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Well today is the 10th May 2009, only six weeks to the shortest day in New Zealand and the longest day in Europe and the USA!  Despite the doom of the forecasters Gyrate has been very active flying almost every day since I returned back from Australia on Tuesday.

Yes the break there was great and a couple of pictures to emphasise that the water is warm and the wine is cool will suffice to gloss over the hassle of Airport security and delayed flights.

Today we flew an Eagle down to Whakatane which is some 40nm East along the coast, we had some 25 knots behind us going out but the return was more pedestrian despite staying low along the beach.  Phil Charmers was there to greet us and to show us the hangar where his Eagle is stored, nice and secure for his extended trips away.  Between flights Hub Hall has been helping bring our own hangar into good order with attention to the interior insulating roofing material that had started to flap in strong winds. Thanks Hub!

Runway Safety Tip
Notice Number: NOTC1653

Here’s a “heads-up” when using an airport with runways 2/20 or 13/31.  Each of these runway designators make it easy to transpose the numbers for the runway and land or depart from the wrong end.

Your heading indicator can be a big help when landing or departing from an airport with multiple runways that are oriented in different directions.  While on final approach, or when you taxi into position on the departure runway, check your heading to be sure it matches the alignment of the proper  runway.  This can also help confirm you’re looking at the correct airport when landing.

More information about Runway Safety can be found at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/runway_safety/. You can call or email Runway Safety suggestions or comments to Michael Lenz at michael.lenz@faa.gov or 202-267-7949.

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I receive these tips by email maybe you would like to subscribe also, the concept of thinking through a flight makes perfect sense to me,  it could help you. 

FAASTeam Safety Tip
Notice Number: NOTC1639

FAASTeam Safety Tip 
by Max Trescott, author and 2008 National CFI of the Year 

Build Your Experience in Aircraft Type and in the Armchair 
  
It’s a common myth that the performance level that pilots (and athletes) attain is determined by some innate inner talent.  One study dispels this myth by showing that it’s not talent or strength that determines performance, but rather having the proper mindset and focus. Another study shows that the number of hours of practice is the primary factor that differentiates performance levels. A separate study of F-15 fighter pilots showed that fully 92.5 percent of the variability in their situational awareness scores was attributed to the total number of hours they flew in F-15s. 
  
As a pilot gains experience and accumulates hundreds or thousands of flying hours, it’s easy to assume that this brings with it a cloak of immunity from accidents. Statistics reveal, however, that accidents are correlated more with the number of hours of experience a pilot has in a particular aircraft model and not with his or her total number of flight hours. Accidents tend to decrease after a pilot accumulates at least 100 hours of experience in the aircraft he or she is flying. Thus when learning to fly or transitioning into a new model, your goal should be to concentrate your flying hours in that model, while perhaps getting additional dual instruction, until you reach 100 hours of experience. If you fly relatively few hours per year, maximize your safety by concentrating those hours in just one aircraft model. 
  
Another major category of experience that counts but may get overlooked is “armchair flying.” I often tell my clients to practice armchair flying when they have a few quiet moments at home. Why? I recall reading years ago about a study in which three groups of basketball players were tested on their ability to throw baskets at the beginning and the end of an experiment. Group 1 was told to do no practice between the tests, Group 2 was told to actively practice shooting baskets, and Group 3 was told to spend time imagining they were shooting baskets. The results? Group 2 improved their performance the most, but Group 3 improved almost as much. 
  
A similar study showed that successful Olympic athletes did more mental practice in the final stages of their preparation than less successful competitors did. I tell my clients that, when they’re practicing at home in an armchair, they should do more than envision themselves flying a perfect approach to a perfect landing. They should also visualize deviations and the corrections they would make in response. For example, imagine that you notice you’ve blown to the left of the runway and then visualize using a sideslip by lowering the right wing and pushing on the left rudder until you return to the centerline. From the armchair, you can just as easily fly an entire instrument flight by visualizing getting the ATIS, briefing the approach, flying the procedure turn, adding power to level off after each descent, and so on. 
  
Whether in the air or from the armchair, when you fly, concentrate your hours by building experience in a particular aircraft type and by mentally practicing flying from an armchair to accumulate even more experience. Both kinds of experience will make you a more proficient pilot. 
_______________________________________________________________________

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From Tauranga it takes less than thirty minutes to fly over the Kaimai hills to the wide open pastures of the Waikato valley, a spectacular experience which always reminds me of the drop down into the Rift Valley in Kenya.   Matamata airfield is some 5 miles from the bottom of the escarpment and boasts a pair of large flat runways ideal for early solo flying.

Last Saturday, April 18th, we enjoyed near perfect conditions and Brian Murphy flew me across in the Eagle to meet up with Steve Holmes from Auckland and Hub Hall from Pukeatua .   Steve has a microlight licence and is consolidating his experience on his single seat Dominator, we started with some circuit practice before heading off on a small formation cross-country.  

Hub Hall has a Deer Farm and by the removal of a paddock fence he has created a small airstrip which needed to be assessed for gyro suitability.  With Hub navigating and flying the Eagle and Steve tagging along at a safe distance we enjoyed a magic afternoon.  The weather was perfect with almost no wind so we did a practice landing on a neighbour’s strip which is somewhat more established but quite undulating.  Beautiful place, must go back when someone is at home!  Pressing on we arrived at the Deer Farm and positioned the Eagle for an approach to a flat strip with a major hazard at one end.  Electric cables cross the threshold at the Western end which could literally catch the unwary!  However anyone briefed on the field should have no problem (subject to due caution and weather) as Steve demonstrated just behind us.  We departed and overflew Richard Main’s property looking for a sight of his single-seat Sportcopter which is nearing completion.  Hopefully it will be at Tauranga for flight test and approval in the next few weeks.  Back at Matamata we did a crew change and Brian flew me back across the hills practicing his ‘zone entry’ radio calls and sounding quite professional. 

Next day it was back to Matamata to show the general public the wonders of a gyroplane as part of a small gathering to promote the airfield and its varied activities.  Another great day with some five Tiger Moths and a scale Mustang not to mention great aerobatics from gliders and numerous Skydivers dropping in.  Shame the weather then closed in and aircraft from all over the Waikato arrived to take shelter from rain and wind.  It was Tuesday before I could rescue the Eagle.  

 Sue and I have been offered the use of an apartment on the Gold Coast for a week.  The rain is lashing at the windows as I write so I need little persuasion, see you all after the 5th May!!  Watch this space for a comparative review of Jetstar and Pacific Blue.

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My return to Tauranga from Motueka was scheduled for the Tuesday and so, having shown due thanks for my hangarage, I taxied the Xenon across the vast grass field that had hosted the RAANZ fly-in.  It looked so much bigger now that the rows of aircraft had all departed.  My departure was straight forward and even with full fuel the take-off run was very short as I was now flying  solo.  I tracked straight across Nelson Bay heading to pass North of the Marlborough Sounds in what was almost a straight line towards Kapiti Island and Paraparaumu.  With calm winds and seas the conditions were excellent and although a Northerly head-wind developed when I finally hit the North Island coast I landed at Foxpine after a flight of only one hour fifty minutes.   The forecast weather for the next leg to Taupo was not promising but conditions were good until abeam the volcanoes on the desert road.  Here the Northerly drift of damp air that had flooded Tauranga that day was piled up against the high ground and there was no way through.  Reluctantly I re-routed and planned for a night-stop at Wanganui. 

What an attractive airfield, particularly after battling low cloud!   The terminal was empty and things were shutting down for the night but I was made very welcome by the professionals at Air Wanganui.  Without question I was invited to hangar with them and in no time I was offered a lift into town to a motel.  I was even picked up the next morning having had an excellent night-stop.  Thank you friends that was outstanding.

The damp weather was slow to clear off the East coast so I eased up the western side of the volcanoes and dropped into a beautiful long grass airfield at Taumarunui ,  totally deserted but gleaming in bright sunshine following the clearance of early fog.  Yes the GPS was very handy.

By the time I had topped up from the Shell pumps the cloudbase was clear of the hills and the day improved as I headed first for Tokaroa then re-planned for Matamata and then, having got a Tauranga actual weather from Hamilton tower, headed direct for home.  I slipped over the Kaimai Hills and the Bay of Plenty cleared to offer a warm welcome, visual flying can not be rushed it IS weather dependant!!

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Well we had a great weekend at the RAANZ fly-in although Steve Holmes left us early returning by scheduled service.  Sue and I had decided to stay on to visit some favourite spots in the Able Tasman National Park so Colin Alexander and Norma decided to accompany Sid’s Eagle back to North Island.  They were flying a Technam and were surprised at the high cruise speed of the Turbo powered Eagle in full flight.

Meanwhile Sue had looked for a B and B for a couple of nights and settled on one run by a New Zealander with a Scottish heritage that he called FraserHighlands.  Following directions we were skirting a steep hill on an unsealed  narrow track  when round a tight bend we were confronted by a castellated building commanding the valley below – Castle Fraser circa 2006!

Having visited his family roots in the far Northwest of the Scottish Highlands Jim Fraser decided to bring some of his heritage back to his family land in Motueka.  Inside the ‘Castle’ you are faced with Tartan designs on every conceivable product, bagpipe music not only accompanied breakfast but in the evening Jim produced the real thing.   Not to be outdone Mrs Fraser, although English by birth, now teaches Scottish dancing to the locals.

Well despite being sasanachs we enjoyed warm hospitality and started to talk,  it turned out that Jim was a commercial pilot so with this in common we talked some more.  Now it became scarey because Jim did some of his early flying in the UK and married a stewardess from the Gatwick based company he worked for called British Island Airways around 1974-5.   It just so happens that the first airline job that I had was with the same BIA based at Gatwick around 1975!  Jim produced logbooks containing the names that taught me my trade just like they did for him, small world eh!   A friendship formed and I’m sure it will flourish some more .

Sue and I flew the Xenon around the Able Tasman National Park and then the next day did a water taxi ride followed by an energetic walk through the beautiful terrain of native bush and coastal clearings.  By now it was time to return to work but that’s another story.

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morning mists

The annual gathering for the Recreational Aircraft Association of New Zealand was scheduled for South Island this year and I needed to wave the Gyro flag.   Some study of the Metvue charts made for an early start last Thursday in an attempt to reach Motueka in fine weather.   As dawn spread misty light across the airfield Steve Holmes and I lifted off in a Rotax 914 powered Xenon and enjoyed the first leg to Taupo over fog filled valleys ‘steaming’ in the morning sun.  Already the wind at 2000ft was holding us back and Sid Lane was waiting when we touched down 15 minutes over schedule.

With a top-up of fuel and Sid’s Eagle alongside we headed South to the Desert Road climbing to 4500 feet where the temperature was around minus six Celsius, before thinking about wind chill factors, now I know why we took the Xenon!  The strong head-wind at this height knocked our ground speed back below 40knots and turbulence could be felt even in a gyro.   Steve was doing all the flying and Sid had the Eagle throttled back in loose formation on our starboard flank.

Over the saddle and the ground drops away and so we made a gradual descent towards Foxpine which was obscured by a rain shower loitering on our path.  Abeam Fielding I orbited while negotiating a clearance through military controlled airspace at Ohakia.   By the time they discovered that we are not carrying a transponder and refused us clearance the rain had moved away and so we proceeded through the low level transit route to arrive in glorious sunshine with not a breath of wind.   Sid sliped the Eagle in to land behind us as we taxied up for a coffee and more fuel.

Time for the high vis vest and life jacket in preparation for the water crossing to Nelson or maybe Motueka direct.  We headed off down the coast with the sun shining but the headwind  holding us back all the way.

The crossing of Cook’s Straight was calm and  we enjoyed a transit over the Marlborough Sounds as the interIsland ferry steamed towards Picton.   Later the wind increased as we climbed to cross the Miatai Saddle into Nelson and significant bumps could be felt now that we were at 4000 feet with towering peaks on either side.  Nelson Control were very helpful and gave a direct routing through their airspace and onto a windswept field.

Again we landed with Sid close behind.  It was Steve and I who trailed into the Nelson helicopter hangar where Sid was welcomed like a long lost friend.  Last time he was here he was on the circumnavigation task and so congratulations and thanks were exchanged in equal measure.

A short low-level hop up the coast took us to Motueka and another welcome, this time from Steve’s brother and family who have their roots in the soil of Abel Tasman.   Already the field was busy with early arrivals and club members were busy marshalling aircraft and setting up the BBQs.  We were welcomed as honoured guests and shown to an allocated area; how good does it feel!

Before we could ask we were offered a hangar for the weekend and in no time the machines were secure and we were in a motel.  Sue arrived by scheduled flight complete with full ground crew support kit and so next morning a gazebo and flag  announced that gyros had arrived.

Friday and Saturday were busy offering introductory flights to new friends and experienced pilots.

Mike Sheehan from California was welcomed by Sid as they had many mutual friends from the high desert of El Mirage, home of the legendary Ken Brock.  The reception from all was warm and encouraging and I felt that Gyroplanes had come in from the cold exclusion of previous years.

Although the award for meritorious microlight flight went to a fixed wing machine it was hard for anyone at the presentation dinner to ignore Sid’s circumnavigation achievement thanks to Colin Alexander’s exaltation of this feat of endurance and perseverance.  Have RAANZ really accepted that gyroplanes are microlights even if they don’t bounce as much in turbulance?   Yes I think so, at last!

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Tauranga is experiencing wild swings in the weather, Friday was torrential rain but the forecast for the weekend was for a marked improvement. 

We had been invited to visit the flying club at Ruawai to demonstrate the Xenon as a prospective extension to the club fleet.  Although the clouds were scudding we set off early on Sunday for what was to become an extended day.  Bruce Watson had decided to join the party and his Eagle followed in loose formation as we headed for the Waihi Gap and the Firth of Thames.  The Xenon was stable and steady as we skirted isolated showers and soon we could see Auckland harbour laid out ahead.  The automatic broadcast indicated that Whenuapai was not active and so we could transit their airspace without descending to the low level corridor; we pressed on against a fresh headwind to Parakai for a refuel.

All good but we were running late for lunch!

Topped up with Mogas from a bowser we headed North and the weather improved but the wind got stronger.  The cell phone vibrated in my pocket asking for an ETA and so with my co-pilot, David Church, flying I was able to text a reply to request that they save us a bun.  On arrival I was staggered to see a welcoming committee of some 50 people all gathered to inspect and trial a gyroplane, the tide of opinion must be swinging in our favour.  Indeed in our honour an extensive buffet had been prepared and the club was at full strength do do it justice.

The warmth of the hospitality was outstanding but now it was time to ‘sing for our supper’.  I did an impromptu fly around in the Eagle and by the time I had landed the club had a list of ten members wanting trial flights!  The feedback was so positive I am sure that a gyro is high on the wish list of many who flew that day.  At 4.30 I called a halt and we refueled and headed home.

Auckland looked superb in the late afternoon sun but by the time we were nearing Thames it was shower dodging time again.   We dropped into the airfield to refuel and to avoid a cloudburst and found a very blustery 25knots had sent everyone home early.  Without delay we were on our way again very aware of the approaching dusk, indeed the landing at Tauranga was somewhat aided by the runway lights switched on for the last commercial arrival of the night.

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This busy season entails waving the Gyro flag at Airshows and Exhibitions while trying to maintain the momentum of Flight Training for those anxious to progress their flying skills.  Last weekend we were invited to display at the fledgling trade show at Ardmore Airfield near Auckland.  This was the second of these events and it takes a vast amount of behind the scenes organisation to arrange and is very weather dependent.  Despite a gloomy forecast Sid Lane flew his ‘circumnavigation’ Eagle from Taupo via Tauranga and I formated with the Mitsubishi turbocharged Xenon. 

The Ardmore circuit was quiet and we fitted in without issue to an environment which is normally closed to gyroplane traffic.  Indeed the Airport Manager was somewhat surprised when we parked outside the tower as no one had warned him that we had permission to arrive.   The Friday was fine and we erected a large canopy to provide shade from the sun whilst eyeing the threatening clouds.  Because this event is focused on the flying community the interest we received was from serious aviators who could see the benefits of economy and the high quality of today’s modern machines.  I gave a short presentation in one of the seminar rooms to an appreciative audience who seemed impressed with the obvious progress and development of recent years.

The following day was a washout but as most of the trade stands were housed in a large hangar we enjoyed the chance to mingle and to attend a variety of lectures that were both educational and stimulating.  Many thanks to Heliflite Pacific for housing the gyros whilst the storm raged.

Sunday dawned fair and so we retrieved the machines and headed home, Sid made Taupo direct in one hour twenty minutes while I took a friend on the scenic route via the Pacific Coastal Highway to Thames and then the Waihi Gap to Tauranga in much the same time.

Monday was back to full-time training with a husband and wife who had flown schedule from Dunedin for a week’s conversion from fixed wing microlight to gyro.  The initial workload is high both for the instructor and the student but these experienced pilots were soon relaxed and enjoying the flexibility of hovering on finals whilst other aircraft cleared the runway.  Later in the week with strong winds the stability of the Eagle proved to be as much of a surprise as soaring updrafts like a sailplane.

The gyro friendly conditions have kept me busy and I have also had visitors from England who flew with me there.  Jan and Alan were stalwarts when I was mixing professional aviation with gyro instruction in a Magni gyro .  It was a great pleasure to have them both onboard again and Jan soon picked up the controls of the Eagle although it had been some years since she had flown a gyro.

Well the rain has arrived again and so I have a chance to return to the blog page and to prepare for a trip to the Northland on Sunday and the RAANZ gathering at Motueka on Thursday.  As usual Sid will be ahead of me as he plans to head South on Monday, weather permitting!  See you there maybe.

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Well another week is well underway and training is in full swing, today was a fine cross country over the Kaimai Hills to Matamata where there are national gliding events happening.  Our radio calls identified a mass launch was imminent and so the formal join became a highspeed approach to get down before Pawnees and fiberglass filled the sky.  With everyone else airborne we were able to enjoy the catering services and depart without hassle.

Thursday night the 26th should be in the diary of anyone who is in the Tauranga area as the CAA safety team are making a visit to the Aeroclub at 19.00hrs to inspire and educate.  I commend their efforts and hope to see you there.

If this logo is familiar then you will know that 40 trade stands and dozens of aircraft will be at Ardmore this coming Friday and Saturday.  We will be present with Gyros and a powerpoint presentation themed to promote the safest design of flying machine. Again I hope to see you there as entry is free.  A huge effort has gone into providing you with a venue and display for your sport/hobby/addiction.  See you there!

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Yes it was all achieved and Sid Lane returned triumphant and exhausted to Centennial Park Taupo last evening.  The Taupo Flying Proms display made way and the Royal New Zealand Air Force band played, the Mayor of Taupo opened the Champagne and the crowd cheered.  Against the odds Sid had battled through a final day which promised to be easy but turned horrendous.  The weather around the Coromandel coast was foul, the machine and its fragile cargo were hammered by violent winds rolling off the hills in gusts causing down draughts and vortex rotor worse than on any other leg of this 3446 mile epic journey.  The visibility in pouring rain was so challenging that the passing of the Northern end of the peninsular was lost in mist and when forced down onto a scrap of grass behind a beach Sid was amazed to find he was heading South down the Eastern coastline.  The rain and cold winds were draining his meagre reserves of energy but the Eagle launched again and continued to fight its way home.  Next stop was a sandy beach when the weather seemed to be winning but with a flat phone battery making forecasts unobtainable another opportune take-off enabled the leg to be continued and by the time Tauranga was in sight the Bay of Plenty offered a clear sky and warm temperatures.  By now time was of the essence and a quick refuel and some forward planning laid the groundwork for a fitting reception.  Basking in deserved glory and warmed by the hugs of friends and family a shattered man was brought back to life enough to survive a chilling evening breeze,  a ten minute flight back to Taupo Airport, followed by a hot bath, a bowl of steaming porridge and the best night’s sleep for a week.  Photos and loads of other support supplied by John Funnell of Heliserve.

As an aside let me say that due to weather I had left my own Eagle at Hastings Airport last Wednesday and so early on Saturday morning Mark Humbke and I travelled by road to collect it.  Sue dozed in the back preparing for her turn at the wheel taking our trusty Subaru back to join us at Taupo for an airshow.  The clouds had lifted sufficiently for Mark and I to follow the main Napier to Taupo highway through the hills and we touched down on the huge grass runway at Centennial Park where I was due to display at the Taupo Flying Proms.  The flight took only 50 minutes thanks to a stiff Easterly breeze which would dominate the day’s flying.  I was hoping that Sid and I would be able to put two Eagles in the sky to display but his battle with weather put paid to that.  With parachuting cancelled I found myself trying to fill a 15 minute display slot while the Band played James Bond Movie themes.  Despite the limited viewing angles that made any manoeuvres below 200ft ’out of sight’ it was well received.

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‘I got battered around a bit coming round the North of North Island’ this understatement from Sid says a lot about an amazing feat of determination to overcome obstacles.  Sid has flown around New Zealand faster than anyone imagined possible, the distances and times are so impressive for a gyroplane and now with only half a days flying ahead the goal is in sight.  I hope to be at Taupo to meet Sid at 4.00 this afternoon and so watch this space for pictures of a man with a mission to achieve being greeted by the Mayor and the flying community.

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If you are following this story you must be impressed with the achievements of one man in an ‘egg-whisk’ alone above a cruel sea off a windswept coastline often with no radio contact and miles from anywhere.  I have spent a lifetime in the air and find myself humbled by a man who is a shadow of his former self and yet is achieving so much.  Take a look at the satellite trace for Wednesday (link below) and realise that Sid left Hokitika around 8.30am and landed pretty much at last light at New Plymouth, not in a direct line but via every cove and rugged cranny that makes up the coastline of mainland New Zealand.  Say a big ‘thank you’ for the rain and wind that arrived on Thursday  as that is the only thing that could slow this man down to a pace that is sustainable!

Friday looks promising and no doubt the sound of a Rotax 914 will be ringing in Sid’s ears for hour after lonely hour up the West coast of North Island,  watch out Auckland ATC it may be unconventional flying but this is epic!  Any bets on an end of play location Friday, further than you think is my guess.  Good speed my friend.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0Haq04hh349V2ZiDNCWO0mSaoCT4dUD7N

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Hot news from Sid Lane is that having been weather bound in Invercargill for two days he left today in a hurry to put the most bleak and exposed coastline behind him.  The initial headwind became a friend as he turned the South West corner and headed North to Haast.  This long, 322mile, leg was an ogre that was tamed and beaten!  Sid flew over 500miles today all the way up to Hokitika and the average speed was over 100mph, fantastic for a solo pilot in an open cockpit all over water along a lethal coastline!  Tomorrow is planned to be a more conservative 294 miles to Nelson but will pass the site of this week’s fatal microlight accident, a reminder to take care.   Support is coming in with comments on this website to various blog posts, numerous phone calls and texts messages, but perhaps most importantly media coverage is growing which is generating donations for a very good cause, well done Sid and all your friends who keep springing up from all over the country as well as overseas!  While Sid has been dealing with cold weather I have been in Hawkes Bay with temperatures of 30c plus by day and not much less by night!  A frontal system brought cloud to the ranges today and blocked the route back to Tauranga, hopefully tomorrow will offer a better window or Sid may beat us back by going the long way round!

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Sid Lane spent Thursday night at Flat Point he was refueled and received great hospitality and support from the airfield operators and the local community turned out to contribute to the cause and see him off to an early start on Friday.  There is no mobile phone coverage at Flat Point so it was with some relief that we received an update from Kaikora; the wind had caused some issues around the lower North Island and across the water which was hard to understand from our base at Gisborne where it was still air and 25c.

John Funnell of heliserve has sent this report of Friday,s action which would drain any solo flyer:

7 Feb 09

Sid has been collecting donations for Cancer on his trip and reports at each landing place he has been supported well.

Sunday morning is still fine in Hawkes Bay but in the far South it is wet and windy, my data shows twenty knots on the nose for the next leg which may explain why there is no movement from the satellite link.  Sid needs a rest and having it forced on him by weather may be a blessing in disguise!

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I took off in my Eagle in formation with Sid when he left Gisborne this afternoon, the temperature was around 25c but the fresh Northerly was helping him on his way South.  Together we followed the curve of the bay and his Eagle looked dramatic above the breaking surf.  I positioned myself to pick up the machine against the white cliffs of the Southern headland and and shot some twenty pics while formating with one hand swapping between stick and throttle.

With Sid turning the headland I returned and rejoined the Tiger Club circus bombing the airfield and the local historic steam train crossing the runway on a tourist trip.

We heard form Sid as he arrived and departed Napier and then, with the satellite link showing him to have made Flat Point, the mobile phone coverage failed.  With a long day of flying with little water uptake I trust he will rest well before the morning.   We know he is in good hands at Flat Point and there is fuel arranged but there is nothing we can do to help at this stage and so we await onward news when he makes his first landing on South Island.  Regrettably all those carefully constructed pictures failed to appear on the camera memory!!!  We have passed on your emailed messages offering support and lodgings on route but of course the itinerary is flexible and unpredictable please stand by your phones just in case.  For the latest position click the link below.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0Haq04hh349V2ZiDNCWO0mSaoCT4dUD7N

The Spot position reports on this web site are accurate, but the displayed line between them is not the actual flight path flown. Spot will only report every 10 minutes and it has to be in full view of the satellite. Due to the Spot unit having a low power output, also shielded under the main rotor, and Sid operating low level, some position reports are not getting out.

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