NZFF

Heh. They always show this sexy shot of two-tone kid hide pilot seats. This makes passengers feel sexy too, knowing that up front are pilots who insisted on Nothing But the Best. It's like the pics of early concept 747's (and 380's latterly), with turbocharged spa pools of champagne on the upper decks together with dance halls and Au Pair girls. Airliners are of course sold on the golf course, to bean counter people who fly corporate charter. ANZ took a huge gamble by getting in early and thus got 'em cheap.

Good luck Matt. I know you will enjoy the experience of learning to fly.

why no tower at AR - used to be but users don"t want to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...

It feels so strange to see her looking so totally different.......but it really is about time. I can't think of a better scheme for a "warbird" Dak than a VIP machine. B) So how long til she reappears in her new clothes? Perhaps in another 20yr she'll be done up as a wartime example? Mmmm........Pacific roundels........ :wub: :wub:

That was a pretty amazing escape! We went up to the lake on Saturday and stood at the Shelter that overlooks the lake. One of the guides was telling us that we could see where the helicopter took off from but the crash site was under the lip of the lake in front of us. He works alongside the DOC workers involved and said that if it was not for the Helicopter being on the otherside of the mountain doing work then they may not have survived much longer because of hypothermia. He could not say more than that because of the CAA investigation and amount of reporters he has dealt with.

Opps... i meant ever wondered HOW a mesh is made :)

Thanks for the positive comments guys!... Wait till you see the DVD im working on. Its good enough quality to be sold for $5 a pop. Watch this space ;) I'll shout you a beer next time you're in the area And Matt I'll hold you to that one! hehe

Most newer C172s are around the 160hp mark, although the very early ones are only about 130hp I think. Likewise the takeoff weight varies between about 1000kgs for an early model up to about 1100 or so.

Thats so sad...i never wanted that plane to be cleared :@

We had stopped at Omaka during one of my many cross country training flights and they were running up the sopworth camel while we were there. Was really cool watching this thing going through its paces. I also poked my head in through the door of their hangar and there were vintage aircraft where where! On the floor, hanging from the foor, hanging on the walls...everywhere I tells you! I really should post a couple of the pictures I took because the shear number of planes and variety will blow your mind! Would be interesting to call in one day when I return to NZ. Regards Mailman

Air New Zealand are particularly silly in this respect. I have had a hostess get quite stroppy when I turned on my ipod. I told her it didn't transmit so it should be OK, but she wouldn't budge. Made me turn it off and then kept coming back to check that I hadn't turned it on again. <_< This is more for your safety than anything else. If they have to pass verbal instructions how are you going to hear this if you have your ipod on? Mailman

The instructor showed me a steep turn at 2000ft, and then I did it. It was great fun!I barely lost or gained any height, and the G forces felt really cool. A steep turn is done usually up to 45* of bank. To do one, you basically roll your wings and increase your power 100rpm when you pass 30* of bank. This allows you to gain more lift by having more airspeed. In those pretend planes dont you need any opposite pedal to balance the aircraft in the turn? And when you did it right, did you feel anything as you passed the 180 degree mark? :) Regards Mailman

the vampire has to be one of my favourite military aircraft :wub: Zöltuger checks his bank balance...

If were being postive about the A380's looks, I think the shape of the wings are prety neat, like in the 3rd photograph up there ^^ they just look so strong to actuly bend up wards from the fusealarge... lol anyways it still looks like this bus has been modeld on a large sea creature!

More on the B1 landing here:

That really is incredible, I wouldn't have believed it were possible!

Anyone know what the Auckland Westpac Rescue chopper is doing hovering over Browns Island at the moment? They usually do winch training over Browns, I saw them at night once too...

HAHAHA Typical BMW Driving yuppies giving a learner flyer dirty looks I would of flashed a one finger solute or a 2 cheek salute as a parting shot just to say enjoy the rest of your flight. But Seriously thats got to suck being stuck on a taxiway I remember working at the fieldays earlier in the year when we took the bell out we went to take off in the afternoon and it was stuck in the mud let me just say a lot of people cracking up laughing as we rocked the bell out of its holes and then the next day me falling out of the chopper while trying to get in nothing more says drop-kick than...