NZFF

I was talking to my mate who works in Comms at Whenuapai and asked him why so many aircraft we're flying circuits on 08/26... it turns out that (apparently) part of 03/21 has collapsed!

At this stage there has been no word on what the plan for repairing it is, but in the meantime it's closed, not even the Kingairs or Airtrainers are allowed on it.

Half the Base is Stuffed. This is what happens when a Govt says its going to move you out and then stalls for 8 plus years in handing out any money to get the job done. SO the poor Air Force has to now fix up all the degradation that has occurred now that the decision has been made to stay.

Word is the 40 Sqn 757's are moving to Ohakea in the nearish future due to the runway and the proximity of Linton Army Camp etc. I believe 42 Sqn (Kingairs) is moving to Whenuapai. This means the 757's will move into the 42 Sqn hangar (squeeze) and then maybe one 757 in 42 hangar and one in 3 Sqn hangar once the new one is finished for the NH-90's and A109's.

ZK-KAG wrote:

QUOTE (ZK-KAG @ Oct 22 2009, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This means the 757's will move into the 42 Sqn hangar (squeeze) and then maybe one 757 in 42 hangar and one in 3 Sqn hangar once the new one is finished for the NH-90's and A109's.

If that is the case I don't think they'd use two separate hangars - they are usually outside unless undergoing some sort of maintenance.

ZK-KAG wrote:

QUOTE (ZK-KAG @ Oct 22 2009, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Word is the 40 Sqn 757's are moving to Ohakea in the nearish future due to the runway and the proximity of Linton Army Camp etc. I believe 42 Sqn (Kingairs) is moving to Whenuapai. This means the 757's will move into the 42 Sqn hangar (squeeze) and then maybe one 757 in 42 hangar and one in 3 Sqn hangar once the new one is finished for the NH-90's and A109's.

The 757's may indeed move to Ohakea in the long term. But probably not untill the new airmovements terminal is constructed, which wont be started until the 3 Sqn Hanger and the new General engineering workshops and paintshop are built. Thats probably at least another year and a half to two years away. The old 3 Sqn hanger (ex 75 Sqn Hanger) wont be vacant untill all the NH90's and A109's arrive, as they have no intention of operating the Hueys out of the new 3 Sqn Hanger.
The hangers at Ohakea are the same as the ones at Whenuapai, although the Ohakea hangers have internal bracing wires in them, but this would still allow the the B757 to be parked centrally in the hanger. But the aircraft would only be in the hanger for minor maintenance.
The Boeings spend their life outside, and all the major maintenance is contracted to an american company and is done in the states.

On a side note, there nothing to say that the aircraft that we buy to replace the leased king airs will be more kingairs.

The runway at Whenauapai has allways been maintenance intensive. The end of the runway and the tarmac area around the 40 and 5 Sqn hangers raises and lowers with the tide. Makes closing the door to the hangers difficult some times.

Trev