http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&a...amp;t=p&z=2
And introducing "The Spirit of FSF":

First leg. 5:40am Wellington Airport. The first leg of many. I wonder what adventures await as I climb aboard the Spirit.
Today's leg is a dry run. We're going up to Auckland, so I'm still within the safety of New Zealand.
Leg One - NZWN - NZAA Distance 267.7nm

Auckland Airport is one of New Zealand's most important infrastructure assets, providing thousands of jobs for the region, and is the country's second-largest cargo 'port' by value, contributing around $14 billion to the economy, and catering for over four million visitors each year, resulting in a 70% share of New Zealand's international travellers.[2]
The airport is the second largest in Australasia in terms of high-yield international passengers, being a third larger than Melbourne Airport in terms of international passengers.[3] The airport has also been rated in the top 3 worldwide for airports handling 5-15 million passengers annually. [4]
It has a capacity of about 45 flight movements per hour,[1] using a single runway. A close by taxiway was upgraded for use as a runway when the main runway requires maintenance or for use during emergencies,[5] but it does not have sufficient separation distance to operate simultaneously with the main runway. In November 2007 work began on a new northern runway, to be built in several stages and to be used mainly by smaller airplanes, freeing up capacity on the main runway.[/quote]
1.

2. Lined up next to other GA aircraft, their pilots probably still fast asleep in bed

3. Holding short: An early morning Qantas flight has just landed:

4. And we're airborne!

5. Turning onto course. I find the plane very easy to handle:

6. Farewell Wellington. We'll meet again, don't know when...

7. Not long until we're in the clouds:

8.

9. Good morning Mr Sun:

10.

11. NZAA:

12.

13.

14. Auckland!

15. Parked up ready for the next leg:

16.

Hope you enjoyed the first of many legs to come!
























































































































































