Today I re-located the Arrow and Skyhawk to Christchurch, from Ohakea.
First up I took off in the Arrow in pretty awful weather, and headed South flying old fashioned IFR, via Ferry, Cape Campbell, Kaikoura, Woodend, then visual from the New Brighton Pier, around the city and in to Wigram for a touch and go, circuit and landing.
The awesome South Wairarapa coast. From Robin Corn’s Wellington scenery
Turning short finals for a touch and go, runway 03 Grass, Wigram
Then later this evening, after having fun (well, hung-over fun!) flying IFR in the Arrow, I decided to do the same in the Skyhawk.
The weather at Ohakea had improved dramatically, but from Wellington South it deteriorated rapidly! This time the route was via Paraparaumu, Wellington, Kaikoura, Eyrwell, Burnham, then ILS02 into Christchurch, Challenging crosswind approach and landing, ending up with the stick all the way to the left on the roll out to stop it toppling over!
Magnificent weather at Ohakea in the morning… this was just about the time I was taxiing out in the Arrow!
Cruising along at FL310, M0.85 and such a strong crosswind from the right (North West) the flightpath vector marker is right off the left side of the HUD!
Old School… like I said. Good old enroute chart for the trip down the East coast
And finally, the big Nor-West crosswind on approach!
All in all a pretty great days flying. I had no reason to bring the Sims South today… and who knows where they might head next!