Mini Tour of NZ

[Kiwi Flyer]

Christchurch to Auckland (CHC-AKL) on NZ 737

I had a very short transit - originally 20 minutes but reduced due to the late departure from Oamaru. Nevertheless I went through security and into the lounge for a quick drink. As usual plenty to choose from, plus some party pastries, sandwiches, cakes and biscuits, salad, etc. Then rush off to board. The thin BPs are scanned by barcode making boarding very quick. I guess the agents would quickly tire of the beep at each one though.

I wont bore you with details of the flight since fairly mundane, and the by now total darkness means no view except of the lights of Huntly, Hamilton, Thames, Tauranga and Auckland as we approach AKL.

The buy on board was discontinued quite early into the flight. The overhead screens showed the buy on board options while it was open for purchases.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Wellington to Westport (WLG-WSZ) on NZ Beech 1900D

It was another windy day with the promise of a bumpy flight ahead. The flight was called in the lounge quite early compared with the 737 flights, understandable given the distance to the prop gates.

The taxi is short and we leap into the air, instantly buffeted by the gusts sweeping off Wellington's hills. We turn just off the central city - shame it is too early for any game in the caketin which we have great birds eye view of, and cross the hills to Cook Strait. The bumps stop once we get high enough over the straight.

Despite a little cloud there are fantastic views all around (including out the coughpit windows). Far below I see the tidal front where the turquoise waters of the Tasman Seat meet the deep dark blues of the Pacific, the contrast very sharp and clear even with a big swell and whitecaps sweeping across driven by the winds. Out one side I see the cone of Mount Taranaki in the distance, while out the other window the Seaward and Inland Kaikoura Ranges look magnificant - their winter snows already starting to recede thanks to the warming fohn winds. Ahead is the wide Wairau Valley and the labyrinthine tentacles of land that make up the Marlborough Sounds.

A few more bumps over the ranges and gorges behind Nelson then clear views of Tasman Bay, the checkerboard that is Waimea Plains and more mountains ahead. Further ahead is a looming mass of cloud stretching as far as the eye can see - the effect of the westerlies running up against the mountains. Before long we are skimming the tops of this cloud and getting bumpy while in the cloud and smoother when just above it.

Eventually it is time to descend into the whiteness - hoping the pilots know exactly where we are and not flying us straight into a mountain. We have a lot of big bumps going through the cloud until suddenly we burst out under it only a few hundred feet above the sea bordered by wild cliffs off to our left. We fly along the coast for a few minutes before seeing the flats around Westport. Final approach is across the Buller River (see the huge surf on the bar at the mouth), buffeted by the strong winds, and suddenly we are down, right beside a beach with some farm paddocks at the end looking lush as ever in this sodden place.

Another small airport - the building is even smaller than Oamaru. We are in between showers but the wind blows hard as we deplane. The roar of the nearby surf drowns out the calls of friends and family greeting the pax.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Wellington to Timaru (WLG-TIU) on NZ Beech 1900D

Another day, another flight. Head to the lovely NZ domestic Koru Club lounge at Wellington, BP in hand. Get a nice surprise in that the seasonal specialty beers are back - a very big selection currently with 27 different ones! Burp. Oh yeah and half a dozen wines and selection of spirits. 3 different fruit juices plus the sodas/soft drinks on tap.

Food is the usual good stuff. This time there is a hot tomato-ey chicken dish with rice, salad, cheese, cold meats, bread rolls, scones, lamingtons, tarts (no I'm not calling any punters this, I mean the sweet food), carrot cake, fruit selection.

I think the boarding call in the lounge was a bit late since less than a minute later (while I was on the way out of the lounge) I hear "Kiwi Flyer flying to Timaru, this is your final call". Get to the gate downstairs (this time not on the finger pier so only a moment's walk away) to be greeted with "Kiwi Flyer I presume?". As I board the door is swung shut in behind me. It is a totally full flight - 19 pax plus infant.

We have a short taxi out to the runway, followed by a short take off roll. This time we bank right away from the central city and follow the eastern edge of the harbour - giving good views of the fold hills and valleys between Wellington and Wairarapa, and glimpses of the plains beyond. Despite being a windy day there are very few bumps. Before we climb through the high cloud we have good views across Cook Strait to Marlborough Sounds, the Wairau and Awatere Valleys with their multitude of vineyards laid out across the valley floor, the various colours of the Grasmere salt works ponds, and of course the mountains that appear to leap from the sea.

We spend much of the flight above the cloud layer and only catch glimpses below, of the sea, Akaroa Harbour (the little French town at its head), the shallow expanse of Lake Ellesmere flanking the volcanic cones of Banks Peninsula, and the patchwork of the Canterbury Plains.

After nearly an hour we descend through the cloud and emerge over South Canterbury - the dairy factory towering over the small settlements and farmland. We fly straight in to Richard Pearse airport - named after the early aviator who flew, supposedly a year before the Wright Brothers, across some paddocks very near to the current airport. As we approach I see the sweep of the bay around which Timaru is based and the rolling hills in the distance which mark the end of the plains.

Timaru airport's terminal is fairly small, but bigger than Oamaru and Westport for example. Still limited amenities (toilet, plenty of chairs, get cold drinks from check in, hot drinks from vending machine).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Auckland to Wanganui to Auckland (AKL-WAG-AKL) on NZ Beech 1900D

It was a wild stormy dawn as I head out to the airport again. I left early, hoping to get some work done in the lounge. As usual, quick check lived up to its name and I was off to security in seconds, 2 BPs in hand. For the first flight I had a choice of a few seats so was quick to move back from 2A which I knew to be windowless. For the return flight I had no seat choice - indicating either the flight is totally full, or conversely that the flight is almost empty and seat selection is restricted for reasons of balance.

Security took longer than normal - 2 minutes instead of a few seconds, thanks to Mr and Mrs Infrequent Flyer ahead of me. Not only did they take their time over divesting pockets, but inevitably the WTMD beeped. Mrs IF exclaimed "oh that always happens to me" as I see all the jewellry, studded belt and high heels still on her

Never mind. The lounge is just opening when I arrive, but I am dismayed to find that the computer problems of the previous day are still not fixed. Internet access is patchy at best - mostly timing out. I consider heading over to the Qantas Club in the terminal next door, but decide against it. Despite the proximity it takes a few minutes walk to get there, thanks to the roadworks and construction going on between the terminals and the new walkway layout, plus the lack of calls for NZ flights combined with gate being at far opposite end of the domestic terminal means there is a risk of missing flight and not much time to work on the computers after all.

So I settle in to reviewing some papers over breakfast and a coffee or 3. Eventually the flight is called. As I head to the prop gate I notice the screens do not show boarding or any other message typically seen when boarding is underway/soon to be announced/completed. But it seems I am the last pax when I reach the gate.

I boarded in the nick of time - moments later a cloud bursts with a downpour which would surely have soaked me and set me off on a bad mood for the day had I been caught in it. We taxi a short distance, entering the runway less than half way along, accelerating as we do so. I guess they wanted to take off quickly in case the poor visibility or developing surface water caused delays. Within moments we are enveloped in the cloud. There are surprisingly few bumps.

The first half of the flight we are in cloud - seeing nothing but white. As we head south we eventually break free of the storms and pass over a sheet of low cloud cover. It isnt until a few minutes before landing we see anything of the countryside below, breaking through over the rolling hills north of Wanganui, the tortuous course of several rivers below us and ahead the small city spread out before the waters of Cook Strait. The approach is a pretty one, low over the Whanganui River, low hills on one side and surf beach a short distance away on the other side.

For the limited number of flights (just a few to Auckland) each day, I am surprised to see a cafe in the terminal.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

... continued ....

The weather in Wanganui is much better than in Auckland. It is rather windy and a bit chilly, but the low wind-torn clouds look too small to produce any rain. So I decided to walk into the city centre instead of getting a cab. It is a pleasant walk through the countryside - lots of different animals, farms/lifestyle blocks, a gallery and assorted rural stuff. Pass Patiki Pa, scene of battles long ago (both between Maori tribes and also between Maori and European). After 20 minutes or so the rest of the way is alongside the Whanganui River. The tide is heading in, with little bores evident. The wind gusting down off the hills alongside the river is shown by ephemereal ripples circling in the water. I walked up Durie Hill for a nice view over the city, and took the 90 year old elevator down the bowels of the hill.

Across the river and wander through the old (well for NZ anyway) city centre. It is faintly reminiscent of Blenheim, but crossed with the slow decay of Te Kuiti. The old buildings look nice and the town is quietly alive. I take a look at Cooks Park, where in years gone by so many famous (in NZ) middle distance runners raced and set some records. Sometimes it is nice to step away from the normal pace of life and explore like this. Eventually it is time to head back and I decide to walk that too. It takes 30-45 minutes from the town centre, depending on how fast you walk, maybe more if you stop to talk to some locals en route.

Some of the tranquility of the walk out is lost however when I pass the pistol range which is being well used at the moment (coincidentally the Wanganui mayor has recently talked about getting a gun in one of his newpaper columns, at least I hope it is coincidence ).

No need for me to check in since I already have the return boarding pass. The terminal seems huge for the dozen or so pax already here when I arrive. More follow me in - a great benefit of these small airports is the ability to check in very close to departure. Yes the flight is almost full.

The weather has improved somewhat for the return flight, so we get glimpses of the rugged hill country as we fly back north. Alas it is still bad in Auckland as we dodge the storms to land.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Auckland to Tauranga (AKL-TRG) on NZ Jetstream 32 (J32) operated by Air National

As I again head to the airport it promises to be a fine day, with just a hint of early mist over the fields by the harbour. I check in using the quick check machines. As is my habit I select change seats even though I am happy with the seat I have already, and notice from the seat map that the aircraft type has changed from when I booked when it was a Beech 1900D. Aircraft type changes aren't too common with Air New Zealand's domestic routes, but happen enough that I pre-select an "A" seat so that I get a window and aisle regardless of whether the aircraft is Beech 1900D or Jetstream 32.

As an aside, the NZ website is annoying in that it has several different booking engines, each providing slightly different functionality. Want to pre-select a seat online for domestic or shorthaul flight? Then you need to use multi-city booking option, but this removes access to internet only fares and the option of paying by airbucks (NZ Airpoints Dollars - ie an award flight). The default engine for domestic and shorthaul flights does not provide seat pre-selection, so you either have to trust to the computers or have to ring up NZ and request seat(s). I find I get the best seats most consistently when I ring up NZ (since I know what to ask for, thanks to FT). I get reasonable seats most of the time (except peak business flights) when I let the computer default and I have my Airpoints # associated with the booking, thanks to my status. I get okay seats, but not as good, when I have other *G numbers associated with the booking. Checking in early using the quick check machine I can improve my seat perhaps 30% of the time. Note I haven't yet been able to use NZ's on line check in which is slowly being rolled out, due to the many requirements of that (booked after certain date, booked only at NZ website, only certain routes, etc).

Checked in, I head for security, noticing for the first time there are some quick check machines right in front of security - wonder how long they've been there? Through security in a few seconds and I head into the lounge for breakfast. A relatively poor selection today - the usual toast, muffins or crumpets plus jams and marmite and vegemite, muesli, pears and plums, some greasy looking sausages. As usual only one coffee machine is set up, but the lounge is fairly quiet so not much of a queue for coffee (there is also a coffee pot for those who can't wait). Sorry I forgot to check the wines and beers this time. I fill in the short interval before the flight checking some emails and posting to my blog before I hear the call for boarding.

It takes me a few moments to log off, and mindful that the boarding call appeared to have been made late I scurry back through the terminal past all the people milling around check in and the prop gate lounge. I make a mental note that when it is a nice day it may be better to walk outside the terminal to get from one end to the other. For a change I get one of the closer prop gates - somehow I seem to get the far ones most often on stormy days when the wind and rain howl through the temporary walkway to the gates, the ongoing terminal construction work not quite managing to protect me from the elements. Anyway I board and take my seat. The flight is only half full. Even though everyone has boarded, we have a small delay for the bags to arrive and be loaded. The aircraft rocks each time a bag is thrown in the back.

Once loaded we are soon making a short taxi and take off over South Auckland. It is a while since I have taken off in this direction in a prop aircraft and so I enjoy the views over the isthmus with the waters of the twin harbours like the arms of lovers reaching for each over. The Hauraki Gulf is sparkling in the sun and in the background the Coromandel Ranges are clothed in a thin blanket of cloud, draped like a shawl in the cool early morning.

Approach the Kaimai Ranges we climb through the thinnest layer of cloud I can recall. Unfortunately this means the ranges themselves are obscured from view. On this short flight (some 20 minutes airborne) we soon descend down the other side and into clear skies. We fly low over the harbour and a short distance out to sea. There is the gentlest of waves lapping the shore as we turn past The Mount and land from the sea. We have a very short roll for landing, but since we were halfway down the runway on touchdown we have to turn to taxi back to the terminal.

For those with a little time to spare on arrival (or departure), I suggest a visit to the nearby Classic Flyers Museum - just a couple of minutes walk or drive from the terminal back towards Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, and open 10am to 4pm daily.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Tauranga to Auckland (TRG-AKL) on NZ 1900D

As I head to the airport I notice there is a lot of activity in the skies. Several light aircraft flying around, 2 are either practising formation flying or taking aerial photography/mapping since they are cris-crossing the skies sometimes wingtip to wingtip and sometimes nose to tail but never more than a few metres apart, a helicopter is also buzzing around the airport grounds at low altitude - seems to be pilot training. There is also not one but two Air NZ aircraft on the tarmac, a Q300 as well as the Beech 1900D I will be flying today.

I check in but am unable to change seats. Thankfully I had preselected seat in row 3 (the first 2 rows having no windows). The terminal reminds me a bit of Gisborne - fairly small but big enough to have a cafe as well as general seating area. There are seats and tables outside in 2 areas, one fenced off by the apron and another between terminal and control tower. I like airports that have somewhere you can sit outside on a nice day watching the activity, wind in the hair and take a few moments for some pleasant day-dreaming. Even better at times like this for a nice escape from the full terminal before the 2 flights board, although I do take care to re-enter the terminal in time to hear any boarding announcements (an incident earlier this year where I was outside the terminal and didn't hear the call and so red-faced boarded very late with everyone watching me was still fresh in my mind!).

We take off over the fairly new harbour bridge and city centre. As we climb we get great views of both sides of the ranges, mainly horticulture (wines, kiwifruit etc) on the bay side and mainly farmland on the Waikato side. We fly over the Forth of Thames and get a few bumps when descending through the building heat clouds over the Hunua Ranges. We do a circuit of the Manukau Harbour to land past the international terminal. Being the middle of the day, this is a great time for anyone spotting as the asia flights have mostly arrived and yet to return. Alongside the usual array of Air NZ, Qantas, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Air Tahiti Nui, the Atlas Air freighter, etc, I spot an uncommon sight for New Zealand of a Japan Airlines jumbo parked up on the remote stand. Japan Airlines doesnt normally fly to NZ, instead codesharing with Air NZ. I wonder why it is visiting?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Wunala Dreaming has advised the JAL flight was a charter from Fukuoka (cough).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Auckland to Christchurch (AKL-CHC) on NZ A320

Back at the airport once more and I check in at the desk since again quick check isn't working for me. Since the main trunk flights (between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch) are operated by 737s and seeing I had been allocated (thanks to my status) bulkhead window row (with narrow seat and no legroom) I asked to switch to an aisle and was given a seat further back.

For once there is a queue to get through security stretching back almost to the check in counters (ie about 30 people), but it moves quickly despite only one lane being open. In the lounge I notice the flight number is in the 900s and checking my suspicions on the computer realise that between booking and today the flight has changed from a 737 to an A320 (rare on domestic flights). My heart sank when I realised I just gave away a business seat. So I ask at the desk inside the lounge if I can switch back. I can have one of the business aisle seats. Now why wasn't I offered that at check in? At least I'm back in a comfy seat.

A grab a coffee - for once no queue at the one machine operating and read the paper while waiting for the flight. We board on time but there is a delay (unexplained) to push back.

Once airborne we are soon through some clouds and above them in bright light. No view today.

I've gotta go for a flight - more soon.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Auckland to Christchurch (AKL-CHC) on NZ A320 continued

Despite the cloud the flight is smooth, even when we descend through it on approach to Christchurch. We make up a bit of time en route.

This is my first visit to the Koru Club since it was renovated, having been closed on my previous NZ flight out of Christchurch (and flying Qantas subsequently). The lounge is quite a bit bigger than before but still moderately full in the main part (the new corner bits are less full). It reminds me how crowded the lounge used to be. The lounge has been done in the new bach look ala MEL. Quite nice.

The 16 different beers are still here, plus several nice wines and the usual array of hot and cold food. I partake of some refreshments while waiting for my next flight to be called.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Christchurch to Hokitika (CHC-HKK) on NZ Jetstream 32 (J32) operated by Air National

When I checked in I found my flight had been changed from a Beech 1900D to a Jetstream 32 operated by charter airline Air National. It seems that Air NZ is experiencing considerable growth in the secondary and tertiary domestic markets, judging by the rapid increase in the number of flights switching to Air National. I wonder why they don't get more small aircraft? Perhaps it is all part of their outsourcing strategy?

Anyway I digress. The boarding call in the lounge is made unusually early, due to the gate not being one of the usual prop gates downstairs from the lounge, but instead the satellite terminal - a reasonable walk past the Qantas part of the domestic terminal, and I'm sure in winter it would seem to be in Siberia.

The boarding call answers my silent question as to whether the flight would go ahead, for heavy rain is forecast today on the West Coast and some doubt as to whether it would arrive before or after our flight. There was even a small chance of being stranded in Hokitika, much like I was in Queenstown recently, with the aircraft stuck and unable to take off in bad weather. (Like Queenstown, Hokitika is fairly close to the Southern Alps albeit on the other windward side.)

As we wait in the satellite terminal I noticed I had been allocated a seat which doesn't exist on the J32 (or the Beech 1900D for that matter)! I wonder how that was even possible? Never mind, it looks like flight will only be half full so I should be able to get a good seat - at least as good as any seat on this aircraft (for the pitch is rather tight, and the first row requires 90 degree turn to look out the window). Once the baggage is all loaded and all passengers are in the satellite terminal we cross the tarmac and enter the aircraft from the steps at the rear. As I walk across I see an Australian Air Force plane land, unmistakeable due to the very different paint job compared with the NZ Air Force planes. I wonder what it is doing here, perhaps readying for potential assistance with the developing situation in Fiji should the need arise?

I grab the centre forward seat so I can get a good view through the pilot cabin (dang FT censor) - as good as any jump seat. Woohoo. The pax across from me is a nervous flyer, and not at all calm having missed her earlier flight due to boarding the wrong a/c (obviously the boarding pass check on the tarmac was deficient). I try to reassure her as best I can.

With our position at this end of the terminals and the east-west runway in use, we have a very short taxi. For the initial climb I can only see sky and cloud ahead, and turning my head I see the patchwork of the plains. However still interesting to see the "action" in the pilot cabin and so I find myself ignoring the rest of the paper. As we pass over the foothills of the Southern Alps we level out at 13,000 feet - only a little higher than Aoraki/Mount Cook a little to our south - and I have a forward view of the cloud mass with glimpses of snow-capped mountain seemingly only a short way below us.

We soon reach the divide and start our descent and the view from all sides is whiteness, with rain being driven up the windscreen and side windows. The radar shows clearly the mass of the mountains as we descend through a valley and make several turns on approach. The landing gear is lowered and still no change in the view. Eventually we reach 300 feet with the radar a mass of pink and the pilots abort our landing with a steep climbing turn.

Several minutes later they announce we are indeed returning to Christchurch as the weather is too severe to land at Hokitika and no prospect of improvement in the near future.

On the flight back we climb to 16,000 and hold briefly before descending the other side. Ironically the higher altitude is bumpier, although nothing severe. During our flight the cloud has retreated closer to the divide meaning clear skies over the foothills and plains. The vast plains stretching out to the sea in the distance and for a long way to the right and left. The volcanic craters of Banks Peninsula sprawled out like a lazy adolescent behind the city shining in the bright sun. For a while we track directly towards the runway, but turn and circle to land towards the west.

Shortly before landing the captain announces passengers will have other arrangements made tonight (euphamism for being put on the evening bus) and should go to a certain counter on landing.

The nervous flyer beside me is just glad to have touched down, albeit feeling rather jinxed.

Thus ends one of the longest prop flights I can recall (at about 90 minutes) and my first return to origin flight in a long time.

 

[serfty]

... Thus ends one of the longest prop flights I can recall (at about 90 minutes) and my first return to origin flight in a long time.

I once took 1:45 to travel from MCY to BNE in a Shorts. This was due to an Electrical Storm passing over the City and airport. I think we went via Toowoomba. Was an extremely bumpy journey; quite invigorating really ..

The scheduled flight time was 0:25 but at least we ended up at our destination, not the origin.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Follow up. With the cancelled flight my next sectors got auto-cancelled, which was picked up at the gate when it wouldn't let me board. Fortunately the flight wasn't full. Unfortunately I lost my seat (which I'd only changed to earlier in the day) and got reallocated the best available seat - you guessed it, back in the bulkhead row

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I once took 1:45 to travel from MCY to BNE in a Shorts. This was due to an Electrical Storm passing over the City and airport. I think we went via Toowoomba. Was an extremely bumpy journey; quite invigorating really ..

The scheduled flight time was 0:25 but at least we ended up at our destination, not the origin.

This wasn't quite as bad as that (for starters not much turbulence) - 35 minutes scheduled time (normally only takes 25 minutes).

 

[Altair]

Hi Kiwi Flyer.
I must be like you as I have my nose glued to the window whenevr I travel, especially over NZ. It can be a bit frustrating as it took me 7 goes to see Mt. Taranaki when flying the WLG-AKL route.
Oh what is your most "spot"? Mine was flying ICN-LHR when I spotted the Great Wall of China.:shock: :mrgreen:

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Mt Taranaki is often hidden in the clouds! I probably see it more often flying from Australia/Asia into AKL than domestically.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Auckland to Taupo (AKL-TUO) on NZ Beech 1900D

After a string of recent weather disruptions I was pleased that today the weather was clearing and merely a bit cloudy. I use the quickcheck machines. Again not much seating options to choose from, but at least I see the 1-1 layout of Beech and not 1-2 of Jetstream. I decided to pick the right hand side which should have better views.

Through security and into the lounge. I check FT and some emails while I wait for the flight. The mid-morning selection of food is several types of cookies, savoury scones (corn and kumara - yum), chocolate muffins, fruit basket, vegetarian mini-quiche. For once no queue for the coffee machine, and I forgot to check the beer and wines (sorry). A bit later the food switched to salads, cheese, rolls, cold meats, still with biscuits and muffins and fruit. The soup seems to be gone now from the NZ domestic lounges (QF still has it in their NZ domestic lounges), but at least there is a large variety of fresh food and contents change regularly throughout the day ^

There are a few flights at the same time as mine and these are called but not Taupo. Several minutes later Taupo is also called and I make my way to the other end of the terminal. Along the way I see part of the domestic terminal revamp has already reopened - some shops in the bit between NZ and QF terminals.

I'm the last to board and take my seat. The flight is 3/4 full, not bad for off-season. We taxi out behind a Q300 and take off to the southwest. Unfortunately it is reasonably cloudy at low levels so even though we fly in bright sunshine there are only glimpses of lush green farmland and some towns below, until the cloud breaks up a bit closer to Taupo. The central volcanoes of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu are standing tall above the clouds; with a thick fresh blanket of snow.

We get a couple of small bumps descending through the clouds and break out over the farms and forests north of Taupo. The dozens of steam plumes clearly mark out Wairakei Valley (as do the many pipes for the geothermal power stations). As we approach the township I get a great view from low altitude of the Huka Falls on the Waikato River, and out past the town to the vast Lake Taupo which is choppy today in a brisk wind. While much colder here than the Hauraki Gulf, there is a big flotilla of yachts racing in the bay.

We land across paddocks and gorse filled gullies at Taupo airport, according to some one of the most dangerous in the world.

Scattered around the terminal are about a dozen light passenger aircraft and helicopters, plus some top-dressing a/c. The terminal itself is small (with outdoor viewing and picnic area) with a cafe that opens only for a few minutes when flights arrive/depart and 2 car rental counters that do likewise. There are several seats and tables scattered around. I imagine in busy periods the terminal would get totally full, and even the carpark outside is fairly full with car rentals at the moment.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Taupo to Auckland (TUO-AKL) on NZ Beech 1900D

I arrived at the terminal slightly early and saw a Jetstream land. Oh oh. Fortunately it was for the Wellington flight and soon after the Beech landed.

As with most puddle jumper flights the a/c turns around very quickly - 15 minutes. Boarding was called and we walked across the tarmac. Unusually no check of BP by a pilot (and none in the terminal either by check in person). Since the flight was full I guess they figured it would be easy to tell if they have everyone?

We took off towards the volcanoes and banked sharply at low altitude across the lake, heading past Taupo and the steam plumes of Wairakei. Before long we reached extensive cloud cover and so no views until we descended over Manukau Harbour. There were lots of small showers around the peninsula, a pilot being kept busy turning the wipers on and off and on and off - not sure why they didn't just keep them on?

Once on the ground a Great Barrier Air small a/c took off followed by NZ Saab, Q300 and 737 (yes still some left), then a couple more flights landed - another Great Barrier Air a/c (that must have been their whole fleet in the space of a couple of minutes) which was chased in by a NZ 767 and a NZ 747. Other than a A320 that is every a/c type in the NZ fleet just in the short time we are taxiing back to the prop gate!

 

[Altair]

Once on the ground a Great Barrier Air small a/c took off followed by NZ Saab, Q300 and 737 (yes still some left), then a couple more flights landed - another Great Barrier Air a/c (that must have been their whole fleet in the space of a couple of minutes) which was chased in by a NZ 767 and a NZ 747. Other than a A320 that is every a/c type in the NZ fleet just in the short time we are taxiing back to the prop gate!

Ummm....I guess Mount Cook Airlines (NZ Link) ATR-72 do not count?
By the way I was supposed to be on Taupo sailing this weekend but had to cancel.

 

[serfty]

... By the way I was supposed to be on Taupo sailing this weekend but had to cancel.

That would have been cold and damp! (more in relation to precipitation than the lake...)

You were lucky I guess ...