Peanut the Parakai Cockatiel, ZK-PNT? (seen here refuelling)

Cockatiel, ZK-PNT?

Peanut lives free range at Parakai Village, normally returning to his home at night.

Sometimes he visits West Auckland Airport (Parakai), where he flies non-radio and non standard circuits, lands where he likes, gets refueled for free and has lifetime free landing fees.

A skillful aviator, Peanut makes full use of his variable geometry wings and advanced airframe with all the lastest STOL equipment.

Tecnam 'Golf', ZK-EHG:

Owners by the Hauraki Aero Club at Thames, and the 'Golf' is seen here attending a Parakai Aviation Club fly-in.

Many Tecnam aircraft are the high wing versions, such as ZL-CDL and ZK-PAB training aircraft based at West Auckland, however, the low wing version is also popular and very similar in handling.

Tecnam 'Golf', ZK-EHG [PAC photo]

Alpi 300, ZK-MWL

Alpi 300, ZK-MWL:

Mike Leefe's very nicely presented Alpi 300, lives at Ashburton but covers a lot of ground around NZ. Mike is a retired NAC/Teal/Air NZ pilot, and his aircraft is painted in the old 'Teal' airline colours.

Seen here on a visit to Auckland, having the Rotax engine's carburettors pneumatically balanced at Leading Edge Aviation.

Jodel, ZK-DBY:

A 'D 11' model of Jodel, a fabric over wood construction aircraft popular with home builders.

Owned by Bill Izard of Omega Aviation at Te Awamutu, the Jodel is seen here at the Parakai Aviation Club 'Vintage Day' in Nov 09.

Jodel, ZK-DBY

Alpi, ZK-RMV

Alpi 300, ZK-RMV:

A retractable undercarriage Alpi, ZK-RMV is an 'Alpi 300 Pioneer' model, based at Kerikeri airport and owned by the 'Pioneer Aviators' group.

It was one of the (definitely non-vintage) visitors to the Parakai Aviation Club 'Vintage' event in Nov 09.

Avid Flyer, ZK-MMP:

Though obscured by the DynAero 'Clubsport' tail in this photo, it is still possible to see the large separate control surfaces on the trailing edge of the wings on Peter Karl's Avid Flyer, ZK-MMP.

Having the control surfaces separated from the wing and down in the clean airflow provides good control at low speeds, hence slow take off and landing 'STOL' characteristics of this Avid Flyer allow it to use very short airstrips.

Avid Flyer, ZK-MMP

Cessna 152, ZK-SSG

Cessna 152, ZK-SSG:

One of the North Shore Aero Club's Cessna 152 trainers, on a visit to West Auckland.

With North Shore airfield being only 10 miles to the East, West Auckland and North Shore aircraft often visit each other's airfields.

Zenair 601, ZK-JFN:

Colin Herrick's Zenair 601 is one of a popular model of advanced microlight with good performance, constructed from aluminium in the Czech republic.

They have the unusual feature of a luggage compartment in each wing.

Zenair 601, ZK-JFN

Tecnam, ZK-TEB

Tecnam, ZK-TEB:

Barry Ford's Tecnam 'Golf' is based at Collins Rd airstrip near Hamilton, seen here visiting accompanying ZK-DXO which was picking up a liferaft for a Tasman flight.

Cessna 172, ZK-DXO:

Jan Reekers' C172 lives at the Collins Rd airstrip near Hamilton. The airstrip is also home to the Waikato Microlight Club.

ZK-DXO is seen here visiting West Auckland to collect a liferaft in preparation for its flight to Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and Australia.

Cessna 172, ZK-DXO

Cessna 172M, ZK-DRM [Scott Jeanes photo]

Cessna 172M, ZK-DRM:

The Waitomo Aero Club at Te Kuiti has this Cessna 172, a 'M' model, seen here on a visit to West Auckland during one of the fly-ins.

Tecnam Echo, ZK-LJW:

ZK-LJW is on-line with the Hawera Aero Club, seen here doing a cross country flight to the north and stopping at West Auckland for a break.

This Tecnam is the same model as the Parakai Flying School's ZK-CDL but with a glider towing hook... click here to see a close up.

Tecnam Echo, ZK-LJW

Robinson R22, ZK-ISC

Robinson R22, ZK-ISC:

A Robinson R22 Helicopter owned by Lifestyle Aviation Ltd, Auckland.

Seen here doing a training flight at West Auckland.

Tecnam Sierra, ZK-PAJ:

A low wing version of the popular Tecnam aircraft, ZK-PAJ is based at Thames airfield. Here is it visiting West Auckland on a cross country training flight.

Tecnam Echo, ZK-PAJ

Mooney, ZK-DBK

Mooney, ZK-DBK:

A Mooney M20C owned by Don McMillan, and based on his farm near Kaikohe. Seen here on a visit to Auckland.

Don is one of the previous owners of ZK-TWT, the Parakai Flying School's Cessna 150 Aerobat trainer.

Europa, ZK-CHV:

A monowheel Europa 'XS' owned by Bill Sisley at Katikati. Seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

The big main wheel and small stabiliser wheels on arms, retract during flight.

Europa, ZK-CHV

Rutan, ZK-PND [Brian Millett photo]

Rutan, ZK-PND:

Dave Kilbourne's Rutan 'Varieze' ZK-PND is based at Tauranga.

At point of lift-off on runway 07. A canard design where the wings are at the back and the 'tail' is at the front. Seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Piper Sport, ZK-SXY:

The Piper Sport Sportcruiser is made by the Czech Aircraft Works, and is now sold under the 'Piper' name.

Owned Anton Meier of Aerosport Aviation, ZK-SXY is seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Piper Sport, ZK-SXY

Storm 300, ZK-VEE

SG Aviation 'Storm 300', ZK-VEE:

Robert Byal's 'Storm', ZK-VEE seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010, is based at Waihi Beach.

Corby Starlet, ZK-TNT:

The single seat Corby Starlet is seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Alfred Hirzel built and flies this nicely presented aircraft.

Corby Starlet, ZK-TNT

Yak 52, ZK-TYS

Yak 52, ZK-TYS:

ZK-TYS is a high performance aerobatic aircraft owned by the Thames Yak Syndicate, and based at Te Kowhai.

Seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010, being piloted by Evan Yates.

Lancair, ZK-MHS:

Norman Bartlett's ZK-MHS seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

The Lancair aircraft have large engines... note the size of the prop to absorb all that horsepower. This combined with a sleek structure provides a high performance aircraft type designed for fast and long distance travel.

Lancair, ZK-MHS

Glastar, ZK-MPO

Glastar, ZK-MPO:

Lloyd Morris's Glastar seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

The 'Glastar' is a high performance fibreglass composite aircraft.

Tecnam Golf, ZK-PPG:

Godfrey Smith's is a low wing Tecnam.

Seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Tecnam Golf, ZK-PPG

Tecnam Echo, ZK-THA

Tecnam 'Echo', ZK-THA:

Dale Charles' Tecnam is based at Thames airfield, and seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

ZK-THA is the same model as Parakai Flying School's ZK-CDL.

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-MTO

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-MTO:

Based at TeAwamutu, this Eagle autogyro is owned by D & P Hall.

The Eagle autogyro ZK-MTO seen here refueling at West Auckland on the 'Round NZ Air Safari 2010'.

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-KIW:

The Eagle autogyro ZK-KIW seen here refueling at West Auckland on the 'Round NZ Air Safari 2010'.

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-KIW

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-YOG

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-YOG:

The Eagle autogyro ZK-YOG seen here refueling at West Auckland on the 'Round NZ Air Safari 2010'.

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-OTM:

The Eagle autogyro ZK-OTM seen here refueling at West Auckland on the 'Round NZ Air Safari 2010'.

ZK-OTM has an enclosed cabin and fully cowled engine, which makes for a higher spped and better economy... plus more comfort.

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-OTM

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-ZEE

Eagle Autogyro, ZK-ZEE:

The Eagle autogyro ZK-ZEE seen here refueling at West Auckland on the 'Round NZ Air Safari 2010'.

Flight design, ZK-FDB:

The Flight Design ZK-FDB owned by Sports Aircraft Ltd, and based at Springhill airfield near Wellsford.

ZK-FDB is a composite aircraft with good performance.

Flight Design, ZK-FDB

Texan, ZK-TXS

Texan, ZK-TXS:

Fly Synthesis 'Texan' is a composite aircraft seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Ron Miller and the TXS syndicate fly ZK-TXS from Whangarei Airport.

(The apparent curve on the prop in this photo is a false camera effect).

Piper, ZK-EKB:

The Piper PA-28 is based at Napier, seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Many pilots learned to fly in this model of Piper, which was popular for a long time as an Aero Club initial trainer.

Piper, ZK-EKB

Zlin, ZK-OHA

Zlin, ZK-OHA: A Zlin Aviation Savage, owned by Lars Fellman, and based at his property at South Head.

Lars also has the Rotoway ZK-IOH helicopter.

The Zlin is based on the RANS S7 design.

Foxcon, ZK-PCF:

Peter Flood's composite aircraft, ZK-PCF seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Foxcon, ZK-PCF

ZK-Westpak Rescue Helo

ZK-Westpak Rescue Helo:

The Westpak Rescue Helicopter flew into the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

The big helicopter drew a crowd keen to see it up close.

Falco, ZK-TBD:

'Falco' aircraft have a moulded ply wooden airframe, and ZK-TDB is so well finished that it looks like moulded composite.

A fast aircraft, the Falcos were designed in the 1950s but look like a year 2000 design.

Seen here at the West Auckland Airport (Parakai) summer fly-in, Feb 2010.

Falco, ZK-TBD

Cessna 207, ZK-MDZ

Cessna 207, ZK-MDZ:

A large Cessna, MDZ is one of Flight Hauraki's aircraft that takes people up for scenic flights or aircraft charters from West Auckland.

ZK-MDZ is used when a large group wants to go for a scenic flight, or charter an aircraft to anywhere in NZ.

Cessna 172, ZK-DXQ:

Another of the very popular 4 seat Cessna 172s, ZK-DXQ is based at Whenuapai and operated by the Auckland Aviation Sports Club.

Seen on a visit to West Auckland.

Cessna 172, ZK-DXQ

Cessna 172, ZK-SBK

Cessna 172, ZK-SBK:

Operated by the Canterbury Aero Club at Christchurch, ZK-SBK is seen here tied down outside Leading Edge's engineering hangar while its crew enjoy the delights of Auckland City.

Piper, ZK-TGF: A very tidy newcomer to West Auckland Airport is Vaughan Davis's Piper PA-28-151.

Piper ZK-TGF

Next Page of Portraits

Previous page of Portraits

We'd like to add to this collection of West Auckland aircraft portraits. If your aircraft is not shown and you have a photo taken at West Auckland, or can improve the description, please send to:

Harvey@West AucklandAirfield.co.nz

Return to Home Page

[49]