Tales from the South Pacific

NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL AVIATION - FLIGHT OPERATIONS.

dakota67 — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:59:00 GMT

This is intended to explain something of how we go about spreading fertiliser on our extensive hill-country farms. You may be surprised at just how productive our pilots and aircraft are.

"WINGSPREAD". # 06. Ramblings from the sunny South Pacific.

dakota67 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:06:00 GMT

Like the Sands through an Hourglass, so are the Days of our Skies. Much to read in this issue; and to ponder upon.

"WINGSPREAD". # 05. The continuing ramblings of a dinosaur aviator from New Zealand.

dakota67 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:58:00 GMT

Greetings from the South Pacific. Just another long discourse from the humble colony of New Zealand.

"WINGSPREAD". # 04. A rambling range of topics from the South Pacific.

dakota67 — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:59:00 GMT

This is the first for 2012. Some of the airline pilot readers may find the item on "Automation Addiction" of interest.

"WINGSPREAD". # 03. A further issue from a Neanderthal aviator in New Zealand.

dakota67 — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:25:00 GMT

This was intended to be Posted just prior to Christmas; but I move slowly these days. It may interest those who like a read and who tend to ponder on matters aeronautical.

"WINGSPREAD". # 02. A regular journal from New Zealand.

dakota67 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:05:00 GMT

This is the # 02 issue of "WINGSPREAD". Cobbled together by a dinosaur aviator now retired in NZ.

"WINGSPREAD". # 01. An aviation "E" journal for readers and ponderers.

dakota67 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:20:00 GMT

Merrie greetings from New Zealand. This is just the introductory prototype of an "E" journal I am cobbling together for my Email chums. But it has been suggested that I also Post it onto my "Tales from the South Pacific" site as there may be some others who might like to take a look at some of my ramblings.

Very best wishes for 2012 from we down here in our somewhat shaky islands.

"MEMORABLE FLIGHTS". An 'electrifying' Tasman Sea crossing by a TEAL Sandringham.

dakota67 — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:08:00 GMT

This is the tale of a cold-front penetration by a TEAL Short Sandringham. It is recounted by a chum of mine who flew with the RNZAF/RAF during WWII; Captain (retired) Maurice E. McGreal. I have added notes about the Sandringham.

"WINGS of TIME". Flying the Vampire Supplement by retired Air Commodore Stewart Boys.

dakota67 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:14:00 GMT

This finely written memoir by retired RNZAF Air Commodore Stewart Boys will interest those who wish to understand what it was like to operate this first-generation turbojet fighter.

"WINGS of TIME". # 10. The DH Vampire (Part Two).

dakota67 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:27:00 GMT

In Part Two, we consider the RNZAF's FB.5s, the DH.115 advanced trainer and an item on the Sea Vampire.

"WINGS OF TIME #10". The de Havilland Vampire. (Part One)

dakota67 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:08:00 GMT

This may interest UK readers as I have discussed the DH.100 Vampire and also considered the first-generation UK turbojets; the Whittle W.1 and Frank Halford's D.H. Goblin. In Part Two there will be interesting reflections on flying the Vampire.

"FROM CONFLICT TO KITCHENWARE". The disposal of New Zealand's WWII lend-lease aircraft.

dakota67 — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 03:04:00 GMT

This is the story of the fate of New Zealand's WWII lend-lease military aircraft and my memories of my boy-hood amongst these hundreds of fine machines.

"TRACK MADE GOOD". Captain Larry Olsen leaves the cockpit after 55 years of aviating.

dakota67 — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:36:00 GMT

This is the story of a New Zealand school chum of mine who flew with the RNZAF and then airlines until recently retiring. I believe that some readers will remember this modest man.

THE SEARCH FOR FATHER JOE WALACHY IN THE PNG HIGHLANDS.

dakota67 — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 02:14:00 GMT

This describes the extensive 1965 air search for a much esteemed New Guinea mission pilot; Father Joe Walachy. I have written a preamble to the excellent description written by the late Bryan McCook who died last year. It may interest those who have an interest in aviation history and Search and Rescue methods prior to ELTs and GPS.

WINGS OF TIME # 09. The Anglo-American austere, but admirable Auster.

dakota67 — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:35:00 GMT

This is my view of the Taylorcraft-Auster story and includes aspects of their history in New Zealand.