PROP TALK - INSIDE: NORTH SHORE'S HELICOPTERS FROM THE ARCHIVES BARRIER AIR'S NEW ARRIVAL - North Shore Aero Club
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PROP TALK
NORTH SHORE AERO CLUb BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE // FEBRUARY 2021
INSIDE:
NORTH SHORE’S HELICOPTERS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
BARRIER AIR’S NEW ARRIVAL
Contact the office if you would like to RECEIVE a printed copy of prop talk
PROP TALK CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 2021
Prop Talk is a bi-monthly magazine North Shore
published by North Shore Aero Club.
Views expressed by contributors are Directory .................... 3
not necessarily those of NSAC. From The Editor........ 4
Editor: Ian Couper Presidents
proptalk@nsac.co.nz Publication ................ 6
Compiled By: Campbell McIver & from the
Stef Gwilliam archives........................8
This Edition’s Contributors: north shore
David Saunders, John Punshon, helicopters............... 10
Daryl Gillett, Ian Couper.
barrier air’s new
Photo Credits: arrival ........................ 14
Front Cover: Larry Bennett
Rear Cover: Larry Bennett gnar .............................16
Backgrounds: Chris Opperman, Managers Memo...... 18
Steve Matheson, Jamie Davis,
Levi Daniel, Stef Gwilliam. north shore
helicopter
Front Cover: Robinson R44, on
the ground at North Shore. training..................... 20
nationals at
Rear Cover: Fleet of Helicopers
parked up. nzwl............................ 24
CFI Report.................. 26
Meet The Team.......... 28
nsac boneyard.........30
Milestones................. 31
2
North Shore Directory
Phone: 09 426 4273 | 300 Postman Road, Dairy Flat RD4 0794
President: David Saunders 021 115 4696
Vice President: Brent Hempel 021 194 5546
Treasurer: Andrew Crowhurst 021 266 6656
Secretary: Ian Couper (09) 478 6351
Club Captain: David Wilkinson 021 468 270
Patron: Stan Smith 027 477 5475
Committee: Roy Crane 021 340 654
Douglas Kruger 022 545 6968
Lloyd Morris 021 493 360
Stephen Jones 021 737 268
Rodger Coleclough 021 705 859
General Manager (A-Cat & Flight
Examiner): John Punshon Office Manager: Lynn Packer
CFI (A-Cat & Flight Examiner): Office Staff: Claudine Allen,
Daryl Gillett Stacey Olsen
B-Cat Instructors: Paul Ryan, Tim Bar Staff: Brian Clay
Marshall, Dawson Boles, Chantel
Strooh, Rob Graham, Andrew Groundsman: Caleb Hanham
Fisher, Jamie Davis
NS Helicopter Training: Roy
C-Cat Instructors: Ming Zhang, Crane
Brendon Frame, Hamish McGill,
Pierce Hargreaves, Campbell
McIver, Josh McKoy, Brendon
Sheehan
3
FROM THE EDITOR
IAN Indeed increased demand
COUPER from North Shore and Rodney
residents is such that in
addition to Fly My Sky offering
North Shore residents
up to 20 return flights a week
travelling by air to Great Barrier
in peak periods, Barrier Air
island have a stark choice -
has had to add a fourth 12 seat
either a 40 minute plus drive to
Cessna Grand Caravan to their
Auckland International
fleet. The airline now flies this
Airport - or a much shorter hop
quiet, state of the art aircraft
to North Shore Airport, where
twice daily, five days a week to
both Barrier Air and Fly My Sky
Great Barrier
offer a regular service to the
island. [ See article inside ]
island.
The Club’s application for
“increasing North Shore Airport to be given
demand from Airport Authority Status is
North Shore primarily to protect its position
and current status as an airport
and Rodney and the increasing demand
residents to from North Shore and Rodney
take advantage residents to take advantage
of services from the airport
of services highlights the value of the
from the airport to the club and
airport” more importantly the wider
community it serves.
5
PRESIDENTS
PUBLICATION
DAVID open days, Wings and Wheels
SAUNDERS and aviation get-togethers
in the aviation calendar to
participate in and enjoy.
Welcome to 2021!
I hope that everyone has had a
special Festive season for 2020
and that you were able to catch
up with family and friends as
best you could. Kiwis have been
so fortunate in that we have
been able to isolate ourselves
in our slice of paradise and
continue to enjoy a pretty The Great Northern Air
much normal life, compared Race, that was recently held
to the other parts of the world over Auckland Anniversary
that are still being ravaged and weekend, succumbed to the
disrupted by the coronavirus. coronavirus disruption. The
original plan was to hold the
I hope that you have been able race around Northland using
to get out and about, and get NZKK and Paihia as a base, but
in lots of flying in the great the recent community outbreak
summer weather that we have in Northland put paid to this
been having. As per this time of plan and it was decided on the
year, there are plenty of fly-ins, Tuesday before to pull the pin,
6 Images courtesy of David Saunders
and go to plan B. A huge effort been a long time since we
ensued , very ably led by Steve last opened our doors to the
Jones, to completely re-route public and it is long overdue.
the race using NZNE as the The plan is to display as many
base. It was a fantastic effort to different types of aircraft as
get all the planning, routing , we can, showcase the different
hospitality etc done in 3 days, users of the airfield and provide
and the GNAR was ready to trial flights to those interested.
go on time on the Saturday We will be promoting the day
morning. By all accounts it was to all the northern aviation
another fun-filled event that it clubs as a fly-in. We will need
is renowned for. The weather a lot of members to help to
was perfect and this made it all make this a successful day ,
the better. so please register your name
with reception or call Stacey or
Rodger if you can help, even if it
is only for a few hours.
Finally I would like to wish
the team going to the FNZ
Nationals to be held at West
Melton Aerodrome in mid-
February all the very best as
they represent the Northern
Region in the Wigram Trophy
The North Shore Airport Open competition and in their
Day is well under way with its individual competitions too.
planning. It will be held on Let’s hope they can bring home
Saturday March 27th. This is the Wigram and a host of other
a great way to pull members trophies too.
together and to showcase the
airport and the club to the Safe skies, David Saunders.
Hibiscus Coast and North
Harbour communities. It has
7
from the archives
IAN
COUPER a Club sign on East Coast Bays
Road – circa early-mid 1990s.
Former Virgin 737 check and
A youthful Andrew Fisher training captain Andrew is still
assists Dave Donaldson (far involved at the Club as a part
right) and club members erect time B Cat Instructor.
September 2007 and
construction of the Club
hangar is well advanced. Robin
ZK-UWZ is now ZK-TZI and
both it, TZG and TZK are now
resplendent in their new NSAC
colours.
In addition to the hangar
providing security for the Club’s
training fleet it generates a good
income stream from housing
members’ aircraft and has more
than doubled in value since
completion.
8 Images courtesy of Larry Bennett and Ian Couper
9
NORTH SHORE
HELICOPTERS
IAN
COUPER A year later he left the Air Force
and having gained his CPL
joined Wishart Helicopters as a
loader driver/training pilot. He
One time owner, operator and
completed his helicopter rating
Chief Pilot of “North Shore
in 1973 gaining helicopter pilot
Helicopters” Larry Bennett,
licence number 22 and became
now semi retired, continues to
the base agricultural pilot in
add to his 16,500 flight hours
Rotorua, flying the Bell 47 of
in his role as an A-Cat Flight
“Mash” fame.
Instructor and Flight Examiner.
Learning to fly in Wanganui
in a trusty Cessna 150 Larry
gained his PPL there and in 1971
started flight training with the
Air Force where his flight log
records almost 200 hours on
Harvards and Devons.
10 Images courtesy of Larry BennettTourism was in its very early
stages and in those early days
helicopter flying for Larry
consisted mainly of agricultural
work and supply dropping for
the NZ Forest Service, known
better today as DOC. Loads
often constituted timber for hut
construction and loads of metal
for track maintenance.
“Larry was
often called on
to carry out
an emergency
evacuation
company’s Bell 47 or Hughes
using one of the 500 helicopters. Neither
company’s Bell machine was equipped for such
47 or Hughes 500 missions and any seriously
helicopters” wounded evacuees would be
flown out on a stretcher secured
Formal air rescue services such (hopefully) to the outside skid
as today’s “Westpac Rescue and in some cases underslung
Service” were not in existence loads.
and Larry was often called
on to carry out an emergency Moving to Auckland in 1984
evacuation using one of the Larry flew the Westpac rescue
helicopter three or four days
and nights a week and a year
later formed North Shore
Helicopters, based at North
Shore airfield. An instructor’s
course at the Robinson factory
in the USA upgraded his licence
11to a B-Cat and an A-Cat followed Helicopters consolidated the
two years later. North Shore corporate management side of
Helicopters was fortunate the business, managing a fleet
in the early years to have of up to 13 advanced corporate
trained several of Auckland’s helicopters, including the
top business leaders who Squirrel AS350, Jet Ranger,
eventually went on to purchase BK117, EC135 and EC145. In
their own helicopters, which addition to advanced flight
the company was contracted training the commercial
to manage for them and to operations included Corporate
use commercially which had charter, Government surveys,
benefits for both parties. transport to gulf islands and
golf courses, water sampling,
In the mid 1990s the Abinito property and boat still and
training side of the business video photography and heli-
was sold off and North Shore fishing.
12A new hangar was built in serving member of the club
2001 to house the fleet and in he is supportive of the club’s
1997 and 2002 the company Airport Master Plan and
was awarded the contract to believes without adherence
spray the moth invasions in to it the club is in danger long
Auckland, utilising the BK117. term of losing its continued
Also from the early 1990’s Larry operation from the existing site
has spent time in Australia at Dairy Flat.
fighting fires, training pilots
to fight fires and giving type
ratings and pilot checks in the
bigger twin engine helicopters.
Larry sold North Shore
Helicopters in September
2011 and today keeps himself
occupied in his semi
retirement making good use
of his A-Cat licence and role
of Flight Examiner. As a long
13Barrier air’s
new arrival
IAN
COUPER
WITH THE INTRODUCTION
OF THEIR LATEST 12
SEAT CESSNA GRAND
CARAVAN BRINGING THE
FLEET TO FOUR BARRIER
AIR IS NOW FLYING FROM
NORTH SHORE AIRPORT
TO GREAT BARRIER
ISLAND TWICE DAILY, FIVE
DAYS A WEEK.
1415
photos from nsac’s annual
air race
courtesy of levi daniel & jamie davis
1617
MANAGERS MEMO
great opportunity for us fellow
JOHN aviators to indulge ourselves in
PUNSHON aviation for the day, and it is also
a wonderful opportunity for the
local community to see what
Happy New Year!!! Let’s start the club has to offer, find out
off by hoping that this year more about us and help build
manages to be a little better up the relationship we have
than 2020. with them.
It seems every 10 years or so, the “Although
aviation industry gets tipped
on its head. The early nineties COVID-19 has
saw the Gulf crisis, the 2000’s been by far the
saw 9/11 and hot on the heels of biggest upset
that, we had the GFC in the late to the industry
2000’s. Then just as it seemed
we were having a good run,
we have seen,
along came COVID-19. Although we can rest
COVID-19 has been by far the assured that
biggest upset to the industry we the industry
have seen, we can rest assured will bounce
that the industry will bounce
back, just as it has done time back, just as
and time before. it has done
time and time
On to more cheery matters, before”
many of you will know we
are hosting an Open Day on Rodger Coleclough and his
Saturday 27th March. This is a team have done an awesome
18Offers to
job so far with organising the
event but they will undoubtedly
Hangar Owners
be needing help, particularly
on the day. Anyone willing to The club would like to offer
volunteer to help on the day hangar owners the option of
would be much appreciated. having the grass and weeds
maintained around their hangars
Being a good neighbour is more by the Airport Ground Staff. For
important than ever and with those interested, this service
the recent controversy around will cost $40 per month. Those
our application for Airport interested may email;
Authority status, this is a chance office@nsac.co.nz
to give a little back to those who
may feel a little aggrieved.
On the topic of Airport
Authority status, the
Change in WIP
submissions have just been
released and make for an
Pricing
interesting read. It is quite
saddening that so many of the Due to an increase in
negative opinions are based on maintenance costs and the
nothing more than the fruits requirement for a new engine in
of people’s imaginations. That 12 months time, the price of WIP
said, there are a lot of positive will increase to $139 per hour.
submissions too. A big thank Further details can be seen in
you to everyone who supported the January Committee Meeting
the application process. Let’s Minutes.
keep our fingers crossed that
the Minister agrees and grants • This will become active as of
the 1st of March 2021.
the status without too much
• Pre purchase bulk deals will no
fuss.
longer be available for WIP.
• The club will honour the
That’s all for now, Happy Flying. existing bulk deals until they
have run out or expired.
19
19north shore
helicopter training
IAN muster cattle in Australia that
COUPER caught Roy’s attention and
set him on his chosen career
pathway. Today, having sold
his flight training and charter
Growing up in Sussex, England, business Orbit Helicopters in
Roy Crane’s introduction 2019, Roy continues as their
to aviation was through his CEO and Operations Manager
grandfather who, having with over 4500 flight hours to
maintained Lancaster bombers his credit.
during WW2 went on to form
the East Sussex Gliding Club
based at Ringmar. But it was “within ten
a documentary showing weeks of
helicopters being used to
commencing
training
he emerged
with a new
PPL”
Travelling through Australia
at the time, Roy set his mind
20 Images courtesy of Roy Craneexcellent pupil and within ten
weeks of commencing training
he emerged with a new PPL.
Having run a finance company
back in the UK, he then moved
to Canada where he gained his
Commercial Licence. In 2003
Roy was approached by Anne
on flying helicopters and in Robertson with a proposal to
2001 moved to New Zealand sell him a 50% share in the
where flight training was company. Roy took up this
considerably cheaper. North offer and in 2005 became the
Shore Helicopter Training, 100% owner of North Shore
then owned and operated Helicopter Training, operating
by John Clements and Anne a fleet of three Robinson R22
Robertson, found Roy to be an helicopters.
21A typical CPL entails 150 hours Business was good but flight training at a cost of following the global financial $95,000 of which a student loan crisis, flight training slowed will provide upto $70,000. In and in 2012 Roy sought to a typical year 5-6 students will improve matters by applying for and being granted NZQA approval. This was no mean feat and today the company remains the only Ministry of Education approved helicopter training organisation in the North Island. The company is now able to offer students the NZQA Diploma in Aviation and to provide government funding under the Studylink Student Loan Aviation Funding Scheme. 22
avail themselves of the loan
whilst up to a further cohort of Editor’s note: - Despite being the
students will train in a private second largest Aero Club in New
capacity. Zealand, NZQA approved and
professionally managed, NSAC’s
In addition to Ab-initio flight application for Student Loan
training in its R22s, Orbit Funding continues to be declined
Helicopters also offer VIP and by authorities, stating a lack of
corporate charters and scenic funding.
flights and tours, utilising its
modern corporate fleet of AS355
and EC145 helicopters.
23NATionals at nzWL 24 Images courtesy of Stef Gwilliam
Results...
North Shore
Aero Club -
2nd Equal,
Wigram Cup
Stef Gwilliam;
1st - Airways
Corporation Trophy
1st - Jean Batten
Cup
2nd - Wigram
Junior Landing
Cristoph
Berthoud;
1st - Wigram Non
Instrument Circuit
2nd - CAA Trophy
25CFI REPORT
effective we are at ensuring and
DARYL maintaining a safe presence
GILLETT within the community will be
a key component of our future
success and sustainability. Our
Judging by how things have safety policies are not only
panned out so far, I think 2021 established to keep pilots and
will be another interesting other airport users safe, but the
year. But if last year showed local population too.
us anything, it’s that we’re
resilient enough to overcome To an even greater extent the
considerable challenges when Police ‘Eagle’ Helicopter and
we encounter them. As well its crew hold an important role
as always strengthening our in keeping our communities
core functions, we will need safe. Often, they are required
to continue to diversify our to pursue vehicles along
interests. Threats, whether the northern motorway,
they are global pandemics, or among other thoroughfares,
the ever-present menace of which can and does mean
urbanisation, will continue to transiting through our circuit
jeopardise our position with environment and the local area.
increasing vigour. Change is Many of you will have heard
inevitable, and it is necessary them operating in and around
if we are to successfully defend the Auckland region, using the
what the club and our members call sign “Police 1”, or similar.
have worked so hard for.
The Police helicopter will
A primary area of required normally remain clear of
change and continual the aerodrome circuit, as is
improvement, is Safety required by all aircraft not
Management. It is an essential established in, or joining the
function of the club, and how circuit. But on occasion, if
members of the public are in
26mortal danger for example, to maintain heightened
deviation from the ideal might situational awareness when
be crucial. It is for this reason operating in and around shared
that, whilst we all appreciate spaces. When passengers are
the joint responsibility of pilots embarking, or disembarking
to uphold the requirements on the terminal apron
of Part 91 – to comply with (immediately north of the main
standard procedures, and club hangar apron), please be
to see and be seen – I ask vigilant of itinerant persons
that pilots be considerate of and avoid using that location
Police helicopter operations. for engine run-ups.
As circuit procedures are
designed to minimise the risk Notwithstanding the
of conflict, and under normal complications, by all accounts
circumstances must be adhered the Great Northern Air Race
to at all times, it may be most was a success. Thanks to Steve,
appropriate to remain clear of, Tim, and Christoph for putting
or vacate the circuit, if essential in a huge effort under trying
Police helicopter operations circumstances. I trust all who
are infringing. And remember, attended had a great weekend.
while it is not a substitute for
seeing and avoiding, clear We had a small, but
and concise radio telephony enthusiastic group of members
will help to ensure potential representing NSAC at the
conflicts are managed in a safe national flying competitions
and effective way. in West Melton last week. Well
done, stellar effort team, and
We’ve seen a significant congratulations to our place-
increase in the amount of getters! Competition flying is a
commercial/regular public bunch of fun, and a great way to
transport flights to and from hone your piloting skills. So
North Shore Airport this please look out for details of
summer. Given how busy upcoming club competition
Barrier Air and Fly My Sky have events which will be advertised
been, and as the aerodrome through all of the normal
manoeuvring areas at NZNE channels.
are so limited, we do need
Please stay safe everyone.
27MEET THE TEAM
Management
John Punshon Daryl Gillett
General Manager CFI
Ground Staff
Lynn Packer Claudine Allen Stacey Olsen Caleb Hanham
B Cat Instructors
Paul Ryan Tim Marshall Dawson Boles Chantel Strooh Rob Graham
Andrew Fisher Jamie Davis
C Cat Instructors
Hamish McGill Pierce Hargreaves Brendon Frame Ming Zhang Campbell McIver Josh McKoy
28NEW MEMBERS
North Shore Aero Club extends a warm welcome to our new members:
Nicko Scott Oliver-James Grant
William Taylor
Tanner Guo Claire Rose Martin
Jack Coleman
Jannik Wittgen Hamilton
Doug Moisuk
Sophie Kranz Jack Honing
Jack Taylor
James Gell Matthew Wynyard
Tim Riddell
Robert Hill William Gingell
John Kang
Craig Donaldson Chris Hewitt
Philip Coster
Hugo Donaldson Vince Yang
Clementine Bayvel
Sam Wallace Eitan Bi
Martin McMullan
Jared Came Arnauld Kindt
Andrew Lindsay
Cameron Dellaway Damien Chung
Committee meetings
All committee meetings start at 7:15pm
Upcoming committee 23rd of March 2021
meeting dates: 27th April 2021
25th May 2021
DRAFT AND APPROVED COPIES OF ALL MINUTES ARE PUBLISHED ON THE MEMBERS
ONLY SECTION OF THE NSAC WEBSITE ; THE DRAFT MINUTES WITHIN 7 DAYS OF
THE MEETING AND FINAL MINUTES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED AT THE NEXT
MEETING.
29NSAC boneyard
A collection of images taken by Ian Couper around NSAC
MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT PHOTOS FOR PUBLICATION IN
“AROUND THE CLUB”. SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO IAN COUPER AT
PROPTALK@NSAC.CO.NZ
30Milestones
Sam Cook - First Solo
15th December 2020
Adrian Roberts - First Solo
21st December 2020
Romesh Anandaraja - First Solo
23rd December 2020
Twan van Duivenbooden - First Solo
5th January 2021
31Andrew Wigney - First Solo
5th January 2021
Ian Schipper - PPL
6th January 2021
Zane Trevarton - First Solo
7th January 2021
Canon Delaney - First Solo
16th January 2021
32Paul Eichler - C Cat
26th January 2021
Alan Thompson - CPL
28th January 2021
Greg Feyen - First Solo
2nd Feburary 2021
James Harrison - First Solo
6th Feburary 2021
33Matt Dwen - PPL
8th Feburary 2021
Stef Gwilliam - PPL
9th Feburary 2021
Vince Jefferson - First Solo
21st Feburary 2021
Rinemare Holtzhausen - First Solo
21st Feburary 2021
3435
NORTH SHORE AERO CLUB Postman Road, Dairy Flat RD4 | Phone: 09 426 4273 | Email: office@nsac.co.nz 36
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