The Joy of Flight

It didn't start off as a ‘chest beating morning’ as New Year's day dawned but my review of the weather had said this would be the day to set out on a Pelican journey into improving and warmer weather to celebrate the unfolding of another year of adventure.

Observing many mud splattered vehicles passing us as we drove over the Rimutukas had me wondering if all would turn out as planned but as we approached the strip I realised that the mud was due to the La De Da concert at Daisy Farm the previous night where the rain had turned the field into a mud bath and gumboots arena.

"Hope the strip is OK " were my thoughts as we filled our mogas containers to send us on our way. The concert looked to have been held at the hangar as we observed a Tarmac full of vehicles, campervans and tents as we made our approach to unlock our flying machine.

Shifting the mob was a straight forward affair as it was now 10am and everyone was ready to move. With the odd small patch of sunlight beginning to appear as the low cloud lifted we refuelled, loaded and ranup, then Rob raced us to the next gate on his 4 wheeled farm bike to open the airstrip gate and wave us farewell.

Off into the New Year’s overcast with a positive thought that the weather will clear as we pass Ferry and allow us a great beginning to the new year. It did look a bit unfriendly as we crossed the coast but not long after the haze evaporated and the low cloud was left behind and we crossed Cook Strait in smooth conditions. Cape Campbell came beautifully into view confirming our decision to head south for some fun, instead of the north.

With fine smooth flying and good visibility, I elected to head up the Clarence which was clear and looked like a good day for the view. Well, this paid off handsomely as there was not a ripple in the air and the view was spectacular, with the barrenness of the countryside staring back as we passed along the valley with mountains above and river below and remarked to each other how remote it was and how near yet so far, for those who chose to live here to work and enjoy this country of ours. Only one homestead observed in its length but another aviator was out and about early as he passed below, no doubt enroute to the homestead strip we had observed... Muzzle Station?

Hanmer Springs soon came into view as we passed the last turn of the Clarence into Jollies Pass and the valley and pine forest opened up below as we descended across the valley and onto the strip.

With Roger away on his holiday, it was a quick walk into town via the road link I had checked out from the air, without telling my babe of the adventure so near! "Camping" is a foreign word but we have learned how to Pelican for a week with a day bag each. It was tie down the aircraft, pay landing fees and off with a trot, to the cabin I had booked, via the passage I had quickly checked out from the air. "Does road this lead to town?".... "yes", I confidently replied and so it did but the bend in the road among the trees, I thought led to a bridge, was in fact a ford where shoes off and cold water reminded me to do more research before bringing my babe with me next time...if there was to be such an opportunity!

The weather though was at least 22C, fine and windless, so I thought I had done well with the choice of destination for the day and the afternoon was so wonderful, we checked in, then away for a short walk in the forest before dinner and a couple of sundowners in the Hanmer village...a top spot for a holiday destination, as short as it was was planned to be.

A quick check on the evening’s weather forecast indicated that a southerly was due in next morning across the plains so if we were to keep up the plan it was an early start for the next day. With this in mind and enough walking for the day we collapsed into bed with sweet dreams of the next day.

As the day dawned and I pulled back the curtains for a review of the early sky, my first port of call was the Internet to review our plan for the way. This all accomplished and breakfast all done ,we were first out of camp...(almost) and setting out for Motueka with a quick walk to the strip (the longer way!)Preflighted and run up I observed that the weather was not far away so it was up through Jollies Pass into another brand new day.

Turn left at the first junction and follow the transmission lines through Molesworth cattle station and we were well on our way as we hummed along in the Pelican wondering how the day would unfold as the weather around Farewell Spit ( my hoped for final destination) was a little uncertain. Molesworth station is New Zealand's largest cattle station with around 10,000 head of cattle and spectacular to see in these conditions. Through Island Pass (an old stock route from Nelson to Canterbury and New Zealand's highest road pass at 1347 metres AMSL) as we were shooting the breeze and saying how lovely and spectacular this country is, we almost took the wrong valley so making a quick Uie flew into the throat of the Wairau River Valley for the flight across to Lake Station and St Arnaud. A bit of weather here had us climbing and ridge hugging on the right of the valley to allow us a turn in case the gaps we were expecting failed to appear. Weather behind very clear so still had a choice of return or divert. With a quick position report here to Nelson Tower and the latest weather in their area and anything 'on Motueka?' A helicopter pilot came back with a review of the Motueka area for us and we found the sought after gap in the layer and descended into St Arnaud and continued below the overcast via Golden Downs and OCTA to Motueka. Lovely smooth flying and great viewing along this route but I could see caution is required for wind and cloud so a really good review of the weather is necessary and essential for safe flying here. iPad map function works really well in these conditions and easier than the map spread out on the lap.

A day spent in Motueka was usefully spent with a trip on the bus to Kaiteriteri then boat to the Anchorage for lunch. A walk here gave us an interesting overview of the delights to take in on a future visit to the Able Tasman National Park....next year?

Another day dawning had me out of bed early, "can't wait to get going" so I walked out to the strip, preflighted, refuelled, ranup and back into town for breakfast and flight plan, weather review. This accomplished and weather looking better - excellent! It was ring for taxi to the airstrip, pay landing fee, load up and away under the overcast sky, around Able Tasman, Separation Point, Awaroa, Takaka (avoiding a descending Citation on RNAV Approach) ...to Pakawau then a short landing at Ferry Point strip for morning tea, fit life jackets before the next stage of the adventure!  "Where to next from here?" was the question..... "well, if the wind and conditions are ok at D"Urville, how about lunch there?" (Whoopee!)

With the wind virtually calm, the visibility good, it was back into the air again with a smooth push of the throttle forward to get the Rotax 912 to takeoff power, a quick scurry down the strip and we were away again on the next leg of the adventure. With the GPS logging times and the iPad accurately indicating our position we were confidently shortening the gap between Ferry Point and Greville Harbour as the Rotax purred smoothly and the weather stayed fine.

How nice to fly during a warm anti cyclonic pattern when the weather had been so cold and wet only a couple of days previously. A quick call to Nelson Tower to confirm we had made D’Urville Island successfully, so a landing for an hour was advised to the Tower. This would allow for a picnic lunch on the sand dunes (from our carefully prepared meal at Motueka) and still keep our SAR watch open for the journey.

With landing fees paid and scenery taken in it was a quick check of fuel levels and refit of life jackets then back we climbed in. A short taxi back and camera at the ready it was back down the strip and into the air, right into the climb, back over French Pass and away on the breeze, way over to Titahi Bay, Rimutuka Saddle and back onto the strip with barely a ripple all trip. It was duck under the control zone while we watched in awe as a couple of B737s shot over the top and joined final approach for runway 16 Wellington in beautiful conditions for all of us to enjoy.

A couple of ripples while crossing the saddle but no flying observed at Kaitoke allowed us a good view of the strip and made us appreciate what a great strip we operate off in the Wairarapa, Martinborough.

What a wonderful way to spend New Year’s day and the next few afterwards. Fortunately, my previous tiki tours to all these strips had allowed me the insight to plan such a trip, as this is the key to a safe, enjoyable trouble free mission. Lodging an Internet flight plan is a great way to go, especially for the overwater journeys and mountainous routes. Cancelling SAR watch has proven troublesome in places so after being too low for reception at times and unable to connect with cellphone, it is always on my mind as I approach destination to cancel in time and avoid the charges if I can't get through by phone once landed! No 0800 calls from cellphones now has also proven troublesome until I installed the selection of numbers in my phone.

I must remember to check walking distances from each strip to town....always seems so close from the air!  Happy flying and a great New Year to you all..

Wally Pendray