Tiger Moth Safari 2020 - Part 2

After a wonderful convivial evening at the Bamboo Garden, well oiled with a couple of quarts of Aviator lubricant, namely Pinot Noir, among friends, talking aviation and travel experiences, we were offered a shuttle back to our accommodations. A quick Google Maps check to our destination suggested we decline the offer so Murray and I forged our own path. Looked simple on google maps, and it was, but a few darkened streets with walkways across streams did test our navigation skills. We were most happy to see our motel appear just when we expected it to, so ended another first day’s fun outing for Murray and I.

Next morning saw us head off to the Cafe along the way that we had checked out the previous evening. Breakfast offered the best start to the day so like the rest of the team we arrived in time to checkout of the Motel then were milling around outside our rooms awaiting the first shuttle back to the ‘drome. This was via a close by service station for my 20 litres of Mogas to send me on my way southwards. Murray burning Avgas in the Cessna 152 had to refuel before departure so that allowed me spare time to relax and funnel my Mogas into the Pelican.

This done it was off to the MAC office to determine if Fairfield Downs was open and ok to drop into as we flew south to Kaikoura. Always one of my “must land strips “ when in this location. “Grass a bit long there at present so not good if you have spats on your aircraft” advised one of the instructors in the office who had been in there the day before.

Returning to the Pelican I passed this info on to Murray who had just taxied his aircraft back to the park beside me. We were then ready for dispatch to Kaikoura so I passed the info onto the TMC organisers and suggested we would depart for Kaikoura via Taylor Pass and see the others at Kaikoura. I was then first to become airborne off runway 12 and climbed directly to Taylor Pass while I waited for Murray to catch up. Approaching Taylor Pass I managed to avoid inbound descending traffic, heard on the radio but not visually identified, then got a wallop from a down draft in the lee of the Taylor Pass! Wow! Bit more wind up here than I realised but as I hadn’t heard Murray airborne I decided to track up to Fairfield Downs and reconnoiter there for Murray to catch up. This allowed me to visually inspect the airstrip and a check that the Lee wind conditions were acceptable for landing. Exciting stuff! NO cattle or deer on the strip, runway dry, grass appeared long but thinnly disbursed along the strip, no bumps or turbulence so I lined up for a landing and carried this out with a degree of excitement as it always is coming into land here.

I had just landed to the south when I heard Delta Papa Sierra ‘On frequency’ leaving Taylor Pass so I advised Murray that I had just landed at Fairfield Downs while I was waiting for him but was ready to get airborne again right away.
With the plan now set for Kaikoura we decided to avoid the Clarence River via Molesworth Station and veered out to the Coast at Wharanui where we also listened to some of the Tiger Fleet nearby, flying coastal also. Spectacular flying in smooth air with mountains to our starboard side and ocean to our port. Last year we had taken the inland route to Kaikoura and enjoyed the awesome scenery and remoteness of the inland Kaikoura Ranges, not always possible due to prevailing weather at the time.

Landing at Kaikoura as KRM, MAL, DPS had us efficiently arriving into the parking bay as we left runway 05, to clear the arrivals area for the following Tiger Moths. This was a surreal experience being on the ground to see the Tiger Moths arrive and park in a neat line for everyone to see. After chatting at the Kaikoura Aero Club for a while we arranged to be dropped off into the township for a quick look around and a coffee and pie 🥧 to top us off for the next leg to Hanmer Springs. A quick visit to be sure but enjoyable having our small group photo taken in the heart of Kaikoura for the record.

Onwards to Hanmer Springs had us again in fine weather to enjoy the passing scenery of farmland, mountain resorts and New Zealand alpine features. This year though our normal aerodrome was closed so we needed to alight on the Hanmer River Road Strip, where many of us had landed on the 2017 Safari. This engaged us well with local visitors who pulled up along the fence to observe the fleet's arrival, after a Tiger formation overflew the township.

Murray and I were then tasked with our overnight accommodation which suddenly presented us with a bigger mission than was expected. The town was booked out! Not only the Tiger Moth Safari but a school reunion plus normal summer booking had us seriously contemplating our tents for the first time on our many missions together! Perseverance paid off though and while we both searched frantically Murray was successful with a motel which had just had a cancellation as his call went in! We both nodded to each other during his conversation with the owner and the deal was done. When we checked in we were advised by the motelier that he had others on another call also wanting the room so he could have sold it many times over. Exciting stuff eh?

Walking around town in summer is always enjoyable in Hanmer Springs and that’s exactly what we did to checkout our dinner location for later on. Another convivial evening spent among the Tiger Safari members who arrive from all sorts of locations for these Safaris. Ireland, England, Finland, USA were among the countries I found were joining this year along with the broad geographical area of New Zealand once again being present.

A weather review and plan for the next day is always a briefing which is achieved during our meal and this indicated a weather pattern that would mean a restructuring of the plan for the morrow. Being a large group who had to cancel accommodation bookings and then rebook at the last minute elsewhere, had the group split into two. Tigers for Ashburton and the 'hangers on' at Timaru, to make accommodation aquisition easier.

Next day for Murray and I began with a requirement for 20 litres of Mogas for the Pelican to be uplifted on the way to the airstrip. With can in hand and backpacks over our shoulders we waved our host goodbye to set off in the direction of the roadside to walk or thumb a lift to the Caltex station about a kilometre along the road. As luck would have it another motel guest was just starting for the airport and offered us a lift! This was discovered to be Amanda’s dad who had had his school reunion in Hanmer Springs overnight and was off to the strip to bid Amanda farewell. Amanda was the Safari organiser. Small world eh?

Pickets and gear restowed in our machines Murray and I chattered to visitors who had arrived to see the fleet depart. A most enjoyable experience and a relaxed friendly way to interact with farmers, tourists and local helicopter ag operators.

We had chatted about our destination briefly but no firm plans had been formed so Murray and I flew south with the Tiger Moths and the remaining mixed fleet enjoying a low level sortie across the Canterbury Plains. Nearing Rakaia we saw the forecast weather was indeed in the area and confirmed the previous evenings plan separate into two groups to relieve the accommodation situation. Mike Alpha Lima and Delta Papa Sierra chose to keep flying and an inflight discussion confirmed a plan to proceed to Oamaru to refuel and determine our onwards plans.

Approaching Oamaru in showery conditions gave us a glimpse of the mountains to the west once past a couple of heavier showers around Waitaki. With this knowledge and weather not unflyable so far, we decided during our refuel, to fly onwards to Cromwell Racecourse, given that we had a return aerodrome and an enroute aerodrome to keep us safe, if the weather deteriorated.

Away we flew into the mountains gaining 5000’ as we stepped up approaching the mountain area ahead. This was encouraging to see we could gain this altitude without being limited by cloudbase. Via Ranfurly and a short dogleg via Ida Valley had us spy Alexandra so gave us the confidence that Cromwell was to be ok for our arrival. Crossing over Alexandra aerodrome we saw a layer of cloud ahead that had us wondering but we saw the Clyde Dam in clear conditions that in turn allowed us a normal descent into Cromwell Racecourse for another great day in the air! Awesome.

Murray was first to complete picketing his aircraft so in turn was first on the accommodation search. With his easy manner of interrogating the motels for deals and transport it wasn’t long before we had passed our overnight gear over the fence to await the moteliers transport arrival to collect us! Wow Murray, this is your life! It’s getting easier and easier to do this, isn’t it? I think you were born to roam. You could come back as a barnstormer

Placing our gear into the allocated room had us ready for action so away we went on foot to explore the environs and catch a bite to eat for lunch. Cromwell is a very friendly spot that I have visited a couple of times before so we decided that a wander around this small township would be an exotic way of seeking out the wonders of the river walkway back to our accommodation. There was only a brief stop for a passing shower that snuck up on us so we managed to do the whole walk which happened to finish conveniently at the Grain & Seed Cafe which enticed us in with their “coldie” advertising posted at their door. Back into Speights Country in one small flight from Hanmer Springs to give us a rewarding day of adventuring in the south!

Alas the cafe was closing for the day shortly afterwards so we adjourned to the Victoria Arms Hetel nearby which just happened to get us off the street on our homewards journey! This was a fortunate adjournment as we then arranged our dinner on the spot without having to venture out again in the changeable afternoon weather.

Another weather check for the next day’s planned journey took us into discussion about the route we would take and so Roxburgh, Gore looked good as DPS needed a fuel top up and Gore looked to be the most probable source for Avgas. With that plan in place our next morning dawned to a foggy Cromwell so it put us on a backfoot until we heard a helicopter transit above us and we rechecked the weather for dispatch. All looked like a day’s aviating was in store for us so we bid farewell to our motelier, hoisted our backpacks onto our shoulders and set off to the racecourse while the foggy weather dissipated around us.

An adventurous way to start our day in Central Otago so the plan was underway as we climbed through the aerodrome fence and walked through the long grass to our aircraft.

Gear aboard, we started and warmed our aircraft, did our engine run ups and taxied for departure on the shorter easterly runway, to make our way down river to Roxburgh. Airborne again on a brand new day leaving behind the last wispy fog patches as we turned right and flew via Fraser Dam to follow the Clutha River downstream to our next landing.

A magic morning this turned out to be with no cloud or wind to disturb our adventure down river so Roxburgh Dam came into view as we flew into downwind, joining for runway 34 which gave us a very pleasant view of the township beside the river.

With no one around on the airstrip our choice for transport into town was limited so we racked our brain to see if we could do the trip for coffee. Aha....phone the I-Site to get a heads up for transport options. They in turn offered “Mark, the grounds man at the school, runs a shuttle for bike track riders”. Whew Murray! That saved us having to stick our thumbs out on the roadside!

A very pleasant and relaxed morning tea / lunch at a local cafe restaurant had us topped up ready for the journey onwards, thanks to Mark returning us to our flying machines.

Leaving the Clutha River valley we emerged into Southland’s green, green countryside. A bit of a shock after living in the dryness of the North Island's rainfree summer which was also much the same down the east coast of the South Island.

A fabulous way to get our first glimpse though as we flew on to Gore for the refuel of Murray’s aircraft. We did hear one aircraft in the circuit there as we flew inbound so it didn’t appear to be very busy for our arrival but we did hear from the local pilot who was doing circuits there, that hearing us approaching made him very nervous as he was normally the only aircraft in the circuit!

“You lead Wally” was Murray’s suggestion as we taxied Gore for Te Anau / Manapouri. Having checked the winds aloft to be strengthening during the afternoon, I chose the route via Birchwood and Monowai thinking this would allow us lower level flying. It did give us reasonable in flight conditions but the winds aloft strengthened significantly as we turned northward to Manapouri which allowed Murray to overtake and get into the queue ahead of me due to my ground speed dropping to 45 kts at times! There were also a number of Tiger Safari aircraft arriving as well so our timing was spot on.

Great to be back here again, like an old acquaintance, as I have now been back for three of the last four years. I parked outside the Fiordland Aero Clubhouse as per our last visits and was happy to see Murray Hagen wave me into a suitable tiedown spot next to Cessna 180 Kilo Romeo Mike.