Jess-b 420 Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Whist is bloody freezing back home, My New Zealand day starts with a bit of hazy sunshine and pleasantly warm air. The new Zealand summer may be waning, but I'm going to enjoy it, none the less. It really is a beautiful day for flying. In contrast to my previous flight with Edgar, Today I'm flying something a little smaller. Borrowing a Twin Otter from Mount cook airlines, I make sure I have the baton, (A drink with John is never just one Drink!) and head out the field to inspect my new friend. Cookie, as she'll be known for the flight, is in good order, looking almost factory fresh. It's clear that Mount cook look after her so I promise to do the same. This plucky little Twin otter 300 is only going to be with me for a short while though. Today's flight is short, lasting just over the hour if I fly as the Raven, however, after my last flight, which saw Edgar and I so excited about seeing a single small island, I'm in the mood fro a little scenery. so I plan to do a few touch and go's at a select number of airports. The flight plan see's me departing Kaltaia for the small grass strip field at Kaikohe (NZKO) 35nm away. From there I head down to the coast and the Parakai Aerodrome (NZPI). At 78 nm distance, it'll be my longest leg. Next up is New Zealand's biggest Airport, Auckland International (NZAA), before leaving the city behind for the country once again and Wharepapa South airport (NZES) and on to my final destination at Tokoroa. This routing is slightly longer than going straight, but hopefully, a lot more entertaining. Cookie for her part is eager to have a go, and after a quick preflight, It's in to the cockpit to get ready. Cookie comes with one of the Mount cook flight Attendant's Mandy. After we've made the customary jokes, she gets me a coffee. It comes with a little sandwich, that I'll happily munch down whist Mandy smiles a little to broadly. Looking at her thumb, I spot a ring. This is going to be a fun flight. Gulp! Cookie looks brand new. Normally I'd call for clearance, but as John Discovered , this is an unmanned aerodrome, so I check the wind, and with Cookie's engines purring, Call to let the traffic know I'm taxiing to runway 12. Time to Go. Ready to go, I announce my intentions and with Cookie leaping into the air, we bid a fond fairwell to Kaltaia. I'm fairly certain I see John on the tarmac as I climb waving us off. Goodbye Kaltaia Once we're up in the air, the New Zealand countryside unfolds below me and it's breath taking. Even though the North Island does't have the rocky mountains that made the Hobbit so watch-able, the rolling hills and fields a quite a sight below. My attnetion isn't quite where it should be though, as Mandy, now free from her seatbelt, brings me one of my secret Vices. A Gu pot. These little pots of chocolate dessert are to die for, and my pupils dilate just from smelling the contents. Mandy smiles at me the same smile as last time. I'm concerned,, but the Gu pot is good and I slowly savour each mouthful until it's gone. I thanks Mandy, making sure I'm touching my own wedding ring, hoping she gets the hint. Her eyes tell me she's not. As she heads back to the galley to get me another coffee, I keep an eye on Cookie and look out at the scenery, Below we're passing over a river that's full of silt. It's pretty nice to see the water below. the River below. Mandy fetches me a coffee, but before she can get comfortable I spot the airfield and poor old Mandy has to return to the cabin to sit for landing. Like Kaltiaia, Kaikohe has no ATC so I announce my position and intention to touch and go on runway 13. Airfield Ahead I'm surrpised to see that this little grass field is anything but small. As I touch and go I see the crosswind runway to my left. Long grass runways are a bit of a surprise. With the next leg due to be a long one, I come up with a plan to gent;y, but firmly turn down Mandy's advances. With Cookie climbing above the hills and heading out to the coast, I sit and tell Mandy all about Lynda, how long we've been together and how great she is. It seems to work as Mandy disappears back to the cabin after 10 minutes leaving Cookie and I with a bit of peace and quiet. Out over the ocean, well nearly. Mandy is still sulking as we approach Parakai Aerodrome. In common with the other fields so far. I make my radio calls to the traffic below and perform a very nice touch and go for the locals. They seem suitably impressed as Cookie is a lot bigger than the C172's they see here so often. Coming and going all at once. Mandy Stays seated for the next leg, mostly because as we approach Auckland, the workload goes up. Now I'm under ATC control and jockeying for space with 737's and above. To our left we spot Whenuapai Military base and curiously, a hot air balloon in the distance. Maybe the base commander is relaxing wit ha little ballooning fun, or the CIA just isn't even trying anymore. Is this the worse spy ever? Cookie really doesn't care though, and Auckland clear us for a touch and go on Runway 5R. The approach over the water is beautiful and As the runway comes into sight, I notice 5 R is just 5 really. The left hand runway, much like Gatwick, is more taxiway than runway these days. Auckland International. As we leave the hustle and bustle of the city, Cookie and I settle in for a long 77nm stint to our penultimate airport. On cue and still with a smile on her face, Mandy Joins me in the cockpit with a coffee. It's a good job she's serving Decaf. This time I don't feel so hit upon. Instead she tells me a bit about herself, and offers to show me around our destination. I don't decline, as it would seem rude, plus she's reassured me that showing me around is all she has planned. She seems true to her word, pointing out the sights from the aircraft as we fly, and I cna relax at last. Leaving Auckland. Passing over Hamilton The time passes quickly, and Mandy now seems more fun than Bunny boiler. she laughs though as I begin lining up for Wharepapa South airport. I soon see why. Despite it's big sounding name, this 'Airport' is just a single, short dirt runway with a single home sitting atop a hill. Taking a quick gulp of coffee, I set Cookie's flaps to 30 and hold my breath. Even Cardiff airport is bigger than this. We make it out with room to spare, and I'm glad that we're only 17nm from our destination. Cookie makes for the final airfield and Mandy starts tidying up the galley. All to soon, I'm passing to the East of Tokotoa town and lining up for landing. It's been an interesting flight, and I could have squeezed more than a few airfields in to enjoy, but I'm glad to heading into town later. With the runway in sight, I set up for a full flaps landing, because I know Mickie is waiting on the tarmac for me. So lets make show of it. The landing is short and taxiing in to the grass paddock, I see Mickie smiling with appreciation. I shut down Cookie, and meet Mickie to hand over the Baton. Mandy greets Mickie with a faint smile and whist she runs back to check the aircraft for her purse, I fill Mickie in on Mandy and her offer. He laughs loudly but offers to be on standby, should I need a bit of help this evening. I thank him profusely just as Mandy rejoins us. We head to the hotel, which Mandy also happens to be staying at, and as we get in to the taxi, she mumbles something about a club for this evening. I look at Mickie, who's only just stifling a laugh, ang gulp, loudly. It should be and interesting evening. 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hurricanemk1c 195 Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Nice story and shots Jess! Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,315 Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Haha, sometimes having the ring is a bigger inducement to dalliance, for those with wandering eyes and ways. It's really all your fault for just being a cutie, hope everything went well at the club and Mandy was well behaved. Great PIREP, enjoyed the T&G's, related screenshots and excellent choice of conveyance, considering your flight plan(plus I love the dh6). I like the scenery, I need to put that one on my rather long list of wants. Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hey Jess, that sounded a bit stressful for you, I'm glad you never showed Mandy the baton as she may have got the wrong idea. Okay, next time I will pay for Lynda too, she's been taking lessons on the quiet whilst you have been away. (Karate that is, not flying!) Thanks for getting us off to a great start to this section, I look forward to seeing the Twotter return to MT Cook as I may have to use it to fly down to Invercargill in a couple of flight's time, I look forward to Mandy meeting Sharon! Cheers, joe Link to post Share on other sites
rosariomanzo 545 Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Nice leg! Link to post Share on other sites
Jess-b 420 Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Nice leg! That's what she said. Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,013 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 A very entertaining pirep Jess but it does beg the question, does Lynda know how close you seemed to Mandy? Nice leg indeed, I'll tell Lynda. Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Bravo Jess! Loved the story, and the images.. and I do agree that the landscape around the northern island is breath taking even compared to the south Island. Oh, and while I was waiting for my ride out at the airport there were a few guys from Mount Cook Airlines around looking for their stewardess.. as it turns out she is the owners wife and they where less than pleased, although apparently not to surprised, to hear that she had gone clubbing with a pilot.... Link to post Share on other sites
Kasper 14 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 An entertaining read Jess. Lucky for you it was a beautiful but short leg - the flight that is not yours of course Link to post Share on other sites
J G 927 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I'm glad you never showed Mandy the baton as she may have got the wrong idea Hi Jess, It was me on the tarmac waving! Great PIREP, and well done on fighting temptation! Link to post Share on other sites
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