New Year Rollover, 2024-25

Not much has happened aviation-wise since my Auckland trip, but here are a handful of photos from December and January that are interesting.

In December, I got my first look at Air Chathams’ Saab 340A Freighter, ZK-CIW.

Saab 340A Freighter, ZK-CIW, operated by Air Chathams.

On one visit, I heard the familiar ‘aerial freight train’ sound of an approaching NH90. I captured it landing and on realising it was not shutting down, I raced to an advantageous spot for its departure. It’s the longest ‘running stop’ I think I have ever witnessed, at a lengthy 35 minutes!

NH Industries NH90, NZ3306, of the RNZAF, taxying for departure.

Shortly after Christmas, Boeing 737 Max 8 BBJ, N3E, arrived in Wellington and even made the news. The reported owner was Snapchat/Evan Spiegel. As best I could figure out, the occupants were helicoptered to the Marlborough Sounds on arrival.

Boeing 737 Max 8 BBJ, N3E.

In the new year, I finally got close to a P-8A Poseidon. Not the best angle, but at least I noticed it was coming and was ready for it!

Boeing P-8A Poseidon, NZ4801, of the RNZAF cruises over my house on approach to Wellington.

Also in the new year, I hit upon a new angle for departures from Wellington in a southerly, thanks to my giant birding lens.

Boeing 737-800, VH-XZP ‘Retro Roo’, of Qantas.
Boeing 737-800, VH-XZJ ‘Mendoowoorrji’, of Qantas.
Boeing 757-200, NZ7572, of the RNZAF.

That’s all I’ve got this time. If you’re reading this on the web site you may notice I’ve given it a modest ‘zhuzhing up’.

  • Images in the posts* are slightly larger.
  • I’ve retired* the “MIXED LOCATION” category in favour of listing all relevant locations.
  • The Contact page form has been removed — thanks, spammers.
  • The home page has had a makeover to add more interest for drop-in visitors.

*I’ve gone back a fair way cleaning up the posts to fit the new ways, but not all have had the treatment at the time this post was published.

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