AKA Handbag: Wanganui Aero Club Open Day 2023

Hi all,

January 22 2023 was the Wanganui Aero Club's first open day since the COVID pandemic began and it was, by all accounts, the best-attended ever held.

It was wonderful to see so many people visit - young, old, couples, singles, families, all sorts of people keen to learn and see more of what Whanganui Airport has to offer.

As well as club and club members' aircraft local operators Mid West Helicopters, the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy, Ravensdown Aerowork and Super Air also supplied aircraft for static displays. In addition Mid West operated scenic flights over the city throughout the day.

PMH Aviation's DH.83C Fox Moth ZK-APT, known as Foxy, was invited by the Whanganui Vintage Weekend organisers and it was a delight to have her here. Owners Pip and Paul fit right in with the club.

Star of the event was the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar's Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc PV270/ZK-SPI, flown over by Sean Perrett and supported by Joe Deere. Unfortunately owner Brendon Deere was unable to attend but I'm sure he knows this special machine was received extremely warmly by visitors.

I took a ton of photos so my apologies for all the scrolling!

Ron Day and Ross McDonald came over from Waipukurau in the lovely De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk "WB548"/ZK-ARL.

Darren Luff flew an aerobatic display in his Pitts S-1E Special.

Two of Wanganui Aero Club CFI Jonathan Mauchline's three Skycraft Scout microlights were on display in the hangar. The blue-winged ZK-RWW has been actively flying since May and the multicoloured ZK-SLF has only minor work needed before its first flight in about thirty years.

Mid West Helicopters runs the NZ Helicopter Training Academy operates from Whanganui and one of their Hughes/Schweizer 300s was on static display while another flew throughout the day.

The Wanganui Aeromodellers Club had a popular display in the main hangar and I was typically excited to see a fine Fletcher FU-24 on display!

"WE434"/ZK-VNM, formerly J-1630 with the Swiss Air Force, is owned by local man John Luff and has featured on this blog before. It was a popular attraction on the flightline and his aerial demonstration was very well-received.

Titan T-51 Mustang ZK-LSD is based at Whanganui and was another very popular static display with Wanganui Aero Club president Leroy Johnston (seen standing on the wing) and owner Mike Adams (above) showing many people the replica fighter's cockpit. This aircraft is for sale.

Joe Deere, engineer and son of Spitfire owner Brendon, flew over from Ohakea in his father's Grumman Cheetah ZK-DLI with support gear for the fighter.

Hanger the aero club cat was seen at all points around the field throughout the day. I managed to catch him taking a moment to himself in the clubrooms.

At one point there were four De Havillands on the flightline: the resident Tiger Moth ZK-BEF and the Venom, Chipmunk ZK-ARL and Foxy. Local Auster Aiglet ZK-BAQ was also out in the sun so we had four Gipsy-powered machines together.

John O'Leary's Calidus ZK-YGG was another popular static exhibit.

Paul Hally flew 32 scenics over the weekend in Foxy assisted by wife Pip (in hi-viz). The reaction of the lady in yellow upon exiting after her flight was priceless - she had an absolute blast!

Spot The Cat was a popular game amongst kids throughought the say.

Local legend Bell JetRanger ZK-HTM, which has racked up over 20,000hr, was up and down on scenic flights during the afternoon.

Spitfire Alfa Lima arrived at 1330hr and departed at 1500. The applause and cheers on shutdown were heartwarming and I'm told there were many teary eyes.