Musings from the Flight Deck Old Timer.
The Air Force is Just a Great Big Aero Club But Way More Fun
In aviation, some adventures are move adventurous than others. Here, Bob Henderson recalls some tight wee spots he found himself in when flying for the RNZAF.
Airlines Watched and Worked in Horror as Hijackings Unfolded
9/11. Whether we want to or not, we all know about it. But for most of us, our knowledge relates only to the two towers. But what was happening on the aircraft and how were the airlines handling the unfolding drama?
Cameron Healey – A Kiwi who finally got his airline wings at nearly 50 years old.
Cameron is the proof that you are never too old to become an airline pilot. His story is an inspiration to those who feel it’s too late to make their dream a reality.
Ben Williams – Our First Special Award Winner to Graduate!
It gives us great joy to see our recipients move through the process of becoming a commercial pilot. Ben is the first of our Special Award winners to reach this milestone.
BRACE, BRACE, BRACE!
Very occasionally, something can go quite wrong with the aircraft you are on. This article tells of such an event and what took place onboard.
The Duty Straight from the Bowels of Hell
We all have our good days and our bad days. But then… sometimes some days are just so bad that you just have to believe that some greater being is deliberately making your day the worst it can possibly be.
Apparently, Not All Medical Emergencies are Medical Emergencies
Humans are fickle things. Especially on planes. Seated shoulder to shoulder for never ending hours, who knows what can happen? Too often to count these stresses can cause people to get REALLY sick. In a tin can at 36,000 feet above the Pacific, there are limited options.
From Birthday Treat Flight to a Lifetime in Aviation
It is amazing where a chance gift of a trial flight can take you. From being given a flight for his birthday when he was a little ‘un, Bob has travelled the world, fought in a war and been a Captain for Air New Zealand. A very satisfying career!
Insights on an Airline’s Pilot Recruiting Process
Chris Kriechbaum, Manager of Pilot Recruitment, has written an article for us on the recruitment process for Air New Zealand. If you are planning on ending up in the airlines, this is a read for you!
Life After Achieving Your PPL
Is there life after PPL? One of those existential questions. Patently, there is but are you using your licence to it’s fullest? Are you still having fun? CFI for Auckland Aero Club, Gavin Weir, opens your mind to all the possibilities out there to keep it fresh.
Let’s look at flying a jet into Queenstown.
Surrounded by stunning but incredibly sharp and pointy mountains at close range - how do aircraft manage to land and takeoff safely at Queenstown Airport?
Unions – Protecting Workers Interests
For brand new airline pilots, it’s important to decide whether to join a union, or not, to protect their working interests.
In this article, Neil McGarvey gives us a brief overview of what a union is all about.
A Tower Controller’s Perspective.
What a splendid place to work and what views! Especially of aircraft landing. Do you ever eye up the Tower and wonder who is working in there? Are they judging your landings? The bounces, the smoking wheels, the wandering around the runway? In this blog, we meet a Tower controller and hear about her career.
GLIDING and LIGHT AIRCRAFT FLYING BLOG by Arthur Gatland
Just you, soaring on silent wings - with nothing between you and the clouds except for the whisper of wind over your wings. Many of us have dreamed of flight since we were very young.
In this blog, Arthur tells of his life long passion for the art of gliding - keeping aloft without engines.
AIR NZ TRAINING MANAGEMENT POSITIONS by Arthur Gatland
Arthur has left line flying behind and is now in management. Here he talks about his time as Manager Flight Standards for Air New Zealand before moving into his current Instructor role.
FLYING FOR AIR NEW ZEALAND - Part four by Arthur Gatland
This is Arthur’s last installment of being a line pilot for Air New Zealand and he is now on the B787. Again, the aircraft is tested, as only Arthur knows how!
FLYING FOR AIR NEW ZEALAND - Part three by Arthur Gatland
In Part Four, Arthur shares with us his time on the B777 and all that entails. So why is Richie McCaw in the picture? Read on and find out!
FLYING FOR AIR NEW ZEALAND - Part two by Arthur Gatland
In this blog piece, Arthur takes us through his time flying the B767 for Air New Zealand (and another!).
FLYING FOR AIR NEW ZEALAND - Part one by Arthur Gatland
Arthur is back with his aviation story. He is now working for Air New Zealand and in this blog he recounts his days flying the darling wee F27 and B737-200 - only as Arthur could and would!
The Pilots Hero
Aircraft Engineering! Seemingly touching a little on witchcraft and voodoo, these amazing and under-credited people are responsible for getting those behemoths we love in the sky safely for every single flight. Join Ron Koppen, Licensed Aircraft Engineer for Air New Zealand, as he talks us through this mysterious world behind the hanger doors.