Helen Clark fears for life in an Aztec
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Helen flying in an Aztec to me, just reinforces how down to earth she is. She doesn't expect red carpet treatment all the time. I don't care what the rest of you think, I like her.
Oh and and I am just so relieved she didn't fall out from the back of the plane and die. Its good those police were there to stop her being sucked out
Oh and and I am just so relieved she didn't fall out from the back of the plane and die. Its good those police were there to stop her being sucked out
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Devonport Tasmania Australia
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Yep Gat
I have to give her that.
It is indeed a responsible thing to do to use a bugsmasher to get from A to B rather than use a RNZAF Boeing, or charter a Lear.
Maybe a genetic transfer into some on this side of the Tasman would be a good thing.
EWL
I have to give her that.
It is indeed a responsible thing to do to use a bugsmasher to get from A to B rather than use a RNZAF Boeing, or charter a Lear.
Maybe a genetic transfer into some on this side of the Tasman would be a good thing.
EWL
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Well, thread digression as per usual
It could have been worse; she could have been flying Qaintarse and had her knickers interfered with!
I don't want to spoil all this good humour with a few facts but :
1] I understand her own staff hired the kite at short notice because it was available and they had used Mountain Air previously. She was never in any danger of being 'sucked out', [not in the air, and most certainly not on the ground, not even by those that vote for her!]
2] The Pilot is not a 'hack' and has considerably more than 200 hours. He is, in fact, and contrary to the totally uninformed, a professional.
3] The RNZAF is not tasked with VIP transport, though no doubt had they been asked a Kingair may have been available, though I doubt it. You can't just pluck one off the line at no notice.
It could have been worse; she could have been flying Qaintarse and had her knickers interfered with!
I don't want to spoil all this good humour with a few facts but :
1] I understand her own staff hired the kite at short notice because it was available and they had used Mountain Air previously. She was never in any danger of being 'sucked out', [not in the air, and most certainly not on the ground, not even by those that vote for her!]
2] The Pilot is not a 'hack' and has considerably more than 200 hours. He is, in fact, and contrary to the totally uninformed, a professional.
3] The RNZAF is not tasked with VIP transport, though no doubt had they been asked a Kingair may have been available, though I doubt it. You can't just pluck one off the line at no notice.
Last edited by Samuel; 14th Apr 2005 at 22:49.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I agree that helen should be travelling in either chartered lighties or on scheduled RPT. Anything else will be too hypocritical.
I do remember something about a dodgy missed approach into Hoki with her on board in a King air tho....maybe she does use them every now and then...maybe that scared her off them? Anyone got any info on that?
I do remember something about a dodgy missed approach into Hoki with her on board in a King air tho....maybe she does use them every now and then...maybe that scared her off them? Anyone got any info on that?
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
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While the RNZAF is not currently tasked to provide VIP flights internally,[hence no VIP aircraft as such and I think you'll find most of the requests come through Internal Affairs!] they obviously will do so if asked! The fact of the matter is that such a tasking would have little to do most of the time, and would be considerably more expensive that scheduled airline flights.
Helen is not stupid,[perverse, and intractable, yes] and is unlikely to raise the issue of personal air transport five months out from an election. I doubt it could be justified in NZ. We are much more rational !
There is no comparison with what happens in Australia and, though I won't even hint at the source, there is considerable abuse of the VIP fleet across the ditch! There must be more efficient ways for a single PAX to get from Canberra to Melborne!
Helen is not stupid,[perverse, and intractable, yes] and is unlikely to raise the issue of personal air transport five months out from an election. I doubt it could be justified in NZ. We are much more rational !
There is no comparison with what happens in Australia and, though I won't even hint at the source, there is considerable abuse of the VIP fleet across the ditch!
There must be more efficient ways for a single PAX to get from Canberra to Melborne!
Don Quixote Impersonator
Join Date: Jul 1999
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Unbelievable.
Most of you around here know my feelings about the use of FAR23 equipment in these circumstances given the availability of FAR 25 alternatives.
And before you all mount your high horses its got nothing to do with the competence or otherwise of the operator or pilot or the maintenance condition of the aircraft.
Were I the Chairman of a similarly sized corporation my shreholders and I would be asking for a please explain from the CEO as to why he/she was using the "safe" instead of "safest" form of transport available and putting the corporation in more jeopardy than was necessary.
Of course Helen or her advisors will be most likely be operating from a position of ignorance in these issues. Someone needs to frame up the options and their responsibilities to them and formulate a non partisan policy on it.
It's not hard and removes the potential for ALL of the party politicking, the NZ taxpayer should insist on it.
Most of you around here know my feelings about the use of FAR23 equipment in these circumstances given the availability of FAR 25 alternatives.
And before you all mount your high horses its got nothing to do with the competence or otherwise of the operator or pilot or the maintenance condition of the aircraft.
Were I the Chairman of a similarly sized corporation my shreholders and I would be asking for a please explain from the CEO as to why he/she was using the "safe" instead of "safest" form of transport available and putting the corporation in more jeopardy than was necessary.
Of course Helen or her advisors will be most likely be operating from a position of ignorance in these issues. Someone needs to frame up the options and their responsibilities to them and formulate a non partisan policy on it.
It's not hard and removes the potential for ALL of the party politicking, the NZ taxpayer should insist on it.
Evertonian
**BREAKING NEWS**
-In a bizarre development, NZ Police have issued an appeal for public assistance in what is now considered an attempted murder case.
Police believe the aircraft was tampered with on the ground.
Following lengthy interviews, Police have released an image of the alleged perpetrators. "If any member of the public has information about this person on the left we would seek their immediate assistance" a spokesperson said. The person on the right was not necessarily involved, but may have vital information.
Police believe the aircraft was tampered with on the ground.
Following lengthy interviews, Police have released an image of the alleged perpetrators. "If any member of the public has information about this person on the left we would seek their immediate assistance" a spokesperson said. The person on the right was not necessarily involved, but may have vital information.
Join Date: May 2001
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Owner of Mountain Air, Keith McKenzie, said that the event ws a "one in a million event" If that is the case then old ZK-PIW must of done several million flights in it's time as I personally have been in PIW at 6000' , Night IMC as a front seat pax and had the door open in the cruise. PIW poled forward hard due to A/P on , and with the door open a sudden change in the cabin pressure caused the A/P to think the a/c was in a climb and pitched down to maintain altitude. Others have also said that PIW's door has opened in flight whilst they have been flying it.
Not only is the PM flying in a GA piston twin but it was the companies oldest freight dog machine they provided for her.
I thought that the main reason they chartered Mountain Air was to get them to NZPP as their primary destination due weather (below minima's) in Wellington, and no airline flies to NZPP. Which begs the question as to why it was still at 8000' so close to NZPP. Maybe the weather was on the improve at WN and were going to try there first?
S2K
Not only is the PM flying in a GA piston twin but it was the companies oldest freight dog machine they provided for her.
I thought that the main reason they chartered Mountain Air was to get them to NZPP as their primary destination due weather (below minima's) in Wellington, and no airline flies to NZPP. Which begs the question as to why it was still at 8000' so close to NZPP. Maybe the weather was on the improve at WN and were going to try there first?
S2K
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Had a door pop only once in 1000 Aztec hours - I'd let an experienced Aztec pax and PPL close it for me for the first, and from then on, only time. Sounded OK, looked OK, but wasn't OK. Never let a pax close the door again without thanking them nicely, then opening, closing and locking it all over again.
Re-closing it in flight with the window open, slight side-slip only sort of works - usually stretches up the cable to the pins, then they don't work later next time you close it.
As for control difficulties - like a Baron, you might get some slight buffeting at certain speeds, but nothing more. The control difficulties are probably caused by total door/noise preoccupation and little with aircraft aerodynamics. The possibility of a door slightly ajar causing loss of control in a light twin is rather unlikely when you consider pictures of parachutists climbing out all over their old jump planes - with doors wide open and all - before leaping off in unison.
http://www.skydivemonroe.com/picture...l_hangdive.JPG
http://www.skydivemonroe.com/picture...37/beech18.JPG
If there was anything aerodynamically risky in it, then it would also make a water arrival doubly exciting when you follow the sage advice to 'crack the door open' before ditching.
Re-closing it in flight with the window open, slight side-slip only sort of works - usually stretches up the cable to the pins, then they don't work later next time you close it.
As for control difficulties - like a Baron, you might get some slight buffeting at certain speeds, but nothing more. The control difficulties are probably caused by total door/noise preoccupation and little with aircraft aerodynamics. The possibility of a door slightly ajar causing loss of control in a light twin is rather unlikely when you consider pictures of parachutists climbing out all over their old jump planes - with doors wide open and all - before leaping off in unison.
http://www.skydivemonroe.com/picture...l_hangdive.JPG
http://www.skydivemonroe.com/picture...37/beech18.JPG
If there was anything aerodynamically risky in it, then it would also make a water arrival doubly exciting when you follow the sage advice to 'crack the door open' before ditching.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Could someone who has actually experienced a door popping open in flight on an aztec please give a factual account of the effects.
I am absolutely mystified as to what the big deal is all about.
I've had 3 or 4 cases of the main door popping open in a seneca during flight and its not even an issue. The door only cracks open with a gap of no more than 15mm. Lots more noise inside but thats all. Whats all this talk about the coppers having to hang on to the door to keep it shut? Relative air flow will take care of that.
Maybe someone with firsthand experience of this in an aztec will be able to shine some light on this.
I am absolutely mystified as to what the big deal is all about.
I've had 3 or 4 cases of the main door popping open in a seneca during flight and its not even an issue. The door only cracks open with a gap of no more than 15mm. Lots more noise inside but thats all. Whats all this talk about the coppers having to hang on to the door to keep it shut? Relative air flow will take care of that.
Maybe someone with firsthand experience of this in an aztec will be able to shine some light on this.
Thread Starter
Beatup
May I suggest you have a look at the posts over the last 5 1/2 pages. There are several posts from people that have experienced the doors opening on the mighty Truck (including the post before yours).
S2K4eva
S2K4eva
