NZFF

Anybody going? The RNZAF have just made an announcement on the first lot of the international participants. The RAAF are bringing 3 classic Hornets, a C-27 and C 17. Now waiting what the USAF bring. And the JASDF and RSAF. And maybe the RAF

I was formally invited to take my artwork and myself to display amongst other artists , would have been great but seriously had to decline.

Ian Warren wrote:I was formally invited to take my artwork and myself to display amongst other artists , would have been great but seriously had to decline.

How come - won't your pushbike get you across the strait?

Mike .. it those recently made sand dunes that would really finish me off .... course Hmmm there is that little thing with the strait , Crikey! not a prob if it was a channel full of beer ...

It would take him a couple of weeks to ride up to Picton now the coast road is out

Doug , reason they call em 'Mountain Bikes' I would go the direct route .. show the road workers how to get thru , stop at the Kai for a crayfish feed

Just announced on the RNZAF facebook (yes that is where you you go now for news) page. USAF participation includes F-16s, C-17 and KC 135. Always wanted to see a F-16...pity no F-22 though

Paul, the F-16 will blow your mind ! this 40 plus year old aircraft is really going to knock your SOCKS OFF ! .. and is I found these are so much noisier than a F-18 , the Eagle ... even noisier is the Tornado ... BUT the F-16 won't let you down

Well that pretty much confirms it: if there's a into and out, I'd love to be there.
Going by road is not an option, I think there are still people trying to get home after the last one...

They reckon they have it sorted this time as it is over two days and you have to buy tickets beforehand....and the traffic management is different

No different to the early years 1992/4/6 at Wanaka , wasn't exactly a major highway , simply a country bumpin road , I still would love to get up there tho ... but that is out off the question , .... one thing tho , why don't they open the paddock area for private aircraft ...

The programme is live!

FLYING:
Black Falcons
Boeing 757
P-3K Orion
C-130 Hercules
SH-2G(I) Seasprite
A109 LUH
B200 King Air
NH-90MUH
T6-C
Military parachute display
USAF C-17
USAF F-16
RAAF F/A-18

VISITING STATIC:
USAF F-16
USAF KC-135
RAAF C-17
RAAF F/A-18
JASDF KC767
FAF CASA CN235
RSAF F-15SG
RSAF C-130
RCAF C-130J
RAF A400M Atlas

Other helpful info posted today:
Carpark map
Road closures map
The latest Air Force News says there are 13 international aircraft, with 64 in total appearing and "about 50 giving air displays".

I'm going Saturday and I can't wait!

A good line up, pretty much standard for the Internationals, be great to be there even just to be there !

I am guessing it will be a awesome show lets just hope that they have sorted out there traffic problems.

RSAF F-15SGs and C-130 arrived at Ohakea this afternoon, apparently the USAF contingent was spotted in Darwin yesterday and there are reports of a J-model Hercules (likely RCAF) above Auckland this evening. Getting very close now!!

A (the?) USAF C-17 is now at Whenuapai, and the two RAAF F/A-18s arrived at Ohakea this arvo.

Checked in online tonight for the first flight , car and bed all confirmed.
To be honest ... at this point in time , i cant be bothered.

Bloody long and hard week ... stress with my old mum , but i think once they close the door on NZ 5344 on Saturday , i will be fine .
My weeks / days , lately are just too short for what needs to be done.

I hope things get a bit easier on you and sorry to hear about your mum. I think allot will agree we need more hours in the day. You will possibly feel better when you finally get there and all settled.

Well officially all starts tomorrow before possibly having to wait another five years. For anyone who wants to see it but unable to go I got told the Historical aviation film unit will be
making a dvd and from the past they are well worth buying. No music just the music of the engine purring. I am unsure if the A400 is traveling around NZ I think there is also a part
to play with the RNZAF looking at upgrading the C130.

I did see the News tonight .. the 400 doing its thing around Wellington .. Sale pitch .. let see it in Christchurch on a date after the airshow .. , even better its in the air, don't take long to start touring the country , we did have a Air Force Base here .. funny well before Ohakea was even thought of and truly New Zealand's first International airport .. today still called WIGRAM ! .. should mention named after a Mayor of Christchurch for the un-educated.