NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 11735 times:
A Touch Of Nostalgia – Air Chathams CV580 Jumpseat AKL-NPE
Introduction
[i]I was 12 at the time, flicking through the Air New Zealand domestic timetable and saw a very small handful of flights to the Chatham Islands from the New Zealand. There was a funny aircraft code I had not come across before – CV5 – and I was very intrigued to find out what this plane was. The back of the book with the index to what the codes were showed that it was a Convair 580. At that time, it sounded so much cooler than the Embraer Bandeirante, Saab 340 and in a way the ATR72 as well (my favourite prop at the time, having just flown on it), which were Air New Zealand Link’s aircraft. Later that trip while sitting on the tarmac in CHC waiting for my flight to depart for home, I spotted this really old smoky plane with the title “Air Chathams” on the side of it. Straight away I was turned off by it, not ever thinking I’d want to be flying that old thing sometime in the future.
Fast forward nearly a decade and boy have times changed! A photo on the Airliners.Net database alerted me to a possible chance to take a ride in a jump seat and best of all, I wouldn’t have to leave the country to experience it! After a few emails to see that my eyes weren’t being cheated and then the quick phone call to book, I had a seat on the flight from Auckland to Napier.. [i]
Hi everyone and welcome to my 14th trip report. This will cover my jump seat adventure to Napier on an Air Chathams Convair 580, followed by the return trip on an Air NZ Dash 8 and then a photo essay of another flight I took to New Plymouth on a Dash 8 last year. The main event is definitely the first leg so the most emphasis will be placed on that.
There is some content kindly provided by Tis Meyer, a fellow A.Net photographer; who was also on the same flight with me. Content is also copyrighted and credited accordingly. You might find some more information and pictures of him here:
Air Chathams is a small airline operating flights between the mainland of New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, a small group of islands located about 700km east of New Zealand. Founded in 1982, they operate flights between the Chatham Islands and Auckland (via Napier), Wellington and Christchurch. It is the quickest way to get the fish and seafood caught out in the Chathams to the mainland for sale. They have a fleet of Convair 580s – a lot of which are flying in Tonga under their subsidiary. They have a few other smaller planes as well. They started operating the Convair 580s from 1995.
The flight from Auckland departs every Thursday but the priority lies with those heading all the way to the Chatham Islands. The flat cost was $150 for one way to Napier (also quoted by the person I was emailing) but although this was far more expensive than an Air New Zealand flight, it was a chance of possibly a lifetime – to experience the Convair on the last scheduled passenger service left in the world. Air Chathams has a website however seeing that the priority goes to those flying direct to the Chathams. You couldn’t book the AKL-NPE sector online because it was a special flight and had a special fare. I had no intention to go all the way to the Chatham Islands although it would be really nice to go there one day. Booking was simple though, it required a quick phone to their office and a few hours later I had an ‘e-ticket’ sent to my email address.
The day arrived and it was time to head to the airport for another fun daytrip. After getting dropped off by my dad, I headed to the Air New Zealand Group check-in facility in the domestic terminal. Air Chathams has only one flight a week so it’s fully understandable that they don’t have a check in counter or even an office of their own at AKL. When I arrived, there were quite a lot of people actually checking in for Air New Zealand flights and then they finally designated one of the ‘counters’ for the Air Chathams flight. It was quite bizarre that we only needed to give them our surnames for them to bring up the booking and subsequently issue our boarding pass.
Group Check In Counter
Boarding Pass
The Bangladesh cricket team was also heading to Napier for a One Day International against New Zealand as part of their tour this year, however on an Air New Zealand flight. There were a whole lot of bags by the group counter for all the cricket gear they needed to take. They seemed in good spirits although they were absolutely thrashed by the Black Caps in a Twenty20 match the day before and went on to lose all games by quite large margins. Our flight was supposed to leave at around the same as the Air NZ flight to Napier but later I found out that they were in the process of changing the configuration in the Convair which delayed our departure. Boarding commenced soon after, a couple of minutes before scheduled departure time.
Departure Hall
Bangladesh Cricket Team
Walkway To The Plane
Boarding was performed by Air New Zealand staff and I was soon through the gate and I was on my way down the corrugated iron covered pathway towards the waiting CV580.
Flight Information
4 February 2010
Routing: Auckland – Napier (AKL-NPE)
Airline: Air Chathams
Flight: CV96
Scheduled Time of Departure: 1300hrs
Actual Departure: 1309hrs (pushback), 1318hrs (rotate)
Scheduled Time of Arrival: 1345hrs
Touchdown: 1411hrs
Flight time: 53 min
Aircraft: Convair 580
Registration: ZK-CIB
Seat: 8A, changed to the jump seat
Air Chathams operates 4 Convair 580s but only one of them resides in New Zealand at this present time – ZK-CIB. CIB was manufactured originally as a Convair 340 in 1953, later to be converted to a Convair 440 and onwards to a 580. It was badly damaged in a fire, hence the c/n has an ‘a’ added to the actual construction number 327. There has been a fatal accident with the plane when it went off a runway and a propeller blade pierced the cabin. Later on in 1995, it was fitted with a cargo door which now makes it a very suitable aircraft for work to the Chathams.
I knew that if I was able to get onto the plane first and ask the flight attendant, I’d get a better shot at getting the jump seat for my flight. After being cordially welcomed onboard the Convair up the big inbuilt stairs and politely told not to sit on the seats with stuff already on it, I asked the FA. She said to me that she’d ask the pilots and get back to me. Meanwhile, I made myself very comfortable in the large seats onboard. It was a free seating arrangement, regardless of what the boarding pass said on it.
The Classic Connie
Massive Propeller blades
Copyright Tis Meyer
There’s One Obvious Seat We Shouldn’t Sit On!
If I wasn’t able to fly in the jump seat, I reckon this seat would have sufficed for even a long haul flight - it seemed that comfortable. There was just so much leg room it was awesome. I could nearly fully stretch out and not even kick my bag which was under the seat in front. I doubt I’ll experience such legroom ever again in Economy! There was a very generous recline as well. The windows were huge – a massive change to the puny A380 window. Why can’t they build planes like they did in the old days.. No window shades though, it may have been made in the curtain era but I’m not too sure about that (not old enough either!).
Envy That Legroom In Economy!
Photo Friendly Window
I Think These Are Used More For Computers/Cards Nowadays
Anyway, the flight attendant was back at my seat with good news – she said the pilots were fine with me in the cockpit and told me to gather my stuff - off I went to the front of the plane! There wasn’t much room in the cockpit so I was instructed to leave my backpack in the main cabin’s storage area. The pilots welcomed me into the cockpit before getting back to their pre-flight routine. The FA unfolded the jump seat for me and I eventually took my seat behind the pilots. They explained a few safety things to me like how to get out in an emergency etc. I was also made to put on the headset which ended up being a very interesting experience listening in on the ATC. They were also fine with me taking photos.
Jumpseat!
And just like that, we were ready to depart with 24 P.O.B.
Engine Start!
Copyright Tis Meyer
Checklist
Copyright Tis Meyer
It was pretty loud but at the same time it was hushed by the earmuff style headset. We had clearance and were soon on our way.
Turning Around
Taxiing To Active, 05R
Passing The International Terminal
Taxiing didn’t take too long and we were just waiting for some traffic before departing ourselves.
QF 738 Departing
Britten Norman Trislander Departing For Great Barrier Island
We lined up on the runway and powered quite thunderously down the runway, airborne
Lining Up And Waiting On Rwy 05R
Full Throttle!
Rotate
Copyright Tis Meyer
Overview Of AKL As We Turn Towards The Southeast
Copyright Tis Meyer
While Up Front..
We steadily made our way up towards 18,000 ft.
Climbing Through The Final Cloud Level
Overhead Control Panel
The ageing plane also had a few minor technicalities.. We still flew in it safely though!
Copyright Tis Meyer
Here are a few photos of close ups which I completely forgot to take.. In contrast, Tis didn’t take many wide angle photos!
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 2, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 11761 times:
About half way through the flight, I had a nice chat with the pilots. We talked about plane stuff such as the fact that this was an ideal plane for serving the Chatham Islands. They were really friendly and it was great to see they thoroughly enjoyed their job flying these classic planes. But for them, it was soon back to checks and making sure things were right for our descent into Napier.
Sunglasses Are A Must
Lake Rotorua
Check Before Turning
Lake Taupo In The Clearing
Self Portrait Showing The Confined Space
All good things must come to an end. Today’s flight was far too short for my liking. There was a lot of focus going on by the pilots so it was best for me to remain silent – I could have talked to them throughout the flight. We descended to 10,000 feet and then down again to 9,000 feet. The captain powered down the plane 11 minutes out from landing.
Top Of Descent
Back Through The Clouds
The East Coast, Hawkes Bay
Turning Onto Downwind
Napier City Through The Centre Left Window, Napier Airport Through The Centre Right Window
Captain Controlling The Throttles
Napier Airport
Hospital Hill In The Foreground, Napier Town Centre Towards The Coast
View From The Main Cabin
Copyright Tis Meyer
Copyright Tis Meyer
Imagine the next few images are a ‘movie’ as we descend into Runway 34 at Napier.. Check For Final Turn Onto Runway
Bank Angle!
Runway In Sight
Short Final Touchdown
Arrival
I thanked the pilots for a wonderful experience, had the jump seat stowed away again by the flight attendant and off I was into the scorching Hawkes Bay sunshine.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 3, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 11746 times:
It wasn’t until after I left the plane and started taking photos of it from outside that I realised that there were other aviation enthusiasts on the same flight as me! Tis from Switzerland and also Bernd from Germany (some pictures above are his) had come all the way from Europe to experience the CV 580. It was by pure coincidence that we were on the same flight together and chance that we met each other. We headed to the small viewing platform at Napier and talked about planes for a while until Tis left to catch his onward flight to the Chatham Islands. Meanwhile, I checked in for my flight home. I had purposely bought a flexi-fare ticket for a flight later in the evening but the fare allowed me to depart on any flight that day, as long as there was room onboard. It worked out to be cheaper than buying a flexi-fare ticket for the flight I was actually going to catch – the only ticket remaining when I decided to go to Napier. I quickly checked myself in for the next flight home.
Check In Kiosk Boarding Pass Home
View From The Viewing Area
Bernd and I stayed at the airport long enough to see the Convair depart for CHT. It was great getting so close to it as it taxied past us towards the runway.
And Off Again
Interesting Helicopter Landing At The Gate
My time in the sunny Hawkes Bay had come to an end and I was on my way back home.
Flight Information
4 February 2010
Routing: Napier – Auckland (NPE-AKL)
Airline: Air New Zealand Link (Air Nelson)
Flight: NZ 8224
Scheduled Time of Departure: 1630hrs
Actual Departure: 1633hrs (pushback), 1638hrs (rotate)
Scheduled Time of Arrival: 1725hrs
Touchdown: 1727hrs
Flight time: 49 min
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q300
Registration: ZK-NEO
Seat: 9A
Air New Zealand currently has 23 Q300s flying around the country. ZK-NEO was delivered on 15 December 2006 making it just over 3 years old. There are 50 seats onboard, each with 32 inches of legroom.
A boarding call was made and we were on our way across the tarmac towards our plane.
Shiny Fuselage
My Row Emergency Row Behind Legroom
It didn’t take long before everyone was onboard and we were soon on our way. It was interesting to note that all 3 crew operating the flight – the 2 pilots and the flight attendant were all women. I think that was a first for me. Nevertheless, I still felt in very safe hands. The seat next to me was taken. I wanted to lower the armrest for takeoff but he didn’t want to lower it, stating that “it was alright for it to be up on these small flights”. I just feel a little more secure when I have somewhere to rest my elbows on both sides. He was adamant about that and I had no choice but to keep it up.
U-Turn At The End Of The Runway
Propeller Vortex
Airborne
Back Above The Clouds
It was quite an uneventful flight and it seemed cloudier than the outbound flight. We cruised at 16,000 feet, 2,000 feet lower than what we flew in the Convair at. I just sat back and listened to my iPod while looking out the window.
Inflight Service
It was all over all too soon. My fun day flying had reached the end as we descended into Auckland.
Town On The South Side Of The Manukau Harbour Looking Out Towards The West Coast, Manukau Heads
Tight Angle To Line Up With 05R
Touchdown Cabin
Cockpit
These regional flights are really fun to fly every now and then. The Convair flight was a really special one and certainly one to remember for many years to come.
It was a real pleasure writing this trip report up for all of you. It’s extremely hard to detail everything and experiencing it yourself is just so much more of a better experience than anything that can be written up about it. Even seemingly repetitive shots of the cockpit can’t do the real experience any justice. I feel as though all the pictures I posted were justified in some way or another, mainly because these jump seat flights are very few and far between.
Tis’s trip report is definitely worth a look as it incorporates the onward journey to the Chatham Islands and then back to the mainland. Here’s the link again to save you having to scroll all the way to the top: http://www.flightforum.ch/forum/showthread.php?t=79247
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 4, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 11740 times:
8 August 2009
KE 772 To Seoul
Boarding Pass
FIDS
Bag Drop Area
JQ/DJ Check In
Food Court
Quite An Interesting Read!
Flight To NPL Boarding
Flight Information
8 August 2009
Routing: Auckland – New Plymouth (AKL-NPL)
Airline: Air New Zealand Link (Air Nelson)
Flight: NZ 8825
Scheduled Time of Departure: 1030hrs
Actual Departure: 1030hrs (pushback), 1034hrs (rotate)
Scheduled Time of Arrival: 1115hrs
Touchdown: 1108hrs
Flight time: 38 min
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q300
Registration: ZK-NEQ
Seat: 9A
Not to be mistaken for another Dash 8 operated in New Zealand with the same registration 5 years before the current one.. NEQ was delivered new from Bombardier.
Interesting View Of The Cargo Hold My Seat By The Window, Someone’s Favourite
And we were off.
Air National J31 Charter Plane
Morning Heavies
Liftoff
Empty Maintenance Hangars
DHL’s 727-200
Overlooking Mangere Towards Auckland City
Rugged West Coast Of The Waikato
Cabin Shot
It was a spectacular day: fine and sunny with a great view from 12,000 feet. The flight’s just too short for tea and coffee so only water is handed out.
Central Plateau In The Background..
Left To Right – Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe, Mt Ruapehu
Close Up
The Big One Which Is Still Active
New Plymouth Airport
First Glimpse Of Mt Taranaki, Bell Block Town Below
Down Comes The Gear
Smoke Vacating The Runway
Golf Cart To Deliver The Fresh Load Of Water
Check In
Even More Ancient ‘Carousel’ Than Napier
I had a few hours there so I decided to go for a walk. I made it to Bell Block and thought that if I continued onto New Plymouth, I might not make it back in time for my flight home.
Welcome To The ‘Naki
Mt Taranaki Is Beautiful, Quite A Lot Of The Time It’s Covered By Cloud
Bell Block War Memorial
Contrail Of An Air NZ 733 Possibly Bound For Queenstown
My Flight Home Landing
Middle One Heading For Wellington, Left One Heading For Christchurch Russian Yak-52s Practicing
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 5, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 11736 times:
Boarding Pass
It must have been a lucky flight to be on – NZ8808 on the 8th of August! It was very interesting looking around this small airport. It doesn’t take that many people to run it.. The departure gate consisted of a single barcode scanner.
Flight Information
8 August 2009
Routing: New Plymouth – Auckland (NPL-AKL)
Airline: Air New Zealand Link (Air Nelson)
Flight: NZ 8808
Scheduled Time of Departure: 1605hrs
Actual Departure: 1604hrs (pushback), 1607hrs (rotate)
Scheduled Time of Arrival: 1650hrs
Touchdown: 1642hrs
Flight time: 38 min
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q300
Registration: ZK-NEJ
Seat: 9D
What was great about this flight was that the flight attendant was excellent. She managed to do 2 water runs and also provide information of landmarks on the way north. No other regional flight attendant that I’ve experienced has bothered to do 2 water runs, especially for such a short flight. Not only that, but knowing the local geography is another great attribute. Kudos to you!
Lovely Scenery When You’re Low Down
Passing Hamilton
Raglan, A Surfing Town Auckland Airport
Back Home
And that concludes my 14th trip report. I do hope you’ve had fun reading all 4 sectors and looking at the pictures, especially the Convair one.
Next up for me is a Tasman crossing on an Aerolineas Argentinas A340-200. I have no idea when it’ll be done but it’ll even surprise me if I’m able to get it up here soon.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 6, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 11535 times:
Hi Nicholas,
I'm absolutely stunned, what an amazing report! I think it is the best you have ever posted here. You must have spent a very long time to compose all that. Great to get an impression of two rare airlines and an absolutely rare aircraft. All the flightdeck pictures alone would already be sufficient for a great report.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): Here’s a GPS tracking of the flight, taken by Tis (I have since bought my own GPS logger and hopefully I’ll be tracking my flights as well):
Very interesting stuff!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): Air Chathams operates 4 Convair 580s but only one of them resides in New Zealand at this present time – ZK-CIB. CIB was manufactured originally as a Convair 340 in 1953, later to be converted to a Convair 440 and onwards to a 580.
All those old DC-9s are young compared to that one!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): If I wasn’t able to fly in the jump seat, I reckon this seat would have sufficed for even a long haul flight - it seemed that comfortable. There was just so much leg room it was awesome. I could nearly fully stretch out and not even kick my bag which was under the seat in front.
Very impressive.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Anyway, the flight attendant was back at my seat with good news – she said the pilots were fine with me in the cockpit and told me to gather my stuff - off I went to the front of the plane! There wasn’t much room in the cockpit so I was instructed to leave my backpack in the main cabin’s storage area. The pilots welcomed me into the cockpit before getting back to their pre-flight routine. The FA unfolded the jump seat for me and I eventually took my seat behind the pilots. They explained a few safety things to me like how to get out in an emergency etc. I was also made to put on the headset which ended up being a very interesting experience listening in on the ATC. They were also fine with me taking photos.
Fantastic to get such a chance in these days!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 4): Mt Taranaki Is Beautiful, Quite A Lot Of The Time It’s Covered By Cloud
Great shot!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 5): Next up for me is a Tasman crossing on an Aerolineas Argentinas A340-200. I have no idea when it’ll be done but it’ll even surprise me if I’m able to get it up here soon.
BZNPilot From Belgium, joined Feb 2006, 257 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 11479 times:
Hi Nicholas,
Thanks for this EXCELLENT report. What an awesome opportunity you had! It is rare enough to be able to sit in the jumpseat, but you did so on a very rare and interesting aircraft. The photos are just stunning and really give the reader a sense of what it was like. Clearly you put a lot of time and effort into this report. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.
Econojetter From Malaysia, joined exactly 12 years ago today! , 430 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 11410 times:
Nicholas,
Such an interesting subject and you gave it absolute first class treatment in this report!
Great photos on the Convair (thanks to Tis Meyer for allowing his shots to be shared here as well)! I hadn't imagined that this type would still be in service. It is nice to see the insides of non-jets through your report. It's been a while since I last climbed aboard an aircraft with fewer than 70 seats.
And as usual, your landscape photography is in itself such an effective tourism campaign for New Zealand!
airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 934 posts, RR: 37 Reply 9, posted (2 years 9 months 3 weeks ago) and read 11090 times:
Hey Nicholas
What a wonderful and rare opportunity to be flying on a Convair 580, and a domestic route that operates only once a week! Your introduction almost reads like something out of Alexander Frater's Beyond the Blue Horizon... while to have participated (even if it was a segment) in an irregular service to a distant pacific island must feel very special. And more so in the jump seat! The next step must surely be to make it to all the way to the Chatham Islands - but I guess you need one whole week for that! Thank you for bringing us this rare treat: a very compelling story and absolutely fantastic pictures.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): CIB was manufactured originally as a Convair 340 in 1953, later to be converted to a Convair 440 and onwards to a 580. It was badly damaged in a fire, hence the c/n has an ‘a’ added to the actual construction number 327. There has been a fatal accident with the plane when it went off a runway and a propeller blade pierced the cabin. Later on in 1995, it was fitted with a cargo door which now makes it a very suitable aircraft for work to the Chathams.
An amazing history. More than half a century old and she's in remarkably fine condition and obviously a survivor. Wow, this is a flight I am really tempted to take now!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): It was a free seating arrangement, regardless of what the boarding pass said on it.
As it should be on a Convair!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): I was also made to put on the headset which ended up being a very interesting experience listening in on the ATC.
What a tough experience being made to endure the incessant ATC chatter
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 5): Next up for me is a Tasman crossing on an Aerolineas Argentinas A340-200. I have no idea when it’ll be done but it’ll even surprise me if I’m able to get it up here soon.
Look forward to this one too.
Thanks again for this wonderful report. And I echo Econojetter in saying you're a credit to Tourism New Zealand. I am sold!
lychemsa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 905 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 10918 times:
They were wonderful planes and very comfortable. As a kid I flew on KLM, Swissair and Pacific Airlines Convairs. The original cabins were much nicer than the one on this plane.
New Zealand looks like a beautiful country. Hopefully one day I will make it there.Thanks.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 11, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 10607 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): I'm absolutely stunned, what an amazing report! I think it is the best you have ever posted here. You must have spent a very long time to compose all that
Hi PH,
Thanks a lot for your comments! I'm thoroughly glad you enjoyed it. It took me quite a while to compile it but it's all worth it if all of you enjoy reading!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): All those old DC-9s are young compared to that one!
I think it has something to do with the fact that they can adjust the cargo/passenger space so having a light load may have meant that they could give us more legroom. I'm not complaining!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6):
Fantastic to get such a chance in these days!
Indeed. It'll be one memory to keep for a long time. Luckily for me, it's not very far away and I see them holding these planes for the foreseeable future.
Quoting BZNPilot (Reply 7): Thanks for this EXCELLENT report. What an awesome opportunity you had! It is rare enough to be able to sit in the jumpseat, but you did so on a very rare and interesting aircraft. The photos are just stunning and really give the reader a sense of what it was like. Clearly you put a lot of time and effort into this report. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.
Thanks for your comments BZNPilot! It was such an awesome experience, one I can recommend to anybody, let alone those interested in aviation. It's pleasing to know my pictures do themselves justice!
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 8): Such an interesting subject and you gave it absolute first class treatment in this report!
Thanks for your comments Econojetter!
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 8): Great photos on the Convair (thanks to Tis Meyer for allowing his shots to be shared here as well)! I hadn't imagined that this type would still be in service. It is nice to see the insides of non-jets through your report. It's been a while since I last climbed aboard an aircraft with fewer than 70 seats.
I'm fortunate that I got permission from him to share the pictures. Funnily enough, he got permission from the CEO to publish his pictures..
Only in New Zealand! There are quite a lot of CVs flying around as freighters in this country but the Air Chathams service is the only known scheduled airline service of the CV580. It's a nice change from boring Economy in the A380 that's for sure..
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 8): And as usual, your landscape photography is in itself such an effective tourism campaign for New Zealand!
Quoting airpearl (Reply 9): Thanks again for this wonderful report. And I echo Econojetter in saying you're a credit to Tourism New Zealand. I am sold!
Haha! I'm pleased to promote this great country of mine
Quoting airpearl (Reply 9): What a wonderful and rare opportunity to be flying on a Convair 580, and a domestic route that operates only once a week! Your introduction almost reads like something out of Alexander Frater's Beyond the Blue Horizon... while to have participated (even if it was a segment) in an irregular service to a distant pacific island must feel very special. And more so in the jump seat! The next step must surely be to make it to all the way to the Chatham Islands - but I guess you need one whole week for that! Thank you for bringing us this rare treat: a very compelling story and absolutely fantastic pictures.
Hi Airpearl,
Thanks a lot for your comments! Interesting, I might go look into that book.. Haha. Indeed, the next theoretical journey would take me to the Chatham Islands.. You could just as easily fly back the next day but it's so remote that there's no point in going all the way out there and flying home - you mas as well take some time 'relaxing' on what is pretty much a desserted island and still taking in wonderful scenery.
Quoting airpearl (Reply 9): An amazing history. More than half a century old and she's in remarkably fine condition and obviously a survivor. Wow, this is a flight I am really tempted to take now!
It's one of a kind! I'm not sure if many have a suffix 'A' after their construction number due to the aircraft being nearly destroyed.. And also a death caused by an incident.. Find a week off and head down this way! I'm sure it won't disappoint!
Quoting airpearl (Reply 9): What a tough experience being made to endure the incessant ATC chatter
I know, eh. Such a pain!
Haha, jokes aside - I'm sure it's also to do with safety reasons.
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 10): They were wonderful planes and very comfortable. As a kid I flew on KLM, Swissair and Pacific Airlines Convairs. The original cabins were much nicer than the one on this plane.
New Zealand looks like a beautiful country. Hopefully one day I will make it there.Thanks.
Thanks for commenting lychemsa! Wow, you're lucky enough to have flown on them a long time ago! I'm not even half the age of this plane! I can imagine a nicer cabin.. But it surely did the job.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 15, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 9948 times:
Hi Nicholas,
a fantastic report here again, accompanied with great pictures.
I can understand why some Europeans went to your region to catch a ride on this, since it seems that the Convair is indeed hard to get. Not knowing about anything similar around in Europe, but maybe Canada?
And lucky you with getting the jump, not that easy nowadays, but it seems this is kind of special service.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): It was interesting to note that all 3 crew operating the flight – the 2 pilots and the flight attendant were all women. I think that was a first for me
On KLM (B738) I experienced this also before. But once only I think. And still, we landed on our destination and the flight was smooth. So I guess women are better in flying planes then driving cars (no offenses)
About the non-aviation part, I really like that image of Mount Taranaki, with that road in front and the heathaze above the asphalt. Good job!
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6088 posts, RR: 56 Reply 16, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 9681 times:
Hi Nicholas!
Thanks for an excellent trip report with fantastic pictures! Very nice for you to ride in such a rare aircraft as the 580. I have flown severeal times on the Convair 440 on domestic flghts in Sweden but the last time was in 1976.......
Take Care
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 18, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 9323 times:
Quoting ZKEOJ (Reply 14): I am so glad that my photo inspired you to do the same - great stuff! And a great TR as well
Thanks Micha! I hope it brought back some memories of yours of some sort..
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 15): a fantastic report here again, accompanied with great pictures.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for you feedback! Glad you enjoyed.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 15): I can understand why some Europeans went to your region to catch a ride on this, since it seems that the Convair is indeed hard to get. Not knowing about anything similar around in Europe, but maybe Canada?
And lucky you with getting the jump, not that easy nowadays, but it seems this is kind of special service.
From looking at the captions of pictures taken from these flights from other photographers, I'm sure it must be the last scheduled Convair 580 service in the world. It must be pretty hard to find a (possibly cargo) airline and be able to even ride on it! It was definitely a special feeling and I'm glad they still allow this, as they should in a small country like New Zealand.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 15): So I guess women are better in flying planes then driving cars (no offenses)
Haha. Or maybe they were able to pick the best of the drivers and put them into planes!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 15): About the non-aviation part, I really like that image of Mount Taranaki, with that road in front and the heathaze above the asphalt. Good job!
Thanks!
Quoting The777Man (Reply 16): Thanks for an excellent trip report with fantastic pictures! Very nice for you to ride in such a rare aircraft as the 580. I have flown severeal times on the Convair 440 on domestic flghts in Sweden but the last time was in 1976.......
Thanks for commenting, The777Man! It was really nice to finally experience it. Woah, 1976.. That was way before my time! It's a fine aircraft.
Quoting BNE (Reply 17): Excellent trip report with photos Nicholas, now I can post my version, which was a week later.
Thanks BNE! Hope it was able to bring back memories for you too.
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4918 posts, RR: 55 Reply 19, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 9200 times:
Nicholas,
Absolutely excellent report! Thank you for writing this up - and, I know they take foreever to writeup and upload. Your hard work is appreciated by everyone ... but I am sure you know that!
Ok, see ... you have been slacking off on reading my reports again (hehe) ... check this out:
globetraveller From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 379 posts, RR: 21 Reply 20, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 9162 times:
Hi there Nicholas!
Having read your trip report a few days ago, I finally managed to find the time to comment on it.
I have to say, I am very jealous of your experience! Jumpseating is definitely the way to go and your pictures of the cockpit are excellent. I really liked how you presented the trip report with the pictures from Tis Meyer. I remembered you saying that you needed some more pictures of things other than the cockpit, so this was definitely a great solution.
As usual, your pictures were superbe and your detail was very interesting. This trip report also reminds me that I need to come back to NZ soon, even if only for a few days. I'll be sure to let you know when I do!
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 21, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 8938 times:
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 19): Absolutely excellent report! Thank you for writing this up - and, I know they take foreever to writeup and upload. Your hard work is appreciated by everyone ... but I am sure you know that!
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your kind words and comments! It's much appreciated. The hard work certainly pays off in the end after spending a long writing these! And it's even better when you guys comment on it!
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 19): Ok, see ... you have been slacking off on reading my reports again (hehe)
Haha, I think I might have to flick through all of the ones from the past.. It's not my fault!
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 19): Isn't the CV5 just awesome? I too had a great experience and cannot completely relate to the rush felt.
It's a superb plane. So robust and rugged, yet flies with the elegance of any classic. Not only that, but it's pretty fast too! I hope it brought back some of your memories onboard it too.
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 19): Now, stop resting on your "laurels" and go work on that AR report
Sorry, study comes first! But I'll endeavour to get it up as soon as I can. Definitely the next in the backlog however.
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 19): Thanks again Young Nicholas (got a great ring to it) for reports on places I'd probably never have a chance to visit.
Not a problem! At least it'll go some way to 'exchange' for the places I'll never visit but you've been able to cover well in your TRs.
Quoting globetraveller (Reply 20): I have to say, I am very jealous of your experience! Jumpseating is definitely the way to go and your pictures of the cockpit are excellent. I really liked how you presented the trip report with the pictures from Tis Meyer. I remembered you saying that you needed some more pictures of things other than the cockpit, so this was definitely a great solution.
Hi GT,
Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed. Hope your time in Africa is going well I'm jealous of that 'flying experience' you know.. Not to mention other countless trips around the world! It was so great to be able to use Tis' photos and it certainly added another dimension to the report. How about the next time you're down here we take a flight on it And, as much as I'd like to hop in it again, I'll definitely relinquish that jumpseat for you to enjoy.
Quoting globetraveller (Reply 20): As usual, your pictures were superbe and your detail was very interesting. This trip report also reminds me that I need to come back to NZ soon, even if only for a few days. I'll be sure to let you know when I do!
Thanks! It wasn't that long since you were down here But staying at least a day would be better. I wonder if you'll choose anything but EK cos they're close to having 2x 77Ws and an A380 operating into AKL.
globetraveller From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 379 posts, RR: 21 Reply 22, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 8842 times:
Hey Nicholas,
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 21): Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed. Hope your time in Africa is going well I'm jealous of that 'flying experience' you know.. Not to mention other countless trips around the world! It was so great to be able to use Tis' photos and it certainly added another dimension to the report. How about the next time you're down here we take a flight on it And, as much as I'd like to hop in it again, I'll definitely relinquish that jumpseat for you to enjoy.
Yes, that sounds like a plan. I will definitely try to come over sometime next year. We can do a little flight holiday in NZ. If we book early, then I am sure it will be cheap.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 21): Thanks! It wasn't that long since you were down here But staying at least a day would be better. I wonder if you'll choose anything but EK cos they're close to having 2x 77Ws and an A380 operating into AKL.
Well, I will probably be coming from HK next year, so maybe no more EK to NZ... Still, I love the A345s, so I would much rather have them. At least the A380 is now flying to HK as well - probably the best flight change I ever had after making a booking!
ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1541 posts, RR: 54 Reply 23, posted (2 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 8438 times:
Absolutely fascinating trip report Nicholas!
I cannot believe you scored a flight on a CONVAIR!
My mother wasn't born yet when this plane was flying! WOW! You are one lucky man indeed!
However, too bad the flight lasted only 53 minutes. I would have continued all the way to the Chatham Islands! How long is the flight to the Chatham Islands anyways?
Thanks for sharing this report! And i repeat two things others have mentioned:
A) I am looking forward to that AR trip report
B) Your pictures of New Zealand have converted the 'propspect' of a trip to New Zealand into something that is going to happen for sure.
Sorry for the late response by the way!
Cheers,
Roni
A Stop Away From One-Stop, Is Non-Stop : Airbus A340-500
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 24, posted (2 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 8215 times:
Quoting globetraveller (Reply 22): Yes, that sounds like a plan. I will definitely try to come over sometime next year. We can do a little flight holiday in NZ. If we book early, then I am sure it will be cheap.
Sounds like something to look forward to!
Quoting globetraveller (Reply 22): Well, I will probably be coming from HK next year, so maybe no more EK to NZ...
Interesting! Gives you a chance to check out some other carriers
I cannot believe you scored a flight on a CONVAIR!
Hi Roni,
Thanks for your comments! Glad you enjoyed. I guess it's not as common in your area to have a Convair flying around on scheduled services I mean I don't see them fly around that often either when I head out to the airport (not that often these days)..
Yeah, it's as old as my parents as well! Really nice to see something so old still flying too..
Quoting ronerone (Reply 23):
However, too bad the flight lasted only 53 minutes. I would have continued all the way to the Chatham Islands! How long is the flight to the Chatham Islands anyways?
It was a very impulse buy when it came to the decision to take this flight up. But it's quite expensive to go the full distance unfortunately so I'll have to put that trip off for a little while. It's an amazing place to visit, being so remote and all. The fresh seafood is among the best in the world. But regardless, it was really nice to get an experience like that even if it only lasted 53 minutes! I thought it felt a little longer than that myself.
Quoting ronerone (Reply 23): A) I am looking forward to that AR trip report
B) Your pictures of New Zealand have converted the 'propspect' of a trip to New Zealand into something that is going to happen for sure.
a) Yes... Read the reply above I mean I'd love it if I could get it over and done with..
b) When you do decide to head down here (Only 2 stops away from DXB you know ), you know who you're going to tell! I'll be waiting for that day you eventually head down under!
Cheers,
Nicholas
It's all about the destination AND the journey.
25 BrusselsSouth: Fantastic report ! Flying a Convair is not a common thing nowadays, and you not only had the chance to do it, but also to jumpseat... It was an enjoya
26 NZ107: Thanks for your comments, BrusselsSouth! Glad you enjoyed. It was my pleasure bringing this TR to you. I feel privileged that I was able to make it o
27 LH4116: Hello Nicholas, great report! Very nice that you got the report online, sorry though for the late reply. Your flight on the Convair looked really cool
28 akhmad: Hi Nicholas, I have finally got the time to read this amazing report of yours. What a joyful experience all the way on board of the CV580. You are abs
29 NZ107: Hi Jonas, Thanks for your comments! I'm glad I got it up when I did too.. Because who knows how long you'll be waiting for the next one to pop up It
30 PlaneHunter: Interesting to know, thanks. Hm, maybe I'll give the Convair a try when I visit NZ for a second time...sometime. PH
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