Local Flying

It is great to see that the apron and some of the taxiways have been repaired at the airport. ERW has been in for maintenance earlier this month, and has flown 17hrs since the 1^st May. Most of those hours have been on training flights, although both Russell and Gary have helped the gliding guys to get airborne.

Today’s flight was meant to be into the Hunter Valley. However, with the weather forecast for a continuation of the frontal conditions that we have been experiencing this week, that flight was unlikely.

My alternative was to get some aerial photos of the Cromwell Aerodrome to send to CAA. With me was a young American guy, who has been working on the vineyard. When we left Cromwell, the conditions were good. However, by the time we were ready for departure, the wind had increased and the first of the rain showers had arrived over the Dunstan Rangers.

Work on the irrigation scheme at the northern end of  the runway. Cromwell NZCW

Once in the air, we headed for Roxbough. There is always plenty to see, even on a local flight. The weather was also improving and we were able to return to our original plan. From Roxbough, it was a direct flight through to Cromwell. Unfortunately, a second and more extensive belt of rain was making its way down the Cromwell basin. We were able to get our photos and head home to the Alexandra airport.

Cromwell Aerodrome - Runway reduced to 800m