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Friday, March 7, 2014

Longhaul Islander

Britten Norman BN2 Islander ZK-LYP has made its way back to New Zealand concluding its stint flying in Tonga and closing the final chapter of Air Chathams foray in the Friendly Islands.

Back on 13 August 2008 ZK-LYP departed Auckland on the long haul delivery flight direct to Tonga and was de-registered on export to Tonga on 21 December 2009 when it became A3-LYP.  As Air Chathams/Chatham Pacific started to wind up its Tongan operation the aircraft reverted to its ZK marks and this was recorded as taking place on 25 November last year.

05 March 2014 saw the aircraft arrive at Auckland after a direct "long haul" flight from Tonga with the flight time around 10 hours, not made any easier by strong south to southwest winds for much of its journey.

This morning it has departed Auckland heading to the Chatham Islands, a mere 4 hrs 40 min flight time!

Also see : http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/another-air-chathams-aircraft-flies.html


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