Having sat idle at Ardmore since July, Quest Aircraft Kodiak N181KQ departed 20 October 2017 on an IFR, 28 minute flight across to Auckland. After clearing formalities, the Kodiak departed for Norfolk Island and Cairns on its westward journey to Greece. It flew onto Darwin 21 October then to Bali 22 October.
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| Ardmore 30 July 2017. |
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Post from 18 July 2017
The first visit to New Zealand by a Quest Aircraft Kodiak single engine turbine was made on the afternoon of 17 July when amphibious configured example N181KQ MSN 100-0181 touched down in Auckland after a direct flight from Nukualofa, Tonga. After clearing formalities the Kodiak, temporarily fitted with a long range fuel tank, made the short flight across to Ardmore. It is understood the aircraft is in the country for a month or so and may remain at Ardmore for the duration.
The type first flew on 16 October 2004 and while none are operated in Australia, seven examples are flown by two operators in Papua New Guinea.
We have featured the Kodiak a number of times on the blog, click HERE to be taken to the posts, and NZ Civil Aircraft has the aircraft's arrival at Ardmore covered HERE
In recent days N181KQ has been observed flying between Vavau and Nukualofa, Tonga.
