New Zealand 13 hour cross country

[John_wilkinson]

This weekend we took RAE for a 13 hour cross county harf way down the south island and back to a flyin.
1 /where it all starts
2 /good tail wind indercaited is in mph gps is nots
3 /40 minits in looking left to Blenheim
4/ looking right to where we are going into the mountins

[John_wilkinson]

1/going up the vally
2/coming up to hells gait
3/heading into hells gait
4/in hells gait

[John_wilkinson]

1/right out of hells gait
2/small lake
3/right turn
4/island pass 4100 feet

[John_wilkinson]

Island pass is 5100 feet above sea level not 4100.
1/got to get up there
2/over the top
3/another lake
4/down the other side to Hanmer Springs

[John_wilkinson]

Hanmer Springs 1 houre 45

[John_wilkinson]

For got to list potos
1/Hanmer in the distance
2/Hanmer village
3/on ground at Hanmer
4/highest alterimeter reading

[KDOG]

Those are some awesome pics...nice bird by the way. Can't wait to get my bee done... then I can take some pics!!!

[Aussie_Paul]

What a magnificent trip, and great pics. That rugged country :eek: :eek:

Makes my trip to Alice Springs look like a cake walk!!! ;)

Geez you guys must have had a great instructor who knows how to modify a Raf!!!! LOL :D :D

Got to pat myself on the back, :o as I get knives in the back most of the time in Oz!!!! LOL :rolleyes:

Aussie Paul.:)

[barnstorm2]

Absolutly stunning! Congratulations on a terriffic flight!

[ventana7]

Wow,

Really spectacular photos. You live in such a BEAUTIFUL country.

Rob

[Vance]

That is very inspirational! Thank you for reminding us what can be done, Vance

[MattPearson]

New Zealand is one place I have always wanted to go to and tour, even more now by GYRO!

[GyroRon]

Best flying pics I have seen in a while!

[KenSandyEggo]

I thought I got flack for flying over stuff I can't land on! Wonder if you'll get it too. That's my kind of flying...through canyons, valleys and passes. Awesome. I hope there was something spectacular waiting for you there...like dancing girls, champagne or something.

[John_wilkinson]

That is only the first leg there is 12 od more hours of flying to come when i get them down sized.

[Chaff]

??But where are all the hobbits?
Great pictures, keep 'em coming! Thanks for sharing them...

[John_wilkinson]

next flyt is 45minits down to Rangiroa.
1/leaving Hanmer
2/coming onto the Canterbery planes
3/heading down the planes
4/more of the planes

[John_wilkinson]

1/landing at Rangiora
2/Bruce Nash at his own stip Rangiora just outside Chrischurch
3/canterbery planes on our way to Ashburton
4/landing at Ashburton were we tested RAE after we changed the thrust line

[John_wilkinson]

1/landing at Ragitata island our desternation with 4and a half hours flying behind us.
2/Derek Zandbergen flew up to meet us in Jim Services raf
3/line up at the flyin
4/walking back from putting planes and gyro to bed for the night.
To come is the flyt home up the east cost as soon as i can.

[birdy]

I woz told Kiwis couldn't fly.

This John Kiwi's gota have real balls to fly that high.I'd sook out and take the long road round.

Top shots John.

[StanFoster]

John: What an awesome set of pictures. Thanks for sharing. I love the inside an RAF cabin views....cozy..warm..and comfortable. Keep sending those pictures.

Stan

[KenSandyEggo]

John, that 4.5 hour leg couldn't have been non-stop, was it? Are you carrying extra fuel onboard that you can dump in while in flight? How often do you land for fuel? Pardon me if you've answered this before. I should have gone back and re-read your posts. I'll check and come back with a "never mind" if the info is already posted.

I'm back and didn't see that info. I see you were running at 5,000 rpm in level flight. Is that your normal rpm with 2 aboard? Seems you would burn a lot of fuel in a quick time at that rpm. Or were you just in a hurry to get to some friendlier terrain? :) For the kind of flying you're doing, that cockpit adjustable IVO prop would come in handy.

I've already figured out in my head how to mount 2 of those aluminum cylindrical fuel tanks on each side of my engine. They'd be right on the prop thrust line too. A hose or line between them, a tee fitting and a small fuel pump (which I already have on mine) is all you'd need. Turn on the switch and the fuel transfers into your main tank. Another 10 gallons would get one somewhat further along without having to stop.

[Vance]

You would need a waste expulshion system also. Thank You, Vance

[GyroTyro]

You would need a waste expulshion system also. Thank You, Vance
That's called a PEE-DHO tube ;)

.

[John_wilkinson]

Ken if you check you will find that we stoped for fuil at Hanmer,Rangioa,Ashburton,we were runing at around 5000 rpm as we were
climing all the way to Island parse as we took of at sea level.

[John_wilkinson]

Birdy i am sure the typ of flying you do would nead its own type of BALLS with your obvious ability and skill along for the ride.

[KenSandyEggo]

Gotcha, John.

[John_wilkinson]

Ken how mutch did that ivo prop cost ?? dont let the the home lady see.

[KenSandyEggo]

John, with shipping from the Los Angeles area to San Diego (about 100 miles) and a 7.75% state sales tax, it came to just under $2,000. US. You would save the tax, but of course your shipping would be more. Gotta go. She just walked into the room.

[PW_Plack]

Ken knows Demetra married him for his money, and that she might have second thoughts if too much of it leaves the bank. ;^)

[Friendly]

your pictures and flight build my hopes of some cross country as well. Calender perfect pictures.

[John_wilkinson]

Finally time to download the pictures of the trip home.
1/Orari river
2/river mouth
3/pop in at Campbell aviation
4/back to the east coast as the cloud is too low to go back the way we came down.

[John_wilkinson]

Up the east coast

[John_wilkinson]

traviling up east cost to Kaikoura

[John_wilkinson]

1/2/ coming into Kaikoura
3/4 Kaikoura to Blenheim

[John_wilkinson]

1/Blenheim
2/Blenheim to Nelson with battery in camera getting low
3/ sneaking around the hills through Havelock and Rai Valley
4/Nelson air port back home again after putting 13 hours on the hobs

[StanFoster]

John: Great shots there.....what a view... :)


Stan

[darrellwittke]

Thanks for the time and effort to share with us.

[John_wilkinson]

Stan you will have to come over and have a look for your self maybe sell some stairs over here. :)

[flightexpress]

I fly for Bissel vacum cleaners..I keep trying talk to the owners to fly down there...But I think the Lear 45 couldn't make the Trip...Oh well, some day....
Nice pictures John............Kurt

[Colin Gibson]

Hi John
I have been following your trip with keen interest and absolute envy. I hope you and Lloyd are not bored with those sort of journeys when I'm finally able to join you.
When you were on the ground at Kaikoura, a workmate of mine told me he seen your RAF while he was on his way to Blenheim.
Before he reached Blenheim he said you guys flew past which says something for the direct approach as opposed to turning all the corners a car has too going up the coast.
Cheers from Colin Gibson

[thallett]

We are watching! Worth the wait. Thanks.