February 2007

Auckland’s New Saviour
ARHT’s BK117B2.
New Year 2007 is a new beginning for the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust as it begins operating the first helicopter it has owned rather than leased.

A Beech Between Continents
When Peter Vincent needed another Beech 1900 for Vincent Aviation Australia, the best one he could find in the world was in South Africa. Willie Sage tells of the journey across the world to bring the 1900 home to Darwin.

A Higher Education
An Unofficial Guide To Getting Your Pilot’s Licence
Crabs and Cross-Countries.
Part IX of this series in which Callum Macpherson recounts his journey towards his private pilot’s licence.

Omaka’s Amazing Aviation Heritage Centre
Thanks to the foresight and hard work of a bunch of dedicated individuals, New Zealand now boasts an unequalled facility to house the world’s largest collection of WWI aircraft. Rob Neil attended the official opening of Omaka’s Aviation Heritage Centre in December.

Omaka Christmas Wings Airshow
The day after the opening of its wonderful new Aviation Heritage Centre, Omaka celebrated Christmas a few weeks early with its Christmas Wings airshow.

Gloriously, Generously, Dangerously
Charles Hamlin pays a ninetieth birthday tribute to the incomparable Sopwith Camel.

Neptune’s Neptunes
Neptune Aviation Services provides vital aerial firefighting capability across the United States. John McCaw visited Neptune in the US forest fire season in August 2006 when the company’s namesake firebombers were in action.

Chinese Women Moving Forwards
A welcome sign of the changes in Chinese society is the progression of women into every profession. Wang Zhi Qiang—once a Sichuan Airlines’ flight attendant, has made the move forwards from the cabin to the flight deck, as Brian Thompson reports.