Bugger..!

Bugger’ is New Zealand's socially acceptable, bendable, all-purpose swear word for when you really can't keep that negative emotion inside. For example: “Oh bugger, the Covid19 lockdown.” 

For the past few weeks, Bazflyer’s have been packed, planned and primed to fly our trusty Comanche ZK-BAZ once more over the Tasman Sea. This time for a top-end flying safari in the company of great Comanche mates. 

To better appreciate the anticipated flight it might be useful to examine its compelling magnetism. Down-under, a 'mate' is more than just a friend, it implies a sense of shared experience, mutual respect and unconditional assistance. Add to that, ‘top-end’ being a colloquialism for Australia’s far northern latitudes where in the middle of a southern winter the region’s warmer temperatures are temptingly attractive. 

Normally, flying ZK-BAZ over the Tasman Sea between New Zealand and Australia, simply entails suitable weather conditions and about an eight hour over-water flight. However, never since the beginning of aviation has anything like Covid-19 been a pre-flight consideration. 

As if charting a course through an ever changing minefield of Covid requirements bureaucratically imposed between various Australian States was not sufficient, tenuous conditions for travel between New Zealand and Australia have also been in play. Then outbreaks of the Delta strain in Australia saw all these factors building up to a crescendo, when ’snap’, the New Zealand government closed quarantine free travel with Australia. Bugger…!

Flying to Australia is no longer an option, at least for the next three months. So now what? Well, the Bazflyers are not about to waste a good preparation. We’re packed and ready to go. Bugger it being winter and cold outside…let’s get the trusty Comanche in the air and go fly around inside New Zealand. Jump onboard, we’re off…..