Seventeenth Time

There happens to be nothing significant about the title of this blog other than it records my seventeenth flight over the Tasman Sea in the trusty Comanche, ZK-BAZ. The flight was from Kerikeri in the north of New Zealand direct to Coolangatta Airport south of Brisbane. Furthermore, this achievement was undertaken on my own as Bazflyer2 had flown commercial to Australia about a month earlier.

Like all of the sixteen previous crossings, this one followed prior analysis of weather forecasts in an attempt to choose a suitable day in time. June is winter down under, a time of the year that is not exactly renowned for settled weather conditions. Not too much of a headwind is critical, and of course a tailwind component would be optimal. Then there is the matter of cloud along the way. Because of low ambient air temperatures at this time of the year, cloud can always hide icing and this is definitely to be avoided. 

As luck goes, I got lucky. The clockwise recirculating air flow of a Southern Hemisphere low pressure system off the north of New Zealand was offering a ‘sling-shot’ tailwind effect along with favourable flight conditions out in the Tasman Sea. 

Apart from the prospect of a wet beginning, the cloud forecast at my proposed 8,000 feet cruising altitude promised a sunny journey. 

The day was chosen and Custom’s notified. Then right on form it was a wet instrument departure out of Kerikeri but even while climbing to cruise altitude the ground speed teasingly indicated 160 knots. An hour later rain and cloud gave way to sunshine and best of all, a continuous ground speed that was never less than 170 knots. 

This all added up to be my fasted westerly Tasman Sea crossing ever…1,145 nautical miles in 6 hours 45 minutes. With Customs and Quarantine formalities complete the Bazflyers were reunited again and ready for another Australian adventure. Perhaps ‘seventeen’ is significant after all….