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Andy Heap
Find articles written by Andy Heap using the links below. Articles are listed in descending order of publicationThe Magic of Omaka—Classic Fighters 2009print $authors; ?> The Classic Fighters air show at Omaka in 2009 was blessed by good weather, sunshine—and Andy Heap’s presence with a camera!Article Details | |
Sioux—Story of an Ancient Warriorprint $authors; ?> With the time drawing rapidly nearer for the RNZAF to retire its elderly Sioux helicopters, Andy Heap took the opportunity to catch the ancient warrior while it was still hard at work.Article Details | |
Avalon 2009print $authors; ?> Avalon Airshow in Melbourne is the THE airshow event in the Southern Hemisphere and attracts displays and trade exhibitors from around the world. Andy Heap and Rob Hynes were there to capture the display action for Pacific Wings in 2009.Article Details | |
Burning with the RAAF at Amberleyprint $authors; ?> Pacific Wings correspondent Andy Heap was one of 80,000 hardy souls to brave the scorching heat at RAAF Amberley for the RAAF’s main airshow of 2008.Article Details | |
The Life And Times of The Flying Pig.print $authors; ?> In a fascinating article illustrated by his stunning photography, Andy Heap explains that there has never been another aircraft like the F-111—and probably never will be.Article Details | |
Exercise Blackbirdprint $authors; ?> Each year, the RNZAF holds Exercise Blackbird—a mountain flying training exercise for its helicopter crews. Andy Heap and Rob Neil joined 3 Squadron to observe a day of high altitude training in the Southern Alps.Article Details | |
A Pots and Pans Aeroplaneprint $authors; ?> Famed aircraft designer Sir Sydney Camm never had the same soft spot for his company’s Hawker Harrier as he did for many others of its designs. Hawker’s “pots and pans aeroplane”, as he called the Harrier, was never the plane it was originally intended to be, as Andy Heap explains.Article Details | |
Mountain Flying Trainingprint $authors; ?> Pacific Wings visited Mount Cook recently to sit in on a new mountain flying training programme. Andy Heap reports on his day at “the Rock” with Mount Cook Ski Planes CEO, Alex Miller, and long-time instructor, Charlie Elliott.Article Details | |
Living With Sinus(-itis)print $authors; ?> Demonstrating that men can multi-task, Andy Heap flies the novel and interesting Pipistrel Sinus, tells us about it in writing and provides the photographs.Article Details | |
Classic Fighters Marlborough 2007 – Airshow Reportprint $authors; ?> Andy Heap’s photographs and Megan Foster’s words capture the highlights of this “Classic” biennial Easter airshow in Blenheim.Article Details | |
The Kiwi and the Catprint $authors; ?> One of many Kiwis who left New Zealand to fly for the RAF, Reuben Cholmondely-Smith now flies Jaguars for the RAF. Andy Heap caught up with him in the UK recently![]() |
Mother Riley's Cardboard Aeroplaneprint $authors; ?> The Panavia Tornado - a.k.a Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) epitomises the compromises inherent in attempting to produce a ""one-size-fits-all"" combat aircraft, as Andy Heap explains![]() |
Low Level: The Unseen Airshowsprint $authors; ?> Andy Heap visits the UK and the mountains and valleys of the RAF's low-flying training areas where he makes the most of some of the world's most exciting aviation photography opportunities.![]() |
All at Sea: RNZN's Seasprites in Serviceprint $authors; ?> As Australia suffers problems with its Kaman SH-2G (A) Seasprites, Pacific Wings correspondent Andy Heap finds it is a different story on the other side of the Tasman when he talks to those who take New Zealand's SH-2G (NZ) Seasprites to sea.![]() |
Yak-3: My Russian Spitfireprint $authors; ?> An unsung star of the Second World War, the Yak-3 is typically Russian - superb performance from a simple design. The type has seen resurgence in modern times, with ""new builds"" now available, and Andy Heap checked out New Zealand's only example of the ""Russian Spitfire""![]() |
Ice Orionprint $authors; ?> Antarctica is usually the domain of Hercules, but the great hunter Orion has made his first foray to "The Ice" recently, when the RNZAF landed a P-3K at Pegasus Airfield as part of a trial to see if regular Orion missions south are feasible. Andy Heap reports on a successful sub-zero venture.![]() |
The Pocket Rocket's Birthdayprint $authors; ?> Distinctive in design and performance, the V-tail Bonanza is a classic GA aircraft in every sense of the word. But despite 17,000 airframes produced over 60 years, only a handful of these exquisite aircraft have made the journey to New Zealand. Wings correspondent Andy Heap recently flew one of the few - Keith Neylon's V-35B, ZK-EDJ.Article Details | |
Engineering Innovationprint $authors; ?> Pacific Wings correspondent Andy Heap visited Air New Zealand Engineering Services recently, and discovered that innovation and Kiwi ingenuity are alive and well.Article Details | |
If it had Claws …. It could land on a fence postprint $authors; ?> Able to land and take off from ridiculously short strips, the aptly named Helo Courier is truly a remarkable utility aircraft that approaches the limits of the bottom left corner of the flight envelope. Andy Heap takes a look at New Zealand's first and only example Trevor Collins' ZK-TCEArticle Details | |
Sounds like a chanceprint $authors; ?> The winds of change are blowing in Marlborough - fanned by the single-engined airliners of local operators, Sounds Air. Andy Heap pays a visit and discovers a revitalized and thriving business capitalizing on the company's unique location, a few new zideas, and the abilities of an ideally suitable fleet.![]() |
Farmers of the Skyprint $authors; ?> Andy Heap's photo-essay of one topdresser's day at the office.![]() |