[chbot] Hercules_>Wigram

Tue Feb 18 01:18:50 GMT 2025

HERCULES UPDATE: We've distributed this letter to our neighbours today from Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb. The full text to neighbours is below with possible questions and answers, plus contact details for any questions. Exciting news!From: Chief of Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force12 February 2025Dear NeighbourC-130 Hercules Delivery to Air Force MuseumWe wanted to let you know in advance about an unusual aircraft movement planned for the coming weeks.The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is intending to land a C-130H Hercules transport aircraft on the grounds of the Air Force Museum between the hours of 8am and 8pm within the next month. The landing is weather dependent – so our apologies that we cannot be more exact about the timings. Because this is an unusual event, RNZAF personnel will be out in the neighbourhood in the days ahead to talk to residents closest to the Air Force Museum who are near the flightpath, to explain what’s happening and answer any questions you may have. The aircraft will make its final touchdown here having concluded 60 years of service to New Zealand. It will then be prepared to go into storage prior to going on display in the future.What to expect:The Hercules will be flying in via a low approach over Corsair Drive. There will be very loud engine noise for a short amount of time as it flies over and goes into reverse thrust upon landing. While helicopters land regularly in your area, the sight and sound of such a large aircraft on a low approach to the grounds of the Air Force Museum will be unusual. Please do not be alarmed. There is a chance the aircraft may fly over more than once to practise its approach and ensure conditions are correct for landing. Once the Hercules lands it will taxi to the hangars and shut down.Is the airfield large enough?The Air Force Museum sits on 37 hectares of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) land and there is more than enough space to land safely. The runway and approach have been surveyed, and the clearances over properties and trees close to the perimeter are adequate for the landing – although it will appear very close for those near the airfield boundary. The RNZAF’s most experienced C-130(H) Hercules crew has been chosen to fly the aircraft and they have been well prepared for this activity. The NZ Police and the Christchurch City Council have been consulted and full emergency contingency planning has been carried out.Please get in touch with any concernsIf you have any questions or concerns at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing rnzaf_enquiries at nzdf.mil.nzWe have produced a list of possible questions and answers below but please take the chance to speak to our team when they are in your street.Yours sincerely D.R. WEBBAir Vice-MarshalChief of Air ForceFrequently Asked QuestionsWhy is the aircraft landing?The C-130H Hercules is being delivered to the Air Force Museum for future static display. The arrival of the C-130H Hercules is a huge bonus for the museum and will be a popular visitor attraction. This aircraft is a piece of NZ aviation history and has served New Zealand for 60 years. The aircraft deserves to retire and to be conserved and displayed for the generations to come. Is the airfield long enough?Yes. There is more than enough room, with a margin of error built in, for a landing when the weather conditions are favourable. The C-130H Hercules was designed to conduct short landings, including on grass runways. It is perfectly suited to landing at Wigram. This is the most effective way to get it to the museum. The C-130H Hercules has landed at Wigram throughout its career, this will make for an historic last flight.Which way will the aircraft land?The C-130H Hercules will approach from over the Corsair Rd end of the airfield and land in the direction of Symes Rd/Vickerys Rd end. It will then taxi towards, and park in front of the museum main hangars. This should take less than 10 minutes.Do I need to leave my home?No, there is no need to leave your home. You will likely hear a very loud noise as the aircraft flies over and there will be some vibration for a few seconds as it does so. Will it do more than one approach?The aircraft may need more than one approach to ensure conditions are right for landing. The RNZAF’s fleet of five C-130H Hercules have completed more than 100,000 landings safely over the past 60 years.Airports have fire crews. Will there be a fire crew on site?Yes. We have support from the Fire Service and Christchurch Airport.When will the Hercules go on display?Once the aircraft lands it will go through a process to remove its military equipment and fuel. The museum will then hold a series of open days similar to the ones held when our P-3K2 Orion arrived in 2024, there will also be an exhibition to tell the story of the aircraft. It cannot go on permanent display until a new exhibition space is built. The plans for this exhibition space are under way.Source:-https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15nDHN1HWu/RegardsMike BarnesPO Box 218ChristchurchPh 021 679 479
-------- Original message --------From: "rudy.kremers at 123gaming.com" <rudy.kremers at racingworld.com> Date: 11/02/25  10:56 pm  (GMT+12:00) To: Christchurch Robotics <chchrobotics at lists.ourshack.com> Subject: Re: [chbot] Hercules_>Wigram 

Did you know, the C130 can land within 100 meters! It can do this because it has reversible props.

C-130 Carrier Landing without Hook | Military.com

Very cool!!

It would be interesting to see how much runway they actually need when they land at Wigram.

Cheers,

Rudy

From: Chchrobotics <chchrobotics-bounces at lists.ourshack.com> on behalf of Andy Gardner <ceo at andygardner.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 11 February 2025 9:08 pm
To: Christchurch Robotics <chchrobotics at lists.ourshack.com>
Subject: Re: [chbot] Hercules_>Wigram

Thanks for that extra info, Graham.

I heard they'd mowed the strip ready just recently and possibly were
laying out lights for guidance.

Let's face if if an engine failed, they could literally throw an anchor
off the rear ramp once it's down. It's not as if it's ever going to take
off again!

They've been practicing grass landings at Woodbourne this week.

Pics:
https://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/30840/130h-farewell-flights-events?page=5

Cheers,

On 11/02/25 20:06, GRAHAM CHRISTIE wrote:
> Hi Andy
>
> The last I heard was that they need a 20 knot westerly.
> But someone in the paper work chain has put a spanner in the works by stating that if they had an engine out on landing it would be a problem.
> They are still working on the permit, last I heard 2 weeks ago.
>
> Alternative is to land at Harewood and disassemble and truck to Wigram.
>
> If I know I will let you know.
>
> Regards
> Graham
>> On 11/02/2025 17:23 NZDT Andy Gardner <ceo at andygardner.com> wrote:
>>
>>  
>> They're currently prepping the paddock at Wigram in order to drop a
>> Hercules there.
>>
>> If someone on the list has their ear to the ground enough to know in
>> advance when it's happening, I'd really appreciate them letting the list
>> know as I'd love to get into town in able to see it.
>>
>>
>>
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