Hello Captains and welcome back for another update for my around the world adventure in the A2A Piper Comanche. The previous few legs have shown me just how majestic the land down under truly is. I look forward to returning to Australia and explore more of her beauty someday soon. But for now, it’s time to head towards New Zealand for a brief stop then onward as we island hop around our way back towards the equator.
Flight Day 31
Up before the crack of dawn as we have a long day of flying today. The Comanche is ready to go once again. We spent time while we were in Coffs Harbour to change the oil, replace the spark plugs and give everything a good close inspection. Our plan for today is to fly to Lord Howe Island for a brief stop then on to Norfolk Island for the night.
Flight Day 32
The weather looks good for the flight south to New Zealand. We will be landing at the Kaitaia Airport (NZKT) and spending the night before heading back to Norfolk Island late tomorrow. As we will return back to Norfolk Island tomorrow, we left our unneeded clothing and such behind as there’s no need to take it to New Zealand and then back. These long, over the water crossings are reminiscent of North Atlantic crossing I made many weeks ago. Over the next week or so, we will be doing more and more over water crossings as we navigate to and from various islands as we continue to explore and make our way back north towards the equator and into the northern hemisphere.
Flight Day 33
Up early and back to Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island may be the only airport we visit twice within this journey, but it’s unavoidable as the distances to anywhere else exceed the range of the Comanche. But from Norfolk we’ll head North to New Caledonia.
Flight Day 34
Today we’re heading for new territory as we fly north to New Caledonia. Over the next few days Tom and I will fly to as many of the nearby islands entities dotted around the South Pacific including Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Niue and more as we make a sweeping loop to the east before turning back towards the northwest towards the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. For today we have planned two flights with a lunch stop at the White Grass airport on the island of Tanna in the province of Vanuatu. Then we’ll proceed towards Fiji where we will stay the night.
Flight Day 35
Up early and ready to leave Fiji as we make our way towards our first stop in Vava’u, Tonga then onward to Niue for the night.
Well this wraps up another weekly update. I hope you’re enjoying my around the world adventure and perhaps you are planning your own. Tune in next week for another update as we make our way around the world.
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry