Fly DC3 New Zealand

09/06/2024

In Normandy…80 years after D-day.

01/05/2024

https://podcast.radionz.co.nz/downloads/aft/aft-20240501-1315-battle_to_keep_historic_aircraft_in_the_air-128.mp3

01/05/2024

I will put up the podcast for you. What lovely people at RNZ and Jesse just puts you at ease.

Great to have Geoff and Jessica in the studio to talk passionately about Betsy, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft! They're trying to come up with a way to keep people enjoying Betsy for many years to come.

29/04/2024

On our last day flying this side of winter... we fitted in interviews and filming between our 3 flights.

The fate of a tiny airline is hanging in the balance as it wrestles with operational costs and a struggle to find crew.

28/04/2024

There is a lot to talk about today… that will be posted Monday .
In the meantime- here is our final landing today… and Captain Jolon’s sons voting on it.

25/04/2024

We have made a recent decision here at Fly DC3 New Zealand to ‘winter over’ the DC3 here at Ardmore during the recession in New Zealand.
Global issues , uncertainty, and the increase in operating, insurance, maintenance and compliance costs at this time have us beginning our winter ‘hibernation’ early.
Our last day of flying will be this Sunday 28th April, with the final flight departing at 1300 and arriving back at our WW2 hangar at 1330.
We have three flights , all booked ahead.
1.) 1 hour departing 1015/1030.
2.) 1/2 hour departing at 1145/1200.
3.) 1/2 hour departing at 1300 and back at 1330.

We will continue to maintain our beautiful aircraft over winter - complete engine runs, keep the inside cabin and flight deck as if she was ready to fly and complete required engineering checks and tasks.
Our crew will take some time to look at what the future looks like, working on a range of ideas for the DC3. After 37 years in New Zealand, we dearly would like to keep her flying.

This photo reflects the early morning starts when we do May flights here in the Southern Hemisphere. May in the Clevedon Valley, where Ardmore Airport is based, is often gorgeously foggy and it burns off by about 0930. I love this photo... it shows the crew working early to get us ready for our days flying...

19/04/2024

Todays planned 1 hour at 1030 and then 1/2 hour flight at 1145/1200 have been transferred to tomorrow - Sunday 21st April. We have spare seats on both flights so please email us on [email protected] if you would like to book.
Next Sunday, 28th April are our two last flights.
I will explain the 'last' in another post this weekend.

14/04/2024

More pics from today’s 1-hour scenic…another epic day of aviating in our iconic 1944 airliner!!!

14/04/2024

Day two this weekend of DC3 flights.
Todays flight was a 1 hour up to Goat island and returning back to Ardmore via abeam Waiheke island.
I will put up some gorgeous photos but first… one of our Captains was asked if he could take a photo of two passengers in front of the aircraft. ‘ Yes of course!’ So Geoff looked through the camera and saw the gentleman drop to his knee and pull out a smart little jewellery box. … she said ”Yes.”
Look at her nails as well!

09/04/2024

Recently, our team was lucky enough to have editors Noah and Jean-Luc of Oceania Aviation Insider fly with us on our iconic 1944 DC-3, ‘Betsy’ and get a feel for vintage aviation!

"After taking off you will embark on a scenic flight like no other...The experience is such a great way to get a feel of vintage aviation and experience flight how it was 80+ years

Experience Betsy and the care of our crew for yourself - book your seats this April at www.flydc3.nz/

Read more about their experience here: https://oceaniaaviationinsider.site/articles/fly-dc3-experience

Recently we flew with Fly DC3 from Ardmore, this article gives an insight into the amazing airline.

08/04/2024

https://www.flydc3.nz/tour/auckland-city-and-region-1-hour-flight-april-14th-full-and-april-20th

Counting down the final flights of the summer and autumn season with just two flights with available seats. Those views from the 'Low and Slow DC3' have been so popular this season.
April 20th is a 1 hour flight and we have 10 seats left to book.
April 28th is a half hour flight and there are also just 10 seats left to book.
Doors open at our WW2 hangar at Ardmore at 0930, with final Check in between 0945/1000. The Cabin crew will offer a range of fresh hot teas and coffee in nice china cups, cold drinks in proper glassware, as well as our chocolate biscuits served from a 3 tier platter!
Captain's Welcome -then board our beautiful DC3 airliner, for a departure out over Auckland city and harbour, and if you are on the 1 hour flight - all the way up the coast to Orewa, then out to Goat Island Bay and return.
Join us for what will be the final nostalgic flights for this season ...

Auckland 1 hour tour - a spectacular way to view Auckland and the northern region from above! ( 1030-1130)

06/04/2024

Two fabulous DC3 flights today… and the first flight … we were invited by Auckland Air Traffic Control to ‘ fly down the runway…’ And so we did.

03/04/2024

April in New Zealand is autumn, the end of summer as home gardeners complete their harvest and plan for winter crops. It is also the time for New Zealanders to plan ahead for the cooler months – last BBQ’s, sports, fishing trips and…a bucket list flight in a DC3. Not just any DC3 – a DC3 airliner that is privately owned by fellow Kiwi’s, who have worked for many years in the NZ commercial aviation and airline industry.
• Experienced Long Haul training captains
• First and Business class cabin crew
• Ground Support crew with years of aviation knowledge and experience

… They combine their procedural, safety, commercial and service experience together to provide an ‘Excellent Day Out’ for FLY DC3 New Zealand passengers…

If you are holding a Gift Voucher for the DC3, April is the time to use it. We have a good number of seats this Saturday April 6th on the 1130 flight. Perfect timing to then head out for lunch. If you have a voucher, contact us 0274 382 297 or email [email protected] to book. (Please book through the office – not the website, as you will be asked to pay again!)

If you are not holding a voucher, this is the link to book and pay online.
https://www.flydc3.nz/tour/auckland-city-30-min-flight-april-6th-20th-28th

The dates are:
1. April 6th -1/2 hour flight - check in 0945 (Flight is Full)
2. April 6th – ½ hour flight - check in 1045 – 18 spare seats
3. April 13th is a private charter.
4. April 14th - 1 hour flight – (Flight is Full)
5. April 20th – 1 hour flight – check in 0945 – 14 spare seats.
6. April 20th - ½ hour flight – check in 1115 – 16 spare seats.
7. April 28th – ½ hour flight – check in 0945 – 16 spare seats.

We will be taking a long break over winter /spring while we plan 2024/25.

16/03/2024

New Facebook photo - our beautiful Betsy at Full Noise... and given to us by the photographer - Stu Russell.

16/03/2024

It’s ok…we were only there for 1 hour & 59 minutes…!😁😉 (yesterday’s Whitianga flight - what a fantastic day it was!)

16/03/2024

13/03/2024

This Saturday 16th March is a Whitianga Day Out...and very likely to be the Last Time Ever.
We have 4 spare seats - and you can book online. the forecast looks better and better - be on board with us for a great , nostalgic day out.

An edit here - my apologies (from Jessica) as so many people thought this was the last flight/near the last flight for the DC3. It is the last flight for the DC3 to Whitianga, particularly this season. However, even though everyone - crew and passengers just LOVE this product, all our flights to Whitianga this summer have barely been half full. These flights are the same price/fare as a 1 hour flight from Ardmore up to Goat Island Bay, so all passengers can choose a Whitianga Day out, OR, a 1 hour flight.
EVERY single passenger who flies with us to Whitianga just had the BEST day!
We arrange their ground transport, book lunch cafe/restaurants, Lost Spring Spa, organise the tours to Opito Bay and Luke's restaurant - everything is planned for them.

I hope that todays flight to Whitianga isn't the last... I hope that we will return in November.

https://www.flydc3.nz/tour/dc3-day-out-whitianga-february-17th-march-16th

10/03/2024

An excellent time today being involved with the New Zealand Warbirds Open Day/ Airshow.
It used to be 3 times a year- March ( a great autumnal time) , then close to June 6th ( D-day) then also December 7th (Pearl Harbour day. )
Every day was seasonally excellent but it was too hard on everyone. ( compliance, operations, etc… so the plan was to combine into One Big Event every March.
After 2023 when the entire population of Auckland descended on Ardmore… processes changed. 2024 was now going to be online tickets, and strict traffic management.
And so it did.
Today our Fly DC3 New Zealand crew operated 3 x 25/30 minute flights on a wonderful sunny autumn Sunday.
All our crew worked so professionally to get our three flights away, on time. Every time. During an air-show. During the exact timings that were required.

09/03/2024

Wondering what a stunning scenic flight over Auckland city & surrounds looks like when you visit the cockpit of our iconic 1944 DC-3, ‘Betsy’? …It looks like this!!!