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 PBY CATALINA
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click on the image for a larger view
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In this DVD, we join ZK-PBY, owned and operated by The Catalina Club of New Zealand, en route to scenic Lake Taupo, in New Zealand’s North Island, for a training weekend. To preserve the hull from corrosion, the PBY-5A never lands on the sea, and visits freshwater Lake Taupo only once or twice a year, so this is a rare occasion.
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We take time to enjoy air-to-air footage of this historic aircraft against the spectacular New Zealand landscape (and the company of a formation of Yak trainers), before landing on the runway at Taupo airport, with snow-clad (and volcanic) Mt Ruapehu in the background.
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Training Captain Brett Emery takes us on a walk-around. The hull shape, the fittings and features, reflect the aircraft’s dual role of big speedboat and flying machine.
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The cabin interior is also unique: part boat, part aircraft.
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We now join Brett and other Catalina Club pilots in off-water circuit training.
We are in the cockpit for take-off from the runway at Taupo, and for a circuit of the Lake, leading to a touch-and-go.
Multiple cameras give us an intimate view of all cockpit operations; a helicopter provides spectacular air-to-air views, and a speedboat takes us up close on the water. Sound recorded directly from the Cat’s intercom allows us to hear all cockpit conversations, from engine start to shutdown.
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Viewed from the Catalina’s rear fuselage blisters, landings are very spectacular!
In the cockpit, Brett passes on some valuable handling tips. We learn that the ailerons require one and a half turns of the control wheel for full travel, and that they are used a lot, in careful co-ordination with the rudder, so flying a Cat is a very physical experience!
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We go around again, this time for a full stop on the water, and the engines are shut down.
The engines are started and as we take off again, vast sheets of water obscure the cockpit windows, totally obscuring the view ahead.
The program ends with some more air-to-air footage of the Catalina. This venerable aircraft’s place in history is assured. ZK-PBY is in good hands.
Click on the image to see a video clip. (5.0 Mb)
To download the video clip
right click here and save target as
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