It was touch and go for the Australian Air Force at Whangarei Airport yesterday.
Crews aboard two Hercules aircraft were practising landing manoeuvres as part of a training mission to New Zealand.
The huge planes rumbled through the air then skimmed over the runway, briefly touching down before lifting off again. During some passes the wheels failed to hit the tarmac, but when they did a plume of smoke billowed out behind and the smell of burning rubber drifted across the airfield.
Whangarei Airport manager Mike Chubb said the crews had been practising touch-and-go landings and missed approaches while performing low-level circuits.
An Air Force spokesman said the Australians had been in New Zealand for a week training at various airports around the country. The Whangarei runway was relatively short and made an excellent training ground, he said.
Whangarei resident Derek Marais saw the aircraft circling while he was returning home from Whangarei Heads.
He drove to Onerahi to watch the planes roar down the runway. "They are certainly an impressive sight," he said.
Aussies practise tactics at Onerahi
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.