Replacement engine has arrived

The arrival into Christchurch on Tuesday 17 March was a moment to remember, with the Spirit of Douglas receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome. After a journey that had already captured the imagination of many, it was a pleasure to see so many supporters gathered to greet the aircraft and crew. The atmosphere on the ground reflected just how much affection there is for this remarkable piece of aviation history.

In preparation for the next leg of the journey engineering checks were carried out, as is always the case with an aircraft of this significance. During these inspections, some technical issues were identified that required careful attention before any further flying could be undertaken. Moments like these are an important reminder of the care and diligence required to keep a historic aircraft operating safely.

To oversee the work, Paul Bazeley from Aerometal International Inc. was here in NZ from the United States. Paul’s knowledge and familiarity with Spirit are second to none, and it was reassuring to have him on hand to assess the situation firsthand.

For now, Spirit remains in Christchurch with a replacement engine that has just arrived from the United States.  This pause in operations is a necessary step to ensure the aircraft continues to operate to the highest standards. The team remains focused on doing everything properly, with safety and preservation always front of mind.

Looking ahead, there is great excitement about what comes next. Once Spirit is back up and running, plans will be put in place to take the aircraft around New Zealand, giving as many Kiwis as possible the opportunity to see her up close. And, we can’t express how appreciative we are for all the wonderful messages and memories that have been flooding in.

While Spirit is here in Christchurch, our first public event will be part of the GCH Aviation Community Open day on Saturday 18th April. 10am - 3pm,73 Grays Road, Harewood, Christchurch.  Check it out and come and see us.

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