Milford Sound Flights
Charter Flight
Flight and Cruise Bundled Fare
ZQN-MFN (Queenstown to Milford Sound)
21 November 2018
Cessna 208B (One Class Configuration)
ZK-MSF
Co-Pilot Seat
Departure: 10:00AM
Arrival: 10:45AM
This flight was one of the activities I was most looking forward to, so I was very relieved when we received the go ahead. Once we showed up at the airport, we went inside to get weighed and to pay for our tickets. In return, we were handed a pamphlet of our flight route along with a boarding pass corresponding to the tail number of our plane. We hung around for a few minutes waiting for everyone to arrive and then our pilot Aaron showed up and corralled us all to the plane.
Tarmac View from Boarding Area/Holding Pen
Super Official Boarding Pass
Do Not Touch Propellers
One would think this is just common sense. Apparently not.
ZK-MSF
ZK-MSF
He then instructed folks where to sit, presumably for weight balance. When he got to me he asked if I wouldn't mind sitting up front. Obviously, I eagerly agreed. Zero hesitation. I left my pack with my other half and she was seated several rows back.
I must add that the IFE was really lacking. I don't know if mine was broken, but I just couldn't figure out how to watch Spongebob Squarepants on this thing. Also, where's the FA and CSD? No PDBs or snack service. No recognition of status. No amuse bouche. Just terrible.
My Seat
Legroom wasn't too tight, though better than what the folks in the cheap seats had to work with. Just had to watch out the yoke didn't whack me in the, um, well you get the point.
IFE
The IFE system was clearly busted.
IFE Controls
The pilot finally got the IFE working, but he was watching the most boring movie I've ever seen. I didn't get any headphones either.
Taxiing
Taking Off
Airborne on the first try!
Double Cone
Remarkables Ski Area beyond that peak
Kawaru River
Kawaru River
Lake Hayes
Hill near Lake Hayes
Our Pilot Aaron
Coronet Peak Ski Area
Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak
Shotover River
Shotover River
Mount Aurum
Mount Aurum
Mount Aurum
Avalanche
Ski-able
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park
Rees River
Rees River
Rees River
Mount Earnslaw
Lake Mckerrow
Lake Mckerrow
Skippers Range
Skippers Range Passing Over Mount Madeline
Mount Tutoko
Kaipo River
Tasman Sea
Llawrenny Peaks
Llawrenny Peaks
Llawrenny Peaks
Fjord
Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Milford Sound
MFN Airport
Final Approach
Final Approach
Final Approach
Landed
Taxiing
Taxiing
Wonder what this button does...
MFN
Lots of charter flights that day
Overall, this was a great flight. Apart from saving a huge amount of time versus driving, seeing things from above was a totally different experience from seeing them on the ground.