DH89A Dragon Rapide flies again

Thank you, Mark V and flyernzl, for those explanations.

I find it a little surprising that, in this security conscious world, the US authorities, above all others, are willing to permit aircraft to fly, in their territory, carrying “disguise” registrations. That is less difficult to comprehend in the case of an ex military aircraft, of a type long since out of military service, being permitted to fly in military colours and carrying a “disguise” military serial. In the case of aircraft carrying a “disguise” civilian registration mark, is that permitted only if the aircraft was, or is of a type which was, constructed a significant time ago? If there is not a “vintage only” rule, it seems that this derogation from the general principle could cause a degree of unease. I wonder what the US authorities would think if, for example, the Somali authorities permitted their aircraft to fly with “disguise” US registration marks. That might be quite an attractive proposition in certain quarters!

The photo of the “set aside” Rapide fuselage is interesting. Hopefully it will find a more appropriate use than fire wood. Maybe a static restoration or replica. And whilst on that subject, if N89D now flies with a new build fuselage, how much of the original aircraft is there now in it? Is that which appears in the photos a restoration or a replication? If the original fuselage is used for something other than firewood, in the future will the question be asked: will the real Rapide c/n 6709 please stand up!

I have had a careful look at the photos and it does not appear to carry its American reg. (N89D). They are often carried in very small lettering under the tail plane. Anyway great to see another Rapide back in the air, can’t have too many !!!

Planemike

We might be getting in to semantics here but don’t New Zealand light aircraft leave out the ZK part of the registration because they won’t generally leave the “Land of the long white cloud”? Thus ZK-ABC will be painted ABC so a four letter registration (ADDD) might be confusing. Terrific restoration though, makesthe two I work with at Duxford look a bit drab.

Yes the disappearance of the ‘G’ seemed strange to me, as well.

Elaborating on the explanation given above, the Rapide is legally N89D.

The aircraft flys under a registered colour scheme, and the lettering is simply that, with no legal significance. Just like a name painted on. Similar to, say, a WW2 warbird that operates in a wartime colour scheme. This does not mean that it is operated by that particular military air force. It is just paint.

However, the powers-that-be, in NZ, decree that the full lettering G-ADDD might be mistaken for a registration and confuse the natives, so the G must not be visible while being operated here.

My first ever flight was also in a DH89, either ZK-AKU or ZK-AKY by a process of elimination.

A fairly sad sight sitting outside the Avspecs workshop is the original wooden fuselage of the Rapide – someones firewood this winter?

I feel sure that I’m going to look stupid for asking – but why is this Rapide flying with a UK civilian registration mark when its owned in the USA and being flown in New Zealand?

Because the owner is an Anglophile and chose that scheme! It also displays a US N-registration and the New Zealand authorities deemd this confusing and ordered the covering up of the G. Once it gets home to Va it will be uncovered again.

I feel sure that I’m going to look stupid for asking – but why is this Rapide flying with a UK civilian registration mark when its owned in the USA and being flown in New Zealand?

I provided them with colour-scheme and interior details. They have done a good job of a representation of triple D!

Isn’t that gorgeous!

Not forgetting G-AJHO flew as G-ADDD for a while – just as pretty!

I’m sure Graham Simons will be looking at this thread….

DragonRapide

Lucky devil! Mine too, but many, many years ago…..;)

Brings back memories of my first Rapide flight, last year!:)

The Rapide has to be one of the prettiest planes ever built. What a marvellous sight!:)

Superb

Wonderful looking restoration and superb scheme, bet those Gipsy Queens sound sweet!