Short Final

Editorial Staff

Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Qantas's first Airbus A380 visited Auckland, New Zealand, on October 10 for a promotional flight, marking the type's inaugural visit to the country.
A news helicopter, ZK-HST, filmed the A380's takeoff and sought permission to track it for a city flyover.
During a radio exchange with Auckland Control, the helicopter pilot mistakenly identified the Airbus A380 as a "Boeing."

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On Friday, October 10, Qantas’s first Airbus A380 visited Auckland, marking the first visit of the type to New Zealand. It did a press junket promotional flight across the city and environs, filmed by a news helicopter, ZK-HST. This was heard on Auckland control 124.3:

ZK-HST:
“Auckland Control, Hotel Sierra Tango. We’ve filmed the takeoff, and we’d like to track to the city to film the flyover.”

Auckland Control:
“Hotel Sierra Tango, do you have the A380 visual?”

ZK-HST:
“Affirm, Boeing in sight!”