RobiNZ Personal Blog

Around Oahu, Hawaii, by helicopter

When he heard I was going home, from Autodesk University, via Hawaii Shaan recommended a Blue Hawaiian Helicopter flight as a great way to see Oahu. Unfortunately, the pilot he knew (from some Autodesk related work) was not flying the only day I could do the flight, but the one I had was great anyway. They fly modern Airbus Eco-Star helicopters with great visibility for all passengers but I was lucky to be allocated a front seat beside the pilot. That was a matter of luck as is decided by weight loading as much as anything. The five other passengers... Read more →

The nuclear geek side of Las Vegas? The National Atomic Testing Museum

Due to flight timing I had Friday, after Autodesk University, in Vegas. After the best part of a week Casino living and ‘The Strip’ it was time for a change. On the way to the US I heard a “The Skeptics Guide to the Universe” podcast which mentioned “The National Atomic Testing Museum”, and decided to check that out. It is about 3km off the Strip and I decided to walk, fresh air and natural light was a nice change after spending most of the week inside. Back of ‘The Sands’ exhibition space where AU is held. The Howard Hughes... Read more →

Aviation Overload 2 – Museum of Flight

As mentioned in the previous Aviation Overload post I rented a car to enable me to visit The Museum of Flight after the Boeing Factory tour. I had heard it was good, billed as “the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world!”, but was completely blown away how good it was. The Connie is just a carpark ornament! The main exhibition hall, the “Great Gallery”, covers all eras of aviation from the Wright Flyer to Jet Aviation, next to it is the Lear Gallery, a significant space flight exhibit. Every direction you look, more aircraft. Stare a... Read more →

Aviation Overload 1 – Boeing

I don’t remember precisely when I was given this book but, judging from the 1973 publication date, it was probably some time in 1974. It was, is, a comprehensive guide to the (then) history, current production (70s) and possible future (about the mid 80s-2000s!) of Jet Aircraft. The ‘future’ predicted then included vertical take-off domestic flights from city centre airports and supersonic/hypersonic international flights. If only! In addition to aircraft and airports it featured lots of pictures of aircraft being designed and built. I found it fascinating, even obscure technical topics like navigation and approach systems which it covers in... Read more →

Seeing Seattle

This departure was my first chance to see (apart from in design models) the airside changes at Auckland Airport. Although still in construction the finished parts look great and the new security/emigration area is much better. Via Hawaii, a good way to go Although about 15 hours total a stop-over in Hawaii, after 9 hours, made the flight to Seattle much more pleasant than the usual long-haul. The Hawaiian entry to the US wasn’t terrible but I found the ‘new’ machines, of which they seemed very proud, to be of little advantage. Nowhere near as slick as the Kiwi system.... Read more →

To Vegas via Seattle, and Hawaii?

Once I decided to go to Autodesk University 2017 (November 13-16) in Las Vegas thoughts turned to how to get there. The usual route, from New Zealand, is via Los Angeles or San Francisco. While I love San Francisco I have been there several times and while I have been to Los Angeles almost as often I have never had any desire to stop there. I’m not interested in Disneyland, two visits to Disney World (for AU 2005 and again in 2006 for a retail conference) were enough, and the whole Hollywood thing has no appeal. Last time I went... Read more →