Max talks with New Zealand pilot Keith Froude during a scenic flight in Keith’s In this episode of Aviation News Talk, Max Trescott takes listeners into the cockpit for a scenic and educational flight over New Zealand’s Fiordland with local pilot Keith Froude. The flight takes place in Keith’s Flight Design CTLS, a light sport-style microlight aircraft, and the conversation unfolds in real time as the aircraft departs from a grass runway near Lake Te Anau and heads toward some of the most rugged terrain in the country.
Flying the CTLS from a Grass Runway
The episode begins with the practical details of operating a CTLS on a cold morning. Keith describes the start procedure, warm-up targets, mag checks, fuel status, electric flaps, hand brake, and the unique handling of an airplane that is both light and slippery. Before takeoff, he gives Max a thorough safety briefing that includes harnesses, life jackets, the aircraft parachute handle, door security, and what to do if the pilot became incapacitated. That cockpit briefing alone gives pilots a useful reminder of how much practical risk management happens before the throttle ever goes forward.
RAANZ Microlight Flying in New Zealand
Keith also explains how he came into aviation. Although he has fewer than 200 hours as a pilot, he has spent much of his life around airplanes, including aerobatic flights with his brother-in-law, a New Zealand aerobatics champion. He started in a Bantam B22, then moved into the CTLS, which he now uses for touring with his wife. Max and Keith discuss RAANZ microlight certification, which is common among New Zealand recreational pilots, especially those flying light aircraft for personal use.
Real-Time Mountain Flying Decisions
Once airborne, the flight becomes a vivid mountain flying lesson. Keith initially circles and climbs to build altitude before crossing water and entering the valleys. The CTLS climbs from the grass runway while Max observes Lake Te Anau, farmland, livestock, cloud, fog, and the mountains ahead. Keith repeatedly talks through his altitude choices, explaining that he wants to stay conservative, avoid entering cloud, and keep options available in terrain where turning space can disappear quickly.
Terrain, Traffic, ADS-B, and Moving Maps
A major theme is situational awareness in terrain. Keith points out that Fiordland can be disorienting because the valleys, ridgelines, lakes, and steep peaks can look similar from the air. He uses electronic flight bags and ADS-B, but he also reminds Max that not every aircraft in the area is visible electronically. Helicopters, floatplanes, and local traffic share the same spectacular but confined airspace, and radio calls are constant throughout the flight. Keith also chooses to avoid the busier Milford Sound area, noting the amount of commercial traffic and the challenges of operating in a tight valley with an airport at the end.
Weather, Wind Layers, and Conservative Choices
The scenery is extraordinary, but the safety lessons are even more valuable. As the flight continues toward Deep Cove, Secretary Island, the Manapouri power station, and back toward Te Anau, Keith describes how wind changes with altitude and terrain. Even shortly after 9 AM, the aircraft begins to feel bumps near the higher terrain, and Keith explains that the upper westerly flow and lower calm air can create an inversion-like layer. He slows the aircraft, changes altitude, and keeps evaluating where the smoother air is likely to be.
New Zealand Flying Culture
The episode also highlights practical differences between flying in New Zealand and flying in the United States. Keith talks about local procedures, the use of grass runways, the importance of knowing the terrain, and operating under microlight rules. Max notes the value of the moving map and how difficult it would be for an unfamiliar pilot to navigate safely through the area without local knowledge. The conversation captures the humility needed for this kind of flying: Keith knows the route, respects the weather, stays alert for other aircraft, and keeps discussing his choices out loud.
Fiordland from the Cockpit
Listeners also get a sense of the joy of flying in New Zealand. Max describes the peaks, valleys, lakes, granite slopes, fog over the water, sheep and cattle below, and the unforgettable view of mountains leading all the way to the ocean. The flight includes a radio exchange with local pilot Kylie, a pass near the glowworm caves, a look at the grazing country around Te Anau, and a smooth return to the grass runway.
By the end, this episode becomes more than a scenic ride. It is a cockpit-level look at how a local pilot manages a light aircraft in demanding terrain. From preflight briefings and parachute procedures to ADS-B limitations, mountain wind, traffic awareness, and speed control on landing, Max’s flight with Keith Froude offers a memorable look at Fiordland flying and a useful reminder that good airmanship is built from many small, conservative decisions.
Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets
Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let’s you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk.
Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1299
NEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099
Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949
Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749
My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu
Send us your feedback or comments via email
If you have a question you’d like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone.
Mentioned on the Show
Buy Max Trescott’s G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553
Buying a new Cirrus SR20, SR22, or Vision Jet – Contact Max first!
Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk
So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars
Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification
Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we’ll make a couple of dollars if you do.
Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.
Check out Max’s Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/
Social Media
Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook
Follow Max on Instagram
Follow Max on Twitter
Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium
“Go Around” song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com
If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.