< PreviousKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 59 10 Back in July at their AGM and Conference, Flying New Zealand took the opportunity to again surprise four people with the prestigious FAI Air Sport Medal. The four recipients this year, for extraordinary service to general aviation, were Jim Summerfield, Doug Yarrall, Jim Fraser, and Paul Drake. The FAI Air Sport Medal may be awarded, at any time, to individuals or groups for outstanding services in connection with air sport activities and for promoting aviation in general, especially with regard to young people. The NZ awards are made annually at the Flying NZ Conference. For further information contact Liz email: lizking@clear.net.nz Congratulations to this year’s five recipients whose abbreviated citation summaries follow. Jim Summerfield At the age of nine Jim saw a topdressing aircraft working and decided that was what he was going to do. He gained his CPL in the ’70s, then flying safety patrols, charter, scenic and air ambulance flights under the commercial arm of Kaitaia Aero Club. At this time Jim also took up his first top-dressing job – work he retired from just a few years ago. As the club was reliant on visiting Instructors, in 1988 Jim gained his Instructor rating thus becoming the club’s resident Instructor – as he still is today. “If the standard required is here, you aim for there” he tells students (a notch higher of course). Jim has always been strong on safety; “I teach to stay alive,” he says. If a club pilot is a bit unsure of something Jim does not hesitate to offer to go for a fly (“I’ll just sit with you, no charge”), to iron that something out. He has always been available should anyone have a problem to discuss, whether they be a local or not. In the 1990s Jim re-instigated commercial operations for the club. Once again he flew all manner of operations until that work was taken over by bigger companies. These jobs also provided valuable experience for other club pilots to then continue on with various aviation careers. Jim has been behind many club projects and events over the years, including constructing new premises in the late ’80s when the club had been operating from an old control tower, known as the Rats’ Nest. And at the same time as being mainstay of the Kaitaia Aero Club, Jim has amassed over 22,000 hours in his logbook, the majority topdressing and therefore incorporating an astonishing number of take-offs and landings. Doug Yarrall Doug began flying in 1958 with his first flight in a glider and also gaining his PPL. The two disciplines have intertwined through the years nicely. In the New Zealand gliding world Doug was a Foundation Member of the Upper Valley Gliding Club, holding positions as President and CFI. He was made a life member in 1962. He attained provincial and national titles across various categories as well as competing at world events in the 1970s and ’80s. He is the holder of the NZ altitude record (in 1968), still valid 50 years later – at 37000 feet in a wooden glider with instruments and canopy frosted over! In the powered flying world Doug is perhaps best known for being the CFI at Wairarapa Aero Club from 2009 to 2017. A great supporter of people young and not so young with their aviation endeavours, Doug was made a Life Member of the Gliding Club in 1962 and the Wairarapa Aero Club in 1984. Doug’s nomination is supported by Gliding New Zealand and RAANZ. Jim Fraser Jim started flying as a cadet with the Air Force, soloing in a Tiger Moths in 1955. Later, in the early 1960s, he joined the Rotorua Aero Club flying mainly out of Kawerau and Whakatane. He joined the Auckland Aero Club at Ardmore in January 1969. During his time flying he became rated on 17 aircraft and has served on the committee of the Auckland Aero Club on two occasions for a total of around 14 years. Flying NZ award FAI Sport Medals Industry and Community News Jim is a very active club member and until recently would always be available to help with working bees. He jointly took responsibility for mowing the club grounds and associated taxiways and parking areas for some 10 years. He has competed in most Nationals competitions no less than 20 times with numerous event wins to his name. Now a life member of the Auckland Aero Club, he continues to be passionate about both it and Flying NZ’s futures. Paul Drake In his first year of secondary education at the Timaru Boys High School, Paul joined No. 15 Squadron of the Air Training Corps, and at the age of 15 he was selected to join the annual ATC training camp at Matamata. Later joining the South Canterbury Aero Club he made his first solo flight at age 16, funded from earnings as a baggage handler. In 1977 he entered the Civil Aviation’s college at Harewood to train in flight service operations. Subsequently he returned to the Christchurch training school and graduated as an Air Traffic Controller and served at Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch. After 21 years, he moved on from controlling to join the Aviation Security Service. With PPL, CPL and a C-Cat rating to his name, Paul has won several Nationals events. Throughout his long association with both ATC and the AvSec he took a special interest in serving both the Canterbury Aero Club and the Royal New Zealand Aero Club in an executive role, in particular as CAC President for 8 years. His RNZAC connection has encompassed 16 years in two segments, and in both periods he rose to the rank of senior vice- president. At the same time he played significant supporting roles in annual competitions. He has also represented the RNZAC for several years on the Civil Aviation safety committee which meets in Wellington regularly. L-R: Bob Henderson, Doug Yarrell, Paul Drake, Jim Fraser, Liz King, Jim Summerfield.11 2018 #4 Despite the less than perfect weather, more than 4300 people turned out to the Kāpiti Coast Airport Open Day on Sunday August the 5th. People were keen to get onboard and have a look over the Air Chathams Saab 340A which will be servicing the Kāpiti to Auckland route, the first flight departing Kapiti on Monday August the 20th. Air Chathams will operate 36 flights a week and will cater to the business traffic in the early mornings and late evenings as well as off peak leisure traffic. Kāpiti Mayor K. (Guru) Gurunathan said seeing the community come out in force, both as visitors and hosts of the event, “continued to strengthen the message that our airport and its services are hugely important to many people in our region”. Mr Gurunathan, who thanked everyone involved, said it was a “fantastic opportunity” to welcome Air Chathams. Air Chathams general manager Duane Emeny said Air Chathams wasn’t a short-term company, pointing out that its Whakatane and Whanganui services had celebrated three year and two year anniversaries respectively; “If we can make this new venture work and get the support from the community we will be here as long as you want us,” he said. The public were entertained with more than 20 static aircraft ranging from a 1949 Piper Super Cub to a Harvard, and three helicopters to look over. Several of the pilots were on hand to speak to and visitors could sit in some of the aircraft on display. Sounds Air brought their Pilatus PC12 and Cessna 208 Caravan, plus the Westpac Life Flight rescue helicopter was also on show. CAA Part 145 Approved Parts Supply Installation & Repair Ardmore based Fully mobile Representing Advanced Flight Appareo Avidyne David Clark Dynon Kannad PS Engineering Trig Aeroshell (reseller) 23 Victa Lane, Ardmore Airfield 09 299 9289 info@icea.co www .icea.co AVIONICS Kapiti Coast Airport Open Day contributed by Paul Le Roy Air Chathams ran 20-minute flights in their Douglas DC3 and Kapiti Heliworx offered a special Transmission Gully or coastal flights in their AS350. Other highlights around the hangar included pop-up displays from the Aviation Museum, the Civil Aviation Authority, the New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society and Waikanae Air Scouts. Special credit also to the Kapiti Air Training Corps who were out in force as part of the volunteer team for the day. Plenty of young aviation enthusiasts pictured in front of Air Chathams’ Saab 340AKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 59 12 Industry and Community News Sunday 9th September 2018 saw a memorial organised by Susan Duncan for last farewells for Alan Duncan, ‘Dunc’ as he was known, a legendary professional stalker and hunter pilot for red deer in New Zealand. Susan (Alan’s granddaughter) and her two daughters brought together people who knew Dunc for a final story telling event in perfect hot Spring weather at Makarora, on the edge of the Southern Alps. The place where Dunc and his wife Denise spent their main years, bringing up 7 children and being part of the cog that created a time that Kiwis now nostalgically call the ‘Last Great Adventure’. Alan, born in Rotorua in 1933, moved with his family to Opotoki in1938, which is where he fell in love with hunting. From the 1930s the Government had lifted all protection over red deer as gamekeepers had lost control of numbers and a culling programme began in great earnest. Beginning the task on foot, Dunc was responsible for the first hut at Siberia built in the late 1950s. He cut a large Silver Beech tree down and made planks that fashioned a hut for “a few gallons of petrol for a chainsaw”. Soon after that aircraft were being used for dropping supplies to the good keen men below thus putting a thought in Dunc’s mind. The men were tough in those days, strong and fit, dressed only in a woolen singlet, the iconic Swanndri and perpetually wet boots. If he learnt the art of flying he would be able to transport deer much faster than by foot to a waiting truck at the end of a remote valley. He purchased a Piper Cub and then, as it was done in those days, set about finding someone to teach him to fly it and soon took it home to Makarora Alan Duncan Farewelled where he learnt to fly it to its absolute envelope, then step it back a bit. Many a yarn at the memorial recalled Dunc’s determination and quiet manner. Mark Hutton remembers he was told, how years back, in the ’60s or ’70s someone passed Dunc walking up the bush with a lawn mower strapped on his back. They didn’t question what he was doing but later the found out he was on his way up to make his own landing strip for his Piper Cub on some of the flats, one of 21 strips he built over the years in the area. “They were one-way strips,” Dunc commented back then, matter of factly. “Once you committed, you had to land, or you pranged the plane.” He was then employed by Tim Wallis to pilot the Hiller 12E but first had to learn to fly it, working for Tim from 1968 for 27 years. Being a crack huntsman, Tim thought that he would make a good hunter pilot. Dunc proved this over again, often taking twice the numbers from a block that the previous hunter had just been over. Mark also mentioned to the 100 people gathered how he landed the opportunity to shoot for Dunc for a while; “He was the sort of pilot that made the shooters feel at ease. If you missed a shot he would tell you … “Oh that was a hard shot that one” - or if you hit it he would say “that was a bloody good shot”. “Dunc never raised his voice at you and if you were having trouble, he wouldn’t hang over you putting on the pressure - he would just leave you to it and come back in a while. He was the true gentleman of the skies”. The men back then were ledgendary pilots and one iconic movie made about their experiences is ‘Red Deer’ by SouthCoast Productions. Denise, his wife, appears talking about the fearful late nights waiting for his return and the hard life, recalling a time when kiwi men and woman were out there working with the land to graft out a life, which was simple compared to nowadays - and rewarding despite having big challenges. The gathering closed with a final flight for Dunc’s ashes in one of his old choppers, ZK-HKI flown by James Scott to the cemetery, with Dunc’s great grand daughters on board. A fitting departure for the aptly described “quiet achiever”. Alan Duncan 1933-2018 Dr Anton Wiles & Dr Jon Nelson - ME 1 (New Zealand) - Australia (CASA) - U.K. and Europe (EASA) - AME (Canada) - United States (FAA) - Fiji Your Experienced Aviation Medical Services Team Hangar 1, Steele Road Phone Paul on 07 843 1200 or 021 743 033 Hamilton Airport Email: paul@centralaero.nz www.centralaero.nz13 2018 #4 There's a new level of customer focused maintenance at Hastings Aerodrome Fixed Cost Services Repairs & Restorations Scheduled Maintenance Modifications Bring your aircraft to Plane Torque Ltd and benefit from our co-operative approach to all your aircraft maintenance requirements. Contact Nic Roberts on 021 068 2271 email: nic@planetorque.co.nz Event Guide October 12th - 14th Tiger Moth Club Spring Fly-in At Taumarunui. Annual return to the club’s roots 49 years ago at the magnificent Taumarunui aerodrome including flying competitions. Contact Graeme Wood 027 293 2318 or woodsy@clear.net.nz October 26th RAeS Symposium & Awards Dinner At James Cook Hotel in Wellington. Royal Aeronautical Society (NZ) symposium. ‘Emerging Aerospace Technologies - Road to Space’. More info from David Jupp on 021 476 676. www.raes.org.nz October 28th Matamata Fly-in Last Sunday of every month until April, excluding December. Arrive by 1200hrs for relaxed bbq and socialising. Basics provided for a gold coin. BYO meat for bbq. Contact Anna 027 702 5924. November 2nd - 4th Black Sands Fly-in At Raglan. Annual fly-in organised by SAA Waikato - Thames Valley Chapter. Includes fly-around, food, socialising, and beach landings depending on conditions. Contact Bruce Cooke Ph: 021 112 2364, bmcooke@waikato.ac.nz www.saa.org November 18th NZ Warbirds Open Day at Ardmore Sunday 10am-4pm. Commemorating 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. Flying displays featuring WWI aircraft along with a great line-up of WWII and static displays. See advert this issue. Contact Trish on 09 298 9207, manager@nzwarbirds.org.nz www. nzwarbirds.org.nz November 22nd - 24th South Island Akro-Fest At Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim. Aerobatic competitions and fly-in. All welcome. Contact Andrew Love on 021 818816 or torque_roll@hotmail.com January 26th - 28th Autogyro Association Fly-in At Dannevirke. Annual gathering of gyro enthusiasts and all manner of rotary winged aircraft. Includes fly-out to Athbey Farm, socialising, AGM, lunches and more. More details possibly on autogyro.org.nz February 2nd - 3rd Healthy Bastards Bush Pilot Champs At Omaka. See advert this issue. Contact Craig Anderson 029 890 4910 or craig@soundsair.com. February 8th - 10th Great Plains Fly-in at Asburton Annual SAANZ summer fly-in, AGM, dinner, awards. Contact Gavin Magill 027 291 0525, admin@saa.org.nz www.saa.org.nz February 22nd - 24th Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival Hood Aerodrome at Masterton. Celebrating 20 years. Saturday night show and much more. www.wings.org.nz Add your event. Email details to: michael@kiwiflyer.co.nz or phone 09 279 9924. A valuable new aviation book arrived at KiwiFlyer HQ a few weeks ago and was promptly borrowed. Since returned (with very favourable comments), we’re now reading it and will include a full review in the next KiwiFlyer issue. The book is 81 Lessons From The Sky by Fletcher McKenzie. Packed tightly into nearly 400 pages are eighty one true General Aviation stories (from around the world) of accidents and near misses as told by the pilots who experienced them. Needless to say, the best lessons of this type are the ones that somebody else experienced for you. They are also often the most memorable lessons – and much wisdom has resulted from the short and easy-to-read stories that are conveyed here. If the name Fletcher McKenzie sounds familiar it will be because of Fletcher’s involvement as a FlightPath TV Producer or perhaps his role as a NZ Aeronautical Trust Board Member. Fletcher has spent the last 20 years training business people internationally and his own ability to get a message across by telling a story is evident in this book. He has created a great resource to provoke thought and learning for all pilots, new and old. Compelling reading indeed. Fletcher’s book is published by Squabbling Sparrows Press and is available as an ebook and paperback. Book of WisdomKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 59 14 Bryan Cox’s logbooks say that he also flew NZ1443 on 28th December 1943. To celebrate their reunion, Bryan took the stick for some graceful aerobatics. Many readers will be familiar with Bryan Cox, a veteran aviator who completed three tours with No.16 (fighter) squadron RNZAF during World War II, followed by one tour in Japan with No.14 (Occupational) Squadron, all flying the Corsair. His wartime logbooks record flying Tiger Moth, Harvard and P-40 aircraft. After the war Bryan was an Air Traffic Controller then became an instructor at Ardmore. He was also a display pilot at air shows who thrilled crowds with his precision aerobatics. Bryan, now 93 years young, is also an On Sunday 1st of July 2018, veteran New Zealand aviator Bryan Cox was reunited with a Tiger Moth he’d flown during his training nearly 75 years ago, and for old time’s sake he flew some aerobatics in her once again. Geoff Soper received an invite to man a camera in the photo plane and writes of a magnificent day he and others present felt very honoured to share in: accomplished author publishing ‘Too Young to Die’, ‘Pacific Scrapbook’ and ‘Cats Only Have Nine Lives’ plus a flight training manual. The reunion idea began, as most stories do, with a chance encounter and discussion at Warbirds Over Wanaka when historian Dave Homewood was staying with Russell Brodie and his family. The Brodies’ Tiger Moth (ZK-BRL, or NZ1443 if going by her original RNZAF serial, affectionately known as ‘Lily’ to her family) was down for the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow. They chatted about Bryan Cox and Tiger Moth 75 years on contributed by Geoff Soper15 2018 #4 KiwiFlyer Feature her history as a New Zealand built Tiger Moth, and given her extremely original condition just how she was flown during WWII. Russell Brodie was aware that Dave has met and interviewed many veterans and copied their logbooks, and was interested to know who’d flown the aircraft during WWII - so Russell asked if Dave could see what he could find out about NZ1443. On returning to his home town of Cambridge, Dave discovered just one pilot who had flown NZ1443 among the logbooks he had. It happened to be Bryan Cox, who had flown the Tiger Moth on the 28th of December 1943 at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School at Harewood, Christchurch. This was fortuitous because not only is Bryan still alive, he is fit and well, still flies and is a very good friend of Dave’s. Many readers may recall that Bryan regained his licence back in January 2018. He had retired from flying in 1993 with over 21,000 hours in his twelve logbooks, but the desire to fly again saw him return to the skies with a recreational licence this year. When Dave informed Russell that Geoff Soper image Bryan Cox and Tiger Moth 75 years on Meet Zulu.3 View the whole Lightspeed range at www.lightspeedheadsets.nz 0800 116 741 phil@lightspeedheadsets.nz New Durable Kevlar Core Cabling Modified Ear Seals for Better Comfort & Performance Industry Best SEVEN Year Warranty Plus ANR, Bluetooth, and stunning Front Row Centre Audio Get Zulu.3 CHECK OUT OUR PROFESSIONAL PILOT/INSTRUCTOR REBATE* TRADE IN YOUR OLD SET* Numerous brands / models accepted. UPGRADE YOUR Zulu.2* Includes ear seals, head pad, control box, cables and warranty extension. $150 Zulu.3 DISCOUNT ends midnight 1st October. *SEE WEBSITE FOR CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DETAILS & CONDITIONS. There are nine seconds to impact Can you spot the airplane? Fly Safely with FLARM traffic awareness and collision avoidance. Contact Mike: 021 422786 mike@holistec.co.nzBryan had flown his Tiger Moth, he was thrilled. An idea to reunite the two initially stalled because it would be a big task to get the Tiger Moth up from Rangitata Island where it’s based to Bryan in Tauranga. Some weeks later Dave had somewhat of an epiphany; we don’t need to get the Tiger Moth up to Tauranga, we just need to get Bryan down to the aircraft! Dave ran this by Russell who loved the idea. Dave suggested creating a Givealittle fundraiser, remembering the success had by using Givealittle through the Wings Over New Zealand Forum to raise funds to get Spitfire pilots Alan Peart and Jim Robinson up in Doug Brooker’s two-seat Spitfire four years ago. Dave then asked Bryan if he’d be keen to go down to Rangitata Island Aerodrome in South Canterbury and fly the same Tiger Moth he’d flown all those years ago. His response was instant, “Yes! - But only if I can fly some aerobatics.” This was important to him because on his current recreational licence he’s not allowed to fly aerobatics. Aerobatics were a significant part of Bryan’s life; he loved them and lived for them. During WWII he and his course mate, Frank Culliford, would fly some pretty extreme aerobatics in their Harvard trainers and the pair invented the manoeuvre that later became known as the Avalanche. In later years, practically every lunchtime while he was an instructor at Ardmore, he’d take up a Cessna 152 and fly an aerobatic routine, the second half of which he did with the engine switched off, right through to the perfect deadstick landing every time. And so the plan to reunite Bryan with the Tiger Moth was now set. Bryan and Russell were keen. Aerobatics instructor and regular flyer of NZ1443, Andy Love, volunteered to fly with Bryan as the safety pilot. The Givealittle page was set up, and was publicised on the WONZ Forum. Within hours the suggested figure of $500 was surpassed. Over the next few weeks the fund was nearly double the amount needed to get Bryan down and back, thanks to the generosity of the aviation public who really wanted to see this happen. It was then that Russell insisted that the extra money raised had to go towards getting Dave Homewood down there too, so he could witness the event he set in motion. This was unexpected but a wonderful gesture and I can tell you first hand that Dave was very humbled by that. The date of 1st July 2018 was set and like every aviator thoughts now turned to KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 59 16 KiwiFlyer Feature Bryan Cox Contact Logan for New & Used Alpi Sales and Servicing Requirements 027 490 1553 jenandlogan@xtra.co.nz www.alpiaviation.co.nz Performance Stats Just Released: Full fuel 70kg, 3 Adults on board, 834kg MTOW Max Cruise speed: 162 KTAS@10000ft At cruise pwr setting: 143 KTAS@5000ft • 149KTAS@8000ft • 154KTAS@10000ft Rate of climb: 640fpm at cruise pwr setting from 1000ft @100kts Approximate fuel consumption 28 lph 4 seats • 162 knots • 28 lph NZ’s Only Authorised Agent for Pioneer Microlight Aircraft, Alpi Aviation NZ Ltd. is proud to introduce the new 915iS powered Pioneer 400Start a new conversation “I wish you could teach others in your profession how to be awesome at their job. I appreciate the updates very much; saves me a tonne of time.” Rhonda Abrams Meggitt; Aircraft Braking Systems. 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Since Bryan and Dave were both flying down to Christchurch they decided it was the perfect opportunity to set up a WONZ Forum Meet at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand on the Saturday, the day before the flight with Bryan as a special guest. Dave had asked whether I’d be interested in doing some air to air pics of Bryan’s flight. You can guess what I said to that; no hesitation (without the aerobatics sadly). Come the Sunday morning, I drove south to Rangitata Island in light rain but was cheered to see I could trust my glider pilot interpretation of the Met forecast. Sure enough as the day dawned on my drive south from Christchurch it was raining but I was confident it would clear. At Rangitata Island there was a light frost on the paddocks and the skies were starting to clear as I approached the airfield; perfect conditions for photography and flying. The light dusting of snow on the Southern Alps would provide a nice backdrop. My arrival on four wheels coincided with the sight and sound of Andy Love arriving in the Yak 52 from West Melton. As the sun rose higher more aircraft made it through the bad weather north and south of us to join in on the event. The media also turned out hugging their coffee mugs to ward off the chill of this winter morning. NZ1443 “Lily” was rolled out of the hangar. After she was fuelled up and Andy and Bryan had each down their walkarounds, Bryan was helped into the rear cockpit. Donning a leather jacket and flying helmet, he was suddenly back in 1943 again. I somehow managed to squeeze my somewhat oversized frame into the Rans S-6ES Coyote II with Ross Brodie at the controls. Initially it was like being folded in half but comfortable once in the air - and the door opens up with a bit of slip applied by Ross Brodie’s superb flying skills! Ross and I got airborne and watched The Tiger Moth climb up towards our pre-planned photo circuit. Once shooting you become completely oblivious to the fact you are half hanging out an open door and concentrate on framing the pic you have planned in your mind and discussed with the team. It’s about trust and safety options and I have the easy job. I’d fly with Ross and Andy any day as they made my task easy and I had the shots after two very brief laps of our circuit. Whilst Andy did the take-off, Bryan took control until Andy took over for the close formation photoshoot. We waved them off after I was satisfied I had fulfilled my brief and Bryan once again resumed control of Lily as if it were yesterday that he last flew her. Andy was most impressed, as Bryan went into an aerobatics F K routine of loops and barrel rolls. The crowd of people who’d gathered from all around certainly were not disappointed; it was a real spectacle to see a 93 year old flying the Tiger Moth like he was 18 again. When he’d had sufficient fun, Bryan then made a perfect approach and landing back on Rangitata Island’s grass runway. Whilst it had been almost 75 years since he’d flown Tiger Moths at Harewood, Bryan had continued to occasionally fly Tiger Moths, but the last had been over thirty years ago. Time had certainly not dulled his memory of how it was done though: he flew perfectly. Bryan made us all laugh when he did mention that the controls were a bit stiffer than he remembered them and he did have to use two hands. He also said with a mischievous glint in his eye and a wonderful smile, that he wouldn’t have minded doing that solo. The mission had been accomplished, and everything had gone perfectly. Bryan was simply amazing; his sharpness of mind, depth of knowledge, and his wonderful sense of humour made this a weekend that the Brodie family and Dave say they will never forget. Dave says it was such an honour to orchestrate this venture, reuniting a very special pilot with a very special aeroplane, and to watch him having an immense amount of fun in the air once again. As for me, what an honour and a privilege to meet this incredible gentleman and share in the Brodies and Dave’s well- deserved pride in what they accomplished. Geoff Soper Bryan sharing a laugh with Donna-Marie Lever and Dave Homewood at the airfield. Patented Kiwi Made Spray Nozzles Improved Chemical Delivery Better Spray Drift Control Less Ground Time Tried and Proven Two Patterns Contact Glenn . 027 473 1403 . GlennKeane@xtra.co.nz Geoff Soper imageNext >