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Reims/Cessna FA337F VH-FCO

June 12, 2017, 2:00 pm
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An interesting delivery to New Zealand over the weekend was the distinctively configured Reims/Cessna FA337F Super Skymaster VH-FCO touching down at Kerikeri 10 June from Norfolk Island. The push/pull twin had flown from the Gold Coast to Lord Howe Island 08 June before the hop to Norfolk on the 9th. 


There has been a number of Skymasters in New Zealand over the years however just two are current on the register:
ZK-DFT based in Dunedin
ZK-FZA hangared at Ardmore but I've not seen this machine outside for a number of years


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Fiji Airways promotes upcoming conference

June 13, 2017, 11:00 am
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Fijian flag carrier Fiji Airways has recently introduced a special decal/logo to its jet fleet to promote the nation's status as presidency of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) to be held in November this year.

For more on the subject click HERE

Aircraft Services photos

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Cessna 207 VH-EVB

June 14, 2017, 11:00 am
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The New Zealand population of Cessna 207's has now reduced to a single unit following the sale and subsequent export of ZK-MDZ, now registered to South Australian interests as VH-EVB. 

Most recently operated by Ardmore based Flight Hauraki, ZK-MDZ was first registered in New Zealand as ZK-SAL with Salt Air November 2004 until its re-registration in October 2009. It flew from Ardmore to Fielding in late May and was de-registered 26 May to take up its new VH markings. It headed back to Ardmore 07 June and from there flew to Kerikeri 09 June ahead of its Tasman Sea crossing via Lord Howe Island to the Gold Coast and onto Ballina. 

NZ's last surviving Cessna 207 is ZK-FQY with Southern Alps Air of Wanaka. 

For more on the history of ZK-MDZ be sure to click HERE
Above and below - VH-EVB at Fielding 05 June 2017. First photo with previous operator titles, second photo without. 


Parked at Ardmore 07 June soon after its arrival from Fielding. 

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Auckland welcomes Sichuan Airlines

June 15, 2017, 11:00 am
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Sichuan Airlines is the latest Chinese operator to commence scheduled services to Auckland entering the market 13 June with a thrice-weekly service from Sichuan Province capital city Chengdu. 

The airline, founded in 1986, operate a fleet of 123 Airbus family aircraft of with 6 are the ever popular Airbus A330-200 configured with 36 business class and 209 economy class seats.  The first service was flown by their most recently delivered Airbus A330-200 B-8962 with it delivered to Chengdu on 21 April this year. 

Operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 3U8909 is scheduled to arrive Auckland at 1845 and 3U8910 departs at 2010 so we'll have to wait until late September when daylight savings returns to normally grab photos of these visitors!


Ho hum shot of the first visit about to line up for departure. 


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Still a contender?

June 16, 2017, 11:00 am
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The NZ Defence Force airlift transport replacement appears to be still on going with the prospects of Lockheed J model Hercules as the most likely replacement for the 50+ year old H model Hercules currently in service. The Boeing C17 Globemaster III and Airbus A400M have been demonstrated to the RNZAF in recent times however given their size, complexity and price it seems highly unlikely either are serious contenders - unless of course there happens to be some early model C17's coming on the market.

All that said, the Brazilian Embraer KC390 has been on the radar as an option for the Hercules replacement and NZ media outlets have given the twin-jet considerable coverage:


And thanks to Tim G for pointing out a Flightglobal article published earlier this week outlining the KC390's visit to the Paris Air Show and the statement it is destined for New Zealand as part of its global tour.



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Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner and 737 MAX 9 Fly Together in Dramatic Display

June 17, 2017, 10:00 am
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Norfolk Island Airlines - UPDATED

June 17, 2017, 11:00 am
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Norfolk Island Airlines commenced its once a week scheduled service to Auckland starting 17 June with wet leased Nauru Airlines Boeing 737-319 VH-XNU (ex ZK-NGJ - the last 737 classic built) operating the inaugural service from Brisbane and Norfolk Island as RON345, and departing as RON346 back to Norfolk Island and Brisbane.



Many thanks to Daniel Talbot for these magic shots. 

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29 March 2017
Norfolk Island Airlines, in conjunction with operator Nauru Airlines, has recently updated its website to confirm their intentions to operate weekly services between Norfolk Island and Auckland following the announcement late 2016 by Air New Zealand that they would cease flying the sector from May 2017 offering customers the option of flying on services from Sydney or Brisbane. 


Nauru Airlines, formerly Our Airline, will conduct the Brisbane-Norfolk Island-Auckland and vice versa Saturday service from 27 May and it will most likely be an ex Air New Zealand Boeing 737-300 on the run:

VH-ONU ex ZK-NGD
VH-XNU ex ZK-NGJ
VH-YNU ex ZK-NGH

They also operate VH-PNI and a dedicated freighter, VH-VLI. 

VH-ONU arriving Brisbane, L Fox photo

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Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner and 737 MAX 9 Fly Together in Dramatic Display

June 18, 2017, 10:00 am
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Airbus Family Flight Teaser - WOW!

June 19, 2017, 11:00 am
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Embraer KC-390 Military Transport Flying Display at Paris Air Show 2017 ...

June 20, 2017, 11:00 am
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Bell 204B VH-EQF - UPDATED

June 20, 2017, 11:00 pm
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Bell 204B VH-EQF, operated by Summit Logging, arrived in New Zealand during August 2016 (see original post below). It was destroyed following an inflight fire and autorotation west of Lake Taupo 21 June 2017 as per the media report HERE.

The dark green tailboom and barely visible registration in the media report helped identify the unfortunate airframe.


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Original post from 07 August 2016:

Eagle-eyed (and eared!) Agairnz was presented with a conundrum mid aftenoon 04 August and the sound and then sight of an Iroquious making its way southbound via the eastern fringe of Ardmore Aerodrome. Thanks to Delticman and the Wings over New Zealand forum the "mystery" was quickly solved and the helicopter identified as the Bell 204B VH-EQF. The medium lift chopper was listed with South West Helicopters PTY of Cootamundra, NSW as recently as mid July however has been an Australian resident since 2014.

The big Bell had crossed the Tasman Sea via Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island and 04 August presumably saw it fly from Norfolk to Kerikeri for customs clearance then southbound to points unknown. 
resting at Lord Howe Island, Planecrazy photo
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/20093/lord-howe-island-visitors?page=7


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United States Coast Guard C130 Hercules exercise participation

May 25, 2017, 11:00 am
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The visiting United States Coast Guard HC130H Hercules 1790 mentioned in a blog post last weekend participated in a joint exercise  24 May with the New Zealand Coast Guard and in association with Maritime NZ and Rescue Co-Ordination Centre and Westpac Rescue BK117 ZK-HKZ. 

The Hercules departed from Whenuapai mid afternoon and proceeded direct to Auckland Harbour low level where it spent the next 45 minutes conducting simulated supply drops etc as depicted in the accompanying news article link. 

The C130 exited the training exercise via an instrument approach back to Whenuapai.

Its visit concluded mid afternoon 25 May with it departing for Pago Pago.



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Still a contender? - UPDATED

June 22, 2017, 12:30 pm
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Australian Aviation posted the following article 22 June confirming the anticipated visit by the Embraer KC390 next month - CLICK HERE

Subject aeroplane, PT-ZNJ, at this week's Paris Air Show, photos supplied. 

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Posted 17 June 2017

The NZ Defence Force airlift transport replacement appears to be still on going with the prospects of Lockheed J model Hercules as the most likely replacement for the 50+ year old H model Hercules currently in service. The Boeing C17 Globemaster III and Airbus A400M have been demonstrated to the RNZAF in recent times however given their size, complexity and price it seems highly unlikely either are serious contenders - unless of course there happens to be some early model C17's coming on the market.

All that said, the Brazilian Embraer KC390 has been on the radar as an option for the Hercules replacement and NZ media outlets have given the twin-jet considerable coverage:


And thanks to Tim G for pointing out a Flightglobal article published earlier this week outlining the KC390's visit to the Paris Air Show and the statement it is destined for New Zealand as part of its global tour.



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SOFIA Returns

June 23, 2017, 11:00 am
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NASA's Boeing 747SP N747NASOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) arrived in Christchurch late morning 23 June 2017 for its fourth deployment to New Zealand. The unique Jumbo had departed its Palmdale/CA home the previous evening with a techstop at Honolulu. 

The first visit by SOFIA was back in 2013, followed by 2015 and 2016. 

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TV959 takes flight again!

June 23, 2017, 8:10 pm
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Making its debut flight from US soil 23 June 2017 USA date was the De Havilland Mosquito N959TV ex ZK-FHC. Delivered to owner Paul Allen and his Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum at Paine Field, Seattle, the Mosquito has undergone extensive work including painting into its stunning scheme since arriving via an ocean crossing container adventure. 

We had extensive coverage of the aircraft's time at Ardmore and this can be found HERE


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Farewell ZK-OCB

June 24, 2017, 11:00 am
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Auckland-based Pacific Jets, operating since 2003, has farewelled Citationjet CJ4 ZK-OCB with the Cessna departing Auckland for Honiara and Guam 15 June 2017 and then to Sapporo, Japan 16 June 2017. On 18 June 2017 the CJ4 was heard via Live ATC arriving at Anchorage and appears to have crossed the northern Pacific from Petropavlovsk, Russia. It continued to Grand Junction, Colorado arriving 19 June local date.
Arriving in Auckland 27 October 2015. 

The CJ4 was re-registered from ZK-PGA/3 back in October 2015 having been delivered, brand new, in November 2012. 
Arriving in Auckland 02 February 2015. 
Looking at the operator's website, http://www.pacificjets.co.nz/, they have a Falcon 2000LX replacing the CJ4 so we will look forward to welcoming the new comer to our region in the not to distant future. 


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Exports - UPDATED

June 25, 2017, 11:00 am
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Departing Christchurch 03 June for the 7hr 40min flight direct to Lord Howe Island was the Glaister Farms Ltd of Balclutha Piper PA32-300 ZK-OMT. This aircraft, C/N 32-40927, has been a NZ resident since 17 October 1986 when it was first registered ZK-ECV and this changed to ZK-OMT in February 2003. Not sure if this is an export or not. 

Obviously not an export as the PA32 was noted at numerous Queensland locations before departing Archerfield for Lord Howe Island 24 June then direct to Christchurch 25 June. 

ZK-OMT at the Healthy Bastards event, Omaka summer 2017.
Beechcraft King Air 300LW ZK-SMC FA-46 has been on the Kiwi register for just under 12 months initially registered to Total Entertainment Solutions however transferred to US based Airplane Connection Corporation on 01 June 2017. On 02 June 2017 the King Air flew from Hamilton to Ardmore where it conducted some circuits and then headed back to Hamilton. Then 03 June 2017 it positioned to Auckland from where it departed direct to Rarotonga on what is understood to be a delivery flight to the Americas. 

Previous posts on the King Air can be found HERE

ZK-SMC crossing the numbers for runway 03 at Ardmore 02 June 2017. 

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Off to a Drier Climate!

June 25, 2017, 5:00 pm
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FHCAM DH.98 Mosquito - First US Test Flight!

June 26, 2017, 11:00 am
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Virgin Samoa to be no more

June 27, 2017, 11:00 am
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The decade long agreement between Virgin Australia and the Samoan Government to provide air services to the island nation operating as Virgin Samoa will conclude in the middle of November this year. The joint venture is being terminated at the request of the Government who have been behind the reinvention of Polynesian Airlines to establish a national flag carrier. 


http://www.blueswandaily.com/analysis/new-samoan-airline-to-take-over-virgin-samoa-routes-with-potential-assistance-from-fiji-airways/

https://fijisun.com.fj/2017/06/24/how-fiji-airways-will-benefit-from-samoa-govt-air-deal/
Boeing 737-800 VH-YID was chosen to represent Virgin Samoa and was christened "Tapu Itea"
http://www.aussieairliners.org/b-737/vh-yid/vhyid.html

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