Quantcast
Channel: MRC Aviation
Viewing all 1862 articles
Browse latest View live

Air Nelson Q300 ZK-NEM re-enters service AND ZK-NEC heads offshore

$
0
0
Air Nelson's Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEM was immediately returned to passenger service the day after it arrived back in the country post repaint to the somewhat distinctive Air New Zealand black livery. 

Its first flight was NZ8306 Nelson to Wellington 28 September and it was captured by Terry Hodges as it departed the airline's home town. It then flew the following sectors:
NZ8315 Wellington-Nelson
NZ8310 Nelson-Wellington
NZ8820 Wellington-Hamilton
NZ8247 Hamilton-Palmerston North-Wellington
NZ8248 Wellington-Palmerston North-Hamilton

Over the next few days ZK-NEM is expected to visit a Woodbourne, Napier, Tauranga, Gisborne and Auckland for the first time in its distinctive colour scheme. 






As this post goes to air, Air Nelson Q300 ZK-NEC should have departed Auckland for Norfolk Island, Brisbane and Townsville as SXI1732, the delivery flight to paintshop Flying Colours being conducted by globally recognised ferry company Southern Cross International. 





Eurocopter EC120 VH-VHJ

$
0
0
2002 edition Eurocopter EC120B VH-VHJ turned up at Wanaka 26 September having been shipped to New Zealand from Australia, so potentially flying in from Dunedin, Timaru or Christchurch! 

The helicopter has most recently been registered to Nautilus Aviation PTY of Cairns and it is understood will take up the registration ZK-HAM with Alpine Helicopters. This will be the third use of ZK-HAM, the first was applied to a gyrocopter from 1960 until 1963 and then to a Robinson R22 Mariner from 1997 until its demise in 2013. 


Snapped shortly after its arrival at Wanaka S Bunting photo. 

Brief Island Stopover

$
0
0
Yesterday we mentioned the departure of Air Nelson's Q300 ZK-NEC as it crossed the Tasman Sea destined for Townsville and repaint into Air New Zealand's latest livery. The planned route was to have seen the aircraft fly from Norfolk Island direct to Brisbane, however prior to departure from Auckland it became apparent the enroute winds and airspace closures around the Queensland coast would make this direct sector unachievable. Therefore Southern Cross International replanned the flight to stage via Lord Howe Island for a gas'n'go. 

Sincere thanks to our man on the job at Lord Howe for catching ZK-NEC!

This was to be be just the second time the larger Bombardier Dash 8 variant has visited Lord Howe, the first was Air Nelson's original Q300 ZK-NEA under its Canadian delivery registration C-FCPO back in late July 2005. 

Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZL takes to the air

$
0
0
Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZL has flown for the second time, this time as a C1 customer acceptance flight. The 2hr 27min flight again used the Boeing callsign "Boeing 010" and departed from Charleston/SC at 1011 29 September arriving back at 1238.

ZK-NZL is set to arrive in Auckland next Saturday evening direct from Charleston.

With thanks to P31 for supplying these shots of ZK-NZL departing, and then returning, from its C1 flight.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air New Zealand's 10th Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZL MSN 43218 has conducted its first flight operating as BOE010 on a 2hr 2min duration exercise from Boeing's Charleston/North Carolina factory on Monday 18 September local date. 

The Dreamliner will be the first for Air New Zealand to feature a revised seating configuration with 27 business, 33 premium economy and 215 economy seats for a total of 275. 

This is the third use of the registration ZK-NZL. The first was applied to Air New Zealand Douglas DC10-30 MSN 47846 from March 1973 until October 1982. Then it was the turn of Ansett New Zealand to use the registration with it worn by Bae 146-300 E-3175 from July 1992 until the airline's demise in in 2001 when it moved to Air New Zealand subsidiary Mt Cook Airline. At the conclusion of its service in New Zealand the Whisperjet was ferried to and stored at Melbourne/Essendon from 2002.


Fourth Global 7000 takes flight

$
0
0
The latest edition of the popular Bombardier Global range of corporate jets has reached a milestone with the fourth 7000 series taking flight from the manufacturer's Toronto/Downsview facility on 28 September 2017. 

The Global 7000, C-GLBR C/N 70004, known internally as "The Architect", is the first to feature a completed interior and painted exterior unlike the first three test vehicles as they are often referred as.

It departed Downsview 30 September for Wichita/KS and will most likely end up at the annual NBAA Business Aviation convention at Las Vegas from 10 October. 



Sincere thanks to Frederick K Larkin for these fantastic shots of FTV4 landing runway 33 Downsview at the conclusion of its first flight. 





Corporate Corner 01 September - 30 September 2017

$
0
0
The month started off with a hiss and a roar but this enthusiastic beginning was quickly reversed thanks to the jet fuel shortage in Auckland. 

Premier Jets Learjet 36A N363PJ arrived in Wellington early 01 September having flown from Toronto via Hilsboro/OR, Honolulu and Pago Pago. The aircraft is configured for medical transfers. It departed Wellington early afternoon 02 September for Pago Pago, Honolulu and Vancouver. 

Metrojet Gulfstream G650 B-KEY arrived in Auckland 01 September from Hong Kong and returned to Hong Kong 04 September. The 650 returned to the region 18 September arriving into Essendon from Hong Kong. 

Vistajet Global 6000 9H-VJR departed Christchurch 01 September for Honolulu and Aspen/CO having arrived the previous evening from Narita.

ANZA/Tyremax Challenger 604 N604AU had a busy day 01 September with reports of it operating from Napier to Palmerston North, Woodbourne, back to Palmerston North and Napier then onto Sydney. It arrived back at Auckland 14 September from Sydney and continued the same evening to Palmerston North. It departed Palmerston North 20 September heading direct to Sydney and returned to Palmerston North on the evening of 21 September from Sydney via Auckland. It was then spotted flying from Palmerston North to Auckland and back 22 September. From Palmerston North it departed 27 September for Sydney.

Zetta Jet Global 5000 N755RA departed Auckland late 02 September for Melbourne having arrived 31 August from Guangzhou. From Melbourne to Sydney late 07 September then mid morning 08 September it departed for Singapore/Seletar. It arrived into Auckland early evening 09 September and after a short time on the ground departed for Sydney. From Sydney to Brisbane 10 September then to Auckland 11 September before departing the next morning for Melbourne and Brisbane. That same night it departed for Singapore/Changi and then from there back to Melbourne arriving 13 September.

Zetta Jet was placed in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in mid September:


Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-003 made a brief visit to Auckland 03 September arriving from and heading back to Canberra.

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-001 made a brief visit to Auckland 05 September arriving from and heading back to Canberra.

Luft Aviation Challenger 604 N360PL spent several hours at Christchurch 07 September arriving from its Essendon home and later departing for Auckland. It flew back to Essendon late afternoon 08 September.

Crown Ltd Gulfstream 4 VH-CGF arrived in Auckland 09 September from Sydney. It departed for Essendon 15 September.

Pacific Jets Falcon 2000LX ZK-OCB conducted its first trip to Australia with a run from Auckland to Sydney and back 10 September. The Falcon was noted later in the month visiting Christchurch, Napier and Tauranga.

Gandel Aviation Global Express VH-TGG arrived into Nelson 12 September direct from Sydney and it departed 14 September on return to Sydney. The Global returned to Nelson from Sydney 17 September and departed 19 September, its visit coinciding with the funeral of local businessman Sir Pat Goodman.


Arriving Nelson 12 September 2017. 
Business Aviation Solutions Citation 650 VII VH-SSZ arrived in Wellington during the small hours of 13 September from Bankstown and Sydney. It departed soon after sunrise on its return to Sydney.

Global Express B-8197 arrived in Auckland 13 September from Cairns where it arrived 11 September from Guangzhou. It departed Auckland for Guangzhou 17 September.

Falconair PTY Falcon 50 VH-FOL arrived in Auckland late 14 September from Brisbane and Port Moresby and departed 15 September on return to Brisbane.

Eminent Land Ltd Global 5000 N103ZZ touched down in Queenstown 20 September from Sydney as BWJ29. The Hong Kong based Global had arrived into Sydney for its home port on 18 September.
From Queenstown the Global flew to Auckland 25 September. The Global departed Auckland during the early hours of 29 September destined for Cairns and Hong Kong.

Jet Aviation Business Jets (Hong Kong) Global 6000 VQ-BCC arrived in Auckland from Melbourne during the early hours of 26 September. After spending much of the day in Auckland the Global departed for Hong Kong.

Executive Airlines Citation Sovereign VH-EXG arrived in Queenstown 27 September from Essendon. It flew onto Napier and Sydney 01 October.

Brenzil PTY Falcon 7X VH-CRW arrived in Napier 28 September from Brisbane.





New regional Pacific Air Ambulance Operation

$
0
0
A new regional Pacific Air Ambulance operation has entered service from Port Vila, Vanuatu, with the recent deployment of a Westwind II registered VH-IER. The jet is registered to Capital Jet Resources and operated by Inflight ER who in turn are now operating the aircraft via Pacific Air Medical providing an aeromedical retrieval service throughout the Asia and Pacific regions. 


The jet has been at Port Vila for the last several weeks and appears to have conducted its first "mission" 23 September 2017 flying to Nadi, Vavau, Tonga, then back to Nadi, Port Vila and onto Brisbane! It the returned to Port Vila from Brisbane 24 September. 

It would appear the Westwind is a separate operation to the Merlin IV YJ-AL4 introduced to the Vanuatu scene in 2016 


On the subject of Westwind's, New Zealand resident example ZK-PJA (ex ZK-RML) has been static at Auckland for the last couple of years and was "withdrawn from use" in June this year. 


Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKS wifi


Learjet VH-JCX exits the region

$
0
0
As one air ambulance configured jet enters the region (see yesterday's blogpost), another has departed with Jet City's long standing Learjet 36A VH-JCX MSN 36A-057 exiting the Australian register on export to the USA.

VH-JCX was delivered to the Melbourne based jet operator in July 2002 as HB-VIF and remained with them for the duration of its time in the region spending most of its life in an air ambulance configuration. 

It departed Essendon 18 September 2017 for Norfolk Island, Pago Pago and all stops to Deer Valley/AZ where it was re-registered as N525AC from 27 September 2017 with Critical Air Response Enterprises of Albuquerque, NM. 

Over the 15 years VH-JCX was flown by Jet City it visited New Zealand and the South Pacific on dozens of occasions and has worn a number of different colour schemes and titles. 
Auckland 04 February 2004. 

Auckland 29 January 2008. 


Wellington 24 November 2015. 
Auckland 08 January 2017. 

Jet City operated Citation X VH-XCJ also departed the region mid September 2017 for the United States, its status currently shows it in Kansas. 

the Jet City fleet is now made up of Learjet 45's VH-LJQ and VH-LJX and Gulfstream IV VH-CGF. 


Unbelieveable AIRBUS A380 HARD CROSSWIND LANDING during a STORM at Düsse...

Globemaster Arrivals, and Antarctic Air Day

$
0
0
United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 08-8202 turned heads at Wellington as it cruised into the Capital early on the evening of 04 October 2017 direct from Honolulu/Hickam as "Reach 276".
Arriving Wellington 04 October 2017. 

Resting in the Capital sunshine 05 October 2017. 
United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 08-8199 arrived in Christchurch 05 October 2017 direct from Honolulu/Hickam as "Reach 480" ahead of spearheading the supply chain to Antarctica. The aircraft will be centre stage at the Antarctic Air Day held today from 10am. The event will also feature a US LC130 Hercules and the Ardmore-based De Havilland Beaver ZK-CKH along with an RNZAF C130 Hercules.
Short finals for Christchurch 05 October 2017. 

What a pose! ZK-CKH neatly parked at Christchurch 01 October 2017. 





Tenth Anniversary!

$
0
0



Today marks the tenth anniversary of our first blog post where we initially started with it replicating a monthly email report, North Island Notables, which incidentally ended with the December 2016 edition.

At this time I would like to take the opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to all the friends I've made through the advent of the blog and its global reach with contacts made in all corners of the planet. It has made the production and maintenance of this blog all the more enjoyable.

And to the core group of resource providers - THANK YOU! Without your dedication and participation I could not have continued to keep the blog going. 

The future of MRC Aviation in its current form is under review with personal circumstances potentially dictating a significant shift in focus and this will affect the blog. But for now its business as usual...




LOOKING BACK - SEPTEMBER 2007

NZ local date/times

Australian Aerial Surveys PTY Ltd Pacific Aerospace XL750 VH-EAJ departed Hamilton for Norfolk Island 01Sep and was later noted at its new home of Bankstown. This aircraft previously wore the registration ZK-JNA.

Air National Corporate Westwind II ZK-RML flew from Timaru to Christchurch and Auckland 01Sep. From Auckland to Christchurch 10Sep returning to Auckland in the early hours of 11Sep. From Auckland to Rarotonga 24Sep.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-447 visited Wellington 01Sep as “Ausy 711”, presumably from/to Richmond.

Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk VH-NRH, most recently based in New South Wales, arrived at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island 02Sep on delivery to NZ. It was cancelled from the Australian registered 05Sep.

Singapore Airlines Cargo re-routed their Boeing 747-400 freighter 9V-SFM from its normal Auckland-Singapore route to operate via Christchurch 02Sep as SQC7295. This was the first of several visited by the carrier’s freighter aircraft to Christchurch.

Network Jets Falcon 2000EX N185G departed Auckland for Nadi 03Sep, returning to Auckland the following day. From Auckland to Apia and Maui 14Sep, then to Las Vegas 15Sep before returning back to Maui 18Sep. From Maui to Oakland and Little Rock 24Sep. To Peachtree/Dekalb 25Sep. To Teterboro, Oakland and Maui 27Sep.

Cargolux Boeing 747-400 freighter LX-WCV made its first visit to Auckland on 03Sep operating the carrier’s scheduled CLX731 service from Melbourne and on to Los Angeles.

Auckland Jet Charter Learjet 35A ZK-XVL was noted carrying out aerial work over the Hauraki Gulf on 03Sep.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N580HA departed Auckland for Sydney as ANZ107 05Sep as part of the agreement between Hawaiian and Air New Zealand which sees the US carrier’s aircraft switch in Sydney to/from their maintenance checks. However, a mechanical problem was discovered shortly after departure and the aircraft returned to Auckland. It departed again 07Sep as ANZ107.

Air National Corporate Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB departed Auckland for Sydney and Soekarno Hatta/Jakarta 05Sep. To Sydney 07Sep and back to Auckland 08Sep. From Wellington to Papeete and Los Angeles 16Sep then to Philadelphia 19Sep where the aircraft’s owner, movie director Peter Jackson, is working on the movie “Lovely Bones”. From Philadelphia to Long Beach 25Sep.

Royal Australia Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-478 visited Wellington 05Sep, arriving from and returning to Richmond as “Ausy 712”.

Airwork NZ Ltd, operating on behalf of Toll Holdings, delivered Boeing 737-300 freighter ZK-TLC to Australia 06Sep with the aircraft departing Auckland for Brisbane. It was however diverted to Melbourne due to maintenance issues with another aircraft. ZK-TLC had arrived into Auckland as N519AU on 27Aug and whilst with Airwork had additional titles applied.

Pionair Convair 580 ZK-PAL departed Palmerston North direct to Hobart 06Sep where it cleared customs before continuing to Launceston. The aircraft replaced VH-PDL which is contracted to carry freight between Tasmania and Victoria.

Pionair Convair 580 VH-PDL arrived at Palmerston North direct from Launceston 07Sep for maintenance with Field Air. From Palmerston North to Invercargill as “Pionair 1” 18Sep then on to Hobart using its callsign.

Asian Express Airlines Boeing 727-200 freighter VH-DHE departed Auckland for Melbourne as “Express 93” 07Sep for maintenance. It returned to Auckland in the early hours of 13Sep from Melbourne and Sydney.

Mexican Air Force Boeing 757-200 TP-01/XC-UJM visited Auckland for a few hours on 07Sep, arriving from Papeete and departing to Sydney and Melbourne with Mexican President Felipe Calderon on board who was heading to the 2007 APEC summit at Sydney.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N581HA arrived at Auckland from Sydney as ANZ100 08Sep for maintenance with ANZES. It departed Auckland as ANZ107 28Sep.

Air National Corporate took delivery of Gulfstream 200 N658GA at Auckland 08Sep with the aircraft arriving from Brisbane. The aircraft had departed Dallas/Love Field for London/Luton via Gander in early July and was noted at several locations around Europe before arriving in NZ. It will enter the NZ register as ZK-RGB. From Auckland to Nadi 15Sep returning to Auckland 22Sep, still on the US register. From Auckland to Taupo and return 27Sep.

Sydney Jet Charter/Brenzil PTY Ltd Falcon 2000EX VH-CRW briefly visited Auckland 08Sep, arriving from Brisbane and continuing to Taupo. It spent the day in Auckland 10Sep, arriving from and returning to Taupo, then from Taupo to Auckland and Brisbane 12Sep.

Corporate Air Gulfstream 4SP N77D arrived at Auckland from Sydney 09Sep where its passengers had been associated with the APEC summit. It had arrived into Sydney from Oakland via Honolulu and Nadi 04Sep. From Auckland to Queenstown 11Sep, then to Nadi and Honolulu 13Sep.

Cessna demonstrator Citation 510 Mustang N2243W arrived into Auckland from Maroochydore, Brisbane and Norfolk Island 09Sep. The visit of this mini bizjet signalled the first of the VLJ (Very Light Jet) type to grace our shores. It carried out local demonstration flights on 10 and 11Sep before continuing to Napier late on 11Sep. To Wellington 12Sep and Christchurch 13Sep then Auckland 14Sep. To Norfolk Island and Brisbane 15Sep. This particular aircraft is understood to have been sold in NZ prior to its demonstration tour and is expected to return for a Hastings operator with a second example also due to be delivered in the coming months.

Chilean Air Force Boeing 707-300 903 rumbled through Auckland in the late hours of 09Sep arriving from Sydney and continuing to Easter Island as ‘FACH01’. The aircraft was carrying dignitaries at the conclusion of the APEC summit.

Eagle Air’s ill-fated Beech 1900D ZK-EAK, which had conducted a wheels-up landing at Woodbourne in July, finally flew back into service 09Sep when it positioned to Hamilton following a $600,000 ‘rebuild’. It re-entered commercial service 11Sep as NZ2210 from Hamilton to Auckland.

Air Nelson took delivery of their 18th Bombardier Q300 at Nelson 09Sep when C-FLTZ arrived from Pago Pago flown by WWAF Captain and Air Nelson Captain Gary Chapple. As ZK-NEU it entered service 24Sep as NZ8148 from Nelson to Wellington flown by Captains Robbie Johnstone and Steve Scott.
The same week that this aircraft was delivered, Air NZ announced that Air Nelson would take delivery of an addition 2 Q300’s bringing their order to 23 aircraft. 2009 has been slated for their service entry and may well be used for services from Paraparaumu!

Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter/Paspaley Pearling Company Falcon 900C VH-PPD made its first recorded visit to Auckland 10Sep arriving from its home base of Darwin. The aircraft was hangered and departed 12Sep for Sydney.

Liberty Press Citation N800DT returned to Ardmore from Christchurch via Rotorua 10Sep having arrived at Christchurch from Dunedin 07Sep. From Ardmore to Rotorua and Dunedin 21Sep and to Greymouth 22Sep where it overnighted then flew to Rotorua and Ardmore 23Sep. From Ardmore to Woodbourne and return 28Sep.

Heavylift Cargo Boeing 727-51C RP-C8017 arrived at Auckland 10Sep as “Tranzglobal 401” from Sydney in lieu of Asian Express 727 VH-DHE. From Auckland to Sydney and return 11-12Sep and then to Sydney late on 12Sep as TCU402 where it then swapped with VH-DHE (see earlier entry).

Rank Group Global Express N18WZ returned to Auckland 11Sep following maintenance at Sydney since 24Sep. To Sydney 12Sep returning to Auckland 13Sep. To Essendon 14Sep returning to Auckland 18Sep. It carried out circuits at Auckland 19 and 20Sep and then to Nadi 21Sep. To Honolulu and Newark 23-24Sep. From Newark to Honolulu and Nadi 29Sep, then back to Honolulu 30Sep. The aircraft is listed for sale and will be replaced in October with a Boeing 737 BBJ N66ZB, nee N4AS. N66ZB flew from Lackland AFB to Tulsa 17Sep, returning to Lackland AFB 26Sep.

Columbia Ship Management Falcon 2000EX 5B-CKO flew into Auckland from Brisbane 12Sep. It departed for Port Moresby and Singapore/Seletar 13Sep.

CTC Aviation Diamond DA42 Twin Star ZK-CTM, whilst carrying out an instrument training flight from Whenuapai back to Hamilton on 12Sep, diverted into Auckland with an engine shutdown following an uncommanded shutdown/restart.

Flyglobespan Boeing 767-300 G-CEOD, ex ZK-NCO, finally departed Auckland 12Sep for Abu Dhabi via a techstop at Darwin as “GSM767D”. The departure was delayed some two weeks whilst a myriad of red tape was cut through!

Ex Origin Pacific Jetstream 41 N146KM, ex ZK-JSE, carried out a test flight from/to Wellington 12Sep following long-term storage. From Wellington to Norfolk Island 14Sep and to Brisbane, Mt Isa and Darwin 15Sep enroute somewhere in Africa.

Balancing the export of Jetstream 41 N146KM was Cessna 404 Titan N6764D which was delivered to Ardmore 14Sep from Apia and Auckland. The aircraft has been imported by Dennis Thompson International for a local customer and ferried as far as Apia from the USA in company with Titan N404NT which then continued to Australia. N6764D was noted flying from Paraparaumu southwards and subsequently inland of North Canterbury 22Sep with its final destination unknown.

Business Jets Falcon 900EX N146EX flew from Auckland to Queenstown and Dunedin 14Sep, returning to Auckland over the reverse route 20Sep. To Honolulu 22Sep. From Honolulu to Orlando 24Sep however diverted enroute to Dallas/Love Field before continuing to Orlando. From Orlando to Opa Locka 29Sep then to Shannon, Ireland 30Sep.

As a result of Boeing 767-300 unservicability, Air NZ deployed a Boeing 777-200 to Perth for the first time on 15Sep with ZK-OKF operating as ANZ175. it returned to Auckland the following day as ANZ176 after crew rest.

Air Chathams Convair 580 ZK-CIE left Auckland for Suva 15Sep as “Chathams 1”.

Air Chathams Convair 580 ZK-CIF returned to Auckland from Suva 16Sep as “Chathams 1”. To Palmerston North as CVA580 17Sep.

Air NZ, as part of its role as primary sponsor of the NZ Fashion Week, converted Airbus A320 ZK-OJC into a flying catwalk and as such the aircraft flew from Auckland to Sydney and return 16Sep ANZ1711/1712.

Cirrus SR20 ZK-VET departed Auckland for Whangarei and Norfolk Island 17Sep on export to Australia. The aircraft was based with a vet practise in Takaka and had flown from Nelson to Auckland 16Sep. Subsequently cancelled from the register.

Royal Australian Air Force De Havilland DHC4 Caribou A4-231 arrived at Whenuapai from Norfolk Island 17Sep as “Ausy 721”. Onwards to Wellington later that same day. From Wellington to Karamea and Queenstown 19Sep with the aircraft noted carrying out circuits from the grass runway 20Sep and then making a night departure that same day. From Queenstown to Oamaru and Wellington 24Sep, then to Whenuapai and Norfolk Island 26Sep.

Organ retrieval flights were the scene at Auckland during the night hours of 18Sep with Jetcity Learjet 35A VH-JCR flying from/to Melbourne and Queensland Government Air Wing Hawker 850XP VH-SGY flying from/to Brisbane.

Atlas Air, operating on behalf of Air NZ, flew Boeing 747-400 freighter N496MC through Auckland 19Sep on the regular around the world service.

Rangiora based Piper PA46 Malibu N9099Z flew from its home to Pauanui 19Sep. From Pauanui to Ardmore and Rangiora 28Sep.

Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBT departed Auckland for Hong Kong as ANZ81 20Sep for a C check with HAECO.
For over flight purposes, the aircraft used the callsign ANZ39D.

Vincent Aviation Reims/Cessna 406 ZK-VAF departed Wellington, Auckland, Norfolk Island and Brisbane 20Sep as “Aircorp 1” and it is reported the aircraft was destined for a month contract in Bangladesh.

Air National Australia/Linfox Aircraft Charter Bombardier Regional Jet VH-LEF made its second visit to NZ, arriving at Auckland from Sydney at 2359LT 20Sep. To Essendon 21Sep.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-467 arrived at Wellington 23Sep as part of a North Island navigation exercise that commenced at Woodbourne before continuing to Ohakea, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Rotorua, Auckland, Whangarei, Whenuapai and terminating at Ohakea as “Ausy 724”. The Hercules had arrived into Woodbourne on 21Sep from Hobart via Christchurch and Nelson and flew a South Island navigation exercise 22Sep visiting Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Queenstown, back to Oamaru, Timaru and Woodbourne. From Ohakea to Townsville 24Sep.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-468 arrived at Wellington 23Sep as part of a North Island navigation exercise that commenced at Woodbourne before continuing to Ohakea, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Rotorua, Auckland, Whangarei and terminating at Ohakea as “Ausy 725”. The Hercules had arrived into Woodbourne on 21Sep from Hobart via Christchurch and Nelson and flew a South Island navigation exercise 22Sep visiting Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Queenstown, back to Oamaru, then to Christchurch and Woodbourne. From Ohakea to Amberley 24Sep.

Execujet Australia Challenger 604 VH-OCV visited Wellington 23Sep, arriving from and returning to Sydney. From Sydney to Auckland and return 24Sep, and from Sydney to Queenstown, Auckland and Sydney 25Sep.

An end of an era was signalled on 24Sep with the last commercial flights of the Saab 340A with Air Nelson. Saab 340A ZK-NLE flew its final revenue flight from Wellington to Nelson as NZ8197 whilst the last ever Saab 340A commercial service was flown by ZK-NLH as NZ8161. Thus concluding 17 years of operation spanning some 500,000 flights. However! With the grounding of a number of Eagle Air Beech 1900D’s 25-27Sep, ZK-NLH was pressed back into service and on 27Sep it positioned to Wellington as NZ8952 from Nelson, then flew Wellington-Timaru-Wellington-Timaru-Wellington-Gisborne-Wellington in lieu of Beech 1900’s! It then positioned back to Nelson as NZ8951.

ZK-NLE had accumulated 43840.58 hours and 55234 cycles on arrival at Nelson 24Sep.

Ukraine Cargo Airways Antonov AN12BP UR-UCK arrived at RNZAF Base Ohakea from Richmond AFB as “UKS721” 26Sep carrying a cargo of ammunition. After unloading, it returned to Richmond as “UKS722”.

Korean Airlines Boeing 777-200 HL7734 made its first recorded visit to NZ 26Sep when it flew the scheduled KE823/824 service through Auckland.

Christie Aviation Cessna Citation VII VH-VRC made its first visit to Auckland 26Sep, arriving from Sydney. To Wellington later that same day where it overnighted before heading to Christchurch and Sydney 27Sep.

JABJ Aviation Boeing BBJ VP-CEC flew into Auckland from Abul Aziz Shah, Kuala Lumpur 26Sep. Onto Woodbourne 27Sep for cabin refit work with Safe Air.

Pacific Aerospace XL750 P2-NCA, nee ZK-JQO, departed Hamilton for Kerikeri and Norfolk Island 26Sep on the first legs of its delivery flight to Papua New Guinea. To Lord Howe Island and Brisbane 27Sep, then to Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns 28Sep. The aircraft was all white with no titles however the registration may allude to its new owners being a missionary operation in PNG, Numonohi Christian Academy.

Following the discovery of a hydraulic leak from the undercarriage on an Eagle Air Beech 1900D, much of the Link carrier’s fleet was grounded on 26Sep whilst checks were undertaken. At one stage during the morning, 10 Beech 1900D’s were parked at Hamilton!
These aircraft were ZK-EAA, EAB, EAD, EAE, EAG (on a scheduled flight), EAH, EAK, EAM, EAO and EAP.
EAI and EAL were parked at Wellington while EAJ was parked at Woodbourne.

Air Chathams Convair 580 ZK-CIB departed Auckland for Noumea and Tonga 27Sep on a cargo charter flight. The Convair had arrived into Auckland the previous evening from the Chatham Islands as CVA519. The Convair returned to Auckland late on 27Sep before continuing to the Chatham Islands as CVA580 arriving in the early hours of 28Sep.

Ex Origin Pacific Jetstream 41 N149KM, ex ZK-JSK, departed Wellington for Norfolk Island and Brisbane 27Sep and to Brisbane. The operator was listed as Angola Air Services.

Pleasant Travel Services/Clay Lacy Gulfstream 300 N851EL arrived at Auckland from Sydney 27Sep where it was met my AS355 Twin Squirrel ZK-HXO. After clearing formalities, the G300 departed for Rotorua. The G300 is the new variant name for a Gulfstream 4. It had arrived into Brisbane from Honolulu and Nadi 22Sep. From Rotorua to Queenstown 29Sep then to Sydney and beyond 30Sep.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N582HA arrived at Auckland from Sydney as ANZ100 29Sep for maintenance with ANZES.

Pelair Westwind VH-NGA arrived at Auckland from Sydney 29Sep. After fuel uplift, the Westwind continued to Rarotonga returning to Auckland around sun-up 30Sep. Following crew rest the Westwind returned to Sydney.

The most significant event for this busy month would have to be the first flight of recently restored Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb BL628 “Marion” from Ardmore on 29Sep. The aircraft, registered NX628BL and owned by Provenance Fighter Sales, has been undergoing a rebuild with Avspecs Ltd at Ardmore for 18 months having arrived from Australia. After a couple of engine runs, it finally got airborne at 1620 and carried out a 10 minute test flight. For more on this lovely example check out http://www.warbirdfoundation.org/content/view/4/8/
The Spitfire carried out a second test flight 30Sep and was planning to carry out a third flight with some air-to-air photography 01Oct.

Citation 123 Corp Gulfstream 4 N124TF arrived at Tauranga direct from Kona 30Sep. This particular machine had visited NZ at the beginning of the year as N184CW when it arrived into Tauranga direct from Honolulu on 31Dec06 before visiting Christchurch, Hokitika and Napier during January 07.

Tasman Crossers

$
0
0
Earthrounding Vans RV10 ZU-IHF has concluded its New Zealand layover and after spending a few days parked at Ardmore returned to Auckland 03 October from where it departed the following morning on a direct flight to the Gold Coast.

Hawker Pacific's Diamond DA62 demonstrator VH-DNU has sat idle at Ardmore for a number of weeks and finally made the short hop across to Auckland 03 October. It departed mid morning 04 October for Norfolk Island then to the Gold Coast 05 October.

Australia Eastern Airlines/Jetstar Dash 8-300 VH-SBI arrived back in Auckland 04 October having concluded its maintenance visit in Tamworth. It flew from Brisbane to Norfolk Island 03 October then south to Auckland on the 4th.

Australia Eastern Airlines/Jetstar Dash 8-300 VH-TQL departed Auckland 05 October for Norfolk Island and Brisbane heading to Tamworth for maintenance.

Evouettaz PTY Ltd Beech G58 Baron VH-PWP arrived in Auckland on the evening of 05 October from Bankstown and Sydney.




Our New 'Bring Our Birds Home' Promo video

Pacific Aerospace Drone!

$
0
0
Chinadaily.com has reported the existence of a Pacific Aerospace 750XL "drone"! Plans are well advanced with the expectation of the first remote flight due sometime this month. The airframe pictured, B-10HE MSN200, was constructed in New Zealand and became ZK-KNS on 10 November 2015. It departed Kerikeri for Lord Howe Island 08 February 2016 commencing the long delivery flight to China. It was cancelled from the NZ register 11 October 2016 to become B-10HE with Starline Business Aviation. 




Kawasaki C-2 Downunder Demo

$
0
0
The Japanese Ministry of Defense is increasing efforts to promote the Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) C-2 medium transport aircraft to international customers reports www.janes.com on 06 October. 
Excerpt from press release:
The MoD said in a statement that, for the first time, it is flying the C-2 to foreign countries to display the aircraft to customers in the Middle East and New Zealand.
The MoD added that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will fly the C-2 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in the Dubai Airshow in mid-November while later that month, it will present the aircraft to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
The MoD cited Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera as saying that the C-2’s capabilities had attracted interest in international markets and that the decision to display the aircraft in the Middle East and New Zealand is an opportunity to demonstrate Japanese defence technologies.
The KHI C-2 formally entered service into the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) in March 2016. The JASDF currently operates four C-2s but it is expected to order about 60 aircraft in total to replace its ageing Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130H transports.
According to Jane’s All The World's Aircraft: Development & Production , the 44-m long C-2 is the largest transport aircraft in service with the JASDF. It is intended to provide greater range than the platforms it is replacing, with a stated range of 3,024 n miles (5,600 km; 3,480 miles) when carrying its maximum payload of 30 tonnes.

And more concisely, the Japanese military have mentioned the C-2 will be demonstrated between 08 and 17 November in the UAE and the Dubai Air Show and also Djibouti where Japan has a large presence with United Nations Peace Keeping efforts. 

The second overseas trip will be the visit to New Zealand and Australia with the aircraft leaving its Miho home base on 25 November and due back on 01 December. 

The C-2 is based with the 403Sqn at Miho and as at late September the production list consisted of:
68-1203 C/N 003
68-1204 C/N 004
78-1205 C/N 005
78-1206 C/N 006 (latest production aircraft still in flight test phase at Gifu)

08-1201 C/N 001 XC-2 based at Gifu in red/white scheme
18-1202 C/N 002 C-2 based at Gifu in standard blue/grey scheme

The following images were taken at Gifu in October 2012










American Airlines returns

$
0
0
After a seasonal break from NZ services, American Airlines has re-introduced flights between Los Angeles and Auckland operating daily services with the larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The first AA83 service was conducted by N829AN arriving into Auckland 07 October. 

Online schedules indicate American will run the service through until 24 March 2018.
N829AN touches down runway 05R at Auckland, photo supplied. 

United Airlines are set to recommence Auckland-San Francisco services from 01 November with Boeing 777-300's, initially operating 5 days per week, then 6 days per week from 06 November until 18 December when it becomes daily through until the end of their seasonal operation which is also 24 March 2018. 



NASA Douglas DC8-72 N817NA returns to Christchurch

$
0
0
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Douglas DC8-72 airborne labratory N817NA has returned to Christchurch touching down to a very overcast and drizzly evening 09 October having flown a somewhat circuitous route from Nadi via near the Chatham Islands then south of Stewart Island.

This visit is a continuation of the team's project AToM that saw the aircraft depart its Palmdale/CA home on 01 October for Anchorage, then to Kona/HI before heading to Nadi. From Christchurch the DC8 will head to Punta Arenas/Chile (planned for today), Ascension Island, Cabo Verde, Lajes, Thule, Anchorage and finally back to Palmdale arriving 27 October. 





Icelandair Boeing 757-200 TF-FIW

$
0
0
Conducting a quick techstop through Auckland on the afternoon of 08 October 2017 was Icelandair's Boeing 757-27B TF-FIW. Operating as ICE1404, the Boeing arrived from Papeete and departed for Hobart where it remained until 11 October when it headed to Bali. 

The Boeing wears luxury travel operator Abercrombie and Kent titles and logo https://www.abercrombiekent.com/private-jet



Air Nelson Q300 ZK-NEC returns from relivery

$
0
0
Air Nelson's Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEC has returned to New Zealand overnight having received the airline's new livery at Townsville's Flying Colours paint facility. Ferried by Southern Cross as SXI1733, ZK-NEC flew from Townsville to Brisbane, Norfolk Island and Auckland arriving late evening 12 October and after adopting an Air Nelson "Link" callsign departed for the final leg home to Nelson arriving in the early hours of 13 October. 

Arriving Brisbane from Townsville. 

Viewing all 1862 articles
Browse latest View live


<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>