Saturday 29 December 2007 - updated 01Jan08

French Army Casa 235 tail number 105 flew from Wellington to Auckland and Noumea as "Cotam 1161". It had flown from Noumea to Whenuapai, Ohakea and Christchurch 27Dec and noted at Wellington 28Dec.

Boeing BBJ N66ZB departed Auckland for Papeete and Mexico.

Alpha Aviation dispatched another Alpha, ZK-ZXY/3, with the aircraft departing the Hamilton factory for Kerikeri and Norfolk Island where it overnighted and continued to Lord Howe Island and Bankstown 30Dec.

Citation Mustang N2243W visited Ardmore for the first time today, arriving from and returning to Hastings.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew a Queenstown-Christchurch-Queenstown run today.

Queenstown's visiting bizjet collection increased by two today with the arrival of Global Express N887WM from Auckland and Gulfstream 550 N282Q from Kailua-Kona.


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Friday 28 December 2007 - updated 0800/29th

Alticor Gulfstream 5 N525AC arrived at Queenstown around 0830 from Grand Rapids via a techstop at Honolulu.


Gulfstream 550 VP-BBO arrived at Auckland 0700 from Rio Gallegos.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Auckland to Queenstown while Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Rotorua, and later returned to Auckland from Mount Cook. Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB touched down at Napier from Sydney and after its passengers disembarked continued home to Auckland.

Thursday 27 December 2007

Dean Phillips Challenger 300 N41DP departed Auckland at 0800 for Papeete.

It is seen here on finals to land at Auckland 26Dec, Wayne Grant photo

The Air Group Gulfstream N521HN departed Invercargill at 0812 for Papeete.

Learjet 35A VH-LJJ departed Auckland for the Gold Coast using its registration as callsign.

Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB departed Queenstown for Taupo, Auckland and Sydney whilst Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM departed Queenstown for Nelson, Napier and Auckland.

Tuesday 25 December & Wednesday 26 December 2007 - updated 2000/26th

Mooney M20C VH-THW touched down at Wellington late afternoon 25Dec from Norfolk Island and Kerieri. To Queenstown 26Dec.

Learjet 35 VH-LJJ returned to Auckland 26Dec from Noumea and Niue on a medivac flight.

Gulfstream 5 N521HN departed Wellington for Invercargill 26Dec.

Dean Phillip's Challenger 300 N41DP arrived at Auckland early evening from Essendon 26Dec.

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Queenstown to Kerikeri and back to Auckland 26Dec.

Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB flew from Nelson to Queenstown late on 26Dec.

Falcon 900EX N146EX departed Auckland for Brisbane 26Dec.

Monday 24 December 2007

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Queenstown.

Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB flew from Auckland to Queenstown then to Nelson.

Danish Falcon 2000EX OY-EJD, operated by Air Elsie and using the callsign "Mermaid 635" arrived at Kaitaia from Athens via stops at Singapore, Darwin and Auckland.

At Auckland, Wayne Grant photo

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 December 2007

Citation 501 N800DT landed at Ardmore just prior to 0230 22Dec from Dunedin, having flown south the previous day.

Air Tiger 1 LLC Gulfstream 5 N50KC arrived into Napier 22Dec from Teterboro via Honolulu.

Gandel's Global Express VH-TGG arrived at Auckland 22Dec from Honolulu. The passengers then travelled to Gisborne onboard Westwind ZK-RML which later returned to Auckland. VH-TGG departed 23Dec for its Essendon home.

Westwind VH-ZYH arrived into Queenstown from Essendon 22Dec, and departed for Launceston 23Dec.

Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Hamilton and return 22Dec.

Air Chathams Metroliner ZK-CIC departed Auckland for Tonga 22Dec using its registration as callsign. It had arrived from Christchurch via Hastings earlier that day as "Chathams 1". It returned to Auckland from Tonga 23Dec.

Nomad VH-ATO departed from Hamilton for Nelson 22Dec having not been noted flying since the beginning of December.

Careflight Learjet 35 VH-LJJ arrived at Auckland from the Gold Coast 23Dec as "Careflight 36". It departed later the same morning for Sydney.

Global Express N887WM jetted into Auckland around 0830 from Honolulu on 23Dec. This aircraft is also expected to visit Queenstown.

Friday 21 December 2007

Gulfstream 550 B-KGV departed Queenstown direct to Nadi.

Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB flew from Auckland to Queenstown and back to Auckland.

Learjet 35A ZK-XVL departed Ardmore for Westport, Taupo, back to Westport then home to Ardmore.

Citation 501 N800DT flew from Ardmore to Dunedin.

Air National Guard Lockheed C130's 83-0491 and 76-3301 arrived at Christchurch from William Field.

Thursday 20 December 2007

Gulfstream 150 demonstrator N150GD departed Christchurch for Queenstown late morning and was then noted carrying out a demonstration flight for a local business person. It departed Queenstown direct to Nadi during the afternoon and overnight at Pago Pago. To Kona 21Dec.

Resting in Canterbury drizzle, Tony McFarlin photo

Ingham's Citation VII VH-ING returned to NZ, briefly visiting Palmerston North, arriving from and returning to Sydney.

Pacificjets Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM made for Palmerston North's second bizjet arrival today, arriving from Sydney. It then continued to Auckland. ZK-TBM has carried out a number of flights within Australia and has been noted at Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney.

DHL Boeing 727-200 freighter VH-DHE flew a seasonal flight from Auckland to Noumea and return on behalf of Air Calin.

Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKB, operating as ANZ89 from Auckland to Pudong, diverted enroute to Fukuoka as a result of fog at their destination. After a fuel top up the 777 continued to Pudong.

Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 VH-VOX, painted in Pacific Blue colours was noted parked at Christchurch this morning. The aircraft actually arrived back on 14Dec from Melbourne for a maintenance check and will enter service for a month period from 21Dec with Pacific Blue bringing their fleet number to 7 aircraft as they fly additional services across the Tasman and into the South Pacific.

Wednesday 19 December 2007

At last, a busy day around the traps. Also, check the link to NZ Civil Aircraft blog (or http://www.nzcivair.blogspot.com/) for some great updates!

Leading the charge was the arrival at Wellington from Hong Kong of Gulfstream 5 N521HN.

Landing on a very wet day at Wellington, Bob Leask photo

Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB flew from Wellington to Auckland following the arrival of N521HN.

Rolling from Wellington's runway 16, Bob Leask photo

RAAF Challenger 604 A37-003 flew as forecast, from Wellington to Christchurch and Canberra.
Awaiting departure at Wellington, Bob Leask photo

Falcon 900EX N146EX visited Christchurch during the afternoon, arriving from Brisbane and continuing to Auckland.

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Nadi during the afternoon, returning during the wee small hours of 20Dec.

Gulfstream 150 demostrator N150GD arrived at Christchurch from Essendon at 2115.

Parked at Essendon 18Dec, Gordon Reid photo

"New" Beech 1900D for Eagle Air

Beech 1900D c/n UE-388 and currently registered JA018A is destined to become ZK-EAR in the first quarter of 2008. The aircraft flew from Darwin to Cairns 17Dec and will undergo maintenance there before finally reaching NZ during March with an entry to service expected mid May. Hopefully it will arrive in the colours as depicted!

Tuesday 18 December 2007 - updated 2125

Air National's Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB returned home to Wellington today following its long stint in the USA with owner Peter Jackson and following an extended period of heavy maintenance and a repaint at Long Beach. Its routing back to NZ saw it depart from Philadeliphia, where Jackson has been based with a film project, then to Oakland, Honolulu, Apia and finally Wellington. Photos to follow once the weather clears enough in Wellington!

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N584HA is set to depart Auckland for Honolulu at midday following its C check with Air NZ.

Another Air Nelson Saab 340 departed Nelson for Apia with ZK-NLH departing just on midday.

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-003 returned to Wellington today having visited the capital earlier this month. Again, the aircraft arrived from Noumea via Norfolk Island this time as "Ausy 343". If the earlier trend continues, it will fly to Christchurch and Canberra 19Dec.

Pacific Aerospace XL750 in midair collision

As detailed in the following link, PAC XL750 ZK-KAY was damaged in a midair collision on Sunday UK time. ZK-KAY was delivered to the UK for parachute operations in mid 2004.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article590545.ece

Monday 17 December 2007

Boeing BBJ N66ZB made its first trip to Melbourne 17Dec, flying from and returning to its Auckland home.

Falcon 900EX N146EX departed Auckland for Essendon, the first flight it has made in over a month.

Atlas Air, operating on behalf of Qantas, operated a freighter charter through Auckland with Boeing 747-400 N409MC. It arrived from Sydney and departed to Pudong, Anchorage and New York as QFA7589.

Sunday 16 December 2007

Citation Mustang N2243W returned to Hastings from Dunedin this morning having flown over the reverse routing the previous day. Onwards from Hastings to Paraparaumu and Wellington.

Gulfstream 550 B-KGV arrived into Queenstown from Hong Kong.

Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB left Long Beach for Philadelphia.

Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCK flew a charter on behalf of Air Pacific from Auckland to Nadi and return using the flight numbers NZ1944/1945. Air Pacific have been short of a 747-400 for a couple of months now whilst both aircraft underwent C checks in Singapore. DQ-FJK is due to position Singapore-Nadi 17Dec.

Thursday 13 Dec to Saturday 15 Dec 2007

Westwind ZK-RML departed Auckland for Nadi 13Dec, returning the following morning from Nadi.

Piper Malibu N9099Z completed its maintenance at Nelson and returned to Rangiora 13Dec.

Mil 8 ER-MHH, which had been resident at Ardmore for a couple of days, carried out a circuit and later departed to the East 13Dec.

Airtractor 402B VH-FLD arrived at Palmerston North 14Dec from Lord Howe Island on delivery to Rural Aviation as ZK-RMW. After clearing customs etc it continued to its new home of Fielding.

The Royal Australian Air Force King Air A32-350, which has been grounded at Christchurch since its encounter with severe turbulence back in mid November, carried out a test flight from/to Christchurch 14Dec and then continued to Whenuapai where it overnighted. 15Dec saw it fly to Norfolk Island and Brisbane.

Air National Corporate's Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB carried out a post heavy maintenance test flight from/to Long Beach 15Dec NZ time. The GIV had arrived at Long Beach back on 25Sep.

A busy day on the Christchurch Deep Freeze apron 15Dec with three C17 Globemaster III's parked, 02-1104, 02-1106 and 02-1107.

Wednesday 12 December 2007

Gulfstream 4SP N119AF left Queenstown before lunch heading for Melbourne.

Convair 580 VH-PDV departed Palmerston North for Norfolk Island at the conclusion of its maintenance visit with Fieldair.

Westwind ZK-RML made a trip from Auckland to Niue and return.

Cessna 441 Conquest ZK-NFD flew from Christchurch to the Chatham Islands and return.

Tuesday 11 December 2007

Ingham's Citation VII VH-ING visited Auckland briefly, arriving from Hamilton and departing for Sydney and Bankstown.

Learjet 35A ZK-XVL flew from Ardmore to Taupo and return.

Monday 10 December 2007

Gulfstream 4 N119AF departed Wellington for Queenstown.

Peter Van Dyk photo

Piper Malibu N9099Z flew from Rangiora to Nelson, and was later noted having maintenance carried out.

Gulfstream 550 CS-DKH, which visited NZ earlier in the month, departed Nadi for Anadyr, Russia as NJE897H.

Sunday 09 December 2007

IBM's Gulfstream 5 N780F departed Queenstown for Bridgeport, Connecticut and Westchester County via techstops at Auckland and Honolulu.

New Hampshire based Gulfstream 4SP N119AF arrived at Wellington from Maui and Pago Pago.

About to touchdown on Wellington's runway 34, Bob Leask photo http://bobleask.fotopic.net/

Ingham Group's Citation VII VH-ING jetted into Hamilton from Sydney mid afternoon.

Citation 560XLS VH-NGH departed Auckland for Sydney on conclusion of its NZ visit - for this time.

Piper PA46 Malibu N9099Z returned home to Rangiora from Ardmore.

An Air Chatham's Convair 580, possibly ZK-CIB, callsign "Chathams 580" , flew from Auckland to Tonga, an unusual event with Tonga usually closed to all operations on Sunday (religious protocol). Onwards to Wallis Island returning to Tonga later in the evening.

Saturday 08 December 2007

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Christchurch to Brisbane and Cairns.

Challenger 604 VH-OCV was again this side of the Tasman, flying Sydney-Nelson-Queenstown-Sydney.

Friday 07 December 2007

Westwind ZK-RML continued its spate of flying activity and flew from Auckland to Queenstown and return.

Citation 501 N800DT flew from Ardmore to Paraparaumu in the morning, returning to Ardmore late afternoon.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Christchurch to Napier and back to Christchurch.

Citation 560XLS VH-NGH departed Auckland for New Plymouth, returning to Auckland later the same day.

Gulfstream 5 N780F departed Auckland for Queenstown.

Piper Malibu N9099Z arrived at Ardmore from Rangiora.

Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Hamilton and return.

RAAF General Dynamics F111's A8-129 and A8-142 departed Christchurch for Amberley at the conclusion of their week long deployment.

Thursday 06 December 2007 - updated 1655/07th

Piper PA31 ZK-NSP continued its SAR role out of Norfolk Island and was joined by an RNZAF Orion, Kiwi Rescue 365. The aircraft were searching for an overdue sailing ship, The Alvei, that was enroute from Vanuatu to NZ. The vessel was located prior to lunchtime some 760km north of NZ. ZK-NSP returned to Hamilton direct from Norfolk Island late 06Dec.

Citation 560XL VH-NGH departed Auckland for Nelson. The Citation was promptly hangered on its arrival. It returned to Auckland later the same day.

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Rotorua and return.

Gulfstream 550 CS-DKH departed Auckland for Nadi as NJE897H.

Gulfstream 5 N780F arrived at Auckland mid afternoon from Sydney.

Gulfstream 4 HB-IKR battered crosswinds to arrive at New Plymouth mid afternoon direct from Sydney carry music sensation, Sir Elton John. It departed New Plymouth back to Sydney just prior to midnight at the conclusion of his one and only concert in NZ.

Citationjet CJ2 VH-MOR departed Wellington for Brisbane via a techstop at Norfolk Island.

Challenger 604 A37-003 departed Wellington for Christchurch and then onto Canberra.

Boeing 737-200 ZK-NQC flew from Auckland to Palmerston North, Christchurch, Palmerston North, Christchurch and back to Auckland.

Wednesday 05 December 2007 - updated 0015/06th

Arriving at Auckland from Singapore this morning was Airbus A340-312 LV-BMT (48) on its delivery flight to Aerolineas Argentinas. The aircraft has most recently been operated by Air Canada as C-FDRO in Star Alliance colours however it is now painted in the colours of its new operator. After crew rest it is expected the aircraft will depart 2100LT 06Dec for Buenos Aries.

Lowe Corporation Citation 510 Mustang N2243W departed its Hastings base for Auckland this morning.

Challenger 604 VH-OCV returned to NZ, arriving at Queenstown from Sydney. It departed shortly after back to Sydney.

Learjet 35 ZK-XVL flew Christchurch-Nelson-Ardmore.

Citation 560XL VH-NGH flew Timaru-Christchurch-Auckland.

Citation CJ2 VH-MOR arrived at Wellington from Brisbane,

Citation CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Christchurch to Auckland and return.

Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB flew from Auckland to Rotorua and return.

Piper PA31-350 ZK-NSP departed Hamilton for search and rescue operations off Northland's East Coast, eventually landing at Kaitaia. It departed there fore further SAR work and ended up landing at Norfolk Island.

Cessna 421 ZK-TRC flew from Feilding to the Chathams, this time landing at the island. It returned to Fielding later that afternoon in company with BK117 ZK-HYZ ex its fire fighting duties on the island.

The two RAAF F111's departed Christchurch for points unknown whilst RAAF Challenger 604 A37-003 arrived at Wellington, possible from Norfolk Island, as ASY745.

Tuesday 04 December 2007 - updated 0940/05th

Noted at Ardmore and a very long way from its Cornwall, UK based was Piper PA32R-301T Saratoga N515SC. The aircraft departed the UK back on 26Apr on an around the world journey and arrived at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island 03Dec. From Kerikeri to Ardmore and then to North Shore/Dairy Flat 04Dec. The owners inform me they will still be in NZ for Christmas.


Exiting a container at Flightline Aviation were two imports, Cessna 172S N35364 and Cessna 182T ZK-JSL.

In the Eurocopter hanger was a yellow and black Eurocopter, either 120 or 135, however no markings. Could this be the VH registered machine that was seen at the Ports of Auckland 12+ days ago and here on holiday?

The Agusta A119 Koala VH-PTR is now minus titles and interestingly the Taranaki Rescue Trust's Koala, ZK-ITR, remains in a million pieces some two weeks after since last noted.

Boeing BBJ N66ZB touched down at Auckland late morning from Los Angeles via Nadi.

Citation 560XL VH-NGH departed Timaru for Hokitika then onto Mount Cook. Later to Timaru, Christchurch and back to Timaru.

Learjet 35 ZK-XVL departed Timaru for Hokitika then onto Mount Cook. Later to Timaru, Christchurch, Timaru and eventually stopping at Christchurch.

Learjet 35 VH-LJJ visited Christchurch during the wee small hours, arriving from and returning to Melbourne.

Nomad VH-ATO has been flying around the Raglan area on survey flights, obviously ex Hamilton.

The two RAAF F111's departed Christchurch for a navigational exercise which took them overhead Hokitika, then southwards before returning to Christchurch.

Monday 03 December 2007 - updated 1420/04th

As mentioned a couple of days ago, Airwork registered their 4th Boeing 737 freighter ZK-TLD on 01Dec. The aircraft arrived at Brisbane this evening on completion of its Trans-Pacific ferry flight and was in full Toll livery.
The aircraft was flown by a US ferry crew and the routing was Miami-Long Beach-Honolulu-Majuro-Brisbane.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM departed Christchurch for Queenstown, then to Wellington, Auckland and back to Christchurch.

Westwind ZK-RML departed Nelson for Queenstown, Wellington and then to Auckland.

Learjet 35 ZK-XVL flew from Invercargill to Oamaru, back to Invercargill, and then back to Oamaru!

Citation XLS VH-NGH flew from Invercargill to Oamaru

Boeing 737-200 ZK-NQC flew from Invercargill to Auckland

Dash 8 ZK-VAC flew from Wellington to Invercargill, Oamaru and back to Wellington.

Convair 580 ZK-CIB flew from Auckland to Hamilton, then to Oamaru, Christchurch and the Chatham Islands.

RAAF F111's A8-129 and A8-142 flew a South Island navigation exercise from/to Christchurch using the callsign "COLT". Rough routing was to be towards Invercargill, then west of Timaru, over towards the West Coast, up to Nelson then back to Christchurch.

Sunday 02 December 2007

A busy day around the country:

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM, which had flown from Queenstown to Brisbane 01Dec, appears to have continued to Hamilton Island, then back to Brisbane and Christchurch arriving in the early hours of 02Dec.

Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB flew from Auckland to Queenstown, then north to Rotorua and home to Auckland.

Learjet 35 ZK-XVL left its Ardmore base for Rotorua, Wanganui and Invercargill where it then overnighted.

Ciation XLS VH-NGH departed Auckland for Napier, then from there direct to Sydney before again crossing the Tasman and arriving at Invercargill.

Boeing 737-200QC ZK-NQC flew a number of passenger charters 02Dec, departing Auckland for Dunedin, then to Palmerston North, south to Invercargill, then to Wellington and back to Invercargill!

Dash 8 ZK-VAC, using the callsign Vincent 810, flew from Wellington to Invercargill.

Boeing 737-700 VH-VBK departed Christchurch for Brisbane following maintenance with Air NZ.

Cessna 182 ZK-SLL was noted flying from the Rotorua region to Pauanui. This aircraft is ex N818CF which was noted at Ardmore in mid November and interestingly it was placed on the register back in September but has only just received its C of A work.

4th Boeing 737 freighter for Toll Holdings

Airwork NZ, operating for Toll Holdings in Australia, registered Boeing 737-300 freighter

ZK-TLD 01Dec. The aircraft, ex N520AU, carried out a test flight on its American registration from/to Miami on 29Nov. It is not yet known what routing the aircraft will take to Australia.

Saturday 01 December 2007

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM departed Queenstown early afternoon for Brisbane.

Boeing BBJ VP-CEC departed Auckland for Bali.