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Another King Air 200 enters service

Hastings based Skyline Aviation introduced Beech King Air 200 ZK-PLK to service with the aircraft exiting maintenance at Hamilton and positioning to its new home on 28May. It arrived into NZ as N188TC and as such arrived at Hamilton from Hastings on 31Mar, having flown into Hastings from Pago Pago via Auckland the previous day.

The aircraft is now equipped as an air ambulance and will complement Skyline's suite of aircraft used for this purpose.

The aircraft flew a flag waving exercise 30May departing Hastings for Auckland, then to Hamilton and back to Hastings. Wayne Grant captured it on the Air Center One ramp. Notice small Skyline Aviation titles on the rear, lower fuselage.

Fri 23 May - Wed 28 May 2008

Friday 23 May 2008
Luft Aviation Charter Global Express N360LA arrived at Auckland from its Melbourne/Essendon base via Sydney.

Rank Group Global XRS N57LE returned to Auckland from Sydney.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Queenstown to Auckland and Christchurch.

Citation 500 N800DT was noted flying from Kerikeri to Ardmore.

Saturday 24 May 2008
Air NZ Airbus A320 ZK-OJE positioned from Auckland to Noumea during the early hours of this morning, then flew a charter operation on behalf of Air Calin to Nadi, Wallis Island, back to Nadi then to Noumea before positioning back to Auckland.

Luft's Global Express N360LA arrived at Rotorua early afternoon from Auckland.

Sunday 25 May 2008
Luft's Global Express N360LA departed Rotorua for Sydney and Essendon.

Monday 26 May 2008
Air National's Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Christchurch and return.

Jetcity/Careflight's Learjet 36 VH-JCX arrived at Auckland from Niue as "Careflight 36". The aircraft no longer wears Careflight titles.

Hawker 800XPi N805M carried out circuits at Auckland today.

Beech D17S ZK-AMU departed Kerikeri for Norfolk Island however returned to Kerikeri due weather. The aircraft has been registered to Australian interests for sometime so its obviously on its ferry flight.

Tuesday 27 May 2008
Air Calin's Airbus A320 F-OJSB departed Christchurch for Noumea at the conclusion of its maintenance visit with Air NZ.

Beech D17S ZK-AMU successfully arrived at Norfolk Island from Kerikeri today.

Falcon 900EXE N146EX arrived home at Auckland from Brisbane.

Global XRS N57LE spent the day in Sydney today, arriving from and returning to Auckland.

Learjet 36 VH-JCX departed Auckland for the Gold Coast.

Wednesday 28 May 2008
Pacific Aerospace Cresco ZK-LTP, fitted with a tailboom, departed Hamilton for Lord Howe Island.

Linfox Aviation Challenger 850 VH-LEF made its first visit to Hamilton arriving from Melbourne/Essendon.

Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Auckland, Christchurch and back to Hastings during the course of the afternoon/evening.

Auckland Air Charter Learjet 35A ZK-XVL flew from Ardmore to Queenstown, then flew a local flight before returning to Ardmore.

King Air 200 ZK-MAN visited Hamilton today, arriving from and returning to Nelson.

Thursday 22 May 2008

Air Nelson's 21st Bombardier Q300 ZK-NFA entered service today as NZ8144 from Nelson to Wellington.

Business Jets Falcon 900EXE N146EX departed Auckland for Brisbane.

Air National Westwind ZK-RML returned to Auckland from Dunedin having travelled south late the previous night.

Our Airline (Air Nauru) operated a charter flight on behalf of Ozjet from Norfolk Island to Auckland and back today with Boeing 737-300 VH-INU making its first visit to our shores.
Air Caledonie Dornier 228 F-ODYB departed Christchurch for Auckland, Norfolk Island and Magenta following a repaint with Air NZ. The aircraft, as pictured, is now devoid of markings, perhaps signalling that the aircraft is to be sold.

Global XRS VP-BVG departed Auckland late tonight for Kona.

Tuesday 20 May - Wednesday 21 May 2008

Tuesday 20 May 2008

Boeing BBJ2 VP-CSK departed Auckland mid morning for Cairns.

Departing from runway 05, Mike Condon photo

Learjet 45 VH-CXJ was a visitor to Wellington late afternoon, arriving from and returning to Sydney.

Citation 501 N800DT arrived home at Ardmore from Dunedin.

Wednesday 21 May 2008

Following on from yesterday's post, Spitfire ZK-WDQ made its first flight in NZ from Ardmore this morning. Several flights were conducted throughout the day.

Top photo by Colin Hunter, middle and bottom by Wayne Grant

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N590HA departed Auckland for Honolulu ex maintenance with Air NZ as "Hawaiian 8002".

Departing from runway 05, Mike Condon photo

Rank Group's Global Express XRS N57LE flew from Auckland to Sydney.

Outside Air Center 1 @ 5am! And later on departure. Mike Condon photos

MVA Aviation Global Express XRS VP-BVG arrived at Auckland from Sydney. It had flown from Baoan, China to Brisbane on 19May and to Sydney 20May.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Christchurch to Queenstown.

Air Caledonie Dornier 228 F-ODYB emerged from the Air NZ paint shop in Christchurch minus all titles and just a bare white fuselage. It flew a local test flight.

Noted at Auckland for the first time in a revised livery was Mountain Air's BN2 Islander ZK-DLA. The aircraft now sports the operator's new name "Fly My Sky", check out www.flymysky.co.nz.


Mike Condon photo

Spitfire Mk 9

Doug Brooker's Mark 9 Spitfire ZK-WDQ carried out engine runs and taxy tests today 20May. A plan to test fly was thwarted by failing light. This photo taken shortly after 1700.

Mike Condon photo

Saturday 17 May - Monday 19 May 2008

Saturday 17 May 2008

Citation N800DT made its first flight in over a month departing Ardmore for Wellington and Dunedin.

King Air 200 ZK-MAN had a ballistic day departing Ardmore at 0630 for Invercargill, then to Nelson, Christchurch, Invercargill, Christchurch and finally home to Nelson. The aircraft now features as being available for charter via the Tasman Helicopters website http://www.tasmanhelicopters.co.nz/

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JFM departed Lord Howe Island for Moree.

Sunday 18 May 2008

Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCG departed Auckland for Darwin as "Kiwi 875".

Ozjet Boeing 737-200 VH-OZU arrived at Auckland as OZJ331 having originated at Brisbane and diverting from Norfolk Island.

Monday 19 May 2008

Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCG arrived at Christchurch from Darwin late morning as "Kiwi 875" and then positioned to Auckland as "ANZ6042".

Rank Group/Felham Enterprises took delivery of 2006 Global Express XRS N57LE (c/n 9230) at Auckland this morning with the aircraft arriving from Las Vegas via Honolulu. It is understood this aircraft replaces Boeing BBJ N66ZB which departed Auckland for Honolulu last Monday.

Air Calin Airbus A320 F-OJSB arrived at Christchurch around 0500 from Noumea for maintenance with Air NZ.

Ozjet Boeing 737-200 VH-OZU departed Auckland just prior to midday for Norfolk Island.

Departing Auckland's runway 05R, Mike Condon photo

Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Auckland, Hamilton and back to Hastings.

Citation N800DT flew from Dunedin to Greymouth and back.

Hawker 800XPi N805M flew from Auckland to Christchurch and back.

Ashair Cessna 404 Titan ZK-NDY departed Auckland for Nelson and Ashburton.

Salt Air inaugurated scheduled services between Whangarei and North Shore today with Grand Caravan ZK-MJL. Their website indicates three services Mon-Fri with minibus transport to Auckland city. The aeroplane remained at North Shore for the day however.

Mon 12 May - Fri 16 May 2008

Monday 12 May 2008

As previously mentioned, Singapore Airlines commenced services through Auckland using Boeing 777-300's with 9V-SWO operating the first service today as SIA285/286.

Tuesday 13 May 2008

Great Barrier Airlines BN2 Islander ZK-LYP departed from Auckland direct to Tonga on lease to Chathams Pacific for services to the smaller islands in the Kingdom.

Falcon 900C VH-LAL arrived at Auckland from Sydney.

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Gulfstream 5 HB-IMJ spent several hours at Auckland whilst its passenger, Elton John, performed a concert at the Vector Arena. It arrived from and returned to Sydney using the callsigns Batman 131 and 132 respectively.

Vincent Aviation's Reims/Cessna 406 ZK-VAF returned to Wellington today on completion of its Pacific Island tour with the Airways Corporation. It flew in from Port Vila via Norfolk Island and Auckland.

Thursday 15 May 2008

Network Jets Hawker 800XPi N805M returned to its Auckland home this afternoon from Maui via a techstop at Apia. The aircraft has been away since 02Apr.

Falcon 900C VH-LAL departed Auckland late afternoon on return to Sydney.

Friday 16 May 2008

Boeing BBJ2 (800 series) VP-CSK arrived at Auckland from Hamilton Island via Brisbane. The BBJ has spent several days in Australia and flew Melbourne-Sydney 03May, then to Ayres Rock 08May and Brisbane 09May and to Hamilton Island 13May.

Finals for runway 23L @ Auckland, Mike Condon photo

Air National Westwind ZK-RML made a late night visit to Invercargill, arriving from and returning to Auckland.

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JFM departed Hamilton early afternoon for Lord Howe Island. Its departure was delayed as a result of fog which also affected Auckland Airport. Dozens of domestic flights in and out of Auckland were cancelled however the recent introduction of Cat III ILS procedures saw international diversions minimised with only 1 Air NZ A320 (diverted Wellington) and an Air Pacific 767 diverting (to Christchurch).

Hughes 500D N500VS

Hughes 500D N500VS, c/n 170072D, has been at Ardmore's Oceania facility for sometime now and was observed outside for the first time today, 12May. The helicopter has most recently been registered to Vertol Systems Company Inc, Oregon.
Minus part of the tail assembly and rotors, Mike Condon photo

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300

As mentioned in Sunday's update, Singapore Airlines now operate Boeing 777-300 equipment on their SQ285/286 service daily through Auckland from/to Singapore replacing Boeing 747-400's.


9V-SWO, delivered in April this year, operated the first service.


Colin Hunter photo


John Rankin photo

Air Nelson's 21st Q300

Peter Campbell, having recently joined the digital camera fraternity, supplies this photo of C-FPPN arriving at Nelson 11May.

Thu 08 May - Sun 11 May 2008

Thursday 08 May 2008
Citation Mustang N2243W spent a few hours in Dunedin, arriving from and returning to Hastings.

Boeing 727 freighter VH-DHE carried out a training exercise at Auckland as "Express 3".

Friday 09 May 2008
Citation 560 VH-XCJ departed Kerikeri for Auckland and Melbourne.

Westwind ZK-RML flew a test flight at Auckland following maintenance.

Saturday 10 May 2008
Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCK departed Auckland for Christchurch and Darwin.

Air Caledonie Dornier 228 F-ODYB arrived at Christchurch from Magenta via Norfolk Island for maintenance and a repaint with Air NZ.

Westwind VH-AJV transited Auckland briefly this morning arriving from Sydney and continuing to Rarotonga.

Sunday 11 May 2008
Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCK returned to Auckland this evening from Darwin.

Singapore Airlines flew their final Boeing 747-400 passenger flight through Auckland today with 9V-SPL operating the SQ285/286. From 12May this daily service will be operated by 777-300 aircraft. The carrier will still operate -400 freighters through Auckland. The exit of Singapore's -400 passenger aircraft leaves just Air NZ and Qantas operating the type for passenger flights at Auckland.

Air Nelson took delivery of their 21st Bombardier Q300 at Nelson with C-FPPN arriving just on 1500 from Pago Pago. The aircraft will become ZK-NFA. Two further aircraft are on order for the Air NZ Link carrier.

Transmile Boeing 727 freighter 9M-TGG departed Auckland for Brisbane on conclusion of its lease to Asian Express Airlines.

Boeing BBJ N66ZB departed Auckland late afternoon for Honolulu.

Tues 06 May 2008-Wed 07 May 2008

Tuesday 06 May 2008
Falcon 900EX N127SF was back at Auckland this morning, arriving from Honolulu and Nadi.

Boeing BBJ N66ZB departed Auckland for Melbourne and later to Sydney.

Wednesday 07 May 2008
Falcon 900EX N127SF departed from Auckland mid morning for Adelaide.

Boeing BBJ N66ZB arrived back in Auckland from Sydney.

Citation 560 VH-XCJ arrived at Kerikeri late afternoon from Napier.

Asian Express Airlines Boeing 727 freighter VH-DHE arrived into Auckland from Darwin and Brisbane. It had flown from Subang to Darwin 06May on completion of a maintenance visit having arrive there back on 16Feb. During its absence Transmile Boeing 727 freighter 9M-TGG has flown its schedules.

Wed 30April - Mon 05May 2008

Wed 30 April 2008
Cirrus SR22 N588G arrived at Ardmore from Pago Pago and Auckland.

Pelair Westwind VH-NGA spent much of the day in Auckland, arriving from Port Vila and later departing for Sydney.

Business Jets Falcon 900EXE N146EX arrived back at Auckland from Madang (PNG) and Brisbane.

Hughes 500FF N9045S, now on the NZ register as ZK-HUJ but still marked as N9045S, departed Ardmore for its new Greymouth home via New Plymouth and Omaka.
Photo via Skysales Aviation

French Navy Falcon Gardian, tail number 65, arrived into Wellington from Noumea as "French Navy 5430"

Thu 01 May 2008
Learjet 45 VH-CXJ arrived at Queenstown from Sydney.

Fri 02 May 2008
Falcon 900EXE N146EX was observed carrying out circuits at Auckland while Cirrus N588G was in the circuit at Ardmore.

Short finals for Ardmore's runway 21, Colin Hunter photo

Sat 03 May 2008
Learjet 45 VH-CXJ departed Queenstown for Sydney.

Sun 04 May 2008
Air NZ took delivery of its latest Boeing 737-300 at Christchurch early this morning with ZK-NGR arriving from Halim/Jakarta and Cairns as "Southern Cross 819". It is ex Air Malta where it flew as 9H-ADI.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N588HA departed Auckland as NZ707 for Sydney.

Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBV departed Auckland for Hong Kong as NZ6081 for planned maintenance.

Maxem Aviation's Citation 560 VH-MXJ arrived at Dunedin late afternoon from Essendon.

Cirrus N588G flew from Ardmore to Napier and back.

French Navy Falcon 65 departed Whenuapai for Noumea, Pago Pago and Papeete.

Mon 05 May 2008
Jetcity/Mount Craigie Holdings Citatiion 560XL VH-XCJ arrived at Napier around midday from Melbourne.

Citation 560 VH-MXJ departed Dunedin late afternoon for Essendon.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N590HA arrived at Auckland from Sydney as NZ700.

Lan Chile's scheduled service from Santiago to Auckland overnight made an unscheduled stop at Easter Island due to a medical emergency. Airbus A340 CC-CQF later continued to Auckland as LAN801 arriving mid morning.