American's at Ardmore

Beech Duke N60TE arrived at Ardmore 14Jul having flown from Oakland via Hilo, Christmas Island, Pago Pago and Auckland.

Cessna 400 demonstrator N400NM arrived at Ardmore on 04Jul from Lord Howe Island via Norfolk Island and Kerikeri. It was noted flying from Whangarei to Ardmore 11Jul then to Rotorua, Taupo and Napier 14Jul. From Gisborne to Christchurch 17Jul and to Dunedin 18Jul. From there to Queenstown 19Jul then from Westport to Nelson and Wanganui 20Jul. To Ohakea and Ardmore 21Jul where it was photographed (above) 24Jul and again on 31Jul. The aircraft is being readied for its departure back to Australia where it has apparently been purchased.

Friday 25July - Tuesday 29 July 2008

Friday 25 July 2008
USAF Boeing C40/BBJ 01-0041 flew US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Auckland from Perth as "SAM2916".

Sunday 27 July 2008
USAF Boeing C40/BBJ 01-0041 departed Auckland for Apia where it spent a few hours before continuing to Honolulu.

Embraer E135 Legacy N580ML departed Auckland for Cairns and Singapore. It then flew on 29Jul from Singapore to Port Hedland and Sydney.

Global Express N1955M departed Auckland for Honolulu.

Hawker 800XP VH-ZUH departed Auckland for Christchurch and Sydney.

Cessna 650 VII VH-ING arrived at Hamilton from Bankstown via Sydney.

King Air 300 F-GICA arrived at Auckland from Magenta.

King Air 200 ZK-PLK flew from Hastings to the Chathams and back during the afternoon.

Monday 28 July 2008
Metrojet Gulfstream 550 B-KID arrived at Auckland from its Hong Kong base.

Westwind ZK-RML flew a medivac mission from Auckland to Port Vila and back.

Learjet 35A ZK-XVL stretched its wings and flew from Ardmore to Auckland and Suva.

King Air 300 F-GICA departed Auckland for Norfolk Island and Magenta.

Global Express XRS N57LE departed Auckland for Sydney.

Eagle Air introduced their 18th Beech 1900D to service today with ZK-EAR operating its first revenue flight as NZ2181 from Hamilton to Nelson.

Tuesday 29 July 2008
Citation 650 VII VH-ING departed Hamilton for Sydney and Bankstown.

Gulfstream 4SP VH-DBT arrived at Auckland from Essendon.

Global Express XRS N57LE returned to Auckland from Sydney.

Gulfstream 550 B-KID departed Auckland for Hong Kong.

Learjet 35A ZK-XVL flew from Suva to Auckland and Ardmore.

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Wellington, Rotorua and back to Wellington.

USAF Lockheed KC10 83-0076 made a brief visit to Christchurch, arriving from Honolulu and continuing to Sydney as "Reach 6E1".

Graham Weatherby photo

Mon 21 July - Thu 24 July 2008

Monday 21 July 2008
Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKH positioned from Auckland to Honolulu as ANZ6082.

Citation Mustang ZK-MUS arrived back at Wellington having spent several days at Wanaka.

McDonald's (Golden Arches crowd) Global Express N1955M arrived at Auckland from Brisbane.

Mike Condon photo

Cessna 400 N400NM arrived at Ohakea from Wanganui. It carried out a couple of local flights before departing north to Ardmore where it was observed parked on 24Jul.

Citation 560XLS VH-NGH departed Palmerston North for Sydney and flew from Brisbane to Mackay, Brisbane and Bankstown on 22Jul.

Tuesday 22 July 2008
Air Chathams Convair 580 ZK-CIF departed Auckland for Tonga to replace ZK-CIE (see 23Jul).

Citation Mustang ZK-MUS flew from Wellington to Tauranga, Whangarei, Hamilton and back to Wellington while Citation Mustang N2243W flew Hastings to Auckland and back.

Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKH flew from Honolulu to Brisbane, Melbourne and back to Auckland.

Gulfstream 5 N596GA departed Christchurch for Canberra.

C17 Globemaster III 01-0195 departed Christchurch for Canberra and sistership 01-0196 departed for Honolulu.

Wednesday 23 July 2008
Air Chathams/Chathams Pacific Convair 580 ZK-CIE arrived at Auckland from Tonga.

Cirrus SR22 N703CD arrived at Auckland early evening from Pago Pago. Its final destination is Wellington.

Thursday 24 July 2008
Citation Mustang N2243W departed Hastings for Bankstown via techstops at Auckland, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.

Embraer 135 Legacy N580ML arrived at Auckland from Honolulu via Pago Pago. The aircraft had flown from Teterboro to Los Angeles and Honolulu 23Jul.

Sunday 20 July 2008

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Port Vila, Hamilton and back to Auckland on a medivac.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew Christchurch to Timaru, Queenstown, Christchurch, Auckland and back to Christchurch.

Citation 560XL VH-NGH made a Palmerston North-Auckland return flight this afternoon.

Cirrus SR22 N703CD crossed from Santa Maria to Honolulu on its delivery flight to NZ.

Cessna 400 N400NM was observed arriving at Nelson from Westport.

Beech 60 Duke N60TE was noted parked at Ardmore with an engine cowl removed.

Jetconnect Boeing 737-300 ZK-JNO was dragged out of mothballs to fly a Christchurch-Auckland-Christchurch return this morning.

National Aircraft Leasing Gulfstream 5 N596GA arrived at Christchurch mid afternoon from Honolulu. The aircraft is apparently operated by US military/intelligence agencies.

Glen Reid photo

USAF Boeing C17A 01-0196 arrived at Christchurch early this morning from Jakarta's Halim Airport as "Reach 594". It joins 01-0195 which arrived from Honolulu 19Jul.

Wed 16 July - Sat 19 July 2008

Wednesday 16 July 2008
Thorp T18 ZK-EDF returned to NZ today, arriving at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island.

Falcon 900C VH-LAL departed Auckland for Sydney late this afternoon.

Trans Niugini Tours Pacific Aerospace 750XL P2-TNT departed Kerikeri for Norfolk Island on its delivery flight. To Lord Howe and Archerfield 17Jul and from Mackay to Cairns 18Jul.

Citation 560XL VH-NGH flew from Wanganui to Wellington and back during the course of today.

Jetconnect retired Boeing 737-300 ZK-JNO from service today when it flew as QFA2771 Auckland to Christchurch. Its fate is yet to be determined. Its removal from service saw the operator's 737-400 that has been flying Tasman services ex Auckland replaced with a Qantas mainline 737-800 aircraft from late tonight.

Thursday 17 July 2008
Network Jets Hawker 800XPi N805M returned to NZ today, arriving at Auckland from Maui and Apia. The aircraft has been abroad since 20Jun.

Rank Group Global Express XRS N57LE returned to Auckland from Nadi today.

Cessna 400 N400NM flew from Gisborne to Christchurch where local demonstration flights were carried out.

Airwork Boeing 737-300F ZK-TLB spent time in Christchurch today for ground staff familirisation. It arrived from and returned to Christchurch with an entry to service expected 21Jul.

Maxem Aviation Citation V Ultra VH-MXJ arrived at Dunedin this afternoon from Mount Isa and Brisbane.

Citation 560XL VH-NGH flew from Wanganui to Wellington again today and then returned north to Palmerston North.

Professional Jet Aviation Citation 525 VH-LDH departed Wellington for Sydney via a techstop at Norfolk Island.

Peter Van Dyk photo

Friday 18 July 2008
Air NZ inagurated services between Auckland and Beijing as from tonight with Boeing 777-200ER ZK-OKC operating the first service, ANZ87. The return flight arrives into Auckland during the early hours of 20Jul as ANZ86. Its introduction to the schedule coincides with the up coming Olympic Games.

Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-SUJ positioned from Auckland to Melbourne as ANZ6081 before then operating a charter flight to Brisbane and Honolulu as ANZ1982.

Beech G58 Baron N146WA flew from North Shore to Whakatane, Auckland and back to North Shore.

Falcon 900EXE N146EX returned to Auckland today from Essendon. Its journey started back on 14Jun when it flew Auckland to Honolulu and it has since been known to have visited Joplin, Centennial, Manchester, Luton, Bonn, Paris, Male and Perth.

Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Queenstown and back.

Cessna 400 N400NM flew Christchurch to Dunedin.

Saturday 19 July 2008
Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-SUJ returned to Auckland from Honolulu as ANZ1011.

Cessna 400 N400NM flew Dunedin to Queenstown.

Cessna V Ultra VH-MXJ flew Dunedin to Essendon, Adelaide and Perth.

USAF Boeing C17A 01-0195 arrived at Christchurch from Honolulu as "Reach 112" mid afternoon.

Tuesday 15 July 2008

Boeing BBJ HZ-MF2 lead todays activity, departing Wellington for Port Moresby and Kuala Lumpur.

Recently delivered to Australia Citationjet VH-LDH arrived at Wellington from Sydney.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER 9V-SWS made its first visit to NZ operating the SQ285/286 service through Auckland.

Beech G58 Baron N146WA arrived at Auckland from Nadi mid afternoon having crossed the Pacific from Monterey via Honolulu, Christmas Island and Pago Pago.

Cessna 441 ZK-NFD flew a medivac flight from Christchurch to the Chathams, Napier and Nelson.

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

Mil 8 ER-MHH flew a medivac flight from Whakatane to a position 35.20S 179.05W where it rendeavouzed with Spanish registered longline fishing vessel "Ruso Tercergo" and transported a sick crewman to Tauranga.

Piper Pa31-350 ZK-NSP escorted ER-MHH on its journey and after arriving at Tauranga continued to Auckland and Taupo.

Fri 11 July - Mon 14 July 2008

Friday 11 July 2008
Avwest Hawker 800XP VH-ZUH made its first Tasman crossing since its delivery earlier this year, arriving at Christchurch from Brisbane. Later onto Auckland where it was hangered with Air National.

Cessna 400 N400NM was noted flying from Whangarei to Ardmore.

Saturday 12 July 2008
Citation Mustang ZK-MUS arrived at Wanaka this afternoon from Wellington.

King Air ZK-MAN was observed flying from Invercargill to Dunedin.

Sunday 13 July 2008
Joyce Meyers Ministries Gulfstream 4SP N7JM spent several hours at Christchurch today, arriving from Sydney and later departing for Nadi and Maui.

At Christchurch, Barry Hudson photo

Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Auckland back today.

Saudi Ministry of Finance Boeing BBJ HZ-MF2 arrived at Wellington this evening from Kuala Lumpur via Port Moresby. The same aircraft visited NZ in April 2006, arriving at Wellington from Riyhad via Bangkok and Darwin on 01Apr, to Christchurch 04Apr, Dunedin and Auckland 06Apr and to Darwin 07Apr.

Airwork Boeing 737-300 freighter ZK-TLB arrived at Auckland this evening from Miama via Honolulu and Pago Pago. The all white aircraft will operate in lieu of Boeing 737-200QC ZK-NQC whilst it undergoes a D check. ZK-TLB had operated in Australia on contract to Toll Holdings during 2007, arriving at Brisbane from Honolulu and Pago Pago on 20May07. It terminated operations in December that year and departed for Florida with its first ferry leg from Brisbane to Majuro on 21Dec07.

King Air ZK-MAN flew from Dunedin to Christchurch and Nelson.

Thorp T18 ZK-EDF flew from Hamilton Island to the Gold Coast today.

Monday 14 July 2008
Prime Aviation Hawker 800XP VH-KEF arrived at Hamilton just on midday from Essendon. It returned to Essendon later the same day.

Citation 560XL VH-NGH arrived at Wanganui from Bankstown and Sydney and arriving in Wanganui at the same time from Ardmore was Piper PA31-350 ZK-CAL as "Christian 1L" and Piper PA31-310 ZK-ECQ from New Plymouth.

Cessna 400 N400NM departed Ardmore for Taupo however diverted to Rotorua due to fog. Later on to Taupo and Napier.

Beech 60 Duke N60TE (P-361) arrived at Auckland late afternoon from Pago Pago. Its delivery flight had originated at Oakland and proceeded via Hilo and Christmas Island.

Mon 07 July - Thursday 10 July 2008

Monday 07 July 2008
King Air 300 F-GICA departed Auckland for Noumea, returning to Auckland later that day before again heading north to Noumea.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew Queenstown to Christchurch.

RAAF Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-442 was spotted at numerous airports around the South Island today as it conducted navigational exercises.

Tuesday 08 July 2008
FU24 Fletcher PK-PNX departed Auckland for Lord Howe Island and The Gold Coast on re-delivery to Indonesia, flown by Rob Leach. To Mount Isa 09Jul and Darwin 10Jul.

Air National Westwind ZK-RML carried out a medivac flight from Auckland to Noumea and back.

RAAF Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-442 was around the North Island today, originating at Woodbourne and finishing at Whenuapai.

Wednesday 09 July 2008
Alpha (Robin) ZK-SXY departed Whangarei for Norfolk Island today. To Lord Howe Island and Kempsey 10Jul.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighter 9V-SFO visited Christchurch late this afternoon, arriving from Sydney and departing for Auckland.

RAAF Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-442 departed Whenuapai for Townsville.

Thursday 10 July 2008
Eagle Air finally took delivery of their latest Beech 1900D ZK-EAR (UE-388) at Hamilton with the aircraft arriving from Cairns via the Gold Coast as VH-EAS. The aircraft has been undergoing maintenance and modifications at Cairns since its arrival back on 17Dec07 when it arrived from Japan as JA018A having flown with Air Transee.

Sunday 06 July 2008

Cessna 400 N400NM was captured at Ardmore today by Colin Hunter

Cessna 182R ZK-PCJ pushed further westwards today and arrived at Kempsey from Norfolk Island via a stop at Lord Howe Island.

Air National Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Suva and back on a medivac mission.

Citation Mustang N2243W returned home to Hastings having overnighted in Wellington.

Beech King Air 300 F-GICA made a return visit to Auckland, arriving late afternoon from Magenta.

Royal Australian Air Force C130J Hercules A97-442 also made a return trip, arriving at Whenuapai from Hobart as "Ausy 736". Onwards to Woodbourne via an approach and overshoot at Nelson.

Royal NZ Air Force C130H Hercules NZ7005 arrived back at Whenuapai as "Kiwi 901" from Melbourne. It had flown from Cairns to Edinburgh/Adelaide 04Jul then to Melbourne 05Jul.

Pacific Airways Let L29 ZK-SSS was observed carrying out a local flight from/to Ardmore including a series of touch and goes during the early part of the afternoon.

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

Cherokee Six ZK-OMT was noted flying from Dunedin to Tauranga direct, taking some 3hr 48mins! This is not the first time its been noted flying these 'ultra long haul' flights however does anyone know what its for?

Saturday 05 July 2008

Yet more activity for Kerikeri, this time with the departure of Cessna 182R ZK-PCJ heading to Norfolk Island.
This aircraft was imported during 1995 as VH-MDQ and was initially registered ZK-DRB before a change of ownership in 2004 saw it changed to ZK-PCJ. The aircraft has been listed for sale with Southern Aircraft Sales so quite probably an export.

Beech 76 ZK-SIR arrived at the Gold Coast from Lord Howe Island today. On investigation, it would also appear that this aircraft has been exported as it is listed with Premi-Air at Ardmore. ZK-SIR was also a 1995 import and has been used by a large number of operator's during its career as an IFR training platform, most recently with Eagle Flight Training.

Global Express XRS N57LE departed Auckland this morning for Nadi, no doubt escaping the winter for the NZ school holidays!

Citation Mustang N2243W arrived at Wellington mid afternoon from Hastings.

Citation 500 N800DT spent a few hours at Whakatane today, arriving from and returning to Ardmore.

Friday 04 July 2008

Since Kerikeri become officially recognised as an 'international' airport, it has had a significant number of light aircraft transit and today saw Beech 76 Duchess ZK-SIR successfully depart from there for Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.

In the opposite direction flew Cessna 400 LC41-550FG N400NM, arriving at Kerikeri from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. The aircraft has been carrying out demonstration work throughout Australia for several months.
http://se.cessna.com/cessna400/. It is understood the aircraft continued south to Ardmore.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Christchurch to Queenstown.

Citation Mustang N2243W visited Auckland this afternoon, arriving from and returning to Hastings.

Thursday 03 July 2008

Another new visitor by Emirates today, this time with Boeing 777-31HER A6-ECG (35579) and again it was on the carriers scheduled service from/to Brisbane. A6-ECG was delivered in April this year.

Royal Australian Air Force C130J Hercules A97-441 departed Whenuapai for Richmond as "Ausy 735".

Royal NZ Air Force C130H Hercules NZ7005 departed Whenuapai for Cairns via a low approach and overshoot at Lord Howe Island as "Kiwi 901".

Global Express N57LE returned to Auckland from Essendon.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Christchurch to Queenstown, Wellington, Queenstown and back to Christchurch.

Kiwi Air Cresco ZK-LTP was noted flying from Alice Springs to Claraville today.

Wednesday 02 July 2008

Emirates Boeing 777-31HER A6-ECE (35575) made its first known visit to Auckland today operating the carriers scheduled service from/to Brisbane. The 777 was delivered to Emirates in December 2007.

Air Chathams/Chathams Pacific Metroliner III ZK-CIC departed Napier for Auckland and Tonga following maintenance at Hastings.

The Beech D17 ZK-AMU continued its Tasman crossing, arriving at Southport from Lord Howe Island and the Gold Coast. Thorp T18 ZK-EDF also continued its crossing and flew from Norfolk Island direct to the Gold Coast.

Beech 76 Duchess ZK-SIR departed Kerikeri for Norfolk Island however diverted back and landed at Kaitaia before returning to Ardmore.

Citation Mustang ZK-MUS made an early morning arrival at Ardmore from Wellington. It spent a few hours at Ardmore before departing for a survey style of flight pattern to the north of Auckland and then proceeding to Napier/Hastings and finally home to Wellington.

Citation Mustang N2243W spent a few hours at New Plymouth, arriving from and returning to Hastings.

Global Express XRS N57LE departed Auckland for Essendon.

Royal Australian Air Force C130J Hercules A97-442 flew from Richmond to Whenuapai and return this afternoon as "Ausy 747".

Tuesday 01 July 2008

Beech D17S Staggerwing ZK-AMU, which was thought to have departed NZ at the end of May, was noted departing Kerikeri this morning for Norfolk Island flown by Warbirds pilot, Nigel Arnott. The aircraft carried on later in the day to Lord Howe Island. Obviously the attempts in May were thwarted by weather and then perhaps pilot availability.

Kevin Foster's Whenuapai based Thorp T18 ZK-EDF departed its home airfield for Norfolk Island today.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-441, as mentioned in a previous blog entry, was noted at a number of North Island spots today with its navigational exercise starting from Woodbourne, then moving to Ohakea, Taupo, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Rotorua, Auckland, Whangarei and finishing at Whenuapai.

Acemus Citation Mustang ZK-MUS, also previously mentioned, flew from Wellington to Dunedin, then to Napier, Hastings, back to Wellington and onwards to Dunedin.

Skyline Aviation King Air ZK-PLK departed Hastings for the Chathams mid afternoon and then returned to Wellington on a medivac mission.

Pacific Jets Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM returned home to Christchurch from Sydney at the conclusion of a maintenance visit to Bankstown, where it arrived on 02Jun.
Pacific Blue inaugurated services to Dunedin from 01Jul. The daily service operates from/to Christchurch during the middle of the day with the first flight being operated with Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBB.

Latest ZK bizjet flies

Acemus of Wellington recently registered their Cessna Citation Mustang N1749L as ZK-MUS. The aircraft was first noted flying under its ZK registration today, 01Jul, and it flew from Wellington to Dunedin then north again to Napier.

Alistair Bevin in Dunedin snapped it parked in the winter sunlight with the air temperature hovering around -3C, note the frost! Thanks for braving the elements Alistair!

RAAF Lockheed C130J Hercules

Jason Ballantyne on location at Dunedin International Airport captured Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-441 during a training detail on 30Jun. It would appear the aircraft arrived at Whenuapai on 29Jun, tracking in off the Hobart-NZ track however its actual origin is unconfirmed.