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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Hawker 800XPi N805M arrived at Queenstown late this morning from its Auckland home. It spent several hours in Queenstown before heading north to Auckland.

Beech 60 Duke N60TE flew from Woodbourne to Dunedin.

Beech G58 Baron N146WA was noted flying from North Shore to Hamilton.

This will be the last blog post until 02Sep.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Tuesday 19 August 2008 - updated 20Aug with photo

Auckland welcomed the first visit of a Dassault Falcon 7X to New Zealand with the arrival of Dasnair's HB-JSZ from Pisa and Hong Kong carrying opera singer Andre Bocelli for a concert in Auckland the following night.


Mike Condon photos

Auckland Air Charter's Learjet 35A ZK-XVL returned to Auckland mid morning from Rarotonga before making the short hop to Ardmore.

Royal Australian Air Force C17A Globemaster III A41-209 departed Auckland mid afternoon for Niue as "Ausy 771".
Mike Condon photo

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-002 departed Auckland late afternoon for Niue as "Ausy 368".

Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Taupo and back.

Beech Duke N60TE arrived at Woodbourne around sunset from Tauranga.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Monday 18 August 2008 - amended

Air National Westwind ZK-RML flew Auckland to Nadi and back while their Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB flew to Queenstown and back from Auckland.


Auckland Air Charter Learjet 35 ZK-XVL made the short hop from Ardmore to Auckland late afternoon and later departed for Rarotonga.


Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-002 arrived into Auckland from Canberra just on 10.10pm carrying Australian PM Kevin Rudd and entourage.


Royal Australian Air Force Globemaster III A41-209 arrived into Auckland about an before the Challenger, also from Canberra. Both aircraft are expected to head of Niue 19Aug where the South Pacific Leaders Forum is being held this week.


Notar MD500 G-NEEN (LN018) carried out a flight from Christchurch this evening having arrived by container earlier in the day on import. It will become ZK-HBC.


Glen Reid photo

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Thursday 14 August - Sunday 17 August 2008

Thursday 14 August 2008
Royal Australian Air Force Globemaster III A41-209 departed Ohakea for Samoa and Amberley as "Ausy 751".

Friday 15 August 2008
Air National's Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB arrived back in Wellington from Los Angeles via Honolulu and Apia. After deplaning its passengers the GIV positioned to Auckland.

Air National's Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Dunedin and back during the course of the day.

Citation 650 VII VH-LYM departed Auckland for Sydney.

Citation Sovereign N621CS arrived at Auckland from Hamilton Island and Brisbane. The 680 had flown from San Francisco to Maui 30Jul, then 02Aug to Pago Pago and Nadi before arriving at Sydney 05Aug. To Kingscote 09Aug then from Ayres Rock to Hamilton Island 12Aug.

Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Hamilton and back.

Beech G58 Baron N146WA flew from North Shore to Gisborne and back.

Royal Air Force Lockheed Tristar ZD950 arrived to a showery Auckland from Sydney as "Ascot 3667".

Royal Australian Air Force C130 Hercules A97-005 arrived at Wellington from Richmond as "Ausy 754".

Saturday 16 August 2008
Gulfstream 5 N38BA arrived at Christchurch late morning from Hong Kong. Its initial destination was Queenstown however it diverted due to low cloud and snow showers.

Barry Hudson photo

Falcon 900EXE N146EX returned to Auckland late Saturday from Madang, PNG.

Royal Australian Air Force C130 Hercules A97-001 was noted arriving at and departing from Wellington, possibly in support of A97-005. Check out Rodney's blog for some great shots.
http://flyinggeek.blogspot.com/2008/08/rnzaf-and-raaf-at-wellington.html

Royal Air Force Tristar ZD950 departed Auckland a little after 1100 for Honolulu.

Colin Hunter photo

McLean Aviation Citation Sovereign N621CS departed Auckland late Saturday for Papeete.

Wayne Grant photo

Sunday 17 August 2008

Hawker 800XPi N805M departed early this morning from Auckland heading to Nadi.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N591HA arrived into Auckland early evening from Honolulu for a maintenance visit with Air NZ.

Qantas Boeing 747-300 VH-EBX departed Auckland early this morning for Sydney as QFA6020 following unscheduled maintenance.

Global Express XRS N57LE departed Auckland for San Diego.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Sunday 10 - Wednesday 13 August 2008

Sunday 10 August 2008
Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 VH-VOH departed Christchurch for Brisbane following maintenance.

Falcon 900EX N146EX flew from Auckland to Madang, PNG.

Global Express XRS N57LE returned to Auckland from Nadi having flown north on Friday.

Citation 501 N800DT flew Dunedin to Whakatane then to Ardmore.

Monday 11 August 2008
Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBT positioned to Hong Kong from Auckland as ANZ6081 for maintenance with HAECO.

Mustang N2243W flew Hastings to Christchurch, Dunedin and then over the reverse routing during the course of the day.

Piper Malibu N9099Z arrived back at Rangiora today from Pauanui and Ardmore.

Tuesday 12 August 2008
Royal Air Force Lockheed L1011 Tristar ZD950 touched down at Auckland late this afternoon from Honolulu as "Ascot 3666" on Exercise Longlook.

Microlight Jabiru J320-D VH-FTE completed the Tasman Sea part of its ferry flight today arriving at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island. It had flown into Norfolk from Bankstown via Lord Howe 11Aug.

Wednesday 13 August 2008
A busy day for visiting Australian bizjets, with two of them first time visitors.

Starting the flurry was Pelair Westwind VH-KNR making the hop from Sydney to Auckland and return. I'm sure its been here before, perhaps not in the livery depicted in Wayne Grant's photo taken early this morning.


Second arrival was that of Careflight's recently delivered Learjet 36 VH-CMS from Port Vila into Auckland just on midday. This machine, based on the Gold Coast, appears to have replaced Learjet 36 VH-JCX however this aircraft also seems to conduct medivac flights on the operators behalf so it can be a little confusing as to what aircraft is using the "Careflight 36" callsign. VH-CMS late Wednesday for the Gold Coast.


Lynden Aviation's Darwin based Citation 650 VII VH-LYM made its first NZ visit today arriving at Auckland from Sydney. The aircraft was delivered in April this year.

Royal Air Force Tristar ZD950 departed Auckland mid morning for Sydney.

Air National Gulfstream G200 ZK-RGB flew from Auckland to Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu) and return while company sistership Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB flew from Long Beach to Los Angeles.

North Shore based Beech G58 Baron N146WA flew from its home to Gisborne and back.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Thursday 07 August-Saturday 09 August 2008

Thursday 07 August 2008
Gulfstream 5 N38NZ departed Wellington early this afternoon for Perth and continued to Male 08August.
Learjet 35A ZK-XVL was heard flying a military flight from/to Whenuapai as "BALDOCK" and later was undergoing maintenance at Ardmore.
Challenger 850 VH-LEF departed Auckland mid morning heading for Sydney.
Fri 08 August 2008
Rank Group's Global Express XRS N57LE departed from Auckland mid afternoon heading to the warm of Nadi.
Royal NZ Air Force Boeing 757 NZ7571 arrived at Whenuapai from Samoa as "Kiwi 332" following its visit to Mobile, Alabama where it has undergone a major rework of its interior, addition of a cargo door and revamped flight deck.
Heliharvest Mil 8 ER-MHH and Piper PA31-350 ZK-NSP were involved in yet another offshore rescue, again from a Spanish registered fishing boat. A crew member was winched following a suspected stroke from the vessel some 460km east-northeast of East Cape with both aircraft flying their respective missions from/to Whakatane. Both machines were involved in a similar exercise on 15Jul.
Citation 500 N800DT arrived at Rotorua from Ardmore.
Saturday 09 August 2008
Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-XLG departed Hamilton for Kerikeri and Norfolk Island today on export to Australia where it destined to become VH-NZJ with a parachuting operation in Queensland.
Pacific Blue introduced Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBK to service with the aircraft flying from Melbourne to Christchurch this afternoon as DJ62. Ex VH-VUP, the aircraft is effectively brand new having arrived at Brisbane from Boeing Field via Lihue and Nadi on 29Jun. ZK-PBK will be joined by another new build 737-800, ZK-PBL, at months end. The introduction of these aircraft will see an increase of services within NZ and across the Tasman from Auckland to Melbourne and Sydney.
Citation 500 N800DT flew from Rotorua to Whakatane, back to Rotorua then later south to Dunedin.
Learjet 45 N45AU spent a couple of hours at Queenstown this afternoon, arriving from Sydney and departing for the Gold Coast. The owner's other aircraft, Challenger 604 N604AU, was noted flying from Tuscon to Los Angeles today with the aircraft having remained static at Tuscon since mid May this year. Both aircraft remain listed for sale.
Piper Malibu N9099Z headed north from its Rangiora home for Pauanui.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Tue 05 August - Wed 06 August 2008

Tuesday 05 August 2008
Martinair's Boeing 747-400 freighter PH-MPR departed Auckland for Sydney as MPH99.


Taxying for departure, Mike Condon photo
Hardy's Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH departed Nelson for Norfolk Island.
Pelair Westwind VH-AJG arrived at Wellington from Newcastle/Williamtown as "Century 81".
Cessna 172P ZK-JBP departed Ardmore for Kerikeri and Norfolk Island on export to Fiji. It continued to Nadi 06Aug.

At Ardmore 04Aug having its HF radio installed, Mike Condon photo
Wednesday 06 August 2008
Gulfstream 5 N38NZ made for an interesting arrival at New Plymouth mid morning direct from Male, Maldives, where it arrived 02Aug from London/Luton. It continued to Wellington a short time later. Its registration and the accompanying photos show it has a strong NZ connection!



All photos by Peter Van Dyk

Linfox Challenger 850 VH-LEF arrived at Auckland from Sydney.

Wayne Grant photo
Pelair Westwind VH-AJG departed Wellington for Canberra as "Century 81".
Hawker 800XPi N805M flew from Auckland to Brisbane and back.

Air National Westwind ZK-RML departed Auckland for Nadi on a medivac flight but returned to Auckland ex airborne.
Citation Mustang N2243W arrived at Napier direct from Coffs Harbour where it had arrived earlier today from Bankstown ex maintenance.
Auckland Air Charter Learjet 35 ZK-XVL flew from Ardmore to Taupo and Whenuapai during the course of the afternoon.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Monday 04 August 2008

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

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JSE continued its westward journey departing Brisbane for Darwin.

Virgin Blue Boeing 737-700 VH-VBH departed Christchurch for Melbourne ex maintenance, having arrived late July. It was replaced with 737-800 VH-VOH which arrived early this morning from Melbourne.

Martinair Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter 9M-MPR arrived at Auckland from Singapore late Monday as "Martinair 91".

Falcon 2000 VT-HDL departed Wellington late tonight for Melbourne and Perth.

Peter Van Dyk photo

Singapore Airlines operated Boeing 777-300 9V-SYE through Christchurch today and it was captured by Matt Hayes prior to its departure as SQ298 back to Singapore.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Sunday 03 August 2008

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JSE departed Hamilton for Brisbane direct on its delivery flight to South Africa.

Learjet 45 N45AU departed Queenstown on its return to the Gold Coast.


Captured on its arrival @ Queenstown, Glen Reid photo

Citation 650 VH-SSZ flew from Auckland to Norfolk Island where it spent a few hours before heading to Sydney.

Mumbai based Falcon 2000 VT-HDL arrived at Wellington late tonight from Melbourne. It has also visited Perth while in Australia and arrived there from Singapore. The visit of an Indian registered aircraft to NZ is VERY rare!

Air National Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB departed Wellington for Papeete, Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Saturday 02 August 2008

Lots of activity today considering the inclement weather!

Pelair Westwind VH-AJG flew from Canberra to Auckland then west to Sydney using the callsign "Century 81" indicating it was on an ADF charter of some sort.

Wayne Grant photo

Careflight/Jetcity Learjet 36 VH-JCX flew a medical flight from brisbane to Auckland and then back to its Gold Coast base as "Careflight 36".

Wayne Grant photo

Citation 650 VH-SSZ was planned to fly Auckland to Queenstown however remained static.

Wayne Grant photo

Citationjet CJ2+ VH-MOR arrived at Auckland from Napier.

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

Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB flew mid afternoon from Auckland to Wellington.

Learjet 45 N45AU arrived at Queenstown from the Gold Coast. This aircraft is ex VH-VVI and has been idle in the USA for some months before returning to Australia 23Jul when it arrived at Townsville from Kansai via Guam and Cairns.

Citation 500 N800DT flew from Wellington to Ardmore early afternoon.

Beech G58 Baron N146WA was observed flying from North Shore/Dairy Flat to Great Barrier Island where it appears to have landed.

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-JSE was set to depart from Hamilton for Brisbane on its delivery flight to South Africa this morning however it remained static.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Vale Air West Coast

Greymouth based Air West Coast closed its scheduled operation today, 01Aug, with Dornier 228 ZK-VIR flying the last service from Wellington to Greymouth as "Air West 226". The aircraft has reportedly been sold in Venezuela. Air West Coast will continue to provide charter and scenic flight services out of Greymouth using Piper PA31-350 ZK-VIP (due back on line shortly) and Cessna 205 ZK-COY (currently undergoing maintenance with Cessna 172 ZK-FMP being used).

Wed 30 July - Fri 01 August 2008

Wednesday 30 July 2008
Air National Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB returned home to Auckland today, arriving from Hong Kong via a techstop at Cairns. The G200 had departed Auckland for Apia and Hawaii back on 07Jun.

Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter 9V-SFD operated through Christchurch today/tonight. It flew Singapore-Sydney-Auckland-Christchurch-Melbourne-Singapore.

Edair Australia Citationjet CJ2+ VH-MOR arrived at Auckland from Archerfield and Brisbane.

Gulfstream 4SP VH-DBT departed Auckland for Tonga.

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 9M-MRD visited Auckland today on their scheduled service and it was noted the aircraft has reverted to the carriers normal livery.

Thursday 31 July 2008
Edair Australia Citationjet CJ2+ VH-MOR departed Auckland for Napier.

Citation 500 N800DT arrived at Wellington from Ardmore.

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

Cessna 425 ZK-LHL was noted flying for the first time in several months a couple of days ago, and today flew from its Tauranga base to Westport, Hokitika, Taupo and Tauranga.

Friday 01 August 2008
Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH arrived at Nelson early this afternoon from Bankstown via Sydney and Wellington.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM departed Auckland for Christchurch.

Citation 650 VH-SSZ arrived at Auckland from Sydney.