Sun 27 Sep - Wed 30 Sep 2009

Sunday 27 September 2009
Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 VH-VOD departed Christchurch for Melbourne at the conclusion of maintenance with Air NZ.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130 Hercules A97-011 made a visit to Christchurch, arriving from and returning to Richmond as ASY675.

USAF Boeing C17 Globemaster 01-0186 arrived at Christchurch today ahead this years Antarctic program. The C17 arrived from Hickam and Pago Pago as "Reach 5E2".

Monday 28 September 2009
Vincent Aviation's Dash 8 ZK-VAC arrived home to Wellington following a stint in Australia flying on behalf of Air Cruising Australia. The Dash started its day at Sydney and staged via Lord Howe Island. During its time in Australia, which started on 18Aug, ZK-VAC is known to have visited: Charlesville, Longreach, Winton, Mt Isa, Tindal, Jabiru, Darwin, Kununarra, Broome, Ayres Rock, Alice Springs, Birdsville, Bourke, Broken Hill, Cobber Pedy, Forrest, Kalgoorlie, Perth, Busselton, Albany, Esperance, Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Kingscote and Albury!

Pratt Industries Global Express VH-VGX arrived at Wellington today from Sydney.

Two RAAF C130J Hercules cleared customs at Christchurch today on their arrival in the country from Richmond, one being A97-467 and the other A97-440. Both aircraft departed for Woodbourne however A97-467 returned to Christchurch with an engine shut down.

Tuesday 29 September 2009
Clay Lacy Aviatoin Gulfstream 4SP N104AD made an early morning tech stop at Auckland, arriving from Papeete and departing to Sydney. It then flew to Nadi and Honolulu 30Sep.

United States Navy Gulfstream 4/C20G 165094 was another brief visitor to Auckland, arriving in the early afternoon from Papeete and departing less than an hour later for Sydney using the callsign "Convoy 2982". Note the lack of windows and cargo door on the right-hand side of the special missions GIV.

Wayne Grant photos

The two RAAF C130J Hercules spent the day prowling around the South Island on navigation exercises visiting most places with published instrument approaches!

Global Express VH-VGX departed Wellington on its return to Sydney.

Air National's Gulfstream G200 ZK-RGB departed Dunedin for Adelaide and Bali today.

Wednesday 30 September 2009
Acernus Citation Mustang ZK-MUS flew home to Wellington from Lord Howe Island this afternoon concluding a week's visit to Australia. It departed Wellington for Auckland and Norfolk Island last week and later visited Lord Howe Island, Bankstown, Canberra and Maroochydore.

USAF Boeing C17 Globemaster 01-0186 embarked on its first of several trips to Pegasus Field, Antarctica this morning as ICE05. Its first attempt to make it south was thwarted initally with a rejected takeoff and then when it depart a short time later it returned to Christchurch ex airborne for unknown reasons. The weather at destination appears/appeared to be ok with good visibility and high cloud with a balmy -27C!

RNZAF Lockheed P3K Orion NZ4205 departed Whenuapai for Apia as "Kiwi Rescue 603" to assist with SAR and survey work following this mornings devasting 8.3 richter scale earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devasted much of the coast line around Western and American Samoa.
The two RAAF C130J's were out and about again today, visiting South and North Island locations.

Sat 19 - Sat 26 September 2009

Saturday 19 September 2009

Tasman Cargo Airlines Boeing 727-200 freighter VH-DHE made a trip from Auckland to Apia as "Tasman 7". Interestingly, Apia was visited by 727-100 freighter RP-C8017 yesterday, its second visit in recent times.

Beechjet 400 VH-BZL departed Auckland for Sydney having arrived the previous Monday.

Sunday 20 September 2009

Boeing 727-200 freighter VH-DHE returned to Auckland from Apia as "Tasman 8".

Grand Warehouse Gulfstream 550 N550GW touched down at Christchurch mid morning from Kansai.

Making a departure from Palmerston North to Coolangatta today was Ardmore based Learjet 35A ZK-XVL.

Monday 21 September 2009

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N596HA departed Auckland this evening for Honolulu at the conclusion of its maintenance visit with Air NZ.

Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 VH-VOD arrived at Christchurch from Melbourne for maintenance with Air NZ.

Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed C130H Hercules NZ7002 made a medivac trip from Christchurch to Pegasus Field, Antarctica, and return to uplift an unwell American researcher.

Tuesday 22 September 2009

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N588HA arrived at Auckland from Honolulu today for maintenance with Air NZ.

Piper PA31-325 VH-JBI, having arrived last week, departed Kaitaia for the short hop to Kerikeri where it cleared customs and departed for Norfolk Island on its return to Moorabbin where it arrived 24Sep via Lord Howe Island and Port Macquarie.

Beech King Air 200 VH-KFN flew from Christchurch to Timaru today for NZ C of A work and has since become ZK-FDR.

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Gulfstream 550 N550GW departed Christchurch mid morning today for Narita.

Jetconnect's second Boeing 737-800, ZK-ZQB "Sir William Hudson", positioned from Melbourne to Auckland as QFA6021.

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KAK, which had returned to NZ early last month following an incident in Cambodia, departed Hamilton for Kerikeri and Norfolk Island late today. It continued to Lord Howe Island and Bankstown 24Sep.

Thursday 24 September 2009

Boeing 737-800 ZK-ZQB started its commercial life today flying from Auckland to Sydney and return as QFA142/43.

Heinz Gulfstream 4SP N457H arrived at Auckland this evening from Essendon. This operator was once, in the 1990's, a regular visitor to NZ and often bought 2 of their own aircraft along with chartering Australian jets to move people around.

Massey Aviation (Palmerston North) took delivery of two Diamond Twinstar's with the arrival at Auckland late this evening of VH-BVW and VH-BXQ from the Canadian factory via Pago Pago and Nadi. Both aircraft have since arrived Hawker Pacific's Ardmore facility for C of A work before heading to their new home sometime next month. It is understood a third Twinstar is also expected.

Friday 25 September 2009

Gulfstream 4SP N457H departed Auckland for Pago Pago and Honolulu.

Aramco Gulfstream 5 N585A arrived at Queenstown late afternoon direct from Singapore.

Saturday 26 September 2009

Gulfstream 5 N585A flew from Queenstown to Christchurch.

Thu 17 Sep - Fri 18 Sep 2009

Thursday 17 September 2009

NZ Flying Doctors/Garden City Helicopters Beech King Air 200 VH-KFN flew Christchurch-Hokitika-Queenstown-Christchurch today.

At Christchurch, Tony McFarlin photo

Jetconnect introduced their first Boeing 737-800 to commercial operations today with ZK-ZQA operated two Brisbane returns from Auckland (QFA116/115/126/125).

Just after pushback on its first commercial flight, Wayne Grant photo

French Air Force Casa 235 107/52-IH arrived at Christchurch from Noumea.

Friday 18 September 2009

Boeing BBJ VP-BRT spent the day at Queenstown, arriving from Auckland and later departing for Cairns.

Careflight Learjet 45 VH-CXJ spent several hours at Auckland having arrived during the early hours from Norfolk Island before departing for Coolangatta.

King Air 200 VH-KFN flew from Christchurch to Timaru and back.

Having departed NZ on 21Jun, Gulfstream 200 ZK-RGB finally returned home to Auckland this evening, arriving from Halim/Jakarta via Cairns.

Also arriving into Auckland from Cairns was Airwork's Boeing 737-300 ZK-TLA in full Toll Holdings livery. Its reason for visiting NZ is unknown however its most recent contract in Australia was completed earlier in the day.

Wayne Grant photo

Piper PA31-325 VH-JBI arrived at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island, perhaps a delivery flight.

Helicopters NZ have had Bell 412EP ZK-HVM on their books since June 2008 having come across from the Indonesian register where it was PK-UHH. Today, it was noted flying from Kupang, Indonesia to Western Australia's Truscott Airport.

Fri 04 Sep - Wed 16 Sep 2009

Friday 04 September 2009

Falcon 2000 VH-CRW arrived at Napier this evening from Brisbane.

Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH departed Wellington for Norfolk Island, Sydney and Bankstown.

USAF Boeing BBJ/C40 01-0015 departed Whenuapai for Tonga as SPAR55.

Saturday 05 September 2009

Pacific Blue flew their first service to/from Queenstown today with Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBJ flying the first DJ88/89 service from/to Sydney.

Departing runway 23 at Queenstown, Alan Teviotdale photo

Air NZ Boeing 737-300 ZK-NGK flew a test flight from/to Woodbourne following maintenance with Safe Air before later positioning to Christchurch.

Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCJ departed Auckland for Kansai and Hong Kong for its blended winglets makeover.

Sunday 06 September 2009

French Air Force Casa 235 66/52-ID arrived at Christchurch from points north as COTAM1162.

Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCL returned to Auckland from Hong Kong via Kansai sporting its new blended winglets.

Monday 07 September 2009

Virgin Blue Boeing 737-700 VH-VBF arrived at Christchurch early morning from Melbourne.

Air NZ retired Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBT from service today when it arrived from Los Angeles as ANZ5.

Tuesday 08 September 2009

Careflight Learjet 45 VH-CXJ arrived at Wellington this morning from Port Vila. It departed later for Coolangatta.

Outside the normal realms of this blog, but the departure of Pionair Convair 580 VH-PAL from Sydney to Pago Pago on export to Canada is worth recording. This aircraft was once ZK-PAL and based initially at Wigram and then Christchurch before becoming VH-PAL and crossing to Australia. The economic slump has hit the charter airline hard and this is the second Convair to exit their fleet.

Jetconnect retired Boeing 737-300 ZK-JNN from service when it arrived back at Auckland from Sydney as QFA113.

Wednesday 09 September 2009

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777-200 VN-A141 arrived at Auckland from Sydney as HVN6569 carrying a high ranking parliamentary delegation to NZ. The party connected with a chartered Air NZ Airbus A320 and flew to Wellington.

Colin Hunter photo

Thursday 10 September 2009
Pel Air Westwind VH-KNR made a fleeting visit to Auckland this evening, arriving from and returning to Sydney.

Saturday 12 September 2009

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777-200 VN-A141 departed Auckland just after midday for Hanoi.

Careflight Learjet 36 VH-CMS arrived at Auckland mid afternoon from Rarotonga.

Falcon 2000 VH-CRW spent the day at Woodbourne, arriving from and returning to Napier.

Sunday 13 September 2009

Learjet 36 VH-CMS departed Auckland for Sydney.

Monday 14 September 2009

Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 freighter N418MC arrived at Auckland just after 0500 from Singapore as "Giant 5455". It departed late evening for Kuala Lumpur and Kabul as "Giant 5456".

Aero Commander 690 ZK-PVB arrived at Auckland from Coffs Harbour via Lord Howe Island following a long stint in Australia.

Mooney 20 ZK-VVB also arrived at Auckland from Lord Howe Island following a vacation in Australia.

Jetconnect Boeing 737-300 ZK-JNN departed Auckland before sunrise on its journey to Tuscon, Arizona via Apia and Honolulu.

Beechjet 400 VH-BZL arrived at Auckland from Sydney.

Wayne Grant photo

Falcon 2000 VH-CRW made the short hop from Napier to Taupo this morning.

French Air Force Casa 235 66/52-ID was noted carrying out parachute operations from Whenuapai during the morning and arrived at Christchurch in the afternoon.

Tuesday 15 September 2009

Sounds Air Caravan ZK-TZR arrived back at Wellington this evening at the conclusion of its operations in Samoa where it has been covering for Shorts 360 maintenance. It flew from Pago Pago to Nadi 13Sep, then to Noumea and Norfolk 14Sep before flying to Auckland and home today.

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Falcon 2000 VH-CRW departed Taupo for Auckland and Brisbane.

Cessna 421 ZK-STV cleared customs at Kerikeri having arrived from Lord Howe Island. It later departed for Ardmore.

Garden City Helicopter's of Christchurch took delivery of a leased King Air 200 today with the arrival from Hobart of VH-KFN.

Beautifully painted Boeing BBJ VP-BRT arrived at Auckland mid afternoon from Sydney carrying its Russian owner, Roustam Tariko. His visit down under coincides with his vodka company's foray into the Australasian market.

Mike Condon photo

Jetconnect Boeing 737-800 ZK-ZQA positioned from Melbourne to Auckland as QFA6021 with the aircraft set to enter service first thing 17Sep.

First 737-800's for NZ's Jetconnect - updated 07Sep

The first 737-800 for Jetconnect touched down at Melbourne 03Sep nearing the conclusion of its delivery flight to NZ. Registered to Qantas as VH-VZF, the -800 arrived from Honolulu via Nadi as QFA6020. It will enter the NZ register prior to its arrival at Auckland from Melbourne in two weeks time as ZK-ZQA and has already been named "Jean Batten" along with the addition of a special nose decal indicating this aircraft to be the 75th 737 to be delivered to the QF fleet (including TN from days of yore). It is interesting the NZ registration's first two letter, ZQ, is the old airline code for Ansett NZ!

It is captured here on finals to Melbourne's runway 34 by Gordon Reid.

VH-VZG/ZK-ZQB arrived at Melbourne 06Sep over the same route as VH-VZF. This aircraft is named "Sir William Hudson". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hudson_(engineer)

Gordon Reid was again on the job to capture the arrival at Melbourne.

Sat 22 August - Thu 03 Sept 2009

Saturday 22 August 2009

Gulfstream 550 HB-IGM departed Auckland for Hong Kong.

Marcplan Hawker 900 VH-EVF arrived at Auckland from Essendon, marking its first visit to NZ since delivery to Australia in January this year.

Noel Jones photo

Embraer Legacy PT-TKD carried out a local demonstration flight from/to Auckland.

USAF Boeing C17 Globemaster 02-1109 flew the first ice flight to Antarctica as part of operation Winfly using the callsign "ICE01".

Sunday 23 August 2009

Hawker 900 VH-EVF flew from Auckland to Taupo, back to Auckland then home to Essendon.

Avwest Challenger 604 VH-VRE arrived at Queenstown from Adelaide this evening.

Monday 24 August 2009

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N596HA arrived at Auckland late this afternoon from Honolulu as HAL9981 for maintenance with Air NZ.

Embraer Legacy PT-TKD departed Auckland for Sydney. It was noted during the following days at Coolangatta, Brisbane and Darwin from where it exited Australia for Manila.

As previously mentioned, the three remaining Mitsubishi MU2's for the RNZAF training school at Woodbourne arrived at their new home this afternoon with N12RA, N720JK and N755Q starting their day at Alice Springs then to Sydney and Wellington.

USAF Boeing C17 Globemaster 02-1109 made its second flight to Antarctica today as ICE02.

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Atlas Boeing 747-400 freighter N418MC arrived at Auckland this morning from South Korea's Osan AFB as "Giant 8311".

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Atlas Boeing 747-400 freighter N418MC uplifted a cargo of stage equipment from the recently completed "Cirque du Soleil" and departed Auckland for Honolulu and Monterey, Mexico as GTI5441.

Tom Cruise's Gulfstream 4 N808T touched down at Wellington mid morning from Burbank, California, via Honolulu and Nadi.

USAF Boeing C17 Globemaster 02-1109 was off to Antarctica again today, and no surprises, as ICE03.

Qantas Boeing 767-300 VH-OGR arrived at Christchurch from Sydney early today as QF45 and was the subject of media interest following its encounter with severe turbulence it had experienced thanks to a very strong west-northwest wind pattern.

Thursday 27 August 2009

Tom Cruises' Gulfstream 4 N808T departed Wellington for Essendon while Avwest Challenger 604 VH-VRE departed Queenstown direct to Perth.

Friday 28 August 2009

Ardmore based Cessna 421 ZK-STV was off early from its home base for Kerikeri, Norfolk and Lord Howe Island's enroute Australia where it to act as a communications platform for a road rally series in the Lismore area.

Airwork/Skylink Boeing 737-200 ZK-NQC flew a series of passenger charters starting today with it flying from Auckland to Christchurch, Auckland, Palmerston North and back to Auckland.

Qantas Boeing 767-300 VH-OGR departed Christchurch for Sydney following an extended visit while inspections were carried out after its turbulent trip two days prior.

C17 Globemaster 02-1109 once again set off for Antarctica today as ICE04.

Saturday 29 August 2009

A large charter group requiring transport to Whangarei saw the airport play host to Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM (also visited 28Aug) along with Air Chathams Convair ZK-CIF and Vincent Aviation Beech 1900C ZK-VAE.

The same group mentioned above charter 737-200 ZK-NQC again today with the classic flying from Auckland to Palmeston North, Wellington and back to Auckland.

Office Max Falcon 50EX N290MX arrived at Auckland from Honolulu and Pago Pago.

Vincent Aviation Jetstream 31 ZK-JSH spent the weekend at Auckland on calibration duties and was also noted around some other North Island airfields.

Wayne Grant photo

Sunday 30 August 2009

Boeing 737-200 ZK-NQC flew Auckland to Christchurch this afternoon.

Monday 31 August 2009

Office Max Falcon 50EX N290MX departed Auckland for Melbourne.

Careflight Learjet 36 VH-CMS arrived at Auckland from Coolangatta and Niue.

Pacific Blue positioned Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBJ from Auckland to Hamilton via a flyover of Tauranga to ready itself for the commencement of scheduled services 01Sep.

Boeing 737-200 ZK-NQC arrived shortly after ZK-PBJ at Hamilton from Christchurch and later continued to Auckland.

Boeing C17 Globemaster 02-1109 arrived back at Christchurch from Antarctica today as ICE88 having departed Christchurch late 30Aug.

Tuesday 01 September 2009

Pacific Blue commenced scheduled service from Hamilton today with Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBJ flying to Sydney as PBN103. The airline will fly to Sydney three times per week and Brisbane four times per week.

Learjet 36 VH-CMS departed Auckland for Coolangatta however changed its destination enroute to Townsville.

Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH made its first visit to Auckland arriving from Bankstown and Sydney.

The apron at Hamilton was busy today with the large charter group conducting meetings in the Waikato. Air National's 146-200 ZK-ECO and Jetstream ZK-ECJ plus Vincent Beech 1900C ZK-VAE, Air Chatham's Convair ZK-CIF and Citationjet CJ3+ ZK-TBM graced the ramp all day while 737-200 ZK-NQC made a late afternoon appearance.

In addition to the large number of civilian visitors to Hamilton, four RNZAF UH1H Iroquois made a brief refuelling stop enroute from Ohakea to Whenuapai. The formation was made up of NZ3805, 3806, 3807 and 3811.

Boeing C17 02-1109 departed Christchurch for Hickam at the conclusion of Winfly 09.

Wednesday 02 September 2009

Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH flew into New Plymouth from Auckland.

Photo supplied

Invercargill was today's destination for the charter group and attracted even more aircraft.

On the ramp today were:

737-200 ZK-NQC

146-200 ZK-ECO

Jetstream ZK-ECN

Beech 1900C ZK-VAE

Citationjet CJ3+ ZK-TBM

Cessna 404 ZK-NDY

Piper PA31 ZK-VIP

Convair 580 ZK-CIF

NZ Aerial Mapping Cessna 402 ZK-PVC flew from Auckland to Norfolk Island today on its way to Fiji on a short term contract.

USAF Boeing 737 BBJ 01-0015 touched down at Wellington early this afternoon from Sydney as "SPAR55" carrying US Admiral Timothy Keating.

Thursday 03 September 2009

Singapore Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter 9V-SFA arrived at Christchurch this morning from Bangkok and departed later the same day back to Bangkok.

The four RNZAF Iroquois previously mentioned wopped their way from Whenuapai to Papakura Army Camp early today where they were employed on exercises and departed the region late morning for Hamilton.

USAF Boeing 737 BBJ 01-0015 flew to Whenuapai mid afternoon from Wellington.

Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH flew south to Wellington from New Plymouth.