Aircraft Manufacturer Demonstrators

Following Air Nelson's fleet expansion in 1990 to start operating the Saab 340, a small number of aircraft manufacturer's took the opportunity to show their product off to the airline in a bid to seek sales.

Saab dispatched Saab 2000 V7-9508 during July 1995 and it is pictured here at Nelson on the 12th in the colours of Air Marshall Islands whom it was on delivery too at the time of its NZ visit. The aircraft was also demonstrated to Mount Cook Airline.



Bombardier Dash 8-300 ZS-NMH, on its delivery flight to SA Express, visited during March 1995. The rebranded Q300 was of selected as the Saab replacement for Air Nelson several years after the demonstrator visited.


British Aerospace flew their Jetstream 41 G-JMAC down under in December 1993 and it spent a few days at Nelson. Of course this type was many years later chosen by Origin Pacific.

Air Nelson Q300 - Five Year Anniversary

Arriving in Auckland July 28 2005 nearing the conclusion of the longest Dash 8 ferry flight ever was Air Nelson’s first Bombardier Q300 C-FCPO. The flight, crewed by Air Nelson pilot Mike Ford accompanied by two Bombardier pilots, arrived in Auckland from Gold Coast Airport and Lord Howe Island as “De Havilland 05”. The aircraft was greeted at Air Center One by a water cannon salute and after clearing formalities departed for its new home of Nelson where it entered the register on July 29 as ZK-NEA. This registration was formerly worn by Ansett New Zealand’s first Boeing 737, a -130 series, from May 1987 until April 1991.
The ferry flight took 10 days, 65 flight hours, a distance of some 28,900km and 19 landings! The delivery flight took the following route: Downsview-Goose Bay-Narsarsuaq-Reykjavik-Glasgow-Innsbruck-Iraklion-Hurghada-Bahrain-Karachi-Varanasi-Yangon-Penang-Kuching-Pandang-Darwin-Mt Isa-Coolangatta-Lord Howe Island-Auckland-Nelson! ZK-NEA entered service August 15 as NZ8148 from Nelson to Wellington flown by Captains Lu Gollop and Tony Ridden.

At Downview 30 June 2005 prior to its departure and below is a series of its arrival at Auckland.

Last Friendship visitor at Ardmore?

Arriving in Auckland 27 July 2004 on completion of its ferry flight from Bali was GT Air’s sole Fokker F27-500 PK-LTP (10398). The ferry route had taken the Friendship via Darwin, Brisbane and Norfolk Island. Auckland was not quite its final destination as the F27 flew onwards to Ardmore 28 July 2004 where it underwent a cabin refurbishment with Airwork before returning to Indonesia. This machine has been sitting idle in Bali since April 2004 after having an engine failure.

The F27 positioned from Ardmore to Auckland on 12 September 2004 for further work at Airwork's Mangere facility. It finally departed our shores on 05 November 2004 embarking from Auckland to Norfolk Island, Brisbane and Longreach.

A web search would indicate the aircraft is still going strong in 2010 and wears a modified livery:
http://www.fokker-aircraft.info/gtair-pkltp.jpg


Conducting engine runs on the disused runway at Ardmore 30 July 2004, Mike Condon photo

Air New Zealand's Foray into the World of Airbus

Air New Zealand Fleet Announcement 02 July 2002

Air New Zealand is acquiring 15 new Airbus A320 aircraft and purchase rights on a further 20 A320 aircraft, exercisable over the next 10 years, under an agreement signed with Airbus today. "We are bringing in a new aircraft type to support a strategic change in the service and products we will be offering to short-haul international travellers on Air New Zealand’s Tasman and South Pacific routes", the Managing Director and CEO of the Group Ralph Norris said in announcing theA320acquisition deal. "The Airbus aircraft will give us new capabilities for our short-haul international operations in terms of range, passenger and cargo carrying capacity, seat and cabin configurations, and in-flight services. We currently use a mix of Boeing 767 and 737 type aircraft on our short-haul international services and consolidation on a single type aircraft will simplify both operation and support service requirements. Introducing Airbus A320 aircraft to our fleet will also expand our engineering capability and enable our ANZES engineering unit to increase its range of third party customers. At this time, we envisage continuing to use Boeing aircraft for Air New Zealand domestic and long-haul international services, Mr Norris said. Ten of the 15 A320 aircraft, a simulator, spares and other associated items are being acquired via a combination of purchase and leasing arrangements still to be finally determined by the Board of Air New Zealand within a capital investment budget in excess of US$400 million. Five of the aircraft will be acquired from the leasing company GECAS under a standard operating lease arrangements. The first of the new A320 aircraft will be inducted into the Air New Zealand fleet at the end of October next year, and the 15th aircraft is scheduled to be delivered towards the end of 2006. These aircraft will replace four Boeing 767-200 aircraft that are currently being retired from the Air New Zealand fleet and nine Boeing 737-300 aircraft that will be progressively retired from the fleet between September 2003 and December 2006.
The purchase of the new aircraft will have a net positive impact on Air New Zealand’s financial performance as the enhanced operating efficiency of the new aircraft, and increased seat numbers, more than offset the cost of incremental capital employed in the new fleet. Financing for the acquisition will be secured against the aircraft and is not expected to affect the Groups gearing levels. The acquisition can be financed without any recourse to the shareholders. The A320 is well suited to Air New Zealand’s needs in the Tasman and short-haul Pacific markets, with more seating capacity than the Groups existing fleet of Boeing 737 and 767 type aircraft. The A320 is capable of carrying containerised cargo and has a greater range than the 737-300 making it a better fit for the missions required by the regional market.Under the terms of its agreement with Airbus, Air New Zealand has the right to switch between the A320 aircraft and either the larger A321 aircraft or the smaller A319 aircraft prior to delivery, should market conditions change. If this right were exercised, financial terms would be adjusted accordingly.In addition to its commitment to acquire the 15 aircraft, Air New Zealand has secured purchase rights on a further 20 Airbus aircraft at agreed prices in the future. These rights lock in prices based on current market conditions for future acquisitions by Air New Zealand without any fixed obligation to purchase. These arrangements provide the Group with the ability to replace its entire Tasman and short-haul Pacific fleet within the next decade.

First A320 for Air New Zealand, ZK-OJA, still carrying its French test registration in early September 2003.


And additional images of ZK-OJA soon after delivery and in the Lord of the Rings scheme.

RNZAF Light Utility Helicopter at Farnborough

In May 2008 the NZDF announced the purchase of 5 Agusta A109LUH (Light Utility Helicopter) for the RNZAF to replace the long serving Sioux fleet and provide VIP transport.

NZ3403 was photographed at Farnborough this week.

Kiyoshi Sato photo via Bargeld01

The RNZAF A109's will not be the first of type in NZ. Back in 1987 Rossmond Holdings of Auckland operated ZK-HXI/1 on behalf of Goldcorp and it is seen here shortly after its delivery on a trip to Hokitika where the operator had mining interests. It time in NZ was short with it being exported in September 1989.

Mike Condon photos

Another A109, ZK-HBC/1, was registered to Helitaxi of Auckland from 11 Nov 1987 through until 08 August 1990 and provided a shuttle service from Mechanics Bay to Auckland International Airport in conjunction with Air NZ.

Air Niugini Q400

On the 4th of September 2009 Air Niugini announced their order for two (and option for one) Bombardier Q400's. The first aircraft, P2-PXU c/n 4316 touched down at Cairns 19Jul from Indonesia's Biak Airport for final pre-delivery work. The Q400 has been painted in a new livery for the airline which no doubt will be worn by the next aircraft due for delivery to Air Niugini, Boeing 767-300 P2-PXV c/n 30341 ex A6-JBD on lease from Icelandic which is also due for delivery this month.

The second Q400 is due for delivery in September this year.

Andy Belczacki supplies these photos from Cairns.

"Invincible"

The four Blackhawk helicopters from the Australian Army have created much interest at Christchurch over the weekend.

A25-218 manoeuvres at Christchurch 17Jul, Barry Hudson photo

"Excalibur"

A25-215 departs from Christchurch early afternoon 19Jul following the clearance of persisitent fog. Graham Weatherby photo

Unexpected Visitor to Dunedin

Bermudan registered Falcon 900 VP-BMB made an unexpected arrival into Dunedin mid morning 18Jul when it diverted from Queenstown where its landing was thwarted by persistent low cloud. The Falcon had embarked from Wellington where it had arrived the previous day from Queenstown.

Sitting at Dunedin under gloomy skies, Jason Ballantyne photos

Mid Winter 2005 Visitor

Boeing’s most recent 777 variant, the -200LR “Worldliner” arrived at Auckland July 19 2005 as part of a world tour which sees it visiting 24 cities. It is able to fly further non-stop than any other commercial jet on the market and will have the capability of flying from Auckland to New York direct, or even to London with a reduced load. Resplendent in Boeing’s house colours, N6066Z (c/n 33782) arrived as “Boeing 002” from Sydney where it had arrived two days earlier from Singapore. The 777 was open to the media and airline staff on July 20, which incidentally was the 40th Anniversary of the opening of Air New Zealand’s Jet Base at Mangere. Four circuits were carried out that afternoon with the first take off at maximum thrust, high rotate example and the final landing demonstrating a maximum energy stop culminating in a very short landing roll. July 21 saw the 777 depart direct to Mexico City with the aircraft nearing the end of its globe trotting tour. From Bermuda to Newark on July 27, then to Cincinnati and Boeing Field July 28.

This particular airframe was subsequently delivered to Pakistan International Airlines and became AP-BGZ in March 2006.


Under tow to the jet base on a wintery afternoon!

Gulfstream 450 VP-CKD

Gulfstream 450 VP-CKD, registered to Shine Up Holdings, spent the night at Auckland 16Jul, arriving from Melbourne and departing the following afternoon for Sydney. Wayne Grant photo

More Australian Army Visitors - from a few moons ago!

The arrival of the Army Blackhawks at Christchurch this week reminded me of an interesting day at Nelson almost 20 years ago when I arrived at work to discover two Army Pilatus PC6 Porters sitting on the apron under gloomy skies. I vaguely recall that the aircraft were on exercises in the Tasman Bay area, probably operating out of Takaka.

A14-662 entered service with ADF in February 1968 and was operated from Amberley with the 1st Aviation Regiment. It was one of 6 aircraft to take part in the last flight in service with the ADF on 17 October 1992 and was withdrawn from use 21 December the same year. It was subsequently sold back to the manufacturer before being onsold to Canada where it became C-GROO. http://www.pc-6.com/history/662.htm


A14-705 entered service during May 1971 and also served with the 1st Aviation Regiment out of Amberley. It was sold to a civilian owner within Australia in 1993 and became VH-ZCZ, then it headed to Canada where it was marked as C-GZCZ (check out the following link which has it on floats!!!) and then to Germany and Italy where it still operates as D-FREE.
http://www.pc-6.com/history/731.htm#

Mike Condon photos

Can anyone recall the reason for their visit to NZ and where else they may have visited during 1991? Posting a comment would be great!

Blackhawks at Christchurch - Updated

Delivered to Christchurch 15Jul by RAAF Boeing C17 Globemaster A41-207, ASY597, these two Australian Army SH60 Blackhawk helicopters were disgourged late evening and are seen here this morning undergoing further prep work before heading north to Dip Flat in the Marlborough region to participate in exercise "Blackbird 2010" and "ANZAC ROTOR 2010". See the following NZDF media info : http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/20100714-md21jriaabae.htm

A25-112, first flown in May 1989, has the name "Saracen" and A25-218, first flown in August 1990, is named "Invincible".

Two additional Blackhawks arrived on the evening of 16Jul on board A41-207 which had headed back to Australia in the morning.

Noted during the early hours of 17Jul were
A25-211, first flown in March 1990 and named "Viper" and A25-215, first flown July 1990 with the name "Excalibur".

Is this the first visit to NZ by Blackhawks representing the Australian Army? We've had naval variants but I'm not sure about Army. Comments would be welcome.

Photos courtesy of Bluebus (of http://www.nzcivair.blogspot/ fame).

Air Rarotonga's Saab

Air Rarotonga's Saab 340A (QC) E5-EFS (049) is about to celebrate 10 years of service with the Cook Islands carrier and has actually been in the region for just over a decade. As G-GNTA, the Saab arrived at Nelson from Sydney on 08 June 2000 and was inducted by Air Nelson Engineering who at that time of course still operated the same type of aircraft. It was registered ZK-EFS (personalised registration for the airline's owner Ewan Smith) and it departed Nelson for Auckland 21 July 2000 then onto Rarotonga via Tonga 22 July 2000.

Prior to its life in the Pacific region, 049 spent time with Crossair of Switzerland as HB-AHK and was delivered to them 19 March 1986 before moving to British Midland Airways 5 years later and was converted to a freighter.

It arrived at Nelson again on 23 May 2005 from Rarotonga and Auckland and was re-registered E5-EFS 01 June 2005 when the Cook Islands adopted implemented their own Civil Aviation division. It returned to Rarotonga via Auckland and Tonga 13 June 2005.


Colin Hunter was on hand when it arrived at Auckland 13 June 2005

The Saab has made subsequent visits to New Zealand for maintenance, most recently arriving at Nelson 05 April 2010 for a heavy maintenance lay-up which sees the aircraft still at Nelson mid July awaiting spare parts.

At Nelson looking forlorn outside Air Nelson's new hanger, Peter Campbell photo

Long Haul Traveller

Trawling through a recent issue of Air Britain I noted that Piper PA28-236 Dakota G-FRGN had been cancelled from the UK register recently as having been destroyed. A quick search via google produced a document advising that on 29 June 2009 the aircraft, flown by its owner Polly Vacher, overran a grass runway during its landing roll at North Moreton, Oxfordshire causing damage to the port wing, engine mountings and propellor. The likely cause of the runway excursion was the pilot not appreciating the grass being wet from recent shower activity.

G-FRGN visited Auckland during January-February 2004, arriving from Pago Pago 30 January and departing the following day to Dunedin. 07 February the Dakota arrived at Tauranga from Christchurch then headed to Paraparaumu 08 February. To Wellington and Rotorua 09 February and Auckland 10 February. Polly headed direct to Sydney then onto Bankstown 15 February.

The visit was part of her journey that started on 6 May 2003 when she set out from Birmingham International Airport on a Voyage to the Ice for the charity "Flying Scholarships for the Disabled" flying over the North Pole, Antarctica and all seven continents, returning on 27 April 2004, becoming the first solo woman flyer over the polar regions.

More at http://www.worldwings.org/index.htm

Harking Back............

.............. to 4 years ago when a sight never to be repeated thanks to the progressive implementation of an upgraded instrument landing system at Auckland saw a large number of widebody diversions to Ohakea.

"Fog again plagued Auckland on 18Jul 2006, and this time it persisted until lunchtime. Christchurch was also marginal/closed with fog and the largest number of diversions to Ohakea ever was recorded with the following noted:
Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-SUJ, operating as NZ1 from Los Angeles, diverted to Ohakea. After refuelling, the aircraft departed for Auckland however was forced to return to Ohakea due to the persistent fog. A replacement crew was flown in using company Boeing 737-300 ZK-SJB.
Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKD, operating as NZ82 from Singapore, diverted to Ohakea.
Thai Airways Airbus A340-600 HS-TNB, operating as THA989 from Bangkok, diverted to Ohakea.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 9M-SMU, operating as SIA285 from Singapore, diverted to Ohakea.
Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 freighter N418MC, operating as ANZ6882 from O’Hare and Honolulu, diverted to Ohakea.
Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJK, operating as QFA26 from Los Angeles, diverted to Nadi for fuel. It then continued to Auckland only then having to divert to Sydney.
Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCJ, operating as ANZ9 from Honolulu, diverted to Wellington.
Air NZ Airbus A320-200 ZK-OJF, operating as ANZ49 from Rarotonga, diverted to Wellington. "

Photos supplied

Fri 09 July - Wed 14 July 2010

Friday 09 July 2010
King Air 200 VH-OWN departed Queenstown for Christchurch and Lord Howe Island where it then overnighted before continuing to Essendon via Merimbula.

Air National's BAe 146 ZK-ECO carried out two training/test flights from/to Auckland this afternoon, the first recorded flights since April.

Saturday 10 July 2010
Arriving in New Zealand back in 1983 was Cessna T207A ZK-SEX for Air Safaris. It remained with the scenic flights operator at Tekapo until September 2002 when it moved to a similar operation out of Wanaka and later to Queenstown. It departed from Kerikeri for Norfolk Island today and then to Lord Howe Island 11 July with its ownership being changed on 14 July to Horsham Aviation of Victoria on 14 July.

Adding to the already busy commercial operations at Queenstown today was the visit by Auckland based Falcon 900EX N146EX arriving from/to its home plus Perth based Hawker 800XP VH-ZUH with it arriving from and returning to Sydney.

Sunday 11 July 2010
Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 VH-VOQ arrived at Christchurch from Melbourne for maintenance with Air NZ.

Monday 12 July 2010
Three Australian Defence Force visitors to Christchurch this afternoon with C130 Hercules A97-005 arriving from Richmond and departing to Woodbourne, and King Air 350's A32-343 and A32-351 arriving from East Sale and remaining overnight.

Tuesday 13 July 2010
Air National's BAe 146 ZK-ECO departed Auckland for Sydney and Essendon.

Longtail Aviation Falcon 900 VP-BMB arrived at Queenstown this morning from Rarotonga where it had sat since 02 July when it arrived from Maui.

Challenger 604 VH-VRE departed Queenstown for Perth.

Wednesday 14 July 2010
Falcon 900EX N146EX was back through Queenstown today, arriving from Auckland and heading off to Essendon.

Gulfstream 450 N432AS departed Queenstown for Papeete.

From Queenstown with .................photos

Wayne Grant braved -5C temperatures to record Challenger 604 VH-VRE and Gulfstream 450 N432AS in the resort town of Queenstown 08Jul. Also on the airfield was King Air 200 VH-OWN which subsequently departed 09Jul for Christchurch and Lord Howe Island, however not before being joined briefly by Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH which spent a few hours on the ground arriving from Auckland and departing to Essendon.

Sat 03 July - Thu 08 July 2010

Saturday 03 July 2010
Air New Zealand operated an Airbus A320 to the island of Niue for the first time with ZK-OJE operating what is normally a 737 service from/to Auckland.

Sunday 04 July 2010
Air New Zealand inaugurated services from Sydney to Rarotonga direct one a week using Boeing 767-300 equipment. ZK-NCK operated the first service which originated at Auckland as NZ105 and then to Rarotonga and back to Auckland (arriving Monday morning) as NZ49.

Beech King Air 200 VH-OWN flew south from Taupo to Christchurch and later onto Queenstown.

Monday 05 July 2010
Nil significant

Tuesday 06 July 2010
Citation X VH-RCA departed Queenstown just on midday for Brisbane and later to Sydney.

Wednesday 07 July 2010
Challenger 604 VH-VRE arrived at Queenstown shortly after sunrise this morning from Perth and just 30 minutes later was joined by Gulfstream 450 N432AS from Papeete.

As a result of Airwork's Boeing 737 freighter ZK-NQC being unservicable, DHL's Boeing 727 freighter VH-DHE made a special flight from Auckland to Christchurch and back before sunrise today.

Thursday 08 July 2010
Outside the normal 'boundaries' of this blog but something I record is activity around the Pacific. Nadi, Fiji, has been busy in recent days with visitors and today was no exception with Air Tractor 802 N85152 departing for Coolangatta as it neared the end of its delivery flight, Global Express XRS N57LE making a brief stop on its way from Auckland to San Diego/Brown Field, Global Express XRS VH-LAW arriving from Sydney and joining Gulfstream 550 N773MJ on the ramp which had arrived 04Jul from Long Beach. Overflying Nadi in the early hours of the morning was King Air 200 VH-VAI on its way from Apia to Brisbane and Orange, and then during the evening Perth based Global Express XRS VH-ZXH crossed overhead enroute from its home port to Honolulu. Visiting Nadi earlier this week was Gulfstream 5 N54KB and Global Express N393BZ along with Learjet 36 VH-JCX!

Also known to be visiting the Pacific is Global Express EC-JIL, currently at Noumea having arrived their 03Jul from Chitose as "MANGO 769" and it shared the ramp briefly with Falcon 2000EX VH-CRW which later departed for Koror and Shangai/Hongqiao. Across at Rarotonga is Falcon 900 VP-BMB, callsign "LONGTAIL 2", with this aircraft arriving from Maui 02Jul local date. Challenger 605 N721ST arrived at Port Vila from Lihue and Majuro 02Jul.

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KAX flew from Hamilton to Ohakea and back today. This aircraft was noted on Tuesday at Hamilton in an all white livery and fitted with a parachute roller door.

Qantas operated Airbus A330-200 VH-EBL on their QF141 Sydney-Auckland and QF25 Auckland-Los Angeles service with the aircraft wearing One World titles.

John Rankin photo

Citationjet CJ1+ VH-LDH arrived at Auckland from Norfolk Island today. The Citationjet had departed from the Sunshine Coast for Townsville, Port Moresby and Honiara 05Jul, flew onto Port Vila 06Jul and to Norfolk Island 07Jul.

John Rankin photo

Sat 26 June - Fri 02 July 2010

Sat 26 June 2010
Citation 501 ZK-NBR flew from Auckland to Napier, Rotorua and back to Auckland.

Challenger 604 VH-VRE arrived at Christchurch from Queenstown.

Learjet 35 VH-JCR arrived at Auckland late Saturday from Sydney and Nadi and departed in the early hours of Sunday for Sydney and Adelaide.

Sun 27 June 2010
Virgin Blue Boeing 737-700 VH-VBO made its way to Christchurch from Melbourne for maintenance.

United States Army Gulfstream C20F 91-0108, callsign PAT108, arrived at Wellington from The Philippines and Darwin.

At Wellington, photo supplied

Mon 28 June 2010
Citation X VH-RCA lucked in when it arrived at Queenstown from Sydney just as the fog cleared.

Vincent's Dash 8 ZK-VAC departed Wellington for Sydney via Auckland, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands and has since recommenced flying activities on behalf of Air Cruising Australia.

Tue 29 June 2010
Global Express XRS VH-OCV, operated by Execujet, arrived at Auckland from Sydney.

Air Chathams/Chathams Pacific Metroliner ZK-CIC departed from Auckland heading to Tonga while later in the day the same operator's Convair 580 ZK-CIE arrived at Palmerston North direct from Tonga.

Also arriving at Palmerston North on completion of its delivery from the USA was NZ's first example of the Piper PA46 Meridian, N598C. The aircraft had arrived into Auckland the previous week.

Cathay Pacific Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter B-HUH spent a couple of hours on the ground at Auckland late Tuesday arriving from Melbourne and departing for Hong Kong.

Wed 30 June 2010
Global Express XRS VH-OCV flew from Auckland to Hong Kong late today.

Gulfstream C20F 91-0108 departed Wellington for Canberra.

Thu 01 July 2010
Nil Significant

Fri 02 July 2010

King Air 200 VH-OWN arrived at Taupo this evening from its Essendon home via stops at Lord Howe Island and Auckland.

Arriving at Auckland, Noel Jones photo

Qantas operated Airbus A330-200 VH-EBH through Auckland today, arriving from and returning to Sydney on a charter to LAN.