MRC Aviation took a break last week and headed to the sunny isles of Fiji taking in a trip to the island of Malolo Lailai located 45 minutes ferry ride from Denarau, the main tourist spot a short drive from Nadi.
Aircraft spotting was not high on the list of things to do, however we did take the opportunities when presented with the stroll along the beach to the small, unsealed airstrip always a pleasant experience.
Malolo Laiai (ICAO NFNO, IATA PTF) lost its 4 times daily Britten Norman Islander air services on 01 July 2010 with Pacific Sun signalling poor economic performance as its reason for withdrawal. The carrier went onto retire its fleet of BN2's a short time later concentrating their operation on DH6 Twin Otters and ATR42's. Locals on the island are however optimistic of a possible return to scheduled flights by Pacific Sun with the airstrip looking to be upgraded to receive the Twin Otter on a regular basis - previously only adhoc operations by the type were undertaken. The construction of what is being touted as the largest resort in the Pacific on adjacent Malolo Island may drive demand for the reintroduction of flights in the near to medium future.
Malolo Lailai has three resorts, Musket Cove, Plantation Island and Lomani. Musket Cove operates Cessna U206G DQ-DXD from the island providing a convenient connection for customers who aren't willing to take the ferry ride. Interesting, Cessna 195 floatplane DQ-MAI is hangared with DQ-DXD on the island and is up for sale. It would have been an interesting exercise getting the 195 from the water to the hangar!
Charter flights by helicopter and fixed wing are reasonably common, but noticeably less than our previous visit which was prior to the termination of scheduled services to the island - perhaps a sign of the economic times for tourism in the region. And sadly no float plane movements noted this trip unlike previous years when a DHC Beaver was bound to have visited at some point during a week long period.
Helitours Fiji Robinson R44 DQ-HTF made several scenic flights of the island during the week while noted just the once was Helipro Fiji's BK117 ZK-HYO making its way south of the island heading towards Nadi.
Ironically, team member Lanzi was also on location in Fiji on an island to the north and we've included a couple of shots taken by him. It was great catching up with him and his family on the journey back to Auckland from Nadi!
Aviationshotz was at home and caught our departure to Nadi on ZK-OKC.....
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The only photo I took at Nadi, M-YBBJ (camera fogged up in the humdity!) It departed Nadi last evening for Darwin.
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| Pacific Flying School operate this Cessna 172 from Nadi, ex ZK-EZL. |
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| As mentioned in the text above, Stationair DQ-DXD is based on the strip with operator Musket Cove Resort. |
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| Pacific Island Air AS355 Twin Squirrel DQ-HFJ visited the island several times, and was captured on this occasion carrying out circuits. |
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| Another Pacific Island Air machine, this time BN2 DQ-YIR. It made half a dozen visits to the island over the course of the week dropping off and collecting charter passengers. |
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| Sadly not a visitor but frequently spotted in the distance was Pacific Island Air's Turbine Otter DQ-PIA. This was the closest we got to it. |
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| Not going anywhere fast! Lord Laidlaw's Eurocopter EC130 N130LL under covers on the stern of "Lady Christine" moored at Denarau 28 April. |
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| Replacing "Lady Christine" at Denarau on 05 May was Eurocopter EC145 VP-CPB on board "Plan B". Both these helicopters spent time in NZ during summer. |
Last, but not least, are the shots taken by Lanzi at Octopus Resort, Waya Island in the Yasawa Group.
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| AS350 Squirrel DQ-IBT, operated by Island Hoppers, was visiting on medivac mission. |
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| Above and below, Turbine Otter DQ-PIA was a regular visitor to Waya and Lanzi has a very unique shot of it on the water as seen from his quadcopter! |
