Still wearing its previous owners name, Cockles PTY, Pilatus PC12/47 VH-OOI has been sold overseas and turned up at Auckland 11 February in its new markings, N474SS. The aircraft arrived at Fielding 27 December from Norfolk Island via Auckland and has since undergone maintenance with Pilatus specialist Avcraft.
It is understood VH-OOI/N474SS is to be replaced by Piper PA31 Navajo ZK-NOW which is also on location at Fielding having arrived from Timaru 22 October last year for heavy maintenance and refurbishment.
The PC12 has been a regular visitor to our shores as it spent considerable time living at Norfolk Island. Our records show its first visit was in March 2008 when it arrived at Queenstown from Norfolk Island via Auckland on the 8th then flew to Wellington on the 21st, Rotorua on the 23rd, Auckland on the 26th then to Lord Howe Island and Adelaide 27th.
