Sounds Air Second PC12 arrives - updates in italics.

Sounds Air has taken delivery of its second Pilatus PC12 with the arrival at Wellington this afternoon of 2004 model VH-JMU. Registered to Todd Kelly (V8 supercar driver) and operated by Pilatus Australia, the PC12 flew across the Tasman from Melbourne/Essendon with a flight time of just under 5hr 30mins and according to the 3rd level NZ blog it is on a temporary lease and become ZK-PLT.  Industry sources indicate the aircraft may remain on the Australian register for the duration of its short term lease to Sounds Air.


The PC12 positioned from Wellington to Fielding this morning for attention by local Pilatus rep Avcraft.

Departing Essendon for Wellington. 

Air New Zealand's 75th

Air New Zealand has used April 30th as the benchmark date to celebrate its 75th birthday with widespread media coverage of this milestone. In December 2014 an exhibit was opened at Te Papa, the national museum of NZ located in Wellington providing the public a glimpse at the history of the national airline. The exhibit will now be on display until 26 July before being transferred to the Auckland War Memorial museum and on view from late November. 

A number of events have been held in recent months around the Air NZ network to celebrate its 75 years including the launch of a mainstream book in late 2014 available through bookstores. Author Paul Sheehan produced a magnificent hardcover book in the early 2000's and in 2014 launched a revised edition available via a flash drive. 

Today the airline has deployed Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZE as NZ103 from Auckland to Sydney with the flight specifically themed to celebrate the 75th anniversary. Invited guests will participate in an event at Rose Bay, Sydney, location of the first TEAL (to become Air NZ) flight arrived from Mechanics Bay Auckland on 30 April 1940 flown by a Shorts S30 flying boat.

A segment was aired on this morning's Paul Henry Show
http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/interviews/air-nz-celebrates-75-years#axzz3Yk7BwwoK

Impressive! - X-47B First Autonomous Drone Aerial Refueling

Uzbeks return

Uzbekistan Airways visited Christchurch over the weekend on yet another fishing crew changeover charter. Boeing 767-33P(ER) VP-BUF arrived at the Garden City from Tashkent via Kuala Lumpur 24 April as UZB3511 and departed lunchtime 26 April on its return to Tashkent via KL.

File photo

More Military Movers

United States of America VIP transport Gulfstream V/C37A 97-1944 operated on behalf of Army arrived at Wellington on the evening of 26 April from Manila as ''PAT44". This aircraft has visited NZ on a number of occasions, most recently in November 2012. 

File photo

Military Movers head off

As detailed yesterday, Wellington played host to a gaggle of foreign military aircraft presumably in town to coincide with the Anzac Day.

First departure on 25 April was the RAAF Boeing BBJ A36-001 with the jet heading to Canberra. It was replaced on the ramp by RAAF Challenger 604 A37-001 arriving from Ohakea and departing later in the day for Canberra.

The RAF Lockheed C130J Hercules ZH865 departed around noon as RRR5881 making its way to Adelaide.

And finally the French Navy Falcon Gardian 72 departed mid afternoon on its return journey to Noumea as FNY5435.

Gulfstream 4 N388CA

Making its first foray to New Zealand was Gulfstream 4 N388CA operated by S/A Holdings LLC. The 1987 edition GIV arrived at Auckland on the afternoon of 23 April from Kona via Pago Pago having the previous day flown to Hawaii from Long Beach.  Its visit was brief with the aircraft departing for Sydney early afternoon 24 April. 

http://www.arijets.com/aircraft/n388ca/AircraftSpecs_N388CA_low.pdf

Last Post for international scheduled flights to Rotorua

Anzac Day 2015 was the date chosen for Air New Zealand to operate its final international scheduled service through the central North Island tourist city of Rotorua with Airbus A320 ZK-OJE flying the final round trip from/to Sydney as NZ820/823. 

Air New Zealand commenced Trans-Tasman services from Rotorua in December 2009 and ZK-OJE again had the honours of running the first flight on the 12th as NZ967 from Sydney returning as NZ968 on what was to be a twice weekly service. Demand fluctuated and as a result services were suspended during the winter months with aircraft utilisation no doubt redeployed on the busy routes in and out of Queenstown. 

The airline announced in late 2014 its withdrawal plans from the Rotorua international market after a decline in demand no longer warranted a service.

Military Invasion at Wellington!

Wellington is hosting a number of international visitors for the ANZAC centenary commemoration service held 24 April.

Arriving from Noumea 23 April was French Navy Falcon Gardian 72 as FNY5435. Its arrival coincided with the FNS "Vendemiarie" steaming into port with the frigate home to an Alouette III helicopter using the callsign FNY5224. Its identity is as yet unconfirmed. Earlier in the week Casa 235 F-RAIH/107 visited the country arriving at Auckland from Rarotonga 17 April then flying to Christchurch and Wellington 19 April from where it departed 20 April for Tonga on its return to Tahiti. Also about the country this week was French Navy Falcon Gardian 48 with it arriving at Whenuapai 19 April from points unknown as FNY5430 and departing for Rarotonga and Papeete 22 April. 

Jetting in early afternoon 24 April was Royal Australian Air Force Boeing BBJ A36-001 from Canberra as ASY321. This is its second visit to Wellington this week - it arrived from Sydney 19 April carrying Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and departed back to Sydney 20 April. Also crossing the Tasman at the same time as the BBJ 24 April was Royal Australia Air Force Challenger 604 A37-001 with this aircraft arriving at Ohakea from Canberra as ASY322. The BBJ departed Wellington early Anzac Day morning for Canberra. 

Rounding out the military activity was the arrival from Sydney was Royal Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules ZH865 as "Ascot 5880". Visits to NZ by RAF aircraft are today a rare event with the last Hercules to visit being J model ZH872 in October 2010 when it arrived Wellington on the 24th from Sydney and Canberra and departed two days later for Melbourne. The last RAF visitor to NZ was in early April 2014 when Boeing C17 Globemaster III ZZ174 visited Christchurch. 

Beechjet/Nextant 400XT ZK-NXJ

Skyline Aviation's Beechjet/Nextant 400XT ZK-NXJ is keeping itself busy in its medivac role conducting a number of "missions" to the Pacific region.

Its first mission was conducted on 02 March with a flight from Napier to Apia then to Auckland via a techstop at Tonga. It then flew a round trip from Auckland to Nadi and back 04 March then from Napier to Suva and Auckland 10 March. It subsequently operated a number of domestic flights before heading off shore on 11 April flying from Ardmore to Auckland, Rarotonga then to Tonga and back to Auckland and Ardmore the following morning. 15 April saw the jet make its first visit to Australia when it flew from Ardmore to Auckland, Nadi then onto Sydney via a techstop at Noumea. It returned to Auckland and Ardmore the next day. 20 April saw another trip to Fiji with it flying from Auckland to Nadi and back. 

Yesterday ZK-NXJ departed Ardmore in the predawn hours for Auckland then to the remote island of Funafuti before staging via Noumea to Brisbane.

Corporate Corner

The tempo of visiting corporate jets to our shores has slowed after a hectic summer which spilled into autumn.

TAG Asia Global 6000 VP-CYA left Queenstown 14 April for the Gold Coast and Rockhampton as TBJ78. Its departure from Queenstown was delayed by several hours due to a very early snow storm! The Global made its way back to the Gold Coast and onto Singapore 15 April. Unfortunately no locally sourced shot of the Global at Queenstown however a snap of it can be found  at cqplanespotting.blogspot.co.nz

Sino Jet Management Gulfstream G450 N666ZW had arrived at Queenstown from Hong Kong and Darwin 11 April as SJM88 and departed for the Gold Coast 13 April. It continued onto Cairns and Hong Kong 15 April.

Stork Ltd Falcon 7X VP-BZE arrived at Auckland 13 April from Papeete and departed for Melbourne 15 April. It then flew to Honolulu 16 April.

Wellard Aviation Challenger 604 VH-VRE visited Wellington 14 April, arriving from and returning to Queenstown. It then flew from Queenstown to Christchurch and Hamilton 16 April returning to Queenstown that same evening. From Queenstown to Sydney and Perth 17 April.

Marcplan Gulfstream G450 VH-MBP departed Auckland for Sydney 15 April presumably carrying rocker Rod Stewart.

CML Aviation Hawker 900XP VH-NKD arrived at Auckland 16 April from Sydney and flew to Wellington 18 April. it then flew to Hamilton 19 April where it spent much of the afternoon before flying to Christchurch from where it embarked first thing 22 April for Sydney.

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJX made a nocturnal visit to Wellington 17 April arriving from Sydney. It departed soon after sunrise heading back to Sydney then onto Essendon. It was back in NZ 18 April arriving at Dunedin from Essendon and then flying to Sydney and Tamworth.

TAG Asia Global Express M-BTAR arrived at Auckland 20 April from Suva as TBJ53. The Global had flown from Guangzhou to Port Moresby 18 April then flew to Suva 19 April. It departed Auckland for Sydney 22 April.

Royal Jet's Boeing BBJ A6-AIN departed Dunedin late afternoon 22 April heading to Cairns.

Executive Airlines Citation Sovereign VH-EXQ made a late afternoon visit to Queenstown 22 April arriving from Sydney and departing for Essendon. 

Business Jets Falcon 900EX N146EX returned home to Auckland 22 April from Songshan/Taipei via a techstop at Guam.

Spot the Difference!

Air New Zealand's Airbus A320 ZK-OJH has recently spent time in the paintshop at Christchurch and was rolled out earlier this week with some subtle changes..... spot the difference!

Thanks very much to Graham W for the shots

before

after

For Sale - Falcon 50 VH-FOL

A once frequent visitor to New Zealand has recently been listed for sale in Australia. Falcon 50 VH-FOL was imported to Australia in March 2011 arriving at Brisbane from Van Nuys via Maui and Pago Pago on the 30th as N343PM. It made its first visit to NZ on 04 April 2011 jetting into Queenstown from Brisbane still under its FAA markings and again in early May. Its NZ debut as VH-FOL was on 15 July 2011, again flying from Brisbane to Queenstown. The jet subsequently visited Central Otago on numerous occasions and other NZ visits saw the trijet pop into Kerikeri, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with its most recent visitation taking place in February this year.

An interesting video accompanies the listing along with some photos as taken by Aviationshotz at Auckland in September 2012. 

http://www.avprojets.com/view_aircraft/521/Dassault_Falcon%2050_SN_159.html

ATR's across the waves

Two noteworthy ATR72 movements took place 20 April with both aircraft arriving into Christchurch.

First up was the arrival of Air Calendonie's ATR72-500 (212A) F-ONCL. Using its registration as callsign, the ATR made its way to Christchurch direct from the airline's home port of Magenta located near downtown Noumea. 

F-ONCL first flew in August 2007 and was delivered to India's Kingfisher Airlines the following month registered VT-KAL. The airline ceased operations in October 2012 and the aircraft offered for lease by KF Turbo Leasing. It was delivered to Air Caledonie in January 2014 who now operate three of the 72 series ATR's. 

Second arrival was that of locally based Mt Cook ATR72-500 (212A) 

ZK-MCO. It touched down well after dark having flown from Townsville and Brisbane as ANZ5971 wearing the airline's new livery albeit with some additional work yet to be carried out as seen in the photo below!

Arriving at Brisbane. 

B787-9 | STAR WARS JET | R2-D2 JET

This is going to look great when it gets rolled out of the paintshop!

Pity ANA don't fly to NZ!

Grand Caravan EX Demonstrator N588EX

Cessna Aircraft have dispatched their most recent rendition of the popular model 208 dubbed the Grand Caravan EX to New Zealand for demonstration purposes. 

Registered N588EX and wearing MSN 208B-5088, this 2014 model arrived at Auckland early afternoon 19 April from Norfolk Island having flown from Bankstown to Lord Howe Island and Norfolk island the previous day. The aircraft arrived into Australia on 25 March touching down at Darwin from El Tari/Kupang and flew onto Burketown, Emerald and Archerfield 26 March before making its way to Bankstown 27 March. 

http://cessna.txtav.com/en/caravan/grand-caravan-ex

N588EX was first tracked around the region in February 2014 when it flew from Van Nuys to Will Rodger Field/Honolulu on the 2nd then to Majuro the next day. it was then flown to Yap on the 4th and Singapore/Seletar on the 5th. On 21 March 2014 it was spied flying from Mopah to Port Moresby but after that no records for another 12 months but it seems to have done the rounds of airshows in Asia.

Arriving at Auckland 19 April 2015. 

Qatar Airbus A340 A7-AAH

Making a predawn arrival at Auckland 18 April was Qatar Amiri Flight's Airbus A340-313 A7-AAH.

The corporate configured widebody made its way to Auckland from Singapore as "Amiri 9" touching down a little after 0630 and making its way to a layover gate. Sadly its nocturnal behaviour continued with it lifting off from Auckland at 0041 19 April heading back to Singapore so to the best of my knowledge no-one was about to get photos of it.

Cathay Airbus A340 diverts to Ohakea

An unusual sight at RNZAF base Ohakea for much of the afternoon of     18 April was Airbus A340-300 B-HXG following the diversion of Cathay flight CX197 while enroute from Hong Kong to Auckland. The flight arrived in the vicinity of Auckland at lunchtime and coincided with a significant weather pattern moving across the region which saw wind shifts and torrential rain for a 30+ minute period creating crosswinds over 30kts and visibility down to 1km or less - all the trademarks of a downburst from the active cumulonimbus clouds that had been stalking the airport since before dawn. The A340 made a missed approach during the latter phase of its one and only attempt to land on runway 23L after having earlier commencing its descent profile for runway 05R before the wind direction changed while still off the western coastline. As a result of the extra vectoring and weather deviations the aircraft was diverted to Ohakea where it arrived around 1300 and remained there until 1840 awaiting engineering support due to a "snag" and replacement crew. The repatriation of B-HXG from Ohakea was aided by the visit to the RNZAF base by Pacific Jets Citationjet CJ4 ZK-PGA flying in from Auckland with engineering support and replacement pilots.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/67856999/Rough-Auckland-weather-forces-international-flight-to-land-at-Ohakea

file photo 

King Air 200 N283KA departs

Coral Sun Airways Beech King Air 200 N283KA has concluded its NZ visit departing Auckland for Norfolk Island and Port Vila 18 April as it presumably heads back to Tarawa. 

The King Air had arrived Auckland 20 March from Nadi and continued to Tauranga the next day. It was subsequently noted in and out of Hamilton.

LAN Boeing 787-8 CC-BBA

As posted yesterday, LAN have quietly migrated their operating fleet for services to NZ and Australia from the Airbus A340-300's to Boeing 787 Dreamliners effective from 18 April and as forecast Dash 8 CC-BBA operated the first services as LAN801 Santiago-Auckland-Sydney and LAN800 Sydney-Auckland-Santiago. This long overwater twin engined operation is the longest route to be flown using 330min EDTO rules.

Conditions for its afternoon transit through Auckland were shaping up to be patchy at best with earlier torrential rain and 30kt crosswinds whipping across the runway causing multiple issues - however by the time it arrived just on 1430 the line of thunderstorms had moved to the southeast providing a spectacular dark sky and the sun came out just at the right time!

Finally Arrived

The two remaining Beechcraft T6C Texan II for the Royal New Zealand Air Force finally made landfall in New Zealand arriving at Ohakea shortly after 1330 17 April. 

N2773B/NZ1410 callsign "Classic 102" and N2786B/NZ1411 callsign "Classic 176" made their way from Darwin to Cairns 12 April then south to the Gold Coast 13 April before crossing to Norfolk Island 16 April from where they flew yesterday to Ohakea.

The arrival of NZ1410 and NZ1411 concludes the delivery programme for the Texan II's to the RNZAF with all eleven aircraft now safely at Ohakea.

Now all we have to wait for is to report on the Boeing C17 deliverlies!!

Has anyone been keeping tabs on the Seasprites at Whenuapai as the "old" ones bowed out and new ones were inducted??

All photos thanks to and copyright of P Jensen 

Final LAN Airbus A340 operation through Auckland

Chilean carrier LAN flew their final Airbus A340-313 service through Auckland 18 April ahead of the introduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its long haul Australasian operation.

Airbus A340-313 CC-CQF had the honour of flying the type's last sojourn from Santiago to Auckland, Sydney and return as LA801/800. The type, of which three remain in service with the airline, are set to be retired now that it is no longer flown on the long-haul Pacific run.

The first Dreamliner operated service tomorrow is planned to be operated by Dash 8 CC-BBA with the carrier ultimately planning to operate the larger Dash 9 series as they take delivery of the type. 

http://www.ausbt.com.au/lan-to-fly-boeing-787-on-sydney-santiago-route

The days' of Airbus A340 operations at Auckland seem to be getting numbered with just Cathay Pacific and Air Tahiti Nui operating the type on a regular basis - however Cathay are set to transition to Boeing 777 operations later this year then move to Airbus A350XWB's in 2016 while Air Tahiti Nui recently announced their intent to operate Boeing 787-9's - not until 2018 though!

Sunny Saturday

A lovely sunny Saturday afternoon last weekend provided an opportunity to catch some of the normally long haul domiciled jets returning from their short haul Tasman and Pacific Island routes conducted during daylight hours.

China Airlines Airbus A330 B-18361 arrives from Sydney as "Dynasty 051" wearing the Cloud Dancer markings. 

Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKD returns holiday makers from Fiji as NZ53. 

Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKN arriving ex Brisbane as NZ136. 

Airbus A320 ZK-OXA on a domestic flight from Wellington. 

Boeing 737-300 ZK-NGI arrives from Christchurch. Not long to go no before her retirement!

Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZE on short finals having flown from Sydney as NZ104. 

Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKQ rounds off the coverage arriving as NZ124 from Melbourne.

At the other end of the "airliner" spectrum, BN2 Islander ZK-EVO arrives from Great Barrier. 

As does BN2 Islander ZK-PIZ.