Casa 235 065

Noumea based French Armee de L'air Casa 235 065/52-IC made a relatively rare visit to Auckland 25 January arriving from La Tontouta as "Cotam 1192". The transport departed the following day for Tonga.

This particular example had participated in exercise "Skytrain '16" operating from Napier and it arrived in the country 13 January and departed 23 January. 

Fling Wings at Queenstown

Following on from yesterday's post we have the army of helicopters resident at Queenstown conducting a myriad of duties throughout the region ranging from tourist flights to dropping of mountain bikes and cherry orchard drying!

The Helicopter Line's Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HAE

The Helicopter Line's Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HAO

The Helicopter Line's Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HGV

Heli Tours  Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HQN

The Helicopter Line's Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HSN

The Helicopter Line's Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-IBV

Registered to BJ Comerford of Porirua is this Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-IDI

Over the Top Ltd Aerospatiale AS355F1 ZK-IGO

Heli Tours Hughes 369E ZK-IQN

Helicopters Queenstown Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-IVW. 

Boeing 737-319 VH-YNU - updated in italics

Nauru Airlines/Our Airline Boeing 737-319 VH-YNU has made its first visit to New Zealand operating a delivery Air Vanuatu service. The aircraft, previously operated by Air New Zealand as ZK-NGH, arrived Auckland late 23 January from Port Vila as NF50 and after crew rest departed around midday 24 January on its return to Port Vila as NF51. 

ZK-NGH was retired from Air NZ service in November 2014 and was flown by Southern Cross from Christchurch to Cairns and Lombok 20 November and arrived at Singapore/Seletar the next day. As VH-YNU it arrived Brisbane 18 February 2015 from Seletar and Darwin as RON801. 

An additional note - Boeing 737-319 VH-XNU, ex ZK-NGJ, was delivered to Brisbane just prior to midnight local time 28 January as RON801 from Seletar via Darwin.

Fixed Wings at Queenstown

A recent trip to Central Otago afforded a brief visitation to Queenstown Airport and given the patchy weather we experienced for much of our time in the region it was a pleasure to catch these fixed wings on a stunning evening. 

Air Milford's Cessna A185F ZK-ENW

Originally imported for operations from Tauranga but now resident at Queenstown is the Aero L-29 ZK-JET with Double X Aviation. 

Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Company Airvan ZK-JRR (JRR Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings). 

Air Milford 2000 Cessna 208 ZK-SKA. It has been on the register since January 2014. 

Wakatipu Aero Club's Airvan ZK-SLQ. It has been with the local club since December 2014 after returning from Australia. It was once a Kiwi resident wearing ZK-KLC from 2004 through 2008 then re-registered ZK-TZT before export to Australia in 2011. 

Another Airvan operated by the Wakatipu Aero Club is ZK-SLW.  It was delivered to Queenstown 17 November 2015 as VH-AEA after a direct, overnight trip from Latrobe Valley via a customs clearing exercise at Melbourne/Essendon. It was placed on the NZ register early December. 

Cessna's Across the Waves

What was looking to be a likely candidate for becoming a Kiwi since it was spending so much time here was the Reims/Cessna F406 Twin Caravan VH-LAA. It arrived in the country 08 November 2015 touching down at Auckland from the Gold Coast via Lord Howe Island and during its time here conducting aerial survey / photography work was noted on numerous occasions operating over large areas of both the North and South Islands with it being stationed for extended periods at either Hamilton, Nelson or Christchurch. It departed Hamilton for Auckland and the Gold Coast 12 January.
It trip home was brief with it arriving back at Auckland from the Gold Coast via Lord Howe Island 27 January.
VH-LAA has an extensive kiwi connection having previously been registered ZK-CII, ZK-VAA, ZK-XLC and finally ZK-CEC which it wore for the delivery flight to Australia in November 2011. 

Cessna T210M Centurion VH-SUX was observed arriving at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island on 10 January. The aircraft is registered to Thomson Aviation of Griffith East, NSW but to date we have not had any additional information on its whereabouts.

Oceania Aviation have imported a Cessna/Textron Aviation 182T N517CS. This 2015 model wears the serial number 18282417 and it arrived at Ardmore by container in early January. 

And rounding out the Cessna news, T206 Stationair YJ-RIR has arrived at Ardmore with the Air Ratua, Port Vila based aircraft arriving 10 January from Norfolk Island and Kerikeri. YJ-RIR was delivered to New Zealand in March 2011 as N22629 and was first noted with its Vanuatu registration on 11 March. It departed 31 March for Kerikeri and Norfolk Island on its delivery flight.

Corporate Corner - updated

In addition to the aircraft already mentioned over the last few days, there have been a gaggle of other jets visiting the country.

Nelson Piquet's Citation X PR-JAQ jetted into Christchurch from Papeete 12 January 2016 in association with his son's motor racing schedule. It departed for Invercargill 20 January for another race with a couple of other NZ locations on the agenda. It arrived at Auckland 25 January from Invercargill. 

Also associated with the same motor racing circuit is the son of Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberte and they arrived in Christchurch from Papeete 15 January 2016 on board the interestingly painted Global Express C-GCDS. The Global's visit was brief with it departing for Perth 17 January 2016.

At rest under gloomy skies at Christchurch. CPT photo. 

Blue Ridge Capital/Helair  Global 6000 N9641 continues its extended visit to New Zealand and it is now living outside at Auckland having earlier found solace in a local hangar that has been reoccupied by its regular tenant. N9641 has been out and about with visit's to Gisborne and Taupo and most recently it spent a couple of days at Queenstown.

http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2131422-135/jet-belongs-to-nicks-head-owner

It flew from Auckland to Gisborne 25 January then back to Auckland and onto Melbourne 26 January.

BR Leasing Citation II N112BR has been in the country since the beginning of November 2015 and has flown a number of Auckland-Bay of Islands-Auckland flights along with a trip to Noumea and back mid December following by a jaunt to Nadi and back mid January. Both flights to the islands originated from the Bay of Islands/Kerikeri.

Execujet Australia Challenger VH-EVJ made its way to Queenstown from Sydney 21 January.

Avcair PTY Learjet 60 VH-XPN also made its way to Queenstown 21 January arriving from its Brisbane home.

And rounding out the visitors to Queenstown 21 January was the arrival from Christchurch of Viper Capital Logistics LLC Falcon 7X N37TY as SJE37. It had been static at Christchurch since its arrival from Melbourne 02 January.The Falcon departed Queenstown for Noumea 23 January and onto Honolulu 25 January. 

Another long-term layover visitor made a move 21 January when Challenger VH-MXK departed Dunedin for Auckland and the Gold Coast. It had been parked at Dunedin since 28 December when it arrived from the Gold Coast and Queenstown.

Global Express VH-TGG visited Wellington briefly 23 January arriving from Sydney and later departing for Essendon.

Australia's only resident Gulfstream G650, N47TR, operated by Perth based Flight Operations PTY, made its first visit to NZ arriving at Christchurch 23 January from Essendon. The G650 stretched its legs with a direct flight from Christchurch to Montevideo, Uruguay 25 January. 

N47TR departing Essendon. Transair photo. 

REGA air ambulance Challenger 604 HB-JRA arrived at Christchurch on the evening of 23 January from Subang and Cairns and departed late on the evening of 25 January for Cairns and Subang.

At Cairns 23 January. 

Vale Ron Killick

It is with sincere sadness I report the passing of a significant member of the New Zealand aviation and amateur radio community, Mr Ron F Killick of Christchurch. 

Ron was a highly respected enthusiast at all levels of aviation both domestically and internationally honing his interest in long range radio communications and making his gleanings available to a wide range of interested parties. The records Ron made date back many, many years with not only overseas flights noted but also first flights etc. His primary interest was always the long range radio and he had great delight in making contact (by mail) with overseas radio stations, ham operators and delivery pilots with special cards for them to fill out.

R F Killick was with the RNZAF from 23 January 1953 until 14 May 1976 and his time was spent at Wigram, Fiji, Singapore, Whenuapai and Wellington, and one of our group still has letters sent to him by Ron with return to sender as W74793F F/Sgt Killick, RF at Sgt's Mess, RNZAF Shelley Bay, Wellington.

Many of us will remember first meeting Ron when he was working at Harewood (Christchurch International) including the jaunts out onto the apron area with a drive to the four corners of the airport to get photos and take notes. Those were the days!

An extensive collection of aircraft photos added to Ron's vast ability to provide historical records to various individuals and organisations over the years, especially to the Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand with whom he was a founding member in 1958 and received the membership number seven. He provided the international movements section for many years and these records are an enduring historical record of a bygone era.  It was Ron's generosity that had me become a member of the AHSNZ with him funding my first year of membership. 

Another close contact has a similar history to mine with Ron and it dates back to the mid 80's where we shared an interest in aviation and HF radio monitoring which at the time was the only means of communication for overseas flights. Back then there was no email so movements recorded would be duly logged and sent by post to Ron who would then collate and add as necessary to his records. Ron would then send the logs back with any alterations/amendments etc and this process went on for many years and well after the advent of email when said logs would be faxed. Technology eventually overtook the mail and fax and Ron was wired for sound via the internet, albeit via a dial up modem. 

Ron had a knack of networking with others and this has over time lead to a great number of us now being close friends sharing our collective interest and continuing the legacy Ron has so carefully grown ensuring elements of aviation history are still accurately recorded and shared. 

Ron - Farewell my friend. You have been such a wonderful mentor to so many like minded people and we thank you for sharing your passion and interest so freely.May the inspiration you imparted be continued throughout the generations as we remember with fond memories your quick wit and ever lasting willingness to help others.

Rest in peace my friend.

Airbus ACJ319 D-ALXX

K5 Aviation Airbus ACJ319 corporate jet D-ALXX has been static at Auckland since arriving from Guam 09 January. Its arrival saw a flurry of helicopters swarm the airport including A109 ZK-HBH indicating the A319's visit was associated with the recently completed Russian financed Helena Bay Resort http://www.helenabay.com/

The ACJ departed Auckland mid afternoon 25 January for Cairns and Bangkok's Don Mueang airport as "Kayak 52". 

D-ALXX at rest 22 January 2016 nestled against Citation N112BR. Supplied. 

http://www.k5-aviation.com/en/fleet.html

K-5 Aviation announced 21 January their order for an Airbus ACJ319NEO due for delivery in 2019. 

http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/k5-aviation-orders-airbus-acj319neo/

Jetstar Regional NZ Fleet Complete

Jetstar's Regional New Zealand Bombardier Q300 fleet has grown to five aircraft ahead of the airline's entry to the Auckland-New Plymouth and Auckland-Palmerston North routes from 

01 February along with Nelson to Wellington.

Q300 VH-TQD arrived at Auckland from Brisbane and Norfolk Island 15 January and was pressed into service 19 January when it flew as JQ355 from Auckland to Napier.

Q300 VH-TQK is set to arrive at Auckland from Brisbane and Norfolk Island 25 January.

From 01 February the airline will operate:

Auckland-New Plymouth 20 return sectors per week

Auckland-Palmerston North 20 return sectors per week

Auckland-Napier 27 return sectors per week

Auckland-Nelson 27 return sectors per week

Nelson-Wellington 21 return sectors per week

Falcon 900EX N999PM

Pacific Marine Logistics Falcon 900EX N999PM touched down at Auckland early afternoon 22 January after a direct flight from Kona.  The Falcon flew onto Queenstown 24 January. 

At Auckland soon after arrival 22 January 2016.  Photo supplied. 

Lineage A6-AJI departs

Al Jabar Aviation's Embraer E190 Lineage 1000 A6-AJI departed Auckland on the morning of 23 January for Bali as LJB1280. 

A6-AJI at Auckland 22 January 2016. Photo supplied. 

Qatar to Auckland

After several years of speculation it seems the introduction of services to Auckland by Qatar Airways is moving ever closer with the airline's CEO making comment overnight about adding ultra long haul flights from Doha to Auckland in addition to Doha to Santiago flying Boeing 777-200LR equipment.

The introduction of a Doha-Auckland

2013 news article http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10869451

2016 news article http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-airways-chief-eyes-more-airline-investments-in-2016-619487.html

Qatar have recently celebrated their first year of Airbus A350XWB operations and as more of these aircraft are introduced to service this will free up the Boeing 777's for expanded services.

http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/our-fleet.page

Operation Deep Freeze 2015/2016

This year's Operation Deep Freeze is moving along at a similar tempo to last season with the ski-equipped Lockheed LC130H Hercules fleet flown by the New York Air National Guard are providing the mainstay of flight support between Christchurch and Antarctica. This season the Hercules are using a new radio callsign protocol with southbound flights calling themselves FROZEN and northbound flights NORTH followed by a consecutive numbering system. The last few season's the aircraft have used the callsign SKIER with a random number.  

A visiting Boeing 737/C40 Clipper, 02-0201, arrived at Christchurch 17 January carrying passengers destined for the frozen continent. The Clipper departed Christchurch on the evening of 23 January for Guam/Andersen.

Thanks to those providing photos. 

ATR72 update

Mount Cook Airlines' ATR72-600 fleet continues to grow and now sits at 10 aircraft along with their 11 -500 series ATR72's. 

ZK-MVH was delivered to Hamilton Christmas Eve and after induction work it positioned to Christchurch on the evening of 09 January. It then entered service the following morning with a run to Hamilton and back.

It is seen below departing Queenstown for Christchurch on the second day of its passenger carrying life.

ZK-MVI was also delivered to Hamilton arriving 03 January and it positioned to Christchurch 15 January. It entered service the following morning with a run to Rotorua and back. 

It is seen below departing Auckland for New Plymouth 20 January.

ZK-MVO arrived at Townsville 21 December "green" and over the next few weeks had the Air NZ livery applied albeit retaining an unpainted rudder. It ferried to Christchurch via Brisbane 16 January arriving in the early hours of 17 January. Its entry to service is to be advised.

An eagle eyed contributor has pointed out a subtle difference on MVH and MVI, and presumably MVO. On top of the tail the aircraft type is display i.e. ATR72-600 however the style applied to these three aircraft differs from that on ZK-MVA through ZK-MVG.

Meanwhile ATR72-500 ZK-MCA departed Christchurch 13 January for Brisbane and Townsville for repainting by Flying Colours into the new Air NZ livery.

Lineage A6-AJI

Embraer E190 Lineage 1000 A6-AJI touched down at Auckland overnight making its first visit to our shores. The corporate configured airliner operated by Al Jabar Aviation arrived as LJB1280 from Chitose, Japan via a techstop at Cairns. 

http://www.ajaprivatejets.com/en/home/index.aspx

Arriving at Cairns yesterday. FNQ Skies photo

Saabs

Air Rarotonga's Saab 340A E5-EFS touched down at Hamilton on the afternoon of 16 January from its Cook Island home via Tonga for a planned maintenance visit.

Meanwhile, Kiwi Regional Airlines sole Saab 340A ZK-KRA made its first visit to Auckland when it arrived from Hamilton 20 January using its registration as callsign. The aircraft has since been inducted to the Air Chathams maintanance hangar.

NOTAR ZK-IHI

During a recent visit to Central Otago I was pleased to catch up with Cromwell's resident McDonnell Douglas 600N ZK-IHI operated by Heliview. ZK-IHI is the country's sole 600 series NOTAR however we have 20 500 series and 1 900 series examples current on the register. 

Thanks to Bluebus from the NZ Civil Aircraft Blog for the following:

McDonnell Douglas 600N NOTAR ZK-IHI is an early 1999 production helicopter first registered as N3047L with MD Helicopters and leased to MD Helicopter Services at Mesa, Arizona from 29-03-1999 courtesy of First Security National Bank NA Trustees. It was cancelled on 24-01-2001 and sold via Eastern Atlantic Helicopters of Shoreham to Helidirect UK Ltd on 05-02-2001 and became G-PEPL to replace an earlier example. They sold it on to Blue Anchor Leisure Ltd at Skegness from 22-12-2003. It was exported in mid August 2008 to India where it became VT-SSH with Simm Samm Airways Pvt Ltd of Juhu, Mumbai from 05-09-2008. It was noted for sale through K-Air Charters of Kochi, India in June with TTAF of 1650 hours and was purchased in September by Richard and Jolanda Foale of Heliview Taranaki Ltd  and  replaces their Bell 206L LongRanger ZK-HTK₄ which has gone to Deep South Helicopters of Gore.

http://www.heliview.co.nz/

Check out the happy face on the tailboom fan assembly. 

Gulfstream G550 N550JU

Global Management Consulting Ltd Gulfstream G550 N550JU has spent the last couple of weeks visiting Australasia with it arriving at Melbourne from Johannesburg 05 January. It then went onto visit Sydney and Cairns and it flew onto Queenstown 14 January. The very smartly painted Gulfstream then headed north to Taupo 16 January and departed the central North Island airport at 0007LT 20 January for Auckland and then onto Papeete.

Shortly after arrival at Melbourne. 

And arriving on the stand at Queenstown. 

Boeing 757-200 freighter G-BMRI

Auckland based Tasman Cargo Airlines have leased in Boeing 757-200 freighter G-BMRI from DHL Air (UK) to cover for their own aircraft, VH-TCA, which departed Auckland for Sydney and Singapore/Seletar on Boxing Day for scheduled maintenance. 

G-BMRI arrived at Auckland on the evening of 07 January as DHK001P from Singapore via Sydney and it is anticipated the aircraft will be domiciled on the Auckland-Sydney schedule for the next 4-6 weeks. 

Tasman Cargo Airlines had leased in sister-ship G-BMRJ during the transition from the exit of Boeing 727 freighter VH-DHE in September 2013 while awaiting the delivery of their own Boeing 757 G-CSVS, later become VH-TCA.

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/tasman-cargo-airlines-express-trans.html

In the Regions - updated

Global N9641 flew from Auckland to Gisborne 05 January and then made its way to Taupo 06 January where it is seen below shortly after arriving. It departed Taupo late morning 08 January for Gisborne and then onto Auckland. 

Falcon 900 N83SV arrived at Napier 04 January from Auckland and then continued to Queenstown arriving mid morning 06 January. It departed Queenstown for Auckland and Kona 07 January. 

Challenger 601 VH-MXK arrived at Dunedin late December and remains static as at 07 January.

Gulfstream G550 N250DV and Global N283DM have departed the region. The G550 flew from Queenstown to Auckland, Honolulu and Grand Rapids 05 January while the Global flew from Queenstown to Christchurch and Honolulu the same day. It has since continued to San Francisco and Austin. 

Falcon 7X N37TY is parked at Christchurch and Citation II N112BR remains static at Auckland.

Phenom VH-PNM departed Auckland late 08 January for Queenstown. 

Local resident Nextant 400 ZK-NXJ arrived at Hamilton on the evening of 06 January from Auckland and Suva and later postioned back to Auckland. 

And finally, Global N755RA arrived at Christchurch on the evening of 07 January from Ambon, Indonesia and departed 08 January for Port Moresby. 

Thanks to those providing photos.