Ed Force One moves north

Air Atlanta Iceland Boeing 747-400 TF-AAK, chartered by heavy metal band "Iron Maiden", arrived in Auckland mid afternoon 30 April from Christchurch as ABD666 as the group continue their "The Book of Souls" world tour.

Departing Christchurch, M Hayes photo

And arriving at Auckland where full the full length of runway 05R was utilised and and exit at taxiway A1A making for the ideal opportunity to catch it from both sides! Thanks to those making this possible  - The timing was perfect!

Air India Boeing 747-400 VT-EVB - Updated with photos

Air India Boeing 747-400 VT-EVB touched down in Auckland in the pre dawn darkness of 30 April 2016 from Port Moresby as AIC1 carrying Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of the Republic of India on a state visit. He, along with his entourage, had arrived in Papua New Guinea 27 April 2016 from New Delhi.



https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/indian-president-visit-new-Zealand


http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/president-pranab-mukherjee-leaves-for-6-day-visit-to-papua-new-guinea-new-zealand-1400276

Boeing 777-200 9V-SVC lobs into Ohakea

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200 9V-SVC, operating as SQ297 from Singapore to Christchurch, diverted to RNZAF base Ohakea 29 April 2016 due to fog at its original destination persisting well beyond the anticipated clearance time. After a fuel uplift the 777 made its way to Christchurch and operated SQ298 to Singapore somewhat delayed.

Thanks to Padre007 for being so quickly on location at Ohakea to catch its arrival!

Freighter Activity

Atlas Air operate a weekly freighter service through Auckland on behalf of QANTAS with Boeing 747-400F N492MC normally allocated to the QF7552 service on a Monday.

Yesterday Atlas Air operated a charter through in Auckland in their own right with Boeing 747-400F N497MC. As "Giant 5201" the aircraft arrived before sunrise 28 April 2016 from Ottawa, Canada via a techstop at Honolulu and departed around midnight the same day for Hong Kong as GTI5202.

The visit by N497MC to Auckland coincided with the operation of two never before seen freighters flying from Auckland to Wellington and back. First up was Tasman Cargo Boeing 757-200 VH-TCA as TMN91/92 followed a few hours later by Airwork/Parcelair Boeing 737-400 ZK-PAK as INF281 (same flight number down and back).

Given N497MC originated from Ottawa it would be safe to assume the aircraft were involved with the transportation of new NZ banknotes designed and made by Ottawa based Canadian Banknote Company. 

http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/new-banknotes-released-2016041105#axzz4777uBp5m

Ed Force One

The highly anticipated visit of rock band Iron Maiden and their chartered Boeing 747-400 TF-AAK dubbed "Ed Force One" has finally arrival with the rather distinctive looking four-holer touching down at Christchurch before sunrise 28 April 2016 direct from Shanghai as ABD666.

The 747 has been chartered from Air Atlanta Icelandic to carry the band and support crew on a global tour with it already having spent considerable time in the Americas - where it was involved in a serious ground equipment altercation at Santiago - and then across the Pacific to tour Asia. The jet convenientally lists the stopover ports on the forward lower fuselage however doesn't include Boeing Field, Seattle, where it paid a brief visit as a sign of appreciation to the manufacturer who were instrumental in repairing TF-AAK after its incident at Santiago.

From Christchurch the -400 will fly to Auckland then head onto Brisbane.

Arriving at Toronto early April, Larkair photo

Above images taken at Tokyo/Haneda. 

Bit off Track

A "surprise" almost visitor to Auckland after sunset 27 April 2016 was Royal Australian Air Force Airbus A330-200 MRTT A39-003. 

As "Ausy 533" the aircraft had departed from Andersen AFB, Guam for RAAF Amberley however its flight also included an approach and overshoot at Auckland on the way! 

Boeing 767-300 UK-67007

Arriving at Christchurch on the evening of 24 April 2016 from Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur was Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 767-300 UK-67007. This particular aircraft has been a regular feature on the annual fishing vessel crew changes under its previous markings, VP-BUE. It appears it was re-registered to the national markings of Uzbekistan in December 2015.

UK-67007 departed Christchurch at 1300 26 April 2016 on its return to Tashkent via Kuala Lumpur as UZB3512.

This is just the second time a UK- registered aircraft has visited NZ. The first occasion was back in early November 2012 when Uzbek's then brand new Boeing 767-300 UK-67003 made a two night visit to the Garden City on a fishing crew exchange visit.

Very nicely caught as it departed Christchurch. 

Boeing 777-200LR A6-EWJ

Emirates Boeing 777-200LR A6-EWJ made its first visit to Auckland arriving as EK448 direct from Dubai 22 April 2016. 

The aircraft features team members of London's Arsenal Football Club who Emirates are a significant partner with. 

http://www.emirates.com/english/about/emirates-sponsorships/football/arsenal/arsenal-fc.aspx

Gulfstream G650 VP-CZZ updated

Touching down in Christchurch during the predawn hours of 19 April 2016 

was the Gulfstream G650 VP-CZZ jetting in from Shanghai/Pudong. The aircraft, c/n 6025, is operated on behalf of its owners by Jet Aviation Hong Kong and its arrival in New Zealand marks its second visit to our shores. 

In July 2014 it arrived at Christchurch on the 19th from Hong Kong and Queenstown and made its way back to Queenstown on the 28th from where it departed for Hong Kong the next day.

VP-CZZ departed just before midnight 23 April 2016 destined for Beijing. 

Gulfstream 5 N881HS

Arriving at Queenstown from the Gold Coast 19 April 2016 was Gulfstream 5 N881HS operated by Cherripo Import and Export Agencies of Singapore. The GV had arrived at the Gold Coast a couple of days earlier from Singapore/Seletar.

N881HS departed Queenstown mid morning 23 April 2016 destined for New Plymouth where it spent several hours before flying onto Auckland and Melbourne.

This particular aircraft is no stranger to Australasia having operated with Crown Casino as VH-CRQ from October 2010 through until April 2015. 

Falcon 900EX N999PM departs

Pacific Marine Logistics Falcon 900EX N999PM concluded its three month long stay in New Zealand with it departing Auckland just before 0400 local time 21 April for Honolulu and Kona.

The owner's super yacht Evviva was noted in port at Auckland the previous day with Bell LongRanger N997PM onboard.

N999PM had arrived in Auckland from Kona on 22 January 2016 and flew to Queenstown on the 24th returning north on the 26th.

Eclipse 500 N570RG - first of type (update in italics).

The arrival at Auckland on the afternoon of 22 March of Eclipse 500 N570RG marked the first visit of its type to New Zealand. 

This 2007 model is operated by Francis Dunleavy of Houston, TX, and arrived at Prosperine, Queensland from Bali via Broome and Tennant Creek on the evening of 19 March. It then flew south to the Gold Coast
21 March and onto Norfolk Island, Auckland and Wellington 22 March.

The Eclipse 500 is a small 6 seat business jet and first flew in August 2002. The type is popular in its country of origin, the USA, with in excess of 300 in service.

http://www.oneaviation.aero/eclipse/

Resting up at Wellington. 

And earlier in the day on arrival at Auckland. 

N570RG continues to enjoy the pleasant NZ autumn and as mentioned in previous posts it flew from Wellington to Wanaka 23 March 2016 where it remained until flying onto Invercargill 04 April 2016 returning to Wanaka the next day. It then flew to Nelson 08 April 2016 remaining parked until 11 April 2016 when it made the trip to Gisborne. On the 15th it flew to Napier and Masterton before heading north to Hamilton two days later. On the 22nd it migrated south to Wanaka. 

Parked at Napier, C Ford photo

Wet wet wet!

A wet day doesn't always mean opportunity lost when it comes to aviation photography as clearly highlighted by these fantastic shots caught on the afternoon of 17 April 2016 by a good keen man braving the elements at Auckland International.

Thanks to Jonathan Rankin for these images, you can find many, many more images by Jonathan at
Airliners.net

LAN Boeing 787-9 CC-BGH decelerates on runway 05R arriving from Sydney. 

Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKE rotates off runway 05R heading to Houston as ANZ28. 

Airwork/Toll Boeing 737-400 freighter ZK-TLK climbs away on a 30min test flight. During its time at Auckland the Boeing has received the Toll titles. 

Vans RV8 F-PMHJ

Vans RV8A F-PMHJ has concluded a somewhat eventful visit to New Zealand departed from Auckland midday 18 April heading direct to Noumea/La Tontouta. 

The Magenta-based aeroplane arrived at Kerikeri from Magenta and Norfolk Island on 31 October 2015 in company with Dynamic F-JSUB. The duo then conducted a number of North Island airport visits before crossing Cook Strait during the second week of November. They gravitated to Fernside, just west of Rangiora and home of Aerospool Dynamic distributor Bruce Drake. It was on 9 November that F-PMHJ was involved in a landing incident with the nose gear collapsing with ensuing damage requiring a significant amount of TLC. 

http://www.spiritofnoumea.com/le-journal-de-bord/361-lundi-9-novembre

It wasn't until 10 April 2016 that the aircraft was noted flying again and it arrived at Auckland from the south on 16 April 2016. 

At Auckland on the occasion of its first visit to our shores, 18 April 2014.

Boeing 737-800 VH-XZJ

Qantas Boeing 737-800 VH-XZJ "Mendoowoorji" is seen in these great shots departing Wellington 17 April 2016 as QF172 to Melbourne having arrived a hour prior from Melbourne as QF171.

http://www.aussieairliners.org/b-737/vh-xzj/vhxzj.html

Qantas have added a number of special flights and upsized others over the last few days adding capacity on their Tasman services presumably to cater for school holiday leisure travel with Airbus A330-200's operating a gaggle of flights in/out of Auckland in lieu of Boeing 737-800's.

Challenger 300 N300NZ

Bombardier Challenger 300 N300NZ touched down at Queenstown late afternoon 15 April 2016 arriving from Maui via a tech stop at Apia. This 2013 edition Challenger was registered to TVPX ARS INC Trustee last month and departed Bradley Intl, CT for Las Vegas, NV 12 April and continued to Maui 13 April. Given its distinctly personalised FAA registration it can be assumed the aircraft is on delivery to a NZ operator so we look forward to seeing it "around the traps".

Resting in the rain at Queenstown 17 April 2016. 

Bombardier rules the ramp at Queenstown 17 April 2016. 

The Challenger has most recently been operated as N939SG with Broadmind Holdings Ltd and operated by Tagjet. It is known to have visited Australia just the once with it arriving at Sydney 28 July 2014 from Jakarta/Halim via Darwin and departing over the reverse route two days later as TBJ57.

The marks N939SG are currently reserved by Glory Sky Enterprise Pte. Ltd so looks like they have another aircraft pending delivery.

In addition to N300NZ arriving in Queenstown 16 April, Global N599CH arrived earlier the same day from Sydney while Challenger 604 VH-VRE arrived early on the morning of 17 April direct from Perth. 

Last Flight from the South Pole

Airbus A380 A6-EEQ

Emirates Airbus A380 A6-EEQ has made a return visit in its recently received "United for Wildlife" decals and operated the EK434 service from Dubai to Brisbane and Auckland arriving 15 April 2016 and departed over the reverse route as EK435.

It was great to be on hand to catch this aircraft in person as it departed Auckland in the early evening light conditions.

RAAF A330-200 A39-001

Royal Australian Air Force Airbus A330-200 (KC30A) MRTT A39-001 arrived in Christchurch early on the evening of 14 April 2016 from Honolulu/Hickam. After an overnight stop the aircraft departed late morning for Adelaide and continued to its Amberley base later the same day.

Wedgetail Jets In and Out - updated

A Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 737-700 (E-7A) Wedgetail of number 2 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, arrived at Whenuapai 13 April from its home base via Norfolk Island as ASY252. A30-004 is one of six AEW&C Wedgetails based at Williamtown north of Sydney.

The Wedgetail departed Whenuapai at lunchtime 14 April for Christchurch where an approach and overshoot was conducted before heading home to Williamtown. 

A30-004 was a static display participant at the Ohakea Air Show in 2012. This was the second time a Wedgetail had visited New Zealand and the arrival on 13 April 2016 is only the fourth occasion one has been to the country. 

Departing Whenuapai 14 April 2016, VJ photo

Emirates Special Livery makes unexpected visit

In November 2015 Emirates launched a special livery on two Airbus A380's in support of "United for Wildlife". The airline's press release can be found HERE

The two aircraft in question were A6-EDG and A6-EEI however out of the blue a third aircraft has had the wonderful decals applied and A6-EEQ rocked into Auckland as EK434 from Dubai and Brisbane 13 April much to the surprise of the aircraft enthusiasts brigade. It departed on the return journey to Brisbane and Dubai as EK435.

A6-EEQ has been a regular visitor to NZ configured for the Australasian market so no doubt it will be back.

On the take off roll, photo supplied. 

AN-74 TK-100 - Northern flight

Learjet 35A VH-LJA

Air Affairs (Australia) PTY Learjet 35A VH-LJA 35A-649 touched down at Whenuapai early afternoon 11 April 2016 from its RAN base Nowra home as 'AJAX64'. 

While it is the first time the Lear has visited our shores as VH-LJA it is an ex long time ZK'er having previously flown as ZK-XVL from February 2003 until December 2015.

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=zk-xvl

Aircraft Services photo

Air Affairs Australia official photo

Corporate Corner

Surprisingly busy for this time of year but the country is rapidly emptying itself of visitors:-

Pilatus PC12 VH-PIL concluded its demonstration trip to New Zealand and departed from Springhill 06 April for Auckland, a quick demo flight, then onto Lord Howe Island, Albury and Adelaide. The aircraft had departed from Wanaka 28 March post the Warbirds airshow and then made its way to Auckland 29 March. On 03 April it flew back to Wellington from Auckland and then to Wanaka 04 April before flying direct to Auckland 05 April where it then conducted a local demonstration flight before heading to Springhill where it overnighted.  

Avesco PTY Embraer EMB-550 Lineage N142GZ departed Christchurch for Queenstown 07 April and then flew onto Mackay via Brisbane 08 April. 

The Flightstar Corp Global 5000 N83FF made its way from Christchurch to Auckland 07 April and then flew out to Honolulu and Champaign, IL on the evening of 08 April. 

Agairnz photo

Lewis Aeronautical Falcon 7X N747RL departed Christchurch for Queenstown 04 April and it flew to Woodbourne and Auckland 06 April. Its visit to Marlborough sparked media interest http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/78631608/billionaire-oil-tycoon-jets-into-marlborough.html

Rod Lewis owns super sailing yacht "M5" currently in dry dock at Devonport and it is home to Carbon Cub N47MV

http://www.nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/ardmore-carbon-cub-clarification.html

The 7X departed Auckland for Papeete and San Antonio, TX 09 April. 

Agairnz photo

Maleth-Aero Boeing BBJ 9H-GGG departed Queenstown 07 April for Papeete.

Francis Dunleavy Eclipse N570RG made its way back to Wanaka from Invercargill 05 April and proceeded north to Nelson 08 April. 

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJX briefly visited Auckland 08 April, arriving from and returning to Essendon.

Ozora Inc/Noevir Holdings Co., Ltd Gulfstream G550 N550GH arrived Auckland 08 April from its Tokyo/Haneda base. 

Agairnz photo