MRC Aviation: 06/2017

The last Boeing 767 to leave the Air New Zealand fold has exited the motherland with -319ER ZK-NCG lifting off from Auckland 28 June on its journey to Alice Springs for storage using the same callsign as ZK-NCI a few days ago, ANZ6011. The aircraft was broadcasting N730WE via its Flightradar24 tracker alluding to its future identity.

ZK-NCG was withdrawn from service in late March 2017.

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2017/03/air-new-zealand-boeing-767-300-zk-ncg.html

Thank you to Jonathan Rankin for being on location to catch the last Air NZ 767 departure under a stunning bluedome winter's day.

Air New Zealand's Boeing 767-319ER ZK-NCI escaped a cold, soggy Auckland 24 June on its "delivery" flight to Alice Springs as NZ6011.

The Boeing had the honour of operating the last 767 service for the airline on 31 March 2017.

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2017/03/air-new-zealand-boeing-767-300-zk-nci.html

Departing Christchurch 03 June for the 7hr 40min flight direct to Lord Howe Island was the Glaister Farms Ltd of Balclutha Piper PA32-300 ZK-OMT. This aircraft, C/N 32-40927, has been a NZ resident since 17 October 1986 when it was first registered ZK-ECV and this changed to ZK-OMT in February 2003. ~~Not sure if this is an export or not.~~

Obviously not an export as the PA32 was noted at numerous Queensland locations before departing Archerfield for Lord Howe Island 24 June then direct to Christchurch 25 June.

ZK-OMT at the Healthy Bastards event, Omaka summer 2017.

Beechcraft King Air 300LW ZK-SMC FA-46 has been on the Kiwi register for just under 12 months initially registered to Total Entertainment Solutions however transferred to US based Airplane Connection Corporation on 01 June 2017. On 02 June 2017 the King Air flew from Hamilton to Ardmore where it conducted some circuits and then headed back to Hamilton. Then 03 June 2017 it positioned to Auckland from where it departed direct to Rarotonga on what is understood to be a delivery flight to the Americas.

Previous posts on the King Air can be found HERE

ZK-SMC crossing the numbers for runway 03 at Ardmore 02 June 2017.

Making its debut flight from US soil 23 June 2017 USA date was the De Havilland Mosquito N959TV ex ZK-FHC. Delivered to owner Paul Allen and his Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum at Paine Field, Seattle, the Mosquito has undergone extensive work including painting into its stunning scheme since arriving via an ocean crossing container adventure.

We had extensive coverage of the aircraft's time at Ardmore and this can be found HERE

NASA's Boeing 747SP N747NA SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) arrived in Christchurch late morning 23 June 2017 for its fourth deployment to New Zealand. The unique Jumbo had departed its Palmdale/CA home the previous evening with a techstop at Honolulu.

The first visit by SOFIA was back in 2013, followed by 2015 and 2016.

Bell 204B VH-EQF, operated by Summit Logging, arrived in New Zealand during August 2016 (see original post below). It was destroyed following an inflight fire and autorotation west of Lake Taupo 21 June 2017 as per the media report HERE.

The dark green tailboom and barely visible registration in the media report helped identify the unfortunate airframe.

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Original post from 07 August 2016:

Eagle-eyed (and eared!) Agairnz was presented with a conundrum mid aftenoon 04 August and the sound and then sight of an Iroquious making its way southbound via the eastern fringe of Ardmore Aerodrome. Thanks to Delticman and the Wings over New Zealand forum the "mystery" was quickly solved and the helicopter identified as the Bell 204B VH-EQF. The medium lift chopper was listed with South West Helicopters PTY of Cootamundra, NSW as recently as mid July however has been an Australian resident since 2014.

The big Bell had crossed the Tasman Sea via Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island and 04 August presumably saw it fly from Norfolk to Kerikeri for customs clearance then southbound to points unknown.

resting at Lord Howe Island, Planecrazy photo
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/20093/lord-howe-island-visitors?page=7

Sichuan Airlines is the latest Chinese operator to commence scheduled services to Auckland entering the market 13 June with a thrice-weekly service from Sichuan Province capital city Chengdu.

The airline, founded in 1986, operate a fleet of 123 Airbus family aircraft of with 6 are the ever popular Airbus A330-200 configured with 36 business class and 209 economy class seats. The first service was flown by their most recently delivered Airbus A330-200 B-8962 with it delivered to Chengdu on 21 April this year.

Operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 3U8909 is scheduled to arrive Auckland at 1845 and 3U8910 departs at 2010 so we'll have to wait until late September when daylight savings returns to normally grab photos of these visitors!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/89633732/sichuan-airlines-to-become-next-chinese-airline-to-serve-new-zealand

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11874774

Ho hum shot of the first visit about to line up for departure.

The New Zealand population of Cessna 207's has now reduced to a single unit following the sale and subsequent export of ZK-MDZ, now registered to South Australian interests as VH-EVB.

Most recently operated by Ardmore based Flight Hauraki, ZK-MDZ was first registered in New Zealand as ZK-SAL with Salt Air November 2004 until its re-registration in October 2009. It flew from Ardmore to Fielding in late May and was de-registered 26 May to take up its new VH markings. It headed back to Ardmore 07 June and from there flew to Kerikeri 09 June ahead of its Tasman Sea crossing via Lord Howe Island to the Gold Coast and onto Ballina.

NZ's last surviving Cessna 207 is ZK-FQY with Southern Alps Air of Wanaka.

For more on the history of ZK-MDZ be sure to click HERE

Above and below - VH-EVB at Fielding 05 June 2017. First photo with previous operator titles, second photo without.

Parked at Ardmore 07 June soon after its arrival from Fielding.

Fijian flag carrier Fiji Airways has recently introduced a special decal/logo to its jet fleet to promote the nation's status as presidency of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) to be held in November this year.

For more on the subject click HERE

Aircraft Services photos

An interesting delivery to New Zealand over the weekend was the distinctively configured Reims/Cessna FA337F Super Skymaster VH-FCO touching down at Kerikeri 10 June from Norfolk Island. The push/pull twin had flown from the Gold Coast to Lord Howe Island 08 June before the hop to Norfolk on the 9th.

Photos taken at Lord Howe Island

There has been a number of Skymasters in New Zealand over the years however just two are current on the register:

ZK-DFT based in Dunedin

ZK-FZA hangared at Ardmore but I've not seen this machine outside for a number of years

VH-FCO was registered to Cromwell-based Landpro Ltd on 31 July 2017, aptly registered ZK-SVY (SurVeY).

Ardmore-based New Zealand Warbirds Association host a handful of open days each year and their most recent event was staged 04 June 2017 to coincide with D Day commemorations.

A stunning winter's day with clear skies and light winds greeted the large crowds who assembled for the practice air displays at 11.00am and 1.30pm along with a wide range of aviation and military static displays.

The low sun angle made for challenging photographic conditions so herewith just a smattering of snaps taken during the first practice display routine. Additional photographic coverage can be found HERE

Recently re-registered BE2e-1 ZK-VCM (Victoria Cross Medal) took to the skies for its first public display.

Partially dismantled Bristol Freighter ZK-EPG was towed for the northwest corner of the airfield to be on static display.

The first visit to the South Pacific region by a Bombardier CSeries CS300 airliner took place earlier this week when FTV8 (Flight Test Vehicle) C-FFDO MSN 55002 spent a few days at Papeete.

The aircraft arrived at Papeete 02 June from Honolulu as BDA508 and then had a lay day 03 June. On 04 June it embarked on an ETOPS proving flight departing Papeete for a notional flight to Brisbane but as anticipated, and while just west of the Tongan island of Vavau, it "diverted" back to Papeete. From there it departed 05 June heading back to Honolulu then presumably home to Canada.

(local dates quoted)

The CSeries of narrow body airliners was officially launched in mid 2008 following an earlier delay due to market conditions. The CS300 has a planned capacity of 130-160 seats and the type took flight for the first time on 27 February 2015 while the example visiting Tahiti had its first flight on 20 January 2016.

The CS300 launch customer was Air Baltic and their first aircraft, YL-CSA, entered service 14 December 2016.

Continuation of a post made on 12 May 2017:

Airbus Helicopters Ltd EC145 (aka BK117 C-2) N145UH was observed arriving at Ardmore 15 May 2017 and after reassembly by Airbus it departed 29 May 2017 for Whanganui, Omaka, Rangiora and Queenstown. Its journey south indicates its participation with the making of the movie "Mission Impossible 6".

As mentioned below, Eurocopter A350B3 N322AH arrived in early May and it flew to Queenstown 25 May via Whanganui and Omaka. It has since been noted on numerous occasions via Flightradar 24 operating in the Central Otago district.

Thanks to Agairnz for the accompanying photos.

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It is not unusual to have foreign registered helicopters at Ardmore with numerous imports/exports, however for the record keepers out there:

Airbus EC145 N145LL has been a regular visitor to NZ since winter 2015 when it arrived in the region on board super yacht "Senses". It has spent considerable time housed with Airbus Helicopters, Ardmore, and just last month was operating in French Polynesia - it sure gets around! It turned up at Ardmore again just a few days ago.

Ardmore 06 May 2017.

Another N registered Airbus has turned up at Ardmore - this time an AS350B3 N322AH. This 2016 example is reportedly in the country to support the making of "Mission Impossible: 6" and was noted being air freighted from Heathrow to Dubai late April. Perhaps it was delivered to Auckland on board the recent IL76 visitor??

Ardmore 05 May 2017.

The much anticipated (by local media) visit to New Zealand by United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson culminated in a less than four hour layover 06 June with the senior US official and his entourage popping into a wet and blustery Wellington for a handful of meetings as they travelled from Sydney to Pago Pago and Honolulu.

United States Air Force Boeing 737-7DM BBJ 01-0041, designated the C40B in US military service, touched down a smidge before noon 06 June and departed soon after 1530 using the callsign SAM502.

The Secretary of State had been in Australia just a couple of days joining up with the US Secretary of Defense - extensive coverage of the aircraft participating in the Sydney visit can be found HERE

Thanks to Lanzi for braving the less than ideal conditions to catch SAM's arrival in the Capital.

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 08-8203 arrived in Christchurch late morning 31 May after a direct flight from Guam/Andersen as "ICE 81". It departed early morning 01 June for a round trip to Antarctica's Phoenix Field under the same callsign. Mid morning 02 June the C17 departed Christchurch for Richmond and Guam/Andersen as "Reach 5E1".

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing BBJ A36-001 arrived in Wellington just before sunset 31 May from Canberra carrying the Australian Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove. The VIP jet flew north to Auckland mid afternoon 01 June and to Christchurch 02 June. From their the Boeing flew to Invercargill 03 June spending several hours on the ground before continuing home to Canberra.

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III A41-212 arrived in Christchurch after dark 01 June from Sydney where it had spent the previous night having flown in from Darwin as "Stallion 42". After a couple of hours on the ground in Christchurch it flew to its home base of Amberley.
The C17 was delivering NZ troops home from deployment in Iraq.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/332135/nz-troops-return-from-iraq-deployment

Jetstar's latest logo jet was rolled out earlier this week with Airbus A320-232(SL) VH-VFU advertising travel website www.needabreak.com

The aircraft made its NZ debut wearing the decal 01 June when it visited Queenstown on the airline's Gold Coast service and then in and out of Wellington 02 June, again from/to the Gold Coast.

During 2016 VH-VFU wore another decal promoting a clothing brand.

Thanks to Lanzi for these great shots.

Careflight Learjet 45 VH-VVI arrived in Auckland 01 May from Brisbane and Norfolk Island and departed soon after on return to Brisbane. It made a second visit during the reporting period visiting Auckland in the early hours of 09 May arriving from and returning to Brisbane.

Penske Jets Gulfstream G550 N1RP arrived in Auckland 01 May from Honolulu and after spending much of the day in the City of Sails flew south to Christchurch. From there it departed 02 May for Brisbane then to Williamtown and Essendon 03 May. On 05 May it crossed the Australian continent to Perth from where it departed 07 May for Cairns, Honolulu and Pontiac/MI.

Textron Aviation Cessna 750 Citation X+ N510CX touched down in Christchurch around noon 03 May after a sprint across the Tasman Sea from Sydney. The upgraded "Ten" was in the region on a brief demonstration tour and arrived in Brisbane 01 May from Singapore/Seletar via Darwin before heading onto Sydney 02 May. The X+ made its way north to Auckland late afternoon 03 May and departed 04 May for Papeete then 05 May onto Maui/HI.

This particular airframe was built in 2014 and was first operated as N555QB for Private Her Honor Inc on behalf of owner TV celebrity "Judge Judy". It was involved in a weather related ground event during January 2016 http://www.tmz.com/2016/01/17/judge-judy-private-jet-damaged/

http://cessna.txtav.com/en/citation/x

Departing Auckland....VJ photo

And arriving Papeete, PYF Air and Sea Spotter photo

Lifan Group/Minsheng Huatai Aviation Gulfstream G450 B-8291 made its first NZ visit arriving in Christchurch 03 May from Singapore/Seletar via a techstop in Cairns. It departed for Melbourne 05 May then to Sydney 07 May.

ABS Jets Embraer E135 Legacy OK-SUN concluded its NZ visit departing Auckland 04 May for Sydney. It flew onto Darwin and Singapore/Seletar 05-06 May.

East Business Aviation Gulfstream G550 B-8168 made its second NZ visit arriving in Auckland just on 0200 04 May direct from Nanjing having overflown its planned techstop at Cairns. It departed Auckland 05 May on its return to Nanjing, this time via a stop at Cairns.

ANZA/Tyremax/Jetcity Challenger 604 N604AU arrived in Auckland 04 May from Sydney and returned to Sydney the following evening. The Challenger made its way back to Auckland late 12 May from Sydney and after clearing formalities continued onto Palmerston North arriving in the early hours of 13 May. It returned to Auckland from Palmerston North 14 May then flew to Sydney 15 May. From Sydney to Auckland, Tauranga and Palmerston North after dark 25 May. Then to Auckland and back to Palmerston North 26 May. From Palmerston North to Tauranga, Auckland and Sydney 31 May.

Brenzil PTY Falcon 7X VH-CRW spent several hours in Napier 08 May arriving from and returning to Brisbane.

Revesco Gulfstream 4 VH-TXS arrived in Auckland very early 12 May from Sydney. After spending around 12 hours on the ground the GIV departed for Perth.

Sky Color Ltd/Metrojet Gulfstream G550 B-LMF made its first visit to New Zealand arriving Auckland direct from Perth 13 May. It had arrived in Australia at Melbourne on 10 May from Kaohsiung and flew onto Perth 11 May. B-LMF departed Auckland late 14 May for Hong Kong.

Avwest Global Express N599CH arrived in Queenstown 14 May from Sydney. It flew to Invercargill 19 May however weather thwarted its attempt to land and the Global diverted to Christchurch from where it departed a short time later for Perth.

Pratt Aviation Global Express VH-FGJ arrived in Auckland 15 May from Essendon via Bankstown and Sydney. It departed Auckland after dark 16 May on return to Essendon.

Shortly after arriving in Auckland 15 May 2017.

Sunset Aviation Gulfstream 4 N121JJ arrived in Christchurch 15 May from Nadi as TWY123. It flew to Napier and Wellington 18 May then to Auckland 19 May. It headed to Pago Pago 22 May and to Honolulu and Oakland/CA 24 May.

Showing its true colours - charcoal grey - to full effect in the early morning sunlight

Crown Ltd Global Express VH-CCD made its way from Melbourne to Auckland 18 May and after a brief time on the ground flew onto Wellington. It made its way south to Queenstown 19 May. From Queenstown to Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne 21 May.

Arriving Auckland 21 May 2017.

Goonies Co Global Express N2020Q arrived in Auckland 22 May from Tokyo/Haneda as RKS2 (radio callsign "Rockstar Two"). From Auckland to Queenstown and back and onto Haneda all on 23 May.

Arriving Auckland from Haneda 22 May 2017.

Captured during its visit of a few hours at Queenstown 23 May 2017. Photo supplied.

Sunshine Air Services Challenger 604 VH-VLZ arrived in Auckland after sunset 22 May from Essendon. To Wellington and Essendon 24 May.

Capital Airlines Gulfstream G550 B-8261 arrived in Queenstown shortly before sunset 22 May from Noumea having arrived there earlier in the day from Hong Kong. It made the journey from Queenstown to Auckland 24 May and to Macau 26 May.

At Queenstown 23 May 2017 - photo supplied.

Villages Equipment Co. Inc. of Leesburg/FL Falcon 900EX N900YP arrived in Queenstown 24 May from Kona/HI via a techstop at Pago Pago.

Parked at Queenstown 01 June 2017.

Falcon Flight Operations Falcon 50 VH-FOL arrived in Auckland 24 May from Brisbane and Tonga. It departed 25 May for Sydney.

Luft Aviation PTY Global Express N360LA arrived in Napier late 25 May from Sydney. It flew to Queenstown 28 May and then to Sydney and Essendon 29 May.

Marcplan Embraer Legacy VH-VLT arrived in Queenstown 26 May from Essendon and returned to Essendon two days later.

The first Gulfstream G650 to be registered in the Peoples Republic of China and only delivered at the beginning of May arrived in Auckland after dark 29 May. B-3255 MSN 6181, operate by Deer Jet on behalf of owner Bairong Group, arrived after a direct flight from Sanya. The G650ER wears the same tail motif as a regular visitor to Auckland, G550 B-8261. (See earlier blog entry).
According to www.corporatejetinvestor.com it is estimated there are now 30 Gulfstream G650's operating in the greater China region with the majority registered in the Cayman Islands. The Chinese civil aviation regulator, CAAC, certificated the 650 and 650ER in February this year.

SG Aviation Global Express VH-SGA arrived Wellington after dark 30 May from Essendon and departed 31 May for Perth.

Local, NZ based jets have been busy in recent times with a number on overseas "deployments". Falcon 900EX N146EX departed Auckland back in January and has been located in Springfield/IL until earlier this month when it appears to have conducted a test flight 06 May. Springfield is home to a Dassault Falcon maintenance facility. Its since headed across to Italy, Germany, Croatia and France before heading back to the USA and from Scottsdale/AZ to Honolulu 31 May NZ date.

Jetflite's Gulfstream G650 N650AB departed Auckland at the beginning of May flying direct to San Francisco and has since visited Las Vegas, back to San Francisco, onto Portland and Dupage and then across the Atlantic to Farnborough and Nice.

Southern Flight's Challenger 350 N300NZ departed Queenstown in late April and online resource indicate the jet is now visiting numerous locations in India and returned home to Queenstown from Sydney 21 May.

JAK Air's Learjet 60XR ZK-JAK departed Rotorua 20 March for Auckland, Pago Pago and Hilo/HI and continued onto the US mainland where it spent much of April before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and was spotted in Slovakia! On 05 May UK time the Learjet 60 flew from Bratislava to Oxford/Kidlington then onto Shannon from where it departed 07 May for St Johns and Teterboro/NJ. It was noted a few days visiting Fayetteville and Charleston then back to Teterboro but its arrival was thwarted following the very unfortunate fatal crash of Learjet 35A N452DA closed the destination airport and a diversion to White Plains/NY was made. ZK-JAK a day or so later headed back to Teterboro.

Arriving at Oxford/Kidlington.

Pacific Jets Citationjet CJ4 ZK-OCB departed Auckland 07 May for Sydney and Bankstown, presumably for maintenance. It returned to Auckland 13 May.

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