HOP to it

Ardmore-based Helisika Aerospatiale AS350 ZK-HOP was busy on the job removing large swathes of invasive mangroves from the tidal waterways surrounding our local suburb on the edge of the Manukau Harbour. The task started around 8am as the early morning mist started to clear - but the air temperature remained just above zero. No mean task for the pilot having to work with the door off!

As I prepare this post the machine is still working just outside my home office window!

Tasman Crossings

A couple of general aviation aircraft have crossed the Tasman Sea this week. Notably Skyline Aviation's very smart Beech King Air 200 ZK-MFT made its way from Napier to Auckland then to Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast 23 July. Sources indicate its visit to Australia is only temporary so we look forward to its return home.

Cessna 172S VH-ZSD, most recently registered to Basair, flew from Archerfield to Lord Howe and Norfolk Island's 26 July then direct to Auckland 27 July. It is destined for a North Island operator. Meanwhile, six Cessna 172R's have recently been cancelled from the Australian register as exported to New Zealand, namely VH-CNU, EEM, NUU, RQY, RQZ and UUC.

UPDATE - VH-ZSD was registered ZK-CBM with BB Aviation, Fielding. 

B-1 Twilight Afterburner Flybys - Vaporfest!! - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017

Embraer KC390 Completes World Tour

The Embraer KC390 multi-mission transport PT-ZNJ last week concluded its 40 day world tour during with it visited 19 countries and was demonstrated to nine nations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. 

A detailed appraisal of the aircraft's tour can be found HERE

PT-ZNJ arrived into Auckland after dark 10 July from Brisbane and the next morning positioned across to RNZAF base Whenuapai. On 12 July the KC390 conducted a local flight from/to Whenuapai before again positioning to Auckland. From there it departed to Sydney where it overnighted. On 13 July the jet flew to Darwin and U-Tapao, Thailand.

At Brisbane 10 July.

Departing Auckland 11 July, Agairnz photos

B-29s "Doc" and "Fifi" - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017

Gulfstream landing at Palmyra Atoll

A couple of days ago we noted the visit to the remote Pacific Island atoll of Palmyra a Gulfstream III N370JL operated by CINCO Air Charter/Leprino Aviation with the jet arriving from and returning to Honolulu. The island is frequented by aircraft operating from/to Hawaii providing a link with civilisation for the handful of staff stationed with US based The Nature Conservancy Inc.

While trawling the net looking for bits and pieces about the atoll we stumbled upon this video of a visit by a Gulfstream II N227LA, a very frequent visitor to the rudimentary airstrip during the last few years.
http://hnlrarebirds.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/resort-transportations-n227la.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra_Atoll

Project Amelia Earhart - UPDATE #5

N916BL has departed Pago Pago this morning lifting off at 1518UTC heading for an overflight of Howland Island, the supposed last resting place for aviatrix Amelia Earhart. After overflying the island, Brian will set head for the Hawaiian island of Lihue and expects to arrive some 18 hours after departing America Samoa!

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Post from 23 July 2017:

After a successful post maintenance test flight from/to Hamilton on 20 July, N916BL finally departed New Zealand 23 July flying to Pago Pago on the continuation of the around the world journey celebrating Aviatrix Amelia Earhart's flight 80 years ago. Lifting off from Hamilton's runway 18L at 0935, Brian and his trusty Mooney are making their way north with an estimated elapsed time of 10hr 14min making good use of southerly quarter tailwinds at altitudes above 20000ft.

The map below updates Brian's anticipated route home with a visit to EAA Air Venture Oshkosh no longer possible as the event starts this coming week.

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Post from 17 July 2017:

After an extended visit to Hamilton, Brian and his trusty Mooney N916BL have finally embarked lifting off runway 18L at 1056 15 July on the planned 10 hour flight direct to Pago Pago, American Samoa. However from abeam Great Barrier Island (by about 25 miles) Brian did a u-turn and headed back to Hamilton with a maintenance issue and touched down on runway 18L at 1241. Brian's social media video indicated a hope to depart Hamilton around 21 July after repairs have been carried out.

From there they will fly over Howland Atoll (sight of the presumed last resting place of aviatrix Amelia Earhart) before flying onto Lihue on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Intentions are to reach Oshkosh/WI for the annual airventure next weekend.

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Post from 06 July 2017:

Mooney M20K N916BL has embarked on the 6hr 23min flight from Sydney to Hamilton 06 July lifting off from runway 34R at 1050 local time. The aircraft had made the relatively short flight south from Warnervale a few hours earlier. 

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Post from 02 July 2017:

The arrival into Darwin late 30 June 2017 of Mooney N916BL alerted me to an Earthrounder and his mission to follow much of the route flown by aviatrix Amelia Earhart.

Brian Lloyd and his trusty 1979 edition Mooney M20K christened "Spirit" indicate via their website that they will be in NZ (either Hamilton or Auckland) around 06 July for several days - quite possibly for maintenance check at Hamilton as per a couple of earlier Earthrounders - Lancair N6ZQ springs to mind. 

Plenty of online resource to see what the project is all about:

http://projectameliaearhart.org/

http://hflink.com/flight/

ATR Visitors to Nelson

As Virgin Australia rejigs its regional domestic network in Australia, the airline has withdrawn the ATR72 series 500 turboprop from service, instead opting for an arrangement through Alliance Airlines to provide capacity with Fokker 70/100's on short haul sectors around Queensland. 

http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/04/virgin-to-end-turboprop-operations-in-queensland-as-atr-fleet-reduced/

http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/05/alliance-airlines-adds-new-routes-in-queensland-as-virgin-prepares-to-close-brisbane-atr-base/

Air New Zealand Regional Maintenance Nelson division is currently home to two of the now retired Virgin ATR72-500 aircraft following the arrival of VH-FVH MSN954 from Brisbane as VOZ9948 on 16 June 2017 followed by VH-FVL MSN974 on 18 July 2017, also as VOZ9948. 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/89990230/Air-NZ-contract-for-Virgin-Australia-planes-to-be-serviced-in-Nelson

VH-FVH was delivered to Brisbane 18 August 2011 as SXI1131 while VH-FVL arrived in Perth on 17 October 2011 as SXI1147 before flying direct to Brisbane the following day as VOZ082S. 

VH-FVH parked at Nelson last week. 

In addition to the two Virgin ATR's, Air Caledonie ATR72-212A (500) 

F-OIPS arrived in Nelson back on 20 June 2017 from Noumea as TPC7202. 

Mid Winter Entertainment

For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere suffering mid winter blues, take some time to check out the action at this year's EAA Airventure Oshkosh where the world's largest gathering of aircraft is taking place this week.

While the show has yet to kick-off, the arrivals are already streaming in.

Lots of live webcam coverage available via the EAA website, click HERE. There is also a webcam streaming live during the airshow segments.

Live ATC is always well worth listening in on and it can be found HERE
Check out the NOTAM booklet for some light reading on the procedures around flying in/out of the venue and nearby airports -  NOTAM booklet

Also check out www.flightradar24.com and note the large number of aircraft now ADSB equipped.

Remember the time difference between NZ and Oshkosh, 7 hours unfortunately, so the best time for watching/listening is in the morning for us. So for example at 6am Sunday NZ time its 1pm Saturday at Oshkosh.

Dreamliner increasing its Portfolio

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is soon to complete three years of service with Air New Zealand and as seasonal schedule changes the type's portfolio of airports visited has increased to soon see it flying to 21 destinations. 

All Black ZK-NZE kicked off the type's entry to service on 09 August 2014 flying between Auckland and Sydney - a now well trodden route for the Dreamliner. Its route network grew to include Melbourne and Perth and for a time periodic visits to Brisbane. Cairns has joined the list of Australian ports from 29 June as seasonal demand see's people escaping the Kiwi winter. Services to Adelaide are due to start 26 October following a one off promotional flight scheduled on 28 July (operated by ZK-NZC as NZ191/192).  

Around the Pacific the Dreamliner is now a common sight in Nadi, Tonga, Apia, Rarotonga and Papeete while Asia sees the type regularly visit Narita, Shanghai/Pudong and Singapore with seasonal flights to Bali and Ho Chi Minh recently starting and a thrice weekly schedule from Auckland to Tokyo/Haneda kicked off 21 July with the All Black ZK-NZE operating the first NZ91. 

ZK-NZE arriving in Auckland 24 June 2017 sporting its white nose cone!

So far the only destinations in the Americas have been Honolulu and Buenos Aires (and a brief foray in operating Auckland-Los Angeles back in 2015). However, from 8 December the yet to be delivered ZK-NZL and ZK-NZM, configured with 27 business, 33 premium economy and 204 economy seats, will commence services to Houston replacing Boeing 777-200's. 

Potentially an Unfortunate Outcome

The unfortunate death of a New Zealand woman at the famous Maho Beach on the island of Sint Maarten while "fence surfing" at the threshold of the island's Princess Juliana International Airport created headlines around the world. The location has become a mecca for tourists and plane spotters alike who enjoy the thrill of not only being at an amazing beach but also experiencing a wide variety of aircraft types coming and going at the busy airport. Signs at either side of the runway threshold clearly warn of the risks associated with standing immediately behind departing aircraft but given the novelty element these are frequently dismissed.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/94715628/kiwi-woman-killed-watching-plane-take-off-on-caribbean-island

As a consequence of this fatality, island authorities are seriously considering the closure of the important Beacon Hill road that skirts between Maho Beach and the runway 10 threshold and seeking an alternative route to the homes and businesses located opposite the airport. 

http://smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/26622-beacon-hill-entrance-will-be-re-routed-to-avoid-fatalities-and-injuries-due-to-jet-blast.html

While the 747 is longer a feature at SXM, the large crowds still assemble to enjoy the experiences of this location. 

United States Boeing B-1 Lancer Bomber powerful takeoff Impressive Jet e...

2016 Quest Kodiak For Sale

Kia Orana!

Big shout out to Ewan Smith who has sent us this magic shot of Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZJ arriving on finals for runway 26 at Rarotonga 15 July (local date).  Oh to be escaping winter and arriving in the Cooks to soak up some sun like the lucky passengers on this bird!

Aloha!

An interesting view of two Air New Zealand aircraft at Honolulu 14 July local date! 

The Boeing 777-200 in the foreground, ZK-OKF,  had arrived into Honolulu around dawn after a direct flight from Brisbane as NZ1930 and departed after 4 hours heading to Auckland as NZ1395.

Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZK is in the background after arriving from Auckland on the scheduled NZ10. 

Thanks to Jonathan Rankin for this unique shot!

Low Profile Visitor

United States Air Force Boeing C32B (757-23A) 02-4452 has spent a couple of days parked at Whenuapai having arrived from Richmond 13 July and departing 15 July for Pago Pago under the callsign "SPICY71".

Thanks to Aircraft Services for braving the shocking elements!

Classic New Zealand Aviation

B737-800 Flight Deck - The amazing Queenstown, New Zealand RNP Approach

Very smoky departure ! B-52 Stratofortress impressive take-off

Embraer KC390 PT-ZNJ

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer military transport KC390 airlifter PT-ZNJ arrived to a dark and damp Auckland evening 10 July after crossing the Tasman from Brisbane. As this post goes to air, the KC390 should have made its way across to Whenuapai for demonstration to NZDF personnel.

And first thing 10 July at Brisbane, under far more pleasant conditions!

Qantas Heavies

With the British and Irish Lions rugby series concluding its NZ tour, primary event sponsor Qantas has deployed Boeing 747-400's to assist with not only the departure of the sports team but also the army of supporters. 

Two Boeing 747-400's visited Auckland 09 July with VH-OJT operating QF141/144 from/to Sydney followed by VH-OEH operating as QF145/148, again from/to Sydney. VH-OEH returned to Auckland 10 July as QF141/144. Meanwhile, Airbus A330-200 VH-EBN visited Auckland on the afternoon of 10 July operating the QF145/148 services.

Today VH-OEB is inbound to Auckland as QF141. 

Quest Kodiak Amphib N181KQ

Quest Aircraft Kodiak amphibian N181KQ has traversed the Australian continent on what appears to be a delivery flight. The smartly painted 2016 edition utility turbine arrived at Perth 06 July after a 11hr 20min flight from Cocos Island having the previous day flown for 12hr 47min from Male. On 07 July the Kodiak made a relatively short flight heading to Adelaide in in 6hr 55min. Another long haul journey was flown 09 July as N181KQ departed Adelaide early morning for the relatively quick 8hr flight to Norfolk Island and this morning its departed the remote island heading northeast. 

N181KQ at Perth, photo copyright P Johnston 

Still a contender? - UPDATE NUMBER TWO

The demonstration aircraft, PT-ZNJ, is closing in on New Zealand with it transiting Port Hedland mid afternoon 09 July arriving from Kuala Lumpur and continuing onto Brisbane arriving in the early hours of 10 July. This airframe had been on static display at the Paris Air Show as pictured below.

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Posted 23 June 2017

Australian Aviation posted the following article 22 June confirming the anticipated visit by the Embraer KC390 next month - CLICK HERE

Subject aeroplane, PT-ZNJ, at this week's Paris Air Show, photos supplied. 

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Posted 17 June 2017

The NZ Defence Force airlift transport replacement appears to be still on going with the prospects of Lockheed J model Hercules as the most likely replacement for the 50+ year old H model Hercules currently in service. The Boeing C17 Globemaster III and Airbus A400M have been demonstrated to the RNZAF in recent times however given their size, complexity and price it seems highly unlikely either are serious contenders - unless of course there happens to be some early model C17's coming on the market.

All that said, the Brazilian Embraer KC390 has been on the radar as an option for the Hercules replacement and NZ media outlets have given the twin-jet considerable coverage:

 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11753374

https://36th-parallel.com/2017/04/12/brazil-enters-the-military-airlift-market-with-new-zealand-as-a-target/

And thanks to Tim G for pointing out a Flightglobal article published earlier this week outlining the KC390's visit to the Paris Air Show and the statement it is destined for New Zealand as part of its global tour.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/kc-390-tour-kicks-off-with-swedish-evaluation-438231/

Postcard from Fiji

Sincere thanks to Richard Currie for sending in these great shots taken while on vacation in Fiji late June 2017.

Kokomo Yaukave Resort's Twin Otter DQ-OMO (another amphib Twin Otter N153QS was also at Nadi)
http://twinotterspotter.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/923-c-fvgy-set-to-depart-for-fiji.html

Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 H4-BUS resting in the magical Fiji sunshine. 

Gulfstream G550 N62MS, operated by GECAS, parked up at Fiji. 

Air Nuigini operate Boeing 737's and Fokker 100's on their twice weekly Port Moresby-Honiara-Nadi return services. Here we see -800 P2-PXC. 

As previously blogged, soon to be no more Virgin Samoa Boeing 737-800 VH-YID. The aircraft is operated as part of the regular Virgin fleet and not dedicated to Pacific Island activities. 

Global Express VQ-BCC arrived into Nadi from Melbourne. Operated by Jet Aviation Business Jets/Hong Kong. 

Red Letter Day for Garden City

Over the years Christchurch International Airport has severed as an alternative destination for wide body airliner's heading to Auckland. It is standard practice for an alternate to be planned in the event of unforeseen circumstances, especially to airports with single runways. 

There have been numerous occasions where multiple diversions have taken place however these events are now extremely rare especially with the advent of category III instrument landing system at Auckland allowing the majority of jet aircraft to operate in low visibility situations. 

However this landing aid was not match to the fierce weather conditions encountered across Auckland during the late afternoon of 06 July during the  international hub time of 1700. A line of slow moving thunderstorms with associated torrential downpours, medium sized hail and squally winds drifted aimlessly from the Tasman Sea and walloped the region for almost an hour swamping everything in its path. Multiple domestic jet and turboprop aircraft diverted to various destinations or returned to their point of origin.

Christchurch though was the recipient of no less than 7 wide body international diversions who, with limited ability to hold, were forced to divert south for fuel. 

Thanks to Tim Gorman for providing the following:

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKG as NZ104 Sydney-Auckland arrived Christchurch 1751

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKE as NZ136 Brisbane-Auckland arrived Christchurch 1802

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKM as NZ53 Nadi-Auckland arrived Christchurch 1809

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKC as NZ80 Hong Kong-Auckland arrived Christchurch 1824

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKO as NZ124 Melbourne-Auckland arrived Christchurch 1827

China Southern Airlines Airbus A330-200 B-6532 as CZ305 Guangzhou-Auckland arrived Christchurch 1804

China Airlines Airbus A330-300 B-18357 as CAL51 Sydney-Auckland arrived Christchurch 1811

BOXER43

United States Air Force/Air National Guard Boeing 737-7BC BBJ (C40C) 02-0203 arrived in Whenuapai late 02 July from Hickam as "BOXER43". The jet's visit was brief with it departing mid afternoon 03 July for Sydney.

02-0203, MSN 33434, made its first flight back on 26 August 2002 initially registered N109QS indicating it may well have been built for Netjets. It was then registered N703BC in mid September 2003 before moving the USAF in January 2004. 

File photo - 02-0203 at Christchurch summer 2015. 

Seeing Double!

During the last couple of months we have made mention of the visiting helicopters associated with the making of the movie "Mission Impossible 6" being made in the Central Otago region. 

An interesting photo slipped into our email inbox yesterday morning of Airbus Helicopters H125 (commonly known as the AS350 Squirrel!) N322AH resting at Wanaka 03 July 2017. Strangely not one but two N322AH's in the photo!! 

Thanks to our fantastic source @ Wanaka, the real N322AH is in the foreground with the interesting apparatus set-up while the "stunt double" with the luggage pod is Helicopter Queenstown's AS350B2 ZK-IWE very well disguised and even featuring the H125 designator on the tail. 

These two were part of a flock of ten helicopters including EC145 N145UH, three Otago Helicopters BK117's, EC130T2 ZK-IMW, AS350's ZK-IDT, IOJ plus one other. The gaggle had landed in Wanaka due to inclement weather preventing them from reaching their destination. 

Make an Offer!

Google/Blue City Holdings Boeing 767-200ER N2767, ex Qantas VH-EAQ, is on the market and its for sale listing (link below) makes for some interesting viewing!

The wide body corporate has visited NZ on a number of occasions over the years, however harking back we see its last time here was in mid October 2013 when it spent 5 days parked in Auckland arriving from and returning to Nadi.

Records show over the last decade the 767 has made several visits to Nadi and Papeete, plus conducted trips to Rarotonga, Port Vila, Koror, Guam and Christchurch.

https://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/18577561/boeing-767-200er

N2767 on layover at Auckland October 2013. 

Corporate Corner 01 June - 30 June 2017

ANZA/Tyremax Challenger 604 N604AU returned to NZ 01 June arriving at Palmerston North from Sydney via Auckland and Tauranga. It departed Palmerston North early 07 June flying over the reverse route back to Australia. N604AU returned to Auckland from Sydney 09 June and flew onto Tauranga and Palmerston North. It departed Palmerston North 14 June for Tauranga, Auckland and Sydney. Repeating its flying from earlier in the month, N604AU flew from Sydney to Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North and Christchurch 22 June then back to Palmerston North in the early hours of 23 June. It departed Palmerston North 27 June heading direct to Sydney. The Challenger was back in NZ skies 29 June arriving at Palmerston North from Sydney via Auckland and Napier. 

Villages Equipment Co. Falcon 900EX N900YP concluded its week long visit to Queenstown and made its way to Rotorua 03 June. It departed Rotorua early 07 June for Auckland and Honolulu. 

Business Aviation Solutions Challenger 604 VH-BLM made a brief visit to Auckland after dark 04 June arriving from the Gold Coast and Bundaberg then headed back to the Gold Coast.

Avjet Corporation/Odin Aviation Gulfstream 4 N808T arrived to a very frosty Queenstown 09 June from Nadi. Operated on behalf of movie star Tom Cruise who is the leading actor in the movie "Mission Impossible 6". The last time this jet visited NZ was August 2009 when it spent a night in Wellington.
The Gulfstream made its way to Auckland from Queenstown 19 June and returned south 23 June. It then flew back to Auckland from Queenstown 26 June. N808T departed Auckland on return to Queenstown 30 June however inclement weather saw the Gulfstream divert to and remain at Dunedin.

Soon after its unexpected arrival in Dunedin. 

Revesco Gulfstream 4 VH-TXS made an early morning arrival at Auckland 12 June when it jetted in from Perth. It returned to Perth departing Auckland mid afternoon the same day.

Avwest Global Express N599CH arrived in Auckland 12 June from Brisbane having crossed from Perth the previous day. It flew to Queenstown 15 June. From Queenstown direct to Papeete then onto Bora Bora 17 June. Two days later it flew back to Papeete and then to Dallas/Love Field. It arrived in Rarotonga 30 June (local date) from Los Angeles.

Mellowing in the Cook Island sunshine 30 June 2017. 

Zettajet Global 5000 N588ZJ arrived in Auckland late 12 June from Singapore/Seletar where it had spent the night having jetted in from Anchorage the previous day. From Auckland to Melbourne 15 June and onto Adelaide 17 June before continuing to Brisbane 19 June and Sydney 20 June.

Kayne Andersen Capital Advisors Global Express N801KF arrived in Auckland 13 June from Los Angeles via a techstop at Pago Pago. From Auckland to Brisbane and Ballina 15 June. The Global returned to Auckland 16 June from Ballina via the Gold Coast. The Californian based Global crossed the Tasman again when it flew from Auckland to Essendon, Hobart and the Gold Coast 18 June. It departed for Pago Pago and Los Angeles 21 June.

Airstar Corp Gulfstream 4SP N620JH arrived in Hamilton late afternoon 15 June from Kona and Pago Pago. The Gulfstream visited Hamilton in mid June 2010 coinciding with the Field Days event. It departed Hamilton for Apia and Kona 17 June.

Pratt Aviation Global Express VH-FGJ arrived Wellington late morning 19 June from Essendon. After a few hours on the ground the Global pressed onto Auckland. It returned to Essendon 20 June.

Vista Equity Partners Global Express N283DM has returned to NZ arriving in Christchurch early 20 June from San Diego via a techstop in Papeete as "Twylight 66". The Global flew onto Queenstown 21 June then to Auckland 22 June. From there it departed 27 June heading to Kona/HI.

Touch Lucky Investments Gulfstream G550 N588PX arrived in Auckland mid afternoon 23 June direct from Shanghai. It flew onto Queenstown 24 June then to Christchurch and Singapore/Changi 26 June.

Cessna/Textron Citationjet CJ3+ N485CZ arrived in Auckland from Brisbane 24 June. The aircraft is on a demonstration tour of the region and had arrived in Archerfield 21 June from Jakarta/Halim via Darwin and conducted a local flight 22 June. It then flew to Brisbane Wellcamp, Camden and Brisbane 23 June. On 26 June the CJ3+ flew a demonstration flight from/to Auckland before heading to Christchurch where two more flights were conducted. It departed for Sydney, Bankstown and Forbes 27 June. It exited Australia 30 June departing Darwin for Manado and Manila.

Arriving Auckland post demonstration flight 26 June 2017. 

Crown Global Express VH-CCV briefly visited Auckland 25 June arriving from Melbourne and departing for Sydney. The Global returned to Auckland from Sydney 30 June.

Sky Castle Developments Gulfstream G550 VP-CEM operating as BWJ988 arrived in Dunedin 30 June having diverted from Queenstown after early departured Sydney. The 550 arrived Sydney 24 June from Hong Kong and made a round trip to Dubbo and back 28 June. First visit to Australasia for this aircraft.