Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-XLR

Back in mid August this year we mentioned the arrival at Tauranga of Pacific Aerospace 750XL VH-XLS MSN 105. After extensive maintenance work the utility aeroplane has exited the hangar at Tauranga now marked as ZK-XLR (eXceLeRate) and registered to Northern Southern Ltd of Otane. 

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2017/08/turbines-across-tasman.html

Tauranga 25 October 2017, photo supplied. 

Meanwhile, another 750XL MSN131 has been showing up on Flightradar24.com located at Napier. Ex Botswana where it flew as A2-POM, the 750 is now registered ZK-ASA with Kiwi Air of Gisborne. Presumably it was shipped to New Zealand?

Pacific Aerospace 750XL Drone Update

Following up from a previous post on the subject, the Pacific Aerospace 750XL drone has taken flight in China!

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/27/c_136710480.htm

Cessna 402B ZK-SVQ

Cessna 402B Utilitiliner ZK-SVQ has been well covered across at the NZ Civil Aircraft blogsite with its history well documented HERE.

It had, until just recently, retained the original factory colour scheme, but it has since had a significant refresh but continues to wear the titles AAM (Australia Aerial Mapping) on the tail and is still operated by Gisborne's Kiwi Air Ltd. 

Hamilton 21 September 2017 

Ardmore 14 January 2017

Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777-200 A6-EFO

Visits to Auckland by Emirates SkyCargo purpose built Boeing 777-200 freighters are not uncommon, but it is unusual for them to remain overnight.

A6-EFO arrived at Auckland early evening 24 October 2017 from Singapore and Sydney as UAE9822 and departed early afternoon 25 October 2017 for Hong Kong under the same flight number.

A6-EFO heads out to the holding point as EK406 from Melbourne, operated by A6-EDB, touches down. 

Air Asia X Airbus A330 9M-XXF - Making The World A Smaller Place

Air Asia X Airbus A330-343 9M-XXF is no stranger to special liveries having previous worn the "Now Everyone Can Fly to Malaysia" decals. It has recently been transformed and is now themed "10 XCITING YEARS - Making The World A Smaller Place". The aircraft made its first visit to Auckland in the new markings 26 October 2017 as XAX206 from Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast where it was centre stage for the airline's 10 year celebration of services to Australia. 

(first Air Asia X service was operated 2 November 2007).

Airvan VH-LPX - UPDATED

Yet another light aircraft has crossed the southern Tasman Sea on delivery to Central Otago. Gippsland GA8 Airvan VH-LPX MSN GA8-06-108 had flown from Latrobe Valley to Essendon late 22 October 2017 and after clearing formalities departed at 2341 local time on its 9hr 22min flight to Queenstown. 

VH-LPX is a 2007 model and its arrival in the country will see the population of Airvans reach 17 airframes, 15 of which are operated in the South Island!

VH-LPX became ZK-SLD 02 November 2017 with Southern Lakes Aviation joining ZK-SLQ and ZK-SLW.

Piper Malibu Mirage VH-BHR

Arriving at Auckland mid afternoon 25 October 2017 was the Piper PA46-350P Malibu Mirage

VH-BHR MSN 46-22019. Having flown from Coffs Harbour to Lord Howe Island 24 October, the Mirage made its way direct to Auckland with a flight time of 4hr 33min. 

The 1989 edition Piper spent a few hours on the ground at Auckland before heading south to Wellington and appears to be on delivery to a local owner.

Arriving at Auckland 25 October 2017. 

Boeing 737-800 ZK-ZQA exits Jetconnect fleet

Boeing 737-838(WL) ZK-ZQA "Jean Batten" has exited the Jetconnect fleet flying its final service under its ZK markings as QFA124 from Auckland to Brisbane 25 October 2017. It was promptly cancelled from the NZ register on the same day as its last flight under the Jetconnect air operators certificate.

Having flown with the Qantas affiliate since delivery in September 2009, ZK-ZQA is heading to the Qantas mainline fleet and will presumably take up its previous identity used for the delivery flight, VH-VZF. 

ZK-ZQA was the 75th Boeing 737 delivered to the Australian Airlines/Qantas Airways Group and this milestone was proudly displayed under the cockpit window below the aircraft's name. 

http://www.aussieairliners.org/b-737/vh-vzf/4621.267.html

The Boeing made its first flight from Renton 31 July 2009 wearing manufacturer test registration N1795B. It was initially registered VH-VZF to VH-VZF Pty Ltd on 05 August 2009 and leased to Qantas as the operator. While wearing its VH marks, the 737 wore the New Zealand flag and "ZQA" on the nosewheel door. It arrived at Melbourne 03 September 2009 as QFA6020 from Boeing Field via Honolulu and Nadi. After pre-service maintenance, it was cancelled from the VH register 16 September 2009 to become ZK-ZQA leased to Jetconnect Ltd. The same day it ferried from Melbourne to Auckland as QFA6021 and on arrival a special ceremony was held to celebrate the New Generation airliner's introduction to the Jetconnect operation and the unveiling of the chosen name "Jean Batten".

ZK-ZQA entered service 17 September 2009 as QFA116 from Auckland to Brisbane. 

http://www.aussieairliners.org/b-737/vh-vzf/vhvzf.html

Cessna 210 N210EU "Beyond Borders" - Updated 24 October 2017

Juan-Peter and Louis positioned the Centurion N210EU from Ardmore across to Auckland on the evening of 23 October and departed soon after 0600 24 October on the journey north to Nadi as their global circumnavigation continues.

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Posted 21 October 2017

Cessna T210L Centurion N210EU touched down at Auckland late afternoon 20 October 2017 after a direct 7hr 45min flight from Sydney. After clearing customs the Centurion made the short hop to Ardmore arriving shortly after 1700. 

The 210 turned up at Broome from Bali 12 October then headed to Alice Springs the next day. Then onto Bankstown 15 October from where they made the short flight to Sydney on the evening of 19 October. 

Flown by Juan-Peter Schulze and accompanied by Youtuber/vlogger Louis Cole, the Centurion is on an around the world journey.

"Beyond Borders" is a 90 day circumnavigation of the world visiting 22 countries. More on their journey, and its focus, can be found on the website https://www.flybeyondborders.com/about

Louis' Youtube channel featuring vlogs of the trip can be found HERE

N210EU over the newly displaced runway 21 threshold at Ardmore 20 October 2017. 

Gulfstream G650 N650AB heads off shore

FAA records updated this week confirmed our suspicion that Auckland based Gulfstream G650 N650AB MSN 6100 has sadly headed off shore with a pending identity change to N999DF. 

N650AB was delivered to Auckland in early December 2014 and operated on behalf of its owners by Jetflight. The jet has visited many locations around the world during its time based at Auckland and stretched its legs with one of its longest flights noted being from London/Luton to Maui. Domestically it visited Wellington a couple of times, Christchurch and Queenstown. 

The top of the line Gulfstream departed Auckland for Singapore/Seletar on 06 September 2017 and conducted a local flight from/to Seletar three days later. 

Previous entries regarding N650AB can be found by clicking HERE

Arriving at Wellington in December 2014, shortly after its delivery to New Zealand. 

Hainan Airlines to Tahiti

Hainan Airlines, headquartered in Haikou, China, have been flying scheduled services between Shenzhen/Boan and Auckland since the end of 2016 fluctuating between 2 and 3 flights per week. 

The expanding carrier is conducting three charter flights to Papeete this month with the first being operated by Airbus A330-200 B-5979. It arrived Auckland on an additional service from Shenzhen during the first hour of 22 October 2017 before departing to Papeete as CHH789 carrying the airline's top managers. The aircraft returned to Auckland mid afternoon as CHH790 to then run a service back to Shenzhen. 

In addition to the A330, Hainan Airlines chartered Deerjet's Boeing 787-8 Business Jet 2-DEER with it arriving into Papeete from Hong Kong.

Some private jet activity, potentially associated with the Hainan Airlines activity, saw Deerjet Gulfstream G550 B-8255 arrive at from Peking via a techstop at Nadi and another Deerjet Gulfstream G550 B-8259 arrived at Bora Bora from Morristown/NJ via a techstop at Los Angeles.  A third Deerjet Gulfstream G550 B-8126 arrived at Bora Bora from Bedford/MA, also via a techstop at Los Angeles. 

The charter flights are no doubt a precursor to scheduled services between China and Tahiti where the Hainan conglomerate owns two major resorts - The Hilton Moorea and Saint Regis Bora Bora.

Coverage of the visit can be found on the PYF Sky and Sea facebook page (should be viewable without having to sign-in)
https://www.facebook.com/skyandseainformationregion/

B-5979 touches down runway 04 Papeete, PYF Sky and Sea photo 

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-SFX

B&B No. 2 PTY Ltd Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-SFX cleared customs formalities at Kerikeri 20 October 2017 having arrived from Norfolk Island. It soon after departed for Whangarei where it overnighted before heading to Queenstown and then Wanaka 21 October. It is reportedly to become ZK-PDZ - marks still worn by a FU24 jumpship.

The 208 had flown from its Woolongong home to Lord Howe Island via the Gold Coast 18 October then onto Norfolk Island 19 October. 

This 1991 example was delivered to Australia as N250BZ in November 2016. 

VH-SFX during its brief visit to Lord Howe Island. 

And parked up at Wanaka 22 October 2017, S Bunting photo

Ice Season 2017/18 Warming Up - Updated

Supply aircraft for the 2017/18 Antarctic season are locating themselves at Christchurch with the USAF aircraft being joined by Safair's Lockheed L100 Hercules ZS-JIV. The stretched Herk arrived from Adelaide as SFR534 on the evening of 18 October 2017 to support the Italian research deployment to Terra Nova. The first trip south was conducted 24 October. 

The C17 Globemaster 08-8199 has now conducted 6 runs to Phoenix Field and it was joined on the Deep Freeze ramp at Christchurch 19 October by C17 Globemaster 01-0192 with this aircraft arriving from Hickam as RCH342. It departed under the same flight number back to Hickam 21 October and soon after passed C17 Globemaster 96-0005 inbound to Christchurch from Hickam as RCH804. 96-0005 departed Christchurch 23 October on its return to Hickam.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Challenger N86 arrived in Christchurch from Pago Pago 20 October and will head to the ice early next week.

German Quartet

A unique quartet of German registered light aircraft turned up at Auckland on the evening of 19 October 2017. On an around the world journey, the aircraft first turned up in the region a few days ago initially as a two/two grouping with Citation Mustang D-IJHO and TBM900 D-FSBG arriving at Honiara from Pohnpei 14 October followed the next day by Piper PA31T Cheyenne II D-INFO and Citation 551 D-IHAG. 

They all flew from Honiara to Noumea 16 October where they remained until 19 October when three departed for Norfolk Island and Auckland while the TBM900 D-FSBG flew direct.

First of type visitor - Quest Kodiak - UPDATED

Having sat idle at Ardmore since July, Quest Aircraft Kodiak N181KQ departed 20 October 2017 on an IFR, 28 minute flight across to Auckland. After clearing formalities, the Kodiak departed for Norfolk Island and Cairns on its westward journey to Greece. It flew onto Darwin 21 October then to Bali 22 October. 

Ardmore 30 July 2017. 

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=n181kq

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Post from 18 July 2017

The first visit to New Zealand by a Quest Aircraft Kodiak single engine turbine was made on the afternoon of 17 July when amphibious configured example N181KQ MSN 100-0181 touched down in Auckland after a direct flight from Nukualofa, Tonga. After clearing formalities the Kodiak, temporarily fitted with a long range fuel tank,  made the short flight across to Ardmore. It is understood the aircraft is in the country for a month or so and may remain at Ardmore for the duration. 

The type first flew on 16 October 2004 and while none are operated in Australia, seven examples are flown by two operators in Papua New Guinea. 

We have featured the Kodiak a number of times on the blog, click HERE to be taken to the posts, and NZ Civil Aircraft has the aircraft's arrival at Ardmore covered HERE

In recent days N181KQ has been observed flying between Vavau and Nukualofa, Tonga. 

http://questaircraft.com/the-kodiak/overview/

BAe 125-800B ZK-RJI

As mentioned in the post announcing the arrival of a Citationjet CJ3+ for Sir Robert Jones, we talked of the jets previously operated on behalf of the Wellington based businessman and this included the second-hand Citation C510 "High Sierra" Mustang ZK-RJZ and before that a BAe 125.

It is 30 years to the month that Sir Robert took delivery of a brand new BAe 125-800B registered ZK-RJI MSN 258082. The distinctively painted jet was operated by from October 1987 through until February 1991 when it was exported to the USA where it became N499SC. Over the following years it wore N90ME, N601BA and N800S before reaching Mexico in early 2012 becoming XA-ASH.

ZK-RJI at Timaru, 1990. 

http://www.nebrig.com/files/specification_sheets/Hawker%20258082%20SPC.pdf

At the time, ZK-RJI kept company with three more BAe 125's in NZ

ZK-EUI MSN 258058

ZK-MRM MSN 258074

ZK-TCB MSN 258001

Stored Virgins at Nelson

The four Virgin Australia ATR72-500's stored at Nelson have taken up a new location on the airport with a make shift parking area constructed south of the main terminal/ramp area as depicted in the accompanying Google Earth image. Each aircraft now has protective wrap over them however as can be seen from the accompanying photos it seems a little more is needed on some than others. 

For the record:

VH-FVH arrived 16 June 2017

VH-FVL arrived 18 July 2017

VH-FVM arrived 11 September 2017

VH-FVU arrived 21 September 2017

Thanks to Terry for the photos all taken 18 October 2017

30TH ODF season for the 109th

This summer Antarctic season marks the 30th Operation Deep Freeze deployment for the New York Air National Guard 109th Air Wing. 

From the 109th website:

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. -- 

The hum of an LC-130 Skibird taking off on a crisp upstate New York morning marked the 109th Airlift Wing’s annual migration south on Oct. 17.

Two LC-130 aircrews, transporting supplies and equipment, began the first leg of a five-leg journey to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to provide logistical support to the National Science Foundation.

The primary mission of the New York Air National Guard's 109th AW is to provide airlift within Antarctica to support science research.

The wing flies the LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft; the only one of its kind in the U.S. military, able to land on snow and ice.

The U.S. military provides logistics support with ships and aircraft to the National Science Foundation annually under the designation Operation Deep Freeze.

These aircraft were the third and fourth to depart from the base here. The first and second flew out on Oct. 13 and 16.

Flying in the Antarctic is challenging, according to LC-130 pilots.

“The weather is our biggest challenge there, if a storm rolls in you can’t take off,” said Maj. Suzanne Nielson, LC-130 pilot.

“There’s always something that comes up over the year but our training prepares us for anything,” said Col. Robert Donaldson, 109th Maintenance Group commander.

The start of this season coincides with the first week of Col. Michele Kilgore’s command of the 109th AW. Kilgore took command of the wing during a ceremony Oct. 15.

“What a great way to start my first week,” said Kilgore. “It’s great to be a part of such a unique mission.”

Kilgore is slated to go for the first time in support of ODF later on this season.

Approximately 120 Airmen will be deployed on the ice at any one time with about 500 Airmen deploying throughout the season. Five aircraft will provide support.

Throughout the ODF support season, which runs through February, the wing plans to fly between 200 and 250 missions.

During the 2016-17 season, the 109th flew an estimated 2,550 researchers and support staff plus about 3 million pounds of cargo and 2 million pounds of fuel to research stations across the continent.

Operation Deep Freeze is the military component of the U.S. Antarctic Program. The 109th has supported the National Science Foundation since 1988 and been the sole provider of this type of airlift since 1999.

LC130 Hercules 76-3301 trundled into Christchurch late afternoon 17 October 2017 from Pago Pago as "Skier 71" joining LC130 Hercules 92-1095 that has been on heavy maintenance with Air New Zealand since earlier this year and has been noted conducting a handful of shakedown flights. 

Coming Home - Fletcher FU24 VH-HVP

An interesting arrival into Queenstown late morning 17 October was the NZ born and bred FU24-954 Fletcher VH-HVP MSN 282. This late model example made the direct, 10 hour 15min flight from Melbourne/Essendon from where it had departed at 2320 local time 16 October. 

The aircraft first flew on 16 March 1982 as ZK-EUA and delivered to Central Aviation which was then part of the Mout Cook Group. It went to Mossburn in 1983 and it finished its topdressing days at Weston near Oamaru. At the end of 1985, it was parked up for sale under the trees (as pictured) at Queenstown along with ZK-EMX, ZK-EUC and ZK-EUD. ZK-EUA remained parked at Queenstown for nearly three years until it was ferried north in early August 1988 and on the 22nd of the month it was flown from Auckland to Lord Howe Island and onto Australia where it was to later become VH-HVP. It was operated by Middlebrooks, then Super Air, before heading to Air Pasture who converted it to survey configuration in June 1997. It was used in this role in Western Australia before migrating east to operate with Thompson Aviation out of Griffiths/NSW when their Pacific Aerospace 750XL headed off shore. 

ZK-EUA at Queenstown, circa mid 80's. 

VH-HVP soon after arrival Queenstown 17 October 2017. 

MSN 282 has been listed for sale via Airflite South

https://www.airflitesouth.co.nz/aircraft/Fletcher-FU24-954

Bristol Freighter ZK-EPG heads off shore!

Bristol Freighter ZK-EPG took to the roads of Auckland Friday 13 October 2017 commencing its long journey home to England where it will be restored at the recently established "Aerospace Bristol" museum which officially opens today, 17 October 2017. 

http://aerospacebristol.org/

Thanks to Mike Millett of AirflowNZ for creating and supplying this great video record of the Bristol's last New Zealand movement before embarking on Wilhelmsen Ships Services Ltd "Talisman" roll-on/roll-off cargo ship that departed late last night heading for Brisbane and all stops to the UK.

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:307769/mmsi:257613000/imo:9191319/vessel:TALISMAN

Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZL - UPDATED

ZK-NZL arrived to a damp Auckland evening 08 October as ANZ6094 at the conclusion of its interupted delivery flight. The aircraft had embarked from Charleston 05 October (local date) on a direct flight to Auckland with a planned flight time of 15hr 44mins however a mechanical fault with the aircraft saw it divert to Houston where it was to remain overnight.

On arrival to the airline's home base ZK-NZL was subject to media scrutiny as the revised layout was revealed
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/97683523/revamped-air-nz-boeing-7879-dreamliner-arrives-in-new-zealand

Last day of rest - on the Air NZ jetbase ramp 14 October 2017. 

The Dreamliner has since entered service initially on the commonly deployed shakedown route between Auckland & Sydney with its first revenue service being NZ101 15 October 2017.

ZK-NZL heads down taxiway Alpha at Auckland on its first revenue service as NZ101 15 October 2017, Jonathan Rankin photo

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Original post from 01 October 2017 :

Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZL has flown for the second time, this time as a C1 customer acceptance flight. The 2hr 27min flight again used the Boeing callsign "Boeing 010" and departed from Charleston/SC at 1011 29 September arriving back at 1238.

ZK-NZL is set to arrive in Auckland next Saturday evening direct from Charleston.

With thanks to P31 for supplying these shots of ZK-NZL departing, and then returning, from its C1 flight.

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Air New Zealand's 10th Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZL MSN 43218 has conducted its first flight operating as BOE010 on a 2hr 2min duration exercise from Boeing's Charleston/North Carolina factory on Monday 18 September local date. 

The Dreamliner will be the first for Air New Zealand to feature a revised seating configuration with 27 business, 33 premium economy and 215 economy seats for a total of 275. 

This is the third use of the registration ZK-NZL. The first was applied to Air New Zealand Douglas DC10-30 MSN 47846 from March 1973 until October 1982. Then it was the turn of Ansett New Zealand to use the registration with it worn by Bae 146-300 E-3175 from July 1992 until the airline's demise in in 2001 when it moved to Air New Zealand subsidiary Mt Cook Airline. At the conclusion of its service in New Zealand the Whisperjet was ferried to and stored at Melbourne/Essendon from 2002.