Seasons Greetings............and...........OFF AIR

It is that time of year where we take the opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all those who have contributed material throughout 2017 making this blog what it is today. 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and safe holiday season. 

And yes, the MRC Aviation blog is taking some time out over the next couple of weeks so see you in the New Year!

Corporate Corner 11 December - 16 December 2017

French Navy Falcon 20 Gardian 48 departed Wellington for Noumea 11 December. 

Executive Jet Management Gulfstream G550 N560DM departed Auckland 1 December for Honolulu, San Francisco and Fresno.

Wan Air Global Express B-95959 departed Auckland 12 December for Taipei/Songshan. 

BAA Falcon 7X B-8215 departed Queenstown 12 December for Cairns and then onto Sanya, China 15 December. 

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing BBJ A36-002 arrived at Whenuapai 13 December from Norfolk Island and Wellington as ASY1075 on a training deployment which saw it fly from Canberra to Port Vila 12 December.  It departed Whenuapai for brief landings at Queenstown and Christchurch before heading home to Canberra 14 December. 

Air Alsie Falcon 7X OY-EJD arrived at Napier late 13 December from Sydney carrying music legend Sir Paul Mccartney. It then made its way to Auckland on the evening of 15 December.
The 7X visited Auckland, Tauranga and Hokitika last month. 

Vistajet Global Express 9H-VJE arrived at Wellington shortly after the cessation of curfew              14 December from Singapore as VJT757.  It continued to Auckland arriving shortly before midnight the same day.

Richards Group Challenger 350 N1350S concluded its New Zealand with it departing Queenstown 15 December for Pago Pago and Hilo/HI.

Careflight's Townsville based Learjet 45 VH-VVI arrived at Auckland 15 December from its home port via Port Vila and Suva. It departed 16 December for Brisbane.

Netjets Global Express N145QS arrived at Auckland in the early hours of 16 December from Jakarta/Halim where it had spent the night having flown in from Dubai/Al Maktoum the previous day. 

CML Aviation Gulfstream G350 VH-NKD arrived at Christchurch in the early hours of 16 December from Sydney. 

ANZA Pty Challenger 604 N604AU briefly visited Napier 16 December, arriving from and returning to Sydney.

HiFly Airbus A330-200 CS-TQW arrives and enters service

HiFly Airbus A330-200 CS-TQW arrived at Auckland late 15 December 2017 as HFY411P. The aircraft is adorned with decals to promote the airline's association with the Mirpuri Foundation to reduce plastic.

http://mirpurifoundation.org/

This aircraft has worked for a myriad of operator's during its 18 years of service as detailed HERE

CS-TQW made its way to Auckland from Kingston, Jamaica via a techstop at Papeete. The A330 has most recently been operating on behalf of Air Jamaica between Georgetown, Kingston and New York/JFK with its last flight been OJ273 from JFK to Kingston 14 December NZ date.

It was pressed into service on what will now become a regular setup for the A330 with it departing Auckland 16 December for Perth as NZ175, and it will return to Auckland 17 December as NZ176.

Great timing!

Sincere thanks to Tahitian Port and Air Rare Views for braving the rain.

The FOX enters service

HiFly Malta's Airbus A340-300 9H-FOX entered service on behalf of Air New Zealand 15  December 2017 with it flying from Auckland to Sydney as NZ101. It is set to then operate NZ102 Sydney-Auckland, NZ105 Auckland-Sydney and finally NZ108 Sydney-Auckland. 

This aircraft, along with an Airbus A330-300 from HiFly, have been wet-leased to provide capacity following the temporary grounding of some Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as a result of Rolls Royce engine issues.

9H-FOX will now be a regular feature on the Auckland-Sydney-Auckland run. 

Operation Christmas Drop 2017

The 66th Operation Christmas Drop was conducted from Guam/Andersen AFB on 11 December 2017 providing aerial supplies to remote islands across the western Pacific. 

http://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Features/Article/1393887/santas-on-his-way-66th-operation-christmas-drop-launches-at-andersen-afb/

Space Fillers

A few snaps taken last month while waiting for other aircraft movements at Auckland.

Photo bombed! Not sure who is photo bombing who in this shot! Sounds Air PC12 ZK-PLZ arrives at Auckland from Woodbourne while Air NZ Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKP lifts off heading to Australia. 

Corporate Corner 01 December - 10 December 2017

The first month of summer kicked off with a nocturnal visit to Christchurch by Consolidated Press Holdings Global Express N888ZP ducking in during the o'dark hours of 01 December 2017. It arrived from Essendon and departed after a fuel uplift for a direct flight to Buenos Aires. The Global had crossed over NZ earlier in the week when it flew from San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico via a gas stop at Papeete.

Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Gulfstream G650 N829JV arrived in Auckland mid afternoon 01 December from Queenstown. It had arrived in Queenstown 30 November from Van Nuys, Los Angeles and Auckland. It departed Auckland 04 December for Los Angeles and Long Beach. 

Vistajet Global 6000 9H-VJR departed Auckland mid morning 01 December destined for Melbourne and then onto Wuhan, China. 

Sino Jet Management Boeing BBJ P4-SJM arrived in Queenstown mid afternoon 01 December from Melbourne. The aircraft has been tentatively planned to visit NZ for the last few days according to Flightaware.
The BBJ departed Queenstown for Napier early afternoon 02 December and after spending several hours in the Hawkes Bay departed mid evening for Auckland, Cairns and Peking!

P4-SJM looking great at Queenstown. Steadfast photo.

And preparing to depart Napier. G White photo. 

Cdt Management Gulfstream G650ER N827DC arrived at Queenstown early morning 02 December having departed from Las Vegas/Henderson, NV via a techstop at San Bernardino, CA. 

Wearing the MSN 6182, this is the second 650 to wear this registration. According to Google, the first 650 was significantly damaged during a hail storm at Colorado Springs, CO in July 2016 and was deemed uneconomic to repair!

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20160728-0
N827DC departed Queenstown 07 December for Christchurch then onto San Bernardino and its home port of Las Vegas/Henderson, NV.

N827DC resting in the shadow of the Remarkables, Queenstown. Steadfast photo. 

Goonies Co Global Express N2020Q touched down at Auckland 02 December from Narita as "Rockstar Two". Its visit was incredibly brief with it departing a couple of hours later heading to Ho Chi Minh.

Pebuny LLC Embraer Legacy N966JS made an early evening arrival into Queenstown 02 December having started its day at Ayers Rock and tech-stopping at Adelaide. It departed 08 December for Cairns and Abul Aziz Shah. 

Arriving Queenstown 02 December, Steadfast photo

Norris Aviation Learjet 60 VH-XPN arrived at Auckland 02 December from Brisbane and returned to Brisbane 04 December. 

Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A VH-LRX (ex ZK-XVL) arrived at Whenuapai 02 December from Nowra for target towing duties. It was noted flying under the callsign "Baldock" 05 & 06 December. It departed on return to Nowra 09 December. 

Short finals runway 03 Whenuapai 02 December, N Jones photo

Marcplan Embraer Legacy VH-VLT arrived at Auckland during the early hours of 03 December from Sydney and after spending 12 hours on the ground departed for Essendon.

Pratt Holdings Global Express VH-VGX visited Queenstown 03 December arriving from Essendon and departing for Sydney.

Gama Aviation Gulfstream G550 N550DX, having arrived in Queenstown 30 November from Adelaide, departed 04 December for Auckland and Honolulu.

Parked at Queenstown, Steadfast photo

Richards Group Inc Challenger 350 N3150S arrived at Rotorua early evening 04 December from Maui via a techstop at Pago Pago. It made the short flight to Auckland 07 December. From Auckland to Queenstown 10 December.

Short finals into Rotorua, Hairy Mole Rat photo

WFBN Gulfstream 5 N901SG arrived at Queenstown on the evening of 04 December from the Gold Coast. It departed 08 December for a techstop at Auckland then direct to Los Angeles and onto Austin/TX. The Aircraft is operated on behalf of world #5 golfer Sergio Garcia.

Arriving Auckland for a splash and dash, Agairnz photo

SG Aviation Australia Global Express VH-SGA arrived at Wellington 05 December from Essendon. The next day it flew to Dunedin, Queenstown and Auckland. It departed for Essendon 07 December.

Visiting Dunedin, A Ballantyne photo

Skytrader Airbus A319CJ VH-VCJ arrived at Auckland 06 December from Cocos Island, Perth and Melbourne as "Snowbird 2". It departed a short time later on return to Melbourne. While corporate configured, the aircraft was conducting a "conair" flight as it did in November 2016 over the same route.

Vacating taxiway A3 at Auckland, Aviationshotz photo

Business Aviation Asia Falcon 7X B-8215 arrived at Auckland 06 December from Singapore/Changi marking this particular aircraft's first visit to NZ. It flew from Auckland to Queenstown 09 December.

Agairnz photo

Executive Airlines Citation Sovereign VH-EXQ visited Auckland 06 December arriving from and returning to Essendon. The Sovereign returned to Auckland 09 December arriving from Port Moresby. It departed for Essendon 10 December.

Pratt Holdings Global Express VH-VDX visited Queenstown 07 December arriving from and returning to Essendon.

Avwest Global Express N599CH departed Christchurch 08 December for Perth.

Crown Global Express VH-CCV arrived at Queenstown 08 December from Melbourne and Sydney. It then made its way to Auckland and Sydney 10 December.

ACM Air Charter Falcon 2000EX D-BIKA arrived at Wellington 08 December from Sydney as BVR777. It departed 09 December for Papeete and onto Honolulu 10 December (NZ date).

Arriving Wellington, Lanzi photo

And taxiing for departure from Wellington, Lanzi photo

Executive Jet Management Gulfstream G550 N560DM arrived at Auckland 09 December from Lihue/HI as EJM550.

At Auckland, Magnaman photo

Win Air Taiwan Global Express XRS B-95959 arrived at Auckland 09 December from Taipei/Songshan.

Magnaman photo

French Navy Falcon Gardian 48 arrived at Wellington 09 December from Papeete via Niue.

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KDJ Returns - and departs

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KDJ MSN 207 launched from Hamilton on the morning of 09 December 2017 on a direct flight to the Gold Coast as it recommenced the delivery flight initially started on 02 December 2016.

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Posted 24 November 2017:

Almost a year since its departure from New Zealand, Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KDJ MSN 207 has returned "home" having spent the last 11 months sitting at Darwin.

The 750 made the flight from Darwin to Longreach 21 November 2017 then to Lord Howe Island via the Gold Coast 22 November. From there it headed direct to Auckland and presumably onto Hamilton 23 November.

ZK-KDJ caught preparing to and subsequently departing Lord Howe Island 23 November 2017. 

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Posted 03 December 2016:

Hamilton-based Pacific Aerospace continue to churn out the popular utility aircraft, the 750XL, and the most recent machine to be on the delivery path is ZK-KDJ MSN 207 registered mid October. Configured for parachute operations, ZK-KDJ positioned from Hamilton to Auckland 01 December and from there flew direct to the Gold Coast 02 December.

Taxiing for departure from Hamilton. 

ATR72-212A VH-FVI

Touching down at Nelson 07 December 2017 after a flight from Canberra as VOZ9946 was ATR72-212A (500) VH-FVI. The aircraft conducted its last commercial flight on behalf of Virgin Australia 03 December when it arrived at Canberra from Sydney as VOZ646.

VH-FVI becomes the sixth Virgin ATR to be parked at Nelson awaiting disposal. 

This aircraft was christened "Mission Beach" and delivered to Skywest Airlines in August 2011. 

http://www.aussieairliners.org/ATR-42-72/vh-fvi/vhfvi.html

Arriving at Nelson, T Hodges photo

Philippine Airlines rejigs New Zealand operation - UPDATED

As anticipated, Philippine Airlines revised Auckland operation kicked off in December 2017 with the first of the revised PR218 Manila-Auckland direct flights arriving 07 December operated by Airbus A340-300 RP-C3436.

The last Manila-Cairns-Auckland-vice versa service was conducted 05 December using Airbus A320 RP-C8614.

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Posted 15 August 2017:

Two years after commencing services between Manila and Auckland via Cairns, Philippine Airlines will significantly change their schedule to New Zealand with Airbus A340's operating three times per week direct services between Manila and Auckland from 06 December 2017.

Flights will arrive into Auckland at 1405 on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and depart at 0030 on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Out of a fleet of 63 aircraft, Philippines operates six Airbus A340-300's configured with 36 business class and 218 economy class seats.

Early posts on Philippine Airlines

Zetta Jet Ceases Operating

Corporate jet charter operator Zetta Jet has ceased operating as at 30 November 2017 US date. Zetta Jet aircraft became a regular sight across Australasia with a mix of Bombardier Global models frequenting a number of locations during the company's short life. 

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-11-30/zetta-jet-ceasing-operations-today

https://corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/zetta-jet-stopping-flying-098/

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

The combined fleet of Zetta Jet and Advanced Air Management, with whom they merged with a year ago, comprised of some 20 aircraft.

ATR72-212A VH-FVX

Touching down at Nelson 05 December 2017 after a flight from Canberra as VOZ9948 was ATR72-212A (500) VH-FVX. The aircraft conducted its last commercial flight on behalf of Virgin Australia 03 December when it arrived at Canberra from Sydney as VOZ664. 

VH-FVX becomes the fifth Virgin ATR to be parked at Nelson with a sixth aircraft due tomorrow in the shape of VH-FVI.

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2017/10/stored-virgins-at-nelson.html

VH-FVX, christened Kirra Beach, was delivered to Skywest Airlines in May 2012 having been delivered from Holland as OY-CJV.

http://www.aussieairliners.org/ATR-42-72/vh-fvx/vhfvx.html

RNZAF Exercise Wise Owl - Napier 2017

The Royal New Zealand Air Force conducts periodic training deployments to regional NZ airports with their Beechcraft Texan T6-C II's. Exercise Wise Owl 101 is flying out of Napier from 28 November through until 06 December 2017, with the 8 students of 17/1 Pilots' Course practicing formation flying and working from a deployed operating base.

Thanks to Andrew T for these sunny shots taken at Napier 01 December. 

Corporate Corner 01 November - 30 November 2017

Kayne Andersen Gulfstream G650ER N829JV started off the month's visiting jet activity with it making a day trip from Auckland to Queenstown and back 01 November. It then stretched its legs departing Auckland direct to Los Angeles and then onto Van Nuys 02 November. It returned to Auckland on the morning of 30 November having earlier departed Van Nuys and staged via Los Angeles. After spending much of the day at Auckland, the 650 departed for Queenstown.

N829JV taxis for runway 05R at Auckland 01 November 2017. 

Air Charter AG Challenger 601 HB-IKS departed Wellington 01 November for Port Moresby and Tokyo/Narita. It then headed to Honolulu arriving 03 November local date. 

HB-IKS manoeuvres on the western apron at Wellington where the skyline is dominated by the yet to be commissioned Airways control tower. 

Tyremax PTY Challenger 604 N604AU arrived at Auckland late 01 November from Sydney. It departed Auckland 02 November for Palmerston North and Nelson. The following afternoon N604AU flew from Nelson to Auckland and Sydney.  The Challenger returned to Auckland from Sydney on the evening of 19 November and continued onto Palmerston North. From Palmerston North back to Auckland 20 November then to Sydney 21 November. 

Federal Aviation Administration Challenger 604 N86 arrived at Christchurch 01 November from Phoenix Field, Antarctica as "Flight Check 86". It departed mid morning 02 November for Pago Pago on its return home to the USA.

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-002 arrived at Queenstown mid morning 02 November from Canberra as ASY375. It returned to Canberra 03 November.

Air Alsie Falcon 7X OY-EJD departed Auckland 02 November for Tauranga then onto Hokitika. It departed Hokitika 07 November for Tauranga and then direct to Essendon. The Falcon returned to the region 27 November arriving at Perth from Kuwait. 

Tagjet Asia/Skyclipper Ltd Gulfstream G650 VP-CYZ departed Auckland 02 November for Melbourne/Tullamarine as TBJ87 then flew onto Sydney 04 November.

Marcplan Embraer 135 Legacy VH-VLT arrived at Queenstown 04 November from Hobart. It then made its way to Auckland and Papeete 07 November. It returned to Auckland from Papeete 08 November for a splash and dash before continuing home to Essendon. The Legacy made another fleeting visit to Auckland arriving from and returning to Essendon on the evening of 19 November. The Legacy arrived at Auckland late afternoon 28 November from Essendon and departed 29 November on return to Essendon.

CAT Aviation HB-JOB arrived at Wellington 03 November from Queenstown and continued to Auckland mid afternoon 04 November. It flew from Auckland to Melbourne 07 November. It continued to Colombo, Sri Lanka 09 November.

Nuoyan Jet Ltd Gulfstream G650 VP-CJR made its way from Auckland to Wellington 04 November and headed back to Auckland 06 November. It departed Auckland for Melbourne 17 November then flew to the Gold Coast 19 November.

Win Air Taiwan Global Express XRS B-95959 arrived at Auckland 04 November from Nadi where it had arrived 31 October from its Taipei/Songshan home. The Global has been a regular visitor to the Pacific Islands in recent months but this is its first visit to New Zealand.

Dusk arrival into Auckland 04 November 2017. 

Million Air/Christ Holdings LLC Challenger 605 N913TK arrived at Wellington 05 November from Kona/HI via a techstop at Pago Pago. It departed early evening 12 November on return to Pago Pago and Kona.

Short finals for runway 34L at Wellington. 

The Craig Evan Corporation/Flightexec of London/ON Falcon 900EX C-GMLH made a late night arrival at Auckland 07 November when it jetted in from Papeete. It departed early afternoon 09 November on return to Papeete.

Blah - heat haze as C-GMLH departs Auckland. 

Far superior shot of C-GMLH arriving at Toronto/Pearson back in 2015. 

Norris Aviation Learjet 60 VH-XPN arrived at Auckland 09 November from Brisbane. Its visit was brief with the Lear returning to Brisbane 10 November. The Learjet made its way to NZ 28 November arriving at Hamilton from Newcastle/Williamtown having started its day at Cairns with a flight to Sydney then the short hop to Newcastle. It departed Hamilton 29 November for Brisbane.

Mandarin Air Gulfstream G280 B-8280 arrived at Auckland 09 November from Melbourne. It departed 15 November for Cairns and Davao.

Aviation Jolina S.E.C. Global 6000 C-GSAP arrived at Christchurch 11 November from Melbourne. It departed a few hours later for Sydney and Melbourne. It headed home to Canada 17 November flying from Melbourne to Honolulu and Montreal.

FMG Resources Global Express VH-FMG arrived at Christchurch 13 November from its Perth home. Its visit was brief with the Global departing after a refuel for the long haul to Buenos Aires/Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport. By 18 November the Global was parked at Luton.

Empire Aviation Global Express VP-CTP arrived at Christchurch 13 November from Melbourne and Sydney. It departed for Melbourne 14 November. The Global had arrived into Melbourne 12 November from Peking.

Cindic Holdings Ltd Global Express N526GX arrived at Queenstown 16 November from Beijing via a techstop at Koror as TBJ69. It departed 19 November for Biak and Beijing.

Avwest Global Express N599CH concluded its extended visit to Christchurch and departed for Bali 17 November. The Global returned to its Perth home 21 November from Singapore/Seletar. It flew to Sydney 25 November then onto Queenstown the next day. From Queenstown to Sydney and Brisbane 29 November then to Christchurch arriving late 30 November.

GH Aviation Global Express VH-FGJ arrived at Auckland 20 November from Essendon. It flew to Hamilton,  Wellington, Sydney and Essendon 21 November. The Global returned to Auckland 30 November arriving from Singapore and after a short time on the ground continued to Hamilton. It spent several hours there before heading home to Essendon.

Executive Airlines Citation Sovereign VH-EXG arrived at Wellington 20 November from Brisbane. It flew to Auckland late 21 November and from there headed home to Essendon 22 November.

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-001 arrived at Wellington 22 November from Canberra. It returned to Canberra the following day.

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJX briefly visited Auckland 23 November arriving from Essendon and Hobart and departing to Essendon.

Execujet Challenger 604 VH-VSZ arrived at Auckland 23 November from Sydney. It headed to Dunedin  24 November where it spent the afternoon/evening before heading back to Auckland. From Auckland to Sydney 25 November.

Jet Asia Ltd Global Express N889JA arrived at Queenstown 25 November from its now Woolongong home via Sydney. It departed for Sydney and Woolongong 27 November.

Crown Global Express VH-CCV arrived at Auckland 28 November from Sydney. It departed for Melbourne 30 November.

SG Aviation Global Express VH-SGA briefly visited Auckland 28 November arriving from Essendon and Melbourne and departing for Essendon.

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJQ made a nocturnal visit to Dunedin 30 November, arriving from and returning to Essendon. It was joined on the Dunedin apron by Skyline's Nextant 400 ZK-NXJ and King Air 350 ZK-SSH, both flying from/to Auckland. The Nextant, on arrival at Auckland, was met by Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST) Sikorsky S76 ZK-IAL which then made the short expeditious flight to Auckland Hospital.

Vistajet Global 6000 9H-VJR arrived at Auckland early morning 30 November from Hong Kong as VJT916.

Lfg Services PTY/Westfields Gulfstream G550 N818LF arrived at Auckland 30 November from Teterboro/NJ via a techstop at Honolulu.

GAMA Aviation Gulfstream G550 N550DX arrived at Queenstown 30 November from Adelaide.

Crown Global Express VH-CCD briefly visited Queenstown 30 November, arriving from and returning to Melbourne.

For the next few months we will probably have more frequent Corporate Corner reviews as the tempo of visiting aircraft picks up.