Operation Deep Freeze 2017/2018 drawing to a close

The 2017/2018 Operation Deep Freeze operation is drawing to a close with the New York Air National Guard Lockheed LC130 Hercules migrating home and shuttle runs between Christchurch and Phoenix Field flown by United States Air Force C17 Globemasters.

C17 08-8203 arrived Christchurch from Hickam 30 January 2018 as RCH475. It flew to Phoenix and back 06 February as ICE18, 07 February as ICE19, 09 February as ICE20 and 10 February as ICE21. It departed for Hickam as RCH8203 16 February. 

C17 08-8199 arrived Christchurch from Hickam early on 18 February as RCH8203 (just to confuse things) and was quickly turned around for a trip to Phoenix and back as ICE22. It then operated as ICE23 19 February, ICE24 22 February, ICE25 24 February and ICE26 25 February however this flight was aborted and returned to Christchurch. It successfully reached Phoenix 27 February. It departed for Hickam as RCH276 on 28 February. 

C17 00-0177 arrived Christchurch from Hickam 21 February as RCH333 and departed on return to Hickam 23 February. 

C17 95-0105 arrived Christchurch from Pago Pago 24 February as RCH334 and departed on return to Pago Pago 26 February. 

The LC130 contingent have been trickling homeward.

92-1094 Christchurch-Pago Pago 19 February as SKIER71

83-0493 Christchurch-Pago Pago 24 February as SKIER72

76-3301 Christchurch-Pago Pago 24 February as SKIER73

73-3300 Christchurch-Pago Pago 26 February as SKIER74

92-1095 Christchurch-Pago Pago 27 February as SKIER75

93-1096 Christchurch-Pago Pago 27 February as SKIER76

http://www.109aw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1451417/airmen-finish-antarctica-support-mission/

http://science.dodlive.mil/operation-deep-freeze/

RNZAF Boeing 757 NZ7571 made three trips to Phoenix Field this month with it operating as KIW647 14 February, KIW660 17 February and KIW673 20 February. 

An-22 ULTIMATE COCKPIT MOVIE

Space filler! I've not had time to watch this but from skimming through it looks like interesting viewing.

Fokkers Future Confirmed - updated 26 February 2018

HARS Fokker F27-500 VH-EWH exited New Zealand on the morning of 25 February 2018 lifting off Auckland's runway 23L at 0832 local time headed for Norfolk Island. After a fuel uplift the Friendship continued to the Gold Coast. The last leg of her delivery flight, to Woolongong, is expected to take place this morning.

VH-TQN is expected to depart in the next month or so following an engine transplant with the donor being VH-EWH!

VH-EWH during its turn-a-round at Norfolk Island 25 February 2018. 

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Posted 12 February 2018:

After a period of maintenance following its considerable time "parked" ex Airwork Fokker F27-500 VH-EWH (nee ZK-PAX) took to the skies 12 February 2018 alighting from Auckland's runway 05 right for a 35 minute test flight. Great to see and hear this workhorse in full song again!

Meanwhile, ZK-POH has been wheeled into the hangar and now wears its Australian registration, VH-TQN.

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Updated 18 January 2018:

Thanks to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society's newsletter we can now announce the confirmation that both Airwork NZ Fokker F27-500 Friendships are indeed destined for the HARS stable at Albion Park, south of Sydney.

ZK-PAX has already been transferred to the Australian aircraft register and become VH-EWH (a historical F27 registration) and is set to conduct a proving flight today - pity about the Auckland weather! All going well it will depart 19 January 2018 for Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast.

http://www.aussieairliners.org/f-27/vh-ewh/vhewh.html

On arrival in Australia ZK-PAX/VH-EWH will have an engine removed with the Rolls Royce Dart then shipped back to NZ to be put on ZK-POH/VH-TQN so that it can also be delivered across the Tasman to HARS. 

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Posted 23 September 2017:

The pair of retired Airwork NZ Fokker F27-500 Friendships, ZK-PAX and ZK-POH, have been listed for sale since their retirement from freighter service just over 12 months ago.

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2016/09/final-fokker-f27-friendship-flight.html

03 July 2016. 

Both have sat idle at Auckland International with the occasional engine run conducted to clear out the cobwebs. It was speculated an airfreight company in the Americas was interested in the aircraft however a surprise development from across the ditch this week with internationally recognised Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) expressing their desire to acquire the Friendships:

https://hars.org.au/2017/09/can-help-us-acquire-two-fokker-friendships/

I guess its going to be a matter of "watch this space"!

ZK-PAX put through her paces at the Omaka Airshow, Easter 2013. 

Interesting Destination

Visit's to Auckland by Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft is nothing new with Qantas wet leasing a number of aircraft with one operating a weekly service through Auckland from North America and onto Australia.

However a notable movement by Boeing 747-47UF N409MC with the widebody freighter arriving into Auckland early afternoon 23 February 2018 from Miami/FL via Los Angeles/CA and Honolulu/HI as "Giant 8599". After crew rest, N409MC departed Auckland as GTI8598 as 0125 local time 24 February 2018 destined for Quito/Ecuador (UIO/SEQM) with a planned flight time of 14HR 44MIN. 

Anyone know what the consignment was??

File photo

Chatham Islands Fire Response - Updated 24 February 2018

After an almost three week deployment to the Chatham Islands, GCH Aviation's BK117 B-2 ZK-HGU and Southern Lakes helicopters AS350B3 Squirrel ZK-IRM have returned to the mainland and arrived at Wellington's Queens Wharf heliport direct from the Chatham Islands early on the afternoon of 23 February 2018.

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Posted 04 February 2018

A large brush fire on New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands has stretched local volunteer rural fire fighting resources since its outbreak on 1 February. An aerial survey of the fire was conducted by Royal New Zealand Air Force C130 Hercules NZ7004 on 02 February with the aircraft operating from/to Whenuapai as KIW025. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/101140902/huge-wildfire-burns-through-1500ha-on-chatham-islands-threatening-conservation-land

On 03 February two helicopters were deployed to assist with the fire fighting effort. GCH Aviation BK117 B-2 ZK-HGU from Christchurch along with Southern Lakes Helicopters AS350B3 Squirrel ZK-IRM from Te Anau deployed from Queens Wharf, Wellington mid morning on their long haul over water flight to the Chatham Islands, a distance of some 415nm.

Hannibal Hayes and the team from Southern Lakes are no strangers to this type of operation with frequent flights south from Invercargill in support of search and rescue operations. 

ZK-HGU at Ardmore August 2016. 

ZK-IRM over Lake Te Anau January 2018. 

Additionally, Air Chathams have operated additional services 03 February with Convair 580 ZK-CIB flying Chathams-Auckland-Chathams as CVA519/591 and ZK-CIE flying Auckland-Chathams as CVA580, then CVA512/521 Chathams-Wellington-Chathams. 

Air New Zealand Fleet News

Air New Zealand's financial result announced yesterday included the airline's intention to increase its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet from the planned 13 aircraft to 14 by the end of 2019/2020 with it being in the final stages of confirming a new operating lease agreement. 

The next two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner's are due for delivery in September 2018.

ZK-NZN MSN 38182/ZB012

ZK-NZQ MSN 39296/ZB997

Air New Zealand's newest Dreamliner ZK-NZM departing Auckland 01 December 2017. 

The three grounded Dreamliner's await new engines at Auckland and in the meantime HiFly Malta Airbus A340's 9H-FOX and 9H-SUN operate daily services to Sydney and Perth.

The airline also took the opportunity to announce its plans to commence nonstop flights between Auckland and Taipei from November 2018 with Boeing 787-9's. The new nonstop service will operate up to five times a week offering the only direct air service between the two countries. 

Air New Zealand has previously operated to Taipei with flights from Auckland via Brisbane commencing on 07 November 1992 with Boeing 767-200's. At the same time the airline commenced services to Bangkok, also via Brisbane. This operation was converted to a direct service at some stage until it was suspended from 24 March 2006. 

Also from the financial results came the news that Air New Zealand is targeting the replacement of its eight Boeing 777-200ER fleet from 2022. That said, it is understood ZK-OKB is soon headed offshore for repaint into the Air NZ livery.

In other New Zealand related airline news, it has been well publicised Emirates will commence year round daily services between Auckland and Bali, and onto Dubai, using Boeing 777-300's from June this year. 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11998061

Aero Commander 680F ZK-CDK

Telomeres Aviation Aero Commander 680F ZK-CDK visited Ardmore last weekend making for a pleasant surprise. Personally, I hadn't seen this aircraft in a number of years so great to see. 

ZK-CDK has been extensively reported on the NZ Civil Aircraft blogsite

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=zk-cdk

STORMY WEATHER! A350-1000 XWB DEMO FLIGHT Takeoff and Landing | Auckland...

Tahiti Webcam!

Merci to our friends in Papeete, Tahiti, who have shared this fantastic link to the Tahiti Airport Motel who recently activated two live streaming webcams overlooking Tahiti (PPT/NTAA).

https://tahitiairportmotel.net/webcam-1.html

https://tahitiairportmotel.net/webcam-2.html

Centurion Follow Up

Earlier this week we mentioned the arrival of Cessna 210N Centurion

VH-ZIO with the aircraft arriving at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island on 07 February then continuing to Hamilton 12 February.

The aircraft was tied down at Hamilton 14 February but noticeably absent was the pod as shown in some online images. That said, VH-ZIO conducted an aerial survey across the skies of Auckland during the course of 15 February before returning to Hamilton so its obviously kitted out with some equipment, or perhaps installed subsequent to the photo being taken.

It positioned from Hamilton to Christchurch 18 February and from there commenced aerial survey activities. 

Airbus A350-1000 concludes New Zealand Visit

Airbus A350-1000 demonstrator F-WLXV conducted a somewhat protracted flight 13 February with a departure from Auckland at noon. It was planned to operate via overhead New Plymouth, Rotorua then back to Auckland however inclement weather saw the jet climb to 20000ft and head west over the Tasman Sea before returning to a soggy landing 71 minutes later. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AIB108

Four hours later the A350 was on its way to Tokyo/Haneda making the journey in 10hr 23min. Those assembled for its departure were treated to an unexpected high angle of climb departure not often conducted by an airliner!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11993762

Thanks to those providing images and video of this visitor.

Corporate Corner 01 February - 11 February 2018

Crown Global Express VH-CCV briefly visited Auckland 01 February arriving from and returning to Melbourne.

Beijing Airlines Falcon 7X B-8026 flew from Christchurch to Queenstown 02 February and from there headed to Port Moresby 06 February.

Avwest Global Express N599CH arrived at Queenstown 02 February from Sydney. It flew from Queenstown to Sydney and Christchurch 05 February.

N599CH at Queenstown - Supplied. 

Clay Lacy Aviation Embraer Legacy N317LL arrived at Queenstown 02 February from Maui via Apia. It flew to Napier 06 February then onto Auckland 08 February. It departed 11 February for Kona via a techstop through Papeete avoiding the inclement weather affecting much of the Pacific Islands (including the top of the North Island!)

N317LL captured in the late evening light at Queenstown - supplied. 

N317LL resting up at Napier, C Ford photo

Flight Options Citation VII VH-ING arrived at Queenstown 03 February from Sydney. It departed the next day on return to Sydney.

Blue Ridge Capital Global Express N12G flew from Queenstown to Gisborne and Auckland 04 February.

N12G at Queenstown - supplied. 

N12G, N599CH and B-8026 at Queenstown - supplied. 

Sunset Aviation Global Express N616DC departed Kaitaia 03 February for Auckland and departed for Maui 06 February.

N616DC during its Queenstown layover - supplied. 

Crown Gulfstream 4 VH-CGF visited Queenstown 04 February arriving from Essendon and departing for Brisbane and Hamilton Island.

Vistajet Malta Global Express 9H-VJP arrived at Auckland 05 February from Palm Springs via Honolulu as VJT895.It departed 10 February for Singapore/Seletar. 

9H-VJP arrives at Auckland marking its first visit to New Zealand. 

Bellawings Falcon 8X VP-CHY arrived at Queenstown 06 February from Hong Kong as BWJ567. This is only the second visit by the new model Falcon - the first was conducted by demonstrator F-HFSD back in March 2017. It departed 08 February for Papeete and Bora Bora. 

VP-CHY at Queenstown - supplied. 

Israel based Waylawn Ltd/LR Group Global 5000 M-ANGO arrived at Auckland 09 February from Haneda via Guam.

Arriving to a soggy Auckland summer's day. 

Aecom Global Express N320GX arrived Napier before sunrise 09 February from Kona. It then made a round trip to Auckland and back 11 February. 

N320GX parked at Napier. 

Kaiserair Inc/Cassandra Lee Flight Operations Gulfstream 4 N608CL arrived Napier 09 February from Kona and Nadi as KAI82. 

Brightly coloured N608CL under gloomy Hawkes Bay skies. 

Metrojet Gulfstream G650 B-KEY arrived at Auckland 09 February from Hong Kong. 

Affiliated Managers Group Inc Falcon 900EX N993AM arrived at Auckland 10 February from Haneda via a techstop at Guam. The Falcon visited NZ back in November 2016 spending time at Christchurch and Kerikeri then tech-stopping at Auckland as it left the country.

Airbus A350-1000 demo has arrived

Airbus A350-1000 F-WLXV, as AIB359, touched down at Auckland on the evening of 12 February 2018 as part of the airliner's demonstration tour. It had arrived into Sydney late 11 February from Bangkok and conducted a local flight from/to Sydney as AIB107 before its Tasman crossing to Auckland.

The jet is due to conduct a local Auckland/Auckland flight late this morning before heading to Japan this afternoon.

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Posted 28 January 2018:

Airbus has announced the commencement of a demonstration tour by their latest airliner, the Airbus A350-1000 and in particular F-WLXV MSN065 featuring 40 business class, 36 economy plus and 219 economy seat configuration. 

The three week tour kicked off a few days ago and will encompass the Middle East, Pacific and Asia regions including a stopover at Auckland with it expected to arrive 12 February 2018. 

During the tour, F-WLXV will visit 12 destinations - Doha, Muscat, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Hanoi, Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo and Manila flying some 55,000km. The A350 will spend several days at Singapore attending the Singapore Airshow. 

EAA Oshkosh Skiplane Fly-In 2018

This is way cool!! Ideal for attempting to chill on a sultry, humid New Zealand day!

Southern Scenic - Part IV

Wanaka http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/NZWF_51.1_51.2.pdf is not only home to the world renowned bi-annual Warbirds over Wanaka airshow but is now a significant hub for aviation maintenance providers and pilot training for both fixed and rotary wing. It is also a busy location for parachute operations.

Cessna 172P VH-BFQ arrived Wanaka during August 2017 and as can be seen remains VH registered. 

L39 Albatros ZK-CCP protected from the baking sun of Central Otago. The jet is a regular visitor to Paraparaumu and Ardmore. 

Piper PA28-140 ZK-CIJ is registered to a Fairle, South Canterbury address. 

Piper PA28-140 ZK-CUN appears will remain static for sometime yet - still current on the register with a Masterton address. 

Lancair ZK-EDZ also well protected from the elements, looks like it lives at Motueka. 

Canterbury Aero Club's Cessna 172N ZK-EJQ was a visitor to Wanaka. 

Europac XP Cessna R172K ZK-EWA

Aspiring Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HAH at the operator's Matukituki Valley base. 

High Country Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HBT

Wanaka Helicopters Eurocopter AS350BA ZK-HBX

Wanaka Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HFF

The Helicopter Line's Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-HGV

Western Pacific Helicopters Robinson R44 ZK-HQA

Western Pacific Helicopters Robinson R44 ZK-ICA

Wanaka Helicopters Robinson R44 ZK-IST

Wanaka based Maule M5-235C ZK-JQI 

Skydive Queenstown FU24-950 Turbine Fletcher ZK-LAC re-registered in November 2017 from ZK-PDZ. 

Cessna 180 ZK-MUZ is registered to a Wanaka address. 

Europac XP Cessna 182T ZK-PJC with the company's Cessna R172K ZK-EWA in the background. 

Tecnam P2008 ZK-RJN visiting Central Otago, a long way from its Northland home. 

Skydive Wanaka's Cessna 208B ZK-RUL is kept busy on parachute operations. 

Cessna 180E ZK-TUA is registered to a Balclutha owner. 

Vans RV6A ZK-VIA visiting from the Waikato district.