RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW 2018 Boeing 757 RNZAF AIRSHOW WORLD

BK117 C-1 ZK-HQZ

Noted flying at Ardmore 28 June 2018 was this recently imported Kawasaki BK117-C1 ZK-HQZ MSN 1123. Registered to Oceania Aviation 14 days prior, the 1999 edition BK arrived from Japan where it operated with the Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency as JA-6848, its previous identity partially visible on the underside of the fuselage. 

This is third use for the marks ZK-HQZ. It was first worn by a Hughes 269C between 1980 and 1999 (crashed in 1998) and then a Robinson R22 Beta II from 2010 until 2016 when it was exported to Australia. 

Looking at the Oceania website it would appear it has already been sold

http://www.oceania-aviation.com/aircraft-sales/93/1999-kawasaki-bk117-c1/

COSFORD AIRSHOW 2018 HIGHLIGHTS - AIRSHOW WORLD

Cessna Cutlass ZK-EWP

Exiting New Zealand earlier this month was the Cessna C172RG Cutlass ZK-EWP. Imported to NZ in July 2006, the retractable 172 arrived by container from the USA wearing its previous FAA marks of N6286R. To the best of my recollection it has spent most, if not all of its life resident at Ardmore and underwent a repaint a couple of years ago. 

Soon after being registered in NZ. At Ardmore 17 July 2006. 

It has been listed for sale via Dennis Thompson International

FOR SALE and has since been sold to Gold Coast Air. It departed Ardmore for Kerikeri and Norfolk Island 22 June 2018 then onto the Gold Coast the next day on its delivery to the new owner. 

Another IL76 at Whenuapai!

With thanks to Ross Polkinghorne for sharing this photo of Pacific Express IL76 UR-76408 as seen at Whenuapai on 19 March 1993. Its visit to Whenuapai was unrecorded by us but it has neatly tied into a yet to be published article as researched by Phil Craig, which with permission we now provide:

Pacific Express Holdings Ltd

Auckland based cargo operator Pacific Express flew the first Ukraine registered aircraft to visit New Zealand through Ohakea during 1993. Ilyushin 76MD Candid UR-76408 (c/n 0053460820) had arrived in Auckland on 15 March 1993 from Singapore and Brisbane before being ferried down to Ohakea using the callsign EXPO152 later that evening arriving at 7.39pm. After loading the first of two shipments of texel and finn sheep the aircraft departed the next morning as EXPO152 at 4.11am direct to Adelaide with the livestock destined for a South Australian farm as part of an embryo transfer programme. UR-76408 next touched down at Ohakea at 9.18am on 17 March 1993 as EXPO153 and following the successful loading of the second consignment of sheep the aircraft again departed direct to Adelaide the same day at 7.30pm. 

One further visit was made by this aircraft to Ohakea in March 1993. It ferried in as EXPO408 from Auckland on 20 March 1993 for display at the Wings and Wheels event held that day on the base. it returned to Auckland later the same day, however not before being utilised in an attempt to create a New Zealand record for the greatest number of skydivers linked together at once, flown during the afternoon's display. This ties in nicely with Ross's recollection of the IL76 visiting Whenuapai 19 March 1993 to have a deep clean of the cavernous cargo hold post its sheep moving exercise!!!

Interesting, the particular aircraft was noted with the rear gun turret housing still fitted while apparently chaff dispensing equipment was still in place (in a housing above the rest gun turret). This Candid had commenced life as CCCP-76642 and saw service with both the Soviet Air Force and Aeroflot Airlines. This was prior to moving onto Atlant SV Aircompany based at Tsentralyn Airport in Simferopol, Ukraine who in turn leased the aircraft to Pacific Express. 

A shot of UR-76408 in full Pacific Express colours can be found HERE

Poseidon Adventure - Two Years on......

Two years after the Boeing P-8A Poseidon from the United States Navy was demonstrated to the New Zealand Defence Force, the current Minister of Defence is tabling the "business case" to Government as per the attached press release:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/104965447/defence-minister-ron-mark-one-step-closer-to-replacing-old-military-planes

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Posted 18 June 2016 :

United States Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon 168437 was open to "interested parties" on the morning of 15 June with the event culminating in a local demonstration flight being conducted. As "MADFOX ONE" the P-8 lifted off Auckland's runway 23L just before 1300 and headed out to a military operating area over the Hauraki Gulf for operations below 3000ft. Its returns to Auckland was some 75 minutes later with it returning to the Skycare ramp.

The jet remained at Auckland until 17 June when it departed late morning for Nadi. 

19th 600 delivered - Update 24 June 2018

Mount Cook Airline introduced ATR72-212A series 600 ZK-MVU to commercial life on the morning of 23 June 2018 when it operated flight NZ5741 from Christchurch to Dunedin. It returned to Christchurch as NZ5742 before flying a round trip to Rotorua and back as NZ5782/5785. 

ZK-MVU on the move at a frosty Christchurch 23 June 2018. 

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Posted 16 June 2018:

Air New Zealand subsidiary Mt Cook Airline has taken delivery of its 19th ATR72-212A series 600 with the arrival at Christchurch 15 June 2018 of ZK-MVU MSN 1500. 

This aircraft first flew as F-WWEC and its delivery flight was undertaken by Southern Cross as SXI1810 flying from Toulouse to Trabazon, Al Ain, Nagpur, Subang, Denpasar, Darwin and Brisbane. 

ZK-MVU short finals runway 29 at Darwin 13 June 2018. 

The 19th 600 series ATR will be registered ZK-MVV MSN 1507 and due for delivery early August 2018 followed in September by ZK-MVW. 

Cirrus SR22 Australis Premium N438NZ - Updated 24 June 2018

Having been resident at Fielding with the local Cirrus sales representatives, N438NZ departed for Auckland 20 June 2018 and then flew onto Lord Howe Island, The Gold Coast and Caloundra 21 June 2018.

It has since been delivered to new owners in Mudgee.

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Posted 15 February 2017 ;

Cirrus Design Corporation Cirrus SR22 Australis Premium N438NZ MSN 4438 arrived in Auckland late afternoon 14 February after a 10hr 30min flight from Pago Pago.

The aptly registered 2016 edition Cirrus is in the country as a manufacturer demonstrator so hopefully will be seen at various locations over the next couple of months. 

The four-place Cirrus embarked from the company's Duluth/MN base on 27 January and staged via Billings/MT and Redmond/OR before reaching Tracy/CA later the same day. Flightaware recorded a Tracy-Tracy flight on 09 February, perhaps to verify ferry tank installation, before departing on the 10th for a 14hr 38min flight to Hilo/HI. It then continued its journey 12 February flying to Pago Pago/WS with a flight time of 16hr 35min.

Arriving to a damp, drizzly Auckland afternoon 14 February 2017. 

Conclusion of Coverage............

...........Well at least for the IL76! Really stoked to have been able to catch this rare bird on the move as often as I did during its visit to New Zealand. In summary, its known movements were:

08 June Davao-Cairns
09 June Cairns-Whenuapai
14 June Whenuapai-Christchurch-low level from South Taranaki Coast-Whenuapai
15 June Whenuapai-Christchurch-mid level navex south of NZ, then back to a coastal crossing over the Catlins, then towards Alexandra before turning north-northeast and passing over Christchurch on track for Whenuapai before deviating to Ohakea for a touch and go before making its way to Whenuapai.
19 June Whenuapai-Military Area M204 northeast of Great Barrier Island-Whenuapai with SAR exercises conducted in the morning and afternoon.
22 June Whenuapai-low approach and over Whenuapai then to Auckland for fuel before departing to Cairns.
23 June Cairns-Davao

The IL76 used radio callsign "China Air Force 21047" for its international sectors and the Whenuapai-Auckland flight, and "Dragon 47" for its other flying activities around NZ airspace.

A timely runway change (just....) at Auckland 22 June allowed the opportunity to catch its arrival and departure.

More from the visit of PLAAF IL76 21047

The visit to New Zealand by Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Illyushin 76 21047 has generated considerable interest with some aviation enthusiasts traveling great distances, including Australia, to catch a glimpse of this aircraft. While the IL76 itself is note "rare", the presence of a Chinese military aircraft in the region most certainly is!

As part of its participation in Skytrain 18 the IL76 conducted two simulated search and rescue exercises 19 June 2018. Both flights of two hours duration were conducted from/to Whenuapai with the first departure at 0930 and the second at 1300. The jet was observed to head out towards designated military area M204 east of Great Barrier Island. During its 90min turn around at Whenuapai the IL76 received a cursory wash down via the airbase's rescue fire equipment, no doubt an attempt to remove ocean spray.

The four-holer concluded its time in New Zealand on 22 June 2018 with it making a short hop from Whenuapai to Auckland to maximise fuel uplift for the journey to Cairns.  The jet conducted a low approach and overshoot at Whenuapai before heading across to Auckland.  Performance characteristics of the IL76 prevented it from operating Whenuapai-Cairns direct. 

Images below captured on 19 June 2018. 

Cheyenne ZK-FIS overseas contract

While it is nothing new for this particular airframe to be overseas, it is the first time since becoming New Zealand registered. Airways Corporation Piper PA42 Cheyenne 400LS ZK-FIS is currently working around the South Pacific Islands on calibration duties for the respective aviation air service providers as part of an ongoing arrangement which used to see the same aircraft, then registered VH-BUR, carry out the work. 

The Cheyenne flew from Auckland to Norfolk Island and Port Vila 12 June 2018 and flew onto Honiara 15 June 2018. It appears to have since conducted visits to Santa Cruz/Luova, Seghe, Auki and Munda before exiting the Solomon Islands 20 June 2018 heading to Nauru. It was then due to continue to Tarawa 21 June 2018.

Whenuapai Action

RNZAF Base Auckland, aka Whenuapai, is home to the Air Force's fixed wing transport and maritime patrol squadrons. 5 Squadron operate six Lockheed P3K Orions and 6 Squadron has a nine strong fleet of SH2G(I) Seasprite helicopters. 40 Squadron have two Boeing 757's and five Lockheed C130H Hercules. The following photos were taken 19 June 2018.

Hercules NZ7001 flew a parachute drop exercise with two runs at 10000ft delivering six jumpers each time. 

Seasprite SH2G(I) NZ3617 returned to Whenuapai from points west.  

Seasprite SH2G(I) NZ3611 conducted a number of circuits. 

P3K Orion NZ4204 spent time in the pattern carrying out live equipment drops.