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Sunday, June 24, 2018

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.










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