Air New Zealand Inaugurates services to Chicago/IL

Air New Zealand's most ambitious city pairing has taken to the skies with the inauguration of services between its home port Auckland and the MidWestern US metroplex of Chicago. Utilizing its fleet of "code 2" 275 seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the airline offers three return flights per week operating on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Auckland. 

The northbound route is scheduled at 15HR 05MIN while the southbound leg, dubbed ULR (ultra long range) is planned to be 16HR 20MIN. As per the NZ Herald image below, this puts the two flights up with some of the other world's longest direct flights. Thanks to modern technology, flight times will vary considerably as the airline takes advantage of flexible flight routes to maximize favourable wind conditions.

A well researched and informative new article can be found at the link below:

NZ Herald article

The first NZ26 Auckland-Chicago service departed Auckland 30 November 2018 with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZL operating at the earlier time of 1655 to provide additional ground time at O'Hare for publicity purposes. Future flights will see NZ26 depart Auckland @ 2010 NZ time.

ZK-NZL lifted off Auckland's runway 05R at 1716 local time for a very quick, 14HR 09MIN planned trip to Chicago. (13HR 55MIN actual flight time).

File photo

Boeing 757-200 freighter N315ST/VH-PQA - UPDATED 29 November 2018

Pacific Air Express Boeing 757-200PCF VH-PQA has at long last reached its new home of Brisbane. The converted passenger jet was ferried from Christchurch to Brisbane 28 November 2018 as PCF1.

Arriving Brisbane 28 November 2018. 

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Posted 03 November 2018:

Boeing 757-200PCF VH-PQA conducted its first flight under Australian markings 02 November 2018 as PCF1 flying a 2HR 15MIN Christchurch-Christchurch test flight.

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Posted 28 August 2018:

Pacific Air Express Boeing 757-200PCF VH-PQA has been lurking inside the Air New Zealand maintenance facility in Christchurch for some months now but it has recently been noted outside as it nears departure for Australia.

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Posted 27 March 2018:

As alluded to in our post from a couple of weeks ago, Boeing 757-200PCF N315ST has been registered VH-PQA as from 20 March 2018 to Pacific Air Express Flight Operations PTY of Brisbane. 

This ties in with PAE's expectation of commencing freight operations between Brisbane and Guangzhou as outlined in the accompany news article HERE albeit several months later than anticipated. 

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Posted 12 March 2018:

Aerolease Boeing 757-200PCF freighter N315ST MSN 22611 touched down at Christchurch 12 March 2018 from Honolulu via Apia. The jet departed Goodyear/AZ 10 March (USA date) for the short hop to Phoenix/AZ before embarking on the direct flight to Honolulu. 

This airframe has had a somewhat varied life starting out in 1985 with Eastern Airlines with whom it operated until 1991. After that its been all over the place, check out http://www.b757.info/22611/

It was converted to a freighter back in May 2007 and at the conclusion of operations with DHL has been in storage at Goodyear since mid 2017. 

Industry sources indicate the Boeing is destined for a Brisbane based operation. 

Pacific Aerospace Cresco VH-WKD - updated 24 November 2018

Cresco 08-600 VH-WKD returned to the NZ register as from 21 November 2018 becoming ZK-OAN with a private address in Mosgiel. The registration, and location, conclude it will be operated by Otago Airspread joining two other Cresco, ZK-OAL and ZK-OAS.

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Posted 13 November 2018:

Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600 VH-WKD msn 038 has made its across the Tasman Sea following a 15 year career since new on parachute operations.

The aircraft made its way from Woolongong (departing at 3am!) to Norfolk Island, Auckland and Napier 10 November 2018. 

Arriving Auckland 10 November 2018. 

 First registered as ZK-JOQ in May 2003, the distinctly painted aircraft was ferried across the Tasman on its ZK registration in July 2003 departing Kaitaia on the 23rd for Norfolk Island. 

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/123679

Beech 350i King Air VH-ZPF/NZ2354 or NZ2350?

The fourth and final Beech 350i King Air for the Royal New Zealand Air Force 42 Squadron was delivered to Ohakea on the afternoon of 19 November 2018. VH-ZPF MSN FL-897 made its way from Bankstown to Sydney on the afternoon of 18 November ahead of its direct flight to Ohakea the following afternoon. It flew under its VH registration from Ohakea to Whenuapai arriving noon 20 November then conducted a VFR local flight out to Great Barrier Island and back. It then returned to Ohakea that evening. A similar routine was conducted 22 November, however this time the "local" flight extended north towards Whangarei before gravitating back to Whenuapai.

VH-ZPF arriving in Whenuapai 20 November 2018. 

On the morning of 19 November 2018 the RNZAF posted the below "article" on their social media account;

Previous posts on the King Air subject can be found below:

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=VH-ZPE
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=VH-ZPF
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=VH-ZPG
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=VH-ZPJ

Airbus A321neo ZK-NNA - Updated 23 November 2018

The inaugural Air New Zealand Airbus A321NEO service took place on the afternoon of 23 November 2018 with the introduction of ZK-NNA operating as NZ739 from Auckland to Brisbane, then returning to Auckland as NZ734.

Pictures below taken as the aircraft was moved from the Air NZ Jetbase to a layover gate around noon 23 November 2018.

Nicely captured! Thanks Daniel!

Meanwhile, Airbus A321NEO ZK-NNB MSN 8542 and registered D-AVZU conducted its first flight operating from/to Hamburg/Finkenwerder on the afternoon of 21 November 2018 (local date) as AIB542A.

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Posted 05 November 2018: 

Air New Zealand's first Airbus A321NEO ZK-NNA has touched down in Auckland tonight as NZ6091 concluding its delivery flight from Hamburg.
It will now undergo induction and crew familiarization activities before entry to service in a couple of weeks time.

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Posted 03 November 2018:

Air New Zealand has uploaded this cool timelapse video of the construction of their first Airbus A321Neo ZK-NNA. The aircraft has now embarked on its delivery flight from Germany to Auckland arriving in Muscat last night. Today it will head to Kuala Lumpur, then Sunday to Cairns and finally Auckland arriving late Monday. 

BAZ heads offshore - and returns - updated 22 November 2018

Piper PA24 Comanche ZK-BAZ returned home to Taupo early on the evening of 20 November 2018 flying from Port Macquarie via Lord Howe Island and Auckland.

Welcome home Bazflyer! Sorry the weather is far from spring-like!

http://bazflyer.blogspot.com/

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Posted 20 September 2018: 

Taupo based Piper PA24 Comanche ZK-BAZ has taken flight and crossed the Tasman Sea this week. Having departed Ardmore (pictured) for Kerikeri 17 September, the Piper made the long haul direct flight to Queensland's Gold Coast on 18 September in 7 hours and 4 minutes (according to FlightAware.com).

ZK-BAZ is no stranger to overseas adventures.

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=ZK-BAZ

ZK-BAZ on the takeoff roll at Ardmore 17 September 2018. 

Operation "Reputation Stadium Tour" - Moving Out

Taylor Swift's "Reputation Stadium Tour" took place in Auckland on the night of 09 November 2018 and leading up to this a myriad of freighter flights took place to deliver the extravagant stage equipment.

https://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/2018/11/operation-reputation-stadium-tour.html

A similar operation has taken place to move the equipment from Auckland to Tokyo/Narita for her next concert on 20 November 2018, albeit at a slower tempo of activity with the slightly longer lead-in time to the event.

Antonov Design Bureau Antonov 124 UR-82029 lifted off from Auckland's runway 23L at 0015 local time 12 November 2018 destined for Brisbane and Guam as ADB2563. It then continued to Narita on the 13th. It made its way back to Auckland from Narita as ADB256F arriving late on the 14th. From Auckland to Brisbane and Guam on the 15th. 

Antonov Design Bureau Antonov 124 UR-82072 departed Auckland lunchtime 13 November 2018 for Brisbane and Guam as ADB2564. It then continued to Narita on the 14th. 

Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 freighter N412MC arrived in Auckland on the morning of 13 November 2018 from Ottawa and Honolulu on an inbound charter flight as GTI8833. It then headed off as GTI8616 for Guam and Narita. It returned to Auckland from Narita 14 November, uplifted more stage equipment and departed the same day for Guam and Narita as GTI8618. A repeat operation was conducted the next day with it arriving from Narita late 15 November as GTI8619 and departing in the wee small hours of 16 November for Guam and Narita as GTI8620. 

Vans RV8 ZK-MRM

Spotted visiting Pauanui last week was Tauranga based RV8 ZK-MRM sporting the addition of ZK- alluding to the potential for the aircraft to be headed overseas. This observation was indeed correct with the light sports aircraft embarking from Kerikeri 15 November 2018 destined for Norfolk Island. It returned to Kerikeri the next day. 

http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2018/11/pauanui.html

The RV8 is the second aircraft to wear the "MRM" registration. The first was a BAe 125-800 MSN 258047 from March 1987 until August 1989 with Chase Corporation. 

At Hokitika 13 April 1988. 

Citation Mustang N890LG departs

Ardmore/Auckland based Citation C510 Mustang N890LG MSN 510-0466 has exited New Zealand on export.

The 2016 edition jet was imported to NZ in October 2016 arriving at Ardmore on the 22nd. It replaced a second hand Citation C510 Mustang ZK-YDZ which was sold to Skyline Aviation. 

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=n890lg

https://holsteinaviation.com/available-aircraft/2016-cessna-citation-mustang-sn-510-0466-n890lg

N890LG made the flight from Ardmore to Auckland on the morning of 08 November 2018 and from there departed the next day for Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast. On 10 November the Mustang flew to Cairns and Biak/ID. 11 November saw N890LG fly to Cebu/PR and Okinawa. It continued to Chitose on the 12th. 13 November it was noted flying from Petropavlovsk to Cold Bay and Anchorage. Onwards to Prince George/BC and Duluth/MN on the 14th. From Duluth/MN to Mount Sterling-Montgomery County Airport/KY on the 15th.  (All dates NZ). Total duration of delivery Ardmore to Mount Sterling was around 37HR 30MIN. 

During its time in NZ, the Mustang was, for a time, a weekly feature visiting Hokitika. It was also noted to have visited:

Tauranga/Gisborne/Napier/Hastings/Taupo/Whanganui/Palmerston North/Wellington/Woodbourne/Nelson/Westport/Christchurch/Queenstown/Invercargill. 

The owners recently took delivery of a brand new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
ZK-HTI http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2018/09/new-bell-505-at-ardmore.html

NZ Warbirds World War One collectables

Ahead of tomorrow's NZ Warbirds Armistice Day Open Day the dedicated team have been airing out their trio of World War One replica collectables. 

The evening of 15 November 2018 netted all three on the go with the recently flown Bristol Scout D ZK-BTL taking to the air again. Fokker DR1 Triplane replica ZK-FKD and BE2e-1 replica ZK-VCM were up flying together, followed by the BE2e conducting a single ship flight. 

NZ Warbirds Association Open Day this Sunday 18 November 2018

Bristol Scout D Replica ZK-BTL

A brief, late afternoon drive-by of Ardmore on 14 November 2018 netted the first flight from NZ soil of Bristol Scout D Replica ZK-BTL MSN 5554. The World War One replica has been imported from the USA where it was built by HW Harkey in 1997 and registered N5565. 

It was cancelled from the FAA records in mid March 2018 for its export to New Zealand and became ZK-BTL (BrisToL) on 13 November 2018 with the current President of the NZ Warbirds Association Frank Parker. 

The Bristol Scout D will be a key participant at this coming Sunday's NZ Warbirds Open Day at Ardmore commemorating 100 years since Armistice Day. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Scout

https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=153

Freighters at Wellington

Parcelair/Airwork Boeing 737-400 freighters ZK-PAT and ZK-PAU conducted two return Auckland-Wellington-Auckland flights during the course of 13 November 2018 hauling a "paper" consignment that had been delivered to Auckland via an Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 freighter. N412MC had arrived in Auckland the same day from Ottawa via Honolulu. 

Boeing 737-300 freighter VH-XMR

Making its first foray to New Zealand since freighter conversion was the Express Freighters Boeing 737-376F VH-XMR MSN 23490. The converted passenger jet made a visit to Auckland on the afternoon of 11 November 2018 arriving from Sydney as QF7311 and departing for Melbourne as QF7312. It was commissioned to carry stage equipment for veteran rockers Def Leppard.

This airframe was built on order for Australian Airlines as VH-TAY back in 1987. It moved to the Qantas stable in 1993 following the airlines merger and was transferred to the NZ based Jetconnect 10 years later becoming ZK-JNA. It had the honour of operating the first Qantas NZ domestic service on 01 January 2004 as QF4138 from Christchurch to Auckland. 

It was retired from service in June 2006 and ferried to Avalon for freighter conversion where it was to become VH-XMR. 

More detailed history can be found  HERE

"New" jet in the Pacific

A potential recent addition to the Pacific Island scene is 1990 edition Gulfstream IV N41SC MSN 1144. This nicely presented jet arrived at Papeete 26 October 2018 from California City Municipal (L71) and Honolulu and the first thing noticed was the existence of the Western Samoa flag proudly on display! 

N41SC flew a round trip from Papeete to the Western Samoan capital Apia and back on the 27th, then to Rarotonga on the 29th before heading back to Papeete on the 31st. It has since left the region arriving back at California City Municipal from Honolulu 09 November. 

The Pacific Islands have generally been devoid of private/corporate jets so its great to see this potential new resident in the region. It joins Air Rarotonga's Citation E5-TCM, Helipro (Fiji) Westwind N990S and the two Citationjet's based out of Magenta. 

N41SC prepares to depart Rarotonga 31 October 2018. 

RNZAF takes delivery of first Beech King Air 350i - second time round!

Royal New Zealand Air Force 42 Squadron Ohakea has received its first Beech King Air 350i for a second time with the return of VH-ZPE/NZ2353.

This particular airframe was initially delivered to Ohakea back on 24 March 2018 under its VH markings and was first noted as NZ2353 on 14 May 2018. It subsequently departed the country on 19 June 2018 flying from Dunedin to Hobart and progressively migrated north to Cairns where it transitioned back to its VH-ZPE registration. This was most likely to facilitate additional work to be carried out by civilian owner's Hawker Pacific. 

VH-ZPE moved to Bankstown on 23 August 2018 and it is from there that it positioned across to Sydney 10 November 2018 and onto Ohakea 11 November 2018. 

VH-ZPE prepares to depart Sydney 11 November 2018. 

VH-ZPF is still at Bankstown pending delivery. 

Click HERE for previous posts on VH-ZPE. 

China Airlines Airbus A350-900XWB B-18918

China Airlines most recently delivered Airbus A350-900 B-18918 has made two visits to Auckland since its entry to service. Sporting a special livery dubbed "Carbon Fibre/Airbus", the A350 arrived in Taipei from Toulouse on 23 October 2018. This is the last of 14 XWB's order by China Airlines. 

Below series of shots taken 07 November 2018.