Precision Helicopters AS350 ZK-ILN and a voyage of discovery!

Precision Helicopters has commenced scenic flight operations as of 23 December 2018 from a location adjacent to the Hokitika Gorge on New Zealand's South Island West Coast. Utilising a recently imported Eurocopter/Airbus AS350B2 Squirrel ZK-ILN, the location is in prime South Island real estate. The tours on offer provide unprecedented access to spectacular scenery in close proximity to the helicopter base. 

We were extremely privileged to partake in the "grand tour" with a landing at Ivory Hut Lake on Christmas Eve day and words cannot describe the experience. This post a great way to farewell 2018!

So, if you're visiting the area, make this a bucket list item!

https://helicopterhokitika.com/

Thank you so much to Matt and Lilly for this "WOW" day out!

Wilkinson Glacier

Wilkinson Glacier

Ivory Lake

Ivory Lake Hut
http://remotehuts.co.nz/huts/ivory/

Looking east from Ivory Lake, 4500amsl

Ivory Lake

Ivory Lake

Southern Alps looking west

Hokitika Gorge at left, Precision Helicopters base at right. 

2006 edition Eurocopter AS350B2 ZK-ILN MSN 4159 was imported to NZ via Ardmore's Oceania Aviation. It had been in operation with Tri-State CareFlight in the aeromedical role as N350CF.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8269696

Earthrounder - Pilatus PC12 N575PC

Osaka Holdings Pilatus PC12 N575PC on a circumnavigation of the world arrived in Auckland 12 December 2018 from Niue. The Pilatus had arrived Papeete 03 December (local date) from Easter Island via Tureia. It then flew onto Bora Bora the following day. From Bora Bora back to Papeete and onto Niue 11 December.

The globetrotting PC12 has flown around the world a couple of times already:

http://www.longwayaround2015.com/2015/

As at month's end, N575PC remained static at Auckland.

Military Movers December 2018

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 07-7189 arrived in Wellington on the afternoon of 02 December 2018 from Alice Springs as "Reach 525". It departed 04 December for Pago Pago. The jet had made its way from Brunei to Canberra a few days earlier.

Republic of Korea Air Force Boeing 747-400 10001 arrived in Auckland late 02 December 2018 from Buenos Aires as KAF001. It departed 04 December 2018 destined for Seoul Air Base.

French Arm del'air Casa 235 82-IG/105 arrived in Auckland 05 December 2018 from Niue as CTM1192. It flew from Auckland to Nelson and Whenuapai 07 December 2018.

United States Air National Guard Boeing 737-7BC (BBJ/C40C) 02-0202 arrived in Wellington 09 December from Pago Pago as "BOXER 43". This first time visitor to NZ departed 11 December destined for Noumea. It continued to Honiara and Port Vila 12 December.

Cessna 162 Skycatcher VH-OCM

Down Under Aviation of Gatton/QLD Cessna 162 Skycatcher VH-OCM was flown across the Tasman Sea 28 December 2018 arriving in Kerikeri from Lord Howe Island.

It was subsequently registered ZK-KTC with the Kaitaia Aero Club.

Departing Lord Howe Island 28 December 2018 

http://gaaircraftaus.blogspot.com/2016/05/cessna-162-skycatcher-vh-ocm.html

Boeing 777-212ER N777UK - Updated 29 December 2018

Polaris Aviation Services Boeing 777-212ER N777UK departed Auckland late afternoon 28 December 2018 for Sydney, then later the same day to Canberra for layover parking.

Prior to the 777's departure from Auckland the passenger's luggage arrived from Whangarei via Air Wanganui's Beech King Air 200 ZK-MDC and Avia Air Charter Piper PA31 Navajo Panther ZK-LTD. The passengers arrived via Agusta A109 ZK-HBH and Bell 429 ZK-IRP, most likely from the exclusive Helena Bay Lodge.

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Posted 23 December 2018: 

The morning of 21 December 2018 dawned with the arrival at Auckland International of super sized corporate/private jet in the form of Boeing 777-212ER N777UK. The very nicely appointed ex airliner arrived from Kona/HI having flown in from Los Angeles the previous night.

Previously operated by Singapore Airlines as 9V-SRI from 2001 until 2013, the 777 is managed by Polaris Aviation Services who fly on behalf of the owner, Access Industries. Access Industries was founded in 1986 by post-Soviet oligarch Sir Leonard Blavatnik. 

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

Lake LA-250 Renegade VH-WMW - Updated 28 December 2018

Updating a post from several months ago. Lake Renegade VH-WMW has been placed on the NZ register as of 19 December 2018 becoming ZK-WAI with an Albany (Auckland North Shore) address. 

This is the third use of the marks WAI. The first was worn by a Piper PA31-350 Chieftain operated by Wairarapa Airlines http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/11/wairarapa-airlines-revisited.html and the second use of WAI was on an Adventurer amphib

 http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2010/04/no-more-adventurer-333-amphibians-in-nz.html

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Posted 04 May 2018: 

1989 edition Lake LA-250 Renegade VH-WMW arrived at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island 03 May 2018 nearing the conclusion of its delivery flight to a North Shore, Auckland address with whom it was registered two months ago.

The amphibian had flown from Coffs Harbour to Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island 02 May.

Special Painted F-4 Phantom at Hyakuri December 2018 - AIRSHOW WORLD

What a stunner! 

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KEG

Registered as recently as 11 December 2018, Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KEG MSN 217 conducted its first flight just two days later and on 19 December 2018 departed Hamilton for the Gold Coast at the commencement of its delivery flight to China. It diverted enroute to Lord Howe Island for fuel before continuing to the Gold Coast. Onto Longreach and Darwin 20 December 2018.
The 750XL is overall white with a roller parachute door. 

Two additional 750's were registered in December, ZK-KEH MSN 218 and ZK-KEI MSN 219. 

Meanwhile, the first 750XL to be produced by CPAT (Changzhou Pan-Pacific Aviation Technology Co) was test flown from Changzhou  on 15 December 2018 registered B-00CE MSN 8002. 

Image of B-OOCE via Pacific Aerospace Facebook page

Operation Christmas Drop

Seasons Greetings

Wishing one and all a very Merry Christmas and happy, safe and prosperous New Year. 

The Best Of Operation Christmas Drop 2018

Vans RV6 VH-VGS

Making its way across the Tasman Sea during the course of 22 December 2018 was the New Zealand built Vans RV6 VH-VGS.

Constructed by Gary Spicer, the RV6 was registered ZK-VGS until Gary and his wife retired to Australia where it then became VH-VGS. The smartly painted sports aircraft has returned to NZ for a new owner, ironically with the same GS initials, so perhaps we can expect it to become ZK-VGS again.

VH-VGS delivery flight originated from Southport/QLD with stops at Lord Howe Island and Norfok Island before continuing onto Auckland and ultimately its new home at Ardmore.

VH-VGS arriving Auckland 22 December 2018. 

Socota TB20 Trinidad VH-KMY - updated 24 December 2018

Trinidad VH-KMY was placed on the NZ register as of 18 December 2018 becoming ZK-SGT with Aerius Ltd of Te Puke.

A blog post on ZK-SGT can be found HERE

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Posted 19 November 2018: 

Socota TBM20 Trinidad VH-KMY MSN 2084 arrived in New Zealand 14 November 2018.

Most recently registered to New South Wales address, the 2002 edition Trinidad made its way from Bankstown to Lord Howe Island 12 November 2018 then onto Norfolk Island  on the 13th and to Auckland and Tauranga on the 14th.

VH-KMY during its visit to Lord Howe Island. 

Sichuan Airlines switch Airbuses

Sichuan Airlines inaugurated services to Auckland from its Chengdu/China base in June 2017 and has operated Airbus A330-200's on the thrice weekly service between the two cities.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/93620098/inaugural-sichuan-airlines-flight-to-touch-down-in-auckland

The carrier announced last month its intention to switch aircraft types to the Airbus A350-900XWB from 22 December 2018 through until the end of March 2019. The 350's are configured to accommodate 28 business class and 303 economy class passengers. 

In July 2018 Sichuan Airlines placed an order for 10 leased Airbus A350's and the first, B-301D, was delivered in August 2018 followed by B-304U in October 2018 and B-304V in November 2018.

The carrier conveniently dispatched exceptionally colourful B-301D on the type's inaugural flight for the airline arriving 22 December 2018 as CSC8909 arriving well ahead of schedule, and departing on time as CSC8910.

Cessna 404 Titan VH-ZUI - updated 22 December 2018

Cessna 404 Titan Ambassador III ZK-SVI made its way from Hamilton to Ardmore 21 December 2018 and was later noted conducting a local flight.
Nice sounding machine!

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Posted 22 November 2018:

Cessna 404 Titan VH-ZUI has now returned to the NZ register become ZK-SVI with Total Entertainment Solutions of Auckland as from 21 November 2018. The registration SVI alludes to its expected role as a survey machine. It may well end up joining Cessna 402's ZK-MAP and ZK-PVC with Aerial Surveys, Nelson. Time will tell. 

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Posted 01 July 2018: 

Interesting to spy Cessna 404 Titan VH-ZUI turning up at Auckland just on dusk 29 June 2018 after a direct flight from the Gold Coast. It departed Auckland late morning 30 June destined for Hamilton.

The light utility twin appears to be a re-import to New Zealand having spent a few years in the country as ZK-NDY. It was imported to the country as N6764D back in September 2007 and briefly flew with Coastair.

 http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2010/04/coastair-tried-to-find-niche.html

The Titan left New Zealand 26 September 2013 embarking from Ardmore for Auckland, Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast. 

Arriving at Auckland 29 June 2018. 

Islanders to the Pacific - Farewell ZK-DBV - updated 22 December 2018

Thanks to Matthew Bevan for sharing this photo of Britten Norman Islander DQ-DBV (nee ZK-DBV) as seen at Nadi, Fiji on 16 December 2018 wearing the titles of its new owner, Pacific Island Air.

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Posted 16 November 2018:

A trio of long time Queenstown residents are on the move to a new career in Fiji following a 40+ year history of flying in New Zealand.

Initially operated by Mt Cook Airline, Britten Norman Islanders ZK-DBV MSN 164, ZK-MCD MSN 719 and ZK-MCE MSN 724 have all been flying the last number of years with Milford Sound Flightseeing. However the fleet has been superseded by the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan of which MSF now operate three examples with a fourth pending and Gippsland Airvans. 

The departure of these three Islanders follows four others that exited the fleet back in 2013 (ZK-MSF/ZK-ZQN/ZK-MFN/ZK-TSS).

Images from the Milford Sound Flightseeing Facebook page.

Three remaining Islanders at Queenstown 24 September 2018 - source Milford Sound Flightseeing facebook page. 

Check out the links below for indepth coverage of the Islander's life with Mt Cook Airline. 

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2014/06/mount-cook-airlines-part-2-1970s-new.html

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2011/06/last-days-of-lily-at-milford-sound.html

The Islander trio have been sold to Pacific Island Air Ltd of Fiji, a subsidiary of the GCH Group (Garden City Helicopters, Christchurch) and after initial maintenance at Dunedin were positioned to the owner's newly opened facility at Christchurch. 

https://www.pacificislandair.com/

ZK-DBV, the first Islander imported to New Zealand back in October 1970, migrated north from Christchurch to Ardmore via a fuel stop at Paraparaumu on 06 November 2018 with its recently installed ADSB equipment tagging the registration as DQ-DBV - a sign of its future identity. 

It was then tanked for the delivery flight and departed 15 November 2018 for Kerikeri and then direct to Nadi with a planned flight time of 9HR 54MIN. 

ZK-DBV prepared for its delivery to Fiji. Parked at Ardmore 14 November 2018. 

Recent addition to the NZ register

A recent addition to the New Zealand aircraft register has previously had a footprint on this blog when it visited as a motor yacht's mode of personal ship to shore transport. 

Enstrom 480B N480TM MSN 5095 became ZK-HRJ on 14 December 2018 to a Taupo address. 

I am unsure if the helicopter retains its colourful scheme it was adorned with during its 2014 foray to New Zealand http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=n480tm

Ardmore February 2014. 

First Boeing 737 MAX visit to New Zealand

Launched in August 2011, the Boeing 737 MAX family of aircraft is successor to the popular NG (Next Generation) series of narrow-body airliners. The first MAX flight was conducted in January 2016 and first delivery, to Malindo Airlines, in May 2017. 

The MAX series of 737's incorporate CFM International LEAP-1B powerplants, aerodynamic improvements including split-tip scimitar winglets and airframe modifications. 

Almost 5000 Boeing 737 MAX have been ordered with 279 delivered. 

Nadi based Fiji Airways is the first airline in the region to take delivery of the latest Boeing and we covered DQ-FAB here : http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=dq-fab

The airliner, configured to carry 186 passengers, is the first of four MAX8's on order and entered service 17 December 2018 flying from Nadi to Adelaide and back. 

Its first service to New Zealand was flown 20 December 2018 operating as FJ461 from Nadi to Wellington, and returning to Nadi as FJ460. 

Brazilian Predator in the Pacific! - updated 20 December 2018

Exciting press release from a couple of days ago announcing Air Kiribati's order for two Embraer E190-E2 for delivery in 2019 

http://australianaviation.com.au/2018/12/air-kiribati-to-go-the-distance-with-embraer-e2-order/

Computer image via Embraer

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Posted 26 October 2018:

An unexpected visitor to the Pacific this past week was Embraer's E190-E2 demonstrator PR-ZGQ. Adorned with a spectacular shark face livery to promote the manufacturer's "Profit Hunter" theme, the next generation twin has spent the last few weeks around Asia and ultimately turned up at Tarawa from Chukk 19 October 2018. It then continued to Port Vila from where it embarked on the 23rd for a nocturnal visit to Darwin (pictured) and then onto Singapore/Seletar. 

https://www.embraercommercialaviation.com/commercial-jets/e190-e2-commercial-jet/

Thanks to Sid @ DRW for these shots of the E2.