HNZ New Zealand Squirrels deployed with KOPRI

Two HNZ New Zealand AS350B2 Squirrels have been on a summer expedition to Antarctica deployed on the Korean Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) icebreaker RV "Araon". 

ZK-HDB and ZK-HNR were extracted from the vessel's hangar on 24 March 2019 while docked at the Port of Lyttleton. 

Matthew Bevan timed a visit to the port perfectly to catch their departures. 

Cockpit Fokker Friendship F27 - 1969 (BXE)

Classic - sadly just a snippet of a one hour documentary but well worth a look. 

More Tasman Crossers - Updated

Cessna 172P VH-BFQ, delivered to Wanaka back in August 2017, has transitioned to become ZK-BFQ on 21 March 2019 to a Wanaka owner. 

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Posted 09 August 2017:

In late July 2017 we mentioned a couple of general aviation aircraft crossing the Tasman Sea

 (http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2017/07/tasman-crossings.html). 

Two more light aircraft have made their way to New Zealand in the shape of Piper PA32R-300 VH-HOK (became ZK-SLP with Southern Lakes Aviation 17 August) and Cessna 172P VH-BFQ (pictured). The two aircraft met up at the Gold Coast airport 02 August before departing the next morning for Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Then onto Kerikeri and New Plymouth 04 August before the final leg to Wanaka 05 August. 

VH-BFQ at Wanaka 05 August. 

Airbus A320NEO ZK-NHA

Air New Zealand's more recently delivered Airbus NEO, 320 series ZK-NHA, made its debut on the carrier's domestic network 22 March 2019 as it was employed to cover for other A320 adhoc maintenance and provide additional capacity due to high demand for seats in/out of Christchurch. 

The 165 seat airliner had a busy day starting out of Christchurch with a flight to Auckland as NZ522, then back to Christchurch as NZ527. It then flew another Christchurch-Auckland-Christchurch round trip as NZ538/1223. Its day was still not done with it flying a Christchurch-Wellington-Christchurch round trip as NZ1226/1227. It then flew its planned NZ883 service from Christchurch to Sydney where it overnighted. 

Thanks to Michael Lanzensberger for these great shots of ZK-NHA on its first visit to Wellington. 

Qatar Amiri Flight Airbus A340-300 A7-AAH

Qatar Amiri Flight Airbus A340-300 A7-AAH arrived at Christchurch on the evening of 22 March 2019 having earlier in the day departed Doha with a tech-stop at Male. 

The aircraft last visited NZ back in 2015 and its visit this time is solemnly in conjunction with the dreadful events of Friday week ago.

Sincere thanks to Vaughan Morrissey for the provision of these great images captured in challenging light conditions.

Also visiting Christchurch in association with the atrocities of last week is State of Kuwait Gulfstream G650 9K-GGD. This aircraft arrived during the last hour of 21 March 2019 from Kuwait via Perth as KUG59. 

Airbus A320-232 ZK-OJG retires / departs / registered

Former Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 ZK-OJG departed Auckland on 17 February 2019 on delivery to Europe registered as F-WTDD. 

On 15 March 2019 it was re-registered LY-NVW to Avion Express, Lithuania. It has subseqently been wet leased to TUI Airlines, Netherlands. 

LY-NVW at Stuttgart 17 March 2019, Patrick Weis photo. 

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Posted 19 February 2019: 

Ex Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 ZK-OJG was cancelled from the NZ register 15 February 2019 and became F-WTDD. Under its French registration as callsign the Airbus departed Auckland 17 February for Pago Pago and Honolulu and continued to Calgary via ??? 18 February (NZ date). 

Taxiing for departure from Auckland, N Jones photo

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Posted 28 January 2019:

ZK-OJG conducted an Auckland-Auckland flight as NZ6235 23 January 2019 as part of its divestment program from the Air New Zealand fleet. It is understood the aircraft will head to Europe in early February.

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Posted 21 January 2019: 

Retired from Air New Zealand service Airbus A320-232 ZK-OJG departed Christchurch back on 03 January 2019 as NZ6001 destined for Townsville where it had its previous identity removed by Flying Colours. It has returned to Auckland 15 January 2019 as NZ6002 now all white pending export to its new owner/operator.

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Posted 25 November 2018:

Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 ZK-OJG MSN 2173 has exited the airline's fleet as the national carrier transitions some flying activity to the larger Airbus A321NEO's. 

ZK-OJG, delivered to Auckland on 27 March 2004, operated its final flight as NZ804 from Brisbane to Christchurch 15 November 2018, touching down at the stroke of midnight and arriving on the gate at 0004 16 November 2018. 

The 6th A320 to enter service with Air NZ, ZK-OJG was one of a few aircraft operated under a dual airline operator's certificate (AOC) and was jointly operated between Air NZ and Freedom Air. Its next operator is yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, the fate of Airbuses ZK-OJN and ZK-OJO seem to have been sealed with a deal mentioned in the following article from last month:

https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/10/11/1619772/0/en/Jetlines-Makes-Additional-Payment-for-Takeoff-under-AerCap-Lease-Agreement.html

Cessna 172S VH-DIC

2004 edition Cessna 172S VH-DIC MSN 172-9765 reached Kerikeri on the afternoon of 15 March 2019 having made an early start from Norfolk Island. The previous day the 172 had flown from Archerfield to Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. 

The 172 continued onto Nelson where it was noted 16 March and became ZK-NAY with the Nelson Aviation College on 15 April. 

VH-DIC arriving Lord Howe Island. 

Turkish Government Airbus A340-500 TC-CAN

In operation with the Turkish Government since 2016, Airbus A340-500 TC-CAN arrived in Christchurch on the evening of 17 March 2019 after a direct, 19HR 38MIN flight from the Istanbul. Operating as flight TRK4, the modified airliner has arrived in Christchurch carrying a delegation to provide support following Friday's unprecedented terrorist attack at two Muslim mosques.

News article HERE

It departed Christchurch just after 0400 19 March 2019 heading to Singapore and Ankara/Esenboga (LTAC/ESB). 

The exceptionally long flight from Istanbul to Christchurch raised the question of "is this the longest flight to New Zealand". I believe the answer is no, however if one was to say longest flight carrying passengers then it would be yes.

However, the longest, non-stop flight to New Zealand dates back to 16 June 1993 when Airbus Industries test bed Airbus A340-200 F-WWBA dubbed "World Ranger" flew from Paris direct to Auckland in 21HR 32MIN. After 5 hours on the ground in Auckland, the A340 returned to Paris direct in 21HR 46MIN.  The airliner broke six world records and had an addition five centre fuel tanks to maximise its range carrying just 22 crew and Airbus officials. 

Police Formation

A lucky catch while visiting Ardmore late morning 12 March 2019. Initially thought I'd missed the opportunity as saw the three Police "Eagle" AS355 Twin Squirrel's and their sole Hughes 500E departing Ardmore in formation destined for the Auckland City sector. After waiting around for a while I was about to head for home but thankfully had the trusty ears on and the quartet returned a little before noon. 

The Airwork operated machines are soon to be replaced by Advanced Flight contracted Bell 429's operating from their Onehunga (ex Pikes Point) location. The incumbent operator was obviously taking the opportunity to gather photos of the Squirrel fleet and used the Hughes 500E as a photographer platform until the local flying activity around Ardmore where it joined the Squirrels. 

Deciphering the identities:
Police 1 = ZK-HKG
Police 2 = ZK-HDG
Police 3 = ZK-HXE
Police 4 = ZK-IOB


The first of three Bell 429's for the Police contract is on the water from Australia

https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/new-contract-awarded-supplier-police-eagle-helicopters

ZK-IPC MSN 57048 was registered to Advanced Flight 04 March 2019 and comes ex Royal Australan Navy where it operated as N49-048 and was briefly registered VH-IWS.

A second ex RAN machine, N49-047, has been registered VH-IWR.

https://www.janes.com/article/86972/royal-australian-navy-prepares-to-retire-bell-429-helicopters

Spot the interloper! (R44 ZK-IWP). 

Nocturnal Reach 2019

Joint military exercise Nocturnal Reach 2019 is underway with C130 Hercules from the United States Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force operating from RNZAF Woodbourne. 

RNZAF C130H Hercules NZ7001 has been conducting flying activity across Central New Zealand since the commencement of the exercise on 11 March 2019 and it has since been joined by two examples from the USAF.

Lockheed MC130J Commando II 13-5776 arrived in Whenuapai 12 March 2019 from Townsville and Richmond as "GACHO12". After clearing formalities the C130 continued to Woodbourne.

Lockheed MC130H Combat Talon II 86-1699 arrived in Whenuapai 13 March 2019 from Townsville and Richmond as "GACHO11". After clearing formalities the C130 continued to Woodbourne.

Smile for the camera! Spot the Air Nelson Q300 partially obscured

Cessna 208B N263SW

Arriving at Ardmore 14 March 2019 was Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N263SW MSN 208B-2003. This 2008 example is on delivery to Queenstown based Milford Sound Flights bringing the operator's Caravan fleet to four aircraft. 

The 208 made its way from Wiley Post Airport/OK to St Johns/AZ and Merced/CA on 07 February 2019. Its crossing to Hawaii was delayed due to unfavourable wind conditions but it reached Honolulu from Merced 11 March 2019 in company with N531FT, another 208 destined for Australia. Both aircraft then flew to Apia arriving 13 March. N263SW flew onto Auckland and Ardmore 14 March, while N531FT flew to the Gold Coast and Redcliffe.

Arriving Auckland 14 March 2019. 

N263SW started out as N208AE and moved to Germany becoming D-FAAJ in January 2009 with Air Alliance and it was ferried under its German identity to the USA in mid November 2018. On arrival at Wiley Post the aircraft underwent an interior reconfiguration to 14 seats and repaint to the new owner's red, white and blue livery. It differs from the other Milford Sound Flights Caravans as it retains the baggage/cargo pod. 

Pilatus PC12 VH-YWO

Former Royal Flying Doctor Service Pilatus PC12/47 VH-YWO touched down at Wellington on the afternoon of 09 March 2019 after a direct flight from Sydney. The aircraft still wears the RFDS colours however minus titles etc.

It departed Wellington 12 March 2019 under the callsign "Sounds Air Oscar" heading to Omaka.

The PC12 had been operated from the RFDS Western Australia base at Perth/Jandakot and appears to have finished flying operations in mid November 2018. It then headed to Australia's Pilatus HQ at Adelaide from where it departed 08 March for Sydney. 

Ex Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300's - UPDATED 13 March 2019

Ex Air New Zealand Boeing 767-319ER N830WE (ZK-NCI MSN 26913) has been stored at Alice Springs since 24 June 2017 registered to 30West. it departed Alice Springs 08 March 2019 under its registration as callsign for Honolulu. It departed late 09 March 2019 local date destined for Wilmington/Ohio (KILN/ILN). Then 12 March local date it proceeded to Tel Aviv.

https://www.30wjets.com/available-aircraft

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Posted 22 April 2018:

Ex Air New Zealand Boeing 767-319ER N930WE (ZK-NCJ MSN 26915) has been stored at Alice Springs since 13 February 2017 registered to 30West was sold to ATSG Inc (Air Transport Services Group) in March this year. It Departed Alice Springs on the evening of 21 April under its registration as callsign for Honolulu enroute to the USA for freighter conversion.
http://www.atsginc.com/index.html

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Posted 16 April 2018:

From Alice Springs come these great shots of the three ex Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300's stored at the Australian outback airport. 

It is just over one year since the last Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300 commercial flight took place and the three aircraft, ZK-NCG, ZK-NCI and ZK-NCJ, have been in storage since mid 2017. 

https://www.30wjets.com/available-aircraft

Airbus A320NEO ZK-NHA - enters service

Airbus A320-271NEO ZK-NHA has entered commercial service with Air New Zealand operating its first flight from Christchurch 11 March 2019 as NZ893 to Melbourne, returning to Christchurch as NZ896.

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Posted 06 March 2019: 

Air New Zealand's first Airbus A320-271NEO ZK-NHA MSN 8715 has been delivered with the 165 seater arriving in Christchurch late 02 March 2019 as NZ6094. The delivery route saw ZK-NHA depart Finkenwerder 26 February local date for a night stop at Muscat, then additional night stops at Kuala Lumpur and Cairns. 

The first 320NEO will be based out of Christchurch with its first flight expected to be as NZ893 from Christchurch to Melbourne 11 March 2019. 

Stunning shot of ZK-NHA departing Finkenwerder thanks to Aviation Spotters Hamburg facebook page