Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKI delivered - UPDATED 30 APRIL 2019

Air New Zealand withdraw leased Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKI from service back on 25 March 2019 after the aircraft arrived at Auckland from Los Angeles and Rarotonga as ANZ19. The ex Singapore Airlines jet has since been in storage and pre divestment maintenance. It conducted a 1HR 51MIN  Auckland-Auckland flight during 27 April 2019 as ANZ6237. It departed Auckland after dark 29 April 2019 on what is probably its last flight as ANZ6018 and as this post goes to air it should be arriving at its destination of Victorville/CA.

Returning to the Air NZ jet base on Anzac Day 2019 following a prefuel at the international ramp. 

Landing back at Auckland for the final time post divestment flight 27 April 2019. 

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Posted 07 July 2018: 

As we alluded to in our previous post, ZK-OKI has slotted into service with it flying its first commercial service for Air New Zealand on 07 July 2018 as NZ107 from Auckland to Sydney, returning to Auckland the same day as NZ110.

Awesome shots provided by Aircraft Services!

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Posted 20 June 2018:

Air New Zealand's dry leased Boeing 777-212(ER) ZK-OKI has arrived at Auckland touching down after dark 19 June 2018 from Singapore as NZ6018. The aircraft wears basic Singapore Airlines colour scheme minus any titles/logo and will remain this way for the foreseeable future.

Its planned entry to service is slated for 17 July 2018 operating the NZ10/9 Auckland-Honolulu-Auckland daily rotation however it may well end up operating a short haul Tasman service before this date so keep an eye out for it!!

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Posted 16 May 2018:

After several weeks of speculation following the most recent Rolls Royce powered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner issues, the NZ CAA register was updated 15 May 2018 with the addition of Boeing 777-212(ER) ZK-OKI to Air New Zealand.

Built on order for Singapore Airlines, MSN 32336 was rolled out of the Paine/Everett factory on 14 November 2002 and delivered to Singapore as 9V-SVL arriving 26 November 2002. It was subsequently withdrawn from service 01 March 2018 and undertook a test flight on 28 March before becoming N817BC with the Boeing Aircraft Company. It has since been in storage at Singapore/Changi and it is understood will be dry leased to Air New Zealand to cover for widebody fleet shortfalls associated with the Dreamliner Rolls Royce engine issues. 

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8898481

9V-SVL was a regular visitor to New Zealand during its time with Singapore Airlines and most recently visited on 06 February 2018 when it flew Singapore-Christchurch-Singapore. It appears from internet searches that the aircraft was/is configured with 26 business class and 245 economy class seats. 

This will be the second use of the registration ZK-OKI. The first was adorned by a humble Cessna 150H between November 1990 and January 1995.

The original ZK-OKI! And talk about an amazing scheme. Anyone else got photos of her? As seen at HOKItika 22 January 1992. 

Cirrus SR22 N108PM

Cirrus SR22 N108PM has spent the last few days tiki touring around New Zealand. Registered to a Gold Coast owner, the G5 Australis Premium edition Cirrus was delivered to its Queensland home back on 01 February 2017 after a deliver flight from Santa Maria/CA via Maui and Pago Pago. 

It flew from Port Macquarie to Lord Howe Island and Kerikeri 19 April 2019, then to Waiheke Island and Woodbourne 20 April. Onward to Nelson 21 April then to Hastings 23 April. From Hastings to Napier and back 24 April. From Hastings to Pauanui 27 April and after a few hours on the ground it continued to Kerikeri. It departed early 28 April for Lord Howe Island, Sydney and Bankstown.

N108PM resting at the beachside airstrip of Pauanui. 

Cessna Silver Eagle N526CH

Based at Ardmore since September 2013, Cessna 210P "Silver Eagle" Centurion N526CH has become a regular sight around New Zealand with its distinctive Rolls Royce turboprop power plant. 

During April the unique aeroplane conducted a trip to Australia and it departed from Kerikeri on 9 April 2019 for Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast. It later went on to visit Charleville, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Cooper Pedy, Adelaide, Parafield, King Island, Hobart, Wollongong and Ballina. It arrived home to Ardmore 26 April 2019 from Ballina via Lord Howe Island and Kerikeri.

Above and below - N526CH visits Lord Howe Island for the first time. 

Ardmore June 2017. 

Falcon 50EX N115MF

Wellington based Falcon 50EX N115MF touched down at Ardmore for the first time just on sunset 24 April 2019 after a quick trip north from the Capital. It departed at noon Anzac Day on return to Wellington.

I'm not 100% sure but this is potentially the first tri-jet to visit the general aviation airport located south-east of Auckland. There is a possibility one may have visited back in the late 80's during the time of such types operating in New Zealand. 

First of Type Visitor - Pilatus PC-24

Dubbed the "super versatile jet" by Swiss manufacturer Pilatus, the PC-24 was launched in May 2013 and first flew two years later. Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service was one of the first customers of the jet and they took delivery of the first of 5 aircraft in November 2018. 

The first privately operated example was registered on 03 December 2018 with Dalydine PTY but operated by Pilatus Australia as VH-FGM MSN 119 and it arrived at the distributor's Adelaide base on 14 December 2018. 

This aircraft was to be the first Pilatus PC-24 to visit New Zealand and it arrived at Auckland mid afternoon 25 April 2019 from Adelaide via Sydney.

Cessna 180J VH-IRS

Another delivery across the Tasman Sea, this time in the shape of a 1976 edition Cessna 180J Skywagon registered VH-IRS.

The immaculate 180, with a glass cockpit panel, made its way from Coffs Harbour to Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island 22 April 2019 then to Kerikeri and Mercer 23 April.

It became ZK-RAD 29 April 2019 registered to a Tauranga address. 

We Will Remember Them - Anzac Day 2019

To honour our nation's armed forces, the Royal New Zealand Air Force will participate in a series of flypasts around New Zealand today. 

Details of these flights can be found by clicking HERE

Hornet Departures

Two of the three Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets deployed to NZ for participation at the Easter weekend Classic Fighters airshow departed Woodbourne mid morning 23 April 2019 heading direct to Williamtown. 

A21-39 and A21-50 blasted off Woodbourne's runway 24 at 0920 as ASY1030 and rendeveouzed with Royal Australian Air Force Airbus A330MRTT A39-003 over Tasman Bay. The A330 had arrived at Auckland the previous afternoon from Amberley as ASY543 and departed at 0845 23 April to provide tanker support for the Hornets. 

Lots of omph being expended as A21-39 leads the charge. Gavin Conroy photos. 

A39-003 departs Auckland under gloomy skies. 

It is understood A21-23 is unservicable at Woodbourne and support for it arrived on the evening of 23 April with Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-467 arriving from Williamtown and Wellington as ASY546. 

File photo - A97-467 during its visit to Ohakea earlier this month. 

Boeing 767-319ER N930WE (ex ZK-NCJ) Departs - Updated 23 April 2019

Having sat idle at Alice Springs for over a year, former Air NZ Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCJ departed the storage facility on 21 April 2018 destined for Honolulu and the mainland USA. In June 2018 it flew to Tel Aviv and was converted to a freighter for Cargo Aircraft Management with whom it was registered as N382CM. It arrived back in the USA on Boxing Day 2018 touching down at Cincinnati from Tel Aviv via Shannon.

It has since entered service with Air Transport International on nightly freight operations with its base appearing to be Philadelphia.

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Posted 14 February 2017: 

Ex Air New Zealand Boeing 767-319ER ZK-NCJ MSN 26915 was officially re-registered N930WE earlier this month have been cancelled from the NZ CAA register on 25 January as "exported". The aircraft departed from Auckland just after 1400 13 February 2017 destined for storage at Alice Springs and used the callsign JTN6181 utilising the services of ferry company Jet Test and Transport (http://www.jettestandtransport.com/) who have recently undertaken delivery flights of Airwork Boeing 737-400 freighters from the USA to NZ. 

ZK-NCJ was withdrawn from service at Auckland on 29 October 2016 having flown from Auckland to Brisbane as NZ139, returning as NZ134.

Thanks to the Aviation Historical Society of NZ Aerolog publication of October 1995:

The sixth Boeing 767-319ER in the fleet arrived on 22 April 1995 as NZ6301 after a direct flight from Boeing's Paine Field/WA. As at arrival Auckland the aircraft had completed 33.5 hours and 22 cycles. The delivery crew comprised of Captain I Varcoe & G Vujcich with S/O N Farquhar. The first scheduled service was NZ109 Auckland to Cairns on 28 April under the command of Captain M Carlisle, F/O S Hassett & S/O J Murphy. 

ZK-NCJ, along with still in service ZK-NCG and ZK-NCI, are listed at the following website

http://www.30wjets.com/aircraft-leasing

First timer - Dominican Republic visitor to NZ

To the best of our knowledge Citation 680 Sovereign HI-985 MSN 680-0001 became the first ever aircraft from the Caribbean Sea nation of Dominican Republic to visit New Zealand.

Operated by Helidosa Aviation, the very first production Sovereign arrived at Auckland after dark 07 April 2019 from Honolulu and Pago Pago. The medical transfer equipped jet then flew from Auckland to New Plymouth and back, then onto Pago Pago, Honolulu and the mainland USA.

http://helidosa.com/

Fletcher FU24 VH-MYW

Making the journey from Australia to New Zealand over the last day or so is FU24-954 Fletcher VH-MYW MSN 267.

Thanks to Delticman, the following background to VH-MYW is known:

Originally intended to be ZK-EMO, VH-MYW started life as ZK-EMP and was test flown at Hamilton 23 August 1979. A few months later it was purchased by Ted McIntosh of Yass, south of Goulburn/NSW and flown from Auckland to Norfolk Island on 27 December 1979. It was registered to Yass Aerial Services in February 1980 and remained with them until Ted retired. In August 2016 it was purchased by Middlebrook Air Services at Gunnedah and operating out of Gloucester/NSW on pasture spreading.

http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-of-type-zk-emp.html

http://www.middlebrookair.com/aircraft/

It departed from Coffs Harbour at the break of dawn 16 April 2019 heading for Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Onward to Kerikeri 17 April and presumably to Whangarei next as it is understood the aircraft is on delivery to a Northland operator.

Thanks to Chase'n'Thyme for these cool shots of VH-MYW at Lord Howe.

Polikarpov PO-2 takes flight - updated 21 April 2019

The Polikarpov PO-2 ZK-POL conducted 4 flights from Ardmore during the course of 20 April 2019, and I was lucky enough to time a visit to the airfield coinciding with its 3rd flight of the day.

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Posted 20 April 2019:

After a number of years storage, and then restoration, Polikarpov PO-2 ZK-POL took to the sky above Ardmore for the first time late on the afternoon of 19 April 2019. Registered to owners in Wakefield, near Nelson, the Russian bi-plane was flown by world renowned and local pilot David Phillips. 

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=po-2

Thanks to Agairnz for the photos

Military Movers - March 2019

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 05-5144 arrived in Christchurch 08 March 2019 from Hickam as RCH983 and departed on return to Hickam two days later. 

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger 604 A37-002 visited Wellington 11 March 2019 arriving from and returning to Canberra as ASY314. It returned to NZ 14 March arriving in Wellington from Canberra via an approach and overshoot at Christchurch as ASY315. It departed for Canberra 15 March. It returned to Christchurch 28 March arriving from Canberra and Toowoomba/Well Camp as ASY317. It departed the following day for Canberra.

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C17 Globermaster III A41-213 arrived in Ohakea 12 March 2019 from Townsville and Honiara as ASY482. It departed 13 March for Honiara however returned to Ohakea after a short time in the air. It departed early afternoon 14 March for Honiara, reportedly carrying one RNZAF NH90 helicopter.  From Amberley to Whenuapai 30 March as ASY493 and off to Hickam 31 March. 

United States Air Force 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. In NZ for exercise Nocturnal Reach. The Herk concluded its NZ deployment departing Whenuapai for Richmond and Townsville 24 March.

United States Air Force 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. In NZ for exercise Nocturnal Reach. The Herk concludes its NZ deployment departing Whenuapai for Richmond and Townsville 24 March.

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III A41-210 arrived in Ohakea 14 March 2019 from Amberley and Honiara as ASY496. It departed for Honiara 15 March. The visit by -213 and -210 were to assist NZ Defence Force assets to be deployed to the Solomon Islands for upcoming general elections. It headed back to Honaara 15 March.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-support-solomon-islands-general-election

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-441 arrived at Christchurch 27 March 2019 from Richmond and Canberra as ASY521 carrying Australian Federal Police vehicles. It then flew from Whenuapai to Richmon 28 March.

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing BBJ A36-001 arrived at Christchurch from Perth 28 March 2019 as ASY318 and departed the following day for Sydney and Canberra.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-448 arruved at Christchurch from Richmond 31 March 2019 as ASY531 and departed for Canberra.

Classics for Classic

Three Royal Australian Air Force F/A18 "classic" Hornets arrived at RNZAF base Woodbourne late on the afternoon of 18 April 2019 having flown across the Tasman from Williamtown/Newcastle via Ohakea as 'ASY1030'. A21-23, A21-39 and A21-50 were chosen for the Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow tasking with two of the aircraft wearing special 77 Squadron colours. 

http://www.classicfighters.co.nz/classic-fighters-programme.php

The trio were supported by a Lockheed C130J, A97-466, with this aircraft arriving well after dark as ASY516 from Williamtown via Hobart and Ohakea.