SOFIA back again - and now departed

After an almost two month deployment, NASA's Boeing 747SP N747NA has departed Christchurch lifting off at lunchtime 29 July 2019 heading to Hickam then onto Palmdale.

In total the 747 flew 25 of its planned 32 missions with some cancelled due to mechanical issues and poor weather conditions.

Great series of shots taken 29 July 2019 by Tony McFarlin. 

The 2019 flight pattern for SOFIA. 

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Posted 03 June 2019: 

NASA's flying telescope SOFIA has migrated south once again this year for another round of sky gazing.

Boeing 747SP-21 N747NA arrived at Christchurch mid morning 02 June 2019 having embarked from its Palmdale/CA home three days ago with two unscheduled overnights at Hickam/Honolulu.

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/SOFIA/overview/index.html

This season SOFIA has 32 planned missions with OC7-C Flight 1 scheduled for the night of 03 June 2019 and running until the end of July 2019. 

Arriving to a cold, soggy Christchurch morning. 

https://www.sofia.usra.edu/science/proposing-and-observing/proposal-calls/cycle-7/flight-plans

Previous posts about SOFIA can be found http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=sofia

Airbus A321NEO ZK-NNF delivered / enters service

Airbus A321NEO ZK-NNF was pressed into service ahead of time and conducted a series of domestic services 25 July 2019. It's first flight was as NZ522 from Christchurch to Auckland, then back to Christchurch as NZ527 before conducting a second round trip to Auckland and back.

ZK-NNF arriving into Christchurch following its second commercial flight, T McFarlin photo

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Posted 19 July 2019:

Air New Zealand's sixth 214 seater Airbus A321NEO has been delivered with ZK-NNF MSN 8839 arriving into Christchurch on the evening of 18 July 2019 as ANZ6099 concluding its delivery flight from Hamburg/Finkenwerder via night stops at Muscat, Kuala Lumpur and Cairns. 

https://fnqskies.blogspot.com/2019/07/air-new-zealand-airbus-a321-neo-zk-nnf.html

ZK-NNF first flew on 02 July 2019 wearing Airbus test registration D-AVYR and callsign AIB839A. A second flight was conducted a week later and the third and final flight on 11 July. 

ZK-NNF is set to enter service flying between Christchurch and Brisbane on 27 July 2019. 

https://aibfamily.flights/A320/8839

The next new aircraft for the Air New Zealand Group is due for delivery before month's end with the pending arrival of ATR72-600 ZK-MVZ MSN1562. Its first flight was conducted from/to Toulouse on 15 July 2019 wearing test registration F-WWET.

Qatar Airways Cargo visitor - updated 26 July 2019

Making an unscheduled visit to Auckland during the early hours of 26 July 2019 was Qatar Cargo Boeing 777-200 freighter A7-BFK. The jet diverted to Auckland from Christchurch due to fog as QTR8882 having flown from Doha and Kuala Lumpur.

A7-BFK was planned to depart Christchurch for Singapore after onloading its cargo. However at time of posting no onward recovery plan was known, presumably it will head south after crew rest.

The 777-200 departed Auckland just after 1700 26 July 2019 destined for Christchurch as QTR8882.

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Posted 24 June 2019: 

Touching down at Christchurch in the predawn hours of 21 June 2019 was Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777-200 freighter A7-BFC. The aircraft, consigned to carry motor cars to NZ for winter condition road testing near Wanaka, flew in direct from Doha as QTR8882. After a few hours on the ground the 777 departed for Hong Kong. 

Qatar Airways operate 16 777 freighters and at this week's Paris Air Show ordered an additional 5 purpose built aircraft. 

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-releases/2019/June/ENBoeingOrderParis.html

Fokker in Paradise!

It has been all go in the South Pacific region these last couple weeks with Western Samoa's capital Apia hosting the 16th South Pacific Games. A number of special flights have been conducted from across many of the islands including Fiji and Tahiti, and not to be outdone the Cook Islands. 

Air Rarotonga wet leased Australian based Alliance Airlines Fokker 100 VH-FGB to provide airlift capabilities moving athletes and supporters between the two nations. 

In a nod to Air Rarotonga's founder and CEO Ewan Smith, the Fokker 100 VH-FGB resplendent in its "Smithy" livery arrived at Rarotonga 03 July 2019 (local date) from Brisbane and Nadi and the following day it conducted two trips to Apia ultimately stopping for an extended layover in Samoa. At the conclusion of the Games the Fokker operated two Apia-Rarotonga flights before heading back to Brisbane via Nadi arriving 22 July 2019. 

http://www.aussieairliners.org/f-100/vh-uqg/vh-uqg.html

https://australianaviation.com.au/2018/01/alliance-airlines-celebrates-sir-charles-kingsford-smiths-pacific-crossing-90-years-ago-with-special-livery-fokker-100/

Ewan "Smithy" Smith photos

Safe Travels BAZflyers! - Updated 23 July 2019

The BazFlyer team's journey to Airventure 2019 came to fruition on Friday 19 July 2019 (local date) when the trusty PA24 Comanche ZK-BAZ arrived at Oshkosh mid morning following a short flight from Wisconsin Dells.

The aircraft is now parked pride of place!

Thanks to Hayden for the screen shots!

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Posted 02 June 2019:

It is just over a month since the BAZFlyer team departed New Zealand on their epic around the world trip in trusty Piper PA24 Comanche ZK-BAZ. In the 4+ weeks since they left the duo have safely reached Nome/AK having transited through Australia, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Japan and two stops in far eastern Russia.

For some winter evening entertainment go check out their blog at www.bazflyer.blogspot.com

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Posted 01 May 2019: 

After months of meticulous planning Taupo-based Barry and Sandra Payne with their trusty Piper PA24 ZK-BAZ have embarked on their most ambitious trip yet reaching out across the globe on an around the world adventure. The duo are aiming to be at EAA Airventure Oshkosh in the third week of July by navigating their way around the western Pacific Ocean and across to Alaska. 

They have over the years of overseas travels with ZK-BAZ compiled a travel blog of their adventures at www.bazflyer.blogspot.com which is still in vogue but for this amazing journey a new website has been created at www.bazflyer.com. 

The first leg of their journey started on the afternoon of Sunday 28 April 2019 with a leisurely run from Taupo to Kerikeri for a two night stop, then the long haul direct flight to the Gold Coast, replicating their 18 September 2018 exit from New Zealand. 

Video of their departure from Kerikeri 30 April 2019 below

https://bit.ly/ZK-BAZ-YouTube

We wish the intrepid team Safe Travels and very much look forward to sharing their journey via the websites above. 

I was recently asked how many ZK registered aircraft have ventured to Oshkosh for the mammoth aviation extravaganza.  I can only think of two three with ZK marks, but I'm keen to hear of more.

Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBS visited the 1998 event carrying passengers on a charter flight which had originated in Australia. 

https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/press-release/21068272/experimental-aircraft-association-eaa-eaa-airventure-oshkosh-2019-to-salute-50-years-of-boeing-747#&gid=1&pid=2

Thanks to Keith Morris, he brings our attention to this ZK machine freighted to the event in 2005:
https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2016/07/homegrown-two-seat-and-plus-homebuilt.html

Then in 2012 George Richards, accompanied by Darryn Morgan, flew George's Falco ZK-SMR to the event with the aircraft shipped from Parakai to Chino/CA from where their adventure started. 

https://www.timescall.com/2012/07/18/on-way-to-oshkosh-air-show-new-zealand-pilots-stop-in-longmont/

Airventure Oshkosh 2019 - 50th Anniversary

The annual Airventure gathering at Oshkosh/WI is underway with thousands of aircraft descending on the expansive airport facility. 

Heavy, thundery rain on the Saturday afternoon (yesterday local time) created issues earlier today (Sunday) for arrivals with no grass parking due to the extremely soggy conditions. A good breeze and clear skies eventually saw the paddocks reopened for the onslaught of arrivals stacking up "over Fisk". 

https://www.eaa.org/airventure

For those able to find the time, and be up and about at odd ball hours (7 hours difference to New Zealand) there are a few interesting links to follow what is going on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7r7RrHUWUQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-PGb9zqa34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8kM9ILLcRk

https://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=kosh

Falcon in Paradise

Royal Australian Air Force Falcon 7X A56-002, delivered to 34 Squadron Fairbarn at the beginning of last month, has made its first foray to the South Pacific and arrived at Rarotonga 16 July 2019 (local date) from Canberra and Richmond as ASY337. 

Basking in the morning sun, Ewan Smith photo 

BAe 146-200 VH-SAZ arrives in NZ

Pionair Australia's BAe 146-200 combi VH-SAZ has arrived in NZ for wet lease operations to Parcel Air. The aircraft, delivered in 2017, is assisting with capacity shortfall following extended maintenance on the Parcel Air Boeing fleet.

As SFZ801, VH-SAZ arrived at Auckland mid afternoon 09 July 2019 from Bankstown and Sydney. It then entered service on the night of 10 July 2019 flying a round trip from Auckland to Christchurch and back as Pionair 31/32. For its second night of operation, on the 11th, it took up the callsign Airpak 31/32.

VH-SAZ arrives at Auckland 09 July 2019, Noel Jones image. Note the unservicable Parcel Air 737 in the background and the Air Chathams Convair freighter still used on night freight runs. 

http://www.aussieairliners.org/bae146/vh-saz/vh-saz.html

It has been over four years since a 146 has graced our skies after the departure in April 2015 of ZK-ECO. 

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=zk-eco

Embraer 820C VH-HVA

Arriving at Ardmore on the evening of 29 June 2019 from Lord Howe Island and Kerikeri was the Embraer 820C VH-HVA most recently registered to Altitude Flight Operations.

It is understood the Brazilian built Piper PA31 Chieftain is in NZ for pre delivery maintenance prior export to Vanuatu.

The aircraft was registered to Oceania Aviation, Ardmore, as ZK-DSY.

Magnaman photo

Swiss Earthrounders - updated 12 July 2019

The Handiflight around the world journey took a two month break with the PA24 and CTLS remaining static at Tauranga from late April having during the previous six weeks taking a tour to various North and South Island locations.

HB-OVW departed from Kerikeri 06 July 2019 destined for Norfolk Island then continued to Noumea and Magenta 08 July 2019. A post on their social media account confirms the PA24 will continue the journey around the world however the CTLS has been dismantled and shipped back to Europe.

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Posted 24 March 2019:

As anticipated, the Swiss duo made their way from Kerikeri to Ardmore on 11 March 2019 where they overnighted and departed 12 March for Tauranga - sadly a day earlier than they had indicated so I missed their departure...

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Posted 10 March 2019: 

Flight Design CTLS HB-WYB, accompanied by Piper PA24-250 Comanche HB-OVW, have touched down in New Zealand 09 March 2019 making landfall at Kerikeri after a direct flight from Lord Howe Island. 

The duo are circumnavigating the planet and their story can be found at https://handiflight.com/en/

Real time tracking link https://handiflight.com/en/tracking/

The team had commenced their ambitious around the world flight with two CTLS however tragically the second aircraft, HB-WYA, crashed in Thailand. 

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=220332

Deliveries

A trio of turbine powered aircraft have been delivered to New Zealand in recent days.

First to reach our soil was 2011 edition Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N9023W MSN 208B-2317. 

On delivery to Queenstown based True South, the Caravan embarked from Merced/CA for Honolulu 26 June 2019, then flew onto Apia arriving 29 June 2019. It reached Auckland 30 June 2019 before flying onto Wanaka 01 July 2019. 

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9306243

Next up was 2018 edition Beech King Air 350i N881HG MSN 1155. On delivery to Tasman Aviation of Nelson, the King Air has been flying from Jakarta/Halim for the last several months and arrived at Darwin 30 June 2019 from Surabaya. It then flew to the Gold Coast 01 July 2019 then onward to Auckland and Nelson arriving 02 July 2019, later becoming ZK-VME. The larger King Air appears to be replacing the operator's King Air 200GTi ZK-VMF. 

And rounding out the trio was the arrival of Air Tractor 502-XP VH-XPN MSN AT502A-3192. This 2005 example has been previously operated by Field Air (Operations PTY) and it flew from Albury to Lord Howe Island 01 July 2019, then to Hamilton and Fielding 02 July 2019.
It was registered ZK-SXP on 08 July 2019 to Super Air Ltd. 

Some readers will note the registration VH-XPN has in recent times been a regular visitor to NZ when worn by a Learjet 60. 

Corporate Corner - June 2019

Quieter than usual for this time of year but a few to report movements on regardless.

Christ Holdings Challenger 605 N913TK departed Wellington 04 June 2019 for Pago Pago and Honolulu.

Air Alize Citationjet CJ3 F-ONCP visited Auckland 04 June 2019 arriving from Suva and departing to Noumea.

Avcon Jet Gulfstream G550 OE-ISN arrived at Queenstown 08 June 2019 from Melbourne as AOJ96M. It departed 10 June 2019 for Sydney. First visit to NZ.

Ojet Global Express 9H-OJT arrived at Auckland 10 June 2019 from Guangzhou as EAU38T. It departed for Singapore/Seletar 12 June 2019. First visit to NZ.

SG Aviation Global Express VH-SGA arrived at Christchurch 10 June 2019 from Essendon. It flew to Palmerston North, Wellington and Essendon 11 June 2019.

Spectrum Aero Falcon 8X VT-FCN arrived at Auckland 11 June 2019 from Sydney. It departed for Melbourne 13 June 2019.

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJX staged via Auckland 13 June 2019 on its way from Essendon to Rarotonga. It made its way back to Auckland 14 June 2019 from Rarotonga and Tonga then continued to Essendon.

Executive Jet Management Challenger 604 N604AK arrived at Auckland 19 June 2019 from Melbourne. It departed before sunrise 21 June 2019 for Nadi, Honolulu and San Diego/Brown Field as EJM67. First visit to NZ.

Flight Options (Australia) Citation VII VH-ING arrived at Queenstown 21 June 2019 from Sydney and returned to Sydney 25 June 2019.

Kumagai Masatoshi Office Ltd Gulfstream G650ER N700MK arrived at Auckland 22 June 2019 from Tokyo/Haneda. It departed on return to Haneda 25 June 2019. First visit to NZ.

Avgunn PTY Learjet 60 VH-ILJ staged via Auckland 24 June 2019 arriving from Rarotonga and departing to Essendon. First visit to NZ.

Bairong Group Gulfstream G650 B-3255 arrived at Auckland 24 June 2019 from Peking. It departed for Brunei 29 June 2019.

Pratt Aviation Global Express VH-FGJ arrived at Hamilton 24 June 2019 from Essendon. The same day it flew onto Napier and Auckland. From Auckland to Essendon 25 June 2019.

Formula Aircraft Pty Learjet 35 VH-IJG arrived at Auckland just prior to sunrise 27 June 2019 from Bangkok via Bali, Darwin and Brisbane. It departed 30 June 2019 for Sydney, Ceduna and Perth.

Arriving to a misty winter's morning at Auckland.
The Lear features titles on the opposite side as seen HERE

Mid Winter Milk Run

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 01-0187 spent a couple of weeks at Christchurch attempting to make a run to Antarctica's Phoenix Field and back.

The C17 arrived at Christchurch 24 June 2019 from Richmond as RCH7E1, having earlier in the day flown a "milk run" to Alice Springs and back. 

It eventually made its run south to the frozen continent on the 4th of July delivering fresh produce, mail and other supplies after a 2 1/2 month break in flying activities. 

Photo supplied

Royal Australian Air Force Challenger departs

With the introduction of the Falcon 7X to the Royal Australian Air Force inventory, the disposal of their Challenger 604 fleet has commenced with A37-001 departing the region in recent days.

As "Ausy 316" the 17 year old Bombardier departed from RAAF Fairbarn/Canberra, home of the VIP 34 Squadron, on 22 June 2019 destined for Apia. It then continued to Honolulu 23 June 2019 before continuing to Burbank/CA the next day. It was subsequently registered to SPA Leasing of Sydney as VH-OFA on 24 June 2019. 

A37-001 at Auckland back in October 2013 - J Rankin Snr photo.

34 Squadron took delivery of their second Falcon 7X, A56-002, on 04 June 2019.