Monday 13 October - Sunday 19 October 2008

Monday 13 October 2008
Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Auckland, back to Hastings, then north again to Auckland before heading to Dunedin where it then overnighted.

Tuesday 14 October 2008
Westwind ZK-RML visited Wellington today, arriving from and returning to Auckland.

Convair 580 VH-PAL returned to NZ, arriving at Queenstown from Bankstown and Sydney.

Mustang N2243W flew from Dunedin to Christchurch and Hastings during the course of today.

Malibu N9099Z departed its Rangiora base for Dunedin.

FAA Challenger 601 N86 arrived at Christchurch from Pago Pago as "Flight Check 86".

Cessna 177RG ZK-CRG departed Kerikeri for Norfolk Island today, and the following day arrived at Kempsey via Lord Howe Island, perhaps indicating it has been exported.

Wednesday 15 October 2008
Malibu N9099Z returned to Rangiora from Dunedin today.

Boomerang VH-DXW was noted at Stratford today.

Thursday 16 October 2008
Lloyd Helicopters USA Pacific Aerospace 750XL N750LH (ex ZK-JHA c/n 147) departed Hamilton for Lord Howe Island the Coolangatta. Onwards to Alice Springs 17Oct.

Parked at Coolangatta, Terry McGee photo

Friday 17 October 2008
Metroliner ZK-CIC made a brief visit at Auckland enroute from Napier on return to the Chatham Islands.

Saturday 18 October 2008
Global Express XRS N57LE returned home early this morning, arriving in Auckland from Honolulu.

FAA Challenger 601 N86 departed Christchurch for McMurdo Sound.

Pyle Group Challenger 601 N601TP arrived at Auckland late this afternoon from Papeete.

Wayne Grant photos. Note tail art on one side of the aircraft only.

Lightair Hawker 800XP N100LA arrived at Auckland mid afternoon from Essendon. It was first noted in Australia on 14Oct flying from Hamilton Island to Brisbane and was later to Sydney and Essendon.

Mike Condon photo

United Airlines Boeing 747-400 N195UA operated the Air Pacific service from Nadi to Auckland and back today.

Mike Condon photo

Mustang ZK-MUS arrived at Ardmore from Wellington late this morning. It spent most of the day there before returning to Wellington.

Sunday 19 October 2008
Lightair Hawker 800XP N100LA arrived at Queenstown early afternoon from Auckland.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N592HA departed Auckland as NZ707 for Sydney on conclusion of its maintenance visit with Air NZ.

GBA Trislander Update

On 31Jul this year we posted a photo of Trislander G-RHOP marked as ZK-CJS with Great Barrier Airline's titles sitting at their North Shore/Dairy Flat base. Interestingly, Trislander ZK-LGC c/n C381 was deregistered 2Oct08 and G-RHOP has since become ZK-LGC/2 c/n 1042 and not ZK-CJS as depicted in the photo!
http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/search?q=zk-cjs

Fri 10 October - Sunday 12 October 2008

Friday 10 October 2008

Qantas Airbus A380 VH-OQA flew a local flight from/to Auckland before departing later the same day for Sydney (see individual blog entry).

Network Jets Hawker 800XPi N805M returned home to Auckland this evening, arriving from Maui via Apia. The aircraft departed Auckland back on 02Sep.

Rank's Global Express XRS N57LE arrived at Auckland from its few days in Papeete.

Beech Duke N60TE departed Tauranga for Dunedin while Cessna 400 N400NM was noted carrying out a local flight from/to Ardmore. Malibu N9099Z flew from Rangiora to Nelson and back today.

French Navy Falcon Gardian 80 arrived at Christchurch from Noumea as FNY5436.

Saturday 11 October 2008

United Airlines Boeing 747-400 N116UA operated the Air Pacific flight through Auckland today.

Mike Condon photo

Chathams Pacific Metroliner ZK-CIC arrived at Auckland late tonight from Tonga.

Air New Zealand celebrated 40 years of Boeing 737 operations at Christchurch this evening. Boeing 737-300 ZK-NGJ was used as the centre piece while ships ZK-NGF, ZK-NGK and ZK-NGP flew in loose formation from Auckland to Christchurch late afternoon carrying guests for the event.

USAF C17 Globemaster 02-1104 arrived at Christchurch from Hickam as REACH 5E5.

RAAF C17 Globemaster A41-207 visited Ohakea during the day, arriving from Amberley and departing for Townsville as AUSY815.

Sunday 12 October 2008

Metroliner ZK-CIC positioned from Auckland to Napier.

Cessna 172R VH-EWJ arrived at Ardmore nearing completion of its delivery flight from Morrabbin to Hamilton. The aircraft has been bought by CTC Aviation and will be registered ZK-XYZ, this registration currently allocated to a Seneca which will shortly change its identity.

VH-EWJ staged across the Tasman from Port Macquarie to Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and Kerikeri.

Pionair Convair 580 VH-PDX made a techstop at Auckland early afternoon, arriving from Palmerston North and departing for Norfolk Island and Sydney.

Mike Condon photo

Acermus Mustang ZK-MUS flew a Wellington to Wanaka return today.

Global Express XRS N57LE departed Auckland for San Diego direct.

French Navy Falcon Gardian 80 departed Christchurch for Wellington and Noumea.

Tony McFarlin photo

USAF C17 Globemaster 03-3120 departed Christchurch for Hickham.

A380 - FIRST VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND

Qantas Airbus A380 VH-OQA made the types first visit to NZ 09Oct arriving at Auckland 2350LT from Sydney as QFA6601. Its visit coincided with the opening of Auckland International Airport's terminal extension which took place 10Oct.

As QFA6600, the A380 lifted off runway 23L at 1012LT 10Oct with 326 POB and climbed to 3000ft for a flight over Auckland CBD then east to the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula before tracking north over Great Barrier Island and then over Whangarei before heading south down the Kaipara Harbour to Piha then east again over the city for an instrument approach to runway 23L at Auckland.. At approximately 2 mile final the aircraft carried out a go-around following a windshear warning and climbed to 3000ft before heading back towards the city, then north to Tiritiri Matangi before making a left turn and tracking down the coast for a landing onto runway 23L at 1126LT.

The aircraft then departed just after 1500LT for Sydney as QFA6602.

Sunday 05 - Thursday 09 October 2008

Sunday 05 October 2008

Acemus Mustang ZK-MUS made its first visit to Auckland today, flying in from Wanaka. Then south to Wellington, Napier and finally ending up in Auckland overnight.

Qantas operated Airbus A330-300 VH-QPH on their QF43/44 service through Auckland, arriving from and returning to Sydney. These services are usually operated by Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

Beech Duke N60TE flew from Ardmore to Tauranga.

Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKG flew from Auckland to Ohakea, Perth and then to the Middle East on a NZDF charter as KIWI135.

Monday 06 October 2008

Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBS flew from Auckland to Singapore as ANZ6017 to carry out Singapore Defence Force charters to Rockhampton.

Avwest Challenger 604 VH-VRE departed from Queenstown heading to Perth via a techstop at Essendon.

Pacific Aerospace turbine converted FU24 Fletcher PK-PNZ, nee ZK-DHY, was noted at Hamilton.

Kaman K-Max N312KA was observed arriving at Balclutha today. Dave Bates caught it!

RAAF C130J's A97-450 and A97-467 flew North Island navigation exercises, departing Woodbourne for Hamilton, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington and then overnighting at Ohakea.

Tuesday 07 October 2008

Business Jets Falcon 900EXE N146EX arrived at Auckland from Brisbane.

Air National Gulfstream G200 ZK-RGB arrived at Auckland from Denpasar via Brisbane. The aircraft had departed NZ back in August.

Pionair Convair 580 VH-PAL departed from Queenstown direct to Brisbane. It flew the previous day from Rotorua to Manapouri as "Pionair 1". From Brisbane to Bankstown 08Oct.

Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 VH-VON departed Christchurch for Brisbane at the conclusion of maintenance with Air NZ.

Gulfstream 4SP VH-DBT arrived at Wellington this evening from Essendon.

Peter Van Dyk photo

Strong winds at Auckland late afternoon saw Lan Chile Airbus A340-200 CC-CQF from Sydney divert to Christchurch while Atlas Air Boeing 747-400F N418MC from Honolulu also diverted to Christchurch. Both aircraft subsequently overnighted in the Garden City.

RAAF C130J A97-467 flew from Ohakea to Wanaka, Auckland, New Plymouth, Ohakea, back to Auckland and finally to Ohakea today while A97-450 sat at Ohakea unservicable.

Wednesday 08 October 2008

Air NZ Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBS returned to Auckland this morning from Singapore via Rockhampton.

Falcon 2000EX VH-CRW flew from Napier to Woodbourne, then to Queenstown where it spent the afternoon before returning to Napier.

Gulfstream 4SP VH-DBT departed Wellington for Essendon.

Cessna 400 N400NM remains in NZ and was noted flying from Ardmore to Hamilton and back today.

Lan Chile Airbus A340-200 CC-CQF departed Christchurch for Auckland and Santiago.

Glen Reid photo

Atlas Air Boeing 747-400F N418MC departed Christchurch for Auckland then to Pudong direct on the continuation of its around the world freight operation for Air NZ.

Air Calin Airbus A330 F-OJSE operated the carrier's scheduled service through Auckland today however instead of laying over it carried out a 45min training detail.

RAAF C130J A97-450 departed Ohakea for Townsville direct as "Ausy 783".

RAAF C130J A97-467 departed Ohakea for Norfolk Island and Townsville as "Ausy 784".

Thursday 09 October 2008

Air National Westwind ZK-RML flew through the early hours of this morning on a medical flight from Auckland to Niue and return.

Pelair Westwind VH-NGA flew from Sydney to Auckland and back this morning.

Falcon 2000EX VH-CRW departed Napier for Auckland and Brisbane.

The biggest arrival into NZ for 2008 was heralded with the late night touchdown at Auckland of Qantas Airbus A380 VH-OQA from Sydney as QFA6601. The aircraft was delivered to the airline on 21Sep and has been conducting flights around Australia before it enters commercial service in two weeks time.

Saturday 04 October 2008

Avwest's Challenger 604 VH-VRE returned to Queenstown early this afternoon from Brisbane.

Acemus Citation 510 Mustang ZK-MUS arrived at Wanaka from Wellington via Nelson.

Air Pacific have wet leased United Airline's Boeing 747-400 aircraft for the next two months to cover a D check on their own 747-400 DQ-FJK in Singapore (flew Nadi-Singapore as FJI2 28Sep). The planned weekly routine for the wet leased United aircraft is for it to visit Auckland every Saturday and today marked the first such visit using N118UA. Its great to see an American carrier back in our skies even if its not in their own rights! Air Pacific advise that it will not always be the same aircraft as United intend to switch tails in Los Angeles on a regular basis which has already occurred since the arrangement started at the beginning of this week which saw N196UA operate the first series of flights. A number of enthusiasts where present for its arrival with Wayne Grant capturing these images.



Two Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J's arrived at Woodbourne from Richmond via Christchurch this evening in the form of A97-450 (Ausy 783) and A97-467 (Ausy 784). Aaron Murphy captured both aircraft on arrival at Christchurch with A97-450 pictured wearing the 'new' grey sceme.

Friday 03 October 2008

Avwest Challenger 604 VH-VRE departed Queenstown mid morning heading for Brisbane.

Brenzil Falcon 2000EX VH-CRW spent the day in Auckland, arriving just before 0800 from Napier and departing at 2100 back to Napier.

Pionair Cargo Convair 580 VH-PDX arrived at Palmerston North direct from Sydney's Bankstown airport.
This is the first visit of this particular aircraft to NZ as it was delivered direct to Australia from North America in February this year arriving at Sydney from Pago Pago on the 6th of that month.

At Palmerston North, photo via Wayne Grant

Dean Wilson Aviation 200 Boomerang VH-DXW arrived at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island late this afternoon. The two seat training aircraft is Australian designed and most likely in NZ to attend the Aviation Expo at Hamilton/Mystery Creek next weekend. http://www.dwaviation.com/

Example of the Boomerang via Dean Wilson Aviation website.

Beech Duke N60TE was noted at Ardmore today having flown across from Tauranga.

Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-TZR was heard flying from Woodbourne to Wellington today on a training flight before then entering service with Sounds Air flying from Wellington to Nelson and back. This obviously firms up speculation made in my previous blog that it appears a 'swap' between the Airvan (ZK-TZT) and Caravan has taken place.

Monday 29 September - Thursday 02 October 2008

Monday 29 September 2008
Global Express XRS N57LE flew from Auckland to Essendon, Sydney and back to Auckland through the course of the day.

Cessna 182RG ZK-ETX departed Kerikeri for Norfolk Island then the following day to Port Vila.

Kaman K-Max N312KA was observed flying southbound in the vicinity of Fielding. The heavy lift helicopter has been operating around the Rotorua area and was heading to the South Island for a couple of weeks. This machine was first noted at Tauranga in May of this year.

Tuesday 30 September 2008
Chathams Pacific Embraer 820 (Piper PA31-350) ZK-RDT departed Auckland for Norfolk Island. The aircraft has been operated by Great Barrier Airlines for a number of years and is obviously heading to Tonga.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-467 arrived at Whenuapai this afternoon from Townsville as "Ausy 816".

Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 VH-VON arrived in Christchurch before sunup from Melbourne.

Wednesday 01 October 2008
Vanuatu Helicopters Hughes 500D ZK-HEL touched down at Kerikeri to clear customs etc from Norfolk Island. The helicopter is registered to Helisika of Taupo but has been operating in Vanuatu for an unknown period of time.

USAF Globemaster III 03-3120 departed Christchurch for Antarctica as "Ice 05" but was forced to return to Christchurch without landing due weather.

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-467 departed Whenuapai for Canberra.

Thursday 02 October 2008
Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N597HA departed Auckland shortly after midnight for Honolulu as HA9400 following maintenance with Air NZ.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N592HA arrived Auckland mid afternoon from Honolulu as HA9401 for maintenance with Air NZ.

Wayne Grant photo

Global XRS N57LE departed Auckland for Papeete this morning.

Brenzil PTY Falcon 2000EXE VH-CRW jetted into Napier this evening direct from Broome, Western Australia. VH-CRW has not been in NZ since late March/early April.

Beech Duke N60TE flew from Dunedin to Tauranga today. It appears this aircraft is tied up with the owners of Piper 32 ZK-OMT, GP & S Glaister Ltd, which has frequently flown between Dunedin and Tauranga.

Airvan ZK-TZT, nee ZK-KLC of Soundsair, flew from Picton to Taupo this morning while Richard Izard's Caravan ZK-TZR flew into Omaka before later being noted flying from Taupo to Whangarei. The re-registration of KLC to TZT would indicate some tie up with Izard's.

Tuesday 23 September - Sunday 28 September 2008

Tuesday 23 September 2008
Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Christchurch and back.

Wednesday 24 September 2008
Columbia Ship Management Falcon 2000EX 5B-CKO arrived at Auckland from Brisbane where it had arrived from Seletar 20Sep.

Acemus Citation Mustang ZK-MUS flew from Wellington to Hastings and return.

Ingham Group Citation VII VH-ING left Hamilton for Sydney and Bankstown.

Thursday 25 September 2008
Pelair Westwind VH-KNR made a brief visit to Auckland this morning, arriving from Brisbane and departing to Sydney.

Lowe Group Mustang N2243W spent several hours at Dunedin today, arriving from and returning to Hastings.

Acemus Mustang ZK-MUS flew from Wellington to Napier and back.

Liberty Press Citation 500 N800DT flew from Ardmore to Rotorua, Greymouth and then back over the reverse route today.

Friday 26 September 2008
Columbia Shipping Falcon 2000EX 5B-CKO departed Auckland for Townsville and Manila.

Acemus Mustang ZK-MUS flew Wellington to Woodbourne, Nelson and back to Wellington.

Beech G58 Baron N146WA departed Kerikeri for Lord Howe Island where it overnighted before continuing to Bundaberg 27Sep.

USAF Boeing C17 03-3120 arrived at Christchurch from Hickam and Pago Pago as "Reach 5E3".

Saturday 27 September 2008
New York Air National Guard LC130 Hercules 73-3300 arrived into Christchurch during the early hours of this morning from Darwin and Richmond as "Skier 75". The aircraft had been on static display at a South African airshow and routed to NZ via Thailand.

Mustand N2243W flew Hastings to Auckland and back.

Sunday 28 September 2008
Avwest Challenger 604 VH-VRE made its first visit to NZ today arriving at Queenstown just on sunup from its Perth base.

Business Jets Falcon 900EXE N146EX departed Auckland for Brisbane.

New York Air National Guard LC130 Hercules 83-0490 arrived at Christchurch from Pago Pago as "Skier 90".

Wed 17 Sep - Mon 22 Sep 2008

Wednesday 17 September 2008
Citation Mustang N2243W returned to Hastings ex Auckland.

Citation 500 N800DT flew from Ardmore to Rotorua and back.

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Invercargill and back.

The two Japanese Navy Orions flew from Whenuapai to Christchurch via a navigational exercise in conjunction with an RNZAF machine.

Thursday 18 September 2008
Westwind ZK-RML departed Auckland for Norfolk Island and Port Moresby.

The Japanese Orions returned to Whenuapai from Christchurch.

Friday 19 September 2008
Westwind ZK-RML returned to Auckland direct from Port Moresby.

Global Express N57LE touched down in the early of this morning at Auckland from San Diego.

Saturday 20 September 2008
Falcon 900EXE N146EX returned to Auckland from Madang.

Malibu N9099Z flew from its Rangiora base to Tauranga, Pauanui and back to Rangiora.

Learjet 35A ZK-XVL spent a few hours at Wellington, arriving from and returning to Ardmore.

Beech Duke N60TE flew from Dunedin to Tauranga.

Boeing 727-200 freighter VH-DHE flew a charter from Auckland to Papeete via a techstop at Rarotonga as "Express 5".

Beechjet 400A VH-IPG made its first visit to NZ today, flying in and out of Hamilton from its Sydney base. The aircraft itself has visited NZ on a number of occasions a VH-YRC.

JASDF P3's 5073 and 5079 departed Whenuapai for Darwin on conclusion of their exercises in our region.

Sunday 21 September 2008
Beechjet 400A VH-IPG returned to NZ today, initially heading for Wellington from Sydney however diverted enroute to Christchurch due to winds. Onwards to Wellington where it then overnighted.

Citation VII VH-ING arrived at Hamilton from Bankstown and Sydney.

Boeing 727-200 freighter VH-DHE returned to Auckland from Papeete via Rarotonga as "Express 6".

Monday 22 September 2008
Beechjet 400A VH-IPG flew from Wellington to Auckland and Sydney.

Beech Duke N60TE flew from Tauranga back to Dunedin.

Let L39C ZK-TCS

Peter Campbell in Nelson captured freshly painted, yet to fly, Let L39 ZK-TCS. The aircraft was placed on the register back in January 2007 to a Nelson based syndicate.

Tuesday 16 September 2008

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KDF departed Hamilton for Brisbane direct on the first leg of its delivery flight to South Africa.

Piper PA31-350 ZK-NSP flew from its Taupo base to Napier then eastbound on a search and rescue operation before landing at the Chathams. It later returned direct to Taupo.

Citation Mustang N2243W crossed the North Island today arriving at New Plymouth from Hastings before later moving north to Auckland.

Citation 500 N800DT flew from Ardmore to Rotorua and Dunedin. It returned to Ardmore just prior to midnight direct from Dunedin.

Pionair Convair 580 VH-PDV departed maintenance at Palmerston North for Auckland and then to Brisbane.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N597HA touched down at Auckland just prior to 1730 from Nadi as HA9001. The aircraft had diverted to Nadi overnight with it originally due to arrive at 0300 from Honolulu however NZ forecast weather (fog) saw the aircraft diverted.

French Navy Falcon Gardian 80 was observed flying from Whenuapai this morning as where the two Japan Naval Orions.

Wayne Grant photo











Colin Hunter photos

Sunday 14 - Monday 15 September 2008

Sunday 14 September 2008
Air National's Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Pago Pago and return.

Rank's Global Express XRS N57LE departed Auckland late afternoon for San Diego.

Citation Mustang N2243W arrived at Dunedin from Hastings.

Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew for the first time in 6 weeks, making the short hop from Christchurch to Queenstown and back.

Citation 550 VH-CCJ departed Queenstown for Sydney and Brisbane.

Monday 15 September 2008
Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N598HA finally departed Auckland at 0021LT for Honolulu as HAL8840 following maintenance with Air NZ.

Falcon 900EXE N146EX left Auckland for Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Citation Mustang N2243W flew Dunedin to Hastings, then onwards to Auckland where it remained for much of the day before returning to Hastings.

Pratt Industries Global Express VH-VGX arrived at Auckland late morning from Essendon. It remained for just over three hours before heading back across the Tasman to Essendon.

Piper Malibu N9099Z was noted flying from Nelson to Rangiora.

Pionair Convair 580 VH-PAL flew from Christchurch to Invercargill and back as "Pionair 1".

Parked at Christchurch 14Sep, Tony McFarlin photo

Qantas' Boeing 747-300 fleet had a few maintenance glitches resulting in QF26 from Los Angeles to Auckland with VH-EBV running some 16+ hours late. As a result, their onwards service to Melbourne was cancelled. Nothing unusual in that however this aircraft usually does QF25 northbound again. Due to its cancellation, Qantas operated Airbus A330-300 VH-QPE on the QF25 Melbourne-Auckland leg with it then positioning back to Sydney as QF6026.

The two Japanese SDF P3 Orions where observed flying over the Auckland Harbour area late morning while French Army Casa 235 '105' overflew Auckland southbound from Whenuapai.

Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB arrived at California's Long Beach airport from Grenada via a brief stop at Fort Lauderdale.

Tuesday 09 September - Saturday 13 September 2008

Tuesday 09 September 2008
Jetcity's Learjet 36 VH-JCX made an early morning visit to Auckland, arriving from and returning to Melbourne.

Global Express N57LE arrived at Sydney from Essendon.

Wednesday 10 September 2008
Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKA returned to Auckland from Nuremberg via a techstop at Vancouver.

Air National's Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB departed Auckland for Sydney.

Pionair's Convair 580 VH-PAL was noted flying from Palmerston North to Christchurch as "Pionair 1" late this afternoon. First recorded sighting since it changed from its ZK identity.

Beech Baron N146WA flew from its North Shore base to Hamilton and back.

Thursday 11 September 2008
Citation Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Taupo and back.

Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB whistled over NZ this afternoon on its way from Sydney to Tahiti and later onwards to Easter Island.

Falcon 900EXE N146EX flew home to Auckland from Queenstown.

Convair VH-PAL arrived at Woodbourne from Christchurch.

Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Navy P3C Orion's 7503 and 7509 arrived at Whenuapai from RAAF Edinburgh. The aircraft are visiting NZ for the first time and will participate in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Exercise "MARU". PSI is a multi-national, multi-agency exercise. See http://www.nzpsi.govt.nz/maru/index.php

photo via Gordon Reid





Colin Hunter was on hand at Whenuapai for their arrival.

Also arriving at Whenuapai today was French Army Casa 235 '105' from its Noumea base as "COTAM1164".

Friday 12 September 2008
Crown Casino Gulfstream 5 VH-CCC made a brief mid afternoon visit to Auckland, arriving from and returning to its Melbourne base.

Wayne Grant photo

Citation Mustang N2243W again flew from Hastings to Taupo and back.

Beech Baron N146WA arrived at Rotorua just prior to midday from North Shore.

USAF C17 Globemaster 00-0183 returned to Christchurch just before sunrise from Antarctica where the aircraft made a successful night turnaround with the aid of night vision equipment.

As part of exercise "MARU", Japanese P3 5079 was noted out and about as was the French Casa 235.

Observed carrying out a low approach and overshoot at Auckland just before 1300 was a French Navy Falcon Gardian using the callsign "Champagne 11". The aircraft departed the area VFR at 1500ft destined for Tauranga.

Saturday 13 September 2008
For the lack of anything else to report, it would appear that Gulfstream 4SP ZK-KFB has flown from Easter Island to Grenada.

Hawaii Snaps

A recent vacation in Hawaii afforded little time for plane 'spotting' however I did take the opportunity while awaiting for flights in Honolulu and Maui to take a couple of record shots.

Hawaiian is very much the dominant carrier in, out and around the Hawaiian Islands flying Boeing 717's and 767-300's. Go! keeps itself busy with their fleet of CRJ's running inter-island operations and Pacific Wings operate some services on their behalf as Go! Express using Grand Caravans. Island Air have a sizeable fleet of Dash 8-100's running around in a number of different liveries. A large number of bizjets were noted parked at Maui with our arrival date, 21Aug seeing 6 aircraft, namely Gulfstream 4's, while on our departure date of 30Aug it seemed to be mostly Falcon products!

Friday 05 September 2008 - Monday 08 September 2008

Friday 05 September 2008
Cessna 182 ZK-WSJ made an early morning arrival at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island today. The aircraft has been in Australia since late May of this year.

BK117 VH-EMS departed Auckland for Nelson and Queenstown.

EMS Learjet 36 N70LJ arrived at Dunedin late today from Honolulu and Pago Pago.

RAAF C130 Hercules A97-005 was noted doing a touch and go at Hokitika before arriving later at Christchurch.

RAAF C17 Globemaster III A41-209 departed Whenuapai for Amberley this morning.

Saturday 06 September 2008
Learjet 36 N70LJ departed Dunedin for Pago Pago and Honolulu.

Citation 550 VH-CCJ arrived back at Queenstown this afternoon, this time direct from Brisbane.

Noted on board Singapore Cargo's Boeing 747-400 freighter 9V-SFG at Auckland this evening was Airwork's BK117 ZK-HHV. This helicopter has been conducting work in Australia for Coast Watch and based out of the Northern Territories. It was last noted flying from/to Gove in May. The SQ freighter flight originated at Sydney and terminated at Singapore however the helicopter's final destination is unknown.

RAAF C130 Hercules A97-005 departed Christchurch for Richmond.

Sunday 07 September 2008
Westwind ZK-RML flew during the early hours of this morning from Auckland to Hamilton, then to Sydney and back to Auckland arriving around 0900.

USAF Globemaster III 00-0183 flew its second trip from Christchurch to Pegasus and return.

Air NZ Boeing 777-200 ZK-OKA positioned from Auckland to Christchurch this morning as ANZ6081 before then departing to Nuremberg, Germany via a techstop at Vancouver as ANZ1982.

Emirates Boeing 777-300 A6-ECJ made its first reported visit to NZ today operating as UAE432/433 through Auckland.

Monday 08 September 2008
Boeing 737-800 VH-VUC arrived at Christchurch well before sunrise this morning from Melbourne.

Falcon 900EXE N146EX flew a domestic sector, arriving at Queenstown from Auckland.

Global Express XRS N57LE departed Auckland for Essendon.

Citation Mustang N2243W spent a few hours at Woodbourne, arriving from and returning to its Hastings base.

Thursday 04 September 2008

Vincent Aviation's Beech 1900C ZK-VAE, which had arrived into Auckland from Wellington and Wanganui as "Vincent 310" 03Sep, flew to Hamilton, back to Auckland, then to Norfolk Island and Brisbane today on its way to Myanmar for a 6 month contract. Its departure coincides with Eagle Air's fleet increase with the arrival of ZK-EAR.

BK117 VH-EMS made a late night arrival into Auckland from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. The helicopter had flown from Bankstown to Lord Howe Island 03Sep.

Also arriving into Norfolk Island this afternoon were two new entrants to the Australian register, Cirrus SR22 VH-NWE and Cessna 206H VH-UTQ, both arriving from the Samoa direction.

Air New Zealand's first IFE upgraded Airbus A320, ZK-OJN, carried out a 3 hour proving flight from/to Christchurch during the course of the afternoon flying over Southland and Otago. This flight was part of the certification process associated with the fitting of the Panasonic inflight entertainment package.

Business Jets Falcon 900EXE N146EX returned to Auckland this evening from Brisbane.

Network Jets Hawker 800XPi N805M flew from Maui to Oakland and Witchita.

Air National's Westwind ZK-RML flew from Christchurch to Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland during the course of today.

RAAF C130 Hercules A97-005 was noted departed Whenuapai and later overflew Auckland southbound heading for New Plymouth however enroute changed its plan and headed direct to Woodbourne as "Ausy 789". This aircraft was noted departing from Christchurch 03Sep.

RAAF C17 Globemaster A41-209 was set to fly from Whenuapai to Ohakea today however I'm awaiting confirmation of this.

USAF C17 Globemaster 00-0183 flew the first "Springfly" flight to Antarctica today as ICE01, flying from Christchurch to Pegasus and return. The temperatures on the ice at Pegasus was a heady -42C at 9am NZ time sky rocketing to -36C at midday!

Convair 580 VH-PDV flew from Christchurch to Palmerston North early this morning as "Pionair 1" having arrived in the Garden City 03Sep from Napier.

Tuesday 02 September - Wednesday 03 September 2008

Tuesday 02 September 2008
Hawker 800XPi N805M departed early this morning for Apia and Honolulu where it overnighted before making the short hop to Maui.

Falcon 900EXE N146EX flew from Auckland to Christchurch where it spent a few hours before crossing the Tasman to Essendon and then to Brisbane.

Global Express XRS N57LE flew from Auckland to Sydney and back during the course of today.

Citation 500 N800DT flew Auckland to Tauranga and Wellington where it spent the best part of the day before returning later to Ardmore.

Westwind VH-AJV carried out a medivac flight through Auckland, arriving from Port Vila and departing to Sydney.

Pacific Blue introduced their 9th Boeing 737-800 to service today with ZK-PBL flying its first revenue flight as PBN81 from Christchurch to Brisbane. This aircraft was delivered to Christchurch from Boeing Field on 29Aug via Lihue and Nadi.

Citation Mustang ZK-MUS returned home to Wellington from Wanaka having spent a few days in the Central Otago town.

Boeing C17 00-0183 arrived at Christchurch early afternoon from Hickam as "Reach 5E4". It is expected to carry out a flight to Antarctica 04Sep.

RAAF C130J Hercules A97-441 departed Christchurch for Richmond as "Ausy 752" having arrived from Richmond 31Aug.

Wednesday 03 September 2008
Citation 550 VH-CCJ departed Queenstown for Sydney and Brisbane this afternoon. It had arrived over the reverse routing on 30Aug.

RAAF Boeing C17 A41-209 arrived at Whenuapai late this afternoon from its Amberley base as "Ausy 761".

Westwind ZK-RML flew early afternoon from Auckland to Christchurch.