Diamond Twin Star N25HS - Earthrounders - - Update 11 March 2019

Singapore based Diamond DA42NG Twin Star N25HS has concluded its NZ vacation.  The light twin conducted a Northland scenic flight 25 February 2019 flying from/to Ardmore. It then flew to Wellington 26 February, Napier 27 February and to Queenstown 28 February. On 02 March it flew a scenic flight from Queenstown to Wanaka, then onto Dunedin from where it departed 03 March heading to Auckland. From Auckland to Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast 04 March and onto Bankstown 05 March.

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Posted 20 January 2019:

Diamond DA42NG Twin Star N25HS arrived in Auckland 18 January 2019 from Norfolk Island and positioned across to Ardmore the following morning. 

N25HS arriving Ardmore 19 January 2019. 

This example has been lurking around Australasia since August 2018 when it touched down in Broome from Bali on the 9th. It then moved to Jandakot 10 August and was next noted flying from Kununarra to Darwin 25 August. From Darwin to Horn Island 21 September but then a gap until 25 September when it arrived at Bankstown from Dubbo. From Bankstown to the Gold Coast 08 January 2019 then onto Noumea the next day. To Port Vila 11 January and then back to Noumea from where it flew to Norfolk Island 14 January. 

The DA42 also spent time in Australia during 2017 and while registered to a USA address it would seem the aircraft is domiciled in Singapore. 

On the subject of Twin Stars, N430PS is still at Ardmore having arrived 25 October 2018. It has conducted local flights post maintenance on several days this month presumably in preparation for the recommencement of the around the world journey. 

N430PS departs Ardmore on a brief local flight 16 January 2019. 

Airbus A320 ZK-OJA retires - update 10 March 2019

Airbus A320-212 ZK-OJA departed Christchurch 02 March 2019 for Townsville as ANZ6001. On arrival it was inducted for repaint with Flying Colours.

Departing Christchurch 02 March 2019. 

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Posted 06 February 2019:

CORRECTION - PVS reports ZK-OJA is potentially set for storage at Christchurch while ZK-OJN and ZK-OJO are the aircraft destined for Canada. 

The first Airbus A320 introduced to Air NZ service has been retired with ZK-OJA MSN 2085 bowing out at the end of flight operates 01 February 2019. It's last day of flying started from Auckland with it operating NZ721 to Melbourne, then NZ898 to Christchurch. It then flew from Christchurch to Brisbane as NZ805 before heading back to Christchurch as NZ804 touching down at 0036 local time 02 February 2019. 

We have mentioned ZK-OJA in a number of posts, and these can be found by clicking HERE

It has been reported online that ZK-OJA, and ZK-OJN, are destined for start-up low cost carrier Canada Jetlines. 

https://jetlines.ca/

Airbus A321NEO ZK-NND delivery / enters service

Air New Zealand introduced its fourth Airbus A321NEO ZK-NND to service with the aircraft operating from Auckland to Brisbane as NZ739 06 March 2019. 

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Posted 25 February 2019: 

Air New Zealand's fourth Airbus A321NEO ZK-NND MSN 8629 has concluded its delivery flight from Hamburg/Finkenwerder as NZ6095 with its first stop, Muscat, reached on the evening of 18 February 2019 MCT date. It continued onto Kuala Lumpur and Cairns with night stops at each before arriving into Auckland on the night of  21 February 2019. Entry to service is expected around 06 March 2019. 

ZK-NND, using the Airbus test registration D-AVYL, conducted its first flight 29 January 2019 as AIB629A following by another flight on 05 February as AIB629B. A third flight took place 11 February as AIB629C. 

The airline's first Airbus A320NEO ZK-NHA MSN 8715 wearing test registration D-AUBR conducted its first flight 18 February 2019 as AIB715A and is slated for delivery to Christchurch in early March, and entry to service on flights out of Christchurch from 10 March 2019. 

Meanwhile additional future delivery information has come to light thanks to PVS

Airbus A320NEO ZK-NHB MSN 8803 - test registration D-AUBU - constructed Hamburg

Airbus A320NEO ZK-NHC MSN 8833 - test registration F-WWDE - constructed Toulouse

Airbus A321NEO ZK-NNE MSN 8799 - test registration D-AVZF - constructed Hamburg

Airbus A321NEO ZK-NNF MSN 8839 - test registration D-AVYR - constructed Hamburg

And ATR72-212A (600 series) ZK-MVX MSN 1551 has been noted wearing F-WWEH and still in primer coating as at 09 February 2019. 

Cessna U206G VH-ODL (ex ZK-KPM)

Long time NZ resident Cessna U206G ZK-KPM has left the country under its new identity, VH-ODL, following extensive rework and the fitment of amphibious floats. 

The aircraft made its way from New Plymouth to Ardmore and Kerikeri 04 March 2019, then direct to Lord Howe Island, the Gold Coast and ultimately Archerfield all on 05 March. 

Interestingly, we've mentioned the registration VH-ODL in a couple of previous posts : http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/search?q=vh-odl

For more on ZK-KPM go to the fantastic posts on NZ Civil Aircraft blog site HERE

Death Valley Days 4K

Whilst Waiting....

The weather for the first flight of Bell P39 Airacobra ZK-COB was particularly kind so during the time patiently waiting for the prize aeroplane to take flight it was great to catch up with a mix of local and visiting aircraft. 

Found Aircraft Canada FBA-2C3 N883MX returns to Ardmore following a local dip in the Hauraki Gulf. 

Cessna A150L ZK-BAD turned up and is registered to a Whangarei address. 

Flight 2000 Douglas DC3 ZK-DAK was busy in the circuit in sometimes niggly wind conditions necessitating a runway direction change. 

Venture Aviation De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver ZK-FPZ was on the pickets 27 February 2019. 

GCH Aviation BK117 B-2 ZK-IVB turned up 26 February 2019 and promptly had its main rotor blades removed. 

Manukau Flying School Cessna 152 ZK-JFY was busy in the circuit both 26 & 27 February 2019. 

North Shore based Cessna 172P ZK-LEN arrived 26 February 2019 and later conducted circuits. 

Heat haze affected snap of Mooney M20J ZK-MNY departing 26 February 2019, possibly heading back to North Shore. 

Buckley Air Ltd Piper Aerostar ZK-MVY was squirting around the circuit 26 February 2019. 

Dennis Thompson International has CT4E Airtrainer ZK-PTA listed for sale and is one of three in the yard up for grabs. 

Immaculate Cessna 421C Golden Eagle ZK-STV about to roll runway 21 26 February 2019 heading to Hamilton. 

Military Movers - February 2019

French Navy/Marine Falcon 20 Gardian tail number 48 arrived in Auckland 05 February 2019 from its Papeete base via a tech stop at Niue as FNY5432. It departed 07 February for Noumea.

Arriving Auckland 05 February 2019. 

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-450 made an unusual appearance at Auckland 08 February 2019 when it arrived as ASY443 from Port Vila. After an hour or so on the ground the C130 departed for Richmond. The Herk had flown from Richmond to Honiara 06 February, then onto Funafuti and Port Vila 07 February. 

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing BBJ A36-001 spent several hours at Auckland 22 February 2019, arriving from and returning to Sydney as ASY311 carrying Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing BBJ A36-002 arrived at Whenuapai 22 February 2019 from Sydney as ASY312. Interesting to have both RAAF BBJ's in NZ airspace at the same time, quite possibly a first. It departed Whenuapai 23 February for an approach and overshoot at Queenstown before continuing to Canberra.

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 01-0188 arrived in Christchurch on the morning of 22 February 2019 from Pago Pago as RCH110 supporting the conclusion of this season's Deep Freeze Antarctic program. It departed 23 February for Hickam.

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 97-0045 arrived in Christchurch 25 February 2019 from Pago Pago. It departed on return to Pago Pago two days later.

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III A41-213 arrived in Whenuapai 26 February 2019 from Amberley. It departed mid morning 28 February for a New Zealand wide navigation exercise starting with an IFR flight to Queenstown, then VFR through the Southern Alps and upto Ohakea. Then across the Central Plateau to East Cape and back to Whenuapai. It departed mid morning 01 March 2019 for Richmond via a scenic trip around Northland.

Parked at Whenuapai 27 February 2019. 

Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed C130H Hercules NZ7005 departed Whenuapai 26 February 2019 for Avalon to participate in the Australian International Air Show.

Royal New Zealand Air Force Beech King Air 350i NZ2350 flew from Ohakea to Norfolk Island and Amberley 26 February 2019  then onward to Avalon the following day to participate in the Australian International Air Show. The aircraft returned to Whenuapai 01 March 2019 from Avalon via Amberley and Norfolk Island.

Shortly after arrival at Avalon 27 February 2019. PVD photo.

Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 NZ7571 flew from Wellington to Avalon and back 27 February 2019. The Boeing last week conducted at least two round robin flights from Christchurch to Phoenix Field and back supporting the NZ Antarctic program.

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 08-8193 wrapped up its Antarctic deployment and made its way from Christchurch to Hickam 28 February 2019 as RCH476. 

Corporate Corner - February 2019

Metrojet Gulfstream G650 B-KEY kicked off the second month of 2019 with a departure from Auckland to Woodbourne on 01 February 2019 . It returned to Auckland 04 February then departed for Hong Kong 06 February. 

Arriving Woodbourne 01 February 2019. 

Business Aviation Solutions Falcon 50 VH-FJQ arrived in Auckland 01 February 2019 from the Gold Coast and Mackay. It departed 02 February on return to the Gold Coast.

Live RD Air LLC Falcon 7X N473K arrived in Queenstown 02 February 2019 from King Island/TAS and Melbourne. It then flew from Queenstown to Napier 04 February and onto Auckland 05 February. From Auckland to Honolulu and St Paul Downtown 08 February.

Qi Xin Yong Yang of Hong Kong Ltd Gulfstream G650 N678GA arrived in Auckland from Shanghai 03 February 2019 marking its first visit to NZ. It departed Auckland 05 February for Queenstown. returning to Auckland late the following afternoon. The colourful G650 departed Auckland during the early hours of 08 February for Shanghai.
Operated on behalf of Mr Lin Qi, founder and CEO of Yoozo gaming company. 

Business Aviation Services Guernsey Ltd Boeing 737-73W BBJ 2-BASG arrived in Christchurch 03 February 2019 from Melbourne carrying veteran singer Phil Collins on his "Not yet Dead 2019" tour.
It then flew onto Napier, the next concert venue, on the afternoon of 05 February. From Napier direct to Sydney 07 February then to Subang 08 February.

The BBJ had arrived in Sydney from Singapore/Seletar back on 17 January 2019 and has gone on to visit Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and most recently Melbourne. First visit to NZ.

Arriving Christchurch 03 February 2019. 

Hill Air Corp Gulfstream G650ER N555GA arrived in Napier 04 February 2019 direct from Los Angeles. After passenger disembarkation, the 2018 model Dallas/Love Field based machine positioned to Rotorua for parking. From Rotorua to Napier and Auckland 06 February then to Essendon 11 February and Sydney 12 February. From Sydney to Cairns 14 February and to Singapore/Seletar 17 February. 

First visit to NZ.

Arriving Auckland 06 February 2019. 

Hong Kong Jet Falcon 8X VP-CST departed Queenstown 04 February 2019 for Papeete then to Nadi 09 February. From Nadi to Shenzhen 12 February.

Queenstown 03 February 2019. 

Beijing Aviation Falcon 7X B-8216 arrived in Auckland during the pre dawn hours of 06 February 2019 from Beijing and Biak.After clearing formalities, the 7X continued to Rotorua. From Rotorua to Queenstown 08 February. From Queenstown to Auckland and Papeete 11 February. To Nadi 14 February then to Shenzhen and Peking 17 February.  First visit to NZ.

Queenstown 10 February 2019. 

Papeete 10 February 2019. 

Viper Aviation Falcon 7X N37TY made its way from Christchurch to Queenstown 06 February 2019. It then flew to Auckland and Honolulu 08 February.

Auckland 08 February 2019. 

SG Aviation Australia Global Express VH-SGA arrived in Auckland 07 February 2019 from Hong Kong. It had arrived Hong Kong the previous morning from Essendon via Darwin. From Auckland to the Gold Coast, Hamilton Island and Essendon 10 February. It returned to NZ 11 February arriving in Christchurch from Essendon. From Christchurch to Auckland and Essendon 12 February. Then 13 February saw the Global fly Essendon-Hamilton Island-Sydney-Auckland-Melbourne. The Global flew from Essendon to Queenstown 16 February returning to Essendon late 17 February. 

Linfox Global Express VH-LEP arrived in Auckland 07 February 2019 from Essendon. It departed the same evening on return to Essendon.

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJX arrived in Christchurch 07 February 2019 from Essendon. It departed 08 February for Brisbane, Darwin and Singapore/Changi.

ABS Jets Embraer Legacy OK-SUN departed Auckland 07 February 2019 for Queenstown and returned to Auckland 10 February. From Auckland to Queenstown again 22 February. The aircraft, having arrived in NZ back on 1 January 2019, finally exited the region 25 February with a departure from Queenstown for Sydney and Kupang. 

Queenstown 24 February 2019. 

Vistajet Malta Global Express 9H-VJU arrived in Rotorua 08 February 2019 from Tokyo/Haneda via Auckland as VJT974. The Global made its way from Rotorua to Auckland 14 February. The following day it departed on return to Haneda. 

Auckland 14 February 2019. 

Kayne Andersen Capital Gulfstream G650 N801KF arrived in Auckland 09 February 2019 from Burbank and Los Angeles. It departed for Essendon 10 February then to Adelaide and Sydney 12 February. From Sydney to Essendon 14 February and back to Auckland 15 February. It departed 19 February direct to Los Angeles then to Burbank. N801KF arrived back in Auckland 24 February from Los Angeles.  To Queenstown 26 February. 

Elite Avia/OJet Global Express 9H-OJS arrived in Auckland 09 February 2019 from Punta Arenas and Easter Island. It departed 10 February for Singapore/Changi.

Deerjet / Capital Airlines Gulfstream G550 B-8135 touched down at Queenstown 10 February 2019 after a direct flight from Nanchang Changbei International marking the first known flight to NZ having originated from this Chinese mainland airport. It then positioned the same afternoon from Queenstown to Christchurch. From Christchurch to Brisbane and Shanghai 18 February. First time visit to NZ by this aircraft.

Departing Queenstown 10 February 2019. 

Flight Management Corp Gulfstream 5 N85V arrived in Auckland 10 February 2019 from Honolulu. It made its way to Wellington 16 February then to Queenstown 24 February. 

The aircraft has received a new colour scheme since its last visit and now wears the standard Gulfstream livery.

Brenzil PTY Falcon 7X VH-CRW arrived in Queenstown 12 February 2019 from the Gold Coast and Sydney. It departed the following day for Auckland and Essendon. VH-CRW returned to NZ 26 February arriving in Napier from Brisbane. It flew Napier-Auckland-Napier both 27 and 28 February. 

Mineralogy P/L Hawker 4000 VP-CPP arrived in Auckland 14 February 2019 from its Gold Coast home marking its first visit to NZ. Its visit was brief with it returning to the Gold Coast the same evening.

With a serial number of RC-57, the Hawker was delivered to Australia just under a month ago.

Avcair Pty Learjet 60 VH-ILJ marked its first visit to New Zealand by popping into Queenstown 18 February. it arrived from Brisbane and Sydney and departed for Brisbane, its home base.

Enterprise Holdings Inc Gulfstream G550 N70EL arrived in Napier 18 February 2019 from Honolulu. It then made its way to Auckland 23 February and to Kona 28 February. First visit to NZ.

Flight Options (Australia) Citation VII VH-ING visited Queenstown 20 February 2019 arriving from and returning to Sydney.

Squadron Aviation Falcon 8X VQ-BFD arrived in Auckland 21 February 2019 from Easter Island marking the Brazilian based jet's first NZ visit.

Didier Leroux's Beech 350 King Air F-OZEN visited Auckland 21 February 2019 arriving from Magenta and departing to Noumea.

Arcadia Leasing Gulfstream G550 N80AD arrived in Napier 22 February from Sydney. It departed 24 February for Nadi then to Honolulu and Clearwater/FL 27 February. The Gulfstream had arrived in the region 17 February touching down in Perth from Ho Chi Minh. It then flew to Sydney 19 February before conducting a round trip to Hobart and back 20 February.  It First visit to NZ.

Marcplan Embraer Legacy VH-VLT arrived in Auckland 23 February 2019 from Essendon.

Aviation Jolina S.E.C. Global Express C-GSAP arrived in Auckland after dark 23 February 2019 from Melbourne and Sydney. It departed early on the afternoon of 25 February for Honolulu, Las Cruces/NM and Montreal. The Global visited Christchurch briefly back in November 2017.

Noumea Leasing Citationjet CJ3+ F-ONCP made a nocturnal visit to Auckland 24 February 2019 arriving from Magenta and Suva and departing for Noumea.

Linfox Challenger 650 VH-LEF arrived in Queenstown 24 February 2019 from Essendon. It then positioned to Christchurch 25 February. 

JetCity Learjet 45 VH-LJX staged via Auckland 25 February 2019 enroute from Essendon to Rarotonga. It then passed through Auckland the following afternoon heading from Rarotonga to Essendon. 

Execujet Asia Gulfstream G650 VP-CJR departed Auckland 26 February 2019 for Queenstown and Christchurch. 

Bairline Citation X OE-HUB arrived in Auckland after dark 27 February 2019 from Maui and Apia. 

OE-HUB framed by Falcon 8X VQ-BFD and Legacy VH-VLT. 

Vistajet Global Express 9H-VJV arrived in Wellington after dark 28 February 2019 from Perth as VJT965. 

Cessna 402C VH-VID

Noted parked on the grass at Tauranga 26 February 2019 was the Cessna 402C VH-VID. This 1979 example has been flying in NZ for the last 21 years as ZK-VAD having been imported by Vincent Aviation ex VH-COH in March 1997. It moved to fly with Woodbourne based Ridge Air in February 2008 and during its time with them flown charter and navaid calibration duties. 

As VH-VID the 402 made its way from Nelson to Tauranga on 21 February 2019 and departed for Kerikeri, Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast 28 February 2019 on delivery to Handel Aviation. 

Tauranga 26 February 2019 

Woodbourne 30 March 2013.