Corporate Corner 25 September through 10 October 2016

Jet Aviation Hong Kong Global 5000 VP-CGM flew from Queenstown to Auckland 26 September and continued onto Biak and Hong Kong 28 September.

Sunshine Aviation Services Challenger 604 VH-VLZ concluded its Taupo visit 27 September departing for Auckland and Essendon.

Skyline Aviation took over the operation of Citation Mustang ZK-YDZ back in July this year and it has now entered service using company callsign SKL7. It flew from Napier to Kaitaia 27 September from where it conducted a local flight and ending up in Kerikeri where circuits were flown. It then flew onto Auckland before heading back to Napier. It has since visited Wellington, Nelson, Taupo, Queenstown, Dunedin, Hamilton and Ardmore. 

CCJJ LLC/Air Alsie Gulfstream G550 N919PE arrived at Woodbourne 27 September from Hamilton Island, Brisbane and Wellington. It then flew to Hamilton 30 September from where it departed direct to Don Mueang, Bangkok 04 October.

Caught during its brief stopover in Wellington.

Arriving at Woodbourne. 

CML Aviation Gulfstream IV-X G350 VH-NKD made a brief appearance at Auckland 28 September arriving from and returning to Sydney.

Execujet Australia Global Express VH-IEJ made a brief appearance at Auckland 29 September arriving from and returning to Sydney.

Brenzil PTY Falcon 7X VH-CRW arrived at Napier from Hamilton Island and Mackay 30 September. The 7X made its way to Woodbourne on the morning of 06 October returning north in the afternoon. From Napier to Auckland and back 07 October and again 10 October. 

Marcplan Gulfstream G450 VH-MBP arrived at Auckland from Essendon 04 October. It then flew from Auckland to Tauranga and back 05 October. It headed back to Essendon 06 October.

ANZA/Tyremax Challenger 604 N604AU departed Auckland for Sydney before sunrise 05 October.

MicroStrategy Services Corp Global Express N3877 made its NZ debut arriving at Auckland from Singapore/Changi 06 October. It departed 08 October for Tokyo/Haneda. 

Crown Casino Gulfstream 4SP VH-CGF briefly visited Queenstown 06 October, arriving from and returning to Essendon.

Marcplan Embraer Legacy VH-VLT made the trip from Hobart to Queenstown on the evening of 07 October and departed for Essendon 08 October. 

Sky Beyond Holdings Gulfstream 5 N371JC arrived at Auckland 08 October from Singapore/Changi. 

N371JC wearing a new scheme since her last visit.

Air Charter AG Challenger 601-3A HB-IKS arrived at Wellington from Sydney 08 October on what is either its 26th or 27th visit to the Capital.
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=HB-IKS

Jetcity Learjet 45 VH-LJQ visited Auckland 09 October arriving from Essendon and departing for Sydney and Adelaide.

Vista jet Malta Global 6000 9H-VJO arrived at Napier just before midday 10 October from Newark via Honolulu as VJT889. 

Overseas Military Visitors

Arriving at Whenuapai on the afternoon of 07 October was Royal Australian Air Force Beech King Air 350 A32-439 with the light twin making its way from Norfolk Island. The previous day the King Air had flown from Townsville to Amberley and onto Norfolk Island. On the night of 09 October the King Air conducted an exercise over the Hunua Ranges, south of Auckland. 

United States Air Force Boeing 757/C32B 99-6143 arrived at Whenuapai on the evening of 08 October from Perth as RCH582. This aircraft visited Whenuapai during early August this year. The C32 departed Whenuapai for Richmond mid morning 10 October. 

A trio of arrivals from RAAF Pearce on the morning of 09 October. First to arrive was Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-450 as ASY716. This was followed two hours later by United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 03-3124 and 07-7182 as RCH445 and RCH695 respectively making the journey in formation and landing two minutes apart . Both aircraft had arrived at Pearce from Andersen AFB, Guam on 07 October. The two C17's are operated by the 437th AW/315th AW based at Charleston, SC. Both C17's departed Whenuapai for Richmond mid early afternoon 10 October.

Carbon Cub Amphib N47MV

A chance visit to Ardmore on a blustery, showery day (06 October) and to my surprise Carbon Cub amphibian N47MV was being worked on. This immaculate aircraft then proceeded to depart Ardmore and headed for Auckland harbour where Flightradar24 records it as having conducted some activity before heading to its mothership, Rod Lewis's superyacht "M5".

We were fortunate to get up close and personal with the Cub earlier this year: http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=n47mv

Shower of spray and we're away!

N47MV being lifted onto the stern of "M5" at Auckland's Silo Marina 06 October. 

Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300 ZK-NCL departs

Air New Zealand Boeing 767-319ER ZK-NCL departed Auckland 05 October alighting from runway 23L at 1050 destined for Alice Springs as NZ6011. The aircraft will enter a period of storage alongside sistership ZK-NCK (currently registered ????) pending delivery to a European airline.

ZK-NCL was withdrawn from service back on 26 July 2016 and cancelled from the NZ register 07 October 2016.

https://www.facebook.com/ChipPhotographyAus/

Kiwi Connection - Tragic crash of P51D G-MSTG ex NZ2427

The recent fatal crash of North American P51D Mustang G-MSTG "Janine" has seen David Wise provide the following Kiwi connection:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=190440

http://www.touchdown-aviation.com/flying-legends/plane/hardwick-warbirds/north-american-P-51D-30NT-MUSTANG-G-MSTG.php

• NZ2427 (c/n 124-48271, ex 45-11518) served with 3 (Canterbury) Squadron from October 17, 1952 to August 9, 1955. The aircraft had its wings torched prior to being sold by tender in 1958 to Barry North and Peter Coleman and taken to Omaka. A replacement mainplane was purchased and the aircraft was restored to taxiable standard. Peter Coleman later bought out Barry North's share and the aircraft was moved to his Benmorven Rd home. In the 1980's he moved into Blenheim and the aircraft was dismantled for storage. After his death in 1990, the now incomplete but substantial remains were purchased by the AFC with a view to restoration. However, after the purchase of ZK-PLI (see below), the project was abandoned and in 1996 the remains were sold to Maurice Hammond in the UK. Maurice began a rebuild project in Easter 1997 at his base in Eye in Suffolk. This saw the aircraft return to the air on July 13, 2001 in the hands of Rob Davies. Now fitted with a zero-timed former Phillipines Air Force Merlin, Maurice says the aircraft is still 70% original. There has been some reskinning, along with the replacement of plexiglass, control surfaces and missing and perishable components. Like many restorations, the fuselage fuel tank has been removed to make way for a second seat. The gunbays were restored with replica guns of his own manufacture. The completed aircraft has been finished in the scheme of 41-4419 'Janie' flown by Major William Price of the 351st fighter squadron of the 353rd fighter group which was based at Raydon in Essex, England. Today the former NZ2427 is based at Harwick in Norfolk, UK as G-MSTG. (illustrated below). 

Farewell Pegasus - Hello Phoenix!

With thanks to Rosco - we missed this little snippet from back in April this year marking the change of "airstrip" used for Antarctic operations.

http://www.usap.gov/News/contentHandler.cfm?id=4212

http://www.southpolestation.com/mcm/1617/phoenix.html

On the subject of ice operations, United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 10-0217 arrived at Christchurch from Hickam as RCH160 on the night of 29 September and was open to the public 01 October for the Antarctic Open Day. It flew south to Antarctica as ICE03 03 October, ICE04 04 October and ICE05 06 October - it seems Pegasus is still the destination of choice or is it?  Or is Phoenix yet to be made operational pending flight inspection by FAA Challenger. 

Image via www.southpolestation.com

Air Caledonie ATR42-500 F-OIPN - updated

ATR42-500 F-OIPN has concluded its visit to Air New Zealand Regional Maintenance facility at Nelson conducting a test flight as TPC7301
06 October before departing direct to Noumea as TPC7201.

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Air Caledonie ATR42-500 F-OIPN MSN 735 arrived at Nelson 22 August from Noumea as TPC7202 for scheduled maintenance with Air New Zealand Regional Maintenance. 

This is the second ATR from Air Caledonie to visit the South Island based maintenance provider. 

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/late-afternoon-nelson-arrival.html

Busy times in the South

Wanaka, world famous for its bi-annual Warbirds airshow, is a hive of activity this month with three recent arrivals from overseas.

Thanks to Steve for the following:

As previously mentioned on this blog, Cessna 208B N847SV arrived at Wanaka on delivery to Skydive Wanaka a few days ago. It is evident the 208 will soon take up the registration ZK-ROK so it will be interesting what the Pacific Aerospace 750XL of the same registration will become.

Yesterday we reported the arrival at Wanaka of Gippsland GA8 Airvan VH-KNP. Well, we can now confirm the bright yellow machine is destined for operations with Southern Alps Air as ZK-MLF. 

Finally is the arrival of Hughes 369E HC-BYM. Its not often an aircraft turns up in New Zealand from Ecuador so fantastic to report on this arrival. It is owned by a Kiwi who has been operating the machine from the majestic Galapogos Islands. 

Gippsland GA8 Airvan VH-KNP

Arriving at Wanaka late morning 04 October was 2004 edition Gippsland GA8 Airvan VH-KNP. The Australian built utility aircraft had flown through the night having departed the manufacturer's Latrobe Valley, VIC facility heading to Melbourne/Essendon where it cleared formalities before the nocturnal 8hr 10minute Tasman Sea crossing to Queenstown. 

The arrival of VH-KNP brings the Airvan population to 16 aircraft and it became ZK-MLF 07 October. 

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KDD

Pacific Aerospace 750XL ZK-KDD MSN XL203 positioned from Hamilton to Auckland on the evening of 30 September and departed for Norfolk Island 03 October. Its final destination is understood to be China.  It flew from Norfolk Island to Lord Howe Island and Archerfield 06 October.

Mosquito conducts third flight

De Havilland DH98 Mosquito ZK-FHC has conducted its third flight from Ardmore, the first being 26 September followed by another on 29 September. Today (04 October) saw the aircraft depart soon after 11am with an orbit over Ardmore before heading south for around 20 minutes before returning for a low approach and overshoot then a full stop landing. 

Caravans Arrive

Two Cessna 208 Caravans touched down at Auckland within 15 minutes of each other late on the afternoon of 02 October.

First across the fence was the 2000 edition Grand Caravan N847SV. This example has been reconfigured for parachute operations and has recently completed its conversion to the Supervan 900 specification sporting a grunty engine for its soon to be new employment. As seen in the picture the aircraft already wears its future Kiwi identity - ZK-ROK - and also the operation, Skydive Wanaka. The markings ZK-ROK are still applied to a Pacific Aerospace 750XL and have previously been worn by a Cessna 185 and Cresco! N847SV arrived at Auckland from Apia 02 October and departed for Wanaka 03 October. 

Air Safaris Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX N9493 (to become ZK-SRX) arrived in the midst of a gaggle of heavy jets and touched down around 15 minutes after N847SV having followed the same path from Apia. Both aircraft had embarked from Merced, CA and staged via Honolulu and Apia. It departed Auckland for Dunedin 03 October. 

A third Caravan is set to be delivered to NZ by months end. 

Mosquito TV 959 ZK-FHC - Second Test Flight

Awesome!!

Pacific Aerospace 750XL spotted in ............. North Korea.

Turning many heads and creating quite a conundrum was the sighting of a Pacific Aerospace 750XL at the Wonsan Air Festival hosted at Kalma Airport, North Korea over the weekend of 24-25 September. 

Its identity is still a matter of conjecture but presumably one of the airframes either flown or shipped to China.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11721444

The accompanying video, created by Sam Chui, gives a great review of the display and you'll find the 750XL at the 4min 43sec mark. 

A family that flies together: Airbus’ commercial aircraft

This would certainly have been a spectacle to behold!

Twelve B-52 Nuclear Bombers Depart Minot Air Force Base

Another space-filler. This time a video uploaded just a few days ago. Impressive military might!

KLM Cockpit Tales: Part 3 - Big plane, short runway

Not much happening locally so something to while away a few minutes and dream of this unique experience.

Singapore Airlines SQ291 landing at Wellington - from the inside!

Great video recorded from the inside of SQ291 on the second scheduled service to the Capital last week.

Super Trojan ZK-TGN

The first flight in New Zealand of North American T28B Super Trojan ZK-TGN was overshadowed this past Monday by the first flight of DH98 Mosquito ZK-FHC. However the Trojan's first flight has been eagerly awaiting by many for several months now and has been on the register since December 2014 whilst work was carried out. 

The oracle on all things civilian, Bluebus, has kindly provided the following information:

A significant piece of warbird metal has been purchased by Brian Hall of Christchurch. He has acquired a special North American T-28B Trojan from the States. The Trojan is a two seat, low wing, tandem seat, radial engine trainer designed to replace the T-6 (Harvard) in US service. Some 1950 were eventually built with about 480 going to the US Navy. Brian’s aircraft was issued with the US Navy serial 138218 in 1954 and was one of the last to be withdrawn from US service with VT-27 Squadron in the nearly 1980’s. It showed up on the US civil register on 29-07-1985 as N283JR with Stuart Coke Jnr of Valdosta, Georgia before moving to Nav Air Ltd at Fort Salonga, New York on 17-08-1987. In November they changes its registration to N283V and then to N1283 in December of 1991. By 16-10-2008 it was listed with Pride Aircraft of Rockford Illinois. The registration was amended to N1283G and ownership changed to John Morgan on 21-08-2014. Sometime in its more recent history its original Wright R1820 engine of around 1425hp was changed to the Pratt and Whitney R2000 engine. It is currently being NZ certified as ZK-TGN at Pioneer Aero Restorations at Ardmore and will ultimately be Ashburton based with the owners Harvard ZK-XSA. Brian also has the BAe Strikemaster ZK-VPR at Christchurch and the Zlin Savage ZK-SCA at Rangiora.

As mentioned, ZK-TGN made its first flight from Ardmore on the morning of 26 September at the hands of highly respected Warbirds Chief Flying Instructor David Brown. It was anticipated a second flight would be conducted that afternoon but disappointingly for those gathered it was wheeled back into the hangar. I'm not sure if it flew yesterday but it was with delight the distinct sound of its P&W R2000 could be clearly heard from home so a quick dash to Ardmore was made and as good fortune would have it the test flight was still underway with wide orbits of Ardmore before landing back on runway 03 at 1104. 

Subsequent to this successful flight a second was carried out early afternoon and unfortunately the aircraft obviously encountered undercarriage issues with much hype in the media after an emergency was called. A good hour or so of holding to burn off fuel was flown before making a wheels-up landing on disused runway 07 around 1445. 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11718500

Hobbit-less

Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300 ZK-OKP, once resplendent in a special decal to promote the Hobbit movies, has returned to service wearing the airline's standard livery. It arrived at Auckland in the predawn hours of 27 September from Paya Lebar, Singapore and re-entered service that evening as NZ6 flying from Auckland to Los Angeles.