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

Longhaulers

Yesterday we mentioned some earthrounders out and about, and today we have some longhaul/delivery flight activity.

First up we have Vulcanair (nee Partenavia) P68 N104LT.  This aircraft has crossed the Pacific Ocean in recent days having started its delivery flight from Florida before hauling across to Hilo from Yolo County Airport, CA on 13 September (all dates NZ).  It then flew to Pago Pago 16 September from where it made its way to Norfolk Island and the Gold Coast 19 September.   The Pago Pago-Norfolk Island leg is not confirmed as we suspect it may have staged perhaps via Nadi.

Departing the Gold Coast for Archerfield 20 September, T Magee photo

There have been a number of Cirrus Aircraft movements across the Pacific in recent weeks and arriving into Australia 17 September was SR22 N538SR.  This aircraft has been based at Singapore/Seletar since 2012 and was noted flying westbound across the Pacific in February of that year as it made its way from Santa Maria to Seletar via Hilo, Tarawa, Guam and Kota Kinabalu.  As it heads homeward bound to the USA it flew Seletar direct to Darwin on the 17th of this month, then to Cairns 18 September and today has launched for Tarawa.

At the same time another SR22, VH-CPE, is tracking across the Tasman Sea.  This aircraft is registered to a Western Australia address but over the last couple of days it has crossed the Australian outback flying from Jandakot to Forrest, Leigh Creek then to Archerfield while today its flown to Lord Howe Island and as this goes to "press" is a good part of the way to Kerikeri.  An online search quickly finds this 2004 example as listed for sale so it may well become ZK registered.
http://classifieds.aviationadvertiser.com.au/detail.php?id=2459
If so it will be a timely arrival for Cirrus New Zealand who recently registered ZK-CNZ and had their official launch at Fielding, Manawatu base last evening.

And not to be outdone, Cirrus SR20 N176CD is making the long journey from Merced to Hilo today.  We fully expect this aircraft will continue in a more westerly direction towards Asia where a number of deliveries have been made to in recent months.

Rounding off the review is Cessna 337 VH-ODL.  We mentioned this aircraft last month when it turned up at the Gold Coast http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2014/08/nice-catch-at-gold-coast.html.
Today the inline twin has departed Archerfield for Lord Howe Island and is due onto Norfolk Island later today.
It made an earlier attempt at a delivery flight to Apia flying for Archerfield to Lord Howe Island on the 14th with a plan to continue to Norfolk Island but made a return trip to Archerfield instead, perhaps for some sort of maintenance attention.

And a quick update on Piper Twin Comanche D-GPEZ.  Trevor departed Auckland just on 0650 this morning heading for Pago Pago, just beating a rather active frontal system crossing the top half of the North Island bringing some gnarly thunderstorms and hail!

Nice catch at the Gold Coast

Thanks to Terry (for the shots) and Roy (for the advice to Terry!) Cessna 337G VH-ODL rocked into the Gold Coast Airport on the afternoon of 21 August from Parafield via Dubbo wearing Samoa Air titles on one side and Central Pacific Special Air Services on the other.

The 337 is currently registered to Desert-Air Safaris PTY of Highland, South Australia but given its markings must be due to head across the Pacific on delivery.

Samoa Air was made internationally famous last year when it created a system of pay by weight for its passengers!