Friday 30 November 2007 - updated 1500 01Dec

Jetting into Auckland this morning was Challenger 604 VH-OCV from Narita and Port Moresby. The Challenger departed that evening for Sydney.

Arriving at Christchurch around lunchtime was Sydney based Global Express N889CP. The aircraft, which made its first visit to NZ just last Sunday (see earlier post) arrived from Macau and after refuelling, leg stretching and a crew change continued to Buenos Aires.

Departing from Christchurch, Glen Reid photo

Boeing BBJ VP-CEC departed Woodbourne for Auckland late afternoon.

Citation VII VH-DHN departed Auckland for Melbourne's Essendon Airport.

Air Manawatu Cessna 421 Golden Eagle ZK-TRC departed its Fielding home direct to the Chatham Islands. It returned to Fielding later this evening however may have not landed at the island as it seems the aircraft provided SAR coverage for Rick Lucas Helicopters BK117 ZK-HYZ.

Noted flying just to the west of Hamilton mid afternoon was Pitts S2 Special VH-PIG. Records show this aircraft also in the Hamilton area back in December 2006.

Speaking of Australian Pigs (!), two Royal Australian Air Force General Dynamics F111's roared into Christchurch early this evening. The aircraft arrived from Amberley and have the tail numbers A8-129 and A8-142. It is understood the aircraft will be on exercise from Christchurch for the first week of December.

Thursday 29 November 2007 - updated 2130

Japan Airlines flew the final flight in their series of charters today with Boeing 747-400 JA8910. It arrived from Narita as JAL8777 and departed to Fukuoka as JAL8860.

Qantas operated Boeing 767-300 VH-OGJ through Wellington on their regular QF47/48 service in lieu of the regular Boeing 737-400 to accomodate the LA Galaxy soccer team and its superstar player David Beckham.

Netjets Europe Gulfstream 550 CS-DKH arrived at Christchurch from Cape Town and Perth around 1930 as NJE897H. This brand new aircraft then continued to Auckland arriving around 2300. This machine was only registered in September this year.

Arriving at Christchurch, Graham Weatherby photo

Gulfstream 200 Joins the ZK Register

Air National Corporate placed Gulfstream 200 N658GA on the NZ register 28Nov07 as ZK-RGB.

The aircraft has been a regular scene sinces its arrival a couple of months ago. It flew for the first time as ZK-RGB 29Nov flying from Auckland to Rotorua and return.

Departing Auckland's runway 05R, Colin Hunter photo

Strawberries!

Yup, an odd title I know! However an opportunity to watch some agricultural aviation at work just a short distance from Auckland International Airport.

A commercial strawberry farm was established near the Puhinui Interchange (approximately 1.2nm final for Auckland's runway 23L) several years ago and the patch has been aerial sprayed for the last few years utilising Oceania equipment. McDonnell Douglas Notar ZK-HDN has been used up until this year when it was replaced at the operator's Drury base by Aerospatiale AS350BA Squirrel ZK-HIE, seen here at work around 0545 28Nov07. The helicopter operates at or below 100ft remaining clear of arriving or departing traffic and usually takes about 2 hours to complete the task.

Mike Condon photo

27-28 November 2007 - updated 2030 28Nov

Tuesday 27 November 2007
Citation 560XL VH-NGH arrived at Auckland from Napier 27Nov.
Citation Sovereign VH-EXG departed Auckland for Cairns and Melbourne 27Nov.
Boeing BBJ N66ZB departed Auckland for Nadi and Los Angeles 27Nov.
Reims/Cessna 406 ZK-VAF returned to Wellington from Norfolk Island 27Nov having departed some weeks ago on an Airways Corporation calibration contract.
Air Chathams Convair 580 ZK-CIB flew from Apia to Tonga and Auckland 27Nov, and used its registration as callsign.

Wednesday 28 November 2007
Pacific Aerospace XL750 ZK-JNF departed Hamilton for Lord Howe Island early on 28Nov. This machine is on delivery to Italy and will possibly enter the San Marino register as T7-PAC.
Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Nelson to Queenstown, having arrived at Nelson from Rotorua and Woodbourne 26Nov.
Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Kerikeri and Rotorua. Later in the day it flew to Taupo and back to Auckland.
Citation VII VH-DHN flew from Christchurch to Auckland.

Resting at Christchurch 28Nov, Tony McFarlin photo

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N584HA touched down at Auckland from Honolulu as HAL9981 for its C check with Air NZ. It is set to return back to Hawaii around 20Dec.

Monday 26 November 2007 - updated at 1220

Citation 560XL VH-NGH, based at Bankstown with SJMF Investments/Sunshine Express Airlines, arrived in Auckland around 0220LT from Melbourne. This is the first visit of VH-NGH to NZ which was delivered in September this year. From Auckland to Timaru midday Monday, then onto Invercargill, Oamaru, Christchurch and Napier! However it is reported the aircraft returned to Christchurch ex airborne.

Seen here departing Christchurch, Graham Weatherby photo.

Professional Jets Citation VII VH-DHN arrived at Christchurch around 0230LT from Sydney.

Citation 680 Sovereign VH-EXG flew Essendon-Auckland.

Westwind ZK-RML arrived back in Auckland from Sydney. It continued to Taupo later the same day.

Cargolux operated their all grey Boeing 747-400 freighter LX-PCV through Auckland today.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1294168/M/

Sunday 25 November 2007

A Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed P3 Orion arrived at Whenuapai from Western shores as ASY275.

Nelson skies were graced with Sydney-based Global Express N889CP, which arrived around 2000 and departed an hour later. It flew from/to its home base. This aircraft was delivered to Consolidated Press in March 2006 as N190WP and was first noted as N889CP in June that same year. Today marked the aircraft's first visit to NZ.

Jetcity's Learjet 35 VH-JCR made a fleeting visit to Auckland late Sunday night, arriving from and returning to Melbourne on a medical related flight.

Pionair Convair 580 VH-PDV arrived at Fieldair's Palmerston North maintenance facility from Brisbane.

Saturday 24 November 2007

Not a great deal of action to report on.
FU24 Fletcher PK-PNC, ex ZK-EGU, departed Hamilton at 0330LT heading for Lord Howe Island direct on delivery to Indonesia.

Wayne Grant photo

Citation N800DT flew from Ardmore to Christchurch, Woodbourne and then back over the reverse route.

Staggerwing Heading West

Beech D17S Staggerwing ZK-AMU, seen here touching down at Ardmore 17Nov, has changed ownership as at 01Nov to a New South Wales address. ZK-AMU has graced NZ skies for almost 12 years under the caring attention of Robin Campbell.

Touching down runway 03 @ Ardmore 17Nov, Mike Condon photo

Beech G17S Staggerwing ZK-MOE remains based in the Hawkes Bay.

Friday 23 November 2007

Challenger 604 VH-OCV returned to NZ, arriving at Nelson from Sydney, then continuing to Queenstown and back to Sydney.

Falcon 20 Gardian 77 departed Whenuapai for Niue and Papeete as FNY5431.

Boeing 737-800 VH-VUM departed Christchurch for Melbourne following routine maintenance with Air NZ.

Convair 580 ZK-PAL flew from Hamilton to Timaru and return as "Pionair 1".

Piper PA31-325 ZK-WSB flew from Wigram to Woodbourne and Timaru.

Thursday 22 November 2007

Skytrader's Airbus A319CJ VH-VHD departed Christchurch for Antarctica's Ice Runway 22Nov as "ICE319". It returned to Christchurch later the same day.

Westwind ZK-RML flew from Auckland to Queenstown and Sydney while Citationjet CJ3 ZK-TBM flew Christchurch-Wellington-Christchurch-Queenstown-Christchurch.

Learjet 45 VH-CXJ visited Invercargill briefly, arriving from Hobart and departing to Sydney.

Wednesday 21 November 2007

In addition to the action at Wellington today, some other aviation activity was taking place.

Challenger 604 VH-OCV arrived into Queenstown from Sydney, then continued to Nelson and back to Sydney.
Global Express VH-TGG briefly visited Auckland, arriving from Essendon and departing for Sydney.

A French Navy Falcon 20 Gardian, tail number 77, callsign FNY5431, arrived at Whenuapai from Papeete via a techstop at Niue.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N583HA finally departed Auckland around midday for Honolulu as HAL9980.

Japan Airlines flew yet another in their series of charters to Auckland and again used Boeing 747-400 JA8910.

Atlas Air Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter N492MC, contracted to Qantas, visited Auckland in the afternoon, arriving from and returning to Melbourne carrying concert equipment for Justin Timberlake. The Jumbo returned in the early hours of 22Nov and departed mid afternoon for Shangai.

Incident at Wellington (video link added)

Wings Over Whales Cessna 172 ZK-VCM was flipped on its back at Wellington around 1030 Wed 21Nov.
http://www.tv3.co.nz/NewsVideo/FlippedlightaircraftclosesWellingtonairport/tabid/309/articleID/39746/cat/81/Default.aspx


Peter Van Dyk photos

17-19November 2007

Fairly quiet period to report on.

Westwind ZK-RML flew Auckland-Niue 17Nov and was also noted flying Rarotonga-Tonga. It is now back in its hanger at Auckland.

Air NZ Boeing 737-300 ZK-FRE, in its NZ Holiday scheme, operated Auckland-Gold Coast-Auckland 17Nov in lieu of an Airbus. First recorded visit of ZK-FRE heading overseas in its new livery.

Cessna Mustang N2243W flew from Woodbourne to Hastings 17Nov and had earlier been noted at Hamilton.

Malibu N9099Z flew Pauanui Beach-Rangiora 18Nov.

Gulfstream 200 N658GA, in the SkyCare hanger, was observed minus its registration so its entry to the ZK register as RGB is imminent.
Boeing 737-700 VH-VBJ arrived at Christchurch 19Nov from Melbourne whilst Citation CJ3 ZK-TBM flew from Christchurch to Auckland, Queenstown and back to Christchurch.

Airbus A319CJ VH-VHD departed Christchurch just before 0830 19Nov for Antarctica's Ice Runway using the callsign "ICE319".

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 N583HA is set to depart Auckland early midday 20Nov for Honolulu as "Hawaiian 9980".

Friday 16 November 2007

Cessna Mustang N2243W flew from Hastings to Hamilton and back to Hastings.
FAA Challenger 604 N88 departed Christchurch for Pago Pago and Hawaii as "Flightcheck 88".
Boeing 767-300 CX-PUG departed at 1645 as "Pluna 6404" direct to Montevideo.

Malibu's N9099Z and ZK-MBU both noted at Ardmore.

Mike Condon photo

Air NZ's acquires additional 737-300's

As has been mentioned in the media and on numerous websites, Air NZ will next year acquire two additional 737-300's to bring the fleet total to 16.

The first is due around 14Mar08 as 9H-ADH c/n 27459 and will become ZK-NGP.
The second is due around 27Apr08 as 9H-ADI c/n 27460 and will become ZK-NGR.

Thomsonfly Boeing 737-300 G-THOE is expected to return home mid Apr08.

Thursday 15 November 2007

Rank's Boeing BBJ N66ZB arrived into Auckland this morning from Newark via a techstop at Honolulu. The BBJ departed Auckland on 04Nov for O'Hare via Honolulu and also visited Stansted and Fort Lauderdale during its absence from NZ.

Boeing 767-300 P2-ANG was photographed wearing its new identity CX-PUG this afternoon with the aircraft slated to now depart for Montevideo direct at 1900 Fri 16Nov.

Now wearing its Uruguayan registration, Wayne Grant photo

Challenger 604 VH-OCV departed Queenstown for Sydney and Malibu N9099Z flew from Rangiora to Pauanui Beach. Nomad VH-ATO flew a local flight out of Hamilton during the morning.

Wednesday 14 November 2007

US FAA Challenger 604 N88 that has been sitting at Christchurch for a number of days departed this morning at 0615 for McMurdo Sound via an approach at Italy's Antarctic base, Terra Nova, if the weather permitted. The aircraft returned to Christchurch from McMurdo later in the evening.

Ex Air Niugini Boeing 767-300 P2-ANG, now registered CX-PUG, wasdue to depart Auckland late 14Nov direct to Montevideo, Uruguay, on delivery to Pluna. However it did not move!

As mentioned yesterday, Learjet 45XR N45XR flew from Auckland to Christchurch where a demonstration flight was carried out before returning to Auckland and then heading north to Noumea.

Finals to land at Auckland 14Nov, Colin Hunter photo

Skytraders PTY Airbus A319-115 VH-VHD, employed with the Australian Antarctic programme, arrived at Christchurch from Hobart this afternoon and it is understood the aircraft will carry out proving flights to/from Antarctica. The following is an excerpt from Skytraders website:
Throughout the Austral summer [ October-February ] our aircraft operates a weekly flight from Hobart in Tasmania to a blue-ice runway located at Wilkins Antarctica that serves as the hub for our annual Antarctic programme. At Wilkins, scientists board one of two Skytraders ski-equipped CASA 212 aircraft that will carry them on to the Australian stations at Davis and Casey or perhaps to remote outfield locations where they will conduct cold-climate science in support of the ongoing study of global climate change. The need to minimise time spent on the ground in potentially harsh Antarctic conditions means that a round-trip is completed in around 10 hours thereby minimising the amount of time that the aircraft is away from mainland Australia. This fact means that the A319/ACJ is available for corporate charter or use by other government agencies for the vast majority of the summer season, in addition to its open availability during the Austral winter.

Taxiing to the Deep Freeze apron at Christchurch 14Nov, Tony McFarlin photo

Falcon 900EX N146EX returned home to Auckland from Brisbane.

Black Sands 2007

Black Sands Fly-In November 2007 by Bruce Cooke and Mike Condon

The Waikato/Thames Valley Chapter of the NZ Sports Aircraft Association held their second annual flyin at Raglan over the weekend of 10-11 November. The highlight of the weekend’s activity is a fly-in to Gibson Beach with a number of aircraft making the short trip north. Check out http://rnzaf.proboards43.com/index.cgi?board=airshow&action=display&thread=1183960292&page=1 for some photos from 2006 and 2007.

The following is a list of aircraft recorded as visiting the Raglan Airstrip from 09-11Nov;

ALPI Aviation; CJN, CJW, LPA, LPT, PKT, RMV, TNB
Auster; ATH, BLW
Auto Gyro; RGG
Avid Flyer; MMP
Bantam B22; SAM, SKI, WBB, WPR, ZZZ
Cal Parker Teenie Two; DUO
Cessna O1G; DOG
Cessna 150; CXK, DOB
Cessna 172; BZS, EOS, JCT, JRA, TFS
Cessna 180; KRM, WGT
Cessna 182; OFC, WKK
Corby Starlet; TNT, TOY
DHC1 Chipmunk; RFS
DH82 Tiger Moth; AUE, BFF
Dynamic; MLC
Europa; CHV
Falco; SMR
Foxcon Terrier; MEG, PCF
Glasair Sportsman 2+2; SPO
Glastar; MPO
Jabiru; CLX, ORN
Jodel D9/D11/D18; DBY, DFM, DJQ, EER, JAC, KSD, MMB, OWL
Kasperwing; FEH
Lancair; MHS
LM Spitfire U/L; JNM
Minicab; EEF
Minitwin Mk II; DBL
Pazmany; TLP
Piper PA18; BQV
Piper PA28; CNU, DGH, FOS, FRL, WEH
Piper PA38; EVG
Pipistrel Sinus (powered glider); GPI
Quad City Challenger; TPL
Rans S6; XLD
Robin; TZA
Robinson R44; IDL
Rutan VariEze; PND
Sportscruiser; CSR
Sting 2000; STG
Storch; STK
Storm; VEE
Taylor Monoplane; JOE
Tecnam P92/96/2002; CDL, MIC, NOL, OGX, PAB, RTM, TEB
Texan Top Class; TTX
Thorp T18; VMS
Titan; RSR
Ultravia Pelican; FTE, MAL
Vans RV4/6/7; NRV, REX, RVC, RVG, RVH, RVN, RVV
Wittman Tailwind; RET
Yak 52; TYS
Zenair series; ESY, JLI, JPX, JRL, MEY, NEN, ZKZ, ZXZ
Zephyr; ZFR

Tuesday 13 November 2007

Learjet 45XR N45XR arrived at Auckland just prior to 0800 from Sydney 13Nov. The aircraft is in the region carrying out demonstration flights and was first noted arriving into Perth 07Nov and at Essendon 09Nov before heading to Sydney. It carried out several flights from/to Auckland throughout 13Nov and is due to fly to Christchurch, back to Auckland and on to Noumea 14Nov.

Citation 501 N800DT flew from Ardmore to Woodbourne and back 13Nov, whilst yesterday Learjet 35A ZK-XVL flew from Ardmore to Taupo and back.

Pilatus Porter ZK-JMP returned to NZ today, arriving at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island.