Traffic

ZK-NBA is the 5th Air New Zealand aircraft to carry the name ‘Aotearoa’. When the then Tasman Empire Airways commenced services in April 1940 their first aircraft was ZK-AMA a Short S30 flying boat which was named ‘Aotearoa’. Other aircraft to carry the name have been Short Solent ZK-AML (1949), Douglas DC-6 ZK-BGA (1953) and Lockheed Electra ZK-TEA (1959).

Air New Zealand also have on order 6 8737-219 Advanced aircraft and they are planned for delivery in the first 3 months of 1986. These aircraft, which will be registered ZK-NAT thru ZKNAY will replace the six older 8737’s in the Air New Zealand fleet – ZK-NAC, ZK-NAD, ZK-NAE, ZK-NAJ, ZK-NAK and ZK-NAM. When replaced in service the B737’s will be delivered to the International Lease Finance Corporation of the United States.

To cover a capacity shortage that exists until Air New Zealand takes delivery of their second B767 next April a B737 has been leased from an overseas airline. Airways International B737-204 G-BAZI arrived in Christchurch from Sydney on November 2nd at the termination of its ferry flight from the U. K. The Boeing entered service with Air New Zealand on November 6th still carrying its U. K. registration.

Qantas Fleet Changes

Qantas have recently taken delivery of their third B767 and disposed of two of their B747 fleet.

B767-238ER VH-EAL ‘City of Geelong’ arrived in Sydney on October 2nd after its delivery flight from Seattle. VH-EAL was the third of six of this type on order for Qantas and was the 125th off the B767 production line. Carrying the U. S. test registration N6009F it made its first flight on September 16th before being handed over to Qantas on the 30th. The routing for the delivery was Seattle/Honolulu/Majuro/Sydney.

B747-238B VH-EBO was retired from Qantas service early in 1985 and placed in storage at Sydney Airport carrying the U. S. registration N747BN. Early in September, it entered the Qantas maintenance hangar for refurbishment and re-painting in the colours of People Express Airline. Now registered N608PE the Boeing flew out of Sydney on September 21st bound for Honolulu and Wichita, Kansas.

A second Qantas B747 has been delivered to the national airline of Sri Lanka – Air Lanka. In July 1984 Qantas sold 8747-238B VH-EBB to Guinness Peat Aviation however they continued to operate the aircraft on a lease basis. After withdrawal from Qantas service VH-EBB was painted in Air Lanka colours at Sydney. Still carrying its Australian registration the Boeing departed Sydney on October 24th for Hong Kong where it was handed over to Air Lanka. With its new operator, Boeing will be registered 4R-ULG and it joins the former VH-EBA now 4RULF which was delivered to Air Lanka in June 1984.

Ansett Fleet Disposals

Ansett Airlines have leased a 8727-277 to Air Jamaica and sold 3 8727-277’s that were previously leased to a U. S. operator.

The Boeing lease to Air Jamaica is for twelve months with an option to buy. Before departing Melbourne on October 9th 8727- 277 VH-RMY had all traces of its Ansett colour scheme removed. Planned routing for the Boeing, which was using the call sign Ansett 1, was Melbourne/Nadi/Pago Pago/Hilo/Phoenix to Kingston, Jamaica. This aircraft was removed from the Australian register on October 14th and will probably fly with Jamaican or United States registration while in service with Air Jamaica.

In November 1983 Ansett ferried 3 8727-277’s from Melbourne to Seattle where they were to commence a lease agreement with Wien Air Alaska. The following November Wien ceased operations due to financial problems so it was no surprise when in February 1984 the Boeings commenced flying on lease to Republic Airlines. Recently the lease agreement has been terminated and the aircraft sold to Republic Airlines. The three aircraft concerned were – VH-RMU c/n 20548 to N274WC; VHRMV c/n 20549 to N275WC; and VH-RMV c/n 20550 to N276WC.

When Ansett ordered 12 8737-300 aircraft the initial announcement stated that the 12 8737-200’s at present in service would be leased to overseas operators. At a later date it was revealed that the 8737-200 fleet were to be sold to the United States operator America West Airlines. It would now seem that this deal also includes the Polynesian Airlines 8737-2U9 5W-PAL as it has been taken out of service and ferried to the United States. 5W-PAL c/n 22575 departed Melbourne on November 11th with its final destination being Seattle. To replace this aircraft Polynesian Airlines will operate the former Ansett B737-277 VH-CZM. This aircraft is now flying a modified colour scheme – all whitetail, Ansett titles removed and Polynesian and Air Vanuatu titles on the forward fuselage.

Moorabbin Notes

Second-hand imports continue to dominate the scene at Moorabbin Airport with South Africa generating most of these aircraft. Indications are however that the South African market is starting to dry up.

In the Traffic November issue we mentioned that Civil Flying Services had imported BN-2B c/n 857 from South Africa. This aircraft was operated there as ZS-LCG by Magnum Airlines and in August 1985 it became N21LE with Opex Aviation, California. When the Islander was first noted at Moorabbin in early September it was carrying the U. S. registration N120SP. By late September it had taken up the Australian registration VH-LCI and by mid-October came another change to P2-DNJ. In late October the Islander departed Moorabbin for Port Moresby on delivery to Douglas Airways. This operator had an urgent requirement for an Islander as they have recently lost two in crashes – P2-DNW c/n 67 on August 30th and P2-DNI c/n 28 on September 25th.

During October Civil Flying Services imported Cessna 31OR N5259C c/n 1530 from the United States and it now sits in their sales yard at Moorabbin.

In Traffic November issue we also mentioned that the last Merlin 118 on the Australian register, VH-CAK now N309SP, was to depart Moorabbin in mid-September for the United States. Well it was finally November 11th before it departed on its Trans Pacific ferry.

Moorabbin-based PA31-310 VH-TRP has been exported to New Zealand. Previously operated by Southern Air Services the PA31 arrived in Christchurch on October 16th and has since taken up the New Zealand registration ZK-JGA. Other U. S. registered PA31’s noted in the country have included – PA31- 350 N9219Y c/n 31-284 which has been in the country for some months engaged in aerial survey work and is now being offered for sale. PA31-310C N113WE c/n 7812064 was another South African import and it arrived at Moorabbin on September 30th after its ferry flight across the Indian Ocean. Since registered VH-OFF it has taken up residence at Moorabbin.

Pacific Aviation Imports/Exports

Highlights for this period for Pacific Aviation have been the delivery of an 8Ae125-8008 to Melbourne-based Elders IXL and the addition to their charter fleet of the first Cheyenne 400LS in the country.

Elders IXL took delivery of their long-awaited 8Ae125-8008 VH-IXL at Essendon on November 1st. The aircraft carries the blue and gold colours of one of their better-known products – Foster’s Lager. VH-IXL will be based at Essendon where it will be maintained by Pacific Aviation. With the delivery of the BAe125 tolders IXL have sold their previously operated Merlin IIIC in the United States. VH-IHJ c/n TT-459 was delivered to Australia in December 1981 as N3028L and was registered the following month to Stillwell Aviation who operated the Merlin for the then Henry Jones/IXL. VH-IHJ departed Australia early in November on its ferry to the United States-based General Aviation Services.

Meanwhile, Pacific Aviation have taken delivery of the first Cheyenne 400LS in Australia. The Cheyenne N440WH c/n 5527009 was flown to Australia from the United States via the Atlantic and Asian ferry route and arrived in the country in time to be displayed at the Schofields Air Show. The Cheyenne 400LS will be operated as a unit of the Pacific Aviation charter fleet so it is expected to take up an Australian registration in the near future (this aircraft will be attested in a future edition of Australian Aviation).

BAe125-700 VH-JCC has been sold by Pacific Aviation to Hancock Exploration, Perth. With the sale will come a change in registration to VH-LRH (Lang & Rose Hancock). Hancock Exploration previously operated Learjet 35A VH-LGH and this aircraft in turn has been sold to the Sydney-based Australian Jet Charter.

Other news is that Australia’s first bizjet 8Ae125-38 VH-CAO is back at Essendon where it all started in December 1964. The aircraft has been purchased by Sherrard Aviation and it is believed will be offered for charter by an Essendon-based company.

Another new type on the Australian register is the Cessna Citation 550-S2 VH-EMO c/n 0063. This aircraft was delivered to Australia in mid October for operation by Esso Exploration. Fitted out as an 11 seater the Citation will mainly be used between Sydney, Sale and Melbourne and will complement the operations of Esso’s other bizjet Learjet 35A VH-EMP.

At Bankstown, Pacific Aviation have been working on 3 of the Bandeirante aircraft previously operated by Wings Australia. Overhauls have been completed on VH-MWV, VH-MWW and VH-MWX. On November 15th VH-MWW was cancelled from the Australian register as it was sold in Papua New Guinea. The probable operator would be Talair who already have 6 aircraft of this type in their fleet and are looking to acquire Brasilia aircraft. Recent changes to the Australian propjet fleet have included – The National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW who have imported a second hand Commander 690 from West Germany. Previously registered 0-ICKS the Commander 690 c/n 11030 has become VH-WLS. Rex Aviation at Bankstown have registered a Cessna 425 that has been in the country for nearly two years. Previously N6874D c/n 0183 is now operating as VH-JEC. In Traffic November issue we mentioned the sale of Commander 690B VH-SFV c/n 11475 to New Zealand. This aircraft is now registered ZK-WLH and is operated out of Wellington by IBM, New Zealand Ltd.

Australian Grand Prix

The first Australian Grand Prix which was held in Adelaide over the first weekend in November attracted quite a few interesting aircraft.

On October 24th UTA B747-283F F-GPAN flew into Adelaide from Johannesburg. via Reunion Island and Perth. This aircraft brought in most of the cars competing in the AGP. On October 27th SAA B747-244B ZS-SAO arrived from South Africa carrying drivers and support equipment.

Both major domestic airlines were extremely busy over the Grand Prix weekend with Ansett operating 36 services into Adelaide and TAA 38. Ansett WA flew F28’s VH-FKG and VHFKI across from Perth. West Beach was busy with a number of visiting executive jets while Parafield had over 150 visiting light aircraft. Qantas 8767 VH-EAL visited Adelaide Airport and did a fly-past over the Grand Prix circuit.

Other major news from South Australia is the entry of charter operator Lloyd Aviation into the commuter airline scene and the withdrawal of Airlines of South Australia from the Adelaide to Mount Gambier route in favour of Kendell Airlines.

Lloyd Aviation commenced commuter services on November 4th. Flights are operated from Adelaide to King-cote, Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Olympic Dam. To service the first three ports Lloyd are operating 3 Bandeirante aircraft – VH-KIP, VHKIR and VH-PGS. These aircraft are fitted with 14 seats and have a flight attendant. For the service to Olympic Dam, Lloyd Aviation use one of several Citation 550 aircraft they have in their charter fleet. Flights are operated from the TAA terminal at Adelaide Airport and all Lloyd services are sold through the TAA reservations system.

Airlines of South Australia withdrew from the Adelaide to Mount Gambier route on November 16th and the following day Kendell Airlines commenced operations. Kendell will operate 20 return services a week on the route with their Metro II aircraft.

Noted at RAAF Edinburgh early in November was the former P-3B A9-293 now carrying the U. S. registration N4008B.

Friendly Islands Airways Commence Operations

The Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific have formed Friendly Islands Airways with the assistance of Transecutive Airlines at Essendon and Air New Zealand. Services were planned to commence on December 2nd using a CASA 212 and BN Islander.

Arriving at Essendon in mid-October from the CASA plant at Getafe, Spain was CASA 212 c/n 294. Resplendent in Friendly Islands Airways colours the aircraft was registered VH-SMO and carried the name ‘Tavake Oma’. On November 20th the registration was changed to ZK-THV and early next year it will take up the Tongan markings A3-SMP. The registration ZK-THV has been chosen as they are the first letters of the 3 main islands in the Tongan group. (T is Tongatapu, H is Ha’apai and V is Vava’u). The significance of the Tonga registration A3-SMP is that it honours Princess Pilolevu. Friendly Islands will operate their CASA in a 20 seat configuration. Islander ZK-KHA which presently operates out of Tonga will also be added to the Friendly Islands. fleet. Its registration will be changed to ZK-NNE, which are the first letters of 3 of the smaller islands (N is Niua Fo’ou, N is Niuatiputapu and E is Eua).

From their base at Essendon Airport Transecutive Airlines and sister companies Traidaplane International and Aero Support International offer a full range of services to the aviation industry. Transecutive have their offices and VIP lounge in what was the former TM Catering Centre at Essendon. They recently added 2 Westwind aircraft to their fleet, VH-AJK which is used as a freighter and VH-KNS which operates the 4 times weekly Qantas/Air New Zealand freight service ‘Southern Crossing’ between Sydney and Auckland. Also on line are 2 MU-2G’s, VH-UZB which is in a VIP configuration and VH-UZC which is operated as a freighter. Another MU-2G VH-UZD will shortly join the fleet and be used for cargo work. PA31T VH-TNZ was recently sold to Devonport-based S. P. Aviation and this aircraft now offers turbine-powered VIP charter and ambulance work out of Tasmania. Transecutive also operates the only 2 CASA 212’s on the Australian register, VH-ICJ and VH-KDV. Meanwhile, VH-ICJ has recently been sold to Lloyd Aviation who will use the aircraft on an oil industry-related charter out of Darwin.

Sister company Aero Support International offers a full range of maintenance facilities from their well-equipped hangar at Essendon. A number of interesting aircraft have recently passed through their hands. Cessna 4028 N430A c/n 1027 was imported from South Africa. It was sold to Star Earthmoving of Tabubil, New Guinea and registered to them as P2-PVT c/n 0057 was flown to Essendon and it has recently been brought on the Australian register by Aero Support as VH-DWS. N. T. M. S. N- 24A VH-DHQ was prepared for delivery to a New Zealand operator. VH-DHQ arrived in Dunedin on October 16th after its TransTasman crossing on delivery to Air Safari with whom it is now registered ZK-NMD.

Overseas Visitors

A number of interesting foreign registered aircraft have been noted recently at Australian airports.

At Cairns on September 28th was 8707-2208 N88ZL of Private Jet Services, Zurich. The Boeing brought a party out from Europe for a spot of fishing in the Solomons. Falcon VH-HFJ flew the group from Cairns to Honiara. Arriving in Australia the same day was NASA NC-1308 N707NA. The Hercules flew into AMF Richmond from Nadi and spent over 4 weeks in the country though it kept itself mainly to military bases.

Noted at Sydney on September 26th was B727-2M7 A9C-BA of the Emirate of Bahrain. The previous day had seen the arrival of American Transair L-1011 N185AT from Tahiti. This aircraft was ‘World Cruise’ for the Hemphill Harris Travel Corp with 64 passengers on board. The Tristar departed Sydney for Manila and Hong Kong on September 28th. Another aircraft engaged on a round-the-world flight was Lan Chile 8707-321B CC-CEK. This aircraft arrived in Sydney on October 15th from Denpasar before departing for Melbourne on the 18th. The following day the Boeing flew to Christchurch. On the roof was the titling ‘Around the World II’.

An unusual visitor to Perth in November was Nigerian freighter B707-351C 5N-ASY of UAS Cargo, Lagos. Using an Egypt Air callsign, the aircraft brought a load of explosives into RAAF Pearce in a dramatic night arrival with bad weather an. d a suspect undercarriage. The Boeing later continued on to Perth where it uplifted a load of cattle for Darwin. In September All Nippon Airways flew B747SR-81 JA8157 from Tokyo to Perth on the first of a series of tourist charters from Japan. All of Nippon’s B747SR’s are configured to carry 500 economy-class passengers. Japan Airlines have commenced a series of charters into Cairns from Japan. DC-8-62 aircraft are used, and configured to carry 164 passengers. JA8031, JA8035 and JA8053 had been noted by early October.

Aircraft registered in the West African country of the Ivory Coast are normally a rarity in Australia. At the moment however, one such aircraft is making regular visits to both Melbourne and Sydney Airports. The aircraft concerned is DC-10-30 TU-TAL which is presently on lease from Air Afrique to JAT. Noted at Sydney on November 22nd was Garuda DC-10-30 PK-GIA. What was unusual was that it was operating Continental Airlines Flight 1 from Los Angeles. The port side of the aircraft had the full Garuda colours while the starboard side was painted in Continental Airlines colours!

Liveries Blues!

It is very rare that you ever take a punt in journalism. To an extent we did this in Traffic, September issue, when we advised that B727-200 VH-TBO was losing its old TAA livery during its scheduled September maintenance check. As soon as we went to press (in August) it was decided that TBO would remain with the old livery for a few more months due to the sudden burden of additional P&W JT8 engine checks in the wake of the British Airtours Manchester accident and a requirement for additional capacity in the short term for TM itself.

All this meant that TBO flew on in the old colours so naturally we received many letters pointing this out. Ironically, in my own travels, everywhere I went seemed to put me in company with the old Boeing, a sort of haunting perhaps! We have it on good faith though that TBO is now sporting her new scheme, though, from where I sit, seeing is believing! Ed.