Traffic

During 1985 Hawker Pacific also delivered 2 King Air B200C aircraft VH-AMM and VH-AMR to the NSW Health Commission.

Not to be outdone, Rex Aviation have sold 2 Cessna Conquest aircraft to the RFDS in Western Australia. Cessna 441 c/n 0041 was imported last October from the Philippines as RP-C346 and has since been registered VH-JEB. It has been based at Port Hedland. Cessna 425 c/n 0183 has been in Australia since early 1984 when it arrived as N6874D. It was registered VH-JEC before being delivered to the RFDS Eastern Goldfields Division and is based at Kalgoorlie. The Western Australia Division of the Flying Doctor have also recently delivered their first Piper Mojave. Registered VH-HFD it is based at Jandakot.

Hawker Pacific have imported another King Air 200 as a stock aircraft. Noted at Bankstown in January was King Air 200C N44344 c/n BL40. This aircraft has already spent some time in Australia as in August 1981 it was imported as N3837R. It flew under its US registration till December 1982 when it became VHOTH with Hawker Pacific. The same month it was delivered to Lloyd Aviation in Adelaide and it then flew with them till the following June. In August 1983 VH-OTH was removed from the register and sold to an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based company as N44344.

Meanwhile the Department of Aviation have taken delivery of their 6th Gulfstream Commander 695B. Registered VH-LTM c/n 96208 the aircraft was flown into Essendon on March 5th on completion of its ferry flight from the United States. The Commander left Wiley Post Airfield in Oklahoma City on February 20th and staged through Portland, Maine to St Johns, Newfoundland. The Atlantic crossing was made to the Azores before continuing through Majorca and Crete to Luxor. From there VH-LTM flew to Bahrain and then joined the normal ferry route through India, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to Darwin, Adelaide and Melbourne. When VH-LTM enters service the last Merlin 111 in the Department fleet VH-CAM will be retired and will join its sister ship VH-CAL in the Civil Flying Services sales yard at Moorabbin. The delivery of VH-LTM also sees the end of the present Department re-equipment programme. This saw the arrival of 6 Commander 695B’s and the departure of 2 Merlin 111’s, 4 Merlin 11B’s, 2 Commander 680E’s and a PA23- 250.

In New Zealand the Goodman Group who operate King Air 200 ZK-PBG have announced that they will replace it in June with a King Air 300. This will be the first use of this model of the King Air in the SW Pacific.

Biz Jet Scene Grows

On the biz jet scene there have been a number of movements of note. Hancock Exploration BAe 125-700 VH-LRH c/n 257046 ex VH-JCC made its first visit to its home base at Perth on January 16th. The aircraft had been overhauled and repainted by Pacific Aviation at Essendon. Before delivery to Perth VH-LRH made a business trip to Hong Kong was later noted at Luton, England on January 28th so its new owners have wasted no time in making good use of the BAe 125.

Another biz jet delivered to Perth was Falcon 20C VH-FWO for Flightways. VH-FWO c/n 11O ex C-FWRA of the Canadian Sugra Comapany flew into Perth from Pt Hedland on January 23rd. The Falcon will be used on Flightways’ newly awarded Mt Newman contract and will fly daily on the route Pt Hedland/Mt Newman/ Perth and return.

Arriving in Sydney from Honiara on February 25 was Westwind 1N25RE c/n 248, which was due for delivery to Pelair. Outbound from Australia was the only Westwind 2 on the register. VH-JJA was imported in March 1984 and was registered to Wings Australia. After the collapse of Wings, the Westwind was used. Israeli Aircraft Industries as a demonstrator. VH-JJA flew out of Australia on February 6th on delivery to a new owner in the United States.

Another biz jet departing our region was the Talair Citation 550

P2-RDZ c/n 0017. This aircraft has been static at Bankstown for some months so it was no surprise when it left for Honiara on December 12th. The Citation has since been registered in the United States as N771ST. This Citation was originally delivered to Australia in August 1978 being registered as VH-MAY. It operated as this till March 1983 when it was sold to Talair as P2-RDZ. Though we have lost this Citation there are two other aircraft of this type in prospect for operators in Australia and New Zealand. Due in Auckland in April will be the first corporate jet to be registered in New Zealand. The Citation 11 will be imported and operated by Motor Holding (Aviation) for an Auckland-based company, while Australia is shortly to see the first Eagle variant of the Citation on its register.

Helicopter Movements

Ansett Airlines have sold their two S-61N helicopters to the US-based aircraft dealer Grecoair. As of late March both VH-BRH and VH-BRI had lost their Ansett markings and Australian registrations. It is believed they are awaiting the allocation of US registrations before leaving for India. A visit to the National Safety Council at Latrobe Valley is always good for some news. Late February was no exception as noted in their hangar was another Indonesian Bell 205A. This was PK-HBU c/n 30100 of Bristow Masayu and it will join the NSCA fire b·omber fleet after receiving its Australian CofA. Bell 205A c/n 30032 which arrived at Latrobe Valley in January has now been registered VH-NSQ and was noted in service carrying fuselage number 06.

Further down the road at Longford, it was noted that Esso/BHP had added Bell 412 VH-EEH to their fleet. Another Bell 412 VHCRQ was operating on charter from Lloyd, however, this will be returned shortly when Esso take delivery of another Bell 412 VHEEP.

Air New Zealand Fleet Changes

The first three months of 1986 were very busy for Air New Zealand as they took delivery of 6 Boeing 737-219 Advanced aircraft and their second Boeing 767-219ER. In turn 6 of their older Boeing 737’s were taken out of service and prepared for delivery to overseas operators. Boeing 737-219 delivery details are as follows:

ZK-NAT c/n 23470 arrived in Christchurch on January 21st from Apia on completion of its ferry flight from Seattle. The airer ft carries the name ‘Pihoihoi’ which translates means ‘New Ze – land Lark’. ZK-NAU 23471 ‘Patake’- ‘Brown Duck’ arrived in Christchurch on January 26th. ZK-NAV cln 23472 ‘Pukeko’ – ‘Swamp Hen’ arrived in Christchurch on February 18th. ZK-NAW cln 23473 ‘Purourou’ – ‘Saddleback’ arrived in Christchurch on February 24th. ZK-NAX cln 23474 ‘Piere’- ‘New Zealand Robin’ arrived in Christchurch on February 24th. ZK-NAY c/n 23475 ‘Piripiri’ – ‘Rifleman’ was planned to arrive in Christchurch on March 10th.

With the entry into service of their new 737s Air New Zealand have taken their 6 older 737s off the line. These aircraft have been sold to the International Lease Finance Corporation of the United States, and they in turn will find new homes for these Boeings.

First to go was 737-219 ZK-NAD which was rolled out at Christchurch on February 21st registered N322XV and carrying the markings of US operator Presidential Airways. One of the new breed of US operators, Presidential commenced flying late in 1985 from their hub at Washington-Dulles. Initial equipment was 4 737-230C’s purchased from Lufthansa. After acceptance by its new owners, N322XV departed Christchurch on March 1st for the United States.

Next to go was 737-214 ZK-NAK which was also for Presidential. It was rolled out at Christchurch on February 28th as N323XV before departing for Noumea on March 8th.

Air New Zealand were planning to take delivery of their second B767-219ER in New Zealand on March 6th. Registered ZK-NBB the 8767 will carry the name ‘Arahina’.

Airline News

On March 10th Kendell Airlines took over further routes previously operated by Airlines of South Australia (refer story elsewhere in this edition). They were from Adelaide to Broken Hill and from Adelaide to Streaky Bay and Ceduna. To service these new routes Kendell have added a fifth Metro II to their fleet even though they have 2 additional Saab SF340’s on order for delivery in April and September. The Metro was purchased from the New Zealand operator Air Albatross (for reportedly $1m) who ceased operations last December. ZK-SWC c/n TC270 was ferried across the Tasman on January 27th on the route Nelson, Merimbula to Melbourne. The Metro had previously seen service in Australia with Air Queensland as VH-BPV however after overhaul at Wagga it was registered VH-BIF to Kendell Airlines. The collapse of Air Albatross has placed three other former Australian Merlin/Metro aircraft on the market. They are Metro II ZK-SWA c/n TC256 ex VH-SWN, ZK-SWB Merlin 1VA c/n AT033 ex VH-CFO and ZK-SWD c/n TC287 ex VH-BPG.

Further Metro news is that the former Air Queensland fleet now appears to have settled with new operators, as follows:

VH-BPA cln TC307 – registered N1005Y for ferry to the United States. In September 1985 it was sold to Britt Airways, Terre Haute, Indiana and registered to them as N334BA (Britt are now owned by People Express). VH-BPG cln TC287 – sold to Air Albatross, Nelson as ZK-SWD. Aircraft now stored awaiting sale. VH-BPK c/n TC368 – registered N368SA for ferry to the United States. In September 1985 it was sold to Compagnie Aerienne Du Languedoc, Albi, France as F-GEBU. This French commuter operator also has in its fleet the former Northern Airlines Metro II VH-EEG c/n TC349 which is now registered F-GDMR. VH-BPV c/n TC270- sold to Air Albatross as ZK-SWC then to Kendell Airlines as VH-BIF. VH-EEF c/n TC331E- registered N1006U for ferry to the United States. In November 1985 it was sold to Air Midwest, Wichita, Kansas and registered to them as N255AM.

MVA Intercity Short 360 . VH-MVW has been withdrawn from service and delivered to Air Hibiscus. VH-MVW was noted at Essendon on February 23rd with its MVA Intercity titles painted out. In other fleet changes MVA Intercity have withdrawn Cessna 402C VH-UCM from service and it is presently stored in the Aero Support hangar at Essendon. Added to the fleet are PA31-350’s VH-TZY and VH-TXD. The PA31s are used on the Mildura to Broken Hill and Mildura to Renmark and Adelaide routes with MVA intercity Short 360 VH-MVX operating between Mildura and Melbourne.

Bandeirante VH-MWV has been sold to Bangkok Airways, Thailand. This Bandeirante was one of 4 left sitting at Sydney Airport after the collapse of Wings. After overhaul by Pacific Aviation at Bankstown the aircraft was painted in Bangkok Airways colours before departing on January 12th. The sale was handled by Aeromil who obtained a great deal of publicity by displaying the Bandeirante at Asian Aerospace 86 in Singapore. On entry into service with Bangkok Airways, the Bandeirante was registered HS-SKG.

Sydney Express F27-100 VH-NLS was rolled out at Essendon in mid March after overhaul and repainting by IPEC. The Fokker now sports a very attractive blue and white colour scheme. On the tail are the stylised letters CCA while on the lower fuselage is CCA Aircruising Australia. CCA stands for Charter Cruise Air, VH-NLS has been fitted in a 40-seat configuration and was expected to be delivered to its Sydney base by Easter. First charter is planned for April 21st for Bill Peach’s Great Australian Air Cruise. On November 18th Staywood Air commenced commuter operations on the Warrnambool, Hamilton to Melbourne route after it was vacated by Kendell Airlines. The aircraft used by Staywood is a PA31-310 VH-KTD which carries the markings of Scenic Air. On February 13th PA31-310 N61463 flew into Tullamarine from Norfolk Island on completion of its Trans-Pacific ferry. After receiving attention by General Aviation Maintenance at Essendon it was registered VH-SOW. Staywood Air were planning to put their PA31 into service over the Easter holiday period.

Aquatic Air based at Palm Beach north of Sydney (refer p42, Jan AA) has taken delivery of the former Barrier Reef Airways N-22 floatplane VH-BRQ.

At Essendon, DC-3 VH-SBL has started a major overhaul before delivery to a new Perth-based operator. VH-SBL has been static at Essendon for a number of years so it is good to see that it will soon be in the air again. On completion of the overhaul, it will be delivered to Travair who will offer DC-3 Air Tours of Western Australia, ideal timing with the America’s Cup coming up.

Finally an overseas report states that in January Ansett purchased a second-hand 737 in the US. The aircraft concerned is N1288, a Boeing 737-200 of United Technologies. Why Ansett have purchased this aircraft and what they intend to do with it remains to be seen.

Qantas Joins the United States Air Force

In ‘Traffic’ November 1985, we mentioned that a regular feature in our column would be news of the Boeing 707 aircraft previously operated by Qantas. The Boeing 707 population is dwindling, however it would seem that aircraft of this type once flown by Qantas have no problems in finding new owners.

The most interesting news to come in recently is that the former B707-338C VH-EAF has been purchased by the Boeing Military Aiplane Company and will be used in the United States Air Force C-18 Joint STAR programme. This aircraft was previously operated by Korean Air as HL-7432 being registered in January to Boeing as N770JS. In 1982 the USAF purchased 4 ex-American Airlines B707-320C’s. After conversion at Wright Patterson Air Force Base the first of these aircraft flew early in 1985. Given the military designation EC-188 they have been modified to ARIA 1 configuration. The ARIA – Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft – have been seen in Australia on numerous occasions in the EC-135N version.

Also sold to Boeing Military was the former VH-EBR. Previous- ly operated by Somali Airlines as 60-SBN it was registered N449J on sale to Boeing. It would seem that this will be the end of the line for VH-EBR as it has been purchased under the US Military KC-135E re-engining programme. N449J was noted at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson in January and it will most likely end its days there. Its engines will be used to power a KC-135 tanker aircraft while the fuselage will be broken up for scrap.

Two former British Midland 707’s have been sold to a New York leasing company and are now being operated by Burlington Air Express from their Ft Wayne, Indiana hub. G-BFLE which was previously VH-EBT was sold in December to ATASCO Leasing as N861BX, while G-BFLD which was previously VH- EAE has become N862BX. Both aircraft were noted in service with Burlington Air Express in January.

More up-to-date news on Qantas concerns the delivery of their 5th and 6th 767’s and the withdrawal from service of two 747’s. 767-238ER VH-EAN c/n 23402 ‘Alice Springs’ flew into Sydney on February 7th on completion of its delivery flight from Seattle. Using call sign Qantas 7675 VH-EAN entered service later that day. Number 133 off the 767 production line at Everett it was rolled out on December 17th. It made its first flight on January 16th carrying US test registration N6018N and was handed over to Qantas on February 5th.

B767-238ER VH-EAO ‘City of Cairns’ arrived in Sydney on March 21st. Using call sign Qantas 7676 it was flown from Seattle to Honolulu and then direct to Sydney.

Qantas have taken B747-238B’s VH-ÉBE and VH-EBF out of service and both were being prepared in late March for delivery to People Express.

International Visitors

It is not often that we get a chance to see the Lockheed Tristar in Australia however the recent Royal visit to Australia and New Zealand brought a British Airways aircraft of this type to our shores. G-BHBR a Lockheed L1011-200, looking very smart in the new British Airways colour scheme, flew into Melbourne in the early hours of February 22nd, en route Singapore to Auckland. Call sign was British 9020C. The Tristar later transited Perth on the 24th en route Auckland to Colombo.

Another transport type rarely seen in this part of the world is the VC-10. The Royal Air Force flew XR808 call sign Ascot 2573 from Singapore to Darwin and Melbourne on March 19th. The aircraft which was operating a troop charter was fitted with 147 rearward-facing seats.

Visiting executive jets noted have included – Gulfstream 3 N320GA from Auckland to Sydney of February 12th, Gulfstream 3 N200SF Christchurch to Brisbane on February 28th, Canadair Challenger N601CL at Perth on January 24th, Falcon 50 N50FJ at Melbourne on January 21st, Falcon 50 PH-ILD of Philips, Seletar to Perth on February 8th and Sydney to Wellington on the 12th, Sabre 65 N65AF of American Family Life Darwin to Perth on February 1st and Sydney to Christchurch on the 8th.

USAF/Oklahoma Air National Guard C-130H 80608 flew into Perth from Laverton on March 3rd. At Laverton on March 9th RAAF C-130A A97-210 was noted carrying the US registration N12FV so it would seem that our prediction from ‘Traffic January that this was to be the second C-130A for Ethiopia was correct. In the same article we stated that A97-211 was allocated but never carried the US registration N5394L. This evidently is not correct as it was noted at Laverton on March 9th carrying its US registration. It would therefore be safe to assume that when it was ferried from Wagga to Laverton in late 1984 it carried N5394L.

PA31-350 ZK-PAI c/n 31-7852118 transmitted Lord Howe Island on January 11th on delivery to an Australian owner. Going the other way was SF-260C N72FD which departed Brisbane on January 28th for Wellington and New Zealand registration. Noted at Adelaide on January 20th was P2-ASI an Aerostar 680 which has been modified to Superstar standard.