Traffic

The 4 aircraft purchased by Aboitiz are A97-206, 210, 211 and 213 with known delivery details being as follows-A97-206 was first noted at Laverton on July 13th carrying Philippine registration RP-R3206. Planned delivery date ex Laverton was July 15th. A97-210 was first noted at Laverton on July 9th registered RP-R3210. It was expected to depart on July 22nd. A97-211 was the first of the C-130A’s to be delivered and was noted at Laverton as RP-R3211 on June 30th. The C-130A departed there on July 1st for Alice Springs, Darwin and Seletar in Singapore, where it will be overhauled before entry into service with Aboitiz. A97-213 was noted at Laverton on June 30th registered RP-R3213. It departed there on July 8th for Darwin and Seletar.

The departure of these 4 aircraft leaves 2 C-130A’s at Laverton. A97-205 is expected to move to the RAAF museum at Point Cook, while A97-214 will travel north to Richmond, where it will be used for additional loadmaster training. Meanwhile C- 130A EL-AJM, which is the former A97-207, remains static at Avalon, where it has been from overseas in December 1986.

Fokker Fleet Movements

The impending delivery of 2 F28’s for East-West, the sale of an Air Queensland F27 and the grounding of the Fokker 50 fleet give us plenty of news in this section.

East-West Airlines are negotiating the purchase of two F28-4000 aircraft from Bangladesh Biman Airlines. The aircraft concerned S2-ACH c/n 11172 and S2-ACJ c/n 11180 were expected in Australia in August. One will be flown to Perth and the other to Tamworth, where they will be overhauled before entering service. It is also planned that Ansett WA F28-4000’s VH-FKI and VH-FKJ will be transferred to the East West fleet in September.

Former Air Queensland F27-200 VH-FNV departed Brisbane on July 6th on delivery to Pakistan. On arrival in Darwin the registration of the F27 was changed to AP-BOG. It departed Darwin on the 8th for Kupang, Denpasar and Singapore. VH-FNV was the last of three F27’s purchased by Air Queensland from Ansett, to be recently sold in Pakistan.

Due to recurring engine problems Ansett and Air NSW grounded their Fokker 50 fleet for the second time on July 7th (refer Newsdesk). This resulted in most of the stored F27’s at Melbourne Airport being hurriedly returned to service. VH-MMO VH-MMR and VH-MMV are all flying out of Melbourne while VH-FCF has returned to Air NSW operations out of Sydney. F27-500 VH-FCC which was based in Cairns has also rejoined the Air NSW fleet in Sydney.

Propjet News

The propjet scene is extremely active at present with the Beech King Air dominating the scene.

King Air 200 N3018C c/n BB-470 arrived in Brisbane on May 7th on completion of its Transpacific ferry flight. This aircraft has since service with Norfolk Airlines as VH-NIA. On May 11th King Air 200C N75WR c/n BL-39 arrived in Adelaide from Honiara. On delivery to the Royal Flying Doctor Service/Central Section it has been registered VH-FDR. King Air 200 N76MB c/n BB-1 arrive in Brisbane on May 29th from Pago Pago. Aerom1I have imported another King Air E90 and this aircraft N258D c/n LW-255 flew into Sydney from Honiara on May 31st. After overhaul at Parafield the King Air was registered VH-LFR and delivered to a Canberra based owner (refer Newsdesk). Final King Air to be delivered in this period was another model 200 which had been converted by Raisbeck. N14SU c/n BB-259 arrived in Sydney from New Zealand on July 1st. Although this is a new aircraft in Australia it was delivered to New Zealand as long ago as January 30th. Intended for Como Holdings in Christchurch as ZK-CMO the King Air is now being offered for sale in Australia by Monarch Aviation.

In July ‘Traffic’ we mentioned the delivery of King Air C90 N6139U c/n LJ-1011. Imported by Hawker Pacific the King Air was noted at Bankstown in early July now registered VH-FDW with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Also in July ‘Traffic’ we recorded the arrival of King Air 200 RP-C5129 c/n BB-358 at Perth. This aircraft returned to the Philippines in July after overhaul by Hawker Pacific. Thanks to two of our readers we have managed to solve the problem of King Air 200 P2-SML – see May ‘Traffic’. P2-SML is the former VH-AIH of Skywest Aviation which is now operating on lease to the OK Tedi Mining Company. Based at Tabubil P2-SML is used by OK Tedi as an executive transport on flights to Port Moresby and Cairns. Skywest Aviation have also leased King Air 200 VH-SPQ to Norfolk Airlines.

The most interesting propjet to be delivered in this period was Gulfstream I G-BJKZ c/n 191. First noted at Adelaide on July 5th the Gulfstream has been imported by ABE Jet Charter at Sydney Airport. This Gulfstream was originally built on order for National Distillers in the United States before passing to the ownership of Rolls Royce in the UK. ABE Jet Charter will use the Gulfstream, which is in a 19 seat configuration, for charter work and will register it VH-JPJ.

Cessna 441 G-BHLP c/n 0239 was reported at a number of Australian airports during May and June. On May 29th it arrived in Perth from Broome and on June 2nd it flew from Alice Springs to Lizard Island. On June 14th it was again noted at Essendon. It would appear however that the Cessna 441 was only on a holiday flight to Australia.

MU-2L N269MA c/n 782SA flew into Perth from Port Hedland on May 25th after completing its ferry flight from the US. On delivery to local charter operator Broughton Air Services the MU-2L entered service the following month as VH-BBA.

Nomad News

Delivery of the seven N-22SL’s on order for the US Customs continued in this period.

The third N-22SL to depart was c/n 161 which was registered VH-HQC. Delivery from Avalon to Miami was made in late June on board Heavylift Belfast G-HLFT. The next two aircraft c/n 159 and c/n 160 will be airfreighted out in September. The final uplift will take place in October when c/n 162 and c/n 163, which is presently with Pacific Aviation at Parafield, will also leave on a Heavylift Belfast.

A visit to the ASTA test facility at Avalon on June 22nd revealed the following – On display at the main gate was beautifully restored Canberra A84-232. Nomads in attendance were N-22SL VH-SFR ‘Matilda One’, N-24 VH-WFF, N-24A VH-NOM, all white N-24A c/n 128 and the final production Nomad which was N-22B c/n 170. This aircraft made its first flight ‘lS long ago as June 28th 1985. Production of the Jindivik continues with A92-815 and 816 being present. Pilatus PC-9 fuselages noted were c/n 510 through 513. Hornet production is now 50% complete and running to schedule. Aircraft noted were A21-116, A21-33, A21-34 which incidentally carried ARDU markings and A21-35. It was of interest to note that the Hornets had their first flight and delivery dates painted on the fin.

Other Nomad news concerns the arrival at Essendon of two of the stored N-24A’s from Oaklands, NSW. Both aircraft were all white with c/n 135 being noted on June 16th and c/n 130 on June 20th. The Nomads are being worked on by Hawker Pacific before they see service with the RAAF. At Bankstown the former NSCA N-22SB VH-SNL, which has been in long-term storage, has been sold to an operator in Malaysia. Registered 9M-WKU in late June the N-22SB reverted to VH-SNL for its delivery flight. Former Read-Air N-22SB VH-SNZ has found a new owner in New Zea- land. Imported by Airwork (NZ) Ltd, the Nomad has been leased to Air Coromandel as ZK-SNZ.

Ferry Flights

The PA-31 once again dominates this section with a further 7 being noted. We will start however with the details of the arrival in Australia of two very interesting aircraft.

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura N159U flew into Point Cook on July 13th (refer Warbirds) on completion of its long awaited Transpacific ferry flight. The Ventura, which was on delivery to the RAAF museum was painted as A59-67 SF-F. Meanwhile, noted at Camden on June 18th was Beech D18S N9723N c/n A-846. Previously operated by a company in Greenville, South Carolina this aircraft will be a welcome addition to the Australian scene.

PA31-350 N27539 c/n 7852055 in company with PA31-350. – N66915 c/n 7405201 flew into Sydney from Honiara on May 23rd. N27539 was later flown to Parafield, where it has been registered VH-XMC with Rossair. N66915 was flown to Essendon where it is receiving attention in the Business Aviation Centre hangar. It is believed that N66915 will be registered VH-LNA with Lincoln Airlines of Port Lincoln. On May 26th another two PA-31’s flew into Brisbane from Honiara. PA-31 N161CP c/n 759 was later noted at Moorabbin, while PA31-325 N35440 c/n 8012008 continued its delivery flight to Jandakot. There it was registered VH-SJD with Regent Air Services. PA31-350 N27586 was ferried from Noumea to Christchurch on June 15th on delivery to Pacifica Air. The following day PA-31 G-BFIB arrived in Townsville from Port Moresby, however it is believed that this PA-31 was on a holiday flight to Australia. Also arriving in this period was PA31-350 N2GG c/n 7305028.

Other Piper products to arrive in Australia were 1 PA34-200T N863HB c/n 7870228 from Honiara to Brisbane on May 16th. Eventual destination was Southern Aircraft Maintenance at Parafield. PA-32’s N8160Y and N7373Y were ferried by Southern Cross Aviation from Majuro to Honiara on July 3rd.

Beech A36 N2119J flew into Sydney from Norfolk Island on June 2nd, while the same day Beech 35 N4493D arrived in Cairns from Honiara. N4493D continued on to Adelaide on the 4th as part of a record attempt on the Round the World westbound flight. Finally, Brents International Cessna 310Q N6227Q c/n 0516 was delivered Honiara to Melbourne on June 15th.

Airline News

Ansett New Zealand took delivery of their 5th Boeing 737 at Christchurch on June 24th. The aircraft concerned 737-2U9 N149AW c/n 22575 was flown from the United States, where it had previously operated with America West Airlines. With Ansett New Zealand, the Boeing will be registered ZK-NEE. Though -new to the New Zealand register ZK-NEE has a long association with this part of the world. As 5W-PAL it was delivered as a new aircraft to Polynesian Airlines in March 1981. In October 1985 5W-PAL was withdrawn from service and sold to America West as N149AW. Twelve months later the Boeing was back with Polynesian Airlines again as 5W-PAL. In May 1987 it returned again to the United States as N149AW with America West.

Ansett Airlines withdrew 727-277 VH-RMP from service at Melbourne on July 10th. With the planned delivery of the A320 later this year, this is the first of the Ansett 727-277 fleet to be withdrawn from service for sale to Federal Express. VR-RMP departed Melbourne for Seattle on July 16th.

Meanwhile, Air Caledonie have taken delivery of their second ATR42. Ferrying Darwin, Townsville to Noumea July 3rd. Registration is F-ODGN, Lloyd Aviation have placed their third Mohawk 298 in service when VH-HKS was flown from Adelaide to Brisbane on June 13th. Work is progressing on their fourth Mohawk 298 VR-HKT at Adelaide. Until this aircraft enters service Lloyd have leased EMB-110P1 VH-CRG from Shuttle Airlines of Melbourne. VH-CRG was first noted in Adelaide on June 18th.

Twin Otter 300 VH-AQB was noted at Rockhampton on July 12th with Australian Regional titles painted under the windows. Hazelton Airlines took delivery of their second Bandeirante in this period. EMB-110P1 N141EM c/n 441 flew Pago Pago, Norfolk Island to Sydney on June 2nd. It has since entered service with Hazelton Airlines as VH-WPE.

Friendly Island Airways of Tonga have taken delivery of two DHC6-300 Twin Otter’s leased from GPA Jetprop. Previously operated by Southern Jersey Airways in the United States they have been registered ZK-FQK c/n 659 and ZK-FQL c/n 685. The delivery of these aircraft poses the question as to what Friendly Island have done with their CASA 212 ZK-THV.

Bizjet News

After what has been a relatively quiet period this section of the industry is once again building momentum.

Hobart based freight operator Read-Air have taken delivery of a Falcon 20C. Arriving at Brisbane on June 19th Falcon 20C N99KT c/n 072 completed its Transpacific crossing via the Aleu- tian’s and Midway Island. The Falcon, which will be registered VH-DWA is expected to enter service in mid August. Hawker Pacific also took delivery of a Falcon 100 demonstrator N100H c/n 216 at Sydney Airport on July 8th, after the aircraft flew in from Port Hedland. Falcon 10 VH-DJT of Ariadne (Australia).

Interesting recent Perth visitor was this red and white US Navy Orion, the one and only RP-3D model. Operated by special tasks squadron VXN-8 home based in Maryland, the aircraft flies worldwide on ‘Project Magnet’, plotting changes in the earth’s magnetic field. Next time you look at the magnetic variation lines on your aeronautical charts think of this Orion which carries the coyote cartoon character on the nose with the name ‘Paisano Tres’. The RP-3D replaces two US Navy C-121 Constellations also named ‘Paisano’ which have flown the same mission for the past 30 years.

was cancelled from the register on May 3rd. The same day as N725P it ferried Brisbane to Kieta on delivery to Teterboro Aircraft Services. To correct Traffic’ July where we stated that the former Ariadne Falcon 200 VH-HPJ had been sold in the United States. This is not the case as VH-HPJ is once again back in. Brisbane though it is now operating under the ownership of a company named Vottel P/L.

Lloyd Aviation took delivery of Learjet 35A A40-CA c/n 165 at Adelaide in late June. Previously operated by the Sultanate of Oman Police Air Wing, the Learjet was registered VH-HOF before being flown to Nowra, where it had joined the other three Learjets in the Lloyd target towing fleet. Noted at Essendon on May 23rd was Learjet 35A VH-LEQ. This is the former VH-KTI which now carries the titles of the Land Equity Group.

ABE Jet Charter at Sydney have sold their Citation 550 VH-SWL in Switzerland. The Citation was due to depart Sydney for Europe in late July. As a replacement ABE have purchased another Citation 550 9M-WAN c/n 0272 from Hornbill Skyways in Malaysia. Planned delivery date for 9M-WAN was late July. Also due in Sydney in late July was Citation 501/SPN2652Z c/n 0145. Aeromil have imported this Citation with a couple of prospective buyers in prospect.

At time of writing there is still no sign in Australia of Gulfstream II VH-HKR c/n 069. Purchased by the Hooker Corporation VH-HKR continues to fly in the United States.