Traffic

Cessna 425 N1223K c/n 0202 arrived in Brisbane from Honiara on August 17th. Later registered VH-ICO it moved to Essendon, where it is now based with ICM Australia. The Cessna 425 replaces in service a previously used P-68C. Another Cessna 425 to be added to the register in this period was VH-EGR. As N12218 c/n 0159 it arrived in Australia as long ago as March.

VH-EGR has joined the fleet of the RFDS, Eastern Goldfields Section. Norfolk Pacific have added two Cessna 441s to their charter fleet. Previously operated by Norving Air Services of Kirkenes, Norway the two aircraft were flown to Australian under US registration. LN-KAP c/n 0043 became N1349N while LN-VIB c/n 0232 was registered N7023D. Both aircraft arrived in Brisbane on October 13th and they will enter service with Norfolk Pacific as VH-NIE and VH-NIF respectively. Another Cessna 441 to arrive in this period was N441SS c/n 0132 which flew Majuro to Cairns on October 10th. Eventual destination of N441SS was Parafield where it has since become VH-ANJ with Air North, Darwin. The RFDS Western Australia have added a third Cessna 441 to their fleet. VH-NFD entered service in mid October after completing its big door conversion at Bankstown. As N45FM c/n 0159 the Cessna 441 was delivered to Australia in March.

The Mitsubishi MU-2 continues to have popular appeal for Australian operators. Great Western Aviation of Perth have recently imported two more to give them a fleet of five. MU-2G N318MA c/n 512 ferried Honiara to Canberra on August 27th and has since entered service as VH-MUG. MU-2L N974MA c/n 689 arrived in Townsville from Majuro on September 15th. This aircraft is now flying with Great Western as VH-LMU. Meanwhile Essendon based lnterair have imported another MU-2 to add to their fleet. MU-2F N756Q c/n 132 was first noted at Essendon in late September.

PA31T/2 N118WC c/n 8050005 ferried Honiara to Brisbane on October 16th. PA42 N4099U c/n 5527034 was delivered to Sydney in August and it later appeared at the Bicentennial Air Show. In early November it was registered VH-PTG to the Paul Terry Group of Companies. Finally PA42 N62WC was noted at Essendon on November 16th.

Bae 146 Fleet Increases

Recent orders from Ansett New Zealand, Ansett Air Freight and the delivery of further aircraft to Ansett WA have helped to swell the BAe 146 fleet numbers in this part of the World.

Ansett WA, who already operate BAe 146-200s VH-JJP and VH-JJQ, took delivery of two more in this period. VH-JJS c/n 2093 flew into Perth on October 29th, while VH-JJT c/n 2098 was delivered in late November. Ansett WA will add a fifth BAe 146 to their fleet in January with the delivery of VH-JJR. The addition of VH-JJS and VH-JJT has resulted in Ansett WA making further fleet changes. F28-3000 VH-EWG, which has operated in WA since Ansett took over East-West, has finally returned to the eastern States. While in service with Ansett WA, VH-EWG continued to fly in East-West colours.

VH-EWG was flown to Sydney on October 30th to rejoin the East-West fleet. In late November F28-4000 VH-FKJ was withdrawn from the Ansett WA fleet and flown east to join EastWest. When BAe 146 VH-JJR is delivered in January it is expected that F28-4000 VH-FKI will move from Ansett WA to EastWest. Ansett New Zealand have meanwhile ordered two BAe 146-200s for delivery in March 1989. These aircraft will be registered ZK-NZA and ZK-NZB.

Ansett Air Freight also have two BAe 146-200QTs on order, which they will use to replace 767 and F27 aircraft presently used on east coast freight flights. The two aircraft, which are planned for delivery in April and May 1989, will be registered VH-JJY and VH-JJZ.

Airline News

Ansett Airlines took delivery and put into service three more 737-377 aircraft to give them an operating fleet of fifteen. VH-CZM and VH-CZN arrived in Melbourne on October 13th while VH-CZO flew in on October 21st after completing its transpacific ferry from Seattle. This leaves VH-CZP as the outstanding 737-377 on order and it was planned for delivery in early December. The first Airbus Industries A320-200 for Ansett Airlines is expected in Melbourne in late November and it will be followed by two more the following month. The A320 is expected to commence scheduled flying early in the new year. With the addition of three 737-377s and the impending delivery of the A320, Ansett are starting to dispose of their 727-277 fleet. On October 26th VH-RMK flew out of Melbourne for Seattle prior to joining the Federal Express fleet. Before the end of the year it will have been followed by two other 727-277s.

Transcorp Airways ceased operations on October 24th after an eventful two years. Their last service, which was flown by their 707-330C VR-HTC was TC200/201 from Sydney to Noumea and return. By the 28th, the Boeing had had its Transcorp titles removed and its registration changed from VR-HTC to VH-HTC. On October 30th it entered service with Ansett Air Freight when it flew from Sydney to Manila.

Qantas took delivery of their second 767-338ER on October 22nd when VH-OGB flew into Sydney. As QF7632D VH-OGB ‘City of Kalgoorlie’ was ferried from Seattle. · to Sydney via Honolulu. Qantas are planning to take delivery of two more 767-338ER’s this year with VH-OGC due in late November and VH-OGD in December.

Air New Zealand 767-219ER ZK-NBE arrived in Auckland on September 29th. Named ‘Aranui’ ZK-NBE was the 239th 767 off the production line. As N6038E it made its first flight on September 13th before being delivered to ILFC on the 26th. On the same day ZK-NBE was handed over to Air New Zealand. It was originally planned that on delivery of ZK-NBE Air New Zealand would return their leased 767-205 ZK-NBD to Braathens. It now appears that Air New Zealand will retain ZK-NBD for continuing operations.

Air Niugini have meanwhile purchased an F28-1000 from the Malaysian Government. M28-02 c/n 11089 entered service with Air Niugini on November 8th as P2-ANC. With delivery and entry into service of P2-ANC Air Niugini have returned F28-1000 P2- ANL c/n 11003 which they had leased from French operator TAT.

Air Pacific took delivery of ATR42-300 DQ-FEP c/n 109 at Nadi on October 20th. En route DQ-FEP transited Darwin, Townsville and Noumea. By the time this is read, Air Pacific should also have taken delivery of ATR42-300 DQ-FEQ c/n 113.

Commuter Notes

Hazelton Airlines announced in mid November that they were deferring delivery of their Beech 1900C-1 due to certification problems (refer story elsewhere this issue). To be the first of its type on the register, it was originally planned to be VH-WPA however, this was later changed to VH-MJH. To replace the Beech 1900 Hazelton have ordered a Shorts 360-300, which was delivered in late November in time to enter service before the Christmas holiday period. Shorts 360 G-BEOJ c/n SH-3736 made its first flight on February 23rd and was used by Shorts for a demonstration tour of the United States. G-BEOJ also appeared at this year’s Farnborough Air Show. With Hazelton the Shorts 360 will be registered VH-MJU.

Since our Regional Airline Directory was published in November, two new commuter operators have started services. Challenge Air Services started flying on October 1st on the Coolangatta/Brisbane/Gayndah/Kingaroy route using PA31-310 VH-HHL. Tasmanian charter operator, Par Avion, have also moved into the commuter field. On November 1st they commenced services between Launceston and Lady Barron Island. Par Avion are using PA31-350 VH-WGT ‘Flinders Connection’ to operate their flights.

Adelaide based Air Transit are also planning to import a Twin Otter, which they will use on their services between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. It is interesting to note that Air Transit have recently purchased Beech H18 VH-PDI. It remains to be seen what happens but wouldn’t it be great to have a Beech 18 operating RPT services once again in Australia. Airlines of Tasmania have also renewed their Ambulance contract for a further twelve months. PA31P VH-BSF has been replaced by PA31P-350 VH-XGW.

On October 11th O’Connor Airlines commenced operations between Mt Gambier and Melbourne. To operate these flights they purchased Cessna 441 VH-KDN from Tillair. The Cessna 441 looks very smart painted in O’Connor livery but one thing is missing – a registration. The aircraft uses the call sign VH-KDN however, if you want proof of this you have to approach the pilot and there lying on tne back seat painted on a bit of board is the registration VH-KDN. I suspect that O’Connors may be waiting for a change in registration to VH-OAM and hopefully this will come through soon so that we can take some photos of this very smart looking Cessna 441. Arriving in Auckland from Pago Pago on October 7th were two EMB-11OP1’s on delivery to Eagle Air. These aircraft were N201AE c/n 110-305 and N90427 c/n 110-345. They have been registered ZK-JCM and ZK-LBC respectively. Both Bandeirantes were previously operated by Simmons Airlines of Marquette, Michigan.

Kendell Airlines also took delivery of their third SAAB 340 when VH-KDI c/n 131 flew into Wagga via Leigh Creek on November 2nd.

Nomad News

At Essendon, Hawker Pacific continue working on the two N-24A’s for the RAAF. By late September c/n 130 had been painted in RAAF markings and given serial A18-402 while c/n 135 was A18-403. Both aircraft had civil registrations applied in mid October for certification purposes, A18-402/VH-HVK and A18- 403/VH-HVL. By mid November A18-403 had been delivered to Oakey while A18-402/VH-HVK remains at Essendon.

N-22SL VH-HTG c/n 160, which is the fourth of seven Searchmaster Nomads for the US Customs, appeared at the Bicentennial Air Show. N-22SL VH-HWB c/n 159 was test flown at Avalon on November 9th and both aircraft were airlifted out by Heavylift Belfast on November 20th with Miami as the final destination. The final two aircraft in the US Customs order are VH-HVY c/n 162 and VH-HVZ c/n 163. It is planned that they will be airlifted out of Australia in January.

With the delivery of the RAAF and US Customs aircraft this will leave the following airframes – N-228 c/n 090 and 166 thru 170, N-24A c/n 128, 136, 139, 140 and 142. ASTA have 090, 128 and 170 at Avalon while the remainder are still stored at Oaklands, NSW.

Ferry Flights

It is quite noticeable that light aircraft imports to Australia are experiencing a sharp rise at present. The PA31 continues to dominate the ferry scene and it appears that Australian operators cannot get enough of this popular twin. Noted at Port Macquarie on October 8th was PA31-350 N27399 c/n 7852061, which was waiting its turn to join the Oxley Airlines fleet. On September 9th PA31-350’s N4109C c/n 8352005 and N59830 c/n 7652082 arrived in Sydney from Honiara. On September 30th PA31-350 N98CS c/n 8152030 flew into Sydney from Noumea. Southern Cross Air of Santa Paula, Cailfornia ferried PA31-350 N4109A c/n 8353002 across the Pacific in October. On the 14th the PA31 flew into Sydney from Honiara.

Cessna 402C N402MG c/n 0412 flew into Brisbane from Honiara on October 27th, while on the 8th Cessna 402C ZK-LMP ferried Norfolk Island to Sydney. Another Kiwi import was Cessna 414A ZK-WDB which flew Lord Howe Island to Sydney on October 12th. Southern Cross Air flew Cessna 31OR N1386G c/n 1216 from Honiara to Adelaide on October 23rd. The aircraft was later registered VH-LCO with Goldfields Air Services. Cessna 421 N365F flew from Coolangatta to Jandakot on November 4th.

Another Cessna twin to arrive in this period was 404 N4489L. On October 4th it arrived in Perth from Cocos Island. It would appear that it will remain on the US register as the aircraft is fitted with aerial survey equipment. It is presently flying with Jandakot-based Aerodata who are also using the BN-2A/3 C-GNKW on an aerial survey contract. Noted at Bankstown on October 11th was Cessna Caravan N9711F.

Two interesting aircraft to complete the Pacific crossing were Ayres S2R-T34’s N3093L c/n 103DC and N3093C c/n 1O1DC. On October 1st N3093L flew into Brisbane from Honiara while on October 20th N3093C flew Honiara to Gotts Harbour. Noted at Essendon on October 25th was PZL M-1BA Dromader SP-DBS c/n 12019-09. This crop duster had made a more leisurely trip to Australia as deck cargo on a ship and had arrived in the country the week before. SP-DBS is operating out of Leongatha, Victoria.

Adelaide witnessed the arrival of Pelita Air Services Hercules PK-PLW on September 29th. On board were two S-76A’s previously operated by the Bahrain Public Security organisation, which were on delivery to Lloyd aviation. BPS-01 c/n 760010 and BPS-02 c/n 760011 have been registered VH-HUB and VHHUC. Another S-76A to arrive in the country is N31HA. As deck cargo the S-76A was unloaded at Brisbane docks in early December. It was then flown to Essendon, where it will be registered VH-CUB to a well known brewing company.

Late news from Townsville reports the arrival, there on November 14th of Lockheed Neptune N54317. This ex-US Navy SP-2H 145921 has been in storage at Davis Monthan AFB, Tuscon since December, 1974. On November 17, the Neptune flew direct from Townsville to Perth to complete its delivery flight to local company Aerocorp P/L, Perth.

Bizjet News

Since publishing our annual Bizjet fleet in the November issue of Traffic, this sector of the market has experienced a boom in orders. Associated Airlines/CAA have ordered a CL-601/3A for delivery in May 1989. To be registered VH-ASM the Challenger will replace Gulfstream 1 VH-FLO. Palmer Tube Mins in Brisbane have added CL-601 N601RP to their fleet with the aircraft having been delivered to their Brisbane base in November. Meanwhile, Australian Capital Equity Corp, CL-600 has changed its registration from N888KS to VH-NKS.

TNT Ltd are to base a Gulfstream Ill in Australia for use of their Managing Director, Sir Peter Abeles. The aircraft concerned is c/n 455 which will operate under a US registration. Hawker Pacific have meanwhile sold their Falcon 100 demonstrator N1OOH c/n 216 to the National Safety Council of Australia. As VH-JDW the Falcon was delivered to the NSCA in November. Pacific Aviation BAe 125-7008 VH-LMP has been sold to Santos. VH-LMP was handed over to its new owners in mid November after repainting and refurbishing at Essendon. BAe 125-8008 ZK-EUI of Elders Finance is believed to have been sold in Australia, however at time of writing it continues to operate under its New Zealand registration.

Cessna 500 Eagle Citation N888GZ c/n 0349 arrived at Essendon on September 21st on delivery to local operator Yulgibar P/L. N888GZ was purchased from a US company that were operating the aircraft from Nairobi, Kenya. It is planned that N888GZ will be registered VH-HVM. Another Citation to take up residence at Essendon in this period was model 550 VH-KTK. Previously operated by Uniglobe Management of Brisbane, VHKTK was repainted by Douglas Aviation at Tocumwal before delivery to Inter-West Hotels of Melbourne. Cessna 550 G-JETD c/n 0419 of IDS Aircraft Ltd, Heathrow arrived at Moorabbin on November 1st on delivery to Jennings Industries. After refurbishment and repainting by Turbo-Aero the Citation will be registered VH-JVS. Another Cessna 500 to enter the country recently for an Australian customer is N291DS c/n 0291.

Meanwhile, the Woodger Group Westwind VH-JPW has been sold to the Norfolk Pacific Group. The Westwind will take up residence in Perth after being re-registered VH-NIJ. Amann Aviation have been operating Jet Commander N159DP c/n 052 from their Darwin base since July.