Traffic

Flight West Airlines terminated its lease on Ansett Australia Fokker 50 VH-FNJ on August 7 after using the aircraft since June 26. Flight West in the interim used Ansett Fokker 50 VH-FNI on August 9, 10 and 11 however from August 12 to date VH-FNC became the designated Ansett aircraft operating for Flight West.

Hazelton Airlines sold PA-31-350 Chieftain VH-CJQ to Dick Lang Desert Air Safaris in August.

Impulse Airlines’ prospective fourth Beech 1900D N3217L msn UE-149 was still parked at Wichita, Kansas in late June. Former Impulse Jetstream 41 VH-IMS departed Adelaide on August 16 for Alice Springs and Port Hedland. Final destination for VH-IMS was Johannesburg, South Africa where the Jetstream has commenced operations on a three month lease to SA Airlink.

Majestic Airways was advertising for sale in late July three Mohawk 298 aircraft at a total cost of $800,000. The aircraft concerned are VH-HEI and VH-HIX which were used by Majestic on their RPT services and VH-HKT. Also for sale as a spares aircraft is VH-HKS. All four Mohawk aircraft are presently located at Bundaberg Airport.

Port Douglas Air is planning to operate an on demand service between Cairns and Port Douglas using an EMB-110 Bandeirante.

Skywest Airlines took delivery of Fokker 50 VH-FNA at Perth on August 1. The following day Fokker 50 VH-FNF which was delivered to Skywest last November departed on ferry to Sydney and its return to service with Ansett Australia. In September came another change in the Skywest Fokker 50 fleet with the delivery of VH-FND and the withdrawal from service of VH-FNH.

Sunstate Airlines has withdrawn from service its last Shorts 330 aircraft VH-KNQ. On July 3 VH-KNQ was ferried from Brisbane to Townsville where the aircraft is presently being reduced to components. It is reported that Sunstate will present what remains of VH-KNQ to the Queensland Air Museum.

Kiwi International 727 Enters Service

Kiwi International Airlines was granted a license by the New Zealand Government in August thus allowing it to operate scheduled trans Tasman services. At the same time Kiwi International announced plans to operate a twice weekly service on the Hamilton/Sydney route, to increase to four times weekly its Hamilton/Brisbane service and to operate a weekly service Dunedin/Brisbane. Plans to wet lease Boeing 737-3Q8 VH-NJE from National Jet Systems were terminated and instead Kiwi International entered into a lease agreement with AvAtlantic of Fort Lauderdale, Florida to lease one of its Boeing 727-200 aircraft. As a result AvAtlantic Boeing 727-225(A) N805EA arrived in Hamilton on August 21 on termination of its delivery flight to Kiwi International. Boeing 727-225(A) N805EA msn 22436 was a late production aircraft built on order for Eastern Airlines and delivered to them in November 1980. The Kiwi International Boeing is fitted out in an all economy 173 seat configuration and has leather seats and in-flight entertainment. First scheduled service for Kiwi International and N805EA was on August 23 from Hamilton to Sydney.

Air Caledonia International leased Qantas Boeing 737-376 VH-TJD from August 13 to September 2 while its Boeing 737-33A F-ODGX underwent planned maintenance with Qantas in Melbourne.

Air New Zealand plans to wet lease two Boeing 767s from overseas operators to cope with the traffic demands of the peak summer months. Due in Auckland in late October on a three month wet lease is Britannia Airways Boeing 767-204ER G-BRIG. Air New Zealand plans to utilise the Britannia Boeing on its trans Tasman services. Over the same period Air New Zealand will lease the LOT/Polish Airlines Boeing 767-35D ER SP-LPA. It is reported that Air New Zealand will utilise the LOT Boeing on its Auckland/Brisbane/Seoul route. Air New Zealand is also reported to be considering the lease of Boeing 737-2Y5 ZK-NAD to Pacific Airlines of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services has leased Boeing 767-33ER OE-LAS msn 27909 to Lauda Air with the aircraft delivered on August 22. Lauda Air plans to operate its new Boeing 767-300 on its service from Vienna to Australia. Ansett Worldwide currently has three Boeing 767-33ER aircraft, G-OITA, G-OITB and G-OITC operating on lease to Alitalia. Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise/SALE in conjunction with Ansett Worldwide has announced that Alitalia will take delivery of another three Boeing 767-300 aircraft. To be delivered in August ’95, November ’95 and February ’96 the aircraft has been purchased from Boeing by SALE with Ansett Worldwide then providing the flightcrews.

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 767-33A ER VH-NOE was noted at a number of airports in our region in late July and early August. VH-NOE was leased to Vietnam Airlines by Ansett Worldwide in November ’94 and to my knowledge has only visited Australia on one previous occasion as Vietnam Airlines normally utilises VH-NOE on its flight between Vietnam and Europe. VH-NOE arrived in Wellington from Hanoi on July 27 as HVN7153 with the President of Vietnam on board. The Air Vietnam Boeing was later seen at Christchurch, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Cairns airports. This Antonov An-74 was chartered to fly mining equipment between Perth and Karratha in late July (refer Traffic last issue for more details). The US military’s CINCPAC (Commander in Chief Pacific) came to Australia in mid August in this C-135 to visit K95. The C-135 is pictured here at Darwin. (Keith Anderson & Gerard Frawley) One of Air Niugini’s Dash 7s underwent maintenance work with Hawker de Havilland in Perth recently. Flight West leased Ansett Fokker 50 VH-FNJ for a period of six weeks from late June. FNJ is seen here at Canberra after returning to Ansett service, but still with Flight West’s tail logo. At the time of writing FNJ was all white bar for Ansett Australia titles. (Keith Anderson & Keith Myers)

Ansett Worldwide has also announced the lease of a new build Boeing 737-33A 9V-TRE msn 27457 to Silkair with the aircraft planned for delivery in October.

Mount Cook Airline will take delivery of its seven ATR-72-210 aircraft between September ’95 and February ’96 with the aircraft concerned being msn 453/454/458/460/463/464 and 465.

Pacific Island News

Air Marshall Islands Saab 2000 V7-9508 was leased by Saab Aircraft in July for demonstration to operators in New Zealand. V7-9508 flew into Auckland from Nadi on July 11. The following day the Saab 2000 flew from Auckland to Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown and Christchurch before returning to Auckland. On July 13 the Saab 2000 departed Auckland for Nadi on conclusion of its visit to New Zealand.

Air Nelson Metro III ZK-NST which ferried into Maroochydore on June 27 (see Traffic/September) is presently being advertised for sale by Aeromil. Also currently resident at Maroochydore with Aeromil is Metro II N31072 msn AC-504 an aircraft which arrived there on April 18. Air Nelson has sold its Chieftain ZK-NSO to United Aviation of Palmerston North.

Air Pacific Boeing 747-219B ZK-NZY has been operating on lease from Air New Zealand since August ’93. It is reported however that the Boeing will shortly be returning to Air New Zealand for major maintenance and that it will in turn be replaced by a Boeing 747-200 leased from Korean Airlines.

Asia Pacific Airlines, a subsidiary of National Jet Systems in Adelaide, continues to operate its DHC-8-102 P2-NAZ on a daily service between Tabubil and Port Moresby. It is interesting to note that in the Papua New Guinea register the owner of P2-NAZ is shown as Fubilian Air Transport.

Hevi Lift took delivery of Kamov Ka-32s RA-71576 and RA-71577 in July after the aircraft flew into Nadzab on termination of its ferry flight from Seletar.

KSS Aviation in Lae has added Cessna 402C P2-KSR, which was previously operated out of Moorabbin by Nicholas Air Charter as VH-AMU, and BN-2A-27 P2-KST to its fleet.

Royal Tongan Airlines commenced a weekly service from Tonga to Niue from September 16 using the Air Marshall Islands BAe 748 V7-8203. As a result the BAe 748 now carries a dual Royal Tongan/Air Marshall Islands colour scheme.

The ranks of the Talair aircraft stored at Mareeba in Far North Queensland are dwindling. A visit there in early August revealed that only Twin Otter P2-RDJ and Bandeirante P2-RDR were in residence.

Transniugini Airways BN-2A-20 Islander P2-TNT was written off on July 25 when it crashed shortly after taking off from Bomai in the Chimbu District.

Australian Air Express Bae 146-100qc.

BAe 146-100QC VH-NJV msn E-1002 was delivered to National Jet Systems in Adelaide in late August for onward lease to Australian air Express. The delivery of VH-NJV to National Jet brings its fleet of BAe 146 aircraft to 12 however VH-NJV has by far the most interesting history to date. Since 1980 VH-NJV has carried the national marks of Austria, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. To further complicate matters the aircraft has carried four different US registrations and five different UK registrations. Therefore in a 15 year period BAe 146-100QC VH-NJV has changed its registration no fewer than 16 times. Our story starts in July 1980 when BAe 146-100 msn E-1002 was being constructed as the second of its type to come off the production line at Hatfield, UK. The aircraft was initially registered to British Aerospace as G-BIAE however the aircraft never flew with these markings as in May 1981 the registration was changed to G-SSHH. It was with these markings that msn E-1002 made its first flight from Hatfield on January 25 1982. G-SSHH continued to fly with British Aerospace until January ’84 when it was registered G-OPSA. This came about as a result of Pacific Southwest Airlines ordering 20 BAe 146-200 aircraft in November ’83. On March 17 ’84 G-OPSA departed Hatfield for San Diego where it was used by PSA for flight crew training. G-OPSA returned to Hatfield on June 17 however on July 6 it was off overseas again on a demonstration tour of the Far East which lasted until August 17. In October ’84 G-OPSA became N5828B with Jet Acceptance Corp and on the 12th of that month it departed Hatfield for San Diego this time to carry passengers for Pacific Southwest. On the 25th of that month it was once again registered G-SSHH. At the same time the BAe 146 was painted in the BAe house colours of the time.

In February ’86 G-SSHH departed Hatfield on a demonstration tour of East Africa. The next lease for the future VH-NJV came in April 1986 when the aircraft was painted in the colours of Royal West Airlines of Las Vegas and was registered N101RW however before delivery this was changed to N801RW. On June 9 N801RW departed Hatfield for Burbank prior to entering service with Royal West. N801RW continued in service with the Las Vegas based carrier until June ’87 when it was registered to the Tracey Leasing Corporation of Wilmington, Delaware. In September ’87 the aircraft returned to the UK where it was registered G-BPNP to British Aerospace prior to entering service with Dan-Air of London. During its lease to Dan-Air which lasted until November 10 G-BPNP flew in the colours of Royal West with the addition of Dan-Air titles. On November 30 came another change of registration prior to lease to another airline. Now N720BA the BAe 146 departed Hatfield on December 4 on delivery to American Airlines. N720BA terminated its lease to American in February 1988 and the following month again registered G-BPNP it was flown to Dothan, Alabama for freighter conversion. In July the BAe 146 returned to Hatfield and yet another change of registration to that of G-BSTA. This indicated its new sphere of work for British Aerospace as the Side Loading Tactical Airlifter demonstrator. As such G-BSTA appeared at the Farnborough Show in September 1988 and 1990 and at the Richmond Bicentennial show in October 1988. From late November 1990 until late January 1991 the aircraft was leased to the Austrian Government for relief work with the aircraft being painted as OE-BRL although these marks were never officially recognised.

On August 8 1991 the BAe 146 again as G-BSTA departed East Midlands for Casablanca on the first leg of its delivery flight to Safair in Johannesburg where it flew as ZS-NCA. On May 1 1995 ZS-NCA returned to Woodford on termination of its lease to Safair and on the 24th of that month it was once again registered G-BSTA, this time to Trident Aviation Leasing Services, Jersey. On July 18 G-BSTA was rolled out at Woodford in the markings of Australian air Express and the start of a new life in Australia as VH-NJV.

Bizjet News

News Ltd has taken delivery of Gulfstream IV VH-NCP msn 1108 with the aircraft being registered to them on July 4. As of late August however VH-NCP had not been sighted at its Sydney base. Prior to the delivery of VH-NCP News Ltd utilised the Trans Pacific Enterprises Gulfstream III N103GC an aircraft which has been operating in Australia since January 1989. With the entry into service of VH-NCP the Gulfstream III N103GC returned to the United States in early August for sale. Visiting Australia in early August was the head of News Ltd., Rupert Murdoch and he travelled around the country in the News America Publishing Gulfstream IV N56L. Also in the country in this period was American actor Kevin Costner and he was noted at Cairns on August 2 onboard the Gulfstream IV N169CA.

Associated Airlines was working on the Transindo BAe 125-700 PK-CTC at its Essendon base in early August. Arriving in Sydney on August 14 for planned maintenance was the Australian Jet Charter Cessna 650 VH-OZI. Why this aircraft warrants special mention is that VH-OZI was first registered in Australia in September ’92 however to my knowledge this is the first time the aircraft has been sighted in the country. Prior to this VH-OZI has operated on a resource contract out of Sakhalin Island on the Russian Pacific coast. On arrival in Sydney VH-OZI was noted to be carrying the flags of Australia and the CIS on its tail. Falcon 20E VH-HFJ of Australian Jet Charter departed Sydney for Sakhalin Island on August 11 to cover the maintenance lay up of VH-OZI. Cessna 550 N155TJ msn 0155 arrived in Australia in early August reportedly on delivery to the Pixie Ice Cream Company of Toowoomba. N155TJ was noted transitting Glasgow, Scotland on July 29 while en route from the United States to Australia.

Cessna 208B N2648Y msn 0457 arrived in Sydney on August 21 on delivery to Dick Smith Adventure P/L. It is reported that the Caravan will be registered VH-SHW which until recently was carried by the Dick Smith Adventure Sikorsky S-76A. A recent registration change however now has the Sikorsky carrying the marks VH-CFH. AOPA’ Airfield Directory 1995 Australia. The 1995 edition of this unique directory has been updated and expanded and now lists 1800 airfields throughout Australia. It contains useful data for the itinerant flyer including contact numbers for accommodation, taxi, fuel and often much more. Its size allows it to slip easily into your flight bag. Costs only $27.50 + $3.00 p&h (discount to AOPA members). Special Offer Airfield Directory and AOPA membership for one year is just $57.50. AOPA members enjoy an informative monthly magazine, optional IAOPA aircrew card, many discounts, free accidental death cover and much more. For more information, contact: AOPA, PO Box 1065, Fyshwick ACT 2609 Tel: (06) 280 4221 Fax: (06) 280 7341 Please remit by major credit card, money order or cheque (no cash). 76 Australian Aviation October 1995. Majestic Airways ceased airline operations in February this year and has advertised for sale its three Nord Mohawk turboprops for the package price of just $800,000. The Mohawk package includes spares and a fourth airframe suitable for use as a spares source. The Mohawks were originally brought to Australia in 1987 and have since passed through a succession of regional airlines around Australia. For more details on these aircraft’s histories refer Traffic, p53 May 95 AA. (Lance Higgerson)

Fokker 50 Fleet Musical Chairs

There are only 10 Fokker 50 aircraft operating in Australia however it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of them. It would appear that Ansett has too many aircraft for too few routes so its planners are having a great time at the moment playing musical chairs with the Fokker 50 fleet. The latest juggle of aircraft between Ansett Australia, Flight West and Skywest shows that changes have taken place or are about to take place to 90% of the Fokker 50 fleet!

VH-FNA was planned for withdrawal from Ansett service on July 16 however as it transpired its last day on the east coast was on July 17 and that was after spending the day flying for Flight West. On August 1 VH-FNA departed Brisbane for Perth on delivery to Skywest. VH-FNB currently remains in service with Ansett operating out of Sydney however in December it will join the Skywest fleet. VH-FNC has moved from Ansett Australia to Flight West with its first service for Flight West being on August 12. Present indications suggest that by the time this is read Flight West will have terminated its temporary lease of Ansett Fokker 50 aircraft and that VH-FNC will have returned to Sydney based operations with Ansett Australia.

VH-FND is currently planned to move from the Ansett Australia fleet to Skywest in September. VH-FNE remains in service with Ansett Australia operating out of Sydney. VH-FNF was delivered to Skywest on November 24 last. With the arrival of VH-FNA in Perth on August 1 VH-FNF was withdrawn from Skywest service. On August 2 VH-FNF departed Perth on ferry to Sydney where it is now based with Ansett Australia. VH-FNG which is presently operating with Skywest is planned to return to the Ansett Australia fleet in December. VH-FNH is currently planned to move from the Skywest Airlines fleet to Ansett Australia in September. VH-FNI remains in service with Ansett Australia operating out of Sydney however in the period from July 31 through to August 11 it operated 10 return services for Flight West on the Queensland coast.

VH-FNJ entered service with Flight West on June 26 however the operation of this aircraft with the Queensland regional was apparently less than successful. VH-FNJ as the primary leased aircraft from Ansett was painted in the colours of Flight West. VH-FNJ was originally planned to remain with Flight West until August 31 however on August 7 VH-FNJ operated its last service before being ferried south to Sydney. In the period June 26 to August 7 VH-FNJ was substituted at least on 10 occasions by other Fokker 50 aircraft in the Ansett fleet.