Traffic

Qantas withdrew 747-438 VH-OJD from service on March 6 after it operated QF15 from Brisbane to Los Angeles. On March 7 VH-OJD ferried from Los Angeles to Victorville, California as QF6021 where it was placed in storage. VH-OJD City of Brisbane was delivered to Qantas in Sydney on January 21 ’90 after the aircraft arrived from London via Singapore as QF704.

767-336ER VH-ZXA was withdrawn from service on January 30 (Traffic/March) and on February 12 with all Qantas titles and kangaroo removed it departed Sydney for Honolulu and Roswell, New Mexico where it was placed in storage. 767-336ER VH-ZXA was cancelled from the register on February 15 before being registered N489AS to Aersale Inc. of Coral Gables, Florida on February 19. VH-ZXA was delivered to Qantas in Sydney on August 9 ’00 after the aircraft ferried in from London/Heathrow via Bangkok as QF6016. VH-ZXA entered service with Qantas on August 11 ’00 when it operated QF534 from Sydney to Brisbane.

767-338ER VH-ZXB, which was cancelled from the register on December 14 was registered N283AS to Aersale on December 19.
A380-842 VH-OQJ, which has been in Manila since January 31 for cabin reconfiguration work (Traffic/March) ferried from Manila to Singapore on March 6 as QF6006 and re-entered service later that day as QF2 from Singapore to Sydney (arrived March 7)
A380-842 VH-OQG ferried from Singapore to Manila as QF6005 on March 6 and on arrival entered the Lufthansa Technik hangar for cabin reconfiguration.

737-838 VH-VZG was rolled out in Sydney on February 25 after having a special ‘Bring it on’ colour scheme applied to promote the forthcoming tour of the British Lions rugby union team to Australia.

QantasLink took delivery of Dash 8 Q402NG C-GSZD in Cairns on January 30 (Traffic/March) and registered the aircraft VH-LQH on February 5. Dash 8 Q402NG VH-LQH ferried from Cairns to Sydney as QF715D on February 23 and entered service on February 25 as QF1473 from Sydney to Canberra.

Jetstar took delivery of A320-232 VH-VFL in Melbourne on February 18 after the aircraft ferried in from Toulouse via Dubai and Singapore as JQ7992. VH-VFL entered service with Jetstar on March 2 when it operated JQ596 from Melbourne to Sydney.

A320-232 VH-VGT departed Melbourne on January 26 as JQ7996 on ferry to Darwin and Manila for planned maintenance with Lufthansa Technik. On completion VH-VGT departed Manila on February 8 as JQ7992 for Darwin and Melbourne.

A320-232 VH-VGY departed Melbourne on February 12 as JQ7993 for Darwin and Seletar and planned maintenance. VH-VGY returned to Melbourne on February 25 when it ferried in from Seletar as JQ7992.

Jetstar Asia took delivery of A320-232 9V-JSS at Singapore on February 6 after the aircraft ferried in from Toulouse and Al Bateen. 9V-JSS which is the first in the Jetstar Group to be fitted with sharklets entered service on February 11 when it operated JSA535 from Singapore to Phuket.

A320-232 9V-JST was delivered to Singapore on February 27 when it ferried in from Toulouse via Al Bateen as JSA9. 9V-JST entered service on March 4 when it operated JSA697 from Singapore to Hong Kong.

Jetstar Hong Kong’s first A320-232 B-KJA msn 5532 is fitted with sharklets.

Jetstar Japan took delivery of A320-232 JA08JJ at Narita on February 8 after the aircraft ferried in from Toulouse via Dubai and Hanoi. JA08JJ is the first of type in the Jetstar Japan fleet to be fitted with sharklets.

A320-232 JA09JJ was delivered to Jetstar Japan in Narita on March 4 after the aircraft completed its ferry flight from Toulouse via Dubai and Hanoi.

A320-232 JA10JJ msn 5530 is planned for delivery to Jetstar Japan in late March while A320-232 JA11JJ msn 5598 and A320-232 JA12JJ msn 5618 are planned for delivery in May

Airline News

In this issue we report the delivery of a Fokker 70 to Alliance Airlines.

Air New Zealand Link/Mount Cook was planning to take delivery of ATR 72-600 ZK-MVC in late April.

Air North registered EMB-170-100LR VH-ANT msn 17000357 on February 21 with the new production aircraft planned for delivery to Darwin in early April.

Alliance Airlines took delivery of Fokker 70 YR-KMC msn 11569 in Brisbane on February 23 after the aircraft which carried the full colours and titles of Alliance completed its ferry flight from Timisora via Trabzon, Al Ain, Ahmedabad, Patenga, Penang, Denpasar, Darwin and Townsville.

The Fokker 70 which was previously operated by Carpatair changed its flight number several times on the ferry flight before arriving in Brisbane as KRP5109

Fokker 70 YR-KMB, which was delivered to Alliance in Brisbane on January 19 (Traffic/March) was registered VH-QQV on February 6.
Fokker 70 HP-1732PST, which was delivered to Alliance in Brisbane on January 27 (Traffic/March) was registered VH-JFE on February 15.

JetGo was planning to take delivery of EMB-135LR N836RP msn 145713 in late March with their first EMB-145LR N577RP msn 14500862 to follow.

Solomon Airlines ferried A320-211 H4-BUS from Brisbane to Manila via Cairns on March 1 as flight IE6001 for planned maintenance.
Tiger Airways commenced operations between Sydney and Coffs Harbour effective February 15 with A320-232 VH-VNC operating the inaugural TGW274.

A320-232 VH-VNJ as flight TGW8172 departed Melbourne on January 31 for Darwin and Singapore for planned maintenance. VH-VNJ as flight TGW8173 departed Singapore on February 27 for Melbourne (arrived February 28)

Virgin Australia Fleet Update.

In this issue we report the delivery of an ATR 72-600

ATR 72-600 VH-FVY Marcoola Beach was delivered to Perth on March 5 with the aircraft ferrying in from Toulouse via Alexandria, Al Ain, Nagpur, Penang and Halim. The ferry flight which was contracted to Southern Cross International operated as SXI 1311.

ATR 72-600 VH-FVQ Christies Beach, which was delivered to Perth on December 3 and then ferried to Brisbane on January 24 finally entered service on March 7 when it operated VA1247 from Brisbane to Rockhampton..

ATR 72-600 VH-FVR Yallingup Beach which was delivered to Perth on January 7 departed there on February 14 on ferry to Kalgoorlie and Brisbane as VA1931. VH-FVR entered service on March 7 when it operated VA1261 from Brisbane to Emerald.

777-3ZGER VH-VPD departed Sydney as flight VA9943 on February 2 for Singapore where it was re-painted in the colours of Virgin Australia. On February 16 VH-VPD which was carrying the name Avalon Beach departed Singapore as flight VA9942 for Sydney (arrive February 17).

777-3ZGER VH-VOZ departed Sydney as flight VA9943 on February 17 for Singapore where it was re-painted in the colours of Virgin Australia. On March 1 VH-VOZ which was carrying the name Palm Beach departed Singapore as flight VA9942 for Sydney (arrive March 2)

A330-243 VH-XFG msn 1407, which was registered to Virgin Australia on February 11 is planned for delivery in April.

737-8FE VH-YFN 41009, 737-8FE VH-YFP 41011 and 737-8FE VH-YFQ 41010 were registered to Virgin Australia on February 18.

Fokker 100 VH-XWM and Fokker 100 VH-XWN, which have been operating on lease to Virgin Australia since February ’12 terminated their lease on February 10.

Skywest ferried Fokker 50 VH-FNA from Perth to Alice Springs and Townsville on February 25 and on arrival it entered the Flying Colours hangar where it became the first of the Skywest fleet to be painted in the colours of Virgin Australia.

Regional Airline News

In this issue we report the departure of a Skytrans Dash 8-100.

Adventist Aviation Services badly damaged the left-hand wing of its PAC 750XL P2-SDC during a fuel transfer at Goroka on January 22.
Aeropelican Air Services cancelled the registration of its Jetstream 32 VH-OTA on February 7 as ‘aircraft scrapped.

Asia Pacific Aerospace has sold its ATR 42-320 VH-AVV in New Guinea with the aircraft cancelled from the register on February 6. The all-white ATR 42-320 was then registered P2-AVV before being ferried from Cairns to Mt Hagen on February 10 where it is now reportedly being operated by Hevilift.

Brindabella Airlines became the registered operator of Jetstream 32 VH-OTD, Jetstream 32 VH-OTE and Jetstream 32 VH-OTF on January 24.

Skytrans placed Dash 8-102A VH-QQD into service on February 4 when the aircraft operated SKP1888 from Cairns to Cloncurry. The Dash 8-102A then registered S2-AAA was delivered to Cairns on October 15 ’12 (Traffic/December)

Dash 8-102 VH-QQE has reportedly been sold and on March 5 it ferried out of Cairns to Majuro and Honolulu.

Tasair ceased operations in February ’12 and on August 23 ’12 its Jetstream 31 VH-SMQ was ferried from Hobart to Bankstown where it was placed in storage. On February 27 at Bankstown the Jetstream 31 was offered for auction by Slattery Auctions.

Toll Aviation ferried ATR 42-300F VH-TOX from Darwin to Seletar on February 22.

Bizjet News

In this issue we report the delivery of a Gulfstream IV and Premier while departing was
a Gulfstream 550 and a Global Express.

Gulfstream IV VH-TSL was registered on February 14 with the holder being Star Oriental International of Kuala Lumpur and the operator ExecuJet Australia P/L of Mascot, NSW. The Gulfstream IV, which was previously registered M-GFOR recently visited Australia as such between November 24 and 27 ‘12.

Gulfstream IV VH-WXK was registered on February 14 with the holder being Sutherland Aviation P/L of Morningside, Queensland and the operator CoastWings P/L of Hamilton, Queensland. Gulfstream IV VH-WXK was delivered to Australia on February 23 when it arrived in Brisbane from Nadi. The Gulfstream IV was previously operated in Australia under US registration with the aircraft delivered to Brisbane as N141CP on August 11 ’12 before its registration was changed to N450TL the following October.

Premier N7088S was delivered to Brisbane on February 8 after arriving from Denpasar via Darwin and Mackay. Premier N7088S is no stranger to Australia as the aircraft was operated by Sydney Jet Charter between April ’07 and February ’09.

Global Express M-BTAR, which was operated by AVWest appears to have departed the region. M-BTAR was last recorded departing Perth for Seletar on December 8 ’12 and on January 14 ownership of the aircraft was changed from AVWest to Pacific Global.

Gulfstream 550 ZK-KFB was cancelled from the register on March 5 as ‘exported’. Earlier on February 26 ZK-KFB had departed its Wellington base for Los Angeles and the Gulfstream facility at Appleton, Wisconsin. Gulfstream 550 ZK-KFB was registered to Execujet New Zealand on May 26 ’10 before being delivered to Auckland on June 1.

Challenger 850 VH-LEF, which has been hangared with ExecuJet at Essendon for some months was cancelled from the register on March 1 as ‘exported to Canada. It is reported the Challenger will take up the marks C-GVFT.

Hawker 800XP VH-VLI was cancelled from the register on February 19 as ‘exported to the United States’ and on February 28 Hawker 800XP N800GN was registered to Sapphire Aviation of Houston, Texas. As of early March the Hawker 800XP N800GN was hangared at Essendon waiting delivery to the United States. Hawker 800XP VH-VLI was registered to J Nicolis P/L of Toorak, Victoria on August 17 ’11 before being delivered to Essendon on August 24.

Air Hawkes Bay Citation Mustang ZK-LCA departed its Hastings base on January 20 for Auckland, Lord Howe Island and Archerfield. The following day ZK-LCA commenced flying in Australia and this continued until early March. On March 3 Mustang ZK-LCA departed Bankstown for Lord Howe Island and Napier on its return to operations in New Zealand.

Acernus Aero Citation Mustang ZK-MUS departed Auckland for Lord Howe Island and Sydney on February 24 with the aircraft reportedly a candidate for the Australian register.

The registered operator of Falcon 900C VH-LUL was changed on February 5 to Maxem Aviation P/L of Applecross, Western Australia.
The registered operator of Citation 111 VH-SPJ was changed on February 12 to Flight Options (Australia) P/L, of Mudjimba, Queensland.
ExecuJet Australia Learjet 45 VH-SQV, which has been under maintenance in Sydney since March 28 ’12, changed its registered operator on February 13 to Jet City P/L of Tullamarine, Victoria.

Singapore Flying College Learjet 45 VH-SQM, which has been in storage at Maroochydore, was test flown there on February 1.

Global Express C-GHSW has reportedly taken up temporary residence in Sydney.

King Air Fleet Update

King Air 200 N560GE msn BB-612, which was registered to the Gateway Air Center of Merced, California arrived at Jandakot on February 11 after ferrying in from Merced via Honolulu, Majuro and Townsville. The King Air 200 was later registered to Formula Aircraft of Jandakot as VH-LKH on February 20.

King Air 200 F-OHCP msn BB-831, which was based in Papeete, was registered to Blackhawk Modifications of Waco, Texas as N831XP on February 5. N831XP departed Papeete on February 14 for Raratonga, Tonga, Auckland and Ardmore where it arrived on February 16.
King Air B200C P2-JAU, which was recently registered to Tropicair (PNG) is msn BL-39 which was previously operated by SIL Aviation as P2-SIA.

King Air B200 VH-MWX changed its registered holder to JNP Enterprises P/L of Broome and its registered operator to Broome Air Services on January 31.

Careflight NT King Air B200C VH-ZCN was named Clyde Fenton at Darwin on January 31.

Other propjet news in this period concerns the following aircraft.

MU-2B-20 VH-DTV changed its registered holder and operator on January 31 to Jupiter Aviation P/L of Blackburn, Victoria.
PC-12/47E N9401S departed Jandakot on February 18 for Port Hedland and Denpasar and after over-nighting continued to its base at Subang.

BCM Partnership PC-12/45 VH-WBI was cancelled from the register on February 19 as ‘exported to the United States’. On February 5 VH-WBI had departed the Gold Coast for Mt Isa and Darwin and after over-nighting continued to Denpasar. VH-WBI was later noted at Glasgow, Scotland on February 13 prior to its crossing of the North Atlantic. The PC-12/45 was placed on the US register s N198GE on February 25.

PC-12/45 N530WC departed Jandakot on February 21 for Karratha and after over-nighting continued to Port Hedland and Denpasar.

Gulfstreams Galore

GC Air Gulfstream N1BN arrived in Sydney from Kona on February 7 before operating Sydney-Brisbane-Sydney on February 15 and 19. N1BN departed Sydney for Kona on February 21.

Peak Enterprises Gulfstream 550 N77CP arrived in Sydney from Lanseria on February 6 and departed to Honolulu on February 8.

Petronas Malaysia Gulfstream 550 N625JK arrived in Brisbane from Kuala Lumpur on February 7 and after over-nighting operated a return flight to Gladstone. N625JK returned to Kuala Lumpur on February 9. N625JK arrived at Essendon from Kuala Lumur on March 2 and after overnighting continued to Sydney. Gulfstream 550 N625JK departed Sydney for Kuala Lumpur on March 4.

Conoco Phillips Gulfstream 550 N661CP arrived in Brisbane from Honolulu on February 25 before continuing to Darwin on February 27.

After overnighting N661CP continued to Perth and from there departed to Kuala Lumpur on March 3.

JP Morgan Chase Bank Gulfstream 550 N780E arrived in Sydney from Nairobi and Perth on February 8 before continuing to Melbourne and Rotorua on February 12.

Hong Kong Jet Gulfstream 550 B-KHJ arrived in Melbourne from Hong Kong on February 15 before returning to Hong Kong on February 16.

Metrojet Gulfstream 550 B-KVE arrived in Sydney from Tunxi, China on February 11 and departed to Nanjing on February 15.
Skybird Aviation Gulfstream V N234DB arrived at the Gold Coast from Kahului on February 21 before visiting Sydney, Hamilton Island, Essendon and Adelaide. N234DB departed Perth for Honolulu on March 5.

Johnson and Johnson Gulfstream V N600J arrived in Sydney from Honolulu on February 25 before returning to Honolulu on February 27.

Gulfstream V N767CW arrived in Sydney from Don Muang on February 9.

MJets Gulfstream V HS-WEH arrived in Brisbane from Don Muang on January 13. HS-WEH visited Gladstone and the Gold Coast on February 17 and after over-nighting departed to U-Tapao.

Anglo American Gulfstream V ZS-AOL arrived in Brisbane from Johannesburg and Perth on March 3 and departed to Singapore on March 5.

TAG Aviation Gulfstream 450 B-LIS c/s Tagjet 32 arrived in Perth from Singapore on February 11 before returning to Singapore on February 13.

PMC Global Gulfstream IV N168PK arrived in Melbourne from Papeete on March 3 before continuing to Hobart on March 6.
Thomas H Lee Capital Gulfstream IV N327TL arrived in Melbourne from Auckland on March 4 and after overnighting continued to Sydney.

LYS Gulfstream IV N335LL arrived in Sydney from Singapore on February 16 and after overnighting continued to Adelaide. N335LL later visited Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane before departing for Nadi on February 23.

TE Connectivity Gulfstream IV N707TE arrived in Melbourne from Port Vila on February 8 and departed to Auckland on February 10. N707TE later arrived in Sydney from Wellington on February 12 and after over-nighting it departed for Halim.

Overseas Bizjets

Scout Aviation Global Express N4T arrived in Sydney from Kahului on February 8 before continuing to Melbourne on February 12. After over-nighting N4T departed for Auckland.

McDonalds Corporation Global Express N1955M arrived in Sydney from Haneda on March 5.

ZYB Lily Jet Global Express B-7699 MZT9102 arrived in Melbourne from Hong Kong on February 9 before continuing to Hamilton Island on February 11. B-7699 as MZT9104 departed Hamilton Island for Cairns and Hong Kong on February 14.

Profred Partners Global Express G-OXRS arrived in Sydney from Don Muang on February 17. The following day G-OXRS operated a return flight to Armidale before departing for Seletar on February 20.

Williams-Sonoma Stores Global 5000 N878HL arrived in Sydney from Saigon on February 23 and departed for Brisbane and Melbourne on February 27. N878HL departed Melbourne for Kahului on March 1.

Challenger 605 N605PS arrived in Melbourne from Denpasar on February 12 before departing to Sydney on February 14 and to Perth on February 15. N605PS departed Perth for Denpasar on February 18.

Beijing Capital Airlines Challenger 605 B-7768 departed Sydney for Denpasar on February 1. The Challenger 605 as CBJ505 returned to Sydney from Singapore and Darwin on February 22 or February 23.

Blue Nightingale Trading Challenger 604 M-ADEL arrived in Perth from Mauritius on February 18 before continuing to Sydney on February 21. M-ADEL departed Sydney for Auckland on February 24.

Idaho Investments Challenger 300 N985FM arrived at the Gold Coast from Denpasar on February 21 and after over-nighting departed to Davao.

Learjet 60 N168KS arrived at Essendon from Denpasar and Darwin on March 2 and departed the same day for Darwin.

United Technologies Corp Falcon 7X N12U arrived in Brisbane from Don Muang on February 5 and departed for Honolulu on February 7.

WRBC Transportation Falcon 7X N671WB arrived in Sydney from Honolulu on February 26 before returning to Honolulu on February 28.

TAG Aviation Spain Falcon 7X EC-LLV TGM021V arrived in Melbourne from Singapore via Sydney on February 14. EC-LLV departed Melbourne direct to the Maldives in the early hours of February 16.

Bechtel Falcon 900 N970SF arrived in Gladstone from Kuala Lumpur and Darwin on February 4.

Spanish Air Force Falcon 900 T.18-2 code 45-41, which was operating as AME4519 arrived in Melbourne from Halim and Darwin on February 14. The Falcon 900 departed Melbourne for Denpasar and Singapore on February 16. The Falcon 900 along with Falcon 7X EC-LLV carried Spanish dignitaries to Melbourne for the naming ceremony of the HMAS Canberra which was built in Spain.

Sirio Falcon 2000LX I-PBRB arrived in Melbourne from Halim on February 22 and departed for Singapore on February 26.

Radar Management Falcon 2000 N98RP arrived in Sydney from Nadi on February 26 and departed to Kingscote and Adelaide on March 4.

RBGT Embraer E-135BJ N373RB arrived in Sydney from Apia on March 4.

Legacy 600 N818HR departed Essendon for Sydney on February 1 before continuing to Hamilton Island on February 5. The Legacy 600 departed Hamilton Island for Cairns and Majuro on February 10.

Lion Group Hawker 900XP PK-LRU arrived in Sydney from Darwin on February 5 and after over-nighting continued to Canberra. PK-LRU departed Canberra for Sydney on February 7 before continuing to Darwin and Halim on February 8.

Avalon Bizjet.

The Australian International Airshow which was held at Avalon, Victoria from February 26 to March 3 attracted a number of overseas based bizjets.

Comlux Aviation ACJ319-115 9H-AVK which was operating as MLM26 arrived at Avalon on February 24 from Hong Kong and Darwin. 9H-AVK departed Avalon on February 28 for Darwin and Hong Kong.

Global 6000 N381GX registered to WCA Holdings of Missoula, Montana arrived at Avalon on February 25 from Honolulu and Sydney. N381GX departed Avalon on March 2 for Melbourne and Halim.

Falcon 7X N705FJ arrived at Avalon on February 25 from Hong Kong and Melbourne.

N705FJ departed Avalon for Essendon on March 2. N705FJ was then demonstrated from Essendon and Sydney before it departed Essendon for Halim on March 6.

Gulfstream 650 N650PH, which was the first of its type to visit the region arrived at Avalon on February 25 from Van Nuys, Honolulu, Auckland, Wellington and Melbourne. N650PH departed Avalon on March 2 for Melbourne and Sydney with demonstration flights being operated from both ports. The Gulfstream 650 departed Melbourne on March 4 direct to Abu Dhabi covering the 6,329 NM in 13 hours 5 minutes.

Gulfstream 280 N280GD which was the first of type to visit the region arrived at Avalon on February 25 from Palomar, California via Honolulu, Pago Pago and Melbourne. N280GD departed Avalon on March 3 for Essendon and after overnight continued to Seletar.

Lineage 1000 PT-TOE arrived at Avalon on February 24 from Seletar and Perth. PT-TOE departed Avalon for Melbourne on March 2 and remained there until March 5 when it continued to Seletar.

Locally-based bizjets displayed at Avalon were Jet City Learjet 45 VH-SQV from Essendon: Air Affairs Learjet 35A VH-LRX from Nowra; Melbourne Air Holdings Citation Sovereign VH-EXG from Essendon; Celijet Aviation Solutions Citation CJ-3 VH-ANE from Leeton; M & G Hopkins Sales Citation Mustang VH-KJG from Bankstown; Balmoral Air Falcon 2000EX VH-WIO from Bankstown; Wanless Environmental Eclipse 500 N580WC from Archerfield; Dos Equis Phenom 100 VH-PNM from Essendon and Marcplan Charter Legacy 600 VH-VLT from Essendon.

Also on display were the following overseas based turbine powered aircraft.

Dornier 228-212 D-CALI, which was displayed at Avalon by RUAG arrived on February 27 from Palau, Madang, Cairns and Brisbane. D-CALI departed Avalon on March 4 for Ayers Rock and Darwin and after overnighting continued to Lombok.

Raytheon T-6C N3000B arrived at Avalon on February 23 from Seletar, Denpasar, Darwin, Cairns, Amberley and Newcastle and departed on March 4 for Ayers Rock, Darwin, Denpasar and Seletar.

TBM-850 N889JG, which is based at Seletar arrived at Avalon on February 25 from Denpasar, Broome, Jandakot and Adelaide. On March 5 N889JG departed Essendon for, Bankstown, Mt Isa, Darwin and after overnighting it continued to Denpasar

Ferry Flights

AT-802A N23579 msn 492 was delivered to Ballarat on February 14 after the aircraft ferried in from Olney, Texas via Santa Maria, Honolulu, Majuro, Honiara, Gold Coast and Albury. The ferry flight from the US to Ballarat was operated by SRD Aviation of Albury. On February 21 the AT-802A was registered VH-NIP to Aerowest P/L of Palmyra, Western Australia.

GA-8 VH-NYD, which was on delivery to Milford Sound Flights, departed Latrobe Valley for Essendon and Queenstown on February 5 with the leg from Essendon to Queensland planned for 10 hours 40 mins. The GA-8 was registered ZK-MCM to Milford Sound Flights on February 27.

Kiwi Air PAC 750XL ZK-FNZ, which had been working overseas since April ’08, returned to Gisborne on February 15 from Denpasar, Broome, Mount Isa, Port Macquarie, Lord Howe Island and Auckland.

Yajasi Aviation PC-12/47 PK-UCG arrived in Cairns from Jayapura on February 25 before departing for Horn Island and Jayapura on February 28.

PA-23-250F N232KP arrived at Essendon from Wedderburn on March 1 and returned there on March 3.

PA-44-180 ZK-NAH, which was displayed at the Australian International airshow, departed Moorabbin for Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie on March 6. After overnighting the PA-44 which was on delivery to the Nelson Aviation College departed for Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Auckland and Nelson.

Heavy Metal

In this issue we report visits from an RAF Tristar and MNG Cargo Airlines A300C4-605R while on the Propliner front we record the visit of BAe ATP to Bankstown and the arrival in Darwin of a Basler BT-67 from Canada.

Sichuan Airlines A330-243 B-6518 operated its inaugural service into Melbourne from Chengdu on February 28.

MNG Cargo Airlines A300C4-605R TC-MNV, which was operating as MNB203 and used the call sign ‘Black Sea 203’, arrived in Cairns from Don Muang on October 5.

TC-MNV as flight MNB204F departed Cairns in the early hours of March 7 for Don Muang.

State of Kuwait A320-212 9K-AKD, which was operating as KAC33, arrived in Sydney from Dili on March 3. The A320-212 departed Sydney for Denpasar again as KAC33.

Antonov Airlines An-124 UR-82008 as flight ADB2336 arrived in Brisbane from the Maldives on February 4 and departed for Darwin and Battam as ASY103 on February 6.

World Airways 747-412SF N742WA which was operating as WOA8807 arrived at Newcastle from Guam on February 17 and after overnighting departed for Hickam AFB as WOA9884

Nippon Cargo Airlines 747-4KZF JA08KZ as flight NCA6089 arrived in Melbourne from Narita on February 5 and later that day departed for Incheon as NCA680.

US Air Force KC-135R 58-0123 ‘Reach 082’ arrived in Brisbane from Guam on February 17. After overnighting the KC-135R which had a McConnell tail band departed for Kadena AFB.

Monarch Airlines 757-2T7(ET) G-MONJ, operating as MON934P, arrived in Sydney from Singapore on March 4. The 757-2T7(ET), which carried ‘The Captains Choice Tour’ titles, departed Sydney for Auckland and Papeete as MON9344 on March 6.

Sands Casino Corporation 737-35B N789LS arrived in Perth from Hong Kong and Denpasar on February 16 and departed to Kota Kinabalu and Hong Kong on February 18.

Deraya Air Taxi BAe ATP PK-DGI arrived in Cairns from Timika on February 10 and after over-nighting it continued south to Bankstown for maintenance at Skyforce. PK-DGI departed Bankstown for Cairns on February and Cairns for Jayapura on February 18.

Alci Aviation DC-3/BT-67 C-FTGX, which carries Bell Geosearch Aviation titles, arrived in Darwin from Balikpapan on February 24. The BT-67 which is fitted with a MAD boom had earlier crossed the North Atlantic on February 14 from St Johns, Newfoundland to Lajes AFB in the Azores.

Royal Air Force L-1011-500 ZE705 callsign ‘Ascot 3430’ arrived in Cairns from Bandar Seri Begawan on February 1. The Tristar departed for Hickam AFB as ‘Ascot 3431’ on February 3.

US Navy C-130T 165159 callsign ‘Convoy 7008’ arrived in Darwin from Kadena on February 24 and after overnighting operated a return flight to RAAF Tindal. On March 5 the C-130T departed Darwin for Atsugi NAS as ‘Convoy 7961’.

USAF/AMC MDC KC-10A 87-0123 ‘Reach 071’, which had a Travis tail band, arrived at Brisbane from Guam on February 17 and after overnighting departed for Hickam AFB.

Avalon Heavy

USAF B-52H 61-0012/LA callsign ‘Adore 11’ arrived at Avalon from Guam on February 24. The B-52H which carried a Barksdale tail band and the name Loko departed on March 4 as ‘Bass 011’ for Guam.

USAF KC-135R 61-0315/ZZ ‘Young Tigers’ callsign ‘Reach 77’ arrived at Avalon from Darwin on February 22 and departed for Darwin on March 5 again as ‘Reach 77’.

USAF C-17A 05-5153/HH Spirit of Kamehameha callsign ‘Trek 31’ arrived at Avalon from Guam on February 19 and departed for Pago Pago again as ‘Trek 31’ on February 20. The C-17A using callsign ‘Jungl 17’ returned to Avalon on February 24 and while there took part in the flying display. 05-5153 again using the callsign ‘Jungl 17’ departed Avalon for Hickam on March 4.

USAF C-17A 05-5148/HH callsign ‘Trek 22’ arrived at Avalon from Guam on March 3 and departed to Guam on March 5 again as ‘Trek 22’.

Japan Air Self Defence Force KC-767J 87-3602 arrived at Avalon from RJNA on February 25 and departed on February 27 for Dacca.