Originair now using a Metroliner

As has been reported elsewhere [like here...], Air Freight NZ has had some restrictions placed on its Air Operators Certificate which has resulted in them being unable to operate their Jetstreams on behalf of Originair. Before anyone asks, not, I do not know what has led to this, or any other information about the situation.

The response from Originair appears to have been to contract another company, Airwork Flight Operations, to conduct its flights using an Airwork Fairchild SA227-CC Metroliner instead. This aircraft has been operating for the last week or so, but this was the first day I had been able to take any [half decent] photographs.

I'm not sure of the history of this particular aircraft, although it looks as though it might have been operated by Airwork for Origin Pacific some years ago [before Origin Pacific went belly-up] as well as being available for passenger charter and freight operations at other times.

Fairchild SA227-CC, ZK-POE, operated by Airwork Flight Operations on behalf of Originair

Another of that brightly colour Jetstar 'bus

Following on from yesterday's picture of the Jetstar aircraft, here is another of their Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF. Today is a much brighter day and the colour seem to have come out a bit better :-)

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, operated by Jetstar Airways

A Jetstar day at Wellington today

Today's photos are of some Jetstar aircraft arriving and departing Wellington today.

First up are three photos of a Jetstar-operated Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, which is in the airline's very distinct #jetstargeneration livery. Still doesn't encourage me to spend my money with them though...

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, operated by Jetstar Airways

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, operated by Jetstar Airways

Airbus A320-232, VH-VGF, operated by Jetstar Airways

Next up are photos of two of Jetstar's regional fleet, both Bombardier DHC-8-315's, VH-TQK & VH-TQM, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar.

Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQK, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar

Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQM, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar

ATR72-600

Here's one last photo from last Saturday - an ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVF, which is operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ. I'm surprised it worked out as I only grabbed the camera and switched it on as the aircraft went past... perhaps a lack of preparation could be a good thing sometimes! :-)

ATR-GIE ATR72-600, ZK-MVF, operated by Mount Cook Airline/ Air NZ

RNZAF C130 From Saturday

Another visitor I had not seen in some time was an RNZAF-operated Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7001. This aircraft arrived at Wellington on Saturday and parked at the RNZAF apron [just south of the Aero Club facility] for a short time before departing northwards.

Pictures are from the mid-afternoon start-up and departure.

Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7001, operated by the RNZAF

Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7001, operated by the RNZAF

Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7001, operated by the RNZAF

Lockheed C130H Hercules, NZ7001, operated by the RNZAF

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30

Today's visitor was this rare [one-of-type on the NZ aircraft register] Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH. This aircraft is operated as an air ambulance by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address. Despite being "one of type", three other MU-2B's were flown to New Zealand a few years ago for the RNZAF to use as non-flying instructional airframes.

This type has a fairly interesting history documented in Wikipedia... well worth the read.

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH, operated by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH, operated by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address

Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, ZK-KOH, operated by Search and Rescue Services of a Taupo address

Bye bye G550

Today's picture is a Gulfstream Aerospace G550, N801TM, departing Wellington. It appears that it was headed off overseas.

Gulfstream Aerospace G550, N801TM

Not just Aussie cricketers visiting Wellington...

Here are two Australian visitors from last Saturday. First up is the Alliance Airlines operated Fokker F50 [technically an F27 mk 50], VH-FKO, which was on one of it's now-regular Tauck Tours excursions around New Zealand.

Fokker F50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Second up is a now-familiar Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQD, which is operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar.

Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQD, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar

Robbie visits

There was a very unfamiliar visitor at the Aero Club today - unfamiliar as this type is very rarely seen in Wellington and unfamiliar because I don't know a lot about helicopters!

This aircraft is a Robinson R22 Beta, ZK-HNS, which is operated by Kapiti Aero Club. The one time I have previously seen this aircraft was at Otaki, last September.

Robinson R22 Beta, ZK-HNS, operated by Kapiti Aero Club

Robinson R22 Beta, ZK-HNS, operated by Kapiti Aero Club

Bush fire near Kingston

There was a wee bit of excitement this evening when I arrived home to see there was a bush fire a few kilometres away, burning up the side of a hill.

According to a news report, the fire may have started when hydraulic oil in a digger caught fire and injuring the driver...

Apart from a lot of smoke, there were very few flames to see from where I was [which was a reasonable distance away], but shortly after arriving home, the helicopters arrived.

From what I can tell, the first is an MBB BK117 A-3, ZK-IED, which is registered to Precision Helicopers of an Urenui [Taranaki] address. If there's anyone who can absolutely confirm this rego, please leave me a comment [I'm 99% sure it's this one]

The second helicopter is a Eurocopter EC130 B4, ZK-IDY, of the same operator. It arrived about 20 minutes later and once hooked up to a water bucket, got to work.

Here are a few pictures from the fire, the helicopters and one of some ground crew [if you look hard enough!].

More from the weekend

Here are two more photos from the weekend. First up is a Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS, which is operated by Sounds Air.

Pilatus PC12/45, ZK-PLS, operated by Sounds Air

Lastly is this Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEM, which is operated by Air Nelson [part of Air NZ].

Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEM, operated by Air Nelson/ AIr NZ

Eastern Australia Airlines/ Jetstar DHC8

I've been away for a few days, but today I got back to Wellington and captured these pictures of one of Eastern Australia Airlines operated Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQM. This is of course operating in NZ on behalf of Jetstar. This aircraft came from/ headed back to Nelson on Jetstar's new Nelson/ Wellington sector which started this weekend.

Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQM, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar

Bombardier DHC-8-315, VH-TQM, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines on behalf of Jetstar