Another Alliance Fokker at Wellington

Another Alliance Alines-operated Fokker F28-0070 [F70], VH-QQX, arrived at Wellington recently. It is rather unusual to have any Fokkers at Wellington these days, so to have two of them on the ground at Wellington from one airline is very unusual.

The aircraft was parked in front of the Execujet hanger and appeared to be having a service of some sort.

Fokker F70, VH-QQX, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker F70, VH-QQX, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker 70 [F-28-0070] at Wellington

Parked up at Wellington this afternoon was a Fokker 70 [F-28-0070], VH-NKU, which is operated by Alliance Airlines. I understand that this is undertaking the Tauck Tours flights in New Zealand, at least for the next few months.

Fokker 70, VH-NKU, operated by Alliance Airlines

A Fokker last Saturday

Spotted at Wellington in the sunshine last Saturday was this Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, which is operated by Alliance Airlines of a Queensland, Australia address. This aircraft is used in New Zealand on behalf of a tour company.

This was the same aircraft that had an engine fire at Auckland Airport recently, so they have repaired it nice and quick. Nice to see an almost vintage aircraft being used in this way :-)

Fokker F27 Mk50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F27 Mk 50

Here's a picture of the Alliance Airlines-operated Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, which is flying tourists around the country. It's parked outside the aero club and about to depart.

Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker F27 Mk 50 and an all black DHC8

It looks like Alliance Airlines from Australia are back in New Zealand undertaking one of their tours. As usual, the aircraft is a Fokker F27 Mk50, VH-FKO. Here it is departing Wellington this morning.

Fokker F27 Mk50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Next up is an Air Nelson operated Bombardier DHC-8-311, ZK-NEM. This aircraft has recently returned from Australia where it was repainted into this [almost] all black livery. Air NZ now have one of every type they operate in an all black livery except for the B777-200's.

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

Fokker F50

Yesterday's photo from Wellington airport is this Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO. This aircraft is operated by Alliance Airlines [of Australia] and is on one of their regular tours of New Zealand.

Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker F50

The following picture is of a Fokker F50, VH-FKO, which is operated by an Australian airline called Alliance Airlines. This aircraft will likely have been on another charter for Tauck Tours.

Fokker F50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Alliance and Paraparaumu

First up from today is a picture from the semi-regular Alliance Airlines-operated Fokker F27-500/ F50, VH-FKO. As usual, this is operated on behalf of Tauck Tours.

Fokker F27-500, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines, on behalf of Tauck Tours

This afternoon however, rather than just photograph planes, I went for a flight to Paraparaumu [NZPP]. This was for the purpose of undertaking some circuits at an uncontrolled [and less conjested] aerodrome. It's a quick flight to Paraparaumu [about 15-20 minutes each way] which left plenty of times for circuits. Fun times and despite not having flown for about 6 weeks, I don't think I managed to embarrass myself at all :-)

Another reason for the flight was to test my new headset. I have gone cheap and purchased a Pilot Communications PA18-50 ANR headset. Initial impressions are that the passive noise reduction is basic but usable, and the ANR probably makes it somewhere between a good passive and a good ANR headset. Not bad though for the price I paid.

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

Alliance Fokker F50

It looks like the first Tauck Tours visit to Wellington for 2016 is underway with the visit of the Alliance Airlines-operated Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO.

Clearly the weather has also turned to rubbish again [although only for a few days] with rain pouring down, although there's little wind and it's still quite warm, so high humidity. Urrggghhhh. Anyway, here are the photos.

Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker F27 Mk 50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Alliance Fokker F50

I captured some interesting photos this weekend [and given it's a long weekend, maybe tomorrow also], including the departure of the Alliance Airlines operated Fokker F50, VH-FKO.

This aircraft is in the middle of a Tauck Tours tours of New Zealand and aside from it's several-times-a-year visits to New Zealand, it is resident in Australia. It must be expensive to position it from Australia [I'm not sure they have pax on the positioning flights - does anyone know for sure??]
but it must be worthwhile, wince it replaced a local aircraft from earlier this year.

The light wasn't great for the photos [ok, the light was fine, I wasn't in the best position!], but beggars can't be choosers, and neither can I :-)

Fokker F50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker F50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Fokker F50, VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines

Some visitors

Today's aircraft photos consist of a homebuilt aircraft, an air ambulance and two airliners.

 Vans RV12, ZK-JRV is registered to a North Shore address.

Fairchild SA227-AC Metroliner, ZK-POB, is registered to Airwork Flight Operations of Auckland and is operated as an air ambulance.

ATR-GIE ATR72-212A, ZK-MVD, is one of Mount Cook Airline's new ATR72-600's

Fokker F27 Mk 50 [aka F50], VH-FKO is registered to Alliance Airlines, and as previously reported has the contract for Tauck Tours flights in New Zealand.

Alliance Fokker F50 arrives in Wellington

A first-of-type arrival for Wellington today was a Fokker F27 Mk 50 [known as the F50], VH-FKO, operated by Alliance Airlines.

This aircraft is operating the Tauck Tours flights within New Zealand, replacing the Air Chathams 440/580 Convairs which have done these tours for a number of years.

As it's F27 Mk50 type code suggests, this F50 is a development of the Fokker F27-500 Friendship. Wikipedia contains a reasonable description of the development and changes, if you are interested.

It appears that Alliance will be operating these flights for up to the next three years [to be confirmed]. I suppose it could be argued that Tauck Tours have gone from one example of 1950's technology to another example [since both the original 340 Metropolitan and the original F27 Friendship are from the 1950's]. It is a pity that another NZ company has lost out on domestic charter work, but that is life.

Anyway, here are the photos. Enjoy!