August 2011

9M-NAA Airbus A319-115CJ (cn 2949) operated by Jet Premier One (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the Malaysian Government.

** FIRST VISIT **

The aircraft is shown on finals to runway 21 at Perth at 17:04, using callsign “NOVEMBER ROMEO 1”, arriving from Singapore-Changi. The aircraft stayed overnight.

The logo on the tail represents the Malaysian Government’s “1-Malaysia” Concept. This on-going programme was created by the Malaysian Prime Minister so that the Government and civil servants emphasise ethnic harmony, national unity, and efficient governance.

The aircraft is shown on finals to runway 21 at Perth at 17:04, using callsign “NOVEMBER ROMEO 1”, arriving from Singapore-Changi. The aircraft stayed overnight.

Originally ordered for the Royal Malaysia Air Force.
First flown on 29 Nov 2006 as D-AXVC, and delivered to the Malaysian Government (still as D-AXVC) on 12 Dec 2006. To 9M-NAA Malysian Government on 14 Aug 2007.

Photos © Les Bushell

ZK-NCJ Boeing 767-319ER [WL] (cn 26915/574) of Air New Zealand

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 17:42 as flight NZ175 from Auckland.

First flown as N6018N on 6 Apr 1995. Delivered to Air New Zealand as ZK-NCJ on 21 APR 1995. Winglets fitted Sep 2009.

Photo © Les Bushell

A6-EBK Boeing 777-31H ER (cn 34481/549) of Emirates

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 17:26 as flight EK420 from Dubai.

First flown 31 Jan 2006 as N5020K, delivered to Emirates 15 FEB 2006

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-XKJ De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q Dash 8 (cn 588) of Skippers Aviation.

Seen arriving on runway 21 at Perth at 17:22.

First flown on 30 Apr 2002 as C-GDIW. To EC-IIB Air Nostrum 9 Sep 2002. To C-GLPG Bombardier 11 July 2011. Delivered to Perth 29 July 2011 as C-GLPG. Registered 4 Aug 2011 as VH-XKJ to Skippers Aviation, entered service a few days ago.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-QQC De Havilland Canada DHC-8-102 Dash 8 (cn 008) of Maroomba Airlines (leased from Skytrans).

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 17:01, arriving from Mount Magnet.

Maroomba conducts Fly In Fly Out mining charter services, flying mine workes to mine sites in Western Australia.

Rolled out 8.2.1985 as C-GERL with DHC. Reregistered
as C-GHSY with DHC. Delivered to Metro Airlines as N801MX 25.4.1985. Went through a series of owners.
Later registered as VH-DHD, P2-NAY, VH-JSZ, and finally as VH-QQC in 2005.

Leased to Maroomba Airlines in September 2010.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-EBN Airbus A330-202 (cn 1094) of Qantas, named “Clare Valley”.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 16:55 as flight QF777 from Melbourne.

Delivered to Qantas on 23 Feb 2010.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FNP Airbus A320-231 (cn 429) of Skywest Airlines

This aircraft is on contract to FMG (Fortescue Metals Group), and flies between Perth and Cloudbreak iron ore mine (Fortescue Dave Forrest Airport), 1123 kilometres NNE of Perth.

It is believed to be the largest aircraft to be used on Fly In, Fly Out resource charter flights.

Seen here arriving on runway 21 at Perth at 16:46 from Cloudbreak.

First flown on 24 April 1993 as F-WWIZ with Airbus, it was leased to a number of airlines during its life – it became N429RX, EI-TLE, G-BYTH, D-ASSR, G-BYTH, C-GTDM, G-BYTH, C-GTDM, G-BYTH, C-GTDM, G-BYTH, C-GTDM, and G-BYTH again, before becoming VH-FNP with Skywest on 7 April 2010.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-XKI De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q Dash 8 (cn 587) of Skippers Aviation.

Seen arriving on runway 21 at Perth at 16:44 from Leonora.

Delivered to Perth on 6 June 2011 as C-GKUX – see Les Bushell’s photo below of the aircraft on its delivery flight. It entered service on 2 August 2011 as VH-XKI.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VZP Boeing 737-838 [WL] (cn 39362/3714) of Qantas, named “Whyalla”.

This is Qantas’ newest Boeing 737 – first flown 11 JUL 2011, delivered 23 JUL 2011. It first visited Perth on 9 August 2011.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 16:12 as flight QF585 from Adelaide.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GMC Boeing 737-8U3 [WL] (cn 30155/3801) of Garuda Indonesia.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 15:58 as flight GA726 from Denpasar (Bali).

First flown as N1786B on 18 OCT 09.
Delivered to Garuda as PK-GMC 3 NOV 09.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FNU Fokker 100  (cn 11373) of Skywest Airlines

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 15:54 as flight XR54 from Learmonth.

Test flown as PH-EZL – first flown 23 Dec 1991.
To USAir on 22 Jan 1992 as N839US.
To OO-TUF  Jetair-TUI Airlines Belgium  26 Mar 2005.
To VH-FNU Skywest Airlines 20 Aug 2008.

Photo © Les Bushell

HS-TEN Airbus A330-343X (cn 990) of Thai Airways International, named “Suchada”.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 15:52 as flight TG481 from Bangkok.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VUS Boeing 737-8FE [WL]  (cn 36607/3082) of Virgin Australia, named “Chitty Chitty Broome Broome”

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 15:47 as flight DJ559 from Sydney.

First flown on 27 October 2009 and delivered on 6 November 2009. This aircraft wears the old Virgin Blue colours

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-XAQ Pilatus PC-12/45 (cn 225) of Airfast Pty Ltd

Photo © Brenden Scott

This aircraft was registered a few weeks ago on 4 August 2011, but this is believed to be its first flight as VH-XAQ. The owner is locally-based.

It was built in 1998
Registered 7 September 1998 as HB-FQW with Pilatus Aircraft in Switzerland.

Registered N69FG to Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd on 4 September 1998.
Delivered to SkyTech Inc on 16 September 1998.
Delivered to R J Aviation Services Inc on 17 September 1998, and registered to them on 4 November 1998.
Registered to Pro Star Pilatus Center LLC, Londonderry, New Hampshire on 17 March 2011.
Cancelled from US register on 28 July 2011.

On 27 July 2011, still registered as N69FG, the aircraft arrived at Jandakot from Denpasar and Port Hedland on its delivery from the USA.

Registered VH-XAQ to AirFast Pty Ltd, Upper Swan, WA on 4 August 2011.

VH-EBL Airbus A330-303 (cn 976) of Qantas, named “Whitsundays”

This aircraft was originally delivered in December 2008, in normal Qantas colours. As Qantas is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, VH-EBL was repainted at Sydney in March 2009 with Oneworld titles. Qantas 747 VH-OJU also has Oneworld colours.

Seen here on finals to runway 21 at Perth as flight QF575 from Sydney.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

A6-ECP Boeing 777-36N ER (cn 37707/768) of Emirates.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight EK420 from Dubai at 17:19.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-MGC Beech 400A Beechjet (cn RK-97) of Business Aviation Solutions Pty Ltd, Wangi Wangi, NSW.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport at 16:45, arriving from Port Hedland, in the north west of Western Australia.

Photo © Les Bushell

V8-RBT Airbus A320-232 (cn 2139) of Royal Brunei

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight BI65 from Bandar Seri Bagawan (Brunei) at 16:40

Royal Brunei will soon cease operations to Perth, with the last flight operating on 29 October 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GMJ Boeing 737-8U3 [WL] (cn 30144/3249) of Garuda Indonesia.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight GA726 from Denpasar (Bali) at 16:10.

First flight 8 Apr 2010 with test registration N1786B.
To PK-GMJ 26 Apr 2010.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VGO Airbus A320-232 (cn 4356) of Jetstar

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight JQ968 from Melbourne at 15:59.

First flight 21 Jun 2010 as D-AXAV. Delivered as VH-VGO 30 Jun 2010.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GMM Boeing 737-8U3 [WL] (cn 30145/3285) of Garuda Indonesia.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight GA724 from Denpasar (Bali) at 13:46.

First flight 18 May 2010, delivered to Garuda as PK-GMM 28 May 2010.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-TJI Boeing 737-476 (cn 24434/1912) of Qantas, named “Cloncurry”.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight QF587 from Adelaide at 13:19.

Qantas is gradually withdrawing the 737-400s from its fleet, but still had 15 in service as at this date.

Note the many patches on this old aircraft, on the fuselage between the forward cabin door and the freight hold door.

First flight  29 Aug 1990.
Registered VH-TJI  Australian Airlines 10 Sep 1990.
To 9M-MLD  Malaysia Airlines  3 Oct 1990
To VH-TJI Australian Airlines 3 Oct 1992
Merged with Qantas
Leased to Air Vanuatu 11 Nov 1992 – 31 Oct 1993. Returned to Qantas.
Leased to Air Vanuatu 30 Apr 1998 – 8 Nov 2005.
Returned to Qantas.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FMG Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express (cn 9015) of AVWest, operated for FMG Air Pty Ltd

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 15:07.

FMG Air is part of the Western Australian iron ore mining company Fortescue Metals Group, which is run by Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest.

This aircraft was built in 1999, registered as C-GDXX with Bombardier. Registered in February 1999 as N700KS, it was leased to movie company Dreamworks LLC in April 2000. Reregistered in March 2003 as N708KS. Delivered in January 2004 to Jet Asia in Macau. Registered in October 2004 as HB-JEN and operated by ExecuJet Europe/Allied Air AG.

In October 2009 it was registered as N900LF and leased from 13 May 2010 to Perth-based AVWest Pty Ltd, and operated for FMG Air Pty Ltd. On 1 February 2011, the aircraft was registered as VH-FMG to FMG Air Pty Ltd, still operated by AVWest Pty Ltd.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-URR Canadair CL600-2B16 (CL-604) Challenger 604 (cn 5439) of AVWest, operated for SC Aviation.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 16:15.

This aircraft was built in 1999, and registered N600ES to Earth Star Inc, which is the corporate flight department for the Walt Disney Company. In May 2008, it was reregistered as N300ES, and then in December 2010 as N350ES.

On 14 February 2011, whilst still registered as N350ES, it arrived in Perth from Honiara on the last leg of its delivery flight from the USA. It was registered on 16 February as VH-URR to SC Aviation, operated by AVWest.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-QQE De Havilland Canada DHC-8-102 Dash 8 (cn 173) of Maroomba Airlines (leased from Skytrans).

This aircraft was delivered to Perth on 6 March 2011, replacing VH-QQA, which was returned to Skytrans.

It was originally delivered to America West as N808AW in September 1989, and later went to US Air Express as N821AX in 1993 before going to Queensland Regional Airlines (which later became Skytrans) in 2006 as VH-QQE.

Maroomba conducts Fly In Fly Out mining charter services, flying mine workes to mine sites in Western Australia.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GFD Boeing 737-8U3 (cn 40807/3337) of Garuda Indonesia.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight GA724 from Denpasar (Bali) at 13:46

This aircraft is just over a year old, having been delivered new to Garuda on 16 July 2010, on lease from RBS Leasing. It first visited Perth on 26 July 2010, shortly after delivery.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FKX Fokker 50 (cn 20312) of Alliance Airlines

Arriving at 14:27 from Adelaide, landing on runway 03 at Perth Airport, with callsign “UNITY 881”.

On its second visit to Perth – the first visit was photographed by Les Bushell on 7 July 2011 (see photo below).

This is believed to be the last of a series of Alliance Fokker 50 special charter flights.

This aircraft made its first flight on 3 October 1996 with Fokker test registration PH-JCR. Delivered as B-12276 to Formosa Airlines on 19 October 1996. Formosa Airlines merged with Mandarin Airlines in August 1999. In July 2007, it was delivered to Alliance Airlines and was registered in Australia as VH-FKX on 9 August 2007.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NXE Boeing 717-23S (cn 55063/5034) of QantasLink

Landing on runway 03 at Perth Airport at 14:39 as flight QF1923 from Ayers Rock.

This aircraft was built at Long Beach, California in August 2000, and delivered to Impulse Airlines as VH-SMH on 8 September 2000. Transferred to QantasLink but operated by Impulse on 27 May 2001. Reregistered as VH-VQE on 2 November 2002. Transferred to Jetstar on 25 May 2004. To National Jet Systems for operation on behalf of QantasLink on 1 July 2005, and reregistered as VH-NXE on 25 July 2005.

QantasLink operates 717s to the WA towns of Broome, Learmonth, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Port Hedland, Paraburdoo and Newman; and to Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VGZ Airbus A320-232 (cn 3917) of Jetstar Airways

The aircraft wears special colours to promote the surfing fashion company Quiksilver.

On finals to runway 03 at 10:10 as flight JQ986 from Sydney.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

VH-OJO Boeing 747-438 (cn 25544/ ) of Qantas, named “Toowoomba”

The aircraft has been fitted with huge decals to support the Wallabies for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The green and gold decals cover most of the side of the fuselage. The kangaroo on the tail is also now carrying a green and gold rugby ball and the QANTAS and Spirit of Australia titles have been removed. The name “Toowoomba” has been relocated to just behind the cockpit windows – it is normally on the rear fuselage.

On finals to runway 21 at Perth Airport at 13:17, operating flight QF581 from Sydney.

Photo © Les Bushell

ZS-SLD Airbus A340-212 (cn 019) of South African Airways.

Seen here on finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 13:23 as flight SA280 from Johannesburg.

18 July was Mandela Day – the international day devoted to public service, which is also Nelson Mandela’s birthday. South African Airways is adding an orange-and-black logo of a silhouetted Nelson Mandela to all 58 of its aircraft, positioned on the forward fuselage near cabin doors.

This photo shows that the starboard side is bare, so the logo is only applied to the port (left) side of the fuselage. See our photos of the port side of this same aircraft wearing the logo sticker, taken on 18 July 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-TJO Boeing 737-476 (cn 24440/2324) of Qantas, named “Lorikeet”

Note that this old 737-476 is now wearing the revised Qantas livery. The 737-400s are being replaced by 737-800s, so this seems like a waste of paint.

Seen here on final approach to Perth Airport runway 21 at 13:40.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GFN Boeing 737-86N (cn 38033/3607) of Garuda Indonesia (leased from GECAS).

Seen on finals to Perth Airport runway 21 at 13:50, operating flight GA724 from Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali).

PK-GFN is painted in a special retro colour scheme that was used by Garuda from 1969 to 1985, as detailed on the forward fuselage by the words “BRAND LOGO 1969 – 1985”. The aircraft entered service on 15 April 2011.

It first visited Perth on 22 May 2011, and Michael Davis photographed it on the ground 4 June 2011 (see below).

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-SWO Embraer 170 (cn 17000081) of Airnorth

Climbing after takeoff from Perth Airport runway 03 at 13:05.

Airnorth operates Embraer 170s between Kununurra (in the far north of Western Australia) and Perth, a 2.5 hour flight. Flight TL340 from Kununurra arrives in Perth at 12:15, and returns to Kununurra as flight TL341 at 13:00, on Saturdays and Sundays.

Built in 2005 and registered B-KXA to Hong Kong Express. Re-registered VH-SWO to the now defunct airline SkyAirWorld on 8 March 2007. It was leased to Solomon Airlines for a while in 2007, painted in a colourful blue/green/yellow colourscheme. It was based in Perth for a while after that as a back-up aircraft when National Jet (now Cobham) was undergoing some industrial action.

The E-170 was previously demonstrated to National Jet as a potential BAe 146 replacement, but they did not take up the type due to high lease costs.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-PPF Dornier 328-100 (cn 3057) of Pearl Aviation Australia /AeroRescue Pty Ltd, operated for Customs and AMSA.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 13:51.

AeroRescue is a subsidiary of Darwin-based Pearl Aviation Australia, a subsidiary of Paspaley Pearls Group – hence the “PP” in its aircraft registrations.

AeroRescue operates a fleet of five Dornier 328 turboprops with the one aircraft each based at Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane and Melbourne. The aircraft are modified for SAR (Search And Rescue) and operate under a 10-year contract to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). When not used for SAR duties, the aircraft are also used for pollution detection and by Customs / Border Protection for maritime suveillance duties, using Customs callsigns.

This aircraft first flew as D-CDXY with Dornier in Germany. Delivered 19.10.1995 as N439JS to US Air Express/ Jetstream International (renamed PSA Airlines in 11.1995). Returned to Dornier as D-CAAD, it was converted to Search and Rescue/Surveillance configuration. Registered VH-PPF Pearl Aviation / AMSA 1.8.06.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-ZPR Embraer 190AR (ERJ-190-100IGW) (cn 1900424) of Virgin Australia.

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 16:03 as flight DJ717 from Adelaide.

This aircraft was delivered on 28 March 2011 in an all-white colourscheme, as at that date Virgin Blue had not yet launched their re-branding as Virgin Australia.

It first visited Perth on 31 May 2011 in its all-white scheme (see our photos below taken on Fri 3 June 2011).

On 27 July 2011 it re-entered service in Virgin Australia livery after repainting in Sydney.

Photo © Keith Anderson

ZK-TLE Boeing 737-3S1(SF) (cn 24834/1896) of Airwork, operated for Toll Priority.

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 17:06 as flight TFR92 from Christmas Island.

Toll Priority is a freight company which includes a cargo airline managed by their Toll Air Express business unit, operating between most of the capital cities within Australia. In Western Australia, Toll uses Boeing 737-300SF freighters registered in New Zealand and leased from Airwork (New Zealand). The aircraft usually operate from the Domestic Cargo Terminal, alongside the Australian Air Express Boeing 737-300SFs. Toll also leases light aircraft and two ATR42 freighters, but these do not visit WA.

This aircraft was built in July 1990 as a passenger aircraft, leased to TACA International (El Salvador) as N371TA. It was leased to Freedom Air (New Zealand) April 1996 – April 1997, then returned to TACA.
Leased to Varig (Brazil) as PP-VPF August 1997 to May 2006, then returned to the lessor, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, as N371TA.
From June 2006, it was leased to Hemus Air in Bulgaria as LZ-HVB and transferred to Bulgaria Air on 28 May 2007.
On 3 December 2010, it was sold to Aurora Leasing as N919GF and flown Sofia (Bulgaria) to Santa Maria to Miami, for conversion from passenger to freighter configuration on 17 December 2010.

It was delivered on 18 April 2011 to Airwork in New Zealand as ZK-TLE, wearing Toll colours. It first visited Perth on 29 June 2011.

Photo © Keith Anderson