February 2012

9M-MTB Airbus A330-323X (cn 1219) of Malaysia Airlines

On final approach to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight MH125 from Kuala Lumpur at 14:57, then departing from runway 21 as flight MH124 to Kuala Lumpur at 16:29.

From 15 February 2012, Malaysia Airlines started using their Airbus A330-323X fleet on all Perth / Kuala Lumpur services.

9M-MTB was first flown on 29 March 2011, and was delivered on 4-5 May 2011.

Photos © Keith Anderson

VH-XHS Sikorsky S-76A II (cn 760228) of Helicopter Resources.

This helicopter was operating under contract to ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions) in the Antarctic, and bears their logo on the baggage door.

The helicopters are used in Antarctica during summer (December to February) and are based at Davis.

They are used for for ice reconnaissance (to assist ship navigation through pack ice), ship to shore carriage of expeditioners and cargo, ship based support of marine science and field based operations in Antarctica as well as Heard and Macquarie Island. These helicopters support biological, glaciological, geological and operational programmes.

VH-XHS was built in 1983, and previously registered N3124L, N117BG, C-GKCH, and finally N476T.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-IDG Aerospatiale AS350BA Squirrel (cn 1762) of Helicopter Resources.

This helicopter was operating under contract to ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions) in the Antarctic, and bears their logo on the engine cowling.

The helicopters are used in Antarctica during summer (December to February) and are based at Davis.

They are used for for ice reconnaissance (to assist ship navigation through pack ice), ship to shore carriage of expeditioners and cargo, ship based support of marine science and field based operations in Antarctica as well as Heard and Macquarie Island. These helicopters support biological, glaciological, geological and operational programmes.

VH-IDG was built in 1984 and was originally delivered on 20 June 1984 to the RAAF with the military serial A22-007. It also served with the Aircraft Research and Development Unit. It was sold in 2002 and registered VH-IDG.

Photo © Matt Hayes

9M-MTC Airbus A330-323X (cn 1229) of Malaysia Airlines

On final approach to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight MH125 from Kuala Lumpur at 15:12, then departing from runway 21 as flight MH124 to Kuala Lumpur at 16:37.

From 15 February 2012, Malaysia Airlines started using their new Airbus A330-323X on all Perth / Kuala Lumpur services. Previously, Boeing 777-2H6 ER aircraft were used, with A330s being used on night time MH126/MH127 services.

9M-MTC was first flown on 17 May 2011, and was delivered on 10-11 June 2011.

Photo 1: © Michael Foss

Photos 2 – 4: © David Eyre

ZK-JTQ Boeing 737-476 (cn 24442/2372) of Alliance Airlines, leased from Airwork.

Seen taxying out as flight QQ737 to Karratha at 14:43. On the day of this photo, Perth was covered in smoke haze from bush fires in Northcliffe.

The aircraft is on a six-month wet-lease from New Zealand company Airwork, whilst Alliance conducts heavy maintenance on its Fokker 100 aircraft. It bears a small inscription just behind the forward cabin door “Operated by Airwork Flight Operations Ltd”.

The Boeing 737 is being operated on a twice daily service between Perth and Karratha, which commenced on 14 February 2012.

It is reported that after this lease, the aircraft will undergo conversion to freighter configuration to operate for Toll Priority. Airwork also operates the Toll Priority Boeing 737-300SF freighters which operate from Perth.

ZK-JTQ is no stranger to Perth. The aircraft regularly visited when owned by Australian Airlines and Qantas, registered as VH-TJQ “Bellbird” from 1992-2006.

VH-TJQ was transferred to Qantas Jetconnect in New Zealand and registered as ZK-JTQ in 2006. It operated its final revenue flight with Qantas in November 2011, and was stored at Auckland.

ZK-JTQ was registered to Airwork (NZ) on 20 December 2011, and in late January 2012, the aircraft was moved to Airwork’s hangar to prepare for its return to service. The aircraft departed Auckland on 10 February 2012 to Alliance Airlines base in Brisbane, using the callsign “Airwork 1”. The aircraft then departed Brisbane on 13 February 2012 to Perth, via Adelaide and Kalgoorlie, arriving in Perth the same day – again using the callsign ‘Airwork 1’. It entered service on the Karratha route the following day.

Photo © David Eyre

A6-EWD Boeing 777-21H LR (cn 35577/688) of Emirates

On final approach to runway 21, as flight EK420 from Dubai at 17:30.

Boeing 777-200LRs will be replaced by 777-300ERs on this service from 25 March 2012, and most are already being operated by the -300ER.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-YIE Boeing 737-8FE (cn 38708/3875) of Virgin Australia, named “Fingal Beach”

On final approach to runway 21, as flight DJ4158 from Denpasar (Bali) at 17:05.

One of the newest aircraft in the Virgin Australia fleet, this aircraft made its first flight on 12 December 2011, and was delivered to Virgin Australia on 21 December 2011.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-VYD Boeing 737-838 (cn 33992/1706) of Qantas, named “Eudunda”

Climbing from runway 21 after takeoff, as flight QF584 to Adelaide at 16:26.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-VND Airbus A320-232 (cn 3296) of Tiger Airways Australia

Climbing from runway 21 after takeoff, as flight TT185 to Melbourne at 16:35.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-VXR Boeing 737-838 (cn 33724/1340) of Qantas, named “Shepparton”

Climbing from runway 21 after takeoff, as flight QF1096 to Newman at 16:34.

Photo © David Eyre

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

Climbing from runway 21 after takeoff, as flight JQ975 to Adelaide at 15:58.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-VZX Boeing 737-838 (cn 34188/3910) of Qantas, named “Daylesford”

Climbing from runway 21 after takeoff, as flight QF718 to Canberra at 15:40.

This is Qantas’ newest Boeing 737. It made its first flight at Seattle on 17 January 2012, and was delivered to Qantas during 2-4 February 2012. It entered revenue service just 8 days before this photo on 8 February 2012, and made its first visit to Perth on 12 February 2012.

Photos © David Eyre

VH-FKJ Fokker 100 (cn 11372) of Alliance Airlines

Climbing from runway 21 after takeoff, as flight QQ806, (callsign “Unity 806”) to Leinster at 15:24.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-VUZ Boeing 737-8FE (cn 39921/3536) of Virgin Australia, named “Lennox Head”

Seen parked at Bay 19 at Terminal 3, and later climbing from runway 21 after takeoff, as flight DJ564 to Sydney at 15:20.

Photos © David Eyre

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

Seen on climbing from runway 21 at 15:13, operating flight GA725 to Denpasar (Bali) and Jakarta .

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.

Photo © David Eyre

9M-MTE Airbus A330-323X (cn 1243) of Malaysia Airlines

** FIRST REGULAR AIRBUS A330-323X SERVICE ON FLIGHT MH125/MH124 **

On final approach to runway 21 at Perth Airport as flight MH125 from Kuala Lumpur at 14:52.

As reported in our news section on 9 August 2011, Malaysia Airlines will now use the Airbus A330-323X on all Perth / Kuala Lumpur services, commencing from today (15 February 2012). Previously, Boeing 777-2H6 ER aircraft were used, with A330s being used on the night time MH126/MH127 services.

Malaysia Airlines’ final Boeing 777-2H6ER service was operated yesterday by 9M-MRD.

9M-MTE is quite new, having made its first flight on 20 July 2011 with Airbus test registration F-WWYP. It was delivered on 3-4 August 2011, flying from the Airbus factory in Toulouse to Malaysia Airlines in Kuala Lumpur.

Photos © Michael Foss

A41-210 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (cn F-239/AUS-5) of 36 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, based at RAAF Amberley, Queensland.

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth at 11:34 using callsign “AUSY405”, arriving from Amberley.

This aircraft was allocated US Air Force serial 09-0540 under the Foreign Military Sales scheme, but for some reason, the serial 11-0210 was painted on the nose prior to delivery.

The aircraft made its first flight on 9 September 2011, had its acceptance ceremony at Long Beach, California on 14 September 2011, and was delivered to 36 Squadron at Amberley on 19 September 2011. It first visited Perth on 2 October 2011.

Photos © Matt Hayes

VH-OGL Boeing 767-338ER (cn 25363/402) of Qantas, which does not carry a name on the nose.

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth as flight QF589 from Brisbane.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-FKK Fokker 100 (cn 11379) of Alliance Airlines

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth as flight QQ871 (callsign “Unity 871”) from Telfer at 11:28.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-NXD Boeing 717-23S (cn 55062/5031) of QantasLink

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth as flight QF1935 from Alice Springs at 11:22.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-VGJ Airbus A320-232 (cn 4460) of Jetstar

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth as flight JQ974 from Adelaide at 11:15.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-ZPF Embraer 190 (ERJ-190-100-IGW) (cn 19000193) of Virgin Australia (still in Virgin Blue colours), named “Maiden Brazil”

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth as flight DJ1724 from Karratha at 11:10.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-VZO Boeing 737-838 (cn 34191/3692) of Qantas, named “Bendigo”

The aircraft wears a “Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia” decal and ribbon aft of the wing.

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth as flight QF1093 from Newman at 11:06.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-VMX Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Challenger 850 (cn 7176) of Maxem Aviation (Fallbrook Pty Ltd)

On final approach to runway 21 at Perth at 14:30, arriving from Melbourne.

The Challenger 850 is based on Bombardier’s 50-seat CRJ200LR, which itself was a stretched derivative of the original Canadair CL-600 Challenger.

It is a corporate shuttle aircraft, fitted out with an executive seating configuration of 15-19 passengers, and has a range of 5,200 km at Mach 0.8.

This particular aircraft was first built as a Challenger SE (Special Edition) and test flown in 1997 as C-FMMX. It was re-registered N176SE and delivered to TAG Aviation in 1998, and they reregistered the aircraft as HB-IVU in 1999. It then became LX-GJC with Silver Arrow in 2000.

It was redesignated as a Challenger 850 in 2003, being re-registered P4-CRJ with HCX Aviation. In December 2007, it became VP-BHX with Carre Aviation, then 9H-AFU with Comlux Aviation in 2009.

It was sold to Fallbrook Pty Ltd (operated by Maxem Aviation) and registered VH-VMX on 2 May 2011. It is based locally at Perth Airport.

Photo © Ian Moy

VH-FOI AgustaWestland A119 Koala (cn 14523, ex N823VG, ZK-ITR, ZK-ITP) of Surf Life Saving WA (operated on their behalf by AVWest), named “John Roberts AO”

Surf Life Saving WA previously leased a Bell 206B JetRanger from Heliwest (VH-BIN) from late 2008 to early 2011 at a cost of $1200 per hour, and it accrued 300 flying hours in five months.

The A119 was ordered as a replacement for the JetRanger, and was originally due to be delivered in November 2011, but delivery was delayed whilst it was modified and repainted in Auckland, New Zealand by Heliflite Pacific. It was fitted with floats, a rescue winch, and first-aid equipment.

The A119 was purchased, rather than leased. It does not cost much more to operate than the earlier JetRanger, but provides the SLSWA with more operational flexibility.

It was named “John Roberts AO” at a ceremony at Fremantle Heliport on 21 December 2011 attended by WA Premier Colin Barnett and millionaire Tim Roberts, Principal of AVWest.

The A119 was named after Tim Roberts’ late father, John Roberts. John Roberts founded the major construction company Multiplex, and was a strong supporter of Surf Life Saving, and was a patron for the North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club.

Photos © Matt Hayes

VH-FLL Aerospatiale AS350B2 Squirrel (cn 3944) owned by R M Company Pty Ltd, Cottesloe, WA

This helicopter is used on beach / shark-spotting patrols around the south west of Western Australia.

Note that it now wears the Surf Life Saving WA logo on the cabin door. In Keith Anderson’s earlier photo taken on 19 November 2011 (see on this website), the helicopter did not carry the logo.

Photo © Matt Hayes

PH-ABX Fokker 100 (cn 11494) of Skywest Airlines

On final approach to runway 21 at 12:42 on the last leg of its delivery flight from the UK, using callsign “Southern Cross 1215” (as it was flown by a crew from Southern Cross International, a provider of aircraft ferrying services).

On 31 January 2012, PH-ABX took off from Norwich (UK) for its delivery flight to Australia. The route flown was Norwich (UK) – Trabzon (Turkey) – Al Ain (UAE) – Nagpur (India) – Penang (Malaysia) – Jakarta Halim (Indonesia) – Perth, arriving at 12:42 on 3 February 2012.

The aircraft has reportedly been purchased as a spares source and will not enter revenue service with Skywest.

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 12:37, arriving from Adelaide.

Photo © Les Bushell