July 2011

9H-AFL Airbus A318-112CJ Elite (cn 3363) of Comlux Aviation Group

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 11:50 on arrival from Sydney.

This Airbus Corporate Jet previously visited Perth in March 2010 during the world tour by rock band AC/DC.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-EWA Bell 412EP (cn 36312) Fire & Emergency Services Authority “RAC Rescue”, operated by CHC Helicopters.

Conducting a missed approach to Perth Airport runway 03 at 12:06. This helicopter is based at nearby Jandakot Airport and is used for rescue and air ambulance duties.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-JOZ Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (cn 208B2033) of Harvey Black Group Pty Ltd, Toowoomba, QLD

On finals to Perth Airport runway 21 at 14:10.

Harvey Black Group includes truck and agricultural machinery dealerships, commercial property investments and rural land holdings.

Photo © Keith Anderson

N600YC Embraer 135BJ Legacy 600 (cn 14501069, ex PT-SET, N975GR), registered to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest.

FIRST VISIT TO PERTH

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 15:41, arriving from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (the old Kuala Lumpur International Airport).

Photos © Keith Anderson

VH-YFE Boeing 737-81D (cn 39414/3623) of Virgin Australia (leased from AWAS).

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 16:07 as flight DJ559 from Sydney.

This aircraft was delivered in an all-white scheme to Virgin Blue on 26 April 2011, as this was just prior to the official launch of the name Virgin Australia. It is one of a few Virgin aircraft which does not yet carry a name.

Photos © Keith Anderson

RA-76952 Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD (cn 2093422743 / 94-06) of Volga-Dnepr Airlines

** FIRST VISIT **

This aircraft arrived at Perth Airport at 18:39 the previous night, as VDA6032 from Denpasar (Bali).

It is seen here departing runway 03 at 14:56 using callsign “Victor Delta Alpha 6033” to Chennai (Madras), India.

Older variants of the IL-76 with the low-bypass Soloviev D-30KP turbofans are banned from operating to Australia due to noise restrictions.

However, the IL-76TD-90VD is an Il-76TD fitted with quieter and more economical Aviadvigatel PS-90A-76 engines and a partial glass cockpit. This version was developed specially for the Russian cargo airline Volga-Dnepr. The first aircraft flew in August 2005.

RA-76952 is quite a new aircraft – it was built at the Tashkent Chkalov Aviation Factory, and was delivered in March 2010, entering service in May 2010.

Photos © Keith Anderson

B-HLR Airbus A330-343X (cn 421) of Cathay Pacific

Normally, flight CX170 to Hong Kong departs just after midnight, but due to fog at Perth Airport it made a daylight departure as flight CX170D.

It is seen here on takeoff from runway 03 at 14:29.

Photos © Keith Anderson

VH-OEJ Boeing 747-438ER (cn 32914/1331) of Qantas

Painted in special “Wunala Dreaming” colours.

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 15:47 as flight QF581 from Sydney.

In 1994, Qantas commissioned Adelaide firm Balarinji Designs to create this scheme. Aboriginal and non-aboriginal artists used designs from Northern and Central Australia, and natural colours of the Australian landscape. The ‘Wunala Dreaming’ is an aboriginal legend from the Yanyuwa people in the Gulf of Carpenteria – spirit ancestors in the form of kangaroos (Wunala) make tracks from camps to waterholes, leading the people to water and food.

The Wunala Dreaming painting was magnified 100 times to generate 2 kilometres of blotting paper. This allowed the 67 patterns to be traced onto the aircraft.

VH-OJB, a standard Boeing 747-438, was first painted in the Wunala Dreaming scheme from September 1994.
VH-OJB had previously worn the standard Qantas colourscheme before being painted in the Wunala Dreaming scheme.

With the impending delivery of Boeing 747-438ER VH-OEJ, VH-OJB was repainted in standard Qantas colours during March 2003.

VH-OEJ was first flown in July 2003 in an all-red scheme with the Qantas kangaroo on the tail ready for repainting in the full Wunala Dreaming scheme during August 2003 before being delivered to Qantas.

VH-OEJ is one of only six Boeing 747-400ER passenger aircraft built. The 747-400ER (Extended Range) was launched on 28 November 2000 by an order for six aircraft placed by Qantas, which was the only order Boeing received for the passenger version.

The -400ER can fly approximately 7,713 nautical miles (14,297 km), which is 500 miles (805 km) more than the standard -400 model. Alternatively, it can carry 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) more payload. The 747-400ER includes the option of one or two additional 3,240 US gallon body fuel tanks in the forward cargo hold.

Boeing later launched a -400ERF freighter version, which achieved 40 orders.

Photos © Les Bushell

VH-FKF Fokker 100 (cn 11365) of Alliance Airlines

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 15:01.

VH-FKF is a former US Air (later US Airways) aircraft (ex N890US), built in 1991. It was delivered to Alliance in 2005. Its registration VH-FKF was previously used by a Fokker F.28 of Ansett WA.

Alliance Airlines is based in Brisbane, Queensland, but has a hub at Perth Airport. Alliance provides FIFO (Fly In/Fly Out) services to the resources industry, aircraft charter services (long-term or ad-hoc) and aircraft leasing.

Alliance now has 13 Fokker 100s, two Fokker 70s and 6 Fokker 50s. It currently only operates Fokker 100s regularly in WA, but will soon also fly their F70s here.

The F100s are used on resources flights from Brisbane to Telfer (for Byrnecut Mining at Newcrest’s Telfer gold mine); Perth to Mount Keith and Perth to Leinster for BHP Billiton Nickel West. Alliance also flies from Perth to Karratha three times per week.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-OJN Boeing 747-438 (cn 25315/883) of Qantas, named “City of Dubbo”

Flight QF63 – enroute Sydney to Johannesberg, making a fuel stop in Perth, seen on final approach to runway 03 at Perth at 13:08.

** Note that the aircraft is carrying a spare engine, to replace the engine on another Qantas Boeing 747 that had an engine failure after leaving Johannesberg for Sydney a few days ago.

Photos © Les Bushell

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

The aircraft is wearing a Nelson Mandela Day decal on the forward fuselage.

Seen here on finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 13:40 as flight SA280 from Johannesburg.

18 July is Mandela Day – the international day devoted to public service, which is also Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

South African Airways is adding this orange-and-black logo of a silhouetted Nelson Mandela to all 58 of its aircraft, positioned on the forward fuselage near cabin doors.

Photo of the logo unveiling: CLICK HERE . Headrest covers inside the aircraft are also being changed to bear the Mandela Day logo.

Photos © Les Bushell

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

** FIRST VISIT TO PERTH **

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

Delivered to Sydney on 10 July 2011, and entered service only two days ago operating as QF402/QF429 between Sydney and Melbourne.

The aircraft arrived in Perth as flight QF475 from Melbourne at 12:30.

Seen here departing Perth at 13:51 as flight QF904 to Karratha.

Photos © Keith Anderson

B-5266 Boeing 737-7AK (BBJ) (cn 29866/408) of Deer Jet.

Parked at Bay 60 at Perth’s International Apron, it arrived from Beijing, China at 18:55 on the previous night.

** FIRST VISIT TO PERTH **

The BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) is a corporate/VIP configured version of the Boeing 737.

Deer Jet is based at Beijing and is a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines of China. It only operates charter flights, using a fleet of corporate jets.

Photo © Michael Davis

VH-YVA Boeing 737-8FE (cn 40995/3680) of Virgin Australia

To be named “Eurong Beach”, but not yet wearing this name.

The aircraft is nearly new – it was delivered to Brisbane on 30 June 2011, and entered service on 6 July 2011.

Seen here landing on Perth’s runway 21 at 16:06 as flight DJ559 from Sydney.

** FIRST VISIT TO PERTH **

Note the line of Skippers Aviation aircraft parked behind. Their aircraft are temporarily parked on taxiways H1, H2 and F whilst Skippers’ apron is being redesigned with new line markings.

Chris H advised that this is to allow for more Dash 8 power out bays. The Dash 8s will park and powerout from where the Brasilias used to park, and the Brasilias, Metro 23s and Cessna 441 Conquests will now be in front of the Skippers hangars.

Photo © Michael Davis

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

Arriving at 13:57 from Adelaide, landing on runway 21 at Perth Airport, with callsign “UNITY 885”.

We believe that this is its first visit to Perth and the second Alliance F50 to arrive in Perth for 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-RIO Raytheon Hawker 800XP (cn 258594) of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) / “Rio Tinto Life Flight”. Operated by Maroomba Airlines.

On 14 October 2009, the RFDS officially began operating this Hawker 800XP – its first jet aircraft. It is used to transport urgent care patients from around WA and the Indian Ocean Territories, cutting flight times significantly. It carries three stretcher patients and three clinical staff, and is fitted with a Lifeport PLUS specialist aeromedical interior.

Based with Maroomba Airlines at Perth Airport, it is seen here on final approach to runway 21 at 12:50.

Photo © Keith Anderson