June 2011

Wed 29 Jun 2011:

HS-TEP Airbus A330-343X (cn 1035) of Thai Airways International, named “Sri Anocha”.

This aircraft was delivered in 2009 and has visited Perth many times. It is seen here on finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 15:34 as flight TG481 from Bangkok.

Thai operates daily A330-300 services from Bangkok, with three per week operating via Phuket.

Photo © Les Bushell

Wed 29 Jun 2011:

A41-206 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III (cn F166 / AUS1, US serial 06-0206) of 36 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, based at Amberley, QLD.

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 15:40, using callsign “AUSY 509”.

This was the RAAF’s first C-17 to be delivered, arriving at Canberra on 4 December 2006.

Photos © Les Bushell

Wed 29 Jun 2011:

A97-011 Lockheed C-130H Hercules (cn 382-4791) of 37 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, based at Richmond, NSW.

On finals to Perth Airport runway 03 at 15:43, using callsign “TROJAN 097”.

This C-130H was formerly operated by 36 Squadron, until they transitioned to the Boeing C-17 and moved to Amberley. 36 Squadron transferred all of its C-130H Hercules to 37 Squadron at Richmond.

37 Squadron also operates the C-130J and stretched C-130J-30.

Photo © Les Bushell

Wed 29 Jun 2011:

VH-OCS Cessna 441 Conquest (cn 4410030) of Caper Pty Ltd.

Ex N36957, (XA-LEO), D-IAAN, N4813H, N441MM.

This aircraft was built in 1978, joined the Australian register in 1990, and since then has spent most of its time in South Australia. It joined Caper Pty Ltd in 2010.

Caper Pty Ltd is based at Melbourne-Essendon and operates aircraft charter and training services.

Seen here on finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 16:06.

Photo © Les Bushell

Wed 29 Jun 2011:

VH-BZG Boeing 737-8FE (cn 37822/3355) of Virgin Australia, named “Brett’s Jet”

Brett Godfrey was the CEO of Virgin Blue, which he co-founded with Sir Richard Branson in 2000. At an official function on 5 May 2010 – the day before his last day as CEO – it was announced that the next Virgin Blue 737 delivered was to be specially registered as VH-BZG in honour of Brett and Zhara Godfrey, and named “Brett’s Jet”.

VH-BZG was delivered on 30 July 2010, and has been to Perth a number of times. It is seen here on finals to runway 03 at Perth at 16:11 as flight DJ559 from Sydney.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

ZS-SLA Airbus A340-212 (cn 008) of South African Airways.

Flight SA280 from Johannesburg, on finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 13:00.

This is one of the oldest A340s – the 8th one built.

It was Lufthansa’s first A340, delivered in January 1993 as D-AIBA. It was traded back to Airbus in January 2003 and leased to South African from April 2003.

The daily Perth/Johannesburg flight is the only Australian service operated by SAA. A mix of A340-200s, -300s and -600s are used.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-OJH Boeing 747-438 (cn 24806/807) of Qantas, named “City of Darwin”.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight QF63 from Sydney at 13:13.

This service normally flies direct Sydney to Johannesburg, but the aircraft visited Perth for a fuel stop. It had to take a longer route to Johannesburg to avoid the ash cloud created by Chile’s Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-ACE Hawker 900XP (cn HA-0049) of Remorex Pty Ltd.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 13:30.

Remorex is an entity under Australian Capital Equities (hence the registration VH-ACE), which is run by Perth-based millionaire Kerry Stokes .

VH-ACE was delivered new in 2008.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-DNK Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 (cn 9311) of Tatary Pty Ltd, believed to be operated by AVWest.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 13:42.

This aircraft was built in 2008 and was formerly registered in the Isle of Man as M-SALE, operated by Execujet Middle East.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-INU Boeing 737-3YO (cn 23684/1353) of Our Airline, named “Naoero”, which also bears small “AIR KIRIBATI” titles.

Our Airline was formerly Air Nauru and is the national airline of the central Pacific island nation of Nauru, owned by the Government of Nauru.

VH-INU has been to Perth a number of times, operating charter flights.

The aircraft left Perth the previous Saturday morning on a charter flight to Singapore with a team of basketballers. It is seen here returning to Perth from Singapore, on finals to runway 03 at 13:48 using callsign AIR NAURU 901.

Photos © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

PK-GMH Boeing 737-8U3 (cn 30142/3213) of Garuda Indonesia.

Flight GA724 from Jakarta via Denpasar (Bali) at 14:09, on finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport.

Garuda operates 737-800s three times daily to Perth from Denpasar.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-LBD Cessna 441 Conquest (cn 441-0296) of Caper Pty Ltd, operated for Outback Airlines.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport.

Caper Pty Ltd is based at Melbourne-Essendon and operates aircraft charter and training services.

This aircraft was formerly operated by Perth-based Skippers Aviation.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-VZM Boeing 737-838 (cn 34192/3644) of Qantas, named “Bathurst”.

This aircraft is one of the newest aircraft in the Qantas at the time of this photo, having been delivered on 16 May 2011, and performed its first revenue service on 21 May.

It first visited Perth on 24 May 2011.

Seen here on finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 15:19 as flight QF913 from Karratha.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-VUG Boeing 737-8FE (cn 34438/1948) of Pacific Blue, named “Jasmine Tasman”.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 15:56 as flight DJ559 from Sydney.

Pacific Blue is part of the Virgin Australia group of companies, and Pacific Blue aircraft often operate Virgin Australia domestic flights.

Prior to the Virgin Blue Airlines group being rebranded as Virgin Australia in May 2011, the airline repainted the titles on the forward fuselage to denote that Pacific Blue is an airline of Virgin Blue (now Virgin Australia).

Pacific Blue will use the Virgin Australia name by the end of 2011. All aircraft in the Virgin Australia group will wear Virgin Australia colours within the next four years, being either repainted or replaced by newer aircraft.

Photo © Les Bushell

Mon 27 Jun 2011:

VH-KTB Beech Duchess 76 (cn ME-409) of R.P.M. Management Pty Ltd, operated by Ad Astral Aviation

On finals to Perth Airport, its home base.

Photo © Les Bushell

Sun 26 June 2011:

PK-AXO Airbus A320-216 (cn 4486) of Indonesia AirAsia

Flight QZ8622 from Denpasar (Bali) on finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 12:30.

Indonesia AirAsia operates A320s four times daily between Perth and Denpasar.

Photo © Les Bushell

Sun 26 June 2011:

VH-VGU Airbus A320-232 (cn 4245) of Jetstar

Flight JQ974 from Adelaide on finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 12:33.

Photo © Les Bushell

Sun 26 June 2011:

VH-OJT Boeing 747-438 (cn 25565/1233) of Qantas, named “Fraser Island”

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight QF63 from Sydney at 13:05.

Photo © Les Bushell

Sun 26 June 2011:

VH-OJS Boeing 747-438 (cn 25564/1230) of Qantas, named “Hamilton Island”.

Wears a special colourscheme to promote the Qantas Socceroos soccer team.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight QF581 from Sydney at 13:11.

Photo © Les Bushell

Sun 26 June 2011:

VH-NJY BAE Systems Avro RJ100 (cn E3331) of Cobham Aviation Services Australia.

Executing a go around near runway 03 at Perth Airport during crew training circuits at 14:17.

Photo © Les Bushell

Fri 24 June 2011:

VH-YFF Boeing 737-8FE (cn 40994/3664) of Virgin Australia, named “Wineglass Bay”.

FIRST VISIT BY VH-YFF TO PERTH

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight DJ679 from Melbourne at 12:09.

Photo © Les Bushell

Fri 24 June 2011:

A36-002 Boeing 737-7DT (BBJ) (cn 30790/613) of 34 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (leased from GECAS), based at Fairbairn (Canberra), ACT.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 12:19.

One of two BBJs (Boeing Business Jets) operated by 34 Squadron for VIP duties, together with three Challenger 604 aircraft.

Photo © Les Bushell

Fri 24 June 2011:

VH-OJU Boeing 747-438 (cn 25566/1239) of Qantas, named “Lord Howe Island”.

In special colours to advertise the “Oneworld” airline alliance, of which Qantas is a member.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight QF63 from Sydney at 13:03.

The aircraft visited Perth for a fuel stop – it had to take a longer route to Johannesburg to avoid the ash cloud created by Chile’s Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano.

Photo © Les Bushell

Fri 24 June 2011:

VH-OJD Boeing 747-438 (cn 24481/764) of Qantas, named “City of Brisbane”.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight QF581 from Sydney at 13:24.

Boeing 747s have been operating the QF581/QF582 service between Perth and Sydney since 30 May 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

Sun 12 June 2011:

VH-VGP Airbus A320-232 (cn 4343) of Jetstar in “Powderfinger Sunsets” special markings.

Seen arriving on runway 03 as flight JQ974 from Adelaide at 13:51 (over 70 minutes late – possibly due to volcanic ash causing flight schedule issues).

The aircraft was painted in these special colours at Newcastle on 30 August 2010, for the farewell tour by Australian rock band Powderfinger.

The aircraft has visited Perth a number of times since being painted with Powderfinger markings.

Photos © Keith Anderson

Sat 11 June 2011:

VH-MXK Canadair CL-600-2A12 Challenger CL601-1A (cn 3003) of Maxem Aviation

On finals to Perth Airport, its base.

Photo © Les Bushell

Sat 11 June 2011:

VH-OEI Boeing 747-438ER (cn 32913/1330) of Qantas, named “Ceduna”

Landed at Perth Airport on runway 03 at 13:25 as flight QF63 from Sydney.

Normally, QF63 is a direct Sydney-Johannesburg flight, but due to a volcanic ash cloud advisory covering much of the Southern Ocean, the flight had to make a technical stop in Perth. The volcanic ash was from Cordón Caulle Volcano in the Andes mountain range in Chile.

The aircraft parked at Bay 55 at the International Terminal before departing to continue its journey to Johannesburg at 14:52.

Sat 11 June 2011:

VH-EJY Cessna 550 Citation II (cn 550-0141) of Corporate Aircraft Charter, Adelaide.

Seen on finals to Perth Airport.

Thu 9 June 2011:

VH-JDN Beech Baron 58 (cn TH-1020) of Singapore Flying College.

Based at nearby Jandakot, it is seen conducting missed approach training at Perth Airport.

Singapore Flying College is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines.

The college is headquartered in Singapore (with five Singapore-registered Cessna 172s) but has bases at Jandakot in WA and Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast Airport), Queensland.

The Jandakot base operates Cessna 172R Skyhawk and the Baron 58 aircraft for ab-initio training, leading to a multi-engine Commercial Pilot’s License (with Instrument Rating).

Thu 9 June 2011:

VH-LBZ Cessna 441 Conquest (cn 4410038) of Skipper Aviation

Seen on finals to its base at Perth Airport.

Thu 9 June 2011:

VH-XDB Beech 200 King Air (cn BB-533) operated by Aus West Airlines (2010) Pty Ltd for Star Aviation. Owned by Formula Aircraft Pty Ltd

This aircraft is based at Perth Airport, and was formerly operated by Network Aviation.

On finals to Perth Airport.

Thu 9 June 2011:

VH-DTF Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (cn 31-7852159) of Air Phoenix International, operated by Star Aviation.

Thu 9 June 2011:

VH-BEB Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (cn 31-41) of Casair

This Navajo is an early production example, having been built in 1967.

Casair (Complete Aviation Services) was formed in 1992 and is based at Perth Airport. It conducts FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) operations for resources companies, freight and charter flights. Scheduled FIFO flights include Fortnum Gold Mine (near Meekatharra) and Balfour Downs Mine (East Pilbara, between Newman and Woodie Woodie).

Wed 8 June 2011:

VH-XFX De Havilland Canada DHC-8-314 Dash 8 (cn 313) of Skippers Aviation.

This aircraft wears the newer-style Skippers Aviation titles, which feature title “Skippers” on the rear fuselage.

Wed 8 June 2011:

VH-XFU DeHavilland Canada DHC-8-102 Dash 8 (cn 151) of Skippers Aviation.

This aircraft wears the old-style Skippers Aviation titles. The airline now uses the title “Skippers” on the rear fuselage.

Mon 6 June 2011:

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

Seen arriving on runway 21 at Perth at 15:45 in full Skippers Aviation livery on its delivery flight from Toronto (Canada) via Grand Rapids (Michigan, USA), Concord (California), Honolulu (Hawaii), Majuro (Marshall Islands) and Cairns.

The aircraft was originally delivered to Air Nostrum (Iberia Regional) in Spain as EC-IIA on 30 September 2002, named “Palmera”.

During 7-11 April 2011, it was ferried across the Atlantic on return to Bombardier and allocated with this Canadian registration.

It was later added to the Australian register as VH-XKI.

Sat 4 June 2011:

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

Seen at the International Terminal at Perth Airport at 16:02, operating flight GA726 from Denpasar (Bali), parking at Bay 53. The third photo shows the aircraft departing at 17:09 as flight GA729 back to Denpasar.

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 is only a couple of months old, having entered service on 15 April 2011.

This was its second visit to Perth – it first visited on 22 May 2011.

Fri 3 June 2011 (& airborne photos taken 6 June):

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

The 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.

VH-ZPR first visited Perth on 31 May 2011.