March 2012

N851CB Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream G-450 (G.IV-X) (cn 4132) owned by Pleasant Aircraft Leasing LLC, Newbury, California, USA,

FIRST VISIT TO PERTH

This aircraft is offered for charter by Clay Lacy Aviation interior photos – click HERE.

Arriving at 13:56 on runway 21 at Perth Airport after a flight from Adelaide.

It arrived in Adelaide on 29 March from Melbourne, and departed Adelaide on 31 March at 13:30 (Adelaide time), and landed in Perth at 13:56 (Perth time), so even though the flight from Adelaide would have taken over 2.3 hours, they only lost 26 minutes due to chasing the sun through two timezones.

This aircraft was test flown as N532GA and delivered to Pleasant Aircraft leasing on 4 November 2008.

It can carry up to 14 passengers over a range of over 8,000 km.

Photo © Keith Anderson

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

Arriving on runway 03 at 10:34 as flight QQ732 from Karratha.

The aircraft is on a six-month wet-lease from New Zealand company Airwork, whilst Alliance conducts heavy maintenance on its Fokker 100 aircraft. The Boeing 737 is 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 © Les Bushell

VH-XFA Airbus A330-243 (cn 365) of Virgin Australia, named “Cottesloe Beach”

Arriving on runway 03 at 10:17 as flight DJ553 from Sydney.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-YAE British Aerospace 146-200A (cn E2107) of Cobham Aviation Services Australia

Arriving from Murrin Murrin on Perth Airport’s runway 03 at 10:10.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-ZEC Eurocopter EC135P2+ (EC135P2i) (cn 0799) of Azure Helicopters

Built in 2009. Test flown by Eurocopter as D-HECP, and registered in Australia on 16 November 2009 as VH-ZEC.

** Special thanks to the friendly people at Azure Helicopters for granting permission to take these photos.**

Azure Helicopters conducts VIP and private helicopter charter services, and is also the only Eurocopter Approved Maintenance Service Centre in Western Australia.

The EC135 was derived from the German MBB Bo-108 prototype which first flew in 1988 with a conventional tail rotor.

In 1992, the design was modified to include a fenestron (shrouded tail rotor) following the merger of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) and Aérospatiale to form Eurocopter. It was produced under the Eurocopter designator EC135, entering service in 1996.

Like the BK117 and EC145, the EC135 is equipped with rear clamshell doors, which make the type capable of loading lengthy items from the back, including stretchers, making the type popular with air ambulance and police operators.

The EC135P2+ is the latest version, powered by two 498 kW (667 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 engines, plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component time between overhaul (TBOs), and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil.[7] Built in Germany and Spain.

Photos © David Eyre

VH-VOK Boeing 737-8FE (cn 33758/1359) of Virgin Australia, named “Johanna Beach”

Taking off from runway 21 at 8:17am as flight DJ680 to Melbourne.

This aircraft was originally delivered to Virgin Blue in August 2003 and named “Smoochy Maroochy”.

It was repainted at Christchurch, New Zealand during January 2012 in the Virgin Australia colours, and renamed “Johanna Beach”.

Photo © David Eyre

PK-GMQ Boeing 737-8U3 (cn 30149/3405) of Garuda Indonesia

Taking off from runway 21 at 7:45am as flight GA727 to Denpasar (Bali).

Photo © David Eyre

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.

Taking off from runway 21 at Perth at 6:45am to Cloudbreak.

Note that it has a grey engine cowling on the right hand engine.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-NHV Fokker 100 (cn 11482) of Network Aviation

Climbing away after takeoff from runway 21 at 6:41am on a flight to the airport at Nifty mine, 1267 km NNE of Perth.

This aircraft previously served with American Airlines and then Avianca (Colombia) before being one of ten ex-Avianca Fokker 100s recently sold to Network Aviation. Following refurbishment and upgrades in the Netherlands, the aircraft was delivered to Perth on 26 February 2012 as VH-NHV.

ex PH-EZE ntu, PH-JCC, N1462C, HK-4420-X, HK-4420, PH-ZFW

Photo © David Eyre

VH-DUW / 9 Air Tractor AT-802A (cn 802A-0328) of Mal Dunn Pty Ltd.

Used for fire fighting.

Built in 2009. Ex EC-LCJ. It was registered on 25 Jan 2012 and arrived in Jandakot from Colombo (Sri Lanka), Cocos Islands, and Perth Airport on 7 Feb 2012.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-DUJ / 7 Air Tractor AT-802 (cn 802-0237) of Aerowest Pty Ltd

Used for fire fighting.

Built in 2006. Ex N8517Q, EC-JVC.

Photo © Les Bushell

This photo was taken from a Thai Airways International Airbus A330-300 landing on runway 21 at Perth.

Most of the aircraft visible in this photo are operated for the mining and petroleum companies on Fly In, Fly Out (FIFO) contracts, flying workers to and from various airstrips and airports across Western Australia.

As the majority of this work takes place on weekdays, the aircraft spend their weekends on the ground.

Visible are aircraft of Maroomba Airlines, Skippers Aviation, Cobham Aviation, Network Aviation and Skywest Airlines.

Business jets are also visible near AVWest, and Squirrel helicopters used for firefighting are visible at Helicopters Australia.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

N733HL Boeing 737-229 Advanced (cn 21176/431) owned by Red Cloud Assets LLC, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA (formerly owned by OzJet Airlines)

This aircraft was originally ordered by the Belgian airline Sabena, and first flown on 30 September 1975 as N8277V. It was delivered to Sabena as OO-SDN in December 1975. It was occasionally leased to Gulf Air, Air Gabon, Malaysia Airlines (registered as 9M-MBP), before returning to Sabena as OO-SDN. After leases to Sobelair, it was sold to European Airways in the UK, but leased back by Sabena for another couple of years, operating its final Sabena service on 30 November 2000.

In March 2001, it was registered G-CEAI to European Aircharter, and delivered to them in May 2001.

In 2005, it was painted in full Ozjet livery as G-CEAI and delivered to OzJet on 22 Feb 2005. In March 2005, it flew promotional flights within Australia, whilst awaiting OzJet’s Air Operator Certificate.It was registered VH-OZU on 26 Oct 2005. On 29 Dec 2005, it operated OzJet’s first revenue service in Australia, flying from Melbourne-Sydney as flight O7 004. OzJet later began operating services from Perth to Derby (RAAF Curtin), and Perth to Denpasar (Bali). In 2008, Ozjet Airlines was purchased by Heavy Lift Cargo Airlines Pty Ltd, and continued to operate.

On 20 May 2009, Ozjet Airlines ceased operations and
VH-OZU was stored at Perth (parked on the Terminal WA apron), and has never flown since.

The aircraft was registered N733HL in July 2009 and put up for sale. It is no longer considered airworthy and its US registration expired on 30 September 2011.

Perth Airport will be seeking the owners to remove the aircraft, or it may be disposed of. AAWA has proposed that some or all of this aircraft or sistership N737HL (which is also parked at Perth) could be preserved.

This photo was taken from a Thai A330 taxying to the International Terminal after arriving from Bangkok.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

VH-INU Boeing 737-3YO (cn 23684/1353) of Our Airline, named “Naoero”

This aircraft is reportedly being cross-hired by Skywest Airlines to operate the service to Derby-Curtin, which was formerly operated by Air Australia until its collapse.

Note that the aircraft no longer wears “AIR KIRIBATI” titles on the forward fuselage – see Les Bushell’s photo on AviationWA taken on 27 June 2011.

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.

Parked on the Terminal WA apron – note that Terminal WA is under construction in the background. This photo was taken from a Thai A330 taxying to the International Terminal after arriving from Bangkok.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

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

The aircraft is on a six-month wet-lease from New Zealand company Airwork, whilst Alliance conducts heavy maintenance on its Fokker 100 aircraft.

The Boeing 737 is 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.

Parked on the Terminal WA apron – note that Terminal WA is under construction in the background. This photo was taken from a Thai A330 taxying to the International Terminal after arriving from Bangkok.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

Left to right:

VH-INU Boeing 737-3YO (cn 23684/1353) of Our Airline, named “Naoero”. Reportedly being cross-hired by Skywest Airlines to operate the service to Derby-Curtin, which was formerly operated by Air Australia until its collapse.

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

VH-YQB Airbus A320-212 (cn 279) of Air Australia. This operated their final WA service between Perth and Derby (Curtin) on 15 February 2012, and has been parked at Perth since the airline ceased operations on 17 February 2012.

This photo of the aircraft parked on the Terminal WA apron was taken from a Thai A330 taxying to the International Terminal after arriving from Bangkok.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

N235DX Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (GV-SP) (cn 5345) owned by EWS II LLC, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, USA (operated by Corporate Air LLC)

** FIRST VISIT **

This G550 arrived direct from Bahrain, just before midnight on 24 March 2012, and departed on 27 March 2012 direct to Bora Bora.

The aircraft was first registered on 1 December 2010 as N954GA with the manufacturer, Gulfstream Aerospace.

On 19 December 2011, N954GA was registered to Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc, a large sporting and golf retail chain in the USA, which is majority owned by CEO Edward W Stack.

The next day, it was registered to another company owned by Edward W Stack, EWS II LLC (EWS being his initials).

Corporate Air leases the aircraft from EWS II LLC, and operates and maintains the aircraft. Corporate Air charters the aircraft to Dick’s Sporting Goods and other companies

On 13 January 2012, the aircraft was re-registered as N235DX (DX for Dick’s Sporting Goods) to EWS II LLC.

This photo was taken from a Thai A330 taxying to the International Terminal after arriving from Bangkok.

Photo © Steve Jaksic

VH-YLV Beech Bonanza A36 (cn E-3375) owned by Valeriver Pty Ltd, of Newdegate, WA.

Built in 2001. Ex N336P, N336AB.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-YFD Cessna 441 Conquest II (cn 4410157) of Fugro Spatial Solutions Pty Ltd

Built in 1980. Ex N2629Y, N51LR.

This aircraft was formerly operated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations), and based at Jandakot from November 1990 to January 2002 when it was sold.

It is now used for aerial survey work by Fugro.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-XAT Beech A65 Queen Air (Excalibur conversion) (cn LC-327) of St George Finance Ltd

Built in 1969. Ex N7872R, XB-GLR, N1118R, (N124AC), N277JB, N277SH.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-VVW Robinson R44 Clipper II (cn 11856) owned by Robert Kent, of Esperance, WA

Photo © David Eyre

VH-STB Cessna 210M Centurion II (cn 21062771) of Ozshore Pty Ltd

Built in 1978. Ex N6467B.

This aircraft is undergoing an extensive overhaul. It was formerly owned by Slingair, whose name is still showing on the rear fuselage.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-SSM Swearingen SA-226T Merlin III (cn T204) of Winrye Aviation Pty Ltd, Condell Park, NSW

Built in 1970. Ex N828C, N400CC, N486DC, N224BA, N224SB, VH-EGC.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-RLO Robinson R22 Beta II (cn 4396) of Heysen Gums Pty Ltd / Rotorvation Helicopters

Built in 2008.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-PWW Piper PA-28R-180 Cherokee Arrow (cn 28R-30540) of Richard Schaffner, South Bunbury, WA

Built in 1968.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-LVG Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B (cn 11551) of Alexandros Karatamoglou, South Bunbury, WA

Built in 1979. Ex (N81599), N690AG, N87TC, N431JS,
XA-RPY, (N692T), N358HF, N253JM.

The owner-pilot flew the aircraft out to Australia himself in 2008, without needing special ferry fuel tanks. Route flown was Apopka (Florida) – Boston – Goose Bay (Canada) – Greenland – Keflavik (Iceland) – Wick (Scotland) -Cambridge (England) – Zagreb (Croatia) – Crete (Greece) – Amman (Jordan) – Bahrain – Oman – Mumbai (India) – Colombo (Sri Lanka) – Medan (Indonesia) – Surabaya (Indonesia) – Port Hedland – Perth. The flight took 60 hours, spread over 8 days.

Alex Karatamoglou is Chief Pilot and Chief Flying Instructor for the Bunbury Aero Club.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-LFD Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel (cn 2627) of Rotorco Pty Ltd, Albany Creek, QLD /
Leading Edge Helicopters

Built in 1992, ex I-GLTS.

This company specialises in powerline construction and maintenance, and this Squirrel appears to have some of this equipment fitted under the fuselage and on the skid.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-IXN Extra EA-330LX (cn LC-007) of Awesome Asset Securities Pty Ltd

This aircraft was built in 2011, and registered on 13 December 2011.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-HUG Beech G58 Baron (cn TH-2179) of Capital Finance Australia Ltd, operated by Singapore Flying College

Built in 2007. Ex N73239, VH-XDD

The G58 version of the popular Beechcraft Baron is equipped with Garmin G1000 glass cockpit avionics. They are also expensive, costing nearly $1 million new.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-FTV Bell 212 (cn 31183) of Heliwest

Built in 1981. Ex A6-BBU, EC-HVK, A6-BBU, EC-HDJ,
A6-BBU, EC-HMX, A6-BBU.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-FIB Cessna A185F Skywagon (cn 18502431) of Adamson Holdings Pty Ltd of Geraldton, WA /
Midwest Aero Medical

Note the artwork on the tail, featuring a nurse with a kangaroo which has a bandaged tail, and the stars of the Southern Cross.

Built 1974. Ex N1709R, ZK-DPH, VH-XAV.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-FGQ Cessna 208 Caravan I (cn 20800251) of Fugro Airborne Surveys

Built in 1996. Ex N1251V, C-GFAV.

Used for geophysical survey work, and fitted with a magnetometer “stinger” at the tail.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-DTF Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (cn 31-7852159) of Air Phoenix International Pty Ltd, with Star Aviation titles on the tail.

Built in 1978. Ex N27804, F-GERQ, F-OHAS.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-CYU Vans RV-7A (cn 72136) of Shelley Heinrich

Built in 2010.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-CVI / 644 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (cn 495-2007) owned by the WA Department of Environment and Conservation

Built in 2007.

The Department of Environment and Conservation uses a fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA.

They are based at Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup, and fly across areas set each day according to the forecast fire weather conditions.

The aircraft fly more hours during the hotter months (around 3,500 hours) due to the increased fire risk.

They also supervise waterbombing operations in the south-west, relaying information to fire controllers regarding the fire’s behaviour to assist in firefighting and ensuring the safety of fire crews.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-AVF Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (cn 31-7852118) of Formula Aircraft Pty Ltd

Built in 1978. Ex N27718, N10CB, ZK-PAI.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-ANX Beech Bonanza A36 (cn E-1675) of Dorkhom Nominees Pty Ltd, Bunbury, WA

Built in 1980. Ex N6724S

Photo © David Eyre

VH-AFN Fletcher FU-24-950 (cn 224) of Acraman Holdings Pty Ltd, Armidale, NSW

Built in 1979. Ex ZK-EGB

Used for geophysical survey work, and fitted with a magnetometer “stinger” at the tail.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-NNV / 5432024 Nanchang CJ-6A (cn 5432024) of Ian Gonsal, operated by Fighter Combat International.

Built in 1992, ex 5432024 PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force – Chinese Air Force), first registered in Australia on 16.2.2005 as VH-NNV.

Behind is:

VH-FCE Nanchang CJ-6A (cn 3932014) of Fighter Combat International

Built in 1983, ex 3932014 PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force – Chinese Air Force). First registered in Australia on 7 June 2004 as VH-NNO, reregistered 27 August 2004 as VH-FCE.

Fighter Combat International Pty Ltd (FCI) is based at Jandakot Airport and was founded in 2003 by pilots Darius Pavri and Drew Searle (an ex-RAAF QFI). All of their other pilots have a military background. FCI conducts a variety of activities with its warbird aircraft, including participating and organising air displays (Drew Searle was Race Director for the Red Bull Air Race), but its main activity is combat adventure flights for paying members of the public.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-NNV / 5432024 Nanchang CJ-6A (cn 5432024) of Ian Gonsal, operated by Fighter Combat International.

Built in 1992, ex 5432024 PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force – Chinese Air Force), first registered in Australia on 16.2.2005 as VH-NNV.

Fighter Combat International Pty Ltd (FCI) is based at Jandakot Airport and was founded in 2003 by pilots Darius Pavri and Drew Searle (an ex-RAAF QFI). All of their other pilots have a military background. FCI conducts a variety of activities with its warbird aircraft, including participating and organising air displays (Drew Searle was Race Director for the Red Bull Air Race), but its main activity is combat adventure flights for paying members of the public.

The Nanchang CJ-6A is a Chinese version of the Yakovlev Yak-18A basic trainer, and over 2,000 CJ-6 aircraft are estimated to have been built.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-TWA Extra EA300L (cn 122) of Fighter Combat International Pty Ltd / Attitude Aerobatics.

Built 2000, and registered as VH-TWA on 18 Jan 2007. Ex N97KS.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-FGA / 526 Fouga CM-170 Magister (cn 526) of Fighter Combat International Pty Ltd

Built in 1967, this jet trainer aircraft served with the French Air Force (Armee de l’Air) with serial 526.

In 1982 it served with GI 313 at Aulnat with code letters 313-CI (PHOTO HERE). It also served at some time with the 5th Fighter Wing at Orange-Caritat.

It was then sold in the USA and registered on 10 June 2002 as N526FM of Warbirds of the Past Inc. It was refurbished and painted in French Navy (Aeronavale) markings.

On 10 February 2006 it was registered as VH-FGA to Wildcrowd Enterprises Pty Ltd, operated by Fighter Combat International Pty Ltd.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-FGN Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8TC-320 Airvan (cn GA8-03-025) of OzWest Aviation

Built in 2002 as a standard GA-8 Airvan, registered VH-FGN on 4 Dec 2002.

It previously appeared at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in 2007 in MAF colours – possibly for promotional purposes.

It was converted in November 2006 to become the prototype turbocharged Airvan. The engine was changed from a Lycoming TIO-540 to a Lycoming IO-540-AH1A5.

The turbocharged Airvan was certified in February 2009, then displayed at 2009 Avalon air show in March 2009.

Registered to OzWest Aviation and operated by Air Australia International Pty Ltd from 12 January 2010. Operated by OzWest Aviation from 12 April 2010.

Photo © 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.

It was previously photographed on 16 February 2012 at Jandakot by AAWA photographer Matt Hayes.

Photo © Keith Anderson

A23-003 Pilatus PC-9/A (cn 503) of 2 Flying Training School (2FTS), based at RAAF Pearce, north of Perth.

2FTS PC-9s often fly to regional airports for flight training and navigational exercises.

A23-003 was the first PC-9/A to be assembled under licence in Australia by Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown, NSW. The first two PC-9s (A23-001 and A23-002) were assembled by Pilatus in Switzerland and flown to Australia.

Photo © Matt Hayes

A23-017 Pilatus PC-9/A (cn 517) of 2 Flying Training School (2FTS), based at RAAF Pearce, north of Perth.

2FTS PC-9s often fly to regional airports for flight training and navigational exercises.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-NIA / 606 / 6 Air Tractor AT-802A
(cn 802A-0148, built in 2004, ex C-GSJB)
Dunn Aviation Pty Ltd

VH-NIN / 603 / 3 Air Tractor AT-802
(cn 802-0211, built in 2005, ex EC-JKF)
Dunn Aviation Pty Ltd

These two aircraft are used for fire fighting.

The AT-802 (VH-NIN) is a two-seat aircraft, whereas the AT-802A (VH-NIA) is a single seater.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-MQZ Beech B200 King Air (cn BB-1961) of Nantay Pty Ltd (leased from GE Commercial Australasia Pty Ltd), operated by Maroomba Airlines.

This aircraft is usually operated for the State Government of Western Australia.

Built 2006, ex N74061.
First regd 11 Dec 2006 to Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd
On 9 Jan 2007 it was registered to Nantay Pty Ltd (leased from GE Commercial Australasia Pty Ltd)

Photo © Matt Hayes

ZK-OKC Boeing 777-219ER (cn 34377/546) of Air New Zealand

Arriving on runway 03 at 16:46 as flight NZ175 from Auckland.

This service is normally operated by the Boeing 767-319ER (WL).

Photo © Michael Foss

VH-FNT Fokker 100 (cn 11461) of Skywest

Landing on runway 03 at 14:45

Note that the air brakes at the tail and the spoilers and flaps on the wing are deployed.

In the background parked on the Terminal WA apron at the far left is:
N227GV Embraer Lineage 1000 (ERJ-190-100 ECJ) (cn 19000159, ex PP-XTF) of Al Jaber Aviation (leased from Bank of Utah).
This near-new executive jet aircraft arrived the previous afternoon (22 March 2012) from Singapore, and departed on the morning of 24 March 2012 to Geraldton and Darwin.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FGA / 526 Fouga CM-170 Magister (cn 526) of Fighter Combat International Pty Ltd

Built in 1967, this jet trainer aircraft served with the French Air Force (Armee de l’Air) with serial 526.

In 1982 it served with GI 313 at Aulnat with code letters 313-CI (PHOTO HERE). It also served at some time with the 5th Fighter Wing at Orange-Caritat.

It was then sold in the USA and registered on 10 June 2002 as N526FM of Warbirds of the Past Inc. It was refurbished and painted in French Navy (Aeronavale) markings.

On 10 February 2006 it was registered as VH-FGA to Wildcrowd Enterprises Pty Ltd, operated by Fighter Combat International Pty Ltd.

Photo © Matt Hayes

HS-TEQ Airbus A330-343X (cn 1037) of Thai International, named “Si Ayutthaya”

Arriving on runway 21 at 15:45 as flight TG481 from Bangkok.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GMN Boeing 737-8U3 [WL] (cn 30146/3303) of Garuda Indonesia

Arriving on runway 21 at 15:38 as flight GA726 from Denpasar (Bali).

Photo © Les Bushell

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

On finals to runway 21 at Perth at 14:47.

Photo © Les Bushell

9V-SQK Boeing 777-212ER (cn 33368/428) of Singapore Airlines

Arriving on runway 21 at 14:13 as flight SQ223 from Singapore.

Photo © Les Bushell

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

This 22 year old Boeing 747 is regularly used on the Sydney-Perth-Sydney domestic service.

Taking off runway 21 at 13:50, returning to Sydney as flight QF582.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-YFG Boeing 737-8FE [WL] (cn 40999/3941) of Virgin Australia, named “Hanson Bay”

Taking off runway 21 at 13:23 as flight DJ688 to Melbourne.

This aircraft is very new, having made its first flight on 10 February 2012, and was delivered to Virgin Australia on 27 February 2012, and entered service on 7 March 2012, and operated to Perth for the first time on 9 March 2012.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VUF Boeing 737-8FE [WL] (cn 34168/1697) of Virgin Australia, named “Hobart Honey”

Wearing a non-standard red nose cone.

The aircraft was repainted from the old Virgin Blue livery to the new Virgin Australia livery – with a white nose – from 16 November to 6 December 2011.

Sometime during February 2012, it acquired this red nose – believed to be a replacement nose cone painted in the old Virgin Blue red colour.

Arriving on runway 03 at 17:04 as flight DJ4158 from Denpasar (Bali).

Photos © Les Bushell

9M-MTD Airbus A330-323X (cn 1234) of Malaysia Airlines

Seen arriving on runway 03 at 15:10 as flight MH125 from Kuala Lumpur, and later departing on runway 03 at 16:46 as flight MH124 back to Kuala Lumpur.

Photos © Les Bushell

PK-GFT Boeing 737-86N [WL] (cn 38032/3869) of Garuda Indonesia (leased from GECAS)

Arriving on runway 03 at 15:54 as flight GA726 from Denpasar (Bali).

This aircraft is one of Garuda’s newest, having made its first flight on 2 December 2011, and was delivered to Garuda on 16 December 2011.

It made its first visit to Perth a couple of days prior to this photo.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VZW Boeing 737-838 [WL] (cn 39359/3861) of Qantas, named “Beaconsfield”

Arriving on runway 03 at 15:48 as flight QF777 from Melbourne.

This aircraft was delivered on 28 December 2011, so it it quite new.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VUN Boeing 737-8FE [WL] (cn 29676/2342) of Virgin Australia, named “Madelaide”

As the Virgin Blue rebranding as Virgin Australia took place, aircraft with subsidiary Pacific Blue were painted with ‘Airline of Virgin Blue’ on the lower forward fuselage. VH-VUN has recently had these titles moved to the upper forward fuselage.

The name Pacific Blue is will soon disappear altogether, as the brand has been integrated into Virgin Australia.

Arriving on runway 03 at 15:37 as flight DJ559 from Sydney.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VGA Airbus A320-232 (cn 4899) of Jetstar

Note that it is painted with the slightly changed titles on the forward fuselage. Compare this with the old titles on
VH-VGJ in the below photo.

Jetstar.com is now in all-black text, with only the name “Jetstar.” now bolded and the “com” is now bold text. The slogan “All day, every day low fares” is now in bolded orange text – previously, this was in unbolded grey text.

Arriving on runway 03 at 15:26 as flight JQ109 from Denpasar (Bali).

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VGJ Airbus 320-232 (cn 4460) of Jetstar

Note that this aircraft has the older-style titles on the forward fuselage – compare these with the new style on
VH-VGA in the above photo.

Arriving on runway 03 at 14:53 as flight JQ970 from Melbourne.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VXU Boeing 737-838 [WL] (cn 33761/1420) of Qantas, named “Woolongong”

Arriving on runway 03 at 14:55 as flight QF1063 from Kalgoorlie.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NXK Boeing 717-231 (cn 55092/5077) of QantasLink

Arriving on runway 03 at 14:28 as flight QF1923 from Ayers Rock.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NHY Embraer 120ER Brasilia (cn 120054 ex VH-NIF) of Network Aviation

Arriving from Learmonth on runway 03 at 14:10.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GML Boeing 737-8U3 [WL] (cn 31763/3177) of Garuda Indonesia

Arriving on runway 03 at 13:57 as flight GA724 from Denpasar.

Photo © Les Bushell

C-FIBN / 681 Sikorsky S-61N (cn 61811) of VIH Helicopters Ltd, British Columbia, Canada.

Fighting a bush fire in Armadale’s Piara Waters estate. The fire began just after midday, between Warton and Mason Roads. Flames reached a height of around three metres and burnt an area of 14 hectares. The fire was brought under control by the night, but is being treated as suspicious.

Perth was experiencing its eighth heatwave since November 2011, breaking a 115-year record.

Fire crews were assisted by: a leased Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane N243AC / 741 (cn 64-022) of Erickson Air-Crane, named “Marty”, leased Sikorsky S-61N C-FIBN, two Squirrels of Helicopters Australia, and an Air Tractor AT-802 fixed wing aircraft.

C-FIBN arrived at Perth Airport on Tuesday 1 November 2011, and has been leased by the WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority for the 2011/12 bush fire season, which usually runs to around April.

It has been fitted with an underbelly Isolair firefighting system and hover pump – the hose for the pump can be seen lying under the nose of the helicopter. This was fitted at Perth Airport on 4 November.

C-FIBN was built in 1976. Originally delivered 22 June 1978 to Bow Valley Helicopters in Alberta, Canada as C-GBVR. It later became PT-HPV, and C-FIBN.

Photos © Matt Hayes

VH-WCN / 668 Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel (cn 3190) of Helicopters Australia

Fighting a bush fire in Armadale’s Piara Waters estate. The fire began just after midday, between Warton and Mason Roads. Flames reached a height of around three metres and burnt an area of 14 hectares. The fire was brought under control by the night, but is being treated as suspicious.

Perth was experiencing its eighth heatwave since November 2011, breaking a 115-year record.

Fire crews were assisted by: a leased Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane N243AC / 741 (cn 64-022) of Erickson Air-Crane, named “Marty”, leased Sikorsky S-61N C-FIBN, two Squirrels of Helicopters Australia, and an Air Tractor AT-802 fixed wing aircraft.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-LHP Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III (cn 51002, ex G-CJCB) of Heliwest

Wearing RESCUE titles and being used on beach and shark spotting patrols.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-VFD Airbus A320-232 (cn 4922) of Jetstar

Note that it is painted with the slightly changed titles on the forward fuselage.

Jetstar.com is now in all-black text, with only the name “Jetstar.” now bolded and the “com” is now bold text. Previously, the whole name was bolded with the word Jet in black, “star” in orange, and “.com” in grey.

The slogan “All day, every day low fares” is now in bolded orange text – previously, this was in unbolded grey text.

On final approach to runway 03 at Perth Airport as flight JQ974 from Adelaide at 11:07.

This aircraft made its first flight on 17 November 2011, was delivered to Jetstar on 8 December 2011 and made its first visit to Perth on 2 February 2012.

Photo © Keith Anderson