November 2011

VH-NHF Fokker 100 (cn 11398) of Network Aviation

** BROKEN UP **

On the right of this photo of Network Aviation’s hangar are the dismantled remains of Fokker 100 VH-NHF, which still bears the old US Airways dark grey/light grey livery.

The aircraft was ordered by US Air, and first flew in their colours with Fokker test registration PH-EZJ on 27 May 1992. In June 1992, it was delivered to US Air (which later became US Airways) as N898US. Ten years later in 2002, It was placed in storage in Mojave, California and later at Las Vegas. It was then leased to Platinum Jet Air Charters in August 2005, and then Air Express Sweden in 2007. Still wearing US Airways livery as N898US, between 11 and 14 June 2008, the aircraft was delivered to Perth, with route flown from Norwich-Heraklion-Sharjah-Calcutta-Penang-Denpasar-Darwin-Meekatharra-Perth. It was cancelled from the U.S. register on 16 June 2008, and registered in Australian on 20 June 2008 as VH-NHF to Network Aviation.

VH-NHF never entered service with Network Aviation, and sat in open storage ever since its arrival in Perth on 14 June 2008. Later, the engines were removed and the aircraft was cannibalised for spare parts. Recently, the aircraft was broken into sections – the tail cone can be seen lying next to the fuselage.

Network Aviation’s two current Fokker 100 aircraft VH-NHO and VH-NHP are visible, together with some of their Brasilia aircraft.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-XWP Fokker 100 (cn 11281) of Alliance Airlines

** FIRST REVENUE SERVICE **

Taking off from runway 06 at Perth at 5:46AM on its first revenue service taking Fly-In Fly-Out mine workers to FMG’s Cloudbreak Mine (Fortescue Dave Forrest Aerodrome), using callsign “Unity 670”.

The aircraft had arrived from Adelaide the previous day (see photo below).

This aircraft made its first flight on 6 October 1989 with Fokker test registration PH-EZI, and was delivered to US Air as N853US on 21 October 1989. US Air was renamed as US Airways on 27 February 1997.

On 4 September 2003, it was returned to Fokker Services as PH-CXD, before being delivered as D-AGPD to Germania on 28 November 2003. It was leased to DBA and Air Berlin before being stored at Berlin-Schönefeld in November 2008. It was delivered as VH-XWP to Alliance Airlines on 7 June 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FNR Fokker 100 (cn 11488) of Skywest Airlines

Taking off runway 06 at Perth at 5:57AM to Argyle Airport in the far north of Western Australia, taking Fly-In Fly-Out mine workers to the Argyle diamond mine.

The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting station can be seen behind. In August 2010, this new facility became operational. It replaced the old ARFF station built in 1962, which was located next to the old control tower near the domestic terminals. The old control tower and ARFF station were demolished at the end of March 2011, to provide more room for larger aircraft taxying past.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NXL Boeing 717-231 (cn 55093/5083) of QantasLink

Taking off runway 06 at Perth at 6:03AM as flight QF1800 to the iron ore mining town of Paraburdoo, in the north of Western Australia.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VZU Boeing 737-838 (cn 34187/3826) of Qantas, named “Lorne”

Taking off runway 06 at Perth at 6:06AM as flight QF1090 to the iron ore mining town of Newman, in the north of Western Australia.

This aircraft is very new – it was delivered to Qantas on 6 November 2011, and made its first visit to Perth on 14 November 2011, a couple of weeks prior to this photo.

Photo © Les Bushell

9V-STO Airbus A330-343E (cn 1132) of Singapore Airlines

Taxying down taxiway C1 at 06:11am, after landing on runway 06 as flight SQ225 from Singapore

VH-XMB Boeing 737-376(SF) (cn 23478/1352) of Australian Air Express (Express Freighters Australia)

Landing on runway 06 as flight QF7333 from Melbourne.

Photo © Les Bushell

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

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:14am as flight DJ1837 to the iron ore port town of Port Hedland, on Western Australia’s north coast.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NJQ BAE Systems Avro RJ100 (cn E3328) of Cobham Aviation Services Australia

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:15am to take workers to the massive Chevron natural gas project on Barrow Island, off the northwest coast of Western Australia.

This $170 million, six-year contract was the largest aviation contract awarded in Australia’s resources sector when it was awarded to Cobham in December 2009. Flights commenced on 23 April 2010 massive Gorgon gas project off Western Australia.

Cobham acquired a pair of used BAE RJ100 aircraft specifically for the Perth/Barrow island part of the contract. These are supplemented by three of Cobham’s BAE 146 aircraft, which fly between Karratha and Barrow Island.

Due to the strict envrionmental protection requirements for Barrow Island, there are special quarantine requirements.

Aircraft undergo four hours of pre-flight cleaning each day, and the cabin, underfloor cargo hold and crew uniforms are designed to be easy to clean, and without places where seeds, dust and insects can collect. The aircraft are carefully checked before each flight. Freight is sprayed with insecticide, and wrapped in plastic.

Gorgon workers use a sterile terminal, where sniffer dogs are used to check for seeds, dust and food. Workers cannot wear trousers with cuffs, nor Velcro. They have to clean the inside and outside of their boots, then sign a declaration confirming that this has been done.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FNH Fokker 50 (cn 20113) of Skywest Airlines, named “Shire of Carnarvon”

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:18am for a flight to Kambalda, in the Goldfields region, east of Perth.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-YQB Airbus A320-212 (cn 279) of Air Australia

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:21am for flight VC501 to Derby (RAAF Curtin), in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

This service operates five times per week (Mon-Fri), departing Perth at 6:00am and returning at 12:20pm. It is their only service from Perth.

A few days earlier on 27 November 2011, VH-YQB was the first Air Australia-branded aircraft to visit Perth, when it arrived into Perth shortly after midnight, on delivery from repainting in Subang. The airline was previously named Strategic Airlines, and is in the process of restructuring from a full-service airline to a low-cost airline.

One of the new QantasLink Dash 8Q-400 aircraft can be seen in the background, on the right – either VH-LQD or VH-LQG.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FNJ Fokker 100 (cn 11489) of Skywest Airlines

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:28am for flight XR53 to Learmonth Airport, near Exmouth.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VXS Boeing 737-838 (cn 33725/1352) of Qantas, named “St Helens”

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:29am on flight QF906 to Karratha, a town which is rapidly-growing with iron-ore ports, salt mines, and massive natural gas projects.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NHO Fokker 100 (cn 11312) of Network Aviation

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:33am on a two-hour flight with workers for the manganese mine at Woodie-Woodie, 1260km NNE of Perth, in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NJX British Aerospace 146-100A (cn E1003) of Cobham Aviation Services Australia

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:36am on a 1.5-hour flight to Barimunya Airport, 1077km NNE of Perth, with iron ore mine workers.

Barimunya airstrip is owned and operated by BHP Billiton Iron Ore and services its Yandi iron ore mine. The strip is also used by Rio Tinto Iron Ore for its Yandicoogina iron ore mine.

VH-NJX is one of the oldest BAe 146 aircraft flying – it was the third BAe 146 built, making its first flight as G-SSCH on 2 April 1982.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-ZPR Embraer 190 (ERJ-190-100-IGW) (cn 19000424) of Virgin Australia, named “Dundee Beach”

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:40am as flight DJ1875 to the iron ore mining town of Newman, 1186km NNE of Perth, a flight of 1 hour 40 minutes.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-ZPQ Embraer 190 (ERJ-190-100-IGW) (cn 19000412) of Virgin Australia, named “Main Beach”

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:53am as flight DJ9003 to Fortescue Dave Forrest Airport.

This airport services Fortescue Metals Group’s Cloudbreak iron ore mine, 1124km NNE of Perth, a 1.5-hour flight.

This route is normally operated by Skywest Airline, using Airbus A320 VH-FNP.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FKC Fokker 100 (cn 11349) of Alliance Airlines

Taking off from runway 06 at 6:59am as “Unity 802” to Leinster, 639km NE of Perth.

The aircraft carries mine workers for the Leinster Nickel Mine, part of BHP-Billiton’s Nickel West group.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FKG Fokker 100 (cn 11366) of Alliance Airlines

Taking off from runway 06 at 7.00am as “Unity 870” to Telfer, 1300km NE of Perth, a flight time of 1.5 hours.

The aircraft is taking Fly-In Fly-Out workers to Newcrest Mining’s gold and copper mine.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-OGJ Boeing 767-338ER (cn 25274/396) of Qantas, named “City of Port Macquarie”

Taking off from runway 06 as flight QF574 to Sydney at 7:03am.

Photo © Les Bushell

9M-XXD Airbus A330-343X (cn 1066) of AirAsia X, named “Soaring Xpectations”

Taking off from runway 06 as the daily flight D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur at 7:07am.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VOX Boeing 737-8BK (cn 33017/1446) of Pacific Blue, named “Missy Mainlander”.

As Virgin Blue prepared for its rebranding as Virgin Australia early in 2011, Pacific Blue aircraft were repainted with titling “Airline of Virgin Blue” on the forward fuselage.

On 7 December 2011, Pacific Blue was officially rebranded as Virgin Australia, and the Pacific Blue aircraft will eventually be repainted in Virgin Australia livery.

On final approach to runway 21 at 16:45 as flight DJ4158 from Denpasar (Bali).

This aircraft first flew 26 January 2004, and was delivered on 26 Feb 2004 to Pacific Blue (leased from CIT Aerospace) as ZK-PBC. On 4 August 2005, it was re-registered as VH-VOX to Virgin Blue, but operated with both Pacific Blue and Virgin Blue.

Photo © Les Bushell

A6-ECL Boeing 777-36N ER (cn 37704/748) of Emirates

On final approach to runway 21 as flight EK420 from Dubai at 5:49pm.

This is one of two daily services by Emirates to Perth.

Photo © Les Bushell

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

On final approach to runway 21 at 6:18pm as “Unity 953” a Fly-In Fly-Out charter flight with mine workers from Leonora, 613km NE of Perth.

Leonora has a number of gold mines nearby, and the Murrin Murrin nickel and cobalt mine and processing plant is 60km east of the town.

Photo © Les Bushell

A41-207 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III
(cn F-173/AUS2) of 36 Squadron, RAAF, based at Amberley, Queensland. (USAF serial is 07-07207).

Callsign “AUSY 627” arriving on Perth’s runway 21 at 08:37 from RAAF Edinburgh.

This aircraft was delivered to the RAAF in May 2007.

Photos © Les Bushell

N443M Gulfstream Aerospace G-550 (GV-SP) (cn 5199) of Chevron USA Inc.

Arriving from Kansai, Japan on Perth’s runway 21 at 09:33.

Photos © Les Bushell

VH-XWP Fokker 100 (cn 11281) of Alliance Airlines

Arriving from Adelaide on Perth’s runway 21 at 13:46 using callsign “Unity 991”.

This aircraft made its first flight on 6 October 1989 with Fokker test registration PH-EZI, and was delivered to US Air as N853US on 21 October 1989. US Air was renamed as US Airways on 27 February 1997.

On 4 September 2003, it was returned to Fokker Services as PH-CXD, before being delivered as D-AGPD to Germania on 28 November 2003. It was leased to DBA and Air Berlin before being stored at Berlin-Schönefeld in November 2008. It was delivered as VH-XWP to Alliance Airlines on 7 June 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VZD Boeing 737-838 (cn 34198/2659) of Qantas, named “Geelong”.

This aircraft was delivered new to Qantas in June 2008, and was painted in this special colourscheme on 1 September 2011 in association with the Optus alliance with the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program.

Seen here arriving on runway 21 at 13:17 as flight QF919 from Karratha.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VXB Boeing 737-838 (cn 30101/1045) of Qantas, named “Yananyi Dreaming” – Special Colours

Arriving runway 21 at 09:43 as flight QF1091 from Newman.

Starting to look a bit faded after being in this special livery for some years.

This was Qantas’ second 737-800 delivered, and was originally built against an order by American Airlines. However, with a drop in passenger traffic following 9/11, the aircraft orders were transferred to fellow Oneworld Alliance member Qantas. The aircraft was delivered in February 2002.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-OGG Boeing 767-338 (cn 24929/343) of Qantas, named “Rockhampton”.

Arriving on runway 21 at 13:01 as flight QF475 from Melbourne.

This aircraft was repainted in the revised Qantas livery in Singapore about a month ago, but a number of 767s are due to leave the Qantas fleet soon.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-VNB Airbus A320-232 (cn 2906) of Tiger Airways Australia.

Arriving on runway 21 at 08:23 as flight TT182 from Melbourne.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-YIA Boeing 737-8FE (cn 37824/3718) of Virgin Australia.

This aircraft is quite new and has not yet been given a name. It was first flown on 21 August 2011 with test registration N1786B, and was delivered as VH-YIA on 28 July 2011.

Arriving on runway 21 at 09:51 as flight DJ679 from Melbourne.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FWA Beech 1900C (cn UB-61) of Ad Astral Aviation

Arriving from Southern Cross on Perth’s runway 21 at 09:27.

Manufactured October 1986. Ex N7245E and N818BE with Business Express (Delta). To VH-FWA on 6 June 1996.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-NOA Beech 1900D (cn UE-94) of Ad Astral Aviation

Arriving from Southern Cross on Perth’s runway 21 at 09:16.

Built in April 1994, ex N94UX United Express / Great Lakes Aviation, ZS-PPX National Airway Corp, PK-OCW Airfast. Registered VH-NOA in October 2006.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-YQC Airbus A320-212 (cn 395) of Air Australia

First visit in Air Australia colours.

On final approach to runway 24 at Perth, on a ferry flight from Sydney (flight VC2016) at 13:13.

Strategic Airlines re-branded as Air Australia on 15 November 2011 and is being restructured from a full-service airline to a low-cost airline.

VH-YQC was the first of their fleet to be repainted, when it departed Subang (Kuala Lumpur) on 2 November 2011.

This is VH-YQC’s first visit to Perth in the new colours, but it is actually the second aircraft in Air Australia colours to visit Perth. The first Air Australia-branded aircraft to visit Perth was VH-YQB, which arrived into Perth shortly after midnight this morning, on delivery from repainting in Subang.

VH-YQC was originally built as an A320-211, and made its first flight on 15 December 1992 with Airbus test registration F-WWBJ.
It was delivered on 3 March 1993 as CS-TNE to TAP Air Portugal (leased from GATX / Milan Air Leasing GmbH). It then wentb through a series of leases to Air Luxor (Egypt), and Novair (Sweden), before retruning to TAP Air Portugal.

It was delivered to Strategic Airlines on 23 April 2010, and registered as VH-YQC.

Photos © Keith Anderson

B-LAD Airbus A330-342E (cn 776) of Cathay Pacific

Wear special colours and titles “100th aircraft” and its name “Progress Hong Kong”.

The aircraft was painted in these special colours by Airbus prior to delivery, as it was the first time in 60 years that Cathay Pacific’s fleet numbered 100 aircraft (including both Boeing and Airbus airliners).

A special aircraft acceptance ceremony was held in Toulouse on 29 August 2006. The aircraft at that time also wore a 60th anniversary sticker behind the second cabin doors to denote the 60th anniversary of Cathay Pacific, which was formed in 1946. It no longer has these stickers. The aircraft was named “Progress Hong Kong” in a staff competition.

On final approach to runway 21 at 06:45 as flight CX137 from Hong Kong.

Photos © Les Bushell

VH-TJZ Boeing 737-476 (cn 28152/2829) of Qantas, named “Port Pirie”

On final approach to runway 21 at 13:11 as flight QF587 from Adelaide.

This aircraft was originally ordered by Australian Airlines (formerly Trans Australian Airlines – TAA), but by the time of its delivery in November 1996, Australian Airlines had merged with Qantas.

The aircraft was named “Integrity”, but in December 2003 was renamed “Port Pirie”.

In February 2009, the aircraft was transferred to Qantas Jetconnect in New Zealand, and registered ZK-JTS.

In January 2011, it was returned to Qantas as VH-TJZ again, re-entering service with Qantas in May 2011.

Photos © Les Bushell

ZK-TLD Boeing 737-3B7(SF) (cn 23706/1499) of Toll Priority (Airwork New Zealand)

Arriving on runway 21 at 16:04, using callsign “Toll Freight 93” from the Cocos Islands, which are located far off the northwest coast of Western Australia.

This aircraft was originally configured as a passenger aircraft, and was originally delivered to US Air as N389AU on 1 February 1998. It was later reregistered on 11 November 1998 as N520AU.

After conversion to freighter configuration, it was delivered to Toll Priority on 30 November 2007.

Photos © Keith Anderson

RA-82077 Antonov An-124-100 (cn 9773054459141/ line number 0709) of Polet Flight, named ‘Fedor Muravchenko’ (after a Russian aircraft engine designer)

** FIRST VISIT TO PERTH **

Arriving on runway 21 at 14:31 using callsign POT471. The aircraft arrived from Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a cargo of mining equipment aboard.

It departed Ostend (Belgium) on 22 November, and flew to Baku (Azerbaijan), overnighting there before flying to Colombo (Sri Lanka) and later to Perth.

This An-124 was delivered in 1995.

The An-124 was originally designated as the An-40, and the prototype CCCP-82002 first flew from the Antonov plant at Kiev on 26 December 1982. The prototype later crashed on 13 October 1992 when the hinged nose cone opened during a test flight from Ulyanovsk.

The Russian Air Force also used the type, and Volga-Dnepr Airlines is pushing Antonov to put the type back into production.

Regarding the An-124 manufacturer’s construction numbers, those starting with ‘977305’ are built at Ulyanovsk and construction numbers starting with ‘195305’ are built at at Kiev. This aircraft RA-82077 has construction number 9773054459141, indicating that it was built at Ulyanovsk.

Photo © Les Bushell

PK-GMI Boeing 737-8U3 (cn 30143/3243) of Garuda Indonesia

Arriving on runway 21 at 13:53 as flight GA724 from Denpasar (Bali).

Photo © Les Bushell

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

Arriving on runway 03 using callsign UNITY 4481 at 13:30.

The aircraft had flown direct from Adelaide and it is here for the last special tourist flight.

Photo © Les Bushell

B-6098 Airbus A330-343E (cn 908) of China Southern

** FIRST VISIT TO PERTH **

Arriving on runway 03 at 06:16 as flight CZ319 from Guangzhou.

Photo © David Eyre

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

Flight DJ552 to Sydney, taking off from runway 06 at 06:11.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-XMB Boeing 737-376 SF (cn 23478/1251) of Australian Air Express (Express Freighters Australia)

Taking off from runway 06 as flight QF7334 to Melbourne at 6:02 AM. Australian Air Express Boeing 737s use Qantas flight numbers and callsigns as the ground handling is done by Qantas/Express Freighters Australia.

Express Freighters Australia is the cargo arm of Qantas, and operates a fleet of four Boeing 737-376(SF) aircraft which operated in passenger configuration for Australian Airlines and Qantas before being converted to freighters.

The “XM” in the registrations for their Boeing 737s is related to the Australian Air Express IATA code, XM.

This particular aircraft was the first 737-300 to enter service in Australia, and was the second of 12 737-300s ordered by TAA (Trans Australian Airlines) in May 1985. It was first flown as VH-TAG on 3 July 1986, but on 4 August 1986, TAA was renamed Australian Airlines, so the aircraft was delivered in Australian Airlines colours on 8 August 1986. It operated its first passenger service on 16 August 1986. Australian Airlines merged with Qantas on 31 October 1993, and the aircraft was later repainted in Qantas colours. VH-TAG was later transferred to Qantas’ New Zealand subsidiary Jetconnect in May 2003, and the aircraft was registered ZK-JNG, operating with them for over three years.

In December 2006, it was flown back to Melbourne and registered VH-XMB to Qantas, but with Australian Air Express as the registered operator.
The aircraft was flown from Melbourne to Avalon in bare metal in May 2007, and converted to freighter configuration by Qantas, being rolled out in September 2007.

Photo © David Eyre

9V-STK Airbus A330-343X (cn 1099) of Singapore Airlines

Flight SQ225 from Singapore on final approach to runway 21 at 5:52am.

Photo © Keith Anderson

B-LAH Airbus A330-343X (cn 915) of Cathay Pacific

On final approach to runway 21 as flight CX137 from Hong Kong at 6:26AM.

Photo © Keith Anderson

9M-XXH Airbus A330-343E (cn 1165) of AirAsia X, named “Xtraordinary 1000”

Taking off from runway 21 at 06:52 as flight D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur.

Runway Photo © Les Bushell

Airborne Photo © Keith Anderson

PK-GFP Boeing 737-8U3 (cn 38821/3684) of Garuda Indonesia

Taxying out for departure as flight GA727 to Denpasar (Bali), at 07:20.

This is quite a new aircraft, having been delivered new to Garuda on 21 June 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

ZS-SXD Airbus A340-313E (cn 643) of South African Airways

Seen landing on runway 21 as flight SA282 from Johannesburg at 07:32.

After landing, the aircraft reported a hydraulic problem which had become apparent when turning onto final approach. The aircraft landed safely and turned off runway 21 and came to a halt on taxiway TANGO, and safety vehicles examined the aircraft. Hydraulic fluid was found alongside the main gear, so a fire engine was despatched, but there was no fire danger. The aircraft shut down the engines, started the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), and was towed to park at Bay 51 at the International Terminal.

The problem was rectified and the aircraft departed as flight SA283 late in the afternoon, a number of hours later than the 11:20AM scheduled departure time.

Perth is SAA’s only Australian destination.

Approach photo © Keith Anderson

Ground Photos © Les Bushell

VH-YFC Boeing 737-81D (cn 39413/3592) of Virgin Australia, named “Bondi Beach”

Landing on runway 21 at 7:41AM as flight DJ675 from Melbourne.

This aircraft was one of the first two aircraft to be painted with the new colourscheme for the public launch of the new Virgin Australia branding on 4 May 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

HS-TET Airbus A330-343X (cn 1086) of Thai Airways International, named “Kirimas”

On final approach to runway 21 at 3:32PM, as flight TG481 from Bangkok.

This aircraft first flew on 18 January 2010, but was flown to Bordeaux in March 2010 and placed into storage for a year, reportedly due to issues with passenger seats made by Koito.

On 29 March 2011, it was flown to Hamburg to have the cabin fitted out and seats installed, and was finally delivered to Thai on 12 April 2011.

Photo © Michael Foss

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

Built in 2005, and has spent its life in Australia.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-ZJP Aerospatiale AS350B2 Squirrel (cn 3297) owned by Peter Morrison.

Built in 2000, ex JA350A. First registered in Australia on 6 Feb 2003.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-ZOH AgustaWestland AW109S Grand (cn 22152) owned by AVWest Aircraft Pty Ltd.

The Italian-designed and built Agusta A109 first flew in 1971. Agusta later merged with Westland to form AgustaWestland.

The AW109S Grand has a longer and wider cabin than the original A109, and is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207 turboshaft engines.

This example was built in 2009.

Photos © Keith Anderson

VH-XRG Eurocopter (MBB) Bo-105LS-A3 (cn 2037) of Heliwest.

The prototype of the German-designed and produced Bo-105 was first flown in 1967. The type was produced from 1970 to 2001, with a total of 1,406 being built, and some were licence-built in Indonesia, Canada, the Philippines, and Spain.

This example is a 1991 Bo-105LS-A3. This model is powered by two Allison 250C28C engines to provide improved performance in “hot and high” conditions, and was exclusively built by Eurocopter Canada.

Ex N30702, JA6678, N727WW, C-FRIQ.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-YDN Pilatus PC-12/45 (cn 301) of the Northern Territory Police.

This aircraft was built in 1999 and delivered to the Northern Territory Police in early 2000.

Photo © Keith Anderson

B-6502 Airbus A330-343E (cn 958) of China Southern

** FIRST VISIT BY THIS AIRCRAFT**

Arriving on runway 21 as flight CZ319 from Beijing via Guangzhou at 6:07 AM.

Photo © Les Bushell

9V-STC Airbus A330-343E (cn 986) of Singapore Airlines

Arriving on runway 21 as flight SQ225 from Singapore at 6:02 AM.

Photo © Les Bushell

B-6111 Airbus A330-343E (cn 935) of China Southern

** FIRST VISIT BY THIS AIRCRAFT**

Arriving on runway 21 as flight CZ319 from Beijing via Guangzhou at 5:58 AM, and taxying in to park at Bay 52 at the International Terminal.

Approach photos © Les Bushell

Taxying photo © David Eyre

B-HXJ Airbus A340-313E (cn 227) of Cathay Pacific

Arriving on runway 21 as flight CX137 from Hong Kong at 06:19, and parking at Bay 51 at the International Terminal.

Approach photos © Les Bushell

Taxying photo © David Eyre

A6-EWC Boeing 777-21H LR (cn 35576/677) of Emirates

Departing as flight EK425 to Dubai at 5:58 am.

Emirates flies twice daily between Perth and Dubai, using either a Boeing 777-200LR or 777-300ER.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-XMB Boeing 737-376 SF of Australian Air Express (Express Freighters Australia)

Arriving on runway 21 as flight QF7333 from Melbourne at 6:02 AM. Australian Air Express Boeing 737s use Qantas flight numbers and callsigns as the ground handling is done by Qantas/Express Freighters Australia.

Express Freighters Australia is the cargo arm of Qantas, and operates a fleet of four Boeing 737-376(SF) aircraft which operated in passenger configuration for Australian Airlines and Qantas before being converted to freighters.

The “XM” in the registrations for their Boeing 737s is related to the Australian Air Express IATA code, XM.

This particular aircraft was the first 737-300 to enter service in Australia, and was the second of 12 737-300s ordered by TAA (Trans Australian Airlines) in May 1985. It was first flown as VH-TAG on 3 July 1986, but on 4 August 1986, TAA was renamed Australian Airlines, so the aircraft was delivered in Australian Airlines colours on 8 August 1986. It operated its first passenger service on 16 August 1986. Australian Airlines merged with Qantas on 31 October 1993, and the aircraft was later repainted in Qantas colours. VH-TAG was later transferred to Qantas’ New Zealand subsidiary Jetconnect in May 2003, and the aircraft was registered ZK-JNG, operating with them for over three years.

In December 2006, it was flown back to Melbourne and registered VH-XMB to Qantas, but with Australian Air Express as the registered operator.
The aircraft was flown from Melbourne to Avalon in bare metal in May 2007, and converted to freighter configuration by Qantas, being rolled out in September 2007.

Photo © Les Bushell

9M-XXC Airbus A330-343E (cn 1037) of AirAsia X, named “Midnight Xcapade”.

Departing as flight D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur at 6:51 AM.

AirAsia X operates a daily service between Perth and Kuala Lumpur using A330-300s.

Photo © David Eyre

PK-GFO Boeing 737-86N (cn 39403/3674) of Garuda Indonesia

Departing as flight GA727 to Denpasar (Bali) at 7:24 AM.

Photo © David Eyre

B-6500 Airbus A330-343X (cn 954) of China Southern Airlines

China Southern has used the same aircraft for their first three services to Perth, B-6500. The aircraft is seen here on final approach to runway 21 at Perth as flight CZ319 from Guangzhou.

Photo © Keith Anderson

B-HLP Airbus A330-343X (cn 418) of Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has recently resumed their daytime CX136/CX137 service to Hong Kong, using A330-300s on Sunday mornings and A340-300s on Wednesday mornings.

B-HLP is seen approaching runway 21 at 06:12am as flight CX137 from Hong Kong.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-LQD Bombardier DHC-8-402NG Dash 8Q-400 (cn 4371) of QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines)

**FIRST VISIT**

Seen here on final approach to runway 21 at Perth at 15:55 on its delivery flight from Sydney, via Adelaide and Kalgoorlie using “QANTAS 6703” as its callsign.

This is the first of two Dash 8-Q400 aircraft which will be based at Perth.

The Dash 8-Q400 services begin with Perth / Geraldton services and Perth / Learmonth services from 21 November 2011.

This is a brand-new aircraft – it was test flown on 2 May 2011 as C-GJFZ.
Its delivery flight started on 23 July 2011, and it arrived in Canberra on 31 July 2011, still registered as C-GJFZ.
It was registered 5 August 2011 as VH-LQD.

Photo © Les Bushell

B-6500 Airbus A330-343X (cn 954) of China Southern Airlines

** FIRST SERVICE TO PERTH BY CHINA SOUTHERN & FIRST VISIT BY B-6500 **

China Southern Airlines started their first scheduled service to Perth today, operating from Beijing via Guangzhou as flight CZ319.

The aircraft was a little late, being scheduled to arrive at 06:00, but landed on runway 03 at 06:30, after an eight-hour flight from Guangzhou.

It was given the traditional water cannon welcome by the Perth Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service, using a pair of Rosenbauer Panther Mk 8 Ultra Large Fire Vehicles, which drove ahead of the aircraft, crossing their water streams in the air as the A330 taxied in on taxiway Sierra.

The aircraft parked at Gate 53 at the International Terminal at 06:36.

China Southern Airlines president Si Xianmin was aboard for the inaugural flight, which was welcomed on arrival by WA Premier Colin Barnett, and Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Dr Kim Hames. A press conference was held in the International Terminal.

When the A330 arrived, it was parked with the forward cabin door at the aerobridge, but at 08:55, it was pulled forward and docked at the second cabin door.

The return flight CZ320 carried around 200 passengers, being pushed back from gate 53 at 10:00 (only 5 minutes late), and took off from runway 21 at 10:13.

The new service arrives and departs Perth on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings, arriving as flight CZ319 at 06:00, then departs back to Guangzhou and Beijing as flight CZ320 at 09:55.

The service departs from Beijing the previous evening at 17:30 for a 3 hours 15 mins flight to Guangzhou, arriving at 20:45. It departs Guangzhou at 22.00 for an 8-hour flight to Perth, arriving the following morning at 06:00.

On the return leg it departs Perth at 09:55 for the 8-hour flight to Guangzhou, arriving at 18:20. It departs Guangzhou at 20:00 for a 3 hours 15 mins flight to Beijing, arriving at 23:15.

WA provides about 70% of Australia’s exports to China. China is ranked as the 12th largest source of international visitors for WA. WA hopes the new service will help to grow visitor numbers from current figure of around 15,000 per year to 100,000 by 2020. Chinese visitors spent $80million on trips to WA in 2010/11. Guangzhou is China’s third largest city.

China Southern is the world’s 6th largest airline, and already operates to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

China Southern has had links to Western Australia since 1993, when it started the China Southern WA Flying College, with bases at Jandakot and Merredin.

Photos © David Eyre

CS-DKF Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream G-550 (G.V-SP) (cn 5099) of Netjets Europe

Arrived on 7 November from Honolulu via Brisbane as NJE790H, and departed today at 12:34 with the same callsign to Jakarta-Halim.

Built in 2006, ex N699GA.

N709AA Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream V (cn 635) of Priester Aviation (leased from Bank of Utah)

This aircraft arrived from Pago Pago in American Samoa on Monday 7 November with singer Dolly Parton aboard for a concert at Burswood Dome the next day.

It was then parked on the Terminal WA apron, and departed today at 08:36am to Sydney, as seen here taking off from runway 06.

Built in 2001, ex N522GA, N83CP – was operated by pharmaceuticals company Pfizer Inc.

Photos © David Eyre

B-HXH Airbus A340-313X (cn 218) of Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has recently resumed their daytime CX136/CX137 service to Hong Kong, using A330-300s on Sunday mornings and A340-300s on Wednesday mornings.

The aircraft is seen here departing as flight CX136 to Hong Kong at 7:48am.

Photo © David Eyre

PK-GFL Boeing 737-86N (cn 36808/3505) of Garuda Indonesia

Taxying out for departure as flight GA727 to Denpasar (Bali) at 7:19am. The ground crew waved to the passengers as it taxied past.

Photo © David Eyre

VH-VUY Boeing 737-8KG (cn 39450/3494) of Virgin Australia, named “Snapper Rocks”.

This aircraft formerly wore AFL special colours.

Being towed from the Terminal WA apron where it was parked, to Bay 54 at the International Terminal.

It departed as flight DJ4149 to Phuket (Thailand) at 10:50am.

Photos © David Eyre

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

This firefighting helicopter 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.

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.

It will shortly be joined by a second S-61, C-GHTN, which will become “Helitac 682”.

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.

Photo © Brenden Scott