September 2011

UR-AAG Boeing 767-33A ER (cn 25532/442) of AeroSvit Ukrainian Airlines (leased from Strawberry Fields Aviation Ltd).

This unusual visitor arrived the previous night at 21:39 on runway 21 as flight VV2701, from Odessa (Ukraine), Tel Aviv (Israel), & Bangkok (Thailand). It is seen here parked at Bay 61 near Perth’s International Terminal.

It was chartered by Gennadiy Bogolyubov, a Ukrainian billionaire who controls Australia’s biggest manganese mine. Bogolyubov does a great deal of travelling to monitor his global businesses, which include mining, oil, construction, banking, and agriculture on four continents.

Bogolyubov flew to Perth with his right-hand man, Oleg Sheiko, and they were the only passengers on the 250-seat Boeing 767.

Bogolyubov was here to investigate investment opportunities. After arriving in Perth, the two flew on a chartered 10-seat business jet to Woodie Woodie manganese mine, which Bogolyubov purchased in 2007 for $1.3 billion. In mid-week, Bogolyubov flew from Perth to Sydney for meetings about launching a shares offering.

This particular aircraft visited Perth many times when it was flown by Royal Brunei, registered as V8-RBG, as seen in the photo below, taken at Perth on 3 November 2005.

It was originally delivered to Royal Brunei on 28 September 1992, and continued in service until replaced by former Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-212ER aircraft. V8-RBG was repainted in AeroSvit colours by February 2011 and registered on lease to AeroSvit as UR-AAG on 25 March 2011, but is owned by Strawberry Fields Aviation Ltd.

Photos © Les Bushell

A6-ECO Boeing 777-36N ER (cn 37706/765) of Emirates (leased from GECAS).

Operating flight EK420 from Dubai, arriving on runway 21 at 17:25.

First flight 12 Feb 2009. To A6-ECO 26 Feb 2009.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-FIX Beech Super King Air B300 (350) (cn FL-90) of Airservices Australia, operated on their behalf by Pearl Aviation.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 12:14 and 13:44 whilst performing flight inspection operations.

The aircraft had arrived the previous day from Adelaide via Esperance using callsign “Auscal 2”.

More information on the aircraft is available HERE.

Photos © Keith Anderson

VH-VHD Airbus A319-115CJ (cn 1999) of Skytraders.

From November to March each year, this aircraft operates on behalf of the Australian Government’s Australian Antarctic Division on a weekly service from the Division’s base in Hobart, Tasmania to an ice runway at Wilkins, Antarctica (hence the “Snowbird” radio callsign). Apart from this, the A319 is available for private charter.

On finals to runway 03 at Perth Airport at 10.20am, arriving from Melbourne and using callsign “Snowbird 1”. It departed just over an hour later, returning to Melbourne with the same callsign.

First flown 10 July 2003 with test registration D-AVYQ.
To F-GYAS Aero Services Executive (leased from CIT Leasing Corporation) on 31 October 2003.
Sub-leased to Air France from 22 January 2004.
Returned to CIT Leasing Corporation at Toulouse, France on 31 January 2007.
Converted to Long Range configuration at Perpignan, France during January 2007.
Registered to Skytraders (leased from CIT Aerospace International) as VH-VHD on 16 February 2007.

Photos © Keith Anderson

VH-NJL British Aerospace 146-300 (cn E3123) of Cobham Aviation Services Australia

On finals to runway 21 at 15:39.

First flight 21 Jul 1992. Ex G-BVPE, N889DV (not taken up). To VH-NJL 20 October 1994. Operated for Qantas Airlink from 20 Oct 1994, to National Jet Systems from 10 Feb 2006. Repainted in Adelaide and rolled out with ‘COBHAM’ tiltles 27 Feb 2009.

Photo © Les Bushell

HS-TER Airbus A330-343X (cn 1060) Thai Airways International, named ‘U-THONG’

On finals to runway 21 at 15:20 as flight TG481 from Bangkok.

First flight 19 Oct 2009 as F-WWYQ.
Registered HS-TER 23 Dec 2009, but placed in storage.
Arrived on delivery to Thai Airways International in Bangkok on 20 May 2011.

Photo © Les Bushell

VH-ZPT Embraer 190AR (ERJ190-100IGW) (cn 19000451) of Virgin Australia (not yet named)

** FIRST VISIT TO PERTH **

On finals to runway 21 at 15:01 as flight DJ717 from Adelaide.

First flown 18 July 2011 as PT-TJX. Delivered as VH-ZPT to Virgin Australia in Brisbane on 11 August 2011.

This is Virgin Australia’s newest E190.

Photos © Les Bushell

VH-CWO Beech 200C King Air (cn BL-72) of Formula Aircraft Pty Ltd

On finals to runway 21 at 14:51 on a flight from Perenjori.

Ex N670C, N43CE, N37KW.

This aircraft served as an aeromedical aircraft with the Royal Flying Doctor Service – Western Operations, based at nearby Jandakot from March 1996 to October 2010. Now back in passenger configuration with Formula Aircraft.

Photo © Les Bushell

9M-MRH Boeing 777-2H6ER (cn 28415/151) of Malaysia Airlines

On finals to runway 21 at 14:47 as flight MH125 from Kuala Lumpur.

First flight 1 Jul 1998, to 9M-MRH 20 Jul 1998.

Photo © Les Bushell

9V-STL Airbus A330-343X (cn 1105) of Singapore Airlines

On finals to runway 21 at 14:39 as flight SQ223 from Singapore.

First flight 11 Mar 2010 as F-WWYX. Delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-STL on 30 Apr 2010.

Photo © Les Bushell