In the third quarter of the year the Croatia Airlines Group reported a loss of 22.37 million Kuna (3.15 million Euros), which is twice as much when compared to the same quarter last year when the loss totalled 11.42 million Kuna (1.55 million Euros). In the first 9 months of 2008 the national carrier of Croatia had a total loss of 21.55 million Kuna (3.02 million Euros) due to the record prices of oil which increased expenditure which couldn’t be covered by the significant increase in operational profit which increased by 162 million Kuna (22.77 million Euros) compared to last year. The total income increased by 14.25% compared to last year, created by the increase in the number of transported passengers. Income from tickets sold inside Croatia increased by 37.12% compared last year while international sales increased by 3.4%.

However, these positive income figures could not cover the rising expenditures the airline had which are 17.97% higher than last year. Only operational costs are 19.33% higher than last year which is the reason why expenditure has increased significantly. Croatia Airlines hoped that ticket sales would significantly increase through the purchase of 2 new Bombardier Q400 aircraft and the sale of 2 ATR42s however this was not achieved. In 2008 Croatia Airlines shares decreased by 65% on the Zagreb Stock Exchange.

Back on the 25th of October Tony Mcfarlin sent me the following pics taken at the New Plymouth Aero Clubs 80th anniversary over Labour weekend.

Kawasaki-Hughes 369HS c/n 6631 wearing "US" marks and in a military scheme. It is in fact ZK-IUS (minus the "I"). Built in Japan in 1974 it arrived in NZ to become ZK-HSE3 on 26-03-01 following work by Wing & Rotor after an incident it had on 23-08-00 in Japan. After serving with Sutton Moss, Frank Wright and Volcanic Air Safaris it went to Kiwi Kopters Tauranga Ltd on 31-03-08 & was re-registered as ZK-IUS on 06-05-08.

The real ZK-HUS being a Bell 206B JetRanger just a few clicks down the road with Tarata Helicopters near Inglewood.

Bell 47G-3B1 ZK-IAR2 c/n 6605 from the Precision Helicopter fleet was also on the field. Of 1967 vintage. It spent time in Canada as CF-VUB from near new (Factory reg was N7804S) until gyrating down to become VH-KHY on 07-08-1987. It joined the Kiwi register on 11-07-05 via Heliwork NZ Ltd of New Plymouth.

And an unknown Cessna 210 "ZIO".

ZK-REX4 was in Christchurch Town on Nov 2nd in all its radiant beauty. Here it is parked outside the Canterbury Aero Club. It's been flying for just over four years now behind its 180hp Lycoming O-360.

FYI.

ZK-REX1 was a Cessna 310B c/n 35654 for about a year 1959-1960. It went to OZ and carried about five VH & one P2 registration until it was cancelled following a nose gear collapse in August 1986 at Bankstown.

ZK-REX2 was a Embraer EMB 110P2 Bandeirante c/n 110184 with Rex Air/Tranzair from 04-07-1989 until withdrawn and broken up. Cancelled 09-02-1996.

ZK-REX3 was another Bandit - A P1 model with c/n 110407 with Rex Aviation/Ansett NZ Regional from 13-11-1996 until cancelled on 29-10-99 to become VH-TLH.

Parked on the tie downs near the Canterbury Aero Club today was this Cessna 172N ZK-TRS2. c/n 68450. This is up from Geordie Hills Station, which is in the Lindis Pass, between Omarama and Tarras. It was registered here on 09-10-2007 after having been N733PU and then N172PN. An unusual colour !

Wayne Grant sends a photographic report of some 'dung dusters' at Hamilton today 18Nov.

This first is a shot of the remains of FU24-950M ZK-BXS c/n 77 registered to Super Air. This aircraft was involved in a landing accident at Piako on 11Nov when, per the CAA website, it was fast and high which resulted in the aircraft running off the end of the strip and coming to rest upside-down. The pilot was not injured.

The second is of FU24-950M ZK-CYM c/n 132 which was registered to Super Air 07Apr08 ex VH-CYM. Note the cabin windows.

FU24-950 ZK-DZO c/n 212 looking great in its Super Air scheme and PT6 engine.

FU24-950 PK-PNZ is destined for Indonesia, with a ferry flight originally planned for late October but it obviously remains holding at Hamilton.

On October 29, 2008 the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina officially named Turkish Airlines as the new strategic partner of the national carrier B&H Airlines marking the end to a successful privatisation. Despite Turkish’s desires to gain 51% of the airline and therefore become a majority share holder, the airline has made a compromise and has given in to the wishes of the Bosnian government, therefore holding 49% of the airline. Turkish will, at first, invest 5 million Euros in the purchase of new aircraft and will inject a further 5 million for the airline’s development. A new 100 seat jet aircraft should enter the fleet in the spring of 2009, most probably in time for the summer schedule which begins on March 29. By spring 2010 Turkish will add another new aircraft to the national carrier of Bosnia and Herzegovina brining the airline’s fleet size to a total 4. With 2 ATRs operating, two jet engine aircraft would be ideal for the small carrier. Turkish Airlines has agreed to keep all current workers employed in the airline, keep the airline’s name and its headquarters in Sarajevo.

Turkish Airlines is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, expanding its fleet and destination network in recent years significantly. With a network of 140 scheduled destinations and a fleet size of 117 aircraft, Turkish Airlines has recently commenced a tender process for the purchase of another 105 aircraft until the year 2023 with another 30 options.

Peter Campbell reports that The Copter Shop of Nelson RV6A ZK-RVJ c/n 21273 test flew at Nelson this morning, 18Nov, flown by Rex Newman. This aircraft was imported to NZ and previously flew in the USA where it was registered N747RV and subsequently cancelled from that register on 18Mar08. It was then registered ZK-RVJ on 15Apr08.