Yet another of our Cessna 207's has jumped the "Ditch".
ZK-SEY , c/n 00661 , the Air Safari's Cessna T207A Turbo Stationair cleared Kerikeri on Tuesday for Norfolk Island. On Thursday it completed the hop across via Lord Howe Island.
It has been Tekapo based since its arrival in NZ in July of 1985.
I noted it for sale on Trade Me back in August of 2005.
Top pic at Tekapo 20-01-2006 and lower pic also at Tekapo but on 26-09-07.

This is the first of a series enquiring about airframes that have been spotted around the country.

This Lake LA4-200 c/n 583 and ex DQ-FDO was noted at New Plymouth in May of 1985; I believe for Neil O'Connor (sp ?).

It had obviously arrived some time prior to this date in a container.

I know that this airframe started life as N65644 and then became VH-ETB, VP-PBA, F-OCXH, VP-PBA, H4-AAD and then DQ-FDO, which was cancelled on 20-07-1984.

Next sighting was at Nelson in July of 1994.

The Registration ZK-SUB was reserved in 1994 - possibly for this aircraft.

What has happened to this airframe since 1994 ?

Jat's Boeing B737-300s get interior change

Jat's Boeing B737-300

In late May, Jat began refurbishing its Boeing B737-300 fleet, which are beeing renewed for the first time since 1994, when the airline received a new visual identity. Although the actual seats in the aircraft have been replaced now for the first time since the aircraft arrived. The refurbishment was carried out on the aircraft registered YU-ANJ, which received new look seats, new lighting and new carpets. The outside of the aircraft also received fresh paint while the engines were also changed. By the end of August a further 5 aircraft will receive the new interior. The new seats are of the same configuration as the previous ones although they have been revamped with leather from the United States. The business class section has also received a new look. The refurbishment of YU-ANJ amounted to 100.000 Euros.

Jat's revamped economy class

Jat's Boeing B737-300s get interior change

Jat was the launch customer of the Boeing B737-300 series aircraft in Europe. Its first B737-300, still operating for the airline, entered service on August 15, 1985 (registered YU-ANF). The majority of Jat’s B737s arrived during 1988. According to Jat’s technical division, the aircraft can serve for a further 5 years before they become too expensive to maintain and operate. Despite being with Jat since they were produced, many of the airline’s Boeings have operated around the world. YU-ANJ, which has been the first to receive the revamped cabins is the most memorable. It was the first aircraft to receive the “flying dots” livery in 2003 under the new name Jat Airways. YU-ANJ also memorably flew within Australia during 1989. This was the year when Australia’s pilots strike took place. The Boeing was leased in Jat colours with Jat’s cabin and flight crew to Australian Airlines and Ansett Airlines. Neither of the two exists anymore.

YU-AOU | Boeing 737-322 | Jat Airways 

A quick whizz around Christchurch's western grass area at about 10am this morning found the Cessna 402B ZK-MAP2 , c/n 402B-1056 , outside the Aero Club. This is listed to the ACK Gilbert No1 Trust c/o Air Logistics of Stoke.

Helipro's Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HGQ4 , c/n 1438 , is alive and well & being preflighted. (mentioned in the comments section of the ZK-IMO post further below).

Trying to escaped from between the Helipro and the Heli Maintenance hangars before I could get a photo was the Robinson R44 Clipper ZK-HDD4 , c/n 0299 , listed to Skyline Trust of Nelson and operated by Ridge Air out of Omaka.

On the tie downs alongside the Aero Club hangar was the Piper PA23-250C Aztec ZK-DGT , c/n 27-3427 , of Dairy Tech International of Tauranga.

Cessna 172N Skyhawk ZK-EJQ , c/n 68793 , of the Canterbury Aero Club with the old and the new control towers in the background.

And who said size does not matter ?

Air National listed the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series 200 c/n E2130 as ZK-ECO/3 in January. Soon after this date it appeared, firmly lodged in the firm's hangar at Auckland International.
Apart from a brief tow-out, it has seemingly remained there as a hangar queen ever since.
Am I missing something here? Is it incredibly active during the hours of darkness and returns for a polish each day? Or is there some more serious work being carried out?
I am aware that there was some reworking of the radio systems that was required by CAA, but surely that would not take this long.

Croatia and Montenegro sign new air agreement

Representatives of the Croatian and Montenegrin governments have signed a new air agreement between the two countries which should regulate air traffic. The agreement will allow Montenegro Airlines to introduce a 2 weekly service from Podgorica to Zagreb from this fall. Previously, air traffic between the two countries was regulated based on old and out of date documents. Croatia Airlines already serves Podgorica from Zagreb three times per week and will continue to do so during the 2009/10 winter season, without decreasing existing frequencies. The new agreement will allow airlines from Montenegro and Croatia to receive a license to operate to the other country with more ease.

Meanwhile, another Croatia Airlines Dash 8 Q400 aircraft has been involved in an incident, this time however the incident was minor and through no fault of any mechanical failure. The aircraft was hit by a bird which flew in the propeller of the aircraft as it was landing at Split Airport from Vienna. No one was aware of the strike until ground handling staff noticed blood on the wing of the aircraft and found the birds’ remains in the engine. The aircraft’s next flight, to Zagreb, was cancelled as a result. Despite the fact that there was absolutely no danger to passengers, some Croatian tabloid newspapers did not hold back in dramatizing the event. The aircraft in question is the brand new Dash 8 called Istra which began operating for the airline less than a week ago.

I stumbled over this interesting clip on the Argosy the other day. Thought you might like to have a look for yourselves.
http://www.aviation-history.com/armstrong-whitworth/aw650-a.htm

The Argosy photo above is ZK-SAE1 C/N 6802 , as seen alongside the highway between Woodbourne Airfield and Renwick on 15-07-2008. The blurb below is attached to the lower fuselage beneath the cockpit (starboard side).