The CAA online register

 I am sure that many of you are aware that portions of the CAA online aircraft register is unavailable.

I have received the following from CAA regarding this matter.

Edited.

We have experienced delays in getting the online web register to synch with our new system. 

Our IT team are currently working on a solution to resolve this issue.

 

We are looking to resume these downloadable files.

 

We are hoping this will be resolved soon. 

Christchurch arrivals 07-01-2025 from Tony McFarlin.

 These three Australian arrivals into Christchurch International today, 07-01-2025, were captured by Tony McFarlin.

Embraer 545 Praetor 500 c/n 55010106 was first listed to the manufacturer Embraer SA as PR-GDH before becoming VH-8DE on 24-05-2023 listed to Degroup Air Pty Ltd of Melbourne and operated by Business Aviation Solutions Pty Ltd.

Embraer 505 Phenom 300E VH-87X c/n 505000778 joined the Australian aircraft register on 07-02-2024 listed to Special Mining Services Pty Ltd and operated by Flight Options (Australia) Pty Ltd.

It arrived in from Sydney, continued on to Queenstown and then back to Sydney.

Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 750 c/n 70091 was originally listed with Bombardier Inc of Montreal as C-GUUA2 on 06-04-2021, cancelled on 20-12-2021 to become VH-LON2 the following day listed with Lance East Aviation and operated by Seletar Jet Charter Pty Ltd.

A couple of helicopters at Pauanui

A couple of helicopter visitors to Pauanui comprised the Kawasaki BK117B-2 ZK-IRD3 which was imported from South Korea in early 2024.  Flying here initially in its Korean colours it has now been repainted all black.

And the MD500N ZK-IEK which was imported from Denmark back in 2014,  initially as ZK-IDB2 but becoming IEK in 2015.   It is currently registered to International Helicopter Properties Ltd, Auckland.

 

A Look Back Over Our 2024 Blog Header Photos

As usual we have had a wide range of great aircraft photos for the blog header in 2024.  Here they are (with thanks to the photographers):

January

February

March

But then I saw this photo from Grant Newman, so I had to change the header for March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

and December

Gulfstream M-HERI arrives at Christchurch.

 

Tony McFarlane was on the spot to snap the Gulfstream GV-SP (550) M-HERI c/n 5240 arriving into Christchurch today 05-01-2025.
First noted as N840GA with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation on 23-09-2008.
It became HB-JKC with Jet Aviation Business Jets AG on 29-10-2009 and then to the Isle of Man register as M-HERI with Heri Aviation Ltd from 29-10-2019.

A familiar couple from GCH Aviation Ltd at Christchurch

I swung into GCH yesterday at Christchurch International and caught these two old familiar helicopters parked out.

The Kawasaki BK117-B2 ZK-HJC3 c/n 1061spent its first five and a half years in Japan as JA6626 and I believe it had only 25 hours airframe time when it came to NZ in 1996.

It has been with Garden City Helicopter Ltd / GCH Aviation Ltd since 23-04-1996.

See HERE for earlier posts on HJC.

 

Eurocopter EC 130 B4 ZK-IWS is c/n 4041 and was registered in NZ, following some 10 years in Canada, on 22-02-2016 and joined GCH Aviation Ltd on 20-05-2020.

See  HERE for previous IWS posts.

Nelson today 04-01-2025.

 Bill Mannix was on the prowl around Nelson Airport today 04-01-2025 and offers these two photos.

The Grumman American AA-1B Trainer ZK-DKX c/n AA1B-0198 appeared on the US register in 1973 as N9698L before coming to NZ for assembly by New Zealand Aerospace Industries Ltd at Hamilton as ZK-DKX from 27-09-1973.

I went on line with Air Gisborne Ltd from 03-1201973 and then privately with Linsey Nees at Takaka.

It then settled in Nelson initially with Deanna Heeman from 11-07-2003 followed by Gallett Properties from 29-08-2005.

The Cessna C560 Citation V Ultra ZK-XGO c/n 560-0349 had an early start from Ardmore this morning for Nelson. It then Dashed down to Invercargill then back to Nelson and home to Ardmore.

Both have been mentioned previously in these pages.

Piper Cub VH-YUP at Ardmore

Just before Christmas 2024, Piper Cub VH-YUP flew across the Tasman, arriving at Ardmore on the 23rd:

Mark Pattenden caught it at Ardmore on the 27th.  I understand that it is now at its new home of Omarama. (Maybe it is even registered here?).

Thanks for the photo Mark.

Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ at Wellington on 29-12-2024

On our way back home to Auckland with Air New Zealand on 29 December, there was a very substantial business jet parked on the control tower side of the airport.  Given its dark blue and white colours and the fact that it was a long way away from the terminal and having to shoot through glass it was challenging to get a good photo.  Here are a couple I managed:

Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJ N3E was reported to have bought the co-founder of Snapchat, Evan Spiegel to the capital.  The registration is just behind and above the last window (if you could see it!)

And here are the contrasting winglet shapes from Boeing and Airbus.

Happy New Year for 2025!