N522PT

An ex-Japan Airlines MD-81, N522PT (c/n 49821), is making its way to IGM (Kingman, AZ) from Japan.  The MD-81 was registered as JA8925, and delivered to Japan Air System (JAS) in August 1989.  When JAL took over JAS, the MD-81 was painted in the current JAL colors.

It's scheduled to make a fuel stop this evening, and continue to IGM.  N522PT is owned by Sunrise Asset Management of Las Vegas, NV.

Sun Country's N809SY

Sun Country Airlines' N809SY (c/n 30683) made another appearance at HNL today as SCX8700.  The 737-8Q8 was a federal prisoner transfer that brought inmates to the Honolulu Federal Detention Center.  The flight originated at DFW, then went to IWA and VCV.

***09.01.10 Update***
N809SY returned to VCV, IWA, and DFW today as SCX8701 with another set of inmates mainland-bound.

Hainan's B-5538

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-84P this week.  B-5538 (c/n 36783) is flying as its registration, and will overnight at HNL.

B-5538 is seen above taxiing to Rwy 8R to depart for MAJ.

ANA9402

An All Nippon flight arrived this evening as ANA9402 from HND as an extra charter flight operated by one of their 777-281ERs.

Final HANG F-15 Sortie

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron held its final F-15C Eagle training sortie today. Eagles 78-0509 and 78-0522 took on the 199th's F-22A, 03-4046. The last three of 14 F-15Cs will be officially retired by the 199th next week.  The other 11 have already gone onto new homes or AMARG.

HNL RareBirds was privileged to watch the Raptor (seen above, piloted by Lt. Col. Kristoff "Jag" Sills, Steek11) and two Eagles (Mytai12) depart Runway 8R, up close from Taxiway RM, a mere 50 yards away from the centerline. Not only did we hear the roar of the engines as the fighters passed us by, but we felt it as well, as they all took off with full afterburners.



After performing their last F-15 left overhead break, the pair of F-15s landed on Runway 8L, and taxied back to the 199th's ramp. The two Eagles (seen above) return to their clamshells after their final HANG training sortie. The top photo shows F-15C 78-0509, piloted by Lt. Col. Jeffrey "Saw" Sage, and the above photo shows F-15C 78-0522, piloted by Lt. Col. Mark "Odie" Ladtkow, taxiing in. Also, both the "HH" tail code, and the "Hawai‘i" tail flash have been painted over. These two Eagles are destined for Nellis AFB, NV.


Upon deplaning, both "Eagle Drivers" were hosed by junior pilots, as a sign of the end of the F-15 era with the HANG. After being hosed, "Odie" and "Saw" posed for photos and interviews by the press, and social media. "Saw's" wife provided the lei for the pilots. They will go on to complete F-22 training with the retirement of the F-15s.

HNL RareBirds extends a warm mahalo to Pacific Air Forces, the Hawai‘i Air National Guard, the 154th Wing, and the 199th Fighter Sqaudron for your service to our country and state, plus allowing us to attend today's event.

Hainan's B-5539

Hainan Airlines' B-5539 (c/n 35763), a 737-84P, is being delivered through KOA today as B5539.  The delivery flight will route from BFI to HAK via KOA, MAJ, and GUM.

Lion Air's PK-LHI

PK-LHI taxing to the Castle & Cooke hardstand after arriving in HNL.

Lion Air's PK-LHI

Lion Air's second 737-9GPER delivery this month is PK-LHI (c/n 37276), and is flying as LNI1.

In the above photo, PK-LHI is taxiing out for its next leg to MAJ.

go!'s N75995

go! has added N75995 (c/n 7361), their second CRJ200ER with red Mokulele titles on the fuselage and tail logo.

Not sure which CRJ200 it replaced, or if this is an addition to the fleet.

7361 was originally delivered in 1999 to Kendell Airlines (Australia) as VH-KJJ. Kendell was a partner of Ansett Airlines. After Ansett folded in 2003, the CRJ200 was acquired by Wells Fargo Bank, leased to Mesa Airlines, and became N75995. It first served with US Airways Express then United Express.

Lion Air's PK-LHH

Lion Air's PK-LHH (c/n 37275) is the newest 737-9GPER to join their fleet. It's making its delivery flight as LNI1 today, and is seen above rolling out on Runway 4R, making its brief fuel stop here.

Shanghai Airlines' B-5545

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of a GECAS-leased 737-86N, B-5545 (c/n 36803), today. It's flying as CSH545, and will stopover at HNL today.

Sorry, no HNL photo, though team member Drewski2112 got a photo of B-5545 at BFI.

Garuda's PK-GFE

Garuda Indonesia's PK-GFE (c/n 36804), is the airline's third 737-800 this month. PK-GFE is a 737-86N leased from GECAS, and is making its delivery flight as GIA8011.

Sorry, no HNL photo, but team member Drewski2112 got it at BFI.

French Air Force Transall C-160R

This French Transall C-160 made a stop-over last weekend. 64-GQ (msn 220) is seen here at the North Ramp Hardstands.

Continental Retrojet

N75436 (c/n 33531), a 737-924ER, arrived as COA3 from LAX. It is seen here in a rather congested gate (Gate 14).

RNZAF's NZ7571

The Royal New Zealand Air Force's 757-2K2, NZ7571 (c/n 26633) returned to HNL's south ramp today. It was last seen here a few months ago.

Garuda Indonesia PK-GFF

PK-GFF (c/n 36436) taxies by on it's way to a hardstand on the
south ramp after arriving from BFI.

Garuda's PK-GFF

PK-GFF (c/n 36436), is Garuda Indonesia's second 737-8U3 delivery this month. It's flying as GIA8011 out of BFI to CGK, with stops at HNL, MAJ and BIK, and is seen above later in the day.

Shandong's B-5541

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5541 (c/n 40882), a 737-8FH leased from RBS Leasing. It's making its island-hopping trek as CDG5541, and is their second 737-800 delivery this month.

B-5541 is seen above taxiing to Runway 8R on its way to MAJ, with a Hawaiian Air 717-200 departing for ITO as HAL168.

Shanghai Airlines' B-5523

Shanghai Airlines' next 737-86D to be delivered is B-5523 (c/n 35776). It's making its flight from BFI to PVG as CSH523, with HNL as its first stop today.

Fortunately, our team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

China Eastern's B-2268

B-2268 (c/n 53588), is the ninth and final ex-China Eastern MD-90-30 making its way from PVG to join the Delta Air Lines fleet. Flying as CES599, it arrived Wednesday evening at HNL from PVG via MAJ.

B-2268 is seen above on HNL's south ramp on a photo taken earlier today. It's scheduled to leave for OAK this evening, and join the DL fleet to become N926DH.

Hawaiian Accelerates A330 Delivery

Hawaiian Air has accelerated the delivery of one of their A330-200s from the second quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2011, to become Hawaiian's fifth Airbus. Their third A330-243 is expected to be delivered in November.

The Hawaiian Air press release link.

Garuda's PK-GMP

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GMP (c/n 30148), a 737-8U3. It's flying from BFI as GIA8011, and will stop at HNL to overnight before continuing onto to MAJ tomorrow.

PK-GMP was originally scheduled to deliver yesterday, but was set back to today.

Shandong's B-5537

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of a 737-8AL leased from BOC. B-5537 (c/n 37954) is making its island-hopping trek as CDG5537.

Sorry, no HNL photo ... though team member Drewski2112 got a photo of B-5537 at BFI.

N825EX

A former US Airways Express Dash8-102A, N825EX (msn 388), has stopped off at HNL from YYC via GTF (Great Falls International, MT) and CCR. It will continue onto MAJ.

N825EX was originally delivered to Allegheny Commuter in October 1994, then was merged into the Piedmont Airlines fleet in January 2004. Both airlines are part of the US Airways Express system.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

Alaska To Add BLI

Beginning January 7, 2011, Alaska Airlines will add service between BLI (Bellingham International AIrport, Bellingham, WA) and HNL using 737-890s.

Alaska Airlines' official press release.

According to Howard Dicus' blog, BLI is an airport that Canadians use to avoid paying the higher ticket costs of flying in and out of YVR.