"Air Force 1"

President Barack Obama departed Honolulu this morning for Canberra (CBR/YSCB), then Darwin (DRW/YPDN), Australia in "Air Force 1", seen above lifting off from Runway 8L. 82-8000 (c/n 23824, l/n 679), a VC-25A (747-2G4B), brought the President here for the APEC 2011 Conference. The blue helicopter, in the background, is HPD's N504HP which carried a pair of Secret Service agents, that followed the motorcade, and landed after "Air Force 1" made its right turn south over Ke‘ehi Lagoon.

This C-32A (757-2G4W), 98-0001 (c/n 29025, l/n 783), followed "Air Force 1" as SAM (Special Air Missions) 44. It departed a few minutes after, on Runway 8L. It received its Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets in 2007.

Air China's B-2472

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his entourage came to Honolulu for the APEC 2011 Conference using one Air China's 747-4J6s. B-2472 (c/n 30158, l/n 1243) flew as CCA25 to and from PEK. The 747 parked on the HIK ramp, where President Hu arrived at the HIK VIP Terminal, and left from there this morning. It's seen above climbing out from its Runway 8L take-off.

B-2472 has been configured as a VIP transport for Chinese dignitaries.

The J6 Boeing customer code was originally allocated to the CAAC (Civil Aviation Authority of China). It carried onto Air China, after its creation. Air China's 777-200s, 767-300ERs, and some of their 737-300s carry the J6 code, while newer purchases carry the current 9L Boeing code.

Some APEC RareBirds

With the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in town, there comes various, different aircraft from around the world. This morning arrivals included Russia's President Dmitri Medvedev, Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Philippine's President Benigno Aquino III, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera, and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Seen above is an entourage of two Il-62Ms. There was also a Il-96-300 that landed before the Il-62Ms' carrying Dmitri Medvedev himself. RA-86559 (c/n 2153258) and RA-86467 (c/n 3749733) made the trip over from Moscow.

Also above is the Sultan of Brunei's V8-ALI (c/n 26426, l/n 910), a 747-430.

Australia's Prime Minister used one of their 737-7DF BBJs, the Philippines President used a Philippine Airlines A340-313X, and Chile's President arrived on their air force's 767-3YOER.

Arriving later tonight will be dignitaries from Japan, Canada, South Korea, and USA's Barack Obama.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Air!

82 years ago today, Hawaiian Airlines (then-named Inter-Island Airways), launched their first inter-island flight from HNL to ITO, with a stop in Maui.

Veteran's Day

Today, we remember the veterans who served, and who are currently serving our country.

Four Hawai‘i Air National Guard F-22As will make their first "Missing Man" formation pass over the National Cemetary of the Pacific at Pū‘owaina (Punchbowl Crater) today.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Crashes On Moloka‘i

A Blue Hawaiian helicopter crashed on Moloka‘i today, and claimed the lives of all five on board.

Hawai‘i News Now article coverage.

Lion Air's PK-LJG

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of their latest 737-9GPER today. PK-LJG (c/n 37287, l/n 3831) is making its island-hopping delivery flight from BFI to CGK (via HNL, MAJ, and BIK) as LNI1.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Air New Zealand To Increase HNL Service

Beginning in July 2012, Air New Zealand will increase the frequency of their round-trip AKL-HNL service from twice-weekly to thrice-weekly. From July to September 2012, the aircraft will be upgraded to their 777-200ERs from their 767-300ERs.

AirlineRoute.com article.

Russian Air Force's RA-78818

RA-78818 (msn 0093495858), an Ilyushin Il-76MD of the Russian Air Force (Voyenno-Vozdushnye sily Rossiya [Военно-Воздушные сили Россия]) arrived at HNL this morning to bring in the limousines for President Dmitry Medvedev, for his visit for the APEC Conference. It's seen above taxiing to Taxiway F, where it will park until the end of the conference.

The Il-76 taxied on its own power to the parking spot, because the tow bar attached to the ground handler's tug had snapped right before towing from the UPS/FedEx ramp. A few minivans led the way to the parking to bring the cargo jet's crew back.

RA-78818 is assigned to the 224th Air Detachment of Military Transport Aviation, 61st Air Army, based at Tver Migalovo (KLD/UUEM), Kalinin, Russia.

HNL's APEC Security Zone

Hawaii News Now has posted maps of security zones for the APEC Conference that begins on Monday, Nov 7th. This is the map for the extra security around HNL for the conference.

Map from Hawaii News Now and Department of Homeland Security.

Shenzhen's B-5618

Today, Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5618 (c/n 39151, l/n 3828), a 737-87L. It's flying as CSZ919 from BFI, with its first stop at HNL.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Qantas' VH-VZU

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-VZU (c/n 34187, l/n 3826) today. The 737-838 is flying out of BFI as QFA6024.

Sorry, no HNL photo, though team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

Alaska To Add Bay Area - HNL Service

Alaska Airlines announced today that they will launch daily non-stop service to HNL from SJC and OAK, in April 2012. With this move, Alaska will now have service between the Northern California Bay Area and all four major Hawai‘i airports. The airline will use their 737-890s for these new flights, as their fleet also continues to expand with more 737NGs on the way.

ASA835: OAK-HNL

ASA836: HNL-OAK

ASA837: SJC-HNL

ASA838: HNL-SJC

Alaska Airlines press release.

Garuda's PK-GIJ

The November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to January 6, 1996, where Garuda Indonesia's MD-11, PK-GIJ (c/n 48504, l/n 548) was photographed as it taxied along Taxiway RT. Garuda used to fly between CGK and HNL from the mid-90s to the late 90s. The short-lived service arrived from CGK around midnight, and returned the next morning.

PK-GIJ was originally delivered to Garuda in December 1993, and stayed for over four years. In November 1998, it went to Varig as PP-VQH. In 2007, 48504 was converted to a freighter, and acquired by Aeroflot in June 2008, as VP-BDQ.

During one of their landings on Runway 4R, a Garuda MD-11 had a tail-strike, that resulted in a go-around that had the tri-jet rocket over Kalihi, Nu‘uanu, downtown Honolulu, and Kaka‘ako before turning out to sea to re-cycle for another approach to Runway 4R. I was sitting out on my lanai of my condo that night, watching the string of late evening 4R arrivals, when I heard the Garuda crew request the go-around over my scanner. It was an amazing to watch and hear that MD-11 go full throttle over the city, especially watching the marker lights climb and bank. The MD-11 was subsequently parked on the South Ramp. It was determined that the damage was rather extensive, and temporary repairs could be made, so it could be ferried to the McDonnell-Douglas facilities at LGB for major repairs. I heard that the tail section did suffer damage to the airframe.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 15001

An RCAF Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304), 15001 (msn 446), paid a visit to HNL today, and parked at Gate 34. It's one of five CC-150s in the RCAF fleet.

This A310 was originally delivered to Wardair Canada as C-GBWD in February 1988. When Canadian Airlines acquired Wardair Canada, C-GBWD was absorbed into the combined fleet. The Royal Canadian Air Force acquired the A310 in 1993, and had a main deck cargo door installed in 1996.

A big mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo!

This also our 1,500th blog post!

Work Stoppage Cancels All Qantas Flights

In reaction to simultaneous labor disputes among three Qantas workers unions, the Australian carrier has grounded of all Qantas mainline and international flights today, including QFA3/4. QantasLink, JetStar, and JetConnect flights are not affected.

Qantas press release.

***10.30.11 Update***
According to the BBC, an independent tribunal has forced the airline to resume operations.

MT ANG Extends HI Deployment

The Great Falls Tribune reports that the six F-15C Eagles of the Montana Air National Guard's 120th FW that are here on alert deployment will extend their stay until September 2012. The Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th FS (and US Air Force's 19th FS) is completing its transition to the F-22A Raptor.

Hawaiian Upgrades SFO Service To A330

Beginning November 6th, Hawaiian Airlines announced that their lone SFO service, HAL11/12, will be upgraded to one of their A330-243s. This fleet upgrade will add 30 extra seats each way.

Hawaiian Airlines' press release.

Japan Airlines' 777 Flights

AirlinerRoutes.com reports that Japan Airlines will be substituting 777s on two flights. JAL's NGO service will have 777-246ERs on certain days, and JAL72/71 will have 777-346 service from 09-14 November.

Correction...JL72/71 will be 777-346ERs. JAL will also not be flying JL74/73 during APEC.

Ex-RAAF 707-338Cs

Earlier this week, two ex-Royal Australian Air Force 707-338Cs arrived from Pago Pago Pago (PPG/NSTU), after coming out of storage at Richmond, New South Wales, Australia (RCM/YSRI). N624RH (c/n 19624, l/n 689) and N629RH (c/n 19629, l/n 737) were registered as A20-624 and A20-629, respectively. Note that N624RH [top photo] still has special tail markings commemorating the 707's 29 years of service with the RAAF. Omega Air Tankers recently brought three 707-300s from the RAAF. N623RH (c/n 19623, l/n 671) [A20-623] should be leaving Richmond any time now.

All of the three 707-338Cs were with Qantas before they were acquired by the RAAF. A20-623 was VH-EAC, A20-624 was VH-EAD, and A20-629 was VH-EAI.