China Southern's B-2539

B-2539 (c/n 26068, l/n 2306) is another China Southern Airlines 737-3Y0, leased from GPA, that's being ferried to the US mainland. It arrived at HNL yesterday afternoon as CSN2002 from HAK (via LAO, SPN and MAJ). B-2539, seen above on the south ramp, departs for MZJ (via OAK) later tonight.

Au Revoir F-WWDD

After, its Hawai‘i stopover, F-WWDD departed from Runway 8R today, for HKG as AIB101. 

There was quite a turnout at the Lagoon Drive General Aviation lot, as a few dozen people showed up to catch a glimpse of the "Super Jumbo". The parking lot was almost full, as the departure time approached. As F-WWDD taxied along Taxiway RB, people rushed to line up along the fence line, or stood on their cars to get their photo of the A380. As soon as the big bird made its turn to heading 155°, the lot emptied within a couple of minutes. 

Qantas' VH-ZXB

Qantas Airways has begun the phase out process of its Rolls-Royce RB211-524H-powered 767-336ERs from its fleet. The seven, acquired from British Airways, are being withdrawn from service, and ferried to ROW. The first of which, is VH-ZXB (c/n 24338, l/n 293), which is flying from SYD as QFA6025, and will make a stop at HNL later this evening.

24338 was originally delivered to British Airways as G-BNWF in May 1990, and even wore the "Scottish Tartan", Benyhone tail livery for a time. It was acquired by Qantas in November 2000.

photo to follow ...

Malaysia's 9M-MXM

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MXM (c/n 40140, l/n 4276) today. The 737-8H6 is flying as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we weren't able to get a photo of 9M-MXM at HNL.

A380 Demo Visits HNL

F-WWDD (msn 004), an A380-861, one of the Airbus Industrie [VK/AIB] A380 demonstrators paid a visit to HNL today, in an event hosted by Hawaiian Airlines. The Super Jumbo is flying as AIB101, and their call-sign is "Airbus101Super". F-WWDD is seen in the top photo, rolling out on Runway 8L. It exited on Taxiway K, and taxied to Gate 29 via Taxiways A and D (above).

F-WWDD's first flight took place in October 2005. It was built with Rolls-Royce Trent 970 engines, and designated as an A380-841 variant. According to Airbus Senior Vice President of A380 Marketing Richard Carcaillet, this airframe has only 3,000 flight hours on it. As a demonstrator, it has worn temporary liveries of Emirates Airlines [EK/UAE], Singapore Airlines [SQ/SIA], Lufthansa (fuselage titles only) [LH/DLH], and Etihad Airways (fuselage only) [EY/ETD]. As seen in the photos on this post, it now wears the "Love At First Flight A<380" titles along with the Airbus house colors. In May 2009, F-WWDD was re-fitted with Engine Alliance GP7270 engines, and re-designated as an A380-861. As with the other Airbus airliners, the version codes designates the type of engines used on the aircraft.

Airbus Senior Vice President of A380 Marketing Richard Carcaillet and Hawaiian Airlines President & CEO Mark Dunkerley held a pre-arrival briefing at Gate 29. The flight, we were told, originated from TLS, and its flight time was approximately 15 hours, 15 minutes.

The interior of F-WWDD is quite bare, but filled with water ballasts, test equipment, a master control panel for the flight test engineer. There are several seats in the forward upper deck for the group that flies with the A380.

A maile lei, and five orchid lei were placed around the fuselage of F-WWDD. Each strand measured over 200 feet in length.

Video courtesy of team member Aeros, of F-WWDD landing on Runway 8L.

KITV's video report on F-WWDD's arrival by reporter Nana Ohkawa and videographer Sonny Ahuna.

A380 Demonstrator (F-WWDD)

F-WWDD landed at HNL at about 2:20pm this afternoon, en route to HKG.  These pictures were shot from Ewa Beach Park as it was on approach to Runway 8L.  This is the first time the A380 has made a scheduled visit to HNL; Qantas A380s have previously landed here for medical diversions while flying LAX-SYD.

Air China's B-2472

Air China's B-2472 (c/n 30158, l/n 1243) made a stop at HIK this afternoon from MBJ (Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica). The 747-4J6 landed on Runway 4R, and taxied to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam ramp, behind the A380 demonstrator flight. It's seen above, on Taxiway A, shortly after F-WWDD parked at Gate 29. We deduct that this is a government flight, as B-2472 parked at HIK.

Nok Air's HS-DDO

Nok Air [DD/NOK] is returning one of their 737-4Y0s leased from GECAS, HS-DDO (c/n 26081, l/n 2442), is seen above, taxiing out from the Bradley Pacific Aviation ramp. It's returning to the mainland, destination unknown, and will be re-registered as N291CS later on.

26081 was originally purchased by Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) in March 1993, then leased to AirBerlin [AB/BER] as D-ABAF. BER sub-leased it to Pegasus Airlines [PC/PGT] during its time, as TC-AFU. Philippine Airlines was the next lessee as EI-CVP in February 2001. GPA sold 26081 to GECAS in 2006. Ukraine International Airlines [PS/AUI] was the next lessee in February 2006, and registered as UR-GAR. Nok Air began its lease from December 2010.

Mahalo to team member Lono68 for the heads-up and photo!

A380 To HNL 9 December

Just in case you all don't know this already, an A380 is supposed to arrive at about 1430 on Sunday, 9 December. Not sure if it will RON nor where it will park. Anyone know more? Surely Mark Dunkerley isn't thinking of acquiring one! :-) But oh my, she'd be oh so pretty painted in Pualani colors.

Hawai‘i ANG F-22As On Alert Duty

The 199th FS re-assumed the air defense mission of the Hawaiian Islands, as the squadron's (and co-squadron 19thFS) F-22A Raptors received full operational certification.

More information in this news article from the 15th Wing's website.

China Southern's B-5699

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5699 (c/n 38935, l/n 4274) today. It's their second 737-81B in the past four weeks, and is delivering as CSN121. It's seen above taxiing to the AirService Hawaii ramp, on Taxiway C, after landing on Runway 26L.

Aloha No, Montana ANG

The detachment of the Montana Air National Guard's 186th FS / 120th FW assigned to temporary duty at HIK comes to an end today at 0000Z (1400L).

The Montana ANG was brought in during the Hawai‘i ANG's transition from the F-15 to the F-22, to fill the role of air defense around the Hawaiian Islands.

The six F-15Cs, pilots, and support personnel ends a 28-month mission, that was scheduled to last 18 months, but was extended due to the maintenance issue with the F-22 oxygen delivery system.

Mahalo to "The Vigilantes" for keeping our skies safe.

Shandong's B-5652

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5652 (c/n 39126, l/n 4271) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5652, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, pulling into Hard Stand J, where it will overnight, before heading off to MAJ tomorrow morning.

Lion Air's PK-LKO

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LKO (c/n 38684, l/n 4266) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight as LNI1, and will make its customary brief fuel-stop at HNL. It's seen above taxiing in the alleyway leading to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp.

VH-TJG 737-476

An ex-QF 737-476, VH-TJG (c/n 24432, l/n 1879), is making its way from Australia to the California desert.  It arrived today, December 4, from MEL via SYD and APW as QFA6027.  HNL is the last stop before it heads to its final destination, VCV.  

This aircraft was originally delivered to Australian Airlines on July 3, 1990.  Australian Airlines was bought out by Qantas in 1992.  Ownership of VH-TJG transferred to Qantas when the airlines fully merged in 1993.

Samsung 737-7EG BBJ

Samsung's BBJ HL7759 (c/n 35990, l/n 2107) has stopped in HNL for a visit.  It has been parked on the North Ramp since Monday.  It was previously in HNL between March 8-March 15.

N19621

Another former United Airlines 737-524, N19621 (c/n 27334, l/n 2661, f/n 0621), is making its way to Indonesia to join the Sriwijaya Airlines fleet, under lease from Well Fargo Bank Northwest. It arrived from MCC yesterday, and was scheduled to depart today for MAJ.

Hawaiian Announces HNL-TPE Service

Hawaiian Airlines announced early this morning, that they plan to launch thrice-weekly non-stop A330-243 service between HNL and TPE in July 2013. This would be the only non-stop flight between the two destinations, since China Airlines has discontinued their non-stop TPE-HNL (CAL2/1) flight two years ago.

Currently, the only service between HNL and TPE is the daily one-stop flight offered by China Airlines (CAL18/17), that stops at NRT.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

November Deliveries

Here were the 737NG delivery flights that stopped through Hawai‘i in November:
4238 | PK-LKK | 38725 | Lion Airlines | -8GP [11.05.12 LNI1]
4237 | 9M-MLQ | 39327 | Malaysia Airlines | -8FZ [11.06.12 MAS5403]
4246 | 9M-MXL | 40139 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [11.09.12 MAS5473]
4244 | B-5698 | 38933 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [11.10.12 CSN5698]
4245 | B-5722 | 41785 | China United Airlines | -89P [11.12.12 CUA577]
4241 | B-5692 | 41301 | Shanghai Airlines | -8SH [11.14.12 CSH692]
4236 | PK-LKL | 38683 | Lion Airlines | -9GPER [11.16.12 LNI1]
4251 | B-5695 | 40018 | Air China | -89L [11.16.12 CCA51]
4257 | 9M-MLR | 39328 | Malaysia Airlines | -8FZ [11.20.12 MAS5403]
4258 | B-5295 | 39723 | China Eastern Airlines | -79P* [11.30.12 CES299]
4262 | B-5693 | 40037 | Air China | -89L [11.30.12 CCA51]

Shanghai's B-2858

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classics" takes us back to June 2004, with the delivery flight of Shanghai Airlines' B-2858 (c/n 33960, l/n 1045). This 757-26D made a stop at HNL, from BFI, and overnighted on the Bradley Pacific Aviation ramp. The China-bound 757-200 deliveries followed the same path as the 737 delivery flights.

B-2858 continues to fly with Shanghai Airlines.