Ex-Air Efata N12FQ

An MD-88 leased to Air Efata (Indonesia) is headed back to the mainland. While with Air Efata, this MD-88 (c/n 49766) was registered as PK-FEA.

As N12FQ, this bird was with Southeast Airlines (Miami, FL - no longer in service), and Air Aruba.

Above photo courtesy of Ha763.

Runway 4L Closure

Was informed that Runway 4L was closed yesterday afternoon for a short period, due to a nose gear collapse on N72HB, a Piper PA-23-250 (msn 27-7754149), owned by Washin Air. Thankfully, it did not appear anyone was injured. There was damage seen to the propellers. An extra large tow truck was brought in to clear N72HB from Rwy 4L, and towed back to the Washin Air hangar. Not sure whether the accident happened on take-off or landing.

White Jetstar A330

This is the third different Jetstar aircraft to fly to HNL. VH-EBC is also the only Jetstar A330 in white, as the others are silver.

Delayed Air Canada AC33

Normally, the Air Canada flights AC33 and AC34 depart around midnight. This morning, AC33 was delayed for over 7 hours. What a surprise to find an Air Canada A340 (C-GDVW) parked at Gate 25 at 6:00am. Air Canada only uses the A340 for their YVR-HNL-SYD flight seasonally. This flight finally departed at 7:10am. It was a little too dark, but here's a shot of C-GDVW at Gate 25 this morning:

China Southern's B-5235

China Southern Airlines took delivery of another 737-71B, B-5235 (c/n 29370). It arrived here at HNL yesterday, and departs today for MAJ as CSN235.

Sorry no photo available.

Runways 22 & 26 Traffic

For the majority of Wednesday afternoon, HNL's traffic pattern reversed as the winds blew from the southwest. In-bound flights made their approach abeam Waikiki Beach on their way to Runway 26L (or 26R), and departed toward Ewa, or toward the ocean on Runway22L.

In the top photo, a United Airlines 777-222, N214UA (c/n 30220), is on its take-off roll down Rwy 22L. In the photo above, a Hawaiian Air 717-22A, N487HA " ‘Io" (c/n 55132), is a few seconds (and few feet) from touching down on Rwy 26R.


Managed to sneak a few minutes of spotting time in during a break on a media assignment, and the only RareBird was an Embraer EMB-135BJ "Legacy", N702DR (msn14500925), which was previously registered as N702CM. It's registered to Diamond Resort International.

Arrival of Jetstar

Jetstar's first HNL flight from SYD arrived today as JQ3/QF385 a little more than 30 minutes late at 7:20am. Here is VH-EBD parked at gate 34, loading up for the return to SYD as JQ4/QF386. The late arrival plus the added ground handling training for Swissport meant that the flight left 45 minutes late at 9:01. Coming up on Dec. 29 is the first Jetstar flight from MEL. The A330-200s are only a stop-gap aircraft since QF has the 787 on order with first deliveries in late 2008.

Mele Kalikimaka!

The HNL RareBirds Team wish you all a Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian)!

Hope all of your Christmas wishes come true!!!

Warriors Win Hawai‘i Bowl!

Updating the Northwest's N237NW post, the University of Hawai‘i Warriors defeated the Arizona State University Sun Devils in the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl, 41 -24! Hawai‘i Quarterback Colt Brennan now holds the single-season touchodwn record with 58!

Another Northwest DC-10-30 was waiting on the north ramp yesterday morning waiting to take the Sun Devils back to PHX, as NWA9981.

Okay Airways' B-2117

Okay Airways (BK) of China, is taking delivery of this 737-3Q8F, B-2117 (c/n 24961), for it's cargo division.

B-2117 was previously with VARIG as PP-VOW, in both the old, and most recent liveries.

New Decal on AQ 737-200

Last month we posted that AQ has a University of Hawaii athletics logo decal next the the front door of N740AL, a 737-700. Now, AQ has a 'Go Hawai'i Warriors' decal on the rear of a 737-200, N835AL. Here it is parked in AQ's hangar

Disappearing Special HP Liveries

With the merger of HP and US, the special livery HP 757's are slowly being repainted into the new US livery. HNL has seen almost all of the special liveries pass through here. The Arizona Cardinals livery 757, N908AW, seen below, is no more.

N908AW was parked on the north ramp on Dec. 20, now wears the new US livery.

Skymark Airlines' JA737M

Skymark Airlines (Japan) has taken delivery of this 737-86N, JA737M (c/n 32683). It's seen here on the South Ramp waiting for push back clearance, to depart for MAJ as SKY737M.

China Southern's B-5237

Leading off today's HNL RareBirds Grand Slam: China Southern Airlines (CZ) has taken delivery of another 737-71B, B-5237 (c/n 29372). It arrived from BFI as CSN523, and remained @ HNL today. It's seen here on the Air Service Hawaii ramp.

Volga-Dnepr's RA-82046

One of Volga-Dnepr's An-124s, RA-82046 (msn 9773052255117/610), is taking a break on HNL's Hardstand 3. It arrived from PUS (Kimhae International Airport, Pusan, Republic of Korea) via NGF (MCAF Kaneohe Bay, HI) as VDA4319. It will continue onto YTR (Trenton, ON) this evening.

Northwest Airlines' N237NW

Arizona State University has chartered this old colors Northwest Airlines DC-10-30, N237NW (c/n 47844), to bring their Sun Devils football team to challenge the University of Hawai‘i Warriors in the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl to be played on the December 24th at Aloha Stadium. The flight, NWA9980, originated in PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,AZ), and arrived on yesterday. It's seen here taking a break on Hardstand 5.

Go Warriors!

Phoenix Air Group's N163PA

Completing today's HNL RareBird Grand Slam is a Gulfstream III, N163PA (msn 249) operated by the Phoenix Air Group. The rarity of this bird is the starboard side cargo door. This G-III previously served with the Royal Danish Air Force. This flight arrived from ONT (Ontario, CA), re-fueled, and returned to ONT.

Gulfstream G-IVs (C-20G) in service with the US Navy and US Marine Corps have the same cargo door, including the ones based here in Hawai‘i.

Under Renovation

The HNL RareBirds Blog will be undergoing some renovations over the next few weeks. As the blogspot.com changes, so will our blog. One of the first changes we have added is the "Label" feature. It is on the bottom of most of the posts, and has been designated by airline (for now). A aircraft type Label is under consideration as well. When you click on it, it will display all of the airlines' posts on this blog. A change in the layout is also being considered at this time. Please bear with us as we move through the changes.

A Little Qantas Retro: HNL's first 707

At Honolulu's old John Rodgers Airport on Lagoon Drive, residents line up to tour a Qantas jetliner after the Boeing 707 set a new record on its inaugural flight to Honolulu on June 30, 1959. The flight, which opened commercial jet travel to Hawaii, triggered an explosion in tourism, which remains the islands' No. 1 industry. Photo credit HA State Archives

Volume 11!

The HNL RareBirds thread series on the Airliners.net Civil Aviation Forum has moved to Volume 11! Find out the latest HNL RareBird Alerts of arrivals headed here.

Cheers VH-XBA!

VH-XBA, the 707-138B in the Qantas 1959 colors departed HNL this morning for NAN (Nadi, Fiji). "XBA" is seen here departing Runway 8R. Got there just as it was about to taxi into position, great timing.

Watching the those four JT3D powerplants spool up, and belch out that black smoke was quite a nostalgic sight! Too bad it didn't depart from Runway 8L (or 8, as it was pre-8R), that would have truly been an HNL RareBirds Blast From The Past!

Qantas' first jet - VH-XBA

Here's Qantas' first jet aircraft, a 707. It arrived in HNL on Tuesday, Dec 12 at 1405. This aircraft is currently parked on the North Ramp with a lot of company. Behind VH-XBA in the picture is a NW 757-300. On the other side (behind me) was a NW 747-400, APA 727-200F, AA 757-200 with winglets, and a DL 767-400. According to the website about this QF 707, it is scheduled to depart HNL at 0800 on Dec. 14. Hopefully I will be able to get out there again tomorrow to get more pictures.

http://www.707.adastron.com/flyhome/diary-3.htm

Billabong's N121FB Returns

The Grumman Albatross, N121FB, owned by Billabong (a surfwear company), is back @ HNL. The seaplane had been using HNL as a base for its promotional flights and surf flights. With the winter high surf due for O‘ahu's North Shore, we could see this RareBird circling above North Shore surf spots.

The photo above was taken back in February when N121FB arrived from the mainland the month before.

Air China's B-5178

Air China has a second "Fuwa Beijing 2008" logojet, B-5178 (c/n 32682). This 737-86N has the same "Five Friendlies" decals as B-5176 (see the 08 & 09 Nov 06 entries) on both sides. B-5178 arrived from BFI on Friday, midday as CCA058.

Aloha's Warrior N740AL

Aloha Airlines (AQ) has affixed a University of Hawai‘i Warriors logo on a 737-76N(W), N740AL "Kamohoali‘i" (c/n 28640) [top]. This is the same "H" logo as the ones that are on the nationally-ranked football team's helmet [above]. AQ is the official airline of the Warrior football team, and handled the road game charters this season. Go Warriors!

"Kamohoali‘i" is seen here arriving today, from OAK as AAH441 on Runway 26R. Also, the helmet of Warrior Defensive Lineman #99 Lawrence Wilson (Senior), rests on the FieldTurf® of Aloha Stadium, during pre-game warm-ups before their victory over the Purdue University Boilermakers (42 - 35).

On a personal note, I rode N740AL on a flight to SNA (AAH482) back in October 2004, and was the subject of a "Coach Flyer" column published in an issue of "Airways" magazine. I also was the field videographer for the Purdue - Hawai‘i game.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The HNL RareBirds team wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are truly thankful for all of the RareBirds that have been through HNL during 2006.

Air Tahiti Nui's 2nd appearance at HNL

Air Tahiti Nui flew in again today from PPT as TN706. It arrived a little after 12:30pm and parked again at Gate 25. It left just before 4:00pm back to PPT as TN561. Sorry, no pictures this time.

HP Arizona Livery 757

HP/US had N90AW, with the Arizona livery, parked at the hard stands on the North Ramp. I'm not sure if it had mechanical problems, but it went out for a flight and when it landed, headed straight back to the hard stands.

China Southern's B-5236

China Southern Airlines' latest 737-71B (c/n 35362) made its way to HNL from BFI as CSN236. It's scheduled to depart HNL at 0800L.

Sorry, no photo available.

COMCO 757

Also seen in HNL today is a COMCO 757-22L, N610G (c/n 29304). This rarebird was parked at Gate 28.

According to their website, COMCO is "an aviation and engineering services company. Although we conduct a variety of aviation related business, COMCO specializes in providing engineering testing services in the areas of avionics, aircraft structure and airframe modifications, power-plant, aircraft systems integration, long-range communications, aircraft instrumentation, and other research and development programs specifically dealing with aircraft systems, maintainability, and habitability."

So, why it was parked at a gate rather than a hard stand? It's a mystery since this 757 is supposed to be a test bed. I'm not sure if they also do passenger charter work. I think it is currently parked on the South Ramp since I saw it crossing the airfield instead of heading towards to the end of the runway.

Departure of Air Force One

After spending 16 hours in Hawaii, Air Force One took off at 10:08 am taking the President back to Washington D.C. All the airspace over Hawaii was shut down for about an hour and all ground movements at HNL stopped for about 30 minutes. With not much to do, many people on the ramp (including me) were just sitting and waiting to watch Air Force One leave. Once it took off, everyone started getting back to work.

Xiamen Airlines B-5161

Xiamen Airlines has another 737-85C(W) on its way from BFI. B-5161 (c/n 35046) stopped off at HNL, as seen here being readied to continue on to MAJ.

Japan Airlines' JA301J

Japan Airlines' first 737-846(W), JA301J (c/n 35330), has made its appearance at HNL on its way to NRT. It's seen here on Hard Stand 5, being prepped for its next leg to MAJ as JAL7901.

Updates for JAL's 737-800 delivery and other things

Well, JAL's first 737-800 has left HNL for MAJ today, Nov. 17. JL7901 had a scheduled departure of 9:00am, but left a little later at 9:17am.

Also, pictures of the RNZAF 757's and TN's A340 in HNL have been added.

Delivery of JAL's first 737-800

JAL's first 737-800 is scheduled to stop over at HNL on November 16. The flight number is JL7901 and has an ETA of 3:20pm. It will most likely park on the North Ramp.

Air Tahiti Nui!

A real rarebird at HNL...Air Tahiti Nui flew in today from PPT with one of their A340-300s (F-OJGF). What a surprise to find a big blue bird sitting at Gate 25 when I stopped at the security checkpoint. Arrived from PPT a little before 12 noon with a scheduled departure of 2:00pm. This flight is most likely a charter since most of the people I saw at and around the gate was using the same shirt.

RNZAF 757's

Both RNZAF 757's were at HNL today and parked by the CO hangar. NZ7571 was the first to leave, around 9:18am, while NZ7572 stayed a couple hours longer.

A Salute To Our Veterans

On this Veterans' Day, the HNL RareBirds team salutes the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, both who are currently serving our country, and those who have previouly served. We also salute those allied forces who fought along our warriors. We thank you for serving our country, and putting your lives on the line to protect our land. A special salute goes to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms that only the US has.

The next time you see one of our warriors in uniform, tell them "thank you for serving our country."

Two Hawai‘i Air National Guard F-15As from the 199th FS in the photo above, perform an overhead break above Runway 26L.

Hainan Airlines' B-5182

Hainan Airlines (HU/CHH) received another of its 737-808s, B-5182 (c/n 34708). The arrived at HNL today from BFI, and parked on the AirService Hawaii ramp.

This is the first one with Hainan titles I've seen in a while. The last several HU 73Hs have had subsidiary titles (Chang An, Shan Xi, & China Xinhua), instead of its parent company.

HNL RareBirds

Can anyone help out on these two "incidents?" According to an airport employee, Aloha Airlines had a 737 with two smoking engines on the reef runway the other day, and it was closed down for two hours. This caused a bit of an inconvenience to the other operators who had to detour or alter taxi patterns.

Today, Thursday November 9, there was an Air Force (AFRC to be specific) C-5 Galaxy parked(?) about 100 yards Ewa of the turn on the taxiway at the end of Lagoon Drive. From about 4:30 to 6:30 pm, I watched as some neat flatbed lift-trucks unloaded about 6 to 8 large palleted loads, three truckloads full. Then, two tanker trucks labelled JP-8 (typical military jet fuel) either filled or off-loaded the big bird. Next, a crew bus from Hickam took 8 or 10 pax/crew back to the base. Never in my 26 years of hanging out there did I ever observe such an activity, especially in the middle of a taxiway! Neither did the FedEx guy that hung out with me for a while. Does anyone know what was going on? Was there an abort, then was the plane lightened so that it could make its way back to the Hickam tarmac? Was this some "special" procedure? I'd be really interested in finding out. Sorry, no pix, no camera and the sun was really backlighting the whole scene anyway.

Air China's B-5176 ... Part 2

The Five Friendlies appearing on Air China's B-5176 are depicted in different sporting activities on the left side of the aircraft. Due to the angle of the sun yesterday, I could not get a good shot to severe backlighting. The photo above, is from this morning as B-5176 is pushed back onto Taxiway C, as it prepares to depart for MAJ on the second leg of its delivery flight to BJS (Beijing, China).

Air China's B-5176 ... Part 1

Leading off today's HNL RareBird Grand Slam (a 1st!), is Air China's second variation of its Beijing 2008 Olympic Games livery adorned upon B-5176 (c/n 34258), a 737-86N. It features the mascots (Fuwa) of the Summer Olympic Games being held in Beijing. Air China has been designated as the official airline of these games. B-5176 arrived at HNL today from BFI as CCA058. Air China has two 737-79L(W)s, B-5201 and B-5213, wear the first logojet design.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games website has a complete list of all of the mascots (Fuwa - The Five Friendlies) artwork like those on B-5176.

Royal Brunei Airlines' V8-BKH

A Royal Brunei Airlines (BI/RBA) A340-212, V8-BKH, (msn 046) is also visiting HNL. This aircraft belongs to the Sultan of Brunei, and is his personal aircraft, complete with a VIP interior. This is about the third time this jet has been at HNL this year.

Boeing Company's N836BA

The Boeing Company has their corporate jet, N836BA (c/n 30756), a 737-7BC(W), parked on HNL's south ramp. What else would Boeing use but one their own? That's a no-brainer.

This BBJ previously was with NetJets as N156QS, up until this past summer.

Volga-Dnepr's RA-82074

Completing today's Grand Slam is a Volga-Dnepr An-124 (RA-82074, c/n 9773051459142/707), that parked at Hard Stand 3 on the north ramp. It arrived from BDL (Hartford, CT) this afternoon, as VDA1400.

Aloha Airlines' N836AL

Aloha Airlines (AQ) has received another of its "new" 737-236s. N836AL (c/n 23225), a.k.a "Kauikeaouli", is seen here on the Elliott Street ramp, and will soon be joining AQ's inter-island fleet. This aircraft previously wore the following registrations: N154FV, LV-ZTD, and G-BKYO.

767-200ER's at HNL

AA had a 767-200 (N329AA) RON and was parked at Gate 19 this morning. This seems to be the norm for AA when they bring in the 767-200's to HNL.

With the end of Daylight Savings Time, AC 's arrival from YVR is now back around noon instead of late afternoon.

Also, AA's first flight out of HNL, AA270 HNL-LAX, is now a 767-300ER instead of the normal 757. This flight is also leaving an hour later at 9:00am. This schedule will be in effect until December 13.

Air Nippon's JA08AN

Yokoso JA08AN! Air Nippon's (EL/ANK) newest 737-781W (c/n 33877) arrived today from BFI enroute to Japan. Flight number unavailable. It's seen here taking a rest on the North Ramp Hard Stands. JA08AN leads off today's HNL RareBirds trifecta.

China Southern's B-5163

China Southern Airlines' B-5163 is the next 737-81B (c/n 30708) to stop off @ HNL from BFI, on its delivery flight. It arrived as CSN163, and will depart for MAJ tomorrow.