Fuerza Aérea de Chile's FAC985

Making a brief stop in Honolulu this morning was Chile's President Sebastian Pinera in their sole 767-3Y0ER after attending the G20 Summit that was held in Osaka, Japan.

FAC985 (c/n 26205, l/n 474) was originally delivered to Aeroflot in September 1994 as EI-CKD, leased from GPA. In February 2000, it was sold to GECAS, and went on to fly for Trans World Airlines (f/n 16108), and American Airlines after the merger as N638TW. In November 2003, EuroAtlantic Airways leased the airframe and was registered as CS-TLQ "Don Bosco". While operating with EuroAtlantic, it was subleased out to Southern Winds (LV-AIX) in 2004-2005, and Air India for a short period in 2007. Its current operator acquired it in August 2008.

Air Tahiti Nui's F-OSUN

Air Tahiti Nui is retiring F-OSUN "Moorea" (msn 446) as it ferries from PPT to VCV, via HNL. This A340-313, which was delivered to Air Tahiti Nui in December 2002, is the first of their three A340s to be retired, as the airline replaces the fleet with 787-9s.

Lucky Air's B-6198

Lucky Air is ferrying B-6198 (msn 2617) from HAK to GYR, via GUM and HNL. This A319-112 is making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

B-6198 was originally delivered in November 2005 to Hainan Airlines. In June 2007, it was transferred to Deer Air (Hainan Air Group). In May 2010, it was transferred to another HNA Group subsidiary, Capital Airlines. A year later, it was transferred to Lucky Air, and flew until last week.

N256TA Crashes At HDH

N256TA (msn LJ-256), a Beech 65-A90 King Air skydive aircraft, owned by Oahu Parachute Center, crashed shortly after takeoff at HDH [Dillingham Airfield, Mokulē‘ia, Oahu] this evening. There were reports that nine were aboard, and no one survived the crash. N256TA was being used by Oahu Parachute Club, but the aircraft was registered to N80896 LLC [Granite Bay, CA].

Continuing coverage on KHON.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the families of those who perished.

Update 06.22.19
HDOT announced there were 11 should that perished aboard N256TA.

Wing Spirit Receives Two HondaJets

Wing Spirit, Inc., a new aviation service based at HNL, is receiving two Honda HA-420 HondaJets, N191WS (msn 42000155) and N192WS (msn 42000156). They are making its delivery flights from Wajima, Japan [NTQ], by way of OKA, GUM, TKK, INU, VLI, PPG, and CXI.

More information in this AIN Online article.

China Eastern Airlines' B-20AD

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-20AD (c/n 63091, l/n 7582) this afternoon. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES900a, and will overnight at HNL.

Frontier Hints At Hawai‘i Service

When Denver-based Frontier Airlines announced their order of 18 A321XLRs today, CEO Barry Biffle hinted at possible domestic and international expansion. One specific location mentioned was Hawai‘i. With the 4,700nm range of the A321XLR, Denver is certainly in range to reach any of Hawaii's airports, though delivery is not expected until 2024. Their current A320neo also has the range to reach, but it's not known whether they are ETOPS-certified.

More information in this Frontier Airlines press release.

All Nippon Airways' JA382A

All Nippon Airways' second A380-841, JA382A "Kai" (msn 263), painted in the green honu livery, is making its first flight to HNL from NRT this morning. Flying the ANA184/183 route, this second super jumbo is working in the rotation with sister-ship JA381A.

Capital Airlines' B-6222

Capital Airlines is ferrying B-6222 (msn 2733) from HAK to GYR (via GUM and HNL). This A319-112 is making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

B-6222 was originally delivered to Hainan Airlines in April 2006. It was transferred to HNA Group sister-airline Deer Air in 2008. It was transferred to Capital Airlines in May 2010.

N933NZ

N933NZ (c/n 23383, l/n 1425), a 737-3B7F, most recently with Toll Airwork [New Zealand], is ferrying by Jet Test, from ASP [Alice Springs, Australia] to TOL (via BNE, HIP, MAJ, JRF, MCC, and YIP) as JTN9128. It's due to join the InterJet West fleet.

This 737-3B7F was delivered in April 2007, registered as ZK-TLA, and was stored at ASP in December 2018.

Capital Airlines' B-6199

Capital Airlines is ferrying one of their A319-112s, B-6199 (msn 2644), from HAK to GYR (via GUM and HNL), and is making an overnight stop at HNL.

B-6199 was originally delivered to Hainan Airlines in December 2005. It was transferred to Deer Air in June 2007. The Hainan Air Group transferred it to Capital Airlines in April 2010.

777 25

The Boeing 777 celebrates its silver anniversary of its first flight today.

Since its production, both the 777-200, and 777-300 have served HNL, OGG and KOA.

Hawaiian Airlines Purchases 787 Simulator

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they are purchasing a CAE 787-9 full flight simulator to install in their Koapaka Street simulator facility. It will be their third aircraft type to be installed, along with their A330 and A321neo CAE simulators. Hawaiian will be taking delivery of ten 787-9s beginning in 2021.

More information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Boeing Ends 737NG Production

Boeing Commercial is ending production of the 737 Next Generation line after KLM's PH-BCL (l/n 7542) rolls off the assembly line. Numerically, Skymark Airlines' JA73AC (l/n 7597) is the final 737 NG to be built. We are hoping that JA73AC makes its delivery flight through HNL, but it's highly unlikely, as most summer Japan-bound deliveries go through ANC.

There are still six China United Airlines 737-89Ps and a China Eastern Airlines 737-89P awaiting delivery at BFI, that should stop through HNL.

The only Next Generation-based airframes that will continue production, is the P-8A Poseidon for the US Navy, and other international military forces.

N762AS

N762AS (c/n 25099, l/n 2334), a former Alaska Airlines 737-490F, is making a ferry flight from TPA [Tampa, FL] across the Pacific, with stops at SBD, SJC, and JRF. It's making an overnight stop at JRF, and due in Malaysia to carry mail for the Poslaju Kurier National (Malaysian Post Service), and operated by AsiaCargo Airlines.

N762AS (f/n 762) was delivered to Alaska Airlines in July 1992. In April 2007, it was converted to a Combi model, with 72 coach seats in the aft portion, and palletized cargo in the forward section. It was acquired by the Avmax Group [Canada], and converted to a full freighter.


06.12.19 Update
N762AS's departure from JRF is being delayed due to a maintenance issue.

Asia Pacific Airlines' N752AL

Asia Pacific Airlines is adding their third 757-200F, with N752AL (c/n 25140, l/n 382). This 757-230F is underwent freighter conversion at VQQ [Jacksonville, FL]. It's now at FTW for painting.

25140 was originally delivered to Condor in July 1991 as D-ABNF. From 1996 to early 2002, it wore the "Rizzi Bird" special livery. In July 2002, it was leased to Thomas Cook Airlines, and returned in May 2004. In December 2006, it was sold to GOAL, then leased to L'Avion (Elysair) [France] as F-HAVN. In April 2009, it was leased to Open Skies, and sold to Aerolease, where it flew until January 2019. Asia Pacific Airlines bought 25140 in March 2019, and had it converted to a freighter in January.

Weststar Aviation's N800AK

N800AK (c/n 20045, l/n 596), a 727-23 most recently with Weststar Aviation Services [Malaysia], is ferrying from SZB [Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia] to TOL [Toledo, OH], via SPN, JRF, and MCC [McClellan Airbase, Sacramento, CA]. It's being ferried by Jet Test as JTN9127, and making an overnight stop at JRF this evening. This 727 is now owned by Aircraft Guaranty Corp Trustee [Onalaska, TX], and due to be parted out and scrapped.

20045 was originally delivered to American Airlines in July 1968 as N2913. In December 1980, it was sold to Parker Drilling as N2913. In April 1987, it was sold to Moorgate Inc. Westfield Aviation purchased this 727 in October 1988 as N727WF. During its time with Westfield, it was re-engined with Rolls-Royce Tays, and winglets installed. In July 1999, it was sold to Bombardier Capital, and leased back to Westfield. In September 2003, it was leased to Peninsula Aviation LLC as N800AK. It was also sold to the Bank of Utah (August 2012), then Aircraft Guaranty Corp (June 2013). It was leased to Weststar in May 2014, and re-painted to match Weststar's other 727-23, VP-BDJ.

Air Marshall Islands' N799AL

Our June edition of "HNL Rarebirds Classic" goes to back 1994, and Air Marshall Islands' DC-8-62CF, N799AL (c/n 45922, l/n 335), as it rested between segments on HNL's South Ramp.

45922 was originally delivered to SAS Scandinavian Airlines in February 1968 as OY-KTE "Skjold Viking". During its time with SAS, it leased to a number of airlines (with the same registry): Scanair "Turid Viking" [DK/VKG] (October 1979 - January 1983); Arista International Airlines (AIA) "Maro" [RY/---] (January 1983 - November 1983); Northeastern International Airways [--/---] (December 1983 - September 1984); and Thai Airways International [TG/THA] (October 1984), and was re-registered as HS-TGQ. The Royal Thai Air Force was the next owner as it was registered as 60-112, in September 1985. International Air Leases (IAL) acquired 45922 in 1989 registered it as N799AL, and leased it to Arrow Air [JW/APW] in September, then to Hawaiian Air in December. In September 1991, Air Marshall Islands [CW/MRS] was the next lessee, with crews from Hawaiian (September 1991 - August 1992) and Arrow until October 1996. Zantop International Airlines [--/ZAN] was the next lessee from October 1996 - August 1997. ATI was the next and last lessee from July 1998, until May 2013. Cargo Air Management, ATI's parent company, was the last owner of N799AL.

Renown Seattle-based Aviation Photographer Joe Walker sent this above photo of 60-112 when it visited SEA in 1986.

N799AL is currently a museum piece at the Naval Air Museum at Barbers Point. While with ATI, this DC-8 flew the Wake Island -  Hickam AFB - Travis AFB run for many years until ATI replaced with 757-200Cs.