Hawai‘i Army National Guard Flyover

A CH-47F Chinook from the Company B, 2nd Battalion, 211 Aviation Regiment and a HH-60M from Company G, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, performed a flyover prior to the start of tonight's University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football game. Only 16-20855 (the HH-60M), is listed as the flight IMUA855, which made the flyover at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, in honor of the Rainbow Warriors' Senior Night agains the New Mexico Lobos.

China Airlines' B-18918

China Airlines' A350-941, B-18918 (msn 239), is making a stop at HNL, as it transports Taiwan's President Ching-te "William" Lai around the South Pacific. The Airbus/Caron Fibre special-liveried A350 is flying as CAL1588. President Lai is scheduled to spend time here meeting with local and US officials.

01 December 2024 UPDATE

B-18918 returned empty to TPE as CAL1591.

Qantas' VH-OQH

Qantas' A380-842, VH-OQH "Reginald Ansett" (msn 50), made a diversion to HNL from SYD this morning. It was scheduled to fly to LAX, but made a medical diversion, and will continue onto LAX later in the morning.

New Mexico Lobos Team Charter

The New Mexico Lobos football team is chartering a Sun Country Airlines 737-800 for their road game against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N801SY (c/n 30332, l/n 777, f/n 801) is flying the Lobos from ABQ to HNL, via OAK, as SCX8420. The team will return to AB following the game.

01 December 2024 UPDATE

The Lobos returned to ABQ, via OAK, as SCX8420 following their 38-30 loss to Hawai‘i.

Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi

Happy Thanksgiving from the HNL RareBirds™ team!

Coulson Aviation's N382CG

Another Coulson Aviation C-130H, N382CG (msn 382-4336, f/n 138), is making its way from TRM to XRH, via SMX, KOA, PPG, and NLK, as CUL138. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

382-4336's History:

___ ____: Delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force as BW-C 954 "Balder", assigned to the 335 Squadron.

Sep 2023: Acquired by Coulson Aviation, and converted to a water bomber.

Conair's C-FFQF

Conair's fire fighting Q402-AT, C-FFQF (msn 4315), will be making a stop at HNL from YXX, via OAK, as FGD391. This Q400 is making its way to Australia to assist in the Southern Hemisphere summer fire season.

Asia Pacific Airlines' N193AN

Asia Pacific Airlines is taking delivery of N193AN (c/n 32387, l/n 981) today. This 757-223F, is delivering from LAL to HNL, via PHX, under lease from Titan Aviation Holdings. It's being flown with an Amerijet flight code, AJT96.

This is Asia Pacific's sixth 757-200F, and the first powered by Rolls-Royce RB211s. The other five are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW2040s.

32387's History:

Nov 2001: Delivered to American Airlines as N193AN (f/n 5FC).

Sep 2016: Painted in the current livery.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ROW.

Jly 2021: Sold to AerSale, and ferried to GYR for freighter conversion.

Mar 2022: Leased to Amerijet.

Jun 2022: Sold to Titan Aviation Holdings, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at LAL.

Maui Invitational 2024 Team Charters

Some of the  eight-team Maui Invitational college basketball tournament may possibly arriving by team charter flights, while other teams will travel via commercial flights. The tournament runs from 25-27 November in Lāhaina, Maui.

The eight schools are: Auburn Tigers, Colorado Buffaloes, Dayton Flyers, Iowa State Cyclones, Memphis Tigers, Michigan Sate Spartans, North Carolina Tar Heels, and the UConn Huskies.

The Tar Heels flew to HNL via Omni Air International, and will return to RDU from OGG.

22 Nov 2024:

Michigan State: SCX8417 [LAN-OAK-OGG] aboard N804SY.

UConn: ASA9689 [BDL-OAK-OGG] aboard N723AL.

27 November 2024 UPDATE

Michigan State will return to LAN, via OAK, aboard N808SY, as SCX8417.

Memphis will return to MEM, via OAK, aboard N804SY, as SCX8424.

UConn will return to BDL, via SEA, aboard N934AK, as ASA9682.

28 November 2024 UPDATE

North Carolina will return to RDU, aboard N207AX, as OAE2463.

Hawaiian Airlines' N494HA Moana 2 Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines' 717-2BL, N494HA "Koaʻe Kea" (c/n 55182, l/n 5138, f/n 494), is now wearing the Moana 2 decals. It had the decals applied over the past few days, and has returned to service this morning.

N476HA "Elepaio" (c/n 55118, l/n 5053, f/n 476) was slated to receive the decal treatment, but was switched out.

North Carolina Tar Heels Team Charter

The tenth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-224ER for their game on Friday against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N234AX (c/n 30436, l/n 833) is bringing the Tar Heels here from RDU as OAE2220. They will stay in Hawai‘i, as they are participating in  the Maui Invitational tournament in Lāhaina, Maui, beginning on the 25th.

21 November 2024 UPDATE

N234AX returned to its base at AFW as OAE2220 after dropping off the Tar Heels.

Air Force 2 To KOA

99-0004 (c/n 29028, l/n 829), flying as Air Force 2, is taking VP Kamala Harris and husband from ADW to KOA, via LAX today. This C-32A (757-2G4) is assigned to the 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing.

With the VP's vacation on Hawai‘i Island, the FAA has put a TFR in place during the visit until Monday, 25 November.

Above is a photo of 99-0004 on final for Runway 4R, taken in November 2022.

25 November 2024 UPDATE

Air Force 2 departed KOA for SFO, then ADW.

Eastern Airlines' N771KW

Eastern Airlines' 777-212ER, N771KW (c/n 28530, l/n 390), is making a stop at HNL from MCI as EAL9832.  It will continue onto GUM as EAL9833 tomorrow.

28530's History:

Mar 2002: Delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-SQI, under lease from Pembroke.

Apr 2017: Leased to FlyGlobal as 9M-FGA.

Nov 2017: Subleased to Nesma Airlines for one month.

May 2020: Purchased by Eastern Airlines as N771KW.

Nov 2022: Inducted into service.

May 2024: Leased to Garuda Indonesia for two months.

21 November 2024 UPDATE

N771KW is arriving from ANC tonight as EAL9835, and will continue onto MCI tomorrow as EAL9836.

N737ST

Boeing's N737ST (c/n 66147, l/n 7833) is back at KOA as BOE401. The former Ural Airlines 737-8 arrived today from BFI. It's not known how long it will stay at KOA.

N737ST was at KOA for over a week this past July.

24 November 2024 UPDATE

N737ST departed for BFI this morning.

Pacific Air Charters To Refocus On Commuter Flights

Ch-Aviation.com reports that Pacific Air Charters will change its commuter flights focus to LUP, as it prepares to launch its P2012 operations. The air charter company will expand to other airports in 2025, but has deferred deliveries of more P2012s.

Altavair Reports On Delays of Hawaiian Airlines' A330-343Fs

CH-Aviation.com reports that labor shortage by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) is causing delays in the conversion and deliveries of the last four A330-343Fs due to Altavair, to lease to Hawaiian Airlines for its Amazon Prime Air. Two of the A330-343s are at DRS, one at PVG, and one at CAN, awaiting conversion. Hawaiian was scheduled to receive all ten freighters by the end of this year.

US Air Force's 06-0500

A US Air Force C-37B assigned to the 99th Airlift Squadron / 89th Airlift Wing, 06-0500 (msn 5152), is making a stop at HNL as SAM314 from OSN. Instead of parking at HIK, this C-37B is parking at Castle & Cooke Aviation. It's one of the rare times that USAF VIP transports will park outside HIK. On 17 November, this military version of the G550, stopped through HIK from CONUS, its way to OSN.

19 November 2024 UPDATE

SAM314 departed for CONUS this morning.

Coulson Aviation's N131CG

Coulson Aviation's N131CG (msn 382-4901) is making a stop at ITO, as it ferries to Australia for their summer fire season. This C-130H, flying from SMX as CUL131, will also make a stop at PPG.

382-4901's History:

Oct 1981: Delivered to the US Navy as 161495, as an EC-130Q.

___ 1983: Assigned to VQ-3.

Mar 1987: Assigned to VQ-4.

Dec 1991: Converted to a C-130H, with the removal the EW equipment.

___ 1993: Given to NASA as N427NA, and based at Wallops Island, WA.

Oct 2004: Donated to the Kenosha Military Museum for display.

Aug 2012: Acquired by Wells Fargo NA Trustee, and registered as N130FF.

Aug 2013: Leased to Coulson Aviation, and converted to a fire fighting aircraft.

Jan 2018: Sold to the Delaware Trust Co Trustee, and the lease transferred.

___ 2020: Painted in the current livery.

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors Team Charter

The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their road game against the Utah State Aggies on Saturday. N209HA "Ili‘ahi" (msn 8186, f/n 209) is flying the Rainbow Warriors to SLC as HAL764, and will reposition to OAK as HAL9765 after dropping off the team. Another A321N will pick up the team on Saturday following the game.

17 November 2024 UPDATE

The Rainbow Warriors are returning home aboard N204HA "ʻŌhia Lehua" (msn 7959, f/n 204) as HAL767 following their 55-10 blowout loss to the Aggies.

American Airlines' A321N Departure Anomaly

An American Airlines A321-251N, N418AN (msn 9550, f/n 418), failed to make the immediate right turn upon departure from Runway 8L last night. Operating as AAL298 to LAX, the A321N maintained runway heading until over Mānoa, then they made the right turn out toward Oʻahu's south shoreline, cutting across East Honolulu. The closest the A321N got to the Koʻolau Mountains was near Mānoa, but was well above the peaks. The flight continued onto LAX, and landed safely less than five hours later.

Normally, all departures from Runway 8L require a right turn of at least a heading of 140º, as soon as practical to avoid overflying metro Honolulu. For late night flights, narrow-body red-eyes to the west coast are allowed to depart from Runway 8L, since the traffic is light.

US Air Force's 64-14831

A US Air Force WC-135R Constant Phoenix, 64-14831 (c/n 18771, l/n 723), is making a stop at HNL as ATOM31. This former KC-135R, assigned to the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron / 55th Wing, is one of three modified to detect atmospheric anomalies associated with nuclear explosions.

Prior to the modifications, 64-14831 was last assigned to the 197th Air Refueling Squadron / 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard.

Veteran's Day

The HNL RareBirds™ team expresses our deep gratitude to the men and women of the United States armed forces who have served, or are serving our country. Mahalo for your service to protect our country and our freedoms.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 95th anniversary today. The above logo decal will be affixed near the L1 door of each aircraft.

Silk Way West Airlines' 4K-SW800

Silk Way West Airlines' 747-4R7F, 4K-SW800 (c/n 2729, l/n 1189), is making a brief fuel stop at HNL this morning. It's flying from YYC as AZG9382, and will continue onto WTB [Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia].

Royal Canadian Air Force's 15001

The Royal Canadian Air Force's CC-150 Polaris, 15001 (msn 446), is making a stop at HNL as CFC3156. This flight originated from YTR [CFB Trenton / Trenton Airport, Trenton, ON, Canada], and made a stop at PHX.

All Nippon Airways' JA901A

For this morning's flights between HND and HNL, All Nippon Airways has put a 787-10, JA901A (c/n 62859, l/n 852), on the service. Normally, ANA assigns a 787-9 for ANA186/185. It's not known how long the 787-10 will operate on this segment, or if this a fleet substitution.

N820CM

Cargo Aircraft Management is ferrying N820CM (msn 641), an A330-302, from TPE to DRS, via HNL and CVG. It's still wearing part of the China Airlines livery. It's not known who it will be leased to, but it will be converted to a freighter.

641's History:

Dec 2004: Delivered to China Airlines as B-18303.

Sep 2019: Sold to Altavair Finance, and leased back.

Aug 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TPE.

Oct 2024: Sold to Cargo Aircraft Management as N820CM.

REX Airlines' VH-RQC

Castlelake is having VH-RQC (c/n 33797, l/n 1389) ferried to the US mainland, following its withdrawal from service by REX Airlines. It's ferrying from ADL to MZJ, via MEL, NAN, and HNL; with overnight stop at HNL tonight. It will be re-registered as 2-HRQC at MZJ.

33797's History:

Oct 2003: Delivered to Virgin Blue as VH-VOP.

Feb 2005: Transferred to Pacific Blue Airlines as ZK-PBB "Whitney Sundays".

Dec 2011: Pacific Blue rebrands as Virgin Australia New Zealand, and aircraft renamed as "Indian Head".

Feb 2015: Returned to Virgin Australia as VH-VOP  "Indian Head".

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MEL.

Nov 2020: Sold to Castlelake, and ferried to CGK.

Dec 2020: Leased to REX Airlines as VH-RQC.

Jly 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ADL.

Pregame Flyover

A KC-135R from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, 63-8030 (c/n 18647, l/n T0686), performed a flyover over the Clarence TC Ching Field at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, before the UNLV-Hawai‘i football game this afternoon. 63-8030 flew from east to west with its tail boom down and the probe extended. The flyover was part of the Military Appreciation Night event to celebrate Veteran's Day.

Amazon Prime Air's N5843K

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of N5843K (msn 1071). This Amazon Prime Air-liveried A330-343F has been inducted into service at SBD, with a flight to PDX as HAL1625.

1071’s History:

Dec 2009: Delivered to Etihad as A6-AFA.

Feb 2011: Painted in the "Visit Abu Dhabi" special livery.

Aug 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored at AUH.

Jun 2020: Acquired by Altavair Finance, and ferried to TEV for storage.

Dec 2023: Ferried to DRS, registered as F-WTAN for freighter conversion.

Sep 2024: Ferried to SBD for paint into the Amazon Prime Air livery.

Royal Australian Air Force's A30-001

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail, A30-001 (c/n 33474, l/n 1245), is making a stop at HIK from SUU as ASY65. The flight originated from PAM, where it had been training. A30-001 is assigned to No 2 Squadron, based at NTL [RAAF Base Williamtown, Newcastle, South Wales, Australia]

Amazon Prime Air's N4663K

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of N4663K (msn 1865). This A330-343F, operating for Amazon Prime Air, was inducted into service from SBD to HNL, as HAL1611.

1865's History:

Apr 2018: Built, but not taken by Hong Kong Arlines as B-LHG, stored at TLS.

Jly 2022: Acquired by Altavair Air Finance as F-WXAC, and stored at LDE.

May 2023: Ferried to BFM for storage, and freighter conversion.

Sep 2004: Ferried to SBD for painting in to the Amazon Prime Air livery.

Oct 2024: Ferried to PDX

Hawaiian Airlines Completes GTF Issues

CH-Aviation reports that Hawaiian Airlines has completed all of the necessary repairs on the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G, that affected their A321-271N fleet. All of Hawaiian's A321Ns are now back in service.

The report also mentioned that Hawaiian plans to keep their 717-200 fleet for at least the next three to five years, as they have calculated the timeline to reach 110,000 cycles per airframe. Currently, the airframes are approaching the 80,000 cycles mark.

UNLV Rebels Team Charter

The UNLV Rebels football team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-224ER today, for their road trip to play the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N234AX (c/n 30436, l/n 833) is making the flight from LAS to HNL as OAE2179. The Rebels will return to LAS following the game.

09 November 2024 UPDATE

The UNLV Rebels returned to LAS tonight, following their narrow victory over Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian Airlines' N208HA Moana 2 Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines' A321-271N, N208HA "Koa" (msn 8123, f/n 208), now has Moana 2 special decals applied to the fuselage, and is returning to service today. This is the second of three Hawaiian's airliners to receive the promotional decals.

Icelandair's TF-FIC

Icelandair's TF-FIC (c/n 30735, l/n 91) is making a brief fuel stop at HNL tonight from PPT as ICE1432. This 757-23N, wearing the Abercrombie & Kent special livery, will continue onto LAX, as part of a global charter flight. TF-FIC has been here before in the Abercrombie & Kent livery, while on other exclusive tours.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 140108

A CP-140M Aurora from the 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron / 19 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force made a stop at HNL before returning to YQQ [CFB Comox, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada]. 140108 (msn  285B-5709) arrived as CFC475, and departed for YQQ with the same flight number.

On a related note, the RCAF has ordered 14 P-8A Poseidons to replace the aging CP-140Ms, with deliveries slated to begin in 2026. The RCAF also has options for two more P-8As. Nothing was mentioned as to the possibility of having its own Canadian designation.

Republic of Korea Air Force's 18-001

The ROKAF's Airbus KC-330 Cygnus MRTT, 18-001 (msn 1787), made a stop at HIK this morning, then departed later in the day for PUS as ARGO501.

Boeing and Machinists Settle Strike

Aviation Week reports that the Machinists union have accepted the latest proposal from Boeing, and agreed to end their nearly-two-month-long strike. The machinists are required to be back on the job no later than 12 November. Assembly lines for the 737, 767, and 777 will be back building airliners.

QantasLink's VH-YQS

Southern Cross International is ferrying QantasLink's 717-2BL, VH-YQS "Great Otway National Park" (c/n 55178, l/n 5128), from CBR to VCV, via APW and KOA, as SXI2472. Its stop today at KOA will be an overnighter.

According to our sources in Australia, this will be the last 717 to ferry out of Australia, as sister-ship, VH-YQW "Tassie Devil" (c/n 55194, l/n 5154) will remain in Down Under to be used by an engineering school.

55178's History:

Feb 2004: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N916ME, under lease from Boeing Capital.

Jun 2009: Leased to MexicanaClick as XA-CLE.

Oct 2013: Leased to National Jet Systems to operate for QantasLink as VH-YQW.

___ 2019: Painted in the current livery, and named "Great Otway National Park".

Oct 2024: Flew the final QantasLink 717 revenue flight, then withdrawn from service.

Airnorth's N197JB

Southern Cross International is taking another try at delivering Airnorth's ERJ-190AR, N197JB (msn 19000020), as SXI2480. It stopped off at HNL on 14 October, but returned to SJO five days later. It's flying from SJO to ROK, via SDM, OAK, HNL, MAJ, and BNE; and its stop at HNL today will be an overnighter. ROK is the home of Alliance Airlines' maintenance base.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau 204th Airlift Squadron

The Hawaiʻi Air National Guard's 204th Airlift Squadron "Nā Pueo", of the 154th Wing, celebrates its 30th Anniversary today. Activated in 1994 to support the Hawaiʻi-based Army and Marine Corps units with eight C-130Hs, as well as humanitarian relief regionally and internationally.

In 2008, eight C-17As replaced the C-130Hs, and also became a joint service unit with the active duty 535th Airlift Squadron "Tigers" / 15th Wing.