03 April 2008

AQ & ATA Rest In Peace


It seems to be happening way too fast. This was the scene at Aloha's final arrival. Such a sad moment in history. Employees of Aloha all gathered around the last flight were all kind of emotions where exchanged. What my pictures dont show are the other supporters that came out to bid Aloha good bye. On the opposite side of the 732 where the employees of Hawaiian, showing some aloha to there fellow ohana. People from United, Swissport, WFS, Sherrifs, and various other airport staff also came out to witness history. Thank you Aloha for your 61 years of fabulous service.


Tonight a similar story showed again. This time it was ATA's turn to be placed into the pages of history. ATA's last flight nationwide was to take off from Honolulu. Word came down the line as we were servicing N517AT, a 757-200, that this flight would be the last flight of ATA. At first we thought that it was a late April Fool's joke. We soon found out from operations that this was no joke. This was for real. TZ4586 for PHX lifted off around 0030. What a way to see a airline go. I had the privilege of waving off the last ATA flight out of HNL.




ATA was our main contract at night. With them gone now, Im not sure of our employment situation. We also service Air Canada and Air Pacific. Air Canada has reduced flights for this month to five days a week. Air Pacific had two days per week. We where servicing ATA every night. After seeing what Aloha's employees had to go though, I would have never thought that a similar situation hit so close to home so quickly.

01 April 2008

Shenzhen's B-5377


Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5377 (c/n 35079), a 737-8AL(W). It's seen here taxiing to Runway 8R for its depature to MAJ. The aircraft has a name, unfortunately it's written in Chinese ...

Also, in the background are the Aloha Airlines 737-700Ws parked on Taxiway F.

Aloha Parks Their 737s Around HNL




Aloha Airlines has parked their 737-700s on Taxiway F west of Runway 4L, and south of Taxiway B (above), and some of their 737-200s are parked in the Aloha hangar area (middle) and near Gate 49 of the Makai Pier of the Interisland Terminal (top).

In the photo of the parked -700s, two of those birds have special meaning to me ... N751AL, "‘Aukele", was the 73W I rode home from SNA in 2004. Of course, N748AL, "Koholālele", was the 73W I had the honor of photographing the painting process that Wyland worked on.

The four -200s parked by Gate 49 are N824AL, N808AL, N843AL, and N837AL. N808AL was the one 737-200 that was once ETOPS certified and carried the flags of the USA, Marshall Islands, and Micronesia. The four parked at the hangar are N836AL, N828AL, N841AL, and N823AL. Of course, N823AL is the retro livery Funbird.

Mahalo to Ha763 for the -200 photos.

31 March 2008

Some Rarebirds of Last Week

Last week has been pretty hectic with the announcement that Aloha will be shutting down its passenger service. Having been in the Explorers program, I cant help but to feel like Im loosing a family member. 61 years of flying history will come to an end today. I just only hope that the employees and the birds of Aloha have a bright future ahead of them.

With that being said, pics of the RAAF 737, a white A321 (VH-VWY), and a Continental 752 with winglets (N13113).




30 March 2008

Aloha Suspends Passenger Operations


Aloha Airlines has suspended passenger operations effective March 31st, due to their Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings ...

The Honolulu Advertiser's coverage link.

N740AL (c/n 28640), "Kamohoali‘i", is seen here taxiing to its gate after a flight from OAK (AAH441). It's still wearing the "H" logo of the University of Hawai‘i Warriors football team, as Aloha was the team charter for the Warriors road games in 2007.

28 March 2008

Hainan's B-5371


Hainan Airlines' next 737-84P(W), B-5371 (c/n 35752) is on it's delivery flight to China via HNL, MAJ, and SPN. It's seen here being prepped for its leg to MAJ.

26 March 2008

go! Moving More Aircraft to HNL?

In the past week, as seen below, an all-white CRJ with go! titles has been seen flying out of HNL. Today, another one was spotted on the ramp. N77278 was parked amongst two other CRJs in the normal go! livery as well as an Aloha 737-700. Is this a move by go! to be prepared to secure Aloha's passengers should their bankruptcy end in a chapter 7? Or are they simply rotating aircraft in and out without spending the money on the full livery? There are plenty of rumors floating around and only time will tell. 

RAAF in Town...

The past 24 hours has seen a number of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft arrive at HNL. Yesterday, it was a Boeing 737-700/BBJ clad in white with large Air Force titles on the side. It parked on the South Ramp and departed this afternoon from the reef runway. Today also saw the arrival of 9 (if my count is correct) F/A-18s on runway 8L with the unoriginal (but accurate) callsign of "Aussie". They parked at Hickam and were followed in by two Omega Tankers. First a B-707, then a DC-10. The RAAF is the launch customer for the A330 tanker that the USAF has just selected but they have not taken delivery of the first one yet, thus making it necessary to contract private tanking to cross the pond. Just a guess, but they are likely either coming from or going to Red Flag at Nellis AFB, NV. 

25 March 2008

Lost 199th FS Eagle Update

According to an aviation publication, the HANG 199th FS F-15D "Eagle" that ditched near the O‘ahu coastline on 01 Feb 08, was 78-0562 (msn 0456/D002).

23 March 2008

Shuttle/ISS/ATV

Hawaii residents will have a good chance to see some spacecraft fly over tomorrow evening. If you Google "NASA Human Sighting" that should get you to the right page at NASA. Then just find your location under "Sighting Opportunities."

Followup : There have been some adjustments to the schedule since I printed it out a few days ago. Tonight looks OK for sighting too. 

22 March 2008

Another Pic of Go!'s newest jet




Just a better shot of N27314. I wasent sure how to add a comment with a picture so here it is.

18 March 2008

New CRJ for go! in different livery


Mesa has apparently sent a new CRJ for go! and it is a different livery than the other CRJs. This new one has an all white fuselage and tail with the go! titles in blue on the fuselage and a blue square on the tail with the go! titles in white. Not sure of the registration, as I only saw it from my office and cannot make it out in the picture.
Update...I finally got a good look at the registration and it is N27314. It seems that this aircraft was flying in United Express colors prior to this.

15 March 2008

Aviastar DHC-6


Last evening on the South Ramp, there was a smart-looking DHC-6 from Aviastar Mandiri Indonesia. The tail was PK-xxx, with a silver/gray livery and a golden star on the tail. It was running both engines as we passed so I didn't get a chance for a photo. Not sure if they spent the night or were preparing for departure. *NOTE: A DHC-6 from Aviastar was reported to have run off the runway in Indonesia on 1/30/08 and hit a group of spectators.

*EDIT: Here's a photo from today. It was still on the ramp with an open door. PK-BRA

09 March 2008

Special charter in KOA?

Another interesting plane parked in the private jet area at KOA airport today. N742PA. Passengers boarded the bus in front. Plane left soon after.

Virgin Blue (VH-ZPA) Landing in Kona

Approaching runway in KOA caught over state park. Ended up parking in private jet area. Any ideas why it's in town?

Hazy Early Morning Arrival Today

A different perspective into PHNL today, finals for 8L.

BBJ N164RJ


There was a sharp-looking BBJ, a 737-7BC(W), N164RJ (c/n 30328) in town, on the south ramp. It had the letters "RJ" on the tail, but the registered owner is Wells Fargo bank ... it also received a new livery.

Here's a link to an Airliners.net photo of N164RJ in its old colors.

01 March 2008

Lagoon Drive


I happened to be on Oahu yesterday, and was performing my civic duty of taking snapshots like this one of a JAL 747 launch. I was at that little parking area at the end of Lagoon Drive. A guy sitting in his car eating a hamburger told me, "You better be careful; just the other day a couple guys got arrested right here for taking pictures like that." Sounds a little crazy to me, but I wondered what you guys that live there thought about it.

28 February 2008

Evergreen's 947

This rare bird stopped over last night around 1030. Im not sure of its origin or any details of its mission. She taxied over to Hickam to park. Photo above taken by Ben Wang at Sacramento California.

27 February 2008

RAF C-130J


A RAF C130J was also parked on the North Ramp today. Not sure where it came from, but the reg on the aircraft is ZH882.

JAL's 10th 737-800


The 10th 737-800 for JAL has passed through HNL. JA309J arrived last night from BFI and left this afternoon for MAJ. This aircraft wears JAL Express titles.

Shenzhen's B-5357

Shenzhen Airlines took delivery of B-5357 (c/n 35081), a 737-8AL(W), that arrived on the 26th and departed on today as CSZ5357.

Sorry, no HNL photo ... I wanted to get one, but I was feeling too under the weather to get down to HNL, though Rick Schlamp got a cool taxi shot at BFI.

15 February 2008

JAL Cargo 747-200 Freighter!

As mentioned yesterday, a special rare bird arrived in HNL today, Feb 15. A JAL Cargo 747-200F, JA8171, came in to drop off the equipment for The Police's concerts this weekend. It arrived at 06:40 and was only here for 2 hours. Probably the best thing was seeing a 747F in HNL that actually has a nose door and has the nose door open.

14 February 2008

Latest JAL 737-800

JAL's next 737-800, JA310J stopped off at HNL yesterday, Feb. 13. JA310J left today, Feb 14, for MAJ. Sorry, no pic of it in HNL. Didn't have time to get out there.

Just a teaser, a rare bird will be coming to HNL early in the morning tomorrow, Feb 15.

13 February 2008

B-2 Bomber - Spirit of Kitty Hawk

On Tuesday, Feb 12th, a very rare bird stopped off at Hickam, the B-2 Bomber, Spirit of Kitty Hawk. This isn't the first time the B-2 has been in the skies above Hawaii, but it is the first time a B-2 has actually landed. The Air Force has used Pohakuloa on the Big Island to drop dummy bombs in training exercises. The Honolulu Advertiser has pictures and video of the B-2 at Hickam.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/NEWS01/802130414/1001

09 February 2008

Qantas's VH-VZA


Qantas is taking delivery of VH-VZA "Port Augusta" (c/n 34195), a 737-838(W). It's one the first 737s to wear the modified Qantas livery. It's seen here shortly after arriving from BFI as QFA6020, and will continue across the Pacific tomorrow.

N841AL "Ke‘opuolani"


Here's a photo of N841AL, or "Ke‘opuolani", Aloha's 737-2X6C that was acquired from Alaska Airlines. We reported N841AL's introduction to the Aloha fleet in June 2007, complete with links to photos during its days with Alaska and MarkAir.

07 February 2008

N698DM Down


A helicopter registered to K&S Helicopters of Kailua-Kona, HI, N698DM (msn 0348E), an McDonnell-Douglas MD500E (Model 369E), suffered a hard landing outside Hilo, on the island of Hawai‘i today. Here's the Star*Bulletin article link.

This helicopter was once registered to Paradise Helicopters, and used to be based at the Turtle Bay Resort which used to transport select guests to (& from) HNL.

This photo of N698DM was taken in 2005, while it was based on O‘ahu for Paradise Helicopters. It also did contract work for a couple of state agencies.

02 February 2008

Hawai‘i Air National Guard Eagle Ditches


A two-seat McDonnell-Douglas F-15D "Eagle" from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th FS ditched in the Pacific Ocean 60 miles south of O‘ahu, while on a training mission. Thankfully, the pilot managed to eject safely, and was rescued by a US Coast Guard helicopter. Read more via The Star*Bulletin article link.

An older F-15B two-seat model, 74-0140, is seen above rolling out on Runway 4R after completing a training mission.

31 January 2008

Boeing Commercial 202

A 737-700 is making its way from PPG (Pago Pago, American Samoa) as BOE202 ... It's headed back to BFI.

Sorry, no HNL photo available ...


Update (02.05.08): This 737 was N359BJ (c/n 33476), and has the full "Wedgetail" AEWC modification.

Xiamen Airlines' B-5355

Xiamen Airlines' next 737-8FH(W), B-5355 (c/n 35104), is making its delivery flight to China from BFI via HNL, MAJ, and SPN as CXA5355.

Sorry, no HNL photo available ...

27 January 2008

Skymark's JA737P


Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of JA737P (c/n 29681), a 737-8HX, leased from ACG. Skymark's sixth 738 arrived yesterday from BFI as SKY737P.

JA737P is seen here before leaving later in the day for MAJ, SPN, then NRT.

26 January 2008

Air Nippon's latest 737-700

The latest ANA 737-781W for Air Nippon stopped over at HNL. Came in as ANK9984 from BFI on Friday, Jan 25th. It left HNL as ANK9984 for MAJ today, Jan 26th. I'm not sure of the reg, but most likely was JA16AN (c/n 35889), as that was the next 737 to be delivered.

Sorry, no HNL pic, since I didn't know it was here until I saw it take off.

24 January 2008

US Navy's VX-9






Eight Boeing F/A-18E & F "Super Hornets" from Test Squadron Nine (VX-9 "Vampires") will be based at MCAF Kane‘ohe Bay for about a month while undergoing over-water tactical training with F-15s from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron.

In the top photo from a visit from the VX-9 in 2004, the CO's F/A-18E, BuNo 165790, departs from HNL's Runway 8R.

In the above photo, 76-0112 from the 199th FS departs from Runway 22L in 2005.

The Honolulu Advertiser's article link.

China Southern's B-5356

China Southern Airlines' next 737-81B, B-5356 (c/n 35385), made its delivery flight through HNL from BFI yesterday as CSN536, and departed this morning for MAJ.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

Lion Air's PK-LFM

Lion Air International's next 737-9GPER(W), PK-LFM (c/n 35715), stopped through HNL from BFI on the 19th as LNI101.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

16 January 2008

JAL Express' JA308J


Japan Airlines is taking delivery of their eighth 737-846(W), JA308J (c/n 35337) wearing JAL Express titles. It arrived late yesterday afternoon, and will leave for MAJ and GUM later today.

Rick Schlamp's photo at BFI.

Above is the picture of JA308J when it blocked in at Hardstand 2 on Jan 15. There was just enough light at 17:45 to get a picture.

15 January 2008

Alpine Air's N410UB Lost


Alpine Air's N410UB, a Beech 1900C (msn UC70), and its pilot were lost while it was approaching the Lihue Airport on the island of Kaua‘i, early Monday morning. It was on a mail delivery run from HNL to LIH. Alpine Air (5A/AIP) has the US Postal Service contract to transport mail between the Hawaiian Islands.

Our prayers go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of the missing pilot.

N410UB is seen above in a photo from 2005 taxiing to the Alpine Air ramp after landing on Runway 22L on a mail delivery flight.

Here's the link to the Honolulu Star*Bulletin coverage.

14 January 2008

Air Vanuatu's YV-AV1

Air Vanuatu is taking delivery of their first 737-8Q8(W), YJ-AV1 (c/n 30734), "Spirit of Vanuatu". It made its stop through HNL on its way to Vanuatu. The next leg took the 73H to NAN (Nadi, Fiji).

Sorry no HNL photo ... though here's Rick Schlamp's photo at BFI.

10 January 2008

Xiamen Airlines' B-5319

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5319 (c/n 35102), a 737-8FH(W). It arrived this afternoon from BFI, and will leave for MAJ tomorrow.

Sorry, no HNL photo available.

01 January 2008

Happy New Year!


The HNL RareBirds team wishes you all a blessed and prosperous 2008!

30 December 2007

ATA's DC-10-30s

ATA Airlines began New Year's charter flights between HNL and KIX, as AMT6400 (KIX_HNL), using ex-NW DC-10-30s.

ATA has also substituted DC-10-30s on AMT4755/AMT4754, between HNL and LAX.

Omni Air Japan Charters


For the past few years, Omni Air International (X9/OAE) has been doing charter flights between HNL and Japan during the New Year's season, as many Japanese tourists flock to Hawai‘i to celebrate this holiday.

Omni's N720AX (c/n 48252) is seen here taxiing to Runway 26L during some Kona Wind weather back in early 2005. N720AX began its career with Lufthansa as D-ADSO, then transfered to its charter subsidiary Condor, before being acquired by Omni.

25 December 2007

Another UH Logo HA 767-300?

Unless I saw the wrong registration yesterday, it looks like the UH logo has been applied to a second HA 767, N591HA. This aircraft was parked along Elliott this morning and probably is the actual aircraft that is taking the team to New Orleans.

The flight number for the UH charter is HA1086 and blocked out a little after 5:00pm from Gate 60 in the Interisland Terminal. It is scheduled to arrive in MSY tomorrow morning at 5:10am.






HAL1086 departing for MSY on Runway 8R by BlueWave707 ... Go Warriors!

Merry Christmas!


Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from the HNL RareBirds team!

24 December 2007

UH Charter to the Sugar Bowl



It was announced last week that the University of Hawaii football team will flying to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on HA instead of AQ, who flew the team to their away games during the season. Baring any difficulties, the Warriors will be flying to the Sugar Bowl tomorrow night on N590HA, "Koa`e`ula." HA has added the UH logo to N590HA in the same area as the Raiders and Seahawks logos on N592HA and N583HA. Sorry, no picture of this yet.

22 December 2007

Air China's B-5343

B-5343 (c/n 36485) is Air China's newest 737-89L, and it's on its delivery flight from BFI. It left earlier this morning for MAJ as CCA058, after arriving from BFI yesterday.

Sorry no HNL photo, but here's Rick Schlamp's photo at BFI.

Due to my busy schedule, I haven't been able to get out to HNL to get any photos of the recent delivery flights.

21 December 2007

Winter Island Visitors

Always nice to see a couple of our favorite liveries here in the warm December sunlight.

North American has been operating an "open jaw" charter; something like OAK-OGG-LAX. Seen arriving Thursday for the second time as NA4635; he didn't grab the localizer on the first try.


Westjet has added a seasonal daytime flight YVR-OGG-YVR. Seen landing Thursday as WJA922.

18 December 2007

ATA Brings In Hawai‘i Bowl Teams

Both the Boise State University Broncos (Western Athletic Confernce) and the East Carolina University Pirates (Conference USA) chartered ATA Airlines' L-1011s to bring their respective football teams to HNL for the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl on December 23rd at Aloha Stadium (and will be aired on ESPN at 2000EST).

Both teams arrived late yesterday ... The Broncos arrived on AMT6471 from BOI (Gowen Field, Boise, ID), and the Pirates arrived on AMT6469 from ISO (Kinston Regional Airport, Kinston, NC) with a fuel stop at OAK.


Update 12-24-07 (07:00)
The ECU Pirates beat the BSU Broncos 41-38 in the final seconds with a walk-off field goal. Both the Pirates and Broncos returned to their respective cities last night aboard their ATA L-1011 charters after the game. The Broncos returnd to BOI on AMT6472, and the Pirates returned to ISO on AMT6470.

15 December 2007

Rain and Rainbows

After a week and a half with no cable (which also meant no internet) due to the storm last week, here's some recent pictures. With all the rain we have been having recently, there have been a lot of rainbows showing up around HNL. These pictures were taken on Dec 12.




This one was taken in the morning and the rainbow is right over the AS 737-800. Apparently, one of AS's flights the previous day was cancelled, most likely the ANC flight.

This one was taken in the afternoon. The rainbow now appears over the terminals.

This last one is actually the top of the same rainbow in the second picture.

Lion Air's PK-LFL

Lion Air International's next 737-9GPER(W), PK-LFL (c/n 35714), is on its delivery flight from BFI as LNI001. It's scheduled to arrive in HNL around midday, and leave later this evening.

Rick Schlamp caught PK-LFL at BFI.

Air China's B-5329

Air China is taking delivery of B-5329 (c/n 35222), a 737-86N, today, and scheduled to arrive later this morning as CCA052.

Check out Rick Schlamp's cool rain shot of B-5329 at BFI.

10 December 2007

Go! Express in OGG airspace

Taking a page from the business plan of Pacific Wings, Mesa is now operating Cessna Caravans out of OGG. Saw one landing for the first time today. Sorry no picture; but you have probably already seen these at HNL.

09 December 2007

Lion Air's PK-LFP

Lion Air International is taking delivery of its next 737-9GPER, PK-LFP (c/n 35717). It's scheduled to arrive this evening from BFI for a fuel stop, before continuing onto MAJ then to BIK (Biak Airport, Indonesia).

Here's a link to Rick Schlamp's BFI photo.

07 December 2007

Interisland HA 763's cont'd

Today, we once again noticed HA operating an interisland 763. Flight 1226  from HNL to OGG and they turned it around as HA 1225. Doesn't seem to be an equipment repositioning maneuver. I called Hawaiian reservations, and they were selling seats on these. "Lot's of seats available." 

05 December 2007

JAL Express' JA307J

JAL Express, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, is taking delivery of its first 737-846(W), JA307J (c/n 35336) it will stop at HNL as JAL7901.

Here's Rick Schlamp's BFI photo.

Shandong Airlines' B-5348

Shandong Airlines' next 737-85N(W), B-5348 (c/n 36191), will be stopping over at HNL on its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5348.

04 December 2007

China Southern's B-5251

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their next 737-71B, B-5251 (c/n 35384). It arrived today from BFI, and will leave tomorrow morning for MAJ and SPN.

Sorry, no HNL photo available, but here's Rick Schlamp's BFI photo.

01 December 2007

Huskies Charter ATA's N702TZ


The University of Washington Huskies chartered ATA Airlines' N702TZ, an ex-Northwest Airlines DC-10-30 (msn 46912) to bring their football team, cheerleaders and band to HNL, as the Huskies football team faced off against the University of Hawai‘i Warriors. The flight arrived from SEA as AMT6317.

N702TZ still wears the old NW "bowling shoe" colors with small ATA titles in the forward section. It was originally delivered to Korean Airlines as HL7316. It was taken up by Northwest in the late '90s, and registered N234NW.

The Warriors battled back to beat the Huskies 35-28, to complete a perfect 12-0 regular season, and await a BCS bowl bid.

Mahalo Aeros for the photo!


Update 12-03-07 (21:30): The Huskies returned to SEA on Monday 12-03 on the same DC-10 listed as AMT6318.

30 November 2007

Xiamen Airlines' B-5307


Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5307 (c/n 35053), a 737-85C(W). It arrived this morning from BFI, and will continue onto MAJ and SPN tomorrow.