Sentry Aloha

The beginning of the month kicked off exercise Sentry Aloha. This exercise provides dissimilar air combat training (DACT) among the F-16C/Ds of the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Hawaii Air National Guard's F-22As, F-15Cs from Montana's 120th Fighter Wing and Oregon's 173rd Fighter Wing.

Also transiting through today, were the F/A-18C Hornets of VMFA-232 "Red Devils". A historical note about the VMFA-232, they had two stints at Marine Corps Air Field Kāne‘ohe Bay. The first "K-Bay" assignment was from 1956 to 1966, they flew the North American FJ-1A Fury and the LTV F-8E Crusader. The second "K-Bay" assignment was from 1977 to 1993, when they flew the McDonnell-Douglas F-4J Phantom II and the F/A-18 Hornets. They are currently stationed at MCAS Miramar, but on deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Hawaiian's Sixth A330

Hawaiian's newest A330-243 made its delivery flight this past Saturday. Ship N385HA (s/n 1295) is named after the constellation "Manaiakalani", or "Maui's Fish Hook". It flew direct from Toulouse-Blagnac (LFBO/TLS) to Honolulu as HAL9981.

Atlas Air 767-38EER

A familiar paint scheme but not it was not the usual 747 today. N641GT (c/n 25132, l/n 417) a 767-38EER flew in from Nagoya, Japan this morning as GTI9792. Atlas Air acquired two 767s to be utilized for military charter flights.

25132 was originally delivered to Asiana Airlines (leased from ILFC) as HL7268 in February 2002. It was returned to ILFC in May 1998, and was re-leased by Asiana from November 1999 for five more years. In between the Asiana leases, it was leased by Air Europe (June 1998 - January 1999) and sub-leased to Air Afrique (February - October 1999) as EI-CPV. LAN Airlines was the next lessee, as CC-CIO, from December 2004 to November 2007. The 767 stayed in South America for its next lease to VARIG in December 2007 as PR-VAF. When VARIG was acquired by Gol, it was transferred into the Gol fleet in May 2009, but still with VARIG titles and branding. Atlas purchased 25132 from ILFC in June 2011.

China Eastern's B-5647

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of a 737-8HX, leased from ACG. B-5647 (c/n 38105, l/n 3959) is making its delivery flight today as CES299, and will overnight at HNL after arriving from BFI.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5647 at HNL.

Shandong's B-5629

This morning, Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5629 (c/n 38638, l/n 3957), a 737-85N. It's flying out of BFI as CDG5629, and will overnight at HNL. B-5629 is seen above, a few hours after arriving from BFI.

Lion Air's PK-LJO

Lion Air is taking delivery of their 60th 737-9GPER today. PK-LJO (c/n 38315, l/n 3954), is wearing a commemorative tail design noting the achievement, and is flying as LNI1.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-LJO during its stop at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got a shot of it at BFI.

General Electric's N747GF

General Electric's new 747-400 engine testbed, N747GF (c/n 26355, l/n 1055), is making a trip from VCV to HNL today. The former JAL 747-446, JA8910, was acquired by the engine manufacturer in December 2010. N747GF replaces N747GE, the original GE 747-121 testbed. The 747-446 left for XMN the next morning.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for for the above photo N747GF, still wearing the rising sun motif (sans JAL titles).

The only photo JA8910 (in the 1990s livery), I have, is this 2005 photo of it rotating on Runway 8R for its return to Japan.

Island Air's N808WP: The End of an Era

I knew Island Air's N808WP had been taken out of service, but today on the HNL South Ramp I discovered just how far out of service.  It's been stripped and chopped to bits.  According to some of the folks in the area, parts had been sent back to Bombardier in Canada for testing and examination, since it was the highest time Dash-8 in existence.

N682AG

N682AG (c/n 28663, l/n 2922), a former China Xinhua Airlines 737-46Q that was B-2987, is being ferried across the Pacific, as it is being returned to its lessor, Boullioun Aviation Services. It left TNA on the 1st, and made stops at GUM and MAJ, before arriving here last evening.

B-2987 was delivered to China Xinhua [XW/CXH] in August 1997, in CXH colors, and named "Tianjin Daily". In mid-2003, it was painted in the Hainan Air Group generic livery, save for the airline's titles.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of N682AG at HNL.

Air Australia's VH-YQC

One of the now-defunct Air Australia's A320-212s, VH-YQC (msn 395), is transiting through HNL, as it is being reclaimed by its lessor, Aero Turbine Inc (Doral, FL). VH-YQC arrived late last evening from MAJ (seen above on the AirService Hawai‘i ramp), but the flight information is not available online.

395 was originally purchased by leasing company GATX, and delivered to TAP - Air Portugal [TP/TAP] in March 1993, as CS-TNE, and named "Sa De Miranda". It was with the TAP fleet for seven years. It then went to Air Luxor [LK/LXR] in March 2000, and was sub-leased to Novair [1I/NVR] twice during the four year lease. In May 2004, it was leased again by TAP, with the same name for six more years. The A320 was sold to Aero Turbine Inc, and leased to Strategic Airlines (Air Australia's predecessor) as VH-YQC in May 2010. VH-YQC, and fleet mate VH-YQB, were the only aircraft to receive the Air Australia livery and branding.

Mahalo to MRC Aviation for the heads-up!

Qantas' VH-VZY

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of their second 737-838 in the past four weeks. VH-VZY "Temora" (c/n 39363, l/n 3944) is making its delivery flight as QFA6024, and will overnight at HNL this evening.

Mahalo to blog fan Hiroshi for the above photo of VH-VZY on the north ramp. In a rare occurrence, two Qantas 737s were at HNL, though VZY was bound for Australia, but TJW was headed for retirement.

China Airlines' B-18605

This month's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to November 14, 1998, and the delivery flight of China Airlines' 737-809, B-18605 (c/n 28404, l/n 130). It's seen above, on the Anderson Aviation ramp, with a double rainbow in the background.

B-18605 remains with China Airlines. In 2007, the 737-809 was fitted with Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets™.

VH-TJW

Another former Qantas 737-400 is making its way to the US mainland. VH-TJW "Strahan" (c/n 26961, l/n 2517), a 737-4L7, is headed for storage at VCV. It flew from SYD to HNL, via APW, as QFA6027. For the HNL-VCV leg, it will fly as QFA6029.

26961 was originally delivered to Air Nauru in August 1993 as C2-RN11, until it was sold to Qantas in June 1995.

Mahalo to blog fan Hiroshi for the photo of VH-TJW on HNL's North Ramp.

N146PA

N146PA (c/n 27166, l/n 2410) is another former Malaysia Airlines 737-4H6 that the Bank of Utah bought from the airline. It's being ferried to OKC from KUL (via ROR, MAJ, HNL, and OAK).

Malaysia Airlines received this 737-4H6 in January 1993 as 9M-MMM.

Hoaloha Blessing

Today, Island Air held a blessing of the Pen Air Saab SF340B, N364PX, in their hangar. The plane was named "Hoaloha" (friend in Hawaiian) by Island Air employees Summer Harrell (center, back) and Larry Kuamo‘o (center, front). Kahu Kelekona Bishaw blesses "Hoaloha" as Pen Air Captain Kirk Watson looks on. N364PX will begin service on March 1.

Lion Air's PK-LJM

Lion Air is taking delivery of their second 737-9GPER in a week. PK-LJM (c/n 38313, l/n 3936) is making its delivery flight as LNI1, and will stop through HNL later today.

Island Air To Upgrade Fleet

In a move to upgrade their fleet, Island Air is switching to the European-made ATR turbo-props. The inter-island carrier's Dash8-100s will be phased out as they receive both the ATR42 and ATR72. They are also wet-leasing a Pen Air SF340B as N809WP is reaching its service limits.

Skymark Airlines' JA73NM

Skymark Airlines' JA73NM (c/n 39421, l/n 3940), is their second 737-800 delivery in as many days. The AWAS-leased 737-81D, is flying as SKY73NM, and will overnight here in HNL.

Mahalo to blog fan Hiroshi for the photo of JA73NM, as it taxies to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, after arriving from BFI.

TransAir's N306AL

TransAir bought a 737-2T4C from Wells Fargo Bank. N306AL (c/n 23066, l/n 992) will be the local cargo carrier's first 737-200C. It was last tracked at BAK (Columbus Municipal Airport, OH). It was scheduled to arrive in late February on a ferry flight from MCE, but was flown eastward.

23066 was originally delivered to CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) [CA/CCA] in December 1983 as B-2505. It was acquired by China Southern Airlines in July 1990. It was sold to Aero USA, and leased to Markair [MRK] in December 1991 as N676MA. Xiamen Airlines was the lessee in December 1995. It was returned to Aero USA in October 2000 as N306GE. Ardennes Holdings bought 23066 in February 2001, and leased it to Estafeta Carga Aerea as XA-ADV the month after. When it was returned to Ardennes in December 2007, it was registered as N306AL. In May 2008, it was leased to Regional Cargo as XA-RCB. Last November, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest bought N306AL from Ardennes Holdings.

Trans Air also has a second 737-200C, N808TA (c/n 20536, l/n 289), a 737-2B1C. According to the FAA, Trans Air has ownership of the airliner. It was originally delivered to DETA-Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique [TM] as CR-BAC and C9-BAC in October 1971. AerGo Cap Limited purchased the 737-2B1C, and leased it to to DETA's successor, LAM-Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique [TM/LAM] in 1980. TransGlobal Airways [T7/TCU] was the next lessee, as it took delivery in October 2006. According to FAA records, MUI purchased 20536 in December 2010.

Skymark Airlines' JA73NL

Skymark Airlines' JA73NL (c/n 38104, l/n 3933), is the newest 737-800 to join their fleet. The 737-8HX, leased from ACG, is making its delivery flight from BFI as SKY73NL. It will overnight at HNL, upon arrival this afternoon. JA73NL is seen above on Taxiway RT for departure to GUM.