Air New Zealand B787-9 ZK-NZF Arrives in AKL

Monday 29th Sep 2014, at 8:12am saw the arrival into Auckland of Air New Zealand's second
B787-9 Dreamliner, ZK-NZF. Arriving from Boeing's Everett Field as NZ6398 on runway 05R and exiting the runway early meant for some long distance shots, good to have the sun out though.

ZK-NZF also takes the honor of the first B787-9 in the fleet to wear the new livery.

ZK-NZF

ZK-NZF

ZK-NZF

ZK-NZF 

ZK-NZF

China Airlines Sunset Arrival - B18359

Some more winter sunset photos again, this time back on the 24th Jul, during the golden hour at Auckland with crystal clear skies and very red sky at sunset.

Photos here of China Airlines B-18359 flight CI53 arriving just before sundown.

B-18359

B-18359

B-18359

Gulfstream G550 - N310TK

This rather smart Gulfstream G550, N310TK, operated by Alltech Inc, arrived into Auckland on Monday 22nd Sep in the morning from Honolulu, when the weather was pretty atrocious, with strong southwesterly winds blowing with driving rain to match.

However by the time I managed to make it out to get these shots, the rain had gone and the sun had come out, lucky me, but the wind was still blowing 35 plus knots, and very cold.

N310TK 

N310TK 

N310TK

N310TK

Retired Air New Zealand B747-400 - ZK-NBV Titles Removed

Air New Zealand's last to retire B747-400, ZK-NBV is undergoing maintenance and preparation in readiness to depart New Zealand shores for good. As you can see from these photos, the Air New Zealand title and Pacific Wave have been removed along with the aircraft's registration from the nose wheel doors.

Retired Air New Zealand B747-400
ZK-NBV

Retired Air New Zealand B747-400
ZK-NBV

Retired Air New Zealand B747-400
ZK-NBV

Sleeping Piper PA-38

Rural Aviation - was driving down south from Auckland and saw this sleeping Piper PA-38, ZK-WRB parked up at a small airstrip in the Waikato, just west of Hamilton, so made a quick stop for these pics.

ZK-WRB

ZK-WRB

Antonov AN124 - UR-82008

Back on the 3rd Aug 14, saw the arrival of this Antonov AN124, UR-82008 into Auckland, on a very cold and wet day. This is also the first time this new livery has visited Auckland.
It arrived from Perth Australia, landing at 12:35pm.

UR-82008 

UR-82008

UR-82008

UR-82008

Air New Zealand Link (Air Nelson) Q300 New Livery - ZK-NEQ

Air New Zealand's first regional link aircraft to wear the new livery is Air Nelson's Q300, ZK-NEQ.
Here's my first photos of ZK-NEQ in the new livery and I hope to get some shots soon of this Q300 in the air.

ZK-NEQ 

ZK-NEQ

ZK-NEQ 

ZK-NEQ

Air New Zealand's B787-9, ZK-NZE

Air New Zealand's brand new B787-9, ZK-NZE has now been in service since the 9th Aug 2014, with its first Revenue Passenger flight to Sydney as NZ103.

So going back before entry into service and when these photos were taken, on the 28th Jul, on what I think was one of the nicest winter days of the year, clear skies, no wind, and just a brilliant sunny day.

I was able to be on hand to get some good close up photo's of ZK-NZE,  first flight to Christchurch (CHC) as seen here departing from Auckland.

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE 

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZE

China Airlines, B-18358

China Airlines on a regular basis operate their A330-300, B-18358,  "Masalu Taiwan" livery into Auckland. This aircraft B-18358 is two years old this month.

Haven't been around much when this livery has been in Auckland, so I was pleased when it did.

B-18358

B-18358

B-18358

Singapore Airlines Cargo 9V-SFF

Singapore Airlines Cargo are doing quite well out of Auckland with very good frequency and loads to match. And its also good to see the B747-400F in Auckland on a regular basis. Actually any B747 of any model is good to see.......

Seen here is 9V-SFF arriving from Sydney, and later the same evening it departed for Melbourne.

9V-SFF 

9V-SFF

9V-SFF

9V-SFF

9V-SFF

9V-SFF

Air New Zealand Retires Last B747-400

Friday 12th Sep 2014

Today with some sadness, but also very fond memories, Air New Zealand will retire its last B747-400, ZK-NBV, when NZ7 from San Francisco arrives at the gate in Auckland this morning, after her last passenger flight with Air New Zealand over the vast Pacific Ocean.

Air New Zealand's first B747-200, ZK-NZV, named "Aotea" arrived in Auckland on the 29th May 1981, under the command of Captain Barney Wyatt.

So today, just over 33 years later, of amazing service with Air New Zealand sees the end for the -400,
and amazing also the last letter of its registrations is also a "V".

The B747-400 is my most favorite aircraft of all time, and I think it always will be. In my job I have worked with the -400 for over 22 years, so I will miss them.

IN MEMORY OF ZK-NBV

ZK-NBV 

ZK-NBV

ZK-NBV 

ZK-NBV

ZK-NBV 

IN MEMORY OF ZK-NBW

ZK-NBW

IN MEMORY OF ZK-NBU

ZK-NBU

IN MEMORY OF ZK-SUJ

ZK-SUJ

IN MEMORY OF ZK-NBS

ZK-NBS

IN MEMORY OF ZK-SUH

ZK-SUH