New A320 in our region (Solomons A320 H4-BUS)

[Peter Agatsiotis]

A320 N957PG (302) is currently tracking to MEL (last stop Nadi).

Thanks to Lloyd for info on this a/c which will be operated by Solomons from 1st June.

Not sure if it will retain this reg?

[Jarden S]

Will it be re-painted in MEL to the solomons livery and get a new rego. It will mainly fly the BNE-HIR run unless they start a new route SYD and MEL maybe. They use to fly to AKL with a 737 in the past.

[lloyd fox]

It will be painted in MEL- Yes

It will probably get a new reg ,but not sure what that will be ?

Not aware of any new routes-This would have been advised a few months ago if they were to start any new destinations in June.

BNE-HIR will stay at 4 a week,aircraft according to schedules will originate BNE not HIR similar to the E170 when they last flew it.

Lloyd

[Lukas M]

Hello to our newest kid on the block H4-BUS..Note the engine ring, wonder where they got that idea from!

http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/1/6/7/0/37386_1308382076.jpg

[Brian Wilkes]

Did they pull it out of the hanger Luke?

[Lukas M]

They did, down the far end so no photo ops.

[Brian Wilkes]

So its parked down the far end is Luke against the fence!

[Paul f.]

Today at MEL

[lloyd fox]

Paul are those engines a light blue are my eyes failing me.

[Brian Wilkes]

Nice Paul, compass swing!

[Paul f.]

Lloyd looks more like a light grey,also very hard to see in the photo is "Spirit of Solomons" just below the windows,even hard to see in the full size photo:eek:

[Jarden S]

Nice colours. Will it just do the BNE-HIR run or will she operate new flights eg to SYD or AKL etc?

[Lukas M]

Closer look...


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5913626592_d3665b1e43_z.jpg

[lloyd fox]

BNE-HIR only, no SYD or MEL.

Possibly other routes out of HIR around the Pacific.

[Paul f.]

One more shot of it today,still in MEL.

[Steve Jones]

any idea when it will start flying for IE? I am contemplating flying them late August and would rather this new bird than a Stratgeic wet lease!

[lloyd fox]

Strategic are not flying for Solomons currently .It has been Our Airline for past 3-4 weeks now.The agreement with Strategic concluded.H4-BUS still awaiting Solomons(CAA or whatever they call themselves over there) and CASA approvals.

[Andrew Johnson]

according to CRS's, Solomon's are using a 733 Sun 14AUG (Our Airline ?) & an A320 Mon 15AUG, so presume this is H4-BUS.

Heard talk it might be operating across the Tasman but not on an existing route. Could this mean Palmerston North could get int ops back ?

[Jarden S]

^^I thought that Solomons were considering returning to AKL

[lloyd fox]

Andrew, remember this will be a Solomon registered airline and i don't believe they will be allowed to operate RPT Australia-NZ services ??

Mayby charters for a Australian company??

[Andrew Johnson]

Maybe charters. Not sure what difference is between charters & scheduled ops these days except charters into NZL can only go for maximum of 6 months I think.

[Andrew Johnson]

does anyone know if & when this bus goes to BNE ?

Was told it was starting ops BNE/HIR Monday.

[Ian Gains]

Andrew, H4-BUS is outside the John Holland hangers again in Melbourne, so it may be leaving later this coming week.

[Andrew Johnson]

Andrew, H4-BUS is outside the John Holland hangers again in Melbourne, so it may be leaving later this coming week.
thanks Ian.

Let's hope so. Seem to have been many delays with this aircraft, going on for months.

[Brian Wilkes]

Pre delivery flight in Melbourne today.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

H4-BUS is on PP at FL390 so must be on its way to BNE

[Andrew Johnson]

Peter,

Were do you get that info from ?

Is there a website to track it ?

[Michael Mak]

http://www.coaa.co.uk/planeplotter.htm

[Andrew Johnson]

thanks Michael.

Does aircraft actually need to be in the air to track it ?

If it's parked can it be found by rego ?

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Andrew, aircraft are tracked by those users who have a Mode-S/ADS-B receiver eg SBS, AirNav Radarbox etc. The same users also need to be subscribed to Planeplotter. Any flights tracked are then picked up by many users and they appear on PP if they are ADS-B equipped (i.e. show position, speed, FL etc).
H4-BUS was Mode-S only which only transmits height etc. So aircraft was not tracked as such just known to be airborne. Lots of posts regarding this a/c so 'we' knew that it was in Melbourne and it was due to ferry to Brisbane in time to commence ops.

There are also acars transmissions which occasionly send position reports and they will appear on the PP screen (if in the area)

Some aircraft that are 'parked' can be picked up by users near or at the airport and this includes a/c starting up, taxiing etc. Also some a/c leave their avionics 'on' when at the gate and these too can be picked up.

HTH

[lloyd fox]

Photo at BNE on SATURDAY

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpbq7v8A3gQ/Tk9DHT8z6EI/AAAAAAAAA98/l7_ycX0N7sI/s1600/IMGP8065.JPG

[lloyd fox]

Took off from BNE around noon as SOL 001 to HIR.Most likely route proving and to show off the aircraft to the Solomons staff and population.

Can't be too long before it enters service.

[Andrew Johnson]

Does anyone know if they have CASA approvals yet ?

[lloyd fox]

Starts tomorrow 12 september BNE-HIR.

[Radi K]

Was on bay 85 this morning getting ready to go

[Nigel C]

It's been announced today that Solomons will start Honiara-Sydney services from 1st June 2015.

1 June 2015 - IE710 arrives Sydney 1830
2 June 2015 - IE711 departs Sydney 0930

One flight a week, Monday arrival, Tuesday departure.