QF & VA Queenstown Night Training
 

From QF & VA source:

Both QF and VA seem to be doing alot of night approach training in Queenstown NZ this month.

QANTAS B737-800 VH-XZD Queenstown Training Mission. May 16, 2017

QANTAS Boeing 737-838 VH-XZD positioned Christchurch – Queenstown as QF6001 early this evening in order to operate night approach training training circuits, also as QF6001. The aircraft then positioned Queenstown – Christchurch as QF6005.

9th May 2017 - VH-YIV Queenstown Night Training.

Boeing 737-8FE VH-YIV spent the day out of service at Queenstown then operated Queenstown - Queenstown night approach training circuits this evening as VA9947, VA9948 and VA9949.

8th May 2017 - VH-YIV Queenstown Night Training.

Boeing 737-8FE VH-YIV spent the day out of service at Queenstown then operated Queenstown - Queenstown night approach training circuits this evening as VA9947, VA9948, VA9949 and VA9944.

7th May 2017 - VH-YIV Queenstown Night Training.

Boeing 737-8FE VH-YIV spent the day out of service at Queenstown then operated Queenstown - Queenstown night approach training circuits this evening as VA9947, VA9948, VA9949 and VA9944.

6th May 2017 - VH-YIV Queenstown Night Training.

Boeing 737-8FE VH-YIV spent the day out of service at Queenstown then operated two Queenstown - Queenstown night approach training circuits this evening as VA9948.

5th May 2017 - VH-YIV Returns from Christchurch Maintenance, Positions for Queenstown Night Training.

Boeing 737-8FE VH-YIV, which has been under maintenance at Christchurch since 1st May, positioned Christchurch - Queenstown this morning in order to operate a Queenstown - Queenstown night approach training circuit. Both operated as VA9948.

Is this normal ?

Before night commercial flights can commence with QF and VA each must conduct a series of proving flights (part of the safety case) for night ops. JQ and NZ already did this and have approval. Night flights with QF and VA start over winter to cater for the peak ski season.

Pity they didn't fix the lack of an overrun when they did the work, you won't get me taking one of those flights.