Cactus Wings Aircraft Report
01Aug-2003

News items
==========
* Happy 20th Birthday, America West Airlines!

* America West Express (Freedom Airlines) took delivery of two new aircraft this week: CRJ-700 N513MJ [10111] and CRJ-900 N906FJ [15006].

* Frontier A318 N802FR [1991] was delivered XFW-YQX-PHX on 31Jul-2003. Departed Phoenix on 01Aug-2003, and will presumably enter service.

* Embraer ERJ170 PP-XJD was noted at Phoenix-Deer Valley Airport on 30Jul-2003 for testing at Honeywell.

* Ex-Continental MD80 N14890 [49114], currently stored at Goodyear, has been leased to PT Lion Airlines of Indonesia.

* Lufthansa B767-300 D-ABUV [29867] first seen at Phoenix on 01Aug-2003 operating LH448 FRA-PHX. Aircraft wears the Star Alliance c/s with a black tail.


Aircraft movements
==================
27Jul
N730DA L10 VCV-ARA
N1732D L10 VCV-ARA
UAL9750 B777 LAX-GYR N208UA
WOA987 MD11 BWI-GYR

28Jul
N102AB B763 MHV-PHX-LBG
NWA9868 B72S ROW-OKC

29Jul
N407US B734 IGM-YYR
N724YS B72S MCC-SBD
UAL9884 B733 GYR-SFO N372UA
UAL9894 B732 VCV-TUS N996UA

30Jul
3D-DPT B727 ELP-VCV
N229AN A320 MEX-TUS*
UAL9753 B777 SFO-GYR N205UA
UAL9754 B777 LAX-GYR N766UA
UAL9882 B733 GYR-LAX N370UA
UAL9892 A320 ORD-GYR N450UA
VRG9940 B733 MIA-GYR

31Jul
N997CF DC-8 ROW-LIM*
NWA9752 DC-9 MSP-MZJ N3991C

01Aug
N857V DC10 FAI-MHV*
FFT9305 B733 DEN-ROW* N305FA

* planned

Cactus Wings Aircraft Report
25Jul-2003

News items
==========

* Ex-Lufthansa B747-230B D-ABZE [23509], previously stored at Marana, was painted with Air Pullmantur titles/logos (overall white fslg) and ferried (delivered) MZJ-PHX-MAD on 19Jul-2003 as DLH8951.

* Frontier took delivery of their first A318, N801FR [1939] on 23Jul-2003. It was delivered XFW-BGR-PHX as FFT801, arriving PHX around 21.40 local time. As of press time, the aircraft was still parked on the east side of T3 North back away from a gate. Photograph at:
http://www.cactuswings.com/photos/phx0307/phx0307n801fr1.jpg
... with more coming soon.

* Martinair MD-11 PH-MCP [48616] was at Phoenix 22Jul-2003, presumably to deliver automobiles for track testing. Photograph at:
http://www.cactuswings.com/photos/phx0307/phx0307phmcp.jpg

* America West Express (Freedom Airlines) took delivery of CRJ-700 N512MJ [10109] on 24Jul-2003. The aircraft was delivered DTW-PHX as N512MJ, and parked on the Cutter FBO ramp.

* Ascend Aviation B727-200 N878AA [21390] arrived at Phoenix on 24Jul-2003; bringing the LA Dodgers baseball team. The aircraft wears the airline's Braniff-esque livery in black/silver.

* Miami Air B727-200 N211DB [20766] was noted at Phoenix 21Jul-2003 at the Swift FBO ramp.

* Casino Express B737-200 N344TM [23044] "Red Lion Hotels" was noted at Phoenix 23Jul-2003 at the Cutter FBO ramp.

* Ex-Ansett Australia B737-300 N190FH [23831], previously stored at Mojave, was re-registered G-CELC and ferried MHV-CMH and onward to Bournemouth, UK as SXA167, on delivery to Channel Express. Sister-ship N191FH [23832] should become G-CELD and will follow very soon.

* Ex-United B727-200 N7262U [21409], currently stored at Victorville, has been sold for parting out.

Aircraft movements
==================

19Jul
DLH8951 B747 MZJ-PHX-MAD D-ABZE/Air Pullmantur
NWA9750 DC-9 MSP-MZJ N1798U
WOA927 MD11 BWI-GYR N273WA

21Jul
N342US B733 MHV-
N39019 Be1 BRO-MZJ
AAL9759 MD80 SAT-ROW N915TW
SXA24 F100 MHV-EWK N853US
UAL9882 B72S VCV-GYR N7459U

22Jul
N602ME DC-9 -MHV
AAL9761 MD80 MCI-ROW N920TW
WOA971 MD11 GYR-COS N273WA

23Jul
N256AU B732 MHV-YWG
N612GC DC10 MHV-LAX
N619DB MD82 ROW-MIA
N920AE JS32 ELP-IGM
QFA6001 B762 HNL-MZJ VH-EAJ
SXA167 B733 MHV-CMH G-CELC

24Jul
N408US B733 IGM-YYR
N507AU B733 MHV-OPF

25Jul
NWA9868 B72S ROW-OKC* N820EA

* planned

PHX 22Jul-2003

* MPH067 MD11 arrived at 1545 from Amsterdam, will depart at 0010/23Jul
* FFT801 A318 eta 2137 from Bangor ... Frontier's first A318, N801FR

Cactus Wings Aircraft Report
18Jul-2003

News items
==========
* Northeast Bolivian Airlines L-1011 3D-NEG [1066] finally departed Tucson for Cochabamba, Bolivia on 13Jul-2003.

* Williams-Gateway startup carrier European Transair has a 9-year contract to begin 3-times-weekly Toronto-Gatwick-New Delhi in October for a Canadian travel agency. It is negotiating to acquire a 767-200ER and two 747-300s for service.

* Confirmed - QANTAS B767-238 VH-EAK ferried SYD-HNL-MZJ on 30Jun-2003.

Aircraft movements
==================
11Jul
AVA227 B757 MIA-GYR N227AN
AVA951 B757 MIA-GYR N951PG

15Jul
N259AU B732 MHV-YWG
AAH100 B732 OAK-GYR
DAL9902 MD11 ATL-GYR

17Jul
N486UE JS32 IGM-MKC
SXA174 MD82 GYR-CMH

18Jul
N633AN A300 FAR-MZJ
DLH8850 B747 MZJ-PHX

Cactus Wings Aircraft Report
11Jul-2003

A long report - catching up after being in & out the past 3 weeks.

* America West A320 N670AW [2029] was delivered on 20Jun-2003 as N670AW TLS-BGR-PHX. It entered service 23Jun-2003 as HP612 PHX-ATL.

* Embraer ERJ-135 Legacy N135SG [145706] arrived at Phoenix on 28Jun-2003 and is based at Swift Aviation.

* Embraer ERJ-170 PP-XJC [170002] arrived at Phoenix-Deer Valley (DVT) on 27Jun-2003, and noted partially inside the Honeywell hangar on 07Jul-2003.

* Beech 1900D N17534 [UE-141], previously stored at Marana, was noted at Phoenix on 03Jul-2003, all white with no titles. New aircraft for Arizona Express Airlines, and noted in service 10Jul-2003. Thanks to Mike & Steve for info.

* Ex-Rio-Sul B737-500 PT-SLU [25186], previously stored at Goodyear, was painted for new Slovakian air carrier Skyeurope and delivered GYR-DUB (with enroute stops) on 05Jul-2003. The aircraft was re-registered N186LS for the ferry flight, with reserved registration OM-SEA taped over.

* Northeast Bolivian Airlines L-1011 3D-NEG [1066], still parked at Tucson, is due to ferry TUS-CBB for delivery to the airline.

* DHC-8 N802MX [013] stopped briefly at Phoenix on 24Jun-2003, operating BJC-PHX-FLG-EKO. What is the configuration/purpose of this aircraft ... is it a corporate turboprop?

* Mesa Airlines DHC-8 N448YV [448] was noted parked on the west cargo ramp at Phoenix 28-29Jul-2003, in full United Express colors & titles. Did this aircraft enter a temporary assignment with America West Express?

* Ex-American MD-87 N754RA [49641] was delivered to Aeromexico on 26Jun-2003, and was ferried MZJ-GDL. No Mexican registration tie-up available yet.

* America West B737-200 N179AW [22646] last revenue flight was HP446 TUS-PHX on 01Jul-2003. Retired and ferried PHX-GYR as HP7802 on 02Jul-2003 for storage.

* Ex Korean Air Lines B747-2B5F N285SW [22485], previously stored at Goodyear, was leased to Cargo Air Lines of Israel. The aircraft was re-registered 4X-ICN and delivered GYR-TUS and eastward on 28Jun-2003.

* Ex USAirways Fokker 100 N855US [11283], currently stored at Mojave, will be publicly auctioned for sale on 15Jul-2003.

* Ex Delta Air Lines B727-200s N545DA [22494] and N546DA [22677] were ferried VCV-MIA on 20Jun-2003. They have been sold to Hewa Bora Airways, Congo.

* Ex Aviation Partners Boeing B737-300 CS-TMZ [23827], previously based at Tucson conducting winglet mod tests, has been leased to Air Plus Comet, Spain.

* Ex Emery (USPS c/s) B727-100Fs N416EX [19287], N435EX [19288], and N436EX [19289], currently stored at Goodyear, have been sold to Trans Pacific Airlines, Australia.

* Ex USAirways B737-300 N507AU [23382] has been sold for parting out.

Aircraft movements
==================
20Jun
N545DA B72S VCV-MIA
N546DA B72S VCV-MIA
GCO4030 DC10 MIA-MHV
UAL9892 B72S VCV-GYR
VRG9941 B733 GYR-MIA

21Jun
N996CF DC-8 ROW-TLC
DLH8712 B747 MZJ-FAI
SXA006 MD81 OAK-MHV-OAK


23Jun
N107YV Be1 3O9-MZJ (Afton, OK)
N802MX DH8 BJC-FLG-PHX-FLG
DAL9900 B733 GYR-ATL
SXA11 F100 MHV-CMH

24Jun
N481UE JS32 IGM-IXD

25Jun
SXA30 F100 MHV-CMH

26Jun
3X-GDM B72S MHV-MIA c/n?
UAL9881 B733 GYR-LAX
UAL9884 B733 GYR-SFO
AMX834 MD87 MZJ-GDL N754RA

28Jun
4X-ICN B747 GYR-TUS
PP-VPP MD11 MIA-GYR

29Jun
N37882 MD80 GYR-PHX

30Jun
N37882 MD80 PHX-SJO
ACA7056 B744 YVR-MZJ C-FCRA
AAL9780 MD80 STL-ROW
NWA9868 B72S MSP-ROW N817EA

05Jul
N186LS B735 GYR-CLE Skyeurope del'y

08Jul
N419BN B72S SBD-JAX
SXA173 MD80 GYR-CMH

09Jul
N482UE JS32 IGM-ICT

10Jul
N411US B734 IGM-GWO
PAA9364 B72S TUS-SFB

11Jul
DAL9904 B733 GYR-ATL*
FAO9992 B72S airtest TUS
UAL9878 B744 VCV-BFM*
UAL9881 B733 GYR-SFO*
UPS9334 B72F RFD-ROW*

Some of the registration tie-ups I have jotted down in a notebook ... as always any further information is appreciated!

Cactus Wings Live: Kansas City

Hi all,
Back in Phoenix after spending a week in Middle America. Hot & humid as ever, I'll take our dry heat anytime.

Flew America West PHX-MCI on 01Jul. Arriving at PHX for departure I noticed Swift's new Legacy outside of their hangar, registered N135SG. It's wearing a sharp red and gold striped color scheme.

Arriving at MCI, I was pleased to see the old TWA maintenance hangars still standing, with plenty of American aircraft parked nearby. Later that week, I read that American was intending to scale back or even close the facility, but the local Kansas City government offered an incentive package to AA to keep the hangar open. My fingers are crossed that the facility survives.

Kansas City Int'l (MCI) 01Jul-2003
==================================
Aircraft at the AA facility when I arrived:

N920TW '4TV' MD80
N925TW '4UR' MD80 no engines
N966TW '4XY' MD80 awaiting AA conversion
N969TW '4YC' MD80 awaiting AA conversion
N974TW '4YH' MD80 awaiting AA conversion
N711ZX '5TL' B757 conv to AA spec, due in service
N712TW '5TM' B757 still in TWA layout
N713TW '5TN' B757 awaiting repairs following DFW hail storm
N330AA '330' B763 mx

I later found out that N701TW '5TA' arrived 02Jul for conversion to AA specs.

Noted at the terminal:
N319FL B733 Frontier
N690NW DC-9 NW
plus a DL B738 with 'Shuttle' titles

During the next few days I visited a few airports around the area.

Olathe - Johnson County Executive (OJC) 02Jul-2003
==================================================
Nothing of interest to speak of. A family member told me that bizjets sometimes use the airport, but I didn't see any there. The ramps and runway are easily visible from both the east and west sides of the airport, and anything parked can be easily read off. To find your way around, just print a map off Mapquest.

Olathe - New Century Airpark (IXD) 02Jul-2003
=============================================
A mid-sized airport with plenty of variety. The main entrance road leads in from the south, and winds its way northward along the western perimeter. I found the layout easy to navigate, and my usual theory of going as far as I can initially, then backtracking thru the nooks and crannies worked fine.

Entering the airport from the south, the first ramp on the right contained Sabreliner N114LG, its nose covered by a tarp.

Continuing northward, I found a small park with preserved Navy aircraft parked in the grass:

158857 A-7*
156782 A-7*
150598 A-4

Each aircraft made a nice photograph in evening sunlight. Any aircraft I photographed (either slide or digital) will be marked with an asterisk (*).

After the park, a small ramp near the tower contained US Army Chinook helicopters, but the place was buzzing with activity and I didn't bother stopping. I continued to the northern perimeter road and turned right (following signs for Dodson Aviation). I knew Dodson's contained interesting stuff, and I wasn't disappointed:

N193RD DC-3*
N332RD DC-3
N146RD DC-3*
N ?? DC-3* light blue, no markings
N16HC LJ24*
LV-JXA LJ24*
N244DM G3

Total time spent at the airport: 30 minutes.

Kansas City Downtown Airport (MKC) 04Jul-2003
=============================================
I could not come to Kansas City without making a visit to the Save-a-Connie museum. Actually, the museum is known as the Airline History Museum of Kansas City. Cost is $7 for adults, and I was given a personal tour of the museum by one of the guides. I highly recommend the visit ... the photography was good and the exhibits are top-notch. The Martin 404 and Constellation were available for viewing, the DC-3 is being restored.

Elsewhere on the field, a restored B-17 was parked on the transient ramp, giving flight tours.

A few bizjets were parked about, but nothing of great interest. It appeared that anything present was readable from somewhere on the perimeter. I was more interested in the nearby railway tracks - a photo inside the museum of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh at the airport showed the same railway tracks in the background!

MCI 05Jul-2003
==============
Time to return home. As I was staying some 40 minutes away from MCI during my visit, I didn't venture there for a dedicated spotting/photography visit.

From what I gathered via the Internet, maps, and looking out various windows, the primary runways are parallel and are oriented north-south, one on each side of the terminal complex. The western north-south runway could be viewed from the cargo area parking lots - this would make for a morning photo. For the eastern north-south runway, there appears to be a long-term parking lot just west of that runway, from which good photographs could be taken in the afternoon. It looked very close, so a small zoom lens would be sufficient. The AA complex is distant and aircraft there are barely readable using binoculars.

The terminals (for those unfamiliar) are circular, much like Dallas, but more compact and closer together. I saw that in between each "circle" (labeled Terminal A, B, and C) a fence separates a short-term parking lot from the terminal ramp. Depending on the time of day, photographs could be taken of any aircraft at a nearby gate thru the gaps in the fence. I regret not trying these vantage points out myself.

Noted before boarding B732 N184AW to return to PHX:

N????? B757 Funjet Vacations - basic TransMeridian c/s, Funjet Vacations titles on fuselage, Funjet logo on tail
N905ME B717 Midwest
N912FR A319 Frontier*

Overall it was nice to see the DC-3s and see the TWA Connie up close. I was impressed with the KC area (aviation-wise) and hope to explore some more on a future visit.

Sorry folks, the company decided to use aircraft N179AW one more time as it still had a few cycle left, so last revenue service for America West with N179AW was HP446 Tucson-Phoenix Jul01-2003 and is now planned to be ferried to Goodyear as HP7802/02Jul

Our new site design has been introduced! Please bear with us during the "re-branding" process, we will slowly be updating pages to a uniform color scheme and format. We are planning many new and exciting additions to cactuswings in the near future, so please stay tuned!

Thank you!

-The cactuswings team

Boeing 737-277A
22646 N179AW Last revnue service for America West Airlines Jun30-2003 HP443 Tucson-Phoenix. Planned position ferry Jul01-2003 HP7701 Phoenix-Goodyear.

McDonnell Douglas MD-87
49641 N754RA wasn't delivered to Aeromexico until Jun26-2003, because of the delay it was routed Marana-Guadaljara (Aeromexico's MD-80 maintenance base).

The first Boeing 737-700W for Aeromexico is XA-AAM 33783 expected delivery Oct 2003.