M. Wynn: "Wild Card" Aviation Photography & Images: Gallery Update: Another ATR-42 Sighting in McMinnville!

About This Blog:

The primary purpose of this blog is to showcase the best of my aviation photography. As such, you will find links to my main aviation gallery on Facebook containing photos from aircraft spotting, some kind of aviation event such as air shows and fly-in events, as well as aviation museums. I also critique my flights on commercial airlines and the services they provide. Occassionally, you'll find personally written, independent articles based on news and current events involving aviation. And of course, I'll put up links to official and unofficial aviation-related websites when I find them. And when time permits, I'll talk and discuss about anything involving aviation. But most importantly, this is my way to document my journey into the aviation industry!

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Gallery Update: Another ATR-42 Sighting in McMinnville!

Empire Airlines is definitely moving their ATR fleet dedicated to the 'Ohana by Hawaiian fleet from the salty air of the islands to the mainland while Hawaiian Airlines' regional arm is shut down. Another ATR-42-500 flew into McMinnville on a ferry flight last night according to FlightRadar24 and of course, I had to chase it down so I flew myself up while out on a practice flight out of convenience! Unique opportunities such as this are ones that I can't pass up, considering the unusual sight of seeing a regional turboprop normally serving the Hawaiian islands here on the mainland at GA airport.

McMinnville (MMV) 6

Preview:

Empire Airlines (d/b/a 'Ohana by Hawaiian) ATR-42-500 (N806HC) parked on the ramp. Ferried in last night from Honolulu by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA654. My third time photographing one of 'Ohana's ATR-42s! As of today, I've photographed three of the four ATR-42s Hawaiian Airlines uses for their interisland routes!

Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 (N16DF) arriving on 22 from Van Nuys.

Airframe first delivered to Aeromar, a small Mexican regional airline as XA-TPS in October 1999. Re-registered as F-WNUI in December 2016 under ownership of French lessor, ATRiam Capital; ATRiam Capital most likely leased this airframe to Aeromar until the latter upgraded their fleet to solely ATR-42-600s and ATR-72-600s. Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines in April 2018 for their interisland hops operated by Empire Airlines; airframe was the fourth ATR-42 delivered to Hawaiian's 'Ohana arm for their interisland passenger operations.

N16DF taxiing to the FBO ramp. Apparently, this Phenom 300 is locally-based.

Like the previous occasion last month, this rare opportunity to see this livery and airframe here in McMinnville was only made possible by the unfortunate circumstances of Hawaiian Airlines shutting down their 'Ohana by Hawaiian operations (hopefully temporarily) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the repercussions its had on air travel.

Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer (N8452D) taxiing for departure to Arlington. This Tri-Pacer was converted from a tricycle gear configuration to conventional (tail-dragger) configuration.

Like the last ATR-42 I saw here, N806HC stopped in McMinnville for required crew rest and removal of the long-range ferry tanks it needed to cross the Pacific. Scheduled to continue on tomorrow morning as SXA654 for Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, headquarters of Empire Airlines. There, the plane will most likely go in for some maintenance and long-term storage away from the corrosive, salty air of the islands while 'Ohana by Hawaiian services are currently suspended.

Twin Oaks Airpark Van's RV-12iST (N317VA) taxiing back out for departure after initially arriving from nearby Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark. This certified, Light Sport version of the RV-12 is one of Twin Oak's latest acquisitions to the flight school fleet.