Well, I did it. This was a rather bittersweet success as a plane-spotter, but a look at FlightRadar24 today informed me that another ATR-72 that was formerly operated by the now-defunct 'Ohana by Hawaiian was flying into McMinnville, and it was the airframe I haven't photographed yet. So as of this evening, I have photographed every ATR turboprop (which consists of four ATR-42s and three ATR-72s) that wore the 'Ohana by Hawaiian livery. When Hawaiian Airlines established the 'Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary, I never expected to have any opportunities to photograph any of their ATR turboprops, let alone all of them within a three-year timespan, considering where the planes were operating. As a plane-spotter, I'm grateful that I got to see them all in McMinnville from 2018 onwards. Still, it's sad that the 'Ohana by Hawaiian brand was short-lived and ultimately killed off by the repercussions that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
McMinnville (MMV) 10
Preview:
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| Hillsboro Aero Academy Cessna 152 (N25233) doing a touch-and-go on 22 after flying down from nearby Portland-Hillsboro. |
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| Southern Cross Aviation (d/b/a Empire Airlines/'Ohana by Hawaiian) ATR-72-212(F) (N810HC) arriving on 22 as SXA665 from Honolulu. My third and likely final time seeing the ATR-72 in the 'Ohana by Hawaiian livery! |
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| So as of today, I've photographed all three ATR-72s that were a part of the 'Ohana by Hawaiian fleet! I've also photographed all four passenger ATR-42s that were a part of the 'Ohana fleet as of last month. |
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| Airframe first delivered as EI-CLB in February 1995 to Avianova flying on the behalf of Alitalia. Taken up by Alitalia in November 1996 after absorbing Avianova before being transferred over to Alitalia Express in October 1997. Re-registered as I-ATRO in December 2005 continued to operate for Alitalia Express. Re-registered back to EI-CLB in November 2010 and under ownership of Magellan Aviation Services, and Italian aircraft leasing company. |
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| SXA665 taxiing to the ramp. After it's stint in Italy and Europe, airframe was re-registered as C-GLHR and taken up by First Air in March 2011. |
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| Face-to-face with the ATR-72. Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines for their 'Ohana operations in August 2015 after being converted into a freighter, with Empire Airlines contracted to operate the interisland cargo flights. Went into long-term storage in Honolulu on October 16, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant repercussions. |
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| Managed to get some decent prop-blur on this shot! |
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| SXA665 just moments away from parking. Like any ferry flight, the aircraft will stay on the ground in McMinnville all day tomorrow so the ferry crew can get some rest and un-install the ferry tanks. Will likely depart on Saturday morning for Coeur D'Alene, where Empire Airlines is headquartered. There, the airframe will undergo maintenance inspections and be stripped of it's 'Ohana by Hawaiian livery before being prepped for sale hopefully to a new owner. |
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| Definitely had some great lighting to photograph this ATR-72! |
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| SXA665 shutting down its engines. |
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| Propellers have stopped, however, the right engine was in "Hotel Mode," where a propeller brake keeps the prop stopped, but the turbine continued to run, providing airflow and electrical power to the aircraft during the shutdown process in lieu of an auxiliary power unit (APU). |
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| Again, a bittersweet sight knowing that this is the last 'Ohana by Hawaiian airframe that I haven't photographed until today, so this occasion is likely my last to see this livery since I've already photographed the other ATR-42s and 72s. |
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| Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 (N66J) parked on the ramp. Arrived yesterday morning from Montrose, Colorado and scheduled to return there tomorrow morning. |
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| The 'Ohana operations was never profitable for Hawaiian Airlines, but they did it to compete with other smaller airlines in Hawaii on the interisland routes and provide a seamless connection to the rest of the Hawaiian Airlines network from the communities they served. |
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| The last bit of light as the sun sets for the day, and the sun permanently sets for this airline livery... |
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| One final look at this beautiful livery... Good-bye, 'Ohana by Hawaiian... |
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