VH-FVL. Aerospatiale ATR-72-212A. c/n 974.

 

This aircraft was the third of four aircraft ordered by Virgin Australia for delivery in 2011 - February 23, 2011

Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127F turboprop engines

It was observed on the production line at Toulouse - June 06, 2011

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-FVL - September 14, 2011

Registered to Avation Airframe Holding Pte Ltd, Singapore

Leased to Skywest Airlines (Australia) Pty Ltd, Cloverdale, Western Australia as the registered operator

Operated by Skywest Airlines on behalf of Virgin Australia Pty Ltd

First flown as 'F-WWES' at Toulouse - September 30, 2011

Accepted by Skywest / Virgin Australia at Toulouse - October 13, 2011

Departed Toulouse on the delivery flight to Australia as SXA1147 - October 13, 2011

The delivery flight was carried out by Southern Cross Aviation

It arrived at Perth on completion of the delivery flight - October 16, 2011

Delivery route: Toulouse - Alexandria - Al Ain - Colombo - Jakarta - Perth

The aircraft was named 'Preston Beach'

Ferried Perth - Brisbane as DJ1082 - October 18, 2011

Ferried Brisbane - Canberra as DJ1608 - October 29, 2011

Operated its first revenue service Canberra - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) as DJ629 - October 30, 2011

Virgin Australia announced its intention to acquire Skywest Airlines - October 30, 2012

Virgin Australia finalised the acquisition of Skywest Airlines - April 11, 2013

Skywest Airlines was officially renamed Virgin Australia Regional Airlines - May 03, 2013

The aircraft was withdrawn from service at Brisbane by Virgin Australia Regional Airlines - July 17, 2017

Ferried Brisbane - Nelson for end-of-lease maintenance - July 18, 2017

The maintenance was carried out by Air New Zealand Maintenance Service at Nelson

The aircraft was then placed into long-term storage at Nelson

Removed from storage and prepared for transfer to Australia - February 2020

Departed Nelson on the ferry flight to Australia as 'Velocity 9943' - March 05, 2020

It arrived at Cairns on completion of the ferry flight - March 05, 2020

Ferry route: Nelson - Brisbane - Cairns

Returned to storage at Cairns

Leased to Hevilift Australia as the registered operator - October 11, 2021

Test flown Cairns - Cairns - October 11, 2021

Operated its first Hevilift service Cairns - Townsville as HT773 - October 11, 2021

Registered to Airframe Leasing (S) Pty Ltd, Singapore - November 20, 2021

Leased to Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing) Pty Ltd, Nundah, Queensland as the registered operator

Current with Hevilift Australia

 

 

VH-FVL. Virgin Australia - 'Preston Beach' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, May 19, 2012.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0390-179.)

VH-FVL. Virgin Australia - 'Preston Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, November 14, 2014.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 0390-183.)

VH-FVL. Virgin Australia - 'Preston Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, November 15, 2014.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 0390-184.)

VH-FVL. Hevilift - in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, September 24, 2022.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 0390-180.)

VH-FVL. Hevilift - in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, September 24, 2022.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 0390-181.)

VH-FVL. Hevilift - in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, September 24, 2022.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 0390-182.)