Midway Aircraft

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Aircraft at Midway Atoll (PMDY)

1999 - 2000

Midway was an important refueling stop for a wide variety of short and medium range commercial, military, and private aircraft island-hopping across the North Pacific, and an emergency stop for long-range and ETOPS flights. Boeing 747, 767, and 777's flying between Honolulu and Asia pass directly overhead. They must have a terrific view when it's not overcast. Many passengers and crew choose to spend a day or two to enjoy the island's spectacular wildlife and beaches.

Midway is ideal for seeing airplanes close-up and many islanders watch arrivals and departures alongside the runway. Unfortunately most flights from December to June arrive and depart at night because of HEAVY BIRD ACTIVITY; pilots joke that the word "heavy" is a major understatement. During the day thousands of Laysan Albatross with a 6-foot wingspan soar above the runway, especially at the touchdown zone! Night flights must still contend with the nocturnal Bonin Petrels that swarm like bats and are active all night.

2009

Dassault Falcon 7X

1999 - 2000

Gulfstream G-I

Gulfstream G-I of Phoenix Air based in Cartersville, GA. This aircraft was the primary mode of transportation for residents and tourists from Honolulu or Lihue to Midway in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, until mid-1999 when replaced by chartered Aloha Airlines B737-200's. The Rolls-Royce engines have a distinct, pleasing sound. Phoenix also operated a fleet of Learjets that occasionally stopped at Midway.

Maritime Air Charters is the current operator of Gulfstream I flights to Midway in 2009.

Gulfstream G-III

Gulfstream III

USMC C-21 or Gulfstream III used for transporting VIP's. It has smaller engines than newer models but they are nearly as loud as the DC-9's JT8D's.

Gulfstream G-IV

Gulfstream G-IV owned by Honeywell Corporation.

Gulfstream G-V

Gulfstream G-V

The intercontinental range of the G-V makes stopping at Midway an option rather than a necessity. This plane was chartered by the Japanese cosmetics company Noevir.

FAA Raytheon-Beech Hawker 800

Hawker 800

FAA Hawker 800 jet at the hangar for repairs. This small jet passed through Midway several times a year. Used to test airport navaids.

Aloha Airlines Boeing 737-200

Boeing 737-200

Aloha Airlines Boeing 737-200 #N808AL ready for takeoff just before sunset on Runway 24. This ETOPS-certified 737 provides service to Midway Atoll, Christmas Island, Johnston Island, and Majuro from Honolulu. The increased speed and payload of the 737 was a welcome relief to Midway residents and tourists that had to endure 5 hour flights on a G-I with a maximum baggage allowance of 40 pounds. Flight time was reduced from 5 to 2.5 hours.

Saudi Arabian Boeing 727-100

Boeing 727

Boeing 727 owned by Saudi Arabian royal family parked at Midway Atoll. Insignia on the tail reads "Kingdom Establishment". According to airport manager Herbert, this plane is used by the Prince of Saudi Arabia, and the interior is decked out in wood paneling and gold fixtures.

McDonnell-Douglas DC-9-31

N932ML

This modified DC-9 named Firebird II was reportedly used for classified research out of China Lake. In transit from Kwajelein to refuel before heading to Honolulu in August 1999. The crew all wore civilian clothes although it is a U.S. Navy-owned DC-9. Strange radome looks like it was glued on! Transitional colors after purchase from Spirit Airlines only one month prior.

Later repainted white with a purple stripe and phoenix on the tail, see links below:

http://www.jetsnprops.com/details.php?gid=67&sgid=&pid=1660

http://www.visitingphx.com/ip6n932ml.html

Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

A-10 A-10 nose

One of two A-10's that made an emergency stop at Midway. Tactical aircraft rarely stop because they rely on aerial refueling.

Raytheon-Beech King Air B200

King Air B200

U.S. Army C-12 with few "official" markings.

RC-12 Huron

King Air C-12 (KA-200)

A highly modified Beech King Air 200 used by the U.S. Army for electronic surveillance along the North Korean border. RC-12's arrive at Midway Atoll from Adak, Alaska 1200 miles due north, then fly onward to Wake Island, Japan, and finally South Korea.

McDonnell-Douglas KC-10 Extender

This military version of the DC-10-30 made an unexpected landing during the day when one of two A-10's it was escorting had trouble. We were fortunate enough to get a tour of the airplane and sit in the pilot's seat and refueling station.

Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker

KC-135R

Boeing KC-135/707 operated by the Oklahoma ANG. It has powerful new CFM56 turbofan engines and a glass cockpit. All fuel is carried below deck, allowing passengers and cargo to be carried in the spacious main cabin. The quiet, smoke-free engines are a big change from the past.

Lockheed C-141B Starlifter

Lockheed C-141B

One of the biggest and loudest military aircraft to visit Midway, they only stop when high winds aloft make it a necessity. This C-141 was heading to Alaska from somewhere in the Western Pacific.

A C-17 Globemaster III passed through around midnight once. It could land and takeoff with less than 3000 feet of runway, and parked with all engines set at reverse thrust while picking up a med-evac patient. The ambulance looked tiny as it pulled up to the rear cargo ramp.

Lockheed AC-130 Spectre

Lockheed AC-130 Spectre

Lockheed AC-130 Spectre gunship refueling before flying to Guam and South Korea. Thanks to the crew who gave many curious island residents a tour of this incredible and formidable aircraft.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

C-130

One of many C-130's that refuel at Midway.

USCG Lockheed C-130

Lockheed C-130

U.S. Coast Guard C-130 based at Barber's Point, Hawaii, parked at Midway Atoll before conducting a routine patrol of the North Pacific. This aircraft also transported Chinese refugees detained at Midway after their smuggling vessel broke down and went adrift for many weeks before rescue in Sept. 1999.