Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009

Abraxas · 01-03-2009, 06:01 PM

First spotting trip for '09 with Mac (VNAB777ER) down at Sydney. The weather didn't put on it's best show, but that meant I didn't get as sunburnt as I usually do.

It was a great day. We had lots of variety from Air Canada's B77L departure (where an avid Airbus hater swore it was an Airbus cos it didn't look like a Boeing

), the arrival and departure of the Air Vanuatu B738, our first viewing of Qantas' brand new toy VH-OQC which subsequently suffered a problem and caused a traffic jam lining up for 34L, Wunala Dreaming up close, Yananyi Dreaming, two of the Jetstar logojets, two MD11F arrivals, first time for us seeing a Singapore B77W in Australia and the list goes on...

Enough talking about it, let's see the pics! Apologies for the erratic sizing of some of the photos, I just cropped and edited with not too much care and photography wasn't my main focus yesterday.

For those who might have trouble viewing the photos here, try this link at my Picasa Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/awesomeg...eat=directlink

Atlas Air B747-400F N492MC - There were THREE Atlas Air B744F's at the airport and this one falls into the regular category for them in that it needs a new coat of paint!

Qantas B747-338 VH-EBW 'City of Geraldton' - Sitting by the Jetbase awaiting her ferry flight out of Australia I assume. The last of the 743's.

Air Pacific B747-412 DQ-FJL 'Island of Viti Levu' - New spotters location with Mac after lunch. He wanted to test out his new camera by the fence and we were greeted by Air Pacific's recognisable flying island.

Air Vanuatu B737-800 YJ-AV1 'Spirit of Vanuatu' - This beautiful scheme came in quietly. We just saw another B738 on the horizon and dismissed it until she got closer!

Etihad A340-541 A6-EHA - I think the Etihad fleet must be almost completely in the new livery now. Always a crowd pleaser in it's splendid livery this one!

Air New Zealand B777-200ER ZK-OKE - This is the first time I've seen an Air New Zealand B777 up close and for real. I didn't think they sent them to Sydney anymore.

Qantas A380-842 VH-OQC 'Paul McGinness' - Qantas' brand new toy taxiing to Runway 34L as QF11 for Los Angeles. Can you say 'Big?'

Qantas B747-438ER VH-OEJ 'Wunala Dreaming', Malaysia B747-4H6 9M-MPJ 'Labuan' & Qantas A380 - In a bit of a traffic jam. With two B744's following the A380 reported it had some sort of problem and was stuck at the bottom of the taxiway. The Malaysia B744 was able to take off from a preceeding taxiway entrance to 34L, but Wunala needed the full length of the runway...

Qantas A380-841 and B747-438ER - After the Malaysia B744's departure and waiting whilst numerous planes landed on 34L, the A380 was given clearance to taxi along 34L while Wunala lined up for take off. A rare shot, the A380 is seen here taking an available exit to head back to the gate.

Qantas A380-841 - Heading back to the gate with a number of disgruntled passengers onboard. According to flightstats.com, the flight departed over 4 hours late with a B744, while Sydney message board says the A380 departed at about 2014 (which is also about 4 hours late).

That's it for now, but of course there's more to come!

Dan

Abraxas · 01-03-2009, 06:02 PM

Part Two, as rush hour continues at Sydney Airport...

United B747-422 N122UA - Man these United jets are loud when they come past.

Cathay Pacific A330-343 B-LAE - What would a day at Sydney be without seeing a CX A333?

Thai B777-2D7ER HS-TJW - The beautiful Thai livery suits the B772 nicely.

Singapore Airlines A380-841 9V-SKE - Not to be disappointed this time, Singapore's A380 rolls on past and heads for Singapore without any drama.

British Airways B777-236ER G-YMMG - Speedbird up close and personal. A first for me!

Jetstar A320-232 VH-VQQ 'Seaworld Livery' - Any ordinary Jetstar just wouldn't suffice, so here we have the Seaworld livery.

Jetstar A320-232 VH-VQH 'Go Roos Livery' - A bad shot, but another Jetstar special livery.

UPS MD-11F N295UP - Woohoo! An MD-11!

FedEx MD-11F N582FE - OMG! Another MD-11!!!

Singapore Airlines B777-312ER 9V-SWF - The afternoon Singapore arrival. I had seen B744, A388 and now B77W today.

British Airways B747-436 G-BNLU - This is what I had waited for, seeing the BA B744 in action and what a bonus to get up close as well!

Thanks for viewing. It was a great day with lots of interesting things going on. Hopefully Mac will post his pics when he gets a chance.

Dan

ga715 · 01-03-2009, 06:23 PM

Nice shot! going to sydney airport tomorrow.. might take some shot

MrMD11 · 01-04-2009, 12:16 AM

Nice shots.

So that is the last -300 for QANTAS? That must have been the aircraft I saw at LAX on Tuesday, 12/31. I recorded its take-off from runway 24L at around 11:00am local time. I was thinking of posting it on YouTube. The quality is not the greatest, but it still captures the departure of a superb aircraft - in more ways than one

FedEx777 · 01-04-2009, 12:29 AM

Really good shots! That 380 has a gigantic forehead...

aerozo · 01-04-2009, 12:49 AM

Very nice pics Dan. The Qantas A380 close-up, Air Pacific B744, Singapore B773 are 3 of my favourite.

Abraxas · 01-04-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga715

Nice shot! going to sydney airport tomorrow.. might take some shot

Definitely give it a go. Even from the terminal there's good spotting opportunities, and at International there's an observation deck (somewhere)...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMD11

Nice shots.

So that is the last -300 for QANTAS? That must have been the aircraft I saw at LAX on Tuesday, 12/31. I recorded its take-off from runway 24L at around 11:00am local time. I was thinking of posting it on YouTube. The quality is not the greatest, but it still captures the departure of a superb aircraft - in more ways than one

Sharing is caring. I've got a couple B743 vids but I'm not up to them yet for editing so they're coming. I've seen a couple vids posted on Youtube by a guy from Perth and they sound amazing!

Alrightie guys, thanks for looking and commenting so far. Mac's just posted his on DAC, so I'll reproduce them here for all to see!

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNAB777ER

Hi All, Happy New Year to everyone, to continue with Dan post from yesterday spotting at Sydney International, despite the cloudy weather it was a great day. As usual this location are from "the beach".
Enjoy the pictures are taken from my new toy Canon SX1 IS.

Some Qantas and Cathay Pacific at the gate of International Terminal

Etihad Airbus A340-500

Latest for Qantas Fleet A380 VH-OQC.

Moving toward the the runway for taking off but some problems later taxiing back to the terminal, for the remain times we are there this aircraft did not take off.

This is what may look like when A380 pass you by, you can see Dan (Abraxas) in the red T-shirt (with the hat on).

Malaysia B747-400

Qantas 747-400ER, Wunala Dreaming VH-OEJ

Qantas A380 VH-OQC aving some problems so Malaysia 744 going first.

Dan

Abraxas · 01-04-2009, 01:39 AM

More from Mac...

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNAB777ER

Qantas A380 about to taxiing back to Terminal while Wunala B744 show how a real plane take off.

From this angle it like a 1:400 or 1:200 scale model

Look as these onlooker, so many people turn up at this location on the weekend.

United Boeing 744, loving looking bird

Vanuatu 737-800 a quick visit to Sydney

A daily site for Virgin Atlantic A340-600

This Singapore A380 have no problem taking off, 9V-SKE

British Airways B772ER

The grass are getting tall, hardly see the landing gear for this Qantas 744 (VH-OJU)

British Airways B747-400 (G-BNLU)

That is it guys, just some highlight of Saturday afternoon from Sydney, until next time..,

Mac

flyingdoc · 01-04-2009, 06:55 PM

Hey Dan - what a great day's spotting. First pics I've seen of Paul McGinness - they've got a fair dinkum fleet now, eh? Amazing how quickly they are being churned out now after all the initial delays. Good shot of the A380 with Wunala too.

Love the Air Vanuatu B737 which is another I haven't seen before.

Was also wondering where EBW was residing - had hoped to see her make one more departure from MEL. BTW, EBW is "City of Tamworth", no?

Looks like it's time to cut the grass out there, but all-in-all a great set of pics!!

FedEx777 · 01-04-2009, 07:06 PM

Oh. and Dan, if you didn't already know, those Atlas 744's you saw were most likely all Qantas Freight Aircraft Wet Leased from Atlas.

A380-QOTS · 01-05-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingdoc

Hey Dan - what a great day's spotting. First pics I've seen of Paul McGinness - they've got a fair dinkum fleet now, eh? Amazing how quickly they are being churned out now after all the initial delays. Good shot of the A380 with Wunala too.

Love the Air Vanuatu B737 which is another I haven't seen before.

Was also wondering where EBW was residing - had hoped to see her make one more departure from MEL. BTW, EBW is "City of Tamworth", no?

Looks like it's time to cut the grass out there, but all-in-all a great set of pics!!

Air Vanuatu comes into MEL on Thursday afternoons.

VH-EBW is City of Tamworth she ferried to Marana via HNL last night it departed from SYD @ 19:37

Click on this link for it departure pictures:

Final 743 flights. - Page 10 - Sydney Airport Message Board

Abraxas · 01-05-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingdoc

Hey Dan - what a great day's spotting. First pics I've seen of Paul McGinness - they've got a fair dinkum fleet now, eh? Amazing how quickly they are being churned out now after all the initial delays. Good shot of the A380 with Wunala too.

Love the Air Vanuatu B737 which is another I haven't seen before.

Was also wondering where EBW was residing - had hoped to see her make one more departure from MEL. BTW, EBW is "City of Tamworth", no?

Looks like it's time to cut the grass out there, but all-in-all a great set of pics!!

Haha, Mac and I were wondering where the lawn mower was, or if there was a position vacant!

The A380 fleet is going pretty well now, I haven't seen OQB yet, but it was a shame OQC had to do the 'walk of shame' back to the gate. There was an 'Airbus unfriendly' crowd among us so they were coming out with all the comments when Wunala took off trouble-free that Boeing's are better etc... Still, ample photo opportunities!

We knew to expect the Air Vanuatu, but because it looked just like any other B737-800WL on approach we didn't pay any attention until she was slowing down in front of us haha.

Sorry for the bad naming, you're right, EBW was City of Tamworth. I'm not doing well in my aircraft recognition lately, in my last post I put up the Etihad A340 was a 642 instead of a 541 - these are NOOB errors I shouldn't be making!!! Especially when I've flown on both aircraft in question. Will aim for better next time lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedEx777

Oh. and Dan, if you didn't already know, those Atlas 744's you saw were most likely all Qantas Freight Aircraft Wet Leased from Atlas.

Yeah I figured that was the case, but to have three at once is something I've not seen before. We couldn't think of anything 'big' in town that would require all that equipment, except Paris Hilton's new purchases on her way back to the States?

Quote:

Originally Posted by A380-QOTS

Air Vanuatu comes into MEL on Thursday afternoons.

VH-EBW is City of Tamworth she ferried to Marana via HNL last night it departed from SYD @ 19:37

Click on this link for it departure pictures:

Final 743 flights. - Page 10 - Sydney Airport Message Board

Beautiful photos of the B743 on her last departure there. I'm not tearing up, but they will be missed...

I think the challenge is on for you Doc and other Melbourne spotters to get a pic of that Air Vanuatu on a Thursday arvo then?!

Dan

flyingdoc · 01-05-2009, 05:59 AM

Thanks for the link Marty.

Great pictures...

Very sad

ek&sq · 01-05-2009, 10:28 AM

nice pics

Where were they taken from? The beach or near the gate?

captain adam w · 01-05-2009, 10:32 AM

nice pics, i was never aware that BA where using 777s on that route

01-03-2009, 06:01 PM	#1
Abraxas Second Officer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 27 Posts: 625	Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 First spotting trip for '09 with Mac (VNAB777ER) down at Sydney. The weather didn't put on it's best show, but that meant I didn't get as sunburnt as I usually do. It was a great day. We had lots of variety from Air Canada's B77L departure (where an avid Airbus hater swore it was an Airbus cos it didn't look like a Boeing ), the arrival and departure of the Air Vanuatu B738, our first viewing of Qantas' brand new toy VH-OQC which subsequently suffered a problem and caused a traffic jam lining up for 34L, Wunala Dreaming up close, Yananyi Dreaming, two of the Jetstar logojets, two MD11F arrivals, first time for us seeing a Singapore B77W in Australia and the list goes on... Enough talking about it, let's see the pics! Apologies for the erratic sizing of some of the photos, I just cropped and edited with not too much care and photography wasn't my main focus yesterday. For those who might have trouble viewing the photos here, try this link at my Picasa Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/awesomeg...eat=directlink Atlas Air B747-400F N492MC - There were THREE Atlas Air B744F's at the airport and this one falls into the regular category for them in that it needs a new coat of paint! Qantas B747-338 VH-EBW 'City of Geraldton' - Sitting by the Jetbase awaiting her ferry flight out of Australia I assume. The last of the 743's. Air Pacific B747-412 DQ-FJL 'Island of Viti Levu' - New spotters location with Mac after lunch. He wanted to test out his new camera by the fence and we were greeted by Air Pacific's recognisable flying island. Air Vanuatu B737-800 YJ-AV1 'Spirit of Vanuatu' - This beautiful scheme came in quietly. We just saw another B738 on the horizon and dismissed it until she got closer! Etihad A340-541 A6-EHA - I think the Etihad fleet must be almost completely in the new livery now. Always a crowd pleaser in it's splendid livery this one! Air New Zealand B777-200ER ZK-OKE - This is the first time I've seen an Air New Zealand B777 up close and for real. I didn't think they sent them to Sydney anymore. Qantas A380-842 VH-OQC 'Paul McGinness' - Qantas' brand new toy taxiing to Runway 34L as QF11 for Los Angeles. Can you say 'Big?' Qantas B747-438ER VH-OEJ 'Wunala Dreaming', Malaysia B747-4H6 9M-MPJ 'Labuan' & Qantas A380 - In a bit of a traffic jam. With two B744's following the A380 reported it had some sort of problem and was stuck at the bottom of the taxiway. The Malaysia B744 was able to take off from a preceeding taxiway entrance to 34L, but Wunala needed the full length of the runway... Qantas A380-841 and B747-438ER - After the Malaysia B744's departure and waiting whilst numerous planes landed on 34L, the A380 was given clearance to taxi along 34L while Wunala lined up for take off. A rare shot, the A380 is seen here taking an available exit to head back to the gate. Qantas A380-841 - Heading back to the gate with a number of disgruntled passengers onboard. According to flightstats.com, the flight departed over 4 hours late with a B744, while Sydney message board says the A380 departed at about 2014 (which is also about 4 hours late). That's it for now, but of course there's more to come! Dan __________________ Reaching for the Skies... Flights 10/05/10 EK413/924 SYD-DXB-CAI A388 A6-EDD B77W A6-ECB 17/05/10 MS359 CAI-LXR E170 SU-GDI 20/05/10 MHS1203/1204 ASW-ABS-ASW DC9 SU-PBO 21/05/10 MS095 ASW-CAI A320 SU-GCD 24/05/10 EK927 CAI-DXB B772 A6-EMJ 27/05/10 EK412 DXB-SYD A388 A6-EDE COLLECTION \| TRADE \| VIDEOS Last edited by Abraxas; 01-03-2009 at 06:04 PM.

01-03-2009, 06:02 PM	#2
Abraxas Second Officer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 27 Posts: 625	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Part Two, as rush hour continues at Sydney Airport... United B747-422 N122UA - Man these United jets are loud when they come past. Cathay Pacific A330-343 B-LAE - What would a day at Sydney be without seeing a CX A333? Thai B777-2D7ER HS-TJW - The beautiful Thai livery suits the B772 nicely. Singapore Airlines A380-841 9V-SKE - Not to be disappointed this time, Singapore's A380 rolls on past and heads for Singapore without any drama. British Airways B777-236ER G-YMMG - Speedbird up close and personal. A first for me! Jetstar A320-232 VH-VQQ 'Seaworld Livery' - Any ordinary Jetstar just wouldn't suffice, so here we have the Seaworld livery. Jetstar A320-232 VH-VQH 'Go Roos Livery' - A bad shot, but another Jetstar special livery. UPS MD-11F N295UP - Woohoo! An MD-11! FedEx MD-11F N582FE - OMG! Another MD-11!!! Singapore Airlines B777-312ER 9V-SWF - The afternoon Singapore arrival. I had seen B744, A388 and now B77W today. British Airways B747-436 G-BNLU - This is what I had waited for, seeing the BA B744 in action and what a bonus to get up close as well! Thanks for viewing. It was a great day with lots of interesting things going on. Hopefully Mac will post his pics when he gets a chance. Dan __________________ Reaching for the Skies... Flights 10/05/10 EK413/924 SYD-DXB-CAI A388 A6-EDD B77W A6-ECB 17/05/10 MS359 CAI-LXR E170 SU-GDI 20/05/10 MHS1203/1204 ASW-ABS-ASW DC9 SU-PBO 21/05/10 MS095 ASW-CAI A320 SU-GCD 24/05/10 EK927 CAI-DXB B772 A6-EMJ 27/05/10 EK412 DXB-SYD A388 A6-EDE COLLECTION \| TRADE \| VIDEOS

01-03-2009, 06:23 PM	#3
ga715 RJ First Officer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 233	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Nice shot! going to sydney airport tomorrow.. might take some shot __________________ Garuda Indonesia... 2010 WORLD'S MOST IMPROVED AIRLINE

01-04-2009, 12:16 AM	#4
MrMD11 RJ Second Officer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 191	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Nice shots. So that is the last -300 for QANTAS? That must have been the aircraft I saw at LAX on Tuesday, 12/31. I recorded its take-off from runway 24L at around 11:00am local time. I was thinking of posting it on YouTube. The quality is not the greatest, but it still captures the departure of a superb aircraft - in more ways than one

01-04-2009, 12:29 AM	#5
FedEx777 First Officer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Beach, CA Age: 16 Posts: 901	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Really good shots! That 380 has a gigantic forehead... __________________ Jason

01-04-2009, 12:49 AM	#6
aerozo RJ Second Officer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney Age: 21 Posts: 117	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Very nice pics Dan. The Qantas A380 close-up, Air Pacific B744, Singapore B773 are 3 of my favourite.

01-04-2009, 06:55 PM	#9
flyingdoc Operations Director Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 46 Posts: 6,192	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Hey Dan - what a great day's spotting. First pics I've seen of Paul McGinness - they've got a fair dinkum fleet now, eh? Amazing how quickly they are being churned out now after all the initial delays. Good shot of the A380 with Wunala too. Love the Air Vanuatu B737 which is another I haven't seen before. Was also wondering where EBW was residing - had hoped to see her make one more departure from MEL. BTW, EBW is "City of Tamworth", no? Looks like it's time to cut the grass out there, but all-in-all a great set of pics!! __________________

01-04-2009, 07:06 PM	#10
FedEx777 First Officer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Beach, CA Age: 16 Posts: 901	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Oh. and Dan, if you didn't already know, those Atlas 744's you saw were most likely all Qantas Freight Aircraft Wet Leased from Atlas. __________________ Jason

01-05-2009, 05:59 AM	#13
flyingdoc Operations Director Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 46 Posts: 6,192	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 Thanks for the link Marty. Great pictures... Very sad __________________

01-05-2009, 10:28 AM	#14
ek&sq Tech Junkie Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Singapore Age: 17 Posts: 1,460	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 nice pics Where were they taken from? The beach or near the gate? __________________ Manek Computers are like air conditioners - they stop working properly when you open Windows.

01-05-2009, 10:32 AM	#15
captain adam w Air Cadet Sgt. aircrew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newcastle, UK Age: 17 Posts: 1,055	Re: Sydney Spotting - 3 January 2009 nice pics, i was never aware that BA where using 777s on that route __________________ Grob Vigilant ZH-248 UT 645 VGS my collection: http://www.wings900.com/modeldatabas...ion-15059.html need more UK airlines in 1/400 my 1/400 airport: www.cityofnewcastleairport.webs.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: