Singapore National Day 2021 - and more

It's 2021.... well 8 months in and with the global situation not quite favouring air travel, we don't really see as much action as we would normally see. Granted it is a wee bit better than how it was a year back.

Was a rather quiet national day here in Singapore. Managed to get these few shots. 

Classic fly-by of the Chinook and the Apaches

Missed the first flyby. This was their second run

Now despite being near the airport, getting to the ideal spotting location isn't all that easy, nor is it quick. Can take up to an hour just to reach that location, and once there, you just got to hope that no rain clouds come by and that the runways in use are favourable.

So, tried to get a few shots from a nearby location. I'd normally do closer crops, but this is way too far for one. This is the best one can get. Starting off with a few new catches.

The first was Scoot's rather new A321 Neo. Looks a bit more proportionate with the larger engines on the longer fuselage

Scoot A321-271NX (9V-NCB)

Up next, Singapore Airlines now has its narrowbody fleet. Here's the 738 NG in SQ colours.

SilkAir Singapore Airlines B737-8SA (9V-MGC)

Then came one of the most successful widebody twin. Actually made many quads go out of business. Here's KLM's 77W. Love the curves of the new (yes... for some time now) livery

KLM B777-306ER (PH-BVV)

Singapore Airlines B777-312ER (9V-SWP)

Was lucky enough to catch this special livery of Xiamen Air's Dreamliner

Xiamen Air B787-8 (B-1356)

And then came the queen herself. Don't really see many of the passenger variants anymore. This is the closest for now.

Korean Air Cargo B747-4B5(F) (HL7605)

And just as the sun was setting, it projects a rather nice yellow hue on this one. This particular one is a very special aircraft, one that has it's dedicated place in my heart.

Singapore Airlines A350-941 (9V-SMA)

And last off, is a new-ish aircraft which so happens to be the main reason for this particular trip, though by the time it departed, there wasn't much light left. Might need some time to get used to those new winglets.

Garuda A330-941 (PK-GHF)

That's all for this session. Not that much, but it is good enough.

Here's to better days for the aviation industry.

SSLee

Tags:

a330 neo

xiamen air dreamliner

singapore airlines a350

Changi 20C Departure Shots 2020.10.06

Well the current global situation hasn't been very kind to the aviation industry. From an aerodrome that saw countless departures every minute, now it has gone down to frequencies even lower than that of Penang. Nevertheless, there is still the opportunity to get photos.

The interesting about the session that day was the weather. (Hint: Not.Optimal.At.All). Upon arrival, there were low clouds moving towards the direction of the AD. The morning sun helped to give light from an angle, illuminating the planes, but the issue was that the planes were going INTO the clouds, disappearing from sight.

One of the best combinations was with this Air HongKong freighter. This one visits Penang ever so often and is probably heading there too.

Air HongKong A300F4-605F (B-LDF)

And yeah, the lights went out after this. Up next is SQ's first A350, delivered about 4 years ago. Seen here powering through the clouds. Could not see the vortex in the clouds though.

Singapore Airlines A350-941 (9V-SMA)

Now you see what I mean??

It is now very rare to see quad jets in this region. Skies that were once graced by the fuel guzzling 340s and the 747s are now filled the the very common, much more efficient Dreamliners and the 350s for passenger carriage. Even cargo operators have moved from the Iconic MD-11s to the 76Fs and 77Fs. So this next one was a pleasant surprise. Thank goodness 74Fs are still popular.

Hearing the roar of the approaching aircraft is just amazing. YOU KNOW when the queen is approaching.

ACT Airlines B747-428ERF (TC-ACR)

IndiGo was next, heading on a 4 hour-plus trip home. I really salute those who have to go through long(ish) flights on a narrowbody aircraft.

IndiGo A320-232 (VT-IFP)

After quite some quiet time, this little Fokker appeared. Seems to be doing circuit training as it stayed quite low after takeoff. Did quite a few rounds while I was there.

RSAF Fokker 50 (711)

Up next was the regional variant of SQ's A350. Weather was getting worse with dark clouds looming,  with winds blowing them inland.

Singapore Airlines A350-941 (9V-SHO)

Banking shot might be better with 20R departures

The last one on the list was the Dreamliner. The -9s and -10s seem more proportional as compared to the stubbier -8 variants. Photo had to be heavily edited though.

Singapore Airlines B787-10 Dreamliner (9V-SCF)

That's about all for this session. Spent almost 2 hours there. Here's to skies being more packed with planes in the near future, and for the other ones to come out of storage.

SSLee

Perth Spotting 2019.06.25 Part 3

First and foremost, I do like to apologize to all viewers for such a long break in between. Ever since my return from Australia, things have been quite packed. Here's to finishing off the Perth session. Starting off with a few lighter category aircraft

Qantas B737-838 (VH-VYK)

A rarer kind which one does not usually see. The Embraer 190.

Cobham Aviation E190 (VH-ZPT)

Qantas Link Fokker 100 (VH-NQE)

Qantas Link Fokker 100 (VH-NHI)

Qantas Link Fokker 100 (VH-NHV)

Aircraft using RW03 gives us spotters quite a good opportunity to have closeups on them. To be honest, was partially hoping that the FO would smile and wave.

Hi there

RW03 operations

So many of the Saabs are now being parked amid the slowdown in the aviation industry.

Saab 340B (VH-ZLS)

Up next is the one we've all been waiting for the entire trip. We were lucky that the winds remained and SQ could use 03.

Qantas Link Fokker 100 (VH-NHQ)

At the holding point

Mandatory nose shot

Singapore Airlines A350-941 (9V-SHH)

It was incredibly quieter than a lot of other jets operating, even with the takeoff power being set. A few more narrowbody arrivals before we hit the conclusion. I cannot imagine how the 5-hour ride would be from Kuala Lumpur on a narrowbody. Personally, I feel those as long as 3 hours are still bearable, but not all the way here to Perth.

Malindo B737-9GP(ER) (9M-LNK)

Malaysia Airlines B737-8H6 (9M-MXE)

Qantas B737-838 (VH-VXW)

Kinda miss see the Fokkers in Penang. Their tech stop has now changed to Subang, so no more of those in Penang.

Alliance Fokker 100 (VH-FKK)

Virgin Australia A320-232 (VH-VNP)

And here are the last few that we caught before calling it a day. All of them being 330s.

Virgin Australia A330-243 (VH-XFJ)

Qantas A330-202 (VH-EBO)

SQ's 330 were on one of their last few flights into Perth. They probably operated for a few more days before it was replaced with the 787. Seems like the days of their 330s are numbered, as more efficient aircraft like the 787s and 350s are received.

Singapore Airlines A330-343 (9V-STU)

Thank you for viewing and I wish everyone here a pleasant day. Hope to bring you more photos in the near future.

SSLee

Tags

sslee86 perth planespotting

9v-stu singapore airlines star alliance

a350 singapore airlines

Perth Spotting 2019.06.25 Part 2

Continuing from the previous part.

The next 2 look rather small through the viewfinder from this distance. Compared with the other jets that come in, these are tiny. But stand right next to them, and you'll realise that they are actually quite big.

Private Cessna 525A (VH-EJT)


Private Beech 200 Super King Air (VH-LKH)

Private Beech 200 Super King Air (VH-YVG)

Imagine the distance the other jets need to be behind to give them the clearance.

Virgin Australia B737-8KG (VH-VUY)

And then we had the Dreamliner, sleek, quiet and smooth.

Qantas B787-9 (VH-ZNG)

After the arrival of the technologically advanced aircraft, we have this, a classic that has been going strong for decades.

Qantas Link B717-231 (VH-NXN)

This 738 touched down a little further down the runway than the other jets. Looks like the 738s are going to be operating much longer worldwide now with the MAX being grounded.

Qantas B737-838 (VH-XZI)

Now this next one was a real treat. As a person who really likes the A340, seeing one is great. Seeing that said one in a special livery.... even better!!

Team South Africa

South African Airlines A340-313 (ZS-SXD)

Another special (for me at least), coming in for landing into Perth.

Beech 1900D (VH-NYA)

And while waiting for our main target, here's another wave of Fokkers.

Virgin Australia Fokker 100 (VH-FNT)

Qantas Link Fokker 100 (VH-NHV)

Virgin Australia Fokker 100 (VH-FNC)

It has also become a trend by airlines (MAS, BA, Lufthansa etc) all over the world to churn out their retro livery, and Qantas has also followed on. Here's the Retro Roo. Just recently found out that QANTAS actually stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services (did I mention this already?)

Qantas B737-838 (VH-VXQ)

And next, for the star of the day. One the the most modern airliner to date, the A350. SQ is now sending these in to replace their A330 service. These frames (the SH_ series are the regional A350s)

Singapore Airlines A350-941 (9V-SHH)

That shall be it for Part 2, Part 3 to follow suit.






Tags:
sslee planespotting a350 perth
zs-sxd a340 south african airlines sslee
planespotting perth