Spotting session - 21 Oct - Part 2

And here we are, Part 2. Starting off with the A320NEO's departure. It is always fun to see larger aircraft heading your direction. Again, for those who may have missed part 1, departing aircraft had to use Taxiway B for some reasons. This gave me good opportunity to capture head-on shots of them.

NEO with the ATC tower

AirAsia A320-251N (9M-AGH)

A patch of clouds rolled in after the NEO, thank goodness for that. Here's an AJ series without sharklets. Being the original A320, the reversers are petal-type (four doors opening outwards).

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AJW)

Silkair B737-8SA (9V-MGE)

At about 930, China Southern was ready for departure. They fly in the previous night and stays till the next day. China Southern sends a variety of jets to Penang. The usual visitors are 320s and the smaller 319s. These days however, they send the longer version of the 320 family, the A321.

China Southern Airlines A321-211 (B-6663)

Wondering how to tell the difference? A320s and A319s have small exit doors above the wings. But if you look closely at the A321, you can see a door fore and aft of the wing.

Up next is one from Bangkok, having departed 2 hours earlier.

Having seen the various models FedEx sends, of all of them, the MD-11 would be my favourite. On approach, the beautiful tri-holer will always proudly announce her arrival. Nowadays, only 767s and sometimes on the rare occasion, a 757 will drop in.

FedEx B767-3S2F(ER) (N104FE)

Up next is our National Carrier, Malaysia Airlines with the B737. They fly the PEN-KUL route only a few times a day, a lot less that the Low Cost Carrier AirAsia.

Now here's some good news, MH will be sending their brand new A350 on the KUL-PEN route sometime in January. Be on the lookout.

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

The time between 8am and 10am is where we see the most movements for the day, and usually at about 945. This period will complete with a bang, the departure of Cargo aircraft be they 777s or 747s. Here's Korean Air Cargo.

Staring the Worldliner. Look at the GE90 engines

Slowly turning onto the runway

Having discovered my little fondness of taking head-on shots, there I was, getting ready to get a closer view of the 777. Just as I clicked the shutter at the point where it is so well aligned, my camera froze. YEP!! It froze. The mirror was locked up and it was saving the photo (light was blinking faster than Christmas Lights).

Waited for a bit for the photo to be saved, but it was taking too long. The engines were spooling up and if I were to wait any longer, I might very well miss the departure shots. Of course one might argue that I have had shots like those but it is different for each plane. You understand that (right?).

Closeup of the triple bogie main landing gear

Korean Air Cargo B777-FB5 (HL8251)

To be continued in Part 3.

Spotting session - 21 Oct - Part 1

This is going to be a long one, and an enjoyable one too. Going to be generous on the photos too....

Upon arrival, baby Thai had just completed the pushback sequence and was ready for departure. This round saw all departing aircraft using Taxiway B which gave lots of opportunities for closeup shots. This Thai Smile aircraft donned a different dress, the Cartoon Network Amazone livery.

Thai Smile A320-232 (HS-TXQ)

Looking into the distance, a bright white light caught my eye. Now seeing many approaching shots, bright white lights means a new plane (older planes have yellow lights). 

AirAsia A320-251N (9M-AGH)

It was amazing to see the NEO coming in; the engines, the sound, the engines......

Now back to the international gate, Cathay Dragon (Dragonair) has started taxiing to the runway. This red livery is starting to grow on me.

Turning onto TW B

Widebodies do not usually turn here, but rather start their takeoff runs from the start of 04. Only experienced this once some time back. Here she is making the turn (lit perfectly by the rising sun; thank you)

Cathay Dragon A330-343 (B-LBG)

Upon closer inspection of the front section of the plane, there is a sticker there albeit a bit torn off.

Is that a pillow blocking the window?

Off to Hong Kong

Back to the Bravo, we have Indonesia AirAsia on hold, waiting for their turn to depart after an arrival.

Indonesia AirAsia A320-216 (PK-AXR)

Aircraft arriving was Firefly's, with the "Visit Selangor" livery.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYE)

See the lit fan blades

This pilot must've tried to give the passengers the best landing experience. Very smooth touchdown on the mains with the flare still present till after Bravo TW.

Malindo ATR72-600 (9M-LMU)

Next up, Air HongKong, on-time as usual. Touched down rather early on the runway and only used idle reverse. No thrill of the loud sounds of the engines.

Rubber burning

All out, spoilers, flaps, reversers

Air HongKong A300F4-605R (B-LDB)

This is where Part 1 ends. Stay tuned for part 2.

Penang Planespotting #011 - Part 3

Part 3 of #011

Was waiting around when I heard the powering up of the engines of the 737. Looked sideways and there I saw Malindo's 738 doing a go-around. Looks like they were unable to hit the touchdown point as they were quite high as they passed the runway threshold.

Gears up for the next segment

Other operators that made it ....

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AQU)

Here's Tigerair with sharklets and with reversers activated.

Tigerair A320-232 (9V-TRL)

Malindo ATR72-600 (9M-LMS)

Here's Malindo's second attempt. This Malindo comes with the hybrid Batik Livery.

Malind B737-8GP (9M-LCC)

It was now approaching 7pm, and that means it's arrival time for Dragonair's 330. Did not want to really boost the ISO then, so here's the dark shot.

On Final Approach

A few more to wrap up this session. Mostly darker shots.

MH 738

AK on the takeoff run (with blip)

After these rather dark shots, wanted to try if it was possible to handhold a shot using the zoom lens. Here's the result.

Cathay Pacific Cargo B747-467F(ER) (B-LID)

And here's the panning shot of Firefly's arrival.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYI)

Thanks for following. Will keep on updating.

SSLee

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penang planespotting sslee

cathay pacific cargo new livery