Changi Beach Spotting 2018.10.15

Managed to squeeze another session at Changi Beach before leaving Singapore. This was a rather short session as I was all the way in the middle of Singapore doing some exploration. Only managed to arrive later in the evening when the sun was setting and when the clouds rolled in.

First shot is usually a test shot of the environment, and.... this did not turn out as how I would have liked it to turn out, but regardless, here's a 737-700.

Regent Airways B737-7V3 (S2-AHC)

Quite a number of arrivals were on the other runway, and with low light and having the subject way too far away, not many nice shots were taken. Was glad that this "Dugong" came. The same one I caught during the last session.

Singapore Airlines A380-841 (9V-SKV)

And I still remembered when Scoot (Tigerair) first came in their new livery on the narrowbody jets. Was so excited to see them in Penang. Most of their fleet is now in this livery and only a handful of jets are either in all-white or white with Scoot stickers.

Scoot A320-232 (9V-TAX)

Up next is the stretched and longer range variant of the 777, the 777-300ER, commonly known as 77W by many. Those raked wingtips are actually more effective for long-haul flights than winglets.

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

The dimmer switch was adjusted and I had some light to brighten up these last few arrivals. Starting with the OZ dugong.

Qantas A380-842 (VH-OQA)

BA's 77W joined in the party as the sky began to brighten even more.

British Airways B777-36N(ER) (G-STBB)

Long haul twins like these 350 is going to be a very common sight in the coming future. It is an amazing aircraft nonetheless (though I still have more fondness of the 330/340 nose design)

Singapore Airlines A350-941 (9V-SMJ)

And just as I was about to pack to leave the area, the sun decided to show itself for a short moment, bathing this Jetstar aircraft with a lovely golden light.

Jetstar Asia A320-232 (9V-JSK)

So far that's all the sessions that I have so far at Changi Beach. Will be revisiting this spot again next year.

Thank you for visiting this blog.

I wish all readers a wonderful New Year 2019.

Have a great year everyone !!

SSLee

Changi Beach 2018.09.23 [Part 3]

Now for the third and final part of this spotting session, we shall shift the focus back to the heavyweights. This session was originally meant solely to get the arrival of the ULR A350, but with so much traffic coming in, one just can't help but continue snapping. First up, Scoot's 787-9.

Scoot B787-9 (9V-OJB)

And followed by Jetstar's 787-8. The -8 series is slightly shorter than the -9 series by a few frames.

Jetstar B787-8 (VH-VKG)

Coming in from Bangkok, here's Thai Airways' 777. The equipment used to be the A340-600 at times, but after they were retired, this is the one to go with.

Thai Airways B777-3D7 (HS-TKA)

Up next is Qantas, sending in their 380. They do have several flights coming in around that period. Spotted an A330 coming in earlier on the other runway. This aircraft carries the updated livery with less bold and non-italic "Qantas".

Qantas A380-842 (VH-OQL)

This 330 did a missed approach on the other runway (20C) about 20 minutes ago, and is now back on 20R.

Cebu Pacific A330-343 (RP-C3346)

Here are two SQ birds back to back. First the 380, and the second the 787-10.

Singapore Airlines A380-841 (9V-SKV)

Timing was a bit off for this Dreamliner, and was only able to snap a few photos when it flew overhead. While it isn't the best shot, at least........ there's a bird. Singapore Airlines is the Launch Customer for the -10 Dreamliner.

Singapore Airlines B787-10 (9V-SCE)

And to end the day, this was spotted while waiting for my bus to arrive. Another one of those airlines you don't get to see in Penang. 

Turkish Airlines B777-3F2(ER) (TC-LJF)

And I must say, it was an amazing experience at Changi Beach. It was my first time, but definitely not going to be my last time spotting here. Everything is so convenient. You have a clear view of the approach, there are trees blocking the sun, it is by the beach so you can sit on the sand if needed, and there is a restroom nearby. It is indeed a spotter's paradise. And the traffic... WOW. The only little thing that I had to deal with was the chance of missing some arrivals as they were performing parallel approaches. Lufthansa's 350 all went the other side.

Only have another (rather short) session at Changi Beach. After that, it is back to the Penang files.

Thanks for visiting, and stay tuned

Changi Beach 2018.09.23 [Part 2]

This continuation is long overdue. Been held up by quite a few things recently. Will try to update as much as possible.

This one is one of SQ's main workhorse. The 777 one of the greatest aircraft that has been built, with a very good safety record too. It all started with the 777-200, but in a few years, we will be seeing the updated 777x family, with folding wingtips.

Singapore Airlines B777-212ER (9V-SQN)

Next is another great selling twin-engine from Airbus, the A330. SQ uses them on medium hall routes.

Singapore Airlines A330-343 (9V-SSG)

And now for the barrage of narrowbody aircraft. It was originally dominated by A and B, 320s and 737s, but with newer and newer entries like the Bombardier C series (or now the A220), would be great to see the variations. Here we have aircraft from the region, Jetstar, Garuda, VietJet and SilkAir.

Jetstar Asia A320-232 (9V-JSM)

Garuda Indonesia B737-86N (PK-GFY)

The nose of VietJet somehow gives me the impression of a military jet, with the two-tone radome and the flag.

VietJet A320-214 (VN-A695)

SilkAir has taken delivery of several 737 MAX 8 aircraft (9V-MBx series). These aircraft can be clearly distinguished from their 737-800 counterparts by looking at their wingtips, and engines. For those with a sharper eye, the MAX series sit higher on the runway than the normal 737 series, and have a different tailcone.

SilkAir B737 MAX 8 (9V-MBE)

Now back to the widebodies again. Up next, one of the first all new aircraft from Boeing, the 787-8 Dreamliner. Came with such elegance, with the raked wingtips, gorgeous wingflex and sharper nose. This is the shortest version of the family. Here's LOT's 788 coming in from Warsaw.

LOT Polish Airlines B787-8 (SP-LRB)

To end this part, here's Swiss' 777-300ER, being delivered early 2016. Their previous long haul routes were served by A340s.

Swiss B777-3DE(ER) (HB-JNB)

To be continued in Part 3.

Changi Beach 2018.09.23 [Part 1]

A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to do some photography at Changi Beach. The area is really spotter friendly with good lighting, good shade and restrooms available. Was there to get the arrival of SQ's ULR 350 and it was beautiful. Here's the link to the photos.

This post shows the other "normal" traffic you would usually get at Changi. You get such a great selection from all over the world. You would however miss the ATR turboprops as not many fly into Changi.

So the first on the list was Philippines Airlines, with their 330.

Philippines Airlines A330-343 (RP-CC8762)

One advantage Penang airport had was that there was only 1 runway, so all arrivals are on that particular one, Runway 04. Occasionally the winds change and they come from the other direction. At Changi, when arrivals are from the North, there's a chance that aircraft may land on 20R (where I was) or 20C, slightly further off, beyond the reach of 300mm, as you will see below.

Lufthansa A350-941 (D-AIXD)

Weather was rather good with occasional cloud patches which blocked the sun for short periods of time. Here's a familiar face.

Malindo B737-8GP (9M-LNP)

Here's another 738 from China. May be time for this bird to have a nice bath.

Shenzhen Airlines B737-87L (B-1711)

One great thing about the traffic here is that they keep on coming. And one can expect it to be of almost any kind. We had the 737, up next is an aircraft that's so large, ATC designate them the Supers.

British Airways A380-841 (G-XLEH)

Fun fact, the designations Super and Heavy are for the controllers, and pilots to know how big the aircraft are and how much wake turbulence they generate, and how much separation is required between them and the aircraft following them. Wake turbulence can be a serious thing, especially if you are a small aircraft travelling too close to a huge one like the A380 as it can cause your plane to be tossed around.

Up next is the longest variant of the 737 family, the -900 series. 737s usually have 4 pairs of doors, one up front, one at the rear and 2 over the wings. This one, to cater for the increase passenger capacity has an extra pair just behind the wing.

Lion Air B737-9GP(ER) (PK-LHR)

As Jetstar's A320 arrived, I had the opportunity to frame it together with a departing aircraft. Most of the arrivals are on 20R and departures are on 20C. The aircraft in the background is China Eastern's A320. After departing, Northbound aircraft would make a 180 degree turn towards the north.

Jetstar A320-232 (9V-JSO)

Then we have the shorter variant of the 737 from China.

China Southern B737-71B (B-5285)

Switching over to the far end, Lufthansa's A380 makes an appearance. Good to see them sending a few flights over per day.

Lufthansa A380-841 (D-AIMA)

More to come in Part 2



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sslee changi spotting

Singapore Airlines A350 ULR Delivery

I'm back after a few months and here I am in sunny Singapore. Finally got the chance to visit the famous Changi Beach. There were quite a few (seriously a lot more within such a short time compared to what I usually get in Penang) catches which will be posted when I do have the opportunity.

But now, to the main topic. SIA is known for their ultra-long-haul flights direct to Newark and Los Angeles using the A340-500 aircraft. These direct flights however were stopped in November 2013 as they were not profitable with the "fuel guzzlers".

Now, the route is seeing the light again with the arrival of the A350ULR (Ultra Long Range). So 2 engines, same distance, much lower fuel consumption.

Here's the first one, coming all the way from Toulouse, France routing via the North Pole, as SQ8895. Photo Link

These A350s have straighter winglets

Singapore Airlines A350-941ULR

Front Section

Fun fact: 

9V-SGA, the current registration for the A350ULR was formerly the registration for the A340-500 used for the ultra long haul routes as well. Interesting to know that they are reusing them for the same purpose.

I will upload other traffic I got during the 2-hour session when I am able to get some free time.

Thanks for viewing and stay tuned for more.

SSLee

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a350 ulr delivery flight

Special Arrivals into Penang

So here we are for the second post of 2018. Today's session was a rather short one with one main catch, the first A330-300 Passenger-to-Freighter unit.

Air Hong Kong A330-322P2F (EI-HEA)

She was an ex Malaysia Airlines bird. It went for a conversion before returning as a freighter. One difference from the A332F is the lack of the nose gear extension blister (and of course the increased length).

Port side view

Heading to the cargo bay

One opportunity not to be missed. A shot of two freighters from A and b.

A and B

Korean Air Cargo departed at 9am, as per the usual departure slot. The 77Fs are the more common type now. Only on some days will be get the glimpse of the 74F. Hoping for their 748F to visit soon. Here's the rotation shot, just as the nose gear lifts off.

Korean Air Cargo B777-FB5 (HL8285)

Flexing her wings

With the departure of the 777F, came back to back arrivals from some rather familiar traffic. From Singapore:

SilkAir B737-8SA (9V-MGM)

Scoot A320-232 (9V-TRK)

Now just as I am about to call it a day, I spot something rather interesting on FR24. A 747, on its descend somewhere off the coast of Phuket. This meant only one thing, it was headed to Penang (my mind just casts off possibilities of it heading elsewhere, too quick to be descending for KL anyway). So I waited. and here she is, all the way from Azerbaijan.

Silkway West Airlines B747-4R7F (4K-SW008)

Now that is one long tail number. She used the entire length of the runway. Wasn't the best conditions for FedEx which was right behind this Queen. I would guess that they had to slow down to minimum speed to allow for this visitor to clear the runway.

All out, flaps, spoilers, reversers

FedEx came in shortly after. She was able to make the turn onto taxiway Delta, though she had to give way.... to the Queen of the Skies.

"After you.."

Here are some shots of the rare visitor.

The Nose

The Tail

The complete set

One last arrival before leaving. Indonesia AirAsia. Gotta have at least a shot of the reds before leaving right?

Indonesia AirAsia A320-216 (PK-AXT)

And back to Silkway.

Heading to the bay

And to end this post, here's a nose bump.

Nose-bump

Thanks for viewing. Keep on visiting for more.

SSLee

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a330 p2f sslee penang air hong kong

a330-300 passenger to freighter sslee86

silkway west airlines penang 747 sslee