Penang Planespotting #010 - 19 August 2017 - Part 2

Here's part 2. Starting off with the departure of the Korean freighter to Seoul. I remember how I'd always hoped for the 777 freighter to come to town instead of the 74F. Guess that made me forget how enjoyable the 74Fs were. Now they only send the 77F and on the rare occassions the 74Fs. Oh well.

Korean Air Cargo B777-FB5 (HL8045)

This AirAsia has a slight mismatch on the cowlings. No matter I guess. Anything that fits.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHM)

Then I was treated with the departure of an A320NEO. I must say once again how quiet these aircraft are. Their takeoff run with full engine thrust was as silent as the CFMs engines at idle reverse.

AirAsia A320-251N (9M-AGD)

Here we have Firefly with a special scheme promoting Kedah's Football Team. I don't seem to see any more of their -600 series. Some has gone to NAM air, though others appear to still be under Firefly. Wonder if they are going to MASWings.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYH)

And then it was time for the 77F to depart. Here are a few shots. Always a pleasure to see a 777 go.

Takeoff run

Firefly departed shortly after. One thing great about these regional aircraft is that they will turn to the runway from Bravo TW, giving a nice close-up of a head-on shot.

If China Southern can change their fleet from A320s to A321s, one can hope for them to change to something bigger too (I don't know a 757 perhaps? though maybe not too suited for this PEN-CAN leg).

China Southern Airlines A321-211 (B-6663)

Another regional operator, Malindo Air coming in with their ATR72.

Malindo ATR72-600 (9M-LML)

Shortly after we have a 76F from Singapore. Trying to time this shot just before the wings de-flex at touchdown.

FedEx B767-3S2F(ER) (N101FE)

After taxiing on Alpha, they will wait for the runway to clear before crossing to the cargo ramp on the other side (to the left of this photo).

The tail

To be continued in Part 3.

Penang Planespotting #008 - 31 August 2016 - Part 2

And guess what we have to start off the second part of this thread.......

China Airlines B737-809 (B-18612)

It is not everyday that this one is captured as it arrives at about 4pm-ish. I read that they have previously sent their A340s (how nice if they were to do that again).

Next there was an influx of AirAsia jets. Good for trying out different shots.

AirAsia A320-214 (9M-AFC) - World's best Low Cost Airline

Indonesia AirAsia A320-216 (PK-AXF)

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHS)

I can vividly remember another AirAsia aircraft with a white tipped engine cover (somewhere).

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AQU)

Then came a member of the ATR family. After a sea of AirAsias, come the sole Firefly aircraft.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYH)

All that arrive would have to eventually depart right? Here is AFC departing. The following shots are possible with Runway 22 ops.

9M-AFC departing

With a bit of Bayan Lepas and the hill

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHW)

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYL)

More coming in Part 3. Stay tuned.

Penang Planespotting #006 - 06 July 2016 - Part 1

I honestly cannot believe it when I saw this one. 2 trips in a row, a special visitor was around. First shot of the day.

Kiwijet being loaded

Imagine all the Nasi Lemak and Roti Canai that is going into that aircraft. Penang food is awesome, and I would expect that it will be an aromatic ride back to Kiwiland with all of that food on-board.

It was almost 8am, and the sun was still hidden behind some thick clouds. It didn't seem like any good amount of light would be available this trip. Had to push the sensors a bit to get the shots (and of course to stabilise the hands for lower shutter speeds)

Dragonair pushback

The big Thai in Penang

It was the Ramadan season along with the school holidays. I guess load was good enough for TG to send their tripple 7. Still waiting on them to send in their Dreamliners (or even their A350) during equipment shortage or anything of the matter. Yes yes, it is such a great waste to be sending such efficient aircraft on short haul routes, but there's no harm in wishful thinking..... right?

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AQM)

One good thing (probably the only one as of now) of low light is the ability or rather the requirement to pan with low shutter speeds. Nice effects, but still, a long way from perfection.

Dragonair A330-342 (B-HLB)

2 beauties in one pic. It is not every trip you get such a combination. Up next is Firefly.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYH)

Followed by the triple 7, the aircraft that is putting a lot of other aircraft out of commission.

Thai Airways International B777-2D7 (HS-TJC)

Closeup of the front of the aircraft

Boeing has really done a great job in the designing of the 777. That, together with efficient engines from GE and RR put other aircraft like the MD-11, the A340 and even the B747 out of commission. The 340 and the 747 are most likely still surviving due to the need for long translantic flights (not restricted to ETOPS) but I fear that too might not last long.

Next up, two ATRs from Malindo in a row.

Malindo ATR72-600 (9M-LML)

Malindo ATR72-600 (9M-LMF)

Next up was Air Hong Kong's freighter. Wonder when they would send their 747s again.

Air Hong Kong A300F4-605R (B-LDA)

Front part with those Reversers

My attention was then drawn to a line of people just happily walking across the tarmac. They were headed for the Kiwijet.

Next part will show the Kiwi's departure as well as Neptune Air, the elusive small freighter.

Evening Spotting Session

Had a chance to do some evening spotting session after an event. I had the camera with me, so why not. It was a great thing that those coming in were using Runway 22, saving me the trip all the way to the other end of the runway. Here are some belly and side profile shots.

China Airlines B737-809 (B-18609)

Malaysia Airlines B737-8FZ (9M-MLF)

After reviewing a few of the shots, planes were still rather high up, but with the sun backlighting the entire sky, the chances of snapping a good shot is rather slim. So a little drive down the road along the industrial area yield me much better outcomes.

Silk Air B737-8SA (9V-MGN)

Flying above a flowering tree. Silk Air was the first one that came after the change in position. Though perhaps evening sessions aren't as populated as the afternoon session, we have quite some action too (mostly ATRs and 320s). The sun went behind the clouds shortly after SilkAir landed.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHY) - Big Duty Free livery

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYH)

Malindo Air ATR72-600 (9M-LMF)

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYD)

Lion Air B737-8GP (PK-LFY)

There was quite a good mix of logo jets as well, starting with the newly painted "Big Duty Free" AirAsia, to the one with the "The Apprentice Asia" livery. There was also a Line logo jet too.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AFA) - The Apprentice Asia livery

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYL)

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHR) Line Livery

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

By this time, I was wondering whether or not to call it a day, or to wait a wee bit longer. The sun had already set and there was a feeling of hunger within me. It was a long interval to the next one, which constantly made me wonder if they had change the Runway direction usage. I waited and got these 2.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYF)

Dragonair A330-342 (B-HLI)

The arrival of Dragonair marked the end of my spotting trip. It was a different feeling, seeing them with flaps down and gears down while on the glideslope to the runway. Most if not all of my Dragonair shots have been of them taking off. 

Stay tuned for other sessions.

SSLee

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