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 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.

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

Tags:

a330 p2f sslee penang air hong kong

a330-300 passenger to freighter sslee86

silkway west airlines penang 747 sslee

Spotting session - 21 Oct - Part 3

Part 3 !!

There was a slight drizzle after the Korean 777 which prevented me to get the arrival shot of the next one, but on the taxi run, the skies cleared. That's Penang weather for you. This one had the "Turn Back Crime" livery.

Indonesia AirAsia A320-216 (PK-AXY)

The second FedEx jet of the day came from Singapore. A 767. One of the 767 would depart sometime around 2pm. Have always wanted to catch the departure of the MD-11s back when they still operate, but had always took it for granted that they would forever be there. To those of you out there, if you to do something, do it as soon as you can as you might never know when you might not have the opportunity again. And I'm not just referring to photo taking here. Do what you gotta do.

FedEx B767-3S2F(ER) N125FE

Short commercial break for AirAsia....

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AJW)

Before resuming with the programme.

Wide shot of the aircraft approaching the Cargo Ramp.

Decided to then head over to get some departure shots. Was not looking for anything in particular, but just to grab some of the departing narrowbodies. I got one alright, but not something I expected.

Neptune Air B737-3S3(SF) (9M-NEF)

As far as I know, Neptune Air doesn't operate on weekends. She only departs on weekdays to Singapore. Was pleasently surprised. 

The 737-300 series can be considered a classic (at least in my mind). The rough edges, lack of winglets and very loud engines. This was once an airliner that was capable of carrying up to 140 passengers back in the late 80s, before it was converted to a freighter (hence SF) in the early 90s. Been with many airlines before coming to Neptune Air.

Was kinda over the moon with this shot, and was satisfied. Head over to the last place, to get some arrival shots. The road has been widened, but that doesn't stop people from enjoying the wonderful spotting activiy (me included).

Back view

Did not have my wide lens with me this round (dang it!) so could only get some long shots. Took this opportunity to just admire the queen as she glided to the runway. Being so close, the experience was just amazing. I do have to quote a friend of mine who commented about this experiece "My view is all filled with with that plane. IN HD!!!"

With a cloudy weather, one second, you get to see a plane fully illuminated by the sun, the next, completely covered by the clouds.

Jetstar Asia A320-232

And to wrap it all up, here's the belly shot of an AirAsia jet on approach. Just slightly off centre due to the winds coming from the west.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AQD)

That's all for this session. It has truly been an enjoyable session, and a somewhat different one too. Thanks for viewing. Stay tuned for more posts in the future.

SSLee

Tags:

a320neo penang sslee

747 cargo penang planespotting

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.