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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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.

Penang Planespotting #010 - 19 August 2017 - Part 3

Part 3, focusing on only narrowbodies, Boeings first then Airbuses. Some specials too. To start it off with a roar, here's MH's special themed 738.

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

Other side

Eva Air was still unloading. Was hoping to get it before I left but looks like it would be another day for Eva Air's departure shot.

Loading the freighter

SilkAir's first flight of the day to Penang, sometimes with a 738, sometimes a 319 and sometimes a 320.

SilkAir B737-8SA (9V-MGM)

Then came the barrage of 320s from AirAsia, Jetstar and Scoot (yup).

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHJ) - Charter Prime Livery

You can tell that the sun was getting hotter with better lit photos. But I had to stay for one brightly coloured aircraft. One thing good about these aircraft is that it allows me to have test shots (yes, sometimes still need them)

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHM)

Missed out Jetstar's arrival, managed to get the taxi shot.

Jetstar A320-232 (9V-JSI)

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AQO)

And Finally, for the one that we've (also) been waiting for. Tigerair Scoot's A320. Yes of course we are going to see more of it in years to come, but just happy that they sent this particular one up to Penang. Thank you.

Scoot A320-232 (9V-TAQ)

That's all for this edition. Stay tuned for more.

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