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 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 #009 - 17 September 2016 - Part 2

Part 2... Woohoo

Starting off with Malindo, turning onto the runway via Taxiway Bravo.

Malindo ATR72-600 (9M-LMG)

Silkair B737-8SA (9V-MGA)

And we have surprise for the session, and A320 family with exit doors on the fore and aft of the wing. This is a daily flight to Guangzhou, but what interests me the most is that this time, they sent an A321. 

Pushback

Nowadays I see more and more of Fedex's 767 than their MD11s. I guess that they are slowly phasing them out?

FedEx B767-3S2F(ER) (N109FE)

Head on with the A321. From this angle, it would look like an ordinary A320.

China Southern Airlines A321-211 (B-6685)

Saw a chopper flying in on the opposite side of the runway. Lucky enough to have it in the same frame as this ATR.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYJ)

When a chopper comes in, the camera starts snapping. The chopper approached the runway, then banked towards the taxiway for a smooth low altitude flight along Taxiway Alpha before touching down in front of the ATC tower.

N109FE Crossing the runway

MMEA AS365N (M70-02)

Touchdown

Continuing in Part 3.

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dauphin penang sslee

a321 penang sslee86 china southern

planespotting penang