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.

Penang Planespotting #010 - 19 August 2017 - Part 1

So the for the entire week, I've been greeted by MH's A330. You know when you first hear a heavy coming out of PEN at 8am, you would think it is Dragonair's 330. But upon closer inspection (well just a glance to the sky), MH's distinct woosh livery is seen. Checking later revealed that they were operating flights to and from Jeddah via MH8086 and MH8083. Yippee for me. Time for spotting.

2 330s at Penang. A lovely sight

Being an avid planespotter, nothing excites me more than seeing so many widebodies in one frame. Two 330s, a 777 Freighter and an A321, something that China Southern only recently started to send.

Malaysia Airlines A330-323 (9M-MTB)

Then took a gamble on the position to capture the departure of this beauty. On one hand, from this location, it would guarantee a rather good shot of the aircraft rocketing down the runway, though all whells would be on the ground. On the other hand, being further down the runway could give me a departure shot but steady hands are required as the plane would be much faster there (lighting was atrocious and it was rather Hazy).

Decided to try something different and went for the departure shot. First catch was Thai Smile

Thai Smile A320-232 (HS-TXL)

Up next was KA692 to Hong Kong. This time with Cathay Dragon. Their colours are starting to grow on me.

Cathay Dragon A330-343 (B-LBF)

Not too long after, here's Indonesia AirAsia leaving Penang.

Indonesia AirAsia A320-216 (PK-AXT)

And finally, the main catch for the day. I would say that gambled paid off, maybe not so in full but it was worth it. The exact rotation point was blocked by that wee tree you see on the bottom left. This shot is fine enough though. They used almost the full runway for takeoff as this is the exact same point where KA was in the shot above.

Leaving to Jeddah

Now before I had the chance to head back to the first spotting location, the queen arrived.

Eva Air Cargo B747-45EF(SCD) (B-16481)

Good thing too as this 747 was not slow enough to turn at Taxiway Delta (immediately to the left of the aircraft as viewed in the photo). Most heavies would turn off by Delta. More photos of the freighter.

Heading to the end of the runway

Waved to them, but I don't think they saw me.

Fully deployed control surfaces

Turning onto Alpha

Left Full view

Heading to the terminal

With no more (visible) aircraft coming in to land, it was time I head back to the first spot. Was not fast enough to catch the arrival of Air HongKong's A306.

Air HongKong A300F4-605R (B-LDD)

To continue in Part 2.

Penang Planespotting #009 - 17 September 2016 - Part 1

Continuing from Session #008. This session will have many many many parts.

Starting off, we have Malindo

Malindo ATR72-600 (9M-LMO)

Then we have the two morning international flights. One to Thailand and the other to Hong Kong though the latter had to wait for an arrival.

Thai Smile A320-232 (HS-TXS)

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AJX)

We have biologicals too. Here we have a stork coming in for landing on the parallel waterway (river).

Stork (A-BIRD)

Dragonair A330-343 (B-HWM)

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYD)

Rubber burning. This one's from Hong Kong. They will usually arrive in the morning and depart later in the evening.

Air HongKong A300F4-605R (B-LDF)

AJX departing from Bravo

LDF taxiing to the cargo apron

It is really great to have high AirAsia traffic into Penang. For one, you get to see new jets like the A320NEO. You also get the special schemed ones. This new one bears the "AirAsia Foundation" livery.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AQI)

FYD Departing

More in the upcoming posts

Tags:

airasia foundation penang sslee

plane spotting penang

Penang Planespotting #007 - 06 August 2016 - Part 1

While spotting aircraft on the ground is underway, it is sometimes beneficial to look to the skies too.\

Dreamliner in flight

The day was nice and windy (not to mention cloudy), giving a great condition to go long haul (in spotting I mean). Was there early enough to catch the early AirAsia arrival. Greeted by a special one.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHL) - Prince Lubricants livery

Dragonair A330-342 (B-HLJ)

Thai Smile A320-232 (HS-TXK)

Little did I know that Thai Airways was no longer going to serve this route. Instead, they are handing them over to their subsidiary, Thai Smile, similar to what Cathay did with Dragonair. Started to notice when FR24 showed a different aircraft type (32S) instead of the conventional 320. Nice to see them, but I am hoping that the big ones will make a visit every now and then.

Air HongKong A300F4-605R (B-LDD)

Proceeding on to Taxiway J

Some shots of this special-livery AirAsia.

While ATRs are a norm here in Penang Island, this one's a little different. First, it wasn't one that has been seen before. This was carrying part of the MASWings livery, part because part of the tail logo was missing. Secondly, it made such a "grand" entrance, tippy toe-ing in.

MASWings ATR72-600 (9M-MYD)

Based on the timing, I can only assume that this one was operating for Firefly. Since MASWings and Firefly are part of the Malaysia Airlines group.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AFW) - AirAsia Mobile App livery

While planespotting is a very fun activity, I could not help but notice this bird right next to me. I present to you MY-NAH.

This one however was slightly different. Felt like it has been domesticated and at the same time seriously bullied by its peers. OR that it was very tired. It did not bother this bird that I was so close to it. Just staring into empty space.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYF)

FedEx MD-11F (N606FE)

To be continued in part 2....