Penang Planespotting #007 - 06 August 2016 - Part 2

Second part for this session, starting off with the daily flight to Guangzhou, before FedEx crosses the runway.

China Southern Airlines A320-214 (B-6289)

FedEx MD-11F (N606FE)

Then up to the skies again for MH's 737, followed by another 737 from our neighbour.

MH 737 in flight

SilkAir B737-8SA (9V-MGA)

My first thoughts was that the MASWings aircraft was on ferry or something to along that line. However, like all ATR flights, after about 40 minutes, it departed with passengers inside. Firefly indeed.

MASWings ATR72-600 (9M-MYD)

Now this next one was one that I have been trying to get for many months. I would see it around when I do not have a camera with me but never when I had, until this time. Throughout the duration, part of me was wondering if they were going to repaint it. Here it is, the albino AirAsia.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AFO)

It would look just like a private jet, if not for the flag and the plethora of windows. So glad it came.

MYD ready for takeoff

While -AFO was taxiing back along taxiway Alpha, -MYD was ready for takeoff. -AFO came within sights shortly after.

All-white scheme

Then, we had the Worldliner, an aircraft that was able to fly a whopping distance of 17,000 km. That is REALLY long (it did make a 21,000 km flight, though with little load). This was the cargo version of it. 3 pics of it.

Korean Air Cargo B777-FB5 (HL8005)

Followed by the smaller sibling.

FedEx B767-3S2F(ER) (N107FE)

More updates in the next part, with a spectacular finish.

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....

Penang Planespotting #006 - 06 July 2016 - Part 2

And what a great day for spotting. It is sometimes better to go spotting on the weekends, and sometimes better on weekdays.

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

Side view of the Converted Freighter

With its larger sister

Neptune Air works only on weekdays (well as far as I have tracked), so on weekends, the best shots you could get is the aircraft resting at the apron. Nothing else.

And with the sun conditions you've been seeing, it is apparent that there were very dark and thick clouds within the vicinity, which of course led to some rain. That was NOT good as the Kiwijet was begining its pushback sequence. Missed and AirAsia and a Malindo jet. But thankfully, the rain eased a bit and I was able to put my camera out (with some rain repellent modifications) to get the following shots.

Royal New Zealand Air Force B757-2K2 (NZ7572)

Followed by a short taxi to runway 04

And ultimately departing South

Next up are two Queens. One departing, and one arriving. Look at the rudder deflection on the Korean.

Korean Air Cargo B747-4B5F(SCD) (HL7448)

Eva Air Cargo B747-45EF(SCD) (B-16482)

That's all for this session. More sessions coming.

SSLee

royal new zealand air force penang
nz7572 penang sslee
neptune air penang 737

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.

Penang Planespotting #005 - 25 June 2016 - Part 2, With the KC-30

So here we have it. Most of this post is directed at the KC-30 (seeing they don't come that often, they should get a wee bit more attention). 

Seeing the mobile stairs moving away from the front door as well as the cones being removed by the ground personnel meant that it was moving soon. After all the doors closed, it was ready.

Royal Australian Air Force A330-203MRTT (A39-001)

Pushback was initiated and the profile of this MRTT slowly revieled itself. With an additional refuelling boom at the tail as well as wing mounted pods, this one's definitely an eye-catcher.

FedEx B767-3S2F(ER) (N107FE)

While waiting for checks on the KC-30 to be completed, this FedEx came. They send a mix of MD-11s and 767s up.

B vs A?

Approaching the cargo ramp

And here comes the barrage of shots of the MRTT.

Time to fly

A closeup of the tail

Holding before Runway 04

Rolling down the runway

Truth be told, after getting the KC-30, the feeling was just..... awesome. Enough for me to call it a day. Well maybe not quite yet cause whenever I look into the distance and see landing lights, I shall wait. This one's ex-Firefly.

Malaysia Airlines B737-85F (9M-FFD)

And I waited again for Firefly.

Firefly ATR72-500 (9M-FYG) - Promoting Panasonic's Sky Series Air Conditioners

And with that, the session was over. It is really great to go spotting without expectations, and to be rewarded by visitors or special ones. Sometimes not knowing the schedule is exciting.

SSLee