2014 - summary.

I interrupt the series of entries from DPRK to summarize shortly the year 2014.
As the year nears its end it is time to sum up what happened during it. Flights, memories, pictures, experiences. Everything connected with my activity in the air.

Let me start from my Personal TOP 5 photos of the year. In no special order. I tried to  show a diversified range of shots. Not necessarily top quality, but all of them represent something.

1. A pair of MiG-29 departing for one more training before the parade in Warsaw. I chose that shot because of the equipment I used, because I like the frame, because I love fire, because that was a superb day. Entry source and the direct photo source.

2.The 787 performed a stunning low pass during the Red Bull Air Race in Gdynia. Something I will never forget. A fantastic plane performing a fantastic stunt.

3. Kalitta coming to Warsaw was a big thing. Two Jumbos, a -400 and a -200. Fantastic planes, one of my personal favorite shots due to the background.

4. This shot is the one I chose from the DPRK. I didn't manage to play with all my shots yet, but that one is surely one of my favorites from the trip. For the awesome trip, awesome people I met, and awesome metal flying there. direct photo source and the entry source

5. Last but not least. A shot made during landing in Istanbul, flying from Warsaw. I love the background, I love the angle, I love the plane. For all the classics still flying out there - may they fly as long as possible. Entry source

And now back to the beginning.

Air Koryo Antonov 148

We made it safely back to Pyongyang from Samjiyon on the Il-18. We got on the bus, the bus took us to our next plane. The newest addition to Air Koryo's fleet. The Antonov 148.

We were scheduled for a 30-45 minute pleasure flight around Pyongyang. Free seating, the entire plane just for us. Lots of space for everyone. Each person could practically choose the seat they wanted to sit at. Lets not forget about the freedom of moving around during the flight, taking pictures of both the inside and the outside of the plane from basically any window you want to. One thing, I don't like in the plane is the engine position, there is basically no way to look at the fans :( they are simply to much at the front. But from the back seats you get a very nice view of the ground and the wing over your.
After we boarded, and all the checks have been performed we slowly taxied to the runway and smoothly departed.

Air Koryo Ilyushin 18

My last entry left us in China. Now lets jump a bit to the east to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, or as some prefer simply North Korea. As some of you might know, Air Koryo (the national airline of the DPRK) owns some pretty old metal. Planes like the Ilyushin 18, the Il-62, the Tupolev 154 or the 134. All of them combined are a dream for many aviation enthusiasts.  About the process of entering and exiting NK I shall write a different entry in some time, when we get to the end of the trip.
Back to the point though. The first flying part of the visit was a return flight from Pyongyang to Samjiyon. The goal in the itinerary was a visit at Mt. Paektu. Both of the flights were operated on the Ilyushin 18. The plane registered P-835 has been build in 1966 and since then is flying for Air Koryo. Currently only domestic routes. A film review of the inside is available at the end of the entry.

First flight: JS3501 FNJ-YJS.
I woke up early, or should I say we, as it was a group. At the airport we've arrived around 7:30am, 1,5h before the flight. We had to wait a bit for boarding but that is not a problem if you are surrounded by a group of people with very similar interests. Time flew by very quickly and soon we were already on the bus to the plane. Boarded quickly and soon the engines have been turned on and taxiing commenced.