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.



A quick and steady departure. Notice the low pitch after liftoff.
During the flight cabin crew passed by with beverages (water, juice, beer). We had freedom of moving around the plane, talking, experiencing, touching most things :) It really was something special for me.

This is how the ceiling looks

Service is on its way

A fridge on board

Dirty and scratched windows

I lost my seat for the flight :( :D

On approach

After landing we had the possibility to enter the cockpit for a short photo session. Later, after exiting the aircraft, we had freedom in moving around the tarmac and photographing the plane from any angle, touching the wheel, looking into the cargo hold, touching the propellers and more. The hospitality of the locals was above normal. We even had the possibility to climb onto some stairs to be higher :) Fantastic! Meanwhile a Antonov arrived. Photos from the session:

The cockpit

The cockpit

A view from the front doors towards the rear (can you name the guy in the blue shirt?)

Looking at the props from the front doors

The rearest section

With the moon

Mount Paektu visible in the middle

The marshaller

An24 arrival

An24 arrival

Unloading some bags

Closeup on the nose

The tail fin with part of the group

Very safe and new tires

In the cargo bay

Face to face

A bit lower

and a bit closer

Aram (from DPRK360) doing his job

This is how you spot in the DPRK

The front

With part of the group

The terminal building

Together with the An-24

The next day we returned with the same plane to Pyongyang. This time I sat in the back for a different perspective. It surely is much quieter. 

Looking at the prop.

Passing an airfield at the coast.

Inside the main pax section

At the very rear there is a altimeter with a clock and hygrometer.

After landing in Pyongyang we have been transported for our next flight.
Stay tuned for more North Korean action soon!
Cheers.