2016 - summary

Although I'm only half way through 2016 with publishing pictures I must slightly interrupt it with this summary. But I promise that the tempo will rise in 2017 and I'll try to catch up with the accumulated backlog.

At first, my personal TOP5 photos of the year. No intended order. I tried to show a diversified range of shots. Not necessarily top quality, but all of them represent something that might be special to me (like let's say a memory) about it. Choosing just 5 wasn't easy. Sometimes I had to go with the one that has a bigger story behind it. Many great photos couldn't make it, and it was a real battle.

1. This one is for all the days spent at the airport, all the moments close with unusual guests at the airport, all the rides on the apron, all the sun, clouds, snow and rain that passed by and stunned my eyes. Entry source.

2. That one is for all the spotting trips made. For a frame I wanted to catch. For Prague, Amsterdam, Minsk, Madrid and more. For the people on the trips. For the variety of trips, airlines and airplanes seen. For the queen. The AN-225 couldn't make it as I didn't exactly get the shot I wanted, and it has been on the list already last year. Entry source and the direct photo source.

3. This E4-B arriving in Warsaw is for all the spotting at the fence in Warsaw. The NATO summit. The E4-B itself. All of the mighty machines that came to Warsaw that year. Another contender for that spot was the departure of an Antonov 124 from runway 11 - that was stunning! Photo entry source.

4. This shot is for all the flights taken, both those for typical traveling, those for fun and those that I needed to take in order to take a flight that was the main goal. Those that gave me trouble when planning and those that were easy as pie from the start. All the views, all the co-passengers, all the crew met on board. Entry source.

5. That one, for the new experiences, the sights seen, the future ahead. Entry source.

EPWA 2016.07.07 Azerbaijan and USAF (E4-B, C-32)

Preceding the NATO summit in Warsaw, some of the equipment was brought in earlier. Delegations arrived at different times and dates. On the 7th of July came in, apart from other, the delegation of Azerbaijan (with a Boeing 767, an Airbus A319 and a Gulfstream G200), and United States Air Force arrived with an E4-B, a C-32. Additionally some pictures of other traffic in the light of a setting sun.

75-0125 and SP-LRB

4K-8888

EPWA 2016.07.03 C-5 Galaxy

Days before the visit of the President of the United States of America his staff and stuff had to arrive. We've been lucky enough to get a C-5 in the package :)

85-0002

85-0002

EPWA 2016.06.25 Omni 762 and RAF KC2

A evening like many but with some unusual planes and carriers coming into Warsaw. This time a Omni Air International Boeing 767-200 (N225AX) and a Royal Air Force KC2 Voyager (ZZ331).

SP-LNF

N225AX

EPWA 2016.06.23 A little closer (and the MD11)

Thanks to the kindness of Warsaw Chopin airport and "Warsaw Spotters" who organized an entry to the other side of the fence for a group of spotters. At first, we've been transported near the glide slope antenna of ILS for RWY 33. As 11/15 have been in use we had the ability to take some pictures from a closer distance than usually of departing aircraft.
Later on, after the MD-11F arrived, we've been transported close to where it's usually unloaded, loaded and prepared for its departure. We took turns in walking around the plane. Time passed by and after 9 pm the plane was almost ready for departure. All looked fine, push-back, engine start and... and the plane had to return back to its stand due to some issues on board. As our time limit at the airport we had to go, and satisfy ourselves with what we got. It was a truly phenomenal evening in some great company.

SP-LLF

N286UP

EPWA/EPLL 2016.06.19 IAF B707

After a long time without them, they have returned. The Israel Air Force with their Boeing 707. Unluckily this time not Warsaw but Łódź. Nevertheless, it being close we (with a couple of friends) set out for the catch. All went perfect to the millisecond - the moment we arrived at the spot, the plane was visible on final. My first time at EPLL and I must say they do have some nice spots.
After the airport returned to its normal traffic, we returned back to Warsaw just in time to catch a Atlas Air Boeing 767 departing. Later that day yet another gem. A Gulf III did visit Warsaw. Simply a day of beautiful sounds.

264

EPWA 2016.06.18 Omni Air Boeing 777

We had some military charters in June connected to various activities that took place in Poland. One of them was an Omni Air International Boeing 777. Seen here departing on a sunny afternoon from Warsaw.

N846AX

EPWA 2016.05.29 Islamic Republic of Iran A340

A delegation has arrived to Warsaw from Iran. The pretty Airbus A340 of the Islamic Republic of Iran was their ride. A very pleasant guest - to be honest.

EP-AJA

EPWA 2016.05.24

Just a quick visit at PPS12. Nothing special over there, but a biz is quite nice.

OE-IAP

N83M

EPWA 2016.05.22 Kalitta 747

Some cargo charters visited Warsaw during the month of may. One of them was this Kalitta 747 freighter.

N745CK

OK-TVS

EPWA 2016.05.21 Atlas Air 747F

An evening departure of an Atlas Air Boeing 747-400F from Warsaw. Accompanied by a usual LOT Dreamliner at that time of the day.

SP-LRF

N418MC

LO270 AMS-WAW 2016.05.16

May, the month when the weather isn't too hot yet, but ain't too cold either. A great month for traveling around western Europe. This year the plan was for a quick visit in Paris, as a tourist, and even quicker visits in Prague and Amsterdam, as a spotter.

16 May 2016
LO270 (0705-0900) AMS-WAW
SP-LIN Embraer 175

After a exhausting weekend in the Netherlands including some spotting, sightseeing and short nights it was time to return back to Warsaw, back to the daily routine.
After arriving early at the airport I drop my bag off and walk out for a photo with the famous "I amsterdam" monument and back to the terminal building. The queues for security were enormous and slow-moving. Thus, having 5 minutes until boarding time I got let in through the fast-track and after a walk (at a fast pace) I get to the gate (at the very end of the terminal) where, after two minutes, boarding starts. We board through a bridge over the technical road beside the terminal, down the stairs to the apron and up to the plane. The rest of the flight is smooth and pleasant. The cabin crew is fantastic and the flight passes at a glimpse of an eye. The flight is on time. In Warsaw greeted by some smiling ground crew (must say nice to be back with such a welcome). Quickly pick up my bag and head home for a quick change and on to the University. I was supposed to fly with my friends Robert and Mike but due to some misorganisation we did not book the same flights...

My plane is almost ready for passengers to board

Amsterdam spotting, day 2. 2016.05.15

After being unable to catch the Martinair MD11 on the first day we returned to the airport on Sunday with the sole goal of getting it! The runway usage was rather unfavorable. We made our bets on the one that it would have a shorter taxi to. It didn't use it. It taxied all the way to 36L for departure so we drove after it, racing with time. On the route a police car got behind us so we couldn't drive to fast.. And we just saw the MD getting closer and closer to the runway. The last stretch, it's slowly lining up, it's rolling, we are nearly at the spot... We desperately stop, get out, take the shots that we are able to. All in all, not the worst, especially after that drive. Well, as we are already at the airport we stay there for a short time. Get some pictures of the "morning" departure wave from 36L. The sun is a little nicer than the day before. A couple nice heavies depart pleasuring us. After that we return home again and set for a well earned rest. The next day I have the morning flight back to Warsaw to catch.

PH-MCP

N772LA

Amsterdam spotting, day 1. 2016.05.14

After arriving earlier that morning from Warsaw, picking up my bag, I headed to the viewing terrace first. A couple of shots over there while waiting for my friends to arrive. When Robert, Mike and Simon got to the airport I met up with them and we headed off for some approach shots. Later, after a brief lunch stop when the sun wasn't well situated we headed for the Polderbaan. My first time spotting in Amsterdam and that was amazing! There we spent a couple of hours taking some classic, great shots. The weather was very chimeric. One moment pure sunshine, the other clouds all around. Wind like hell, and later came the rain. Finally we left the spot and drove home. A couple of first for me, a couple of shots I'm very happy about. The highlights: surely the cargo 747s (both -400 and -8s), the rotations of all heavies (747, 767, 777, 787, A340, A330) - phenomenal! The DHL A300. Unluckily the MD11 of Martinair was not given to us that day and it was one of our highlights on the 'to do' list.
So I ended the day with my first 748 shots, and that plane, I must say, has so much power! It's even better live then I thought!

PH-BFL rocketing out of the Polderbaan

VQ-BRH

LO265 WAW-AMS 2016.05.14

May, the month when the weather isn't too hot yet, but ain't too cold either. A great month for traveling around western Europe. This year the plan was for a quick visit in Paris, as a tourist, and even quicker visits in Prague and Amsterdam, as a spotter.

14 May 2016
LO265 (0725-0935) WAW-AMS
Embraer 175 SP-LIF

Saturday, one should perhaps sleep in, but no. A morning flight is to catch. The day before my friends took the same flight and now I was to join them in Amsterdam. A good aviation weekend was on the horizon! No queues to drop my bag so with that done quickly I head to the security, 10 minutes and it's behind me. A walk to the nearby gate, having more than enough time I get in touch with the guys is Amsterdam and we polish the details of how we meet up. Seated in row 18 I have plenty of space. The rear of the plane is basically empty today. The weather isn't fantastic in Warsaw and neither it showed to be in Amsterdam. Nevertheless the flight is smooth and pleasant. After landing we taxi past some nice planes and end up at a remote stand. A short bus ride, a little longer wait for the bag and of I go to see the viewing terrace. When the time is right I meet up with Robert, Mike and Simon and we head for some spotting action, first at one of the approaches and later the Polderbaan for departures. Photos from that are available here.
This was yet another flight with LOT after which I have nothing bad to say about my experience en-route.

After pushback from our gate. Preparing for taxi to runway 15

Prague spotting, day 3 An225 departure 2016.05.12

The moment news about the Antonov 225 "Mriya" coming to Prague spread out I started planning and scheduling a visit in the Czech capital. Together with three other friends we made up a team and planned everything. It ended with three nights and two full spotting days, plus one short, just for the departure of the 225. Everything will be divided in three entries, link to other parts are available at the end of the entry. This was my first visit in Prague for spotting, and I must say, that the spotting locations are good! sometimes you need to walk a little, but hey, that's all in it!

This day we woke up early. I had to give up the previous days night spotting in order to get a rather good sleep before returning to Warsaw today. Another gambling day, weather to go to the hill near runway 24 or one near 12. In case of departing from 12 there was no sensible place to catch the rotation. We decided that the second option will be better. It will give us the possibility to both get the rotation from 24 (a little backlight if it goes too late) and taxiing to runway 12. And so it was. I hoped greatly for a 24 departure, that would have been spectacular from that spot. Anyway, the departure got delayed, so the sun was already on the wrong side of the runway axis, not much but anyway. It was chilly, the sun slowly rising gave a little heat on the faces, but a hat and scarf was necessary.
As usual, the giant needed a couple of minutes standing on the runway to heat-up the engines. That sound was spectacular!
Another thing that was unusual is that on of the wheels didn't hide after take-off (it can be slightly seen on my photos). There are photos showing it en-route with the wheels out. Crazy!

UR-82060

N431UP, now just imagine the An225 in that position, or similar.

Prague spotting, day 2. 2016.05.11

The moment news about the Antonov 225 "Mriya" coming to Prague spread out I started planning and scheduling a visit in the Czech capital. Together with three other friends we made up a team and planned everything. It ended with three nights and two full spotting days, plus one short, just for the departure of the 225. Everything will be divided in three entries, link to other parts are available at the end of the entry. This was my first visit in Prague for spotting, and I must say, that the spotting locations are good! sometimes you need to walk a little, but hey, that's all in it!

We spent the second day almost entirely at the hill near the crossing of the runways. Early in the morning we caught the arrival of Hainan (and couple more) on runway 24.
That days spot gives us the opportunity to see both landings, taxiing and departures from runway 12 and 06 (which is not in use). Highlights of that day? Heavies, a couple special liveries and some nice light.

N431UP

B-8117

Prague spotting, Antonov 225 arrival LKPR/PRG 2016.05.10

The moment news about the Antonov 225 "Mriya" coming to Prague spread out I started planning and scheduling a visit in the Czech capital. Together with three other friends we made up a team and planned everything. It ended with three nights and two full spotting days, plus one short, just for the departure of the 225. Everything will be divided in three entries, link to other parts are available at the end of the entry. This was my first visit in Prague for spotting, and I must say, that the spotting locations are good! sometimes you need to walk a little, but hey, that's all in it!

The first day we had to choose a spot from where to catch the landing of the giant. We had to gamble a little. At first we decided to go to the "safest" place, which was beside the crossing of both runways. After deciding that the heat haze was very unsatisfactory for us, we returned to our car (quite a walk) and switched for the approach to runway 12. The entire operation of landing and later taxiing of the 225 was complicated. It could taxi only via the runways and had to park next to the threshold of runway 24. Winds were not favorable either. We risked, but had it worked out, the photos would be phenomenal. (it didn't). The Antonov landed on runway 24, made a u-turn and backtracked, despite the winds. Though luck. We had to get on with what we had.
My highlights for the day (excluding the 225): Delta 767, Emirates A380, CSA A330, Swiss 777, all the shots over the canola fields and the night panning training session was also fun. Especially the Czech A330 was something I wanted to catch. Take a look on day 1 at PRG:

UR-82060 taxiing to its stand seen with a crowd of people that wanted to see him

A6-EES approaching runway 12

LO336 CDG-WAW 2016.05.05

May, the month when the weather isn't too hot yet, but ain't too cold either. A great month for traveling around western Europe. This year the plan was for a quick visit in Paris, as a tourist, and even quicker visits in Prague and Amsterdam, as a spotter.

05 May 2016
LO336 (1940-2150) CDG-WAW
SP-LNC Embraer 195

After arriving at the airport train station I head for another train that will get me to Terminal 1. There I briefly drop my baggage of and head for a tour outside around the terminal. After a couple pictures I return inside and head for my satellite. A ride through the tunnel, the security control and there I am, still having time until boarding. Nothing interesting that could be easily photographed from here so there's nothing else to do but wait for boarding to start. On board I take my seat in row 12. All is ready for departure on my side. We taxi next to a Boeing 757 from TACV, a nice goodbye to the apron it is. A smooth rotation and off we go up with a view on fields in the area. A beautiful mix of yellow, green and brown all over the place.
The flight proceeds smoothly and after an hour or so we dive into the night. Landing in Warsaw is on-time and I don't have to wait too long for the bags to arrive.
Once again there is nothing bad that I could say about my flight with LOT. The crew on board was fantastic, it was a sheer pleasure to be there with them.

LO331 WAW-CDG 2016.05.02

May, the month when the weather isn't too hot yet, but ain't too cold either. A great month for traveling around western Europe. This year the plan was for a quick visit in Paris, as a tourist, and even quicker visits in Prague and Amsterdam, as a spotter.

02 May 2016
LO331 (0730-0955) WAW-CDG
SP-LNB Embraer 195

The morning flight with LOT was the one I chose to get with to Paris. The weather that morning in Warsaw was gray. Cloudy with a slight breeze. At the check-in area there is no queue to the bag drop, so I quickly get rid of my bag over there and head over to the security control. The worst part of a journey from Warsaw... But well, one must get over the poor and rude treatment they get and move on, to the gate! Having a lot of time I catch up with some friends and when boarding is at it's end, board the plane. Today SP-LNB, seat 25D. The forecast for the flight is good, the sky in Paris is clear.
After almost two hours we finally begin our approach to Charles de Gaulle airport. Smooth touchdown and after a couple of minutes deboarding commences. The bags arrive rather quick, but as it is in Paris, not in the right order...
All in all, another very pleasant flight with LOT.

Someone here got priority for takeoff

EPWA 2016.04.30 Danish Air Transport MD80

Just two photos of a MD83 from Danish Air Transport on a wet-lease to Enter Air.

OY-RUE

OY-RUE

EPWA 2016.04.26

Yet another day at work. This time the extraordinary aircraft was a Ukraine Air Force Antonov 30. Apart of that a photo of a soon-to-be-painted into the Small Planet livery A321 (ex Aeroflot) and a Helvetic Airways A319 accompanied by a E75 being pushed back.

EPWA 2016.04.23

Another day, another Dreamliner arriving. Yet this time it was a little different due to the unusual circumstance of the captains retirement. For that occasion he did get a water salute.

EPWA 2016.04.18 Volga Dnepr IL76 departure

After the night in Warsaw, RA-76511 (VDAs Il-76) departed together with its cargo. Unfortunately, again, a cargo aircraft choose the other runway it was supposed to... In addition, while waiting for the departure three other aircraft leaving Warsaw from runway 29.

TC-JSZ

EPWA 2016.04.17 Volga Dnepr Il76 arrival

Cargo traffic is not the main traffic here at Warsaw. Sometimes something bigger will arrive. This time it was a Volga-Dnepr Ilyushin 76. It then spent the night in Warsaw and departed the next day. Here a couple of shots of RA-76511 arriving in Warsaw.

RA-76511

EPWA 2016.04.02

After a year of flying for Air Europa, SP-LRF "Franek" returned back to Warsaw. Here is his first dusk at PPS12. Additionally one 737 is undergoing maintenance at the gate.

SP-LRF

Olsztyn-Mazury Airport, SZY-KRK-WAW

After testing Radom Airport earlier this year with CSA, I decided to test another new polish airport. Olsztyn - Mazury, or maybe it's better to say Szczytno - Szymany? Anyway the official name is Olsztyn - Mazury even though the airport is situated quite a long ride from Olsztyn itself, nearby Szymany. A polish company Sprintair, known previously for their flights from Zielona Góra to Warsaw, decided to open at first two routes from SZY, Berlin and Cracow. All the flights operated with a Saab 340 plane. It wasn't hard to create an itinerary that would fit me, so after little thought I bought the tickets and was ready for a new experience. Getting for the morning departure wasn't hard thanks to the train connection from the city center and returning home from KRK is easiest by air. Easy? Yes. I just had to take enough margin for possible delays caused by weather that could make me loose my flight to Warsaw, 2 hours sounded good.

02 March 2016
SRN701 (0830-1005) SZY-KRK
SP-KPR S340

As said before I got to the airport by train. It arrived on-time, around one hour prior departure at the airport station. I was not the only passenger :) a walk to the airport, check-in easily with the kind ground staff, get my boarding pass and still have a lot of time for some pictures in and outside the terminal. The building itself is very appealing, has a nice design that fits the area and current needs of the airport. Inside there is a viewing area with soft couches to sit on and look at the apron. Not much traffic that day. Inside you'll also find a couple of kiosks landside and, IIRC, two shops airside. There will be a total of 11 passengers (33 seats) on my flight. Boarding commences and quickly all of us air on the apron, most taking pictures. The weather is wintery, snow is snowing, no signs of sun around. I take my seat (1C) and we have to wait for de-icing before we may taxi out to the runway and depart for Cracow. During the flight we are served a Princessa bar and a glass of water. After no time we land in Cracow, de-board to the bus which will take us to the terminal. As I have 2 hours to my next flight I go for a walk around to have a look how the airport has changed since my last visit and the changes are rather big. The new terminal (well old, but very refurbished) is almost completed, a direct bridge to the car park and train station is available. Changes are very positive! After they finish all the works all should look quite nice, I'd say. Overall the flight from SZY to KRK was pleasant, quick, very Saab like, quieter at the rear and so on. A video of the interior is available down. For the small airport in Szymany I wish the best, currently they have a flight to Warsaw with LOT, a connection to Munich and Wizz is said to open a couple of routes. Will have to try the direct link WAW-SZY.

EPWA 2016.02.25

Just another morning shift at work. For the start some beautiful contrast and light play. Later on some cold winter white light during the day. Only at the end did gray clouds arrive taking the sun away. So did Lufty's Die Maus (D-AIRY).

SP-LIA

SP-LIA