EPWA 2016.08.20 An124 departure from runway 11

Due to some works in progress, runway 15/33 was closed. Thus the An124 visible in the last entry when it was supposed to depart we've been wondering whether or not will it wait for the longer runway to open or use the shortest one available for departures in Warsaw. They did not wait and what a sight it was!

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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!

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

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

Antonov 225 Mriya in Ostrava. 2015.01.26

Once again interrupting the North Korean series. This time to give you a couple of photos of the biggest flying plane in the world! The Antonov 225 Mriya. Only one is flyable. The one and only. Created in the Soviet Union to transport the Buran space shuttle. Now is hired for ultra heavy and large cargo shipments that can not be done by land. It has been a couple of times to Leipzig - but I never could make it there. This time, not only it landed closer to Warsaw, but also I had plenty of free time. The "Dream" (this is what Mriya stands for in Ukrainian) came to Ostrava, just behind the PL-CZ border. A five hour drive from Warsaw. Marvelous! I found a couple of mates to fill the car and we set off.
When at the airport we didn't have many occasions to test camera settings. Not much traffic here. Just a couple of mere GA and a Lufthansa A321 returning to Germany on a technical callsign. Fellow spotters were already set for the arrival, occupying various spots. From behind close to the fence, through standing in the middle of the field to being on a raised hide. A merry atmosphere could be felt, everyone was excited and happy about what was soon going to happen. She suddenly appeared in the sky. A beast, a monster, a cow - however you call her. Mighty sure she is. Touchdown. And she's gone behind the buildings. Time to go and have a look from a closer distance. People crowding to get to the best location for a photo, taking patiently their turns. People standing in line to get a perspective from a higher point.
All in all, we drove 5 hours one way to get a photo of one airplane - this is possible only with really crazy people :D

May the photos speak for the beauty of this unique machine.

Coming in to land.