Frankfurt spotting EDDF/FRA day 2, 2017.05.21

After the first day of spotting, a short night, the second and last day came. Early morning wake-up call in order to get some shots of the morning arrivals. We had a flight later in the evening so we wanted to use as much of the day as possible. The morning was chilly, which compared to the heat we got later during the day was a very nice thing. Our main goals for the day were the retro planes that we didn't manage to catch the day before, as well as the MD11s. Despite the heat, the limited amount of  combinations available I am happy with the results. We changed our location a couple of time and after ANA 777 BB8 c/s arrived we headed to give back our car and wait for the flight, hence the couple pictures from the terminal. After a long and exhausting day we later boarded the half empty flight to Warsaw. Overall, very well spent two days at FRA!

A6-EFL

Frankfurt spotting EDDF/FRA day 1, 2017.05.20

After arriving earlier that morning from Warsaw, together with a friend first we walked to the hotel, left our unnecessary belongings in our room and got picked up by different friends (who arrived in Frankfurt the day before). Later on all of us moved to the first location. There was a plan for both days at FRA (3 days for some). The main goal being undeniably the MD-11F of Lufthansa Cargo. My personal small goals? Basically almost everything else. From the Lufthansa 747s and A380 via Asian carriers to such cargo companies as Saudia Cargo, Air Bridge Cargo or Asiana Cargo. In fact the majority of traffic was nice, all the 747s, 767s, 777s, 787s, some A330s, A350, A380s and so on, and so on. Companies and liveries very different to those seen in Warsaw. What we didn't manage during the first day we left ourselves for the second. The weather could have been better, but it wasn't tragic. A long day, a short night later on with an early morning wake-up call. All well worth the effort!

D-ABYF

EPWA 2017.05.05 Qatari

A delegation from Qatar visited Warsaw. They came on three planes, an A310, an A340, and A319CJ a 747-8. During their departure also the usual scheduled Qatar A330 departed for Doha. The first plan was to catch the 747 departing from runway 33 and then quickly shift for the rest of departures from 29. That's the reason for the shots of the 787s. Unluckily they decided to taxi at once, both the A310 and 748. A quick decision and I move for the A310 departure so I can only watch the 748 taxiing away. The sun did play some nice tones later during the day. In fact not the shots I wanted to get but I did take the risk being fully aware of what can go wrong.

A7-AFE

EPWA 2017.04.25

A little spotting in the morning (~9-10am) and some from the evening wave (~5pm)

4X-EKH

EPWA 2017.04.24

The weather was nice, plenty of free time so I decided to get out for some spotting of the afternoon departure wave. Mostly LOT 787s, some shots of the Nordica CRJ900. All departures from runway 29 due to the closure of runway 33 (usually used for departures of the 787s)

SP-LLG

ES-ACC

DUS pre-flight LO408 2017.02.26

Knowing that Düsseldorf airport has an open viewing terrace we decided to go the airport well ahead the time we’d normally go. After walking around the general area first we head towards the terrace where I’ll spend most of my time before it gets cold, almost dark, boring and the time will end. The terrace itself is real nice I must admit. Plenty of room. “Access” to a couple of jetways. Good view on the runways and taxiway. Some nice close-ups are possible with a longer lens. But if you have only a short one, don’t worry as you’ll still have plenty of photo opportunities.

Emirates A380 in Warsaw 2017.02.10

For the fourth anniversary of launching flights between Dubai and Warsaw Emirates decided to send an Airbus A380 to Warsaw. Winter weather was almost at it's best. Unluckily the heat haze was active thus some of the photos didn't work out as good as they could. Both the departure and landing had to be on runway 15 on that day due to the size of the aircraft. Also, taxiing space is limited for the A380 at Warsaw Chopin airport. Both flights were on time, more or less. In addition some shots of other movements, the Air Transat A330 flying for Travel Service, LOT Boeing 787s and other smaller machines.

LO92 PEK-WAW 2017.01.02

The last segment of the Taiwanese journey. The final flight home.

02 January 2017
LO92 (0845-1130) PEK-WAW
SP-LRB Boeing 787 Dreamliner

After arriving the previous day from Taipei via Fuzhou I get a sleep at a local hotel, where I catch the shuttle to the airport at 6. That means I have plenty of time to check my bag in (luckily no queue and I am able to change my seat to one that suits me better) pass all the necessary controls and browse the shops. Then, when the sun rises I still have time to take some photos through the windows in the scenery of a rising sun. After using Beijing Terminal 3 yet another time I must say that it really is decent and rather hassle free. Spacious, various shops and restaurants, benches to rest, get a nap, lie down, quiet areas. and the air condition works quite well.
But back to the flight. We depart with a slight delay which, due to winds will grown a little bit during the flight. I'm lucky to get the seat next to me empty (seated in row 24). The service comes right in time. Around an hour after take-off. The food is pretty nice. The crew walks around offering a top-up. For a minus, the windows have been blocked in a dimmed configuration for most of the flight. On a day flight... not a red-eye one, a day one. C'mon! Anyway. Time passes by slowly, movies, reading, music, small naps and finally we arrive in cloudy Warsaw with around 30 minutes of delay.
Summing up, I am content of the flight in total. Of the entire trip as well.

LO91 WAW-PEK 2016.12.25

Christmas came and with the New Year ahead it was time to fly out somewhere. Destination: Taiwan, via China. First stop: Beijing

25 December 2016
LO91 (1455-0635+1) WAW-PEK
SP-LRC Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Christmas Day, late breakfast with the family and off to the airport. Quick and problem free baggage drop off, security and passport control. Boarding started more or less on time. Seated down in 7A with more than sufficient legroom I buckle up and wait for the pushback and takeoff. After we depart and head east it quickly gets dark and will stay that way all the way to Beijing. Some time into the flight the meals are served, one portion wasn't enough so later on I had to ask for a second one. With my stomach satisfied I could get on to the In Flight Entertainment system and watch some videos. The flight was rather smooth and passed by quickly. Oh, I would have forgotten about a small nap before arrival. Well needed at that time of the day. Surely a good start of the trip!

Taxiing to the runway

MAD pre-flight spotting 2016.10.22

The next goal of October was to fly the Tarom A310. The story of all the troubles and adventures that I had before flying it at last will be in a different post. Here, to make it short, I'll just say that I've managed to take it on the MAD-OTP sector. I flew into Madrid with Ryanair and had around 12 hours to my flight to Bucharest which I decided to spend at the terminal. Terminal 4, used by Tarom, is quite nice for spotting both during the day and the night.

N780AV

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 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

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 2016.04.02

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

EPWA 2016.02.17 Bundesrepublik Deutchsland Global 5000

A couple of shots to the occasion of a German Air Force Global 5000 in Warsaw. (14 03)

14 03

EPWA 2016.01.10 Al Jaber Aviation Embraer Lineage 1000

A nicely painted Embraer Lineage 1000 landed in Warsaw for a short stopover.

A6-AJI

EPWA 2015.12.30

One of LOTs Boeing 787 Dreamliner's is heading for a charter flight straight into the setting sun.

SP-LRC

SP-LRC

EPWA 2015.12.29 UTair Boeing 767

After a couple of days in the hangar it has been taken out for a walk. The UTair Boeing 767-200 after service at the LOT AMS facilities in Warsaw.

SP-LRC

VP-BAL

VP-BAL

Norwegian Boeing 787 Dreamliner as DY7210 BKK-CPH

The Iran trip has reached its end. After more than a week of flying joy around Persia and the ASEAN it was time to return back home. Once again I flew back via Copenhagen. First BKK-CPH with Norwegian Air Shuttle and later on to Warsaw with SAS (this was a night night flight which I spent sleeping). The first leg though was hard to sleep on. 12 hours of flying from Bangkok to Copenhagen, the sun outside for the entire time granting us nice views on the Himalayas and Caucasus mountains. It also was my first long-haul flight on the 787 Dreamliner.

A view over Bangkok city after departing BKK and banking right.

EPWA 2015.12.10 RAF BAe Avro

Today, the highlight was an Royal Air Force British Aerospace Avroliner ZE701. Also taken by chance: an Enter Air 737 resting, a LOT Dreamliner heading for the runway and a LOT E195 taxiing into position.

ZE701