Austrian 767 experience

OS64 (1125LT-1550LT)
22nd September 2014, the alarm goes off (well, a 777  flies by to be exact), I have around five hours to my flight. The weather outside is bad, foggy (or smoggy), little sun. While laying in bed a couple of rare planes (and liveries) land just outside my window but I was too lazy to grab my camera. With Clint Eastwood talking in the TV I finish packing my bags. Check out. A bus to the terminal and a scoop of ice-cream for a goodbye. As I have checked in for my flight on-line I don't have to stand in the long queue, always spares me a lot of hassle. A couple of photos of the terminal, security check, emigration, a train to the gates and woah, the terminal seems empty, I've been prepared for a lot more people. A quick round around the gates to see what is there to photograph, not much as a matter of fact (some of it may be found in the post about spotting in Beijing). A little shopping (breakfast was desired) and with two new bags in my hand boarding for my flight has commenced. It only is a matter of time when I get on the plane, find my seat and install all electronic devices. First impression of the interior? Quite nice, I like the composition of colors. The seat is alright, the PTV works great. Soon push-back has started and after a while, with some stopping in line for departure, we taxied onto runway 01. Full thrust and we are airborne. Well, it would be more fun if you could see something through the windows. a couple of minutes flying through smog and clouds when finally we get to see the sun and a sea of fluffy clouds which goes on all the way to Mongolia. The flight goes on pretty smoothly, overflying cities like Kyzyl, Nizhny Novgorod and Warsaw (under clouds) time flies pretty fast. The main, a chicken, was good, 4/6 is what I'd give it. An hour before landing we get a hot sandwich with ham and cheese. Landing on time, in some post-rain weather. Good to be back in Europe and at an airport that I really like flying to. A visit to the cockpit and a chat with the friendly crew summed up the flight. Now all I have, after the very smooth immigration control, is to wait around 3 hours for my flight back home. Luckily I found a fantastic, quiet spot.

Overall the combination of Austrian Airlines and the Boeing 767 is really fantastic and I do recommend it to everyone. Videos between the photos. Flight review video at the end.

Beijing Capital Airport spotting; ZBAA/PEK 21.09.2014

Both before departing to North Korea and after arriving back to China I have had a couple of opportunities to spot a bit at Beijing Capital Airport. I can divide them into 4 parts where part 1: before departure from PEK for FNJ; part 2: after landing in PEK from FNJ; part 3: the main spotting part; part 4: before departure from PEK to VIE. Part 1 and 4 feature photos mainly made from the terminal area while part 3 is the more standard "beside the fence" spotting.
During my stay winds were mostly southernly thus runway 36L, 36R and 01 in use. Unfortunately I would not say that the weather was great. I'd rather say it was more of a typical Beijing aura with smog around.
For some detailed information about spotting locations in Beijing visit spotterguide

An Air China A330 landing at 36R (B-6079)

Queue from both sides to depart from 36R

Air Koryo Tupolev 204

This entry will be a two part one (divided in itself). The first part is getting to North Korea and the second one leaving it. Both of the flights I've done on the Tupolev 204-100 operated by Air Koryo. The -300 is just a bit shorter and apart of that doesn't differ much inside.

JS152
13.09.2014 PEK-FNJ
1255-1600
I got to the airport around 10am by the train that rides between the center and both terminal areas at the airport. There I met up with part of the group and later we passed through security prior to getting to our check-in area. Some unusually sized luggage could be seen checked-in. After getting my boarding pass with what looked like a good seat (10F) I proceeded on the yet another security check and the immigration counters. Airside, after localizing our departure gate I moved on to looking for a place to spot at, windows gave a couple good shots at aircraft that have been docked and one, in the "corner" had an overview on the main taxiway and one of the three runways at PEK. There many of my trip mates gathered. We spent the hour prior to boarding here taking pictures, notes and laughing together. We had to bond at least a bit, a full week with the company of us and only us was ahead.
It was boarding time, still before entering the jetway most of us made a slight detour for a photo of the 204. On board we were greeted by the friendly crew of todays flight. Just after a couple of minutes push-back commenced, engines have been fired up and taxiing started. A long one, with some stops due to traffic. Finally we were in the air.
In flight service was rather poor. The "Kim Burger" we got was rather a 1/10 than something you would like to eat. Fortunately the soft drink was kinda good!
Maybe it was just me, or it was the airplane or the way the pilots flew but I could feel practically every turn, something that usually doesn't happen in the "western world". One strange situation also happened. A slight bank right turned into a steep one, than the pilot suddenly over-banked left, tried to level it off and again banked right before finally leveling off. Someone even screamed at the back.
Finally after 1h 22min we touchdowned at Pyongyang Sunan airport, deboarded the plane and boarded a bus and traveled towards the terminal for our customs and immigration control. All of it did take some time and finally after around 8-9 hours we've arrived at our hotel.

In the tunnel from the train to the terminal

Landside in the T2, pre customs check

Air Koryo Mi-17

I wake up. A morning like many others. At a first glance there is nothing spectacular about it. But wait! I look out of the window and the same view comes to my eyes, the sight of Pyongyang city. The day has come. The day that most of us anticipated most. The day of flights. The day that I am going to hop on 5 flights, on 4 different planes, all of them being my first time. The Ilyushin 76, Ilyushin 62, Tupolev 154 and the Mi-17 helicopter. The 18th day of September 2014. A date I surely will remember, not only for the reasons stated above ;)

This was the last flight scheduled for me this day. After a tiring morning with four flights included and a lunch our group has been transported to a pair of helicopters (a Mi-17 [867] and a Mi-8 [847]) at Pyongyang Airport. We have been previously divided into smaller groups two of which were to fly today and the other two would return the next day back to Pyongyang while we would take the roads in our coach. I've been designated to fly on the 867. Inside: a side couch, a table, an air conditioner, a clock and two big chairs with a floor made to look like wood. The second helicopter (with which we have had a short 'A2A' session during the flight) was slightly different inside. It included a greenish carpet with flowers, kinda kitschy IMO.
We were headed for the Myohyang mountains. Landing somewhere in the area of Hyangsan. After deboarding we all could take pictures from basically any angle of both flying machines. Additionally the scenery is in the region very spectacular, truly breathtaking. Well I've got no words to describe it. It took mine away. Together with the weather it made up a fabulous setting for any session, let it be a Mi-17.

At FNJ ground before boarding

Air Koryo Tupolev 154

I wake up. A morning like many others. At a first glance there is nothing spectacular about it. But wait! I look out of the window and the same view comes to my eyes, the sight of Pyongyang city. The day has come. The day that most of us anticipated most. The day of flights. The day that I am going to hop on 5 flights, on 4 different planes, all of them being my first time. The Ilyushin 76, Ilyushin 62, Tupolev 154 and the Mi-17 helicopter. The 18th day of September 2014. A date I surely will remember, not only for the reasons stated above ;)

Midday came fast. We were already after two flights. We got on the bus after deboarding the Il-62 and moved a coupe of meters towards the Tupolev 154. This wasn't my first encounter of the type. It has previously visited many times Warsaw, and let's not forget about the Polish Air Force planes (101 and 102) that have been stationing at EPWA. One of which later crashed under Smolensk. For some it is the most beautiful plane ever made (I won't argue, it has its looks). It surely is the fastest sub sonic commercial plane made. with a huge amount of power form the three engines mounted at the back of the plane. There have even been situations when it flew the entire flight on only two engines as the third one was broken and they had to transport the plane to its base for a fix. Now, would any western plane be capable (or permitted) to do so? to takeoff, cruise and land without one engine?

We were already familiar with todays route, to Hamhung and back. This time without dinner, only a photo session after arrival and then we hoped on to return to Pyongyang. The B version has different engines than the M one. The sound they make at startup is unbelievable. Until now the I only had the pleasure to see it in flight, landing or departing. And it was fantastic! This day I was to fly on one. To hear it from the inside, to smell it. Worth any hassle! Unfortunately the seats at the rear are much more closer to each other than at the front, giving your knees some pain, so because of that, and to give others the possibility of flying at the end of the plane I returned to Pyongyang in business class. Quiet comfy :P

Now it's time for some (detailed) pictures and videos of the main character of this entry. 

 

Resting in Hamhung

Air Koryo Ilyushin 62

I wake up. A morning like many others. At a first glance there is nothing spectacular about it. But wait! I look out of the window and the same view comes to my eyes, the sight of Pyongyang city. The day has come. The day that most of us anticipated most. The day of flights. The day that I am going to hop on 5 flights, on 4 different planes, all of them being my first time. The Ilyushin 76, Ilyushin 62, Tupolev 154 and the Mi-17 helicopter. The 18th day of September 2014. A date I surely will remember, not only for the reasons stated above ;)

After we have deboarded the Ilyushin 76 we took the bus for a short ride to the plane that was standing next to us. The Ilyushin 62. I have been looking towards this flight for the last days. Once it was possible to get it on the flight to/from Beijing, but since China banned them from flying to their country now only the T204 and An148 do the flights. Also that type was once the backbone of LOT Polish Airlines Intercontinental fleet. It carried the crane to almost every continent! Later replaced by the Boeing 767. Boarding proceeded smoothly and I managed to get a decent seat. Row 28, seat F. The last row, just beside the engines. Oh my god, how great do they sound in real life! even better than on film. Listening to them spool up before takeoff was incredible. During the short flight, everybody could freely move around. While doing so, one thing being easily noticed is the difference in sound level throughout the plane. Up front it is quite, nearly like on a Dreamliner or a A380, at the back, some would say it would be impossible to go through a full transatlantic flight. After the flight, I couldn't go by the opportunity of taking a couple detailed shots of the interior and a cockpit shot. Later, before boarding our next airplane a short walk around the plane and I had to say goodbye to this beauty. Luckily the weather was on our side.

Before boarding

Boarding

Air Koryo Ilyushin 76

I wake up. A morning like many others. At a first glance there is nothing spectacular about it. But wait! I look out of the window and the same view comes to my eyes, the sight of Pyongyang city. The day has come. The day that most of us anticipated most. The day of flights. The day that I am going to hop on 5 flights, on 4 different planes, all of them being my first time. The Ilyushin 76, Ilyushin 62, Tupolev 154 and the Mi-17 helicopter. The 18th day of September 2014. A date I surely will remember, not only for the reasons stated above ;)

But step by step. First things first, after breakfast we arrive early in the morning at the airport for our first flight of the day. It surely is going to be a flying start of the day! The Ilyushin 76. A plane designed to transport freight. It is massive. It has a strange design. It requires more crew. It has only a couple of windows on the entire lenght of the fuselage. We are sited sideways to the direction of movement. But I should go so quickly forward. At first, after arriving at the ramp we get a quick photo shoot from the outside, later we board the plane and sit at our convenience (almost, we had to have a seatbelt). And here we are, sitting side to side, face to face, listening to the engines starting, looking around at all the controls visible in the main cabin (one crew member has his station here) (detailed shots are available down below). You can easily feel the movement when inside. The sheer power moves us aside during takeoff. A strange feeling when having almost absolutely no windows. In the air, when we get the appropriate signal from the crew we can start moving around. And as one can believe, jumping, taking pictures with the equipment and crew, walking around, all that took place. After we "smoothly" touch downed (this time on the main gear, I've seen plenty of videos and photos when they land in the front wheels first :D ) reverse thrust has been applied and we taxied slowly to our designated parking position. We later got a chance for a very quick visit in the cockpits for a couple of photos, as the schedule was tight. In all the rush, I took a couple of decent photos. Unfortunately not exactly what I wished for. But hey! You can't have it all at once! Can you?
After the cockpit visit and again, a short session from the outside a bus took us to our next ride. About the experience on it I'll write a different entry some time soon. Now have a look at the Il-76 photos and videos.

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.

Air Koryo Antonov 24

This flight is the second part of the Pyongyang-Sondok-Pyongyang journey. I flew the first leg on the Tupolev 134. As mentioned in the T134 entry, our group was split into half and we changed planes on the return leg. Thus I ended up flying the An24 for the first time in my life. But first we waited for the 134 to depart - during the time we had an opportunity for it to taxi meters in front of us and later takeoff leaving a cloud of dust behind it. When it was gone, we started boarding our plane. I was looking for a spot from which I could capture the entire engine with my GoPro. Unluckily the spot for it has been already taken so I was left with what I got. The engine nacelle can be entirely seen in the picture, but the fan not so clearly. Never mind. Seated in row 8 I prepared for takeoff and had a quick look around the plane. As we where not allowed to make any footage from the departure (the same reason as during the landing on the 134 - military stuff) I tried to get as much as I could from the experience. One thing said - I dislike the plane. It made my feel dizzy and the only thing I wanted is to get out of it. All the vibrations (the more to the front the more you get them), all the sound (which didn't please me at all) and a specific smell. Additionally the food we ate before the flight - well it wasn't top notch even for the local standards. A friend of mine got sick from it.
Overall I could say that the flight went smoothly, without major problems. I don't like the plane and surely will not hunt for it in the future. Well, any old plane is good, so who knows :P maybe someday I'll feel like flying on it again. Photos and videos below.

Arriving in Sondok

Taxiing in Sondok

Air Koryo Tupolev 134

The next day we had a trip to Sondok planned. Two planes, the T134 and the An24. Half of the group took the first one flying from Pyongayng and on the return segment we swapped. This way everyone could experience both planes with more then enough space. I've been assigned on the 134 on the first flight. The type was once very popular in Poland with LOT. The 134 used to fly on most European routes together with the 154 later on. And so was the Ilyushin 62 later for the intercontinental routes. I was able to experience all of them during my short stay in the DPRK.

Back to the flight on the 134 to Sondok. It wasn't a long flight. 45 minutes or so. We moved from our stand without even taking parking blocks away. Backtracked the runway and we're ready to go. The pure power can be felt from the very beginning. The sound together with the frames vibration make a combination that is hard to compare to anything else. But we're off in the air now and there is no coming back. It is beautiful that sitting in the back you can look into the engine and when the gear is down you can see the wheels. The interior is a very classical, russian one with seats folding down to the front (in the same style like on every other plane built in those years). The windows have no blinds and some seats, although imposingly the most comfortable and most important (emergency exit rows) are in fact the most injury making and least comfy that you can find on the entire plane.
Shortly after the landing (during which we have been not allowed to make any video or photo footage due to military reasons) we have had a photo session with the plane (and later the An24). You could grab a shot from basically any angle you wanted to. Same thing happened when we returned from lunch in the city before our next flight (this time on the Antonov). We have been also allowed to photograph the 134s' departure as it flew as the first one. The sound, the smoke, the distance.. Mmmm, something unbelievable! Have a look for yourself on the video and photo footage from that day. A video review is available at the end.