China Airlines Airbus A350 Inaugural Service

[Grahame Hutchison]

At 8:16pm this evening, China Airlines became the first airline to operate the Airbus A350 on a scheduled commercial service into Sydney Airport. B-18909 took the honours, completed the 4,135 nm Taipei-Sydney sector in 9hr 32min - Congratulations CI. I look forward to photographing the aircraft in some sunshine (rain forecast for tomorrow), and with two daily A350 services, there will be plenty of opportunity.

Difficult light this evening, a howling wind, moist air, after sunset, and then I shot through the security fence at The Beach.

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18909 D500-20171201-015.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18909 D500-20171201-022.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18909 D500-20171201-026.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18909 D500-20171201-029.jpg

[Rowan McKeever]

Really liking these pics, thanks Grahame - appreciate you being able to capture and share the event. Fingers crossed Sydney gets one of the special liveries from CI soon!

[Grahame Hutchison]

Thanks Rowan, there seems to be a "Mikado Pheasant" livery on A350 B-18901, and "Urocissa Caerulea" livery on A350 B-18908. Not sure if there are any more at this stage.

[Rowan McKeever]

Just those two, Grahame - IIRC the original plan was for all CI A350s to feature a bird livery, but that didn’t pan out and it’s only those two. Change of CEO, from memory?

[Grahame Hutchison]

Thanks Rowan, Here are a couple of shots from this morning CAL51 service, and no sunshine at all unfortunately.

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18906 D500-20171202-057.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18906 D500-20171202-060.jpg

[Grahame Hutchison]

Today was the third day of China Airlines Airbus A350 services, and at last we have some sunshine and blue skies. Today's CAL51/56 was operated by B-18903, arriving at 1136 on Runway 34L, and departing at 1356 from Runway 34L back to Taipei.

Although the arriving aircraft was vectored out to sea for downwind to Runway 34R, ATC amended the clearance and gave them a wide base turn onto Runway 34L.

These images are of the departing aircraft, shot through the security fence at The Beach, and from The Beach itself.

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-122.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-140.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-144.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-147.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-148.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-157.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-176.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18903 D500-20171203-185.jpg

[George G]

Awesome shots Grahame!

[Grahame Hutchison]

Thanks George, I am looking forward to the Thai A350s starting in March 2018

[andrew sattler]

Fantastic pictures Grahame. Some very cool angles. ��

[David C]

I believe this mornings A350 was B-18901, in the Mikado special scheme .

Dave C

[Grahame Hutchison]

Whispering in my best Sir David Attenborough voice:

"As I brushed the dense foliage to one side, I could see the magnificent Mikado Pheasant approaching to land in a large clearing, known to locals as Sydney Airport".

China Airlines A350 B-18901

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18901 D500-20171205-069.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18901 D500-20171205-072.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18901 D500-20171205-076.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18901 D500-20171205-081.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18901 D500-20171205-086.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=B-18901 D500-20171205-091.jpg

[Charles L]

Thanks George, I am looking forward to the Thai A350s starting in March 2018
Don't you like the TG B747's? Personally, they are my favourite into Sydney and possibly into Australia, best Colour scheme on the Queen of the Skies!

[Grahame Hutchison]

It's hard not to take a photograph of the TG B744 :)