Around The Aprons - Mascot & Bankstown 3/7/2011

[Grahame Hutchison]

It was a nice day for a look around the aprons at Mascot and Bankstown, and corporates and VH-OGB were on the list for Mascot. I tried to get into the Qantas Jet Base front car park for a profile shot of OGB, however even with my ASIC the guard was particularly uncooperative. Caught up with Merv for a chat around at the Eastern Park, and he showed me Live ATC on the iPhone (not a iPad app at present). It was then off down the M5 to Bankstown for a look around, as Merv said he heard a corporate on the radio the previous evening going into Bankstown. No corporates to be seen, however there were a couple of interesting aircraft out at Bankstown. A BK117 fitted out with what looked like a 3D camera setup, and a new B300C RFDS Air Ambulance (registered 11th March 2011) in a livery I had not seen before.

Mascot - VH-YYT Embraer EMB-500 (50000029) manufactured 2009 and operated by Professional Jet Aviation.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-003.jpg

Mascot - VH-VLC Canadair CL600-2B16 (CL-604) (5456) manufactured 2000 and operated by Holypeak Proprietary Ltd.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-005.jpg

Mascot - RAF Hercules 875 a difficult colour for photography. Maybe here for Reserve Forces Day.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-014.jpg

Mascot - VH-FOL Falcon 5 (159) manufactured 1986 and operated by Pionair.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-018.jpg

Mascot - VH-ZMD Cessna 500 Citation (500-0263) manufactured 1975 and operated by Australasian Jet. Taxiing for departure.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-021.jpg

Mascot - B-8101 Bombardier BD700 1A10 (9362) manufactured 2009.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-023.jpg

Mascot - VH-JCX Lear 36A (57) manufactured in 1986 and operated by Jet City.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-030.jpg

Bankstown - VH-FHB Kawasaki BK117 B-2 (1056) manufactured 1990 and operated by Trecked. This chopper has a special camera rig
fitted between the two skids, and looks like a setup for 3D photography.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-035.jpg

Mascot - VH-FHB Kawasaki BK117 B-2 (1056) manufactured 1990 and operated by Trecked.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-036.jpg

Mascot - VH-FHB Kawasaki BK117 B-2 (1056) manufactured 1990 and operated by Trecked. Close up of the dual camera mount.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-037.jpg

[Grahame Hutchison]

Mascot - VH-FHB Kawasaki BK117 B-2 (1056) manufactured 1990 and operated by Trecked.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-038.jpg

Mascot - VH-FHB Kawasaki BK117 B-2 (1056) manufactured 1990 and operated by Trecked.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-040.jpg

Bankstown - VH-NAJ B300C (FM-47) manufactured in 2011 and operated by RFDS.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-044.jpg

Bankstown - VH-NAJ B300C (FM-47) manufactured in 2011 and operated by RFDS.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-047.jpg

Bankstown - VH-NAJ B300C (FM-47) manufactured in 2011 and operated by RFDS.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-055.jpg

Bankstown - VH-NAJ B300C (FM-47) manufactured in 2011 and operated by RFDS.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-058.jpg

Bankstown - VH-PDX Convair 580 (126) manufactured in 1953 and operated by Pionair.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-060.jpg

Bankstown - VH-UZP Fairchild SA227-AC (AC-498) manufactured 1982 and Operated by Toll.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-061.jpg

Bankstown - VH-PDX Convair 580 (126) manufactured in 1953 and operated by Pionair.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-063.jpg

Bankstown - VH-ZVM Pacific Aerospace 750XL (126) manufactured 2006 and operated by Hartcorp Enterprises.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2011-07-03-065.jpg

[Paul f.]

great shots Grahame,also from a very reliable source is that Toll now own the 2 Pionair Convairs.

[Jacob P]

Hey Grahame, Love your corporate shots at Mascot! good stuff!

[Brad Varney]

Damn I missed photographing the herc,
And by the time I got a chance it was too late :(
also did you see the pel-air express.

[Nigel C]

I tried to get into the Qantas Jet Base front car park for a profile shot of OGB, however even with my ASIC the guard was particularly uncooperative.

And rightly so, in my opinion. Taking photographs is hardly a 'lawful excuse' to be entering airside, ASIC or no ASIC. An ASIC is not a licence to explore, and I'm sure somewhere in the paperwork you signed to obtain it, it says as much.

It's good to see the guards were on the ball.

[Brian Wilkes]

Grahame, when are the Toll metro parked there!
Each time I'm in Sydney I can't find the dam things on weekends!

[Grahame Hutchison]

Brian, this was the first time I have seen the Toll Metros out on the apron during the weekend, normally there are no Toll aircraft to be seen at YSBK on a weekend.

Nigel, the front car park at the Jet Base is not airside and the entrance is even before you get to the guard house. The request was to just get a shot from the Qantas Drive side of the car park. I thought it was a reasonable request. OGB looks pretty shabby unfortunately.

Brad, I didn't see the Pel Air Express.

[Brian Wilkes]

Ta mate must try the weekdays then:confused:

[Nigel C]

Grahame, maybe it's just me, but if I was working the gates and someone flashed an ASIC with a camera in hand asking to go past and onto private property, I'd probably deny access too...then call the feds to get the person checked out.

[Danny G]

Thanks for your continuing updates & pics from Bankstown .I was behind the wire fence that Saturday & trying to find a good viewing spot as .From your knowledge were are the best viewing spots , now . The Airport seems even more blocked off .In 1966 i did a restricted licence course out there with Navair & i still like to watch the circuits etc.I saw you , i think with camera around the terminal ?

[PeterR]

Hello Nigel C:
I am very interested in the decision making process here.
What percentage of your decision to “call the feds and have him checked out” is contributed to by the fact he is carrying a camera (as you metioned).
If he arrived at your doorway and sought access (non-airside) without a camera would you still have an inclination to “call the feds”

[AaronBradford]

Good pics - I'm pretty sure I saw VH-FHB flying around over the harbour/LNS yesterday afternoon. Extremely similar paintjob and I did see something mounted at the front, although I didn't have my camera at the time.

[Nigel C]

Hello PeterR,

Yes, I would probably call the feds camera or no camera. The notion that someone would try to gain access past a security checkpoint in 'civvies' by virtue of producing an ASIC for a look around just doesn't sit well with me personally (it's perhaps not airside, but no "lawful excuse" either). I'd rather be safe than sorry.

But having said that, I don't work in security, so I don't know what the current protocols are for that type of activity.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Aaaron, I am not exactly sure of the setup for 3D photography, however the two cameras looked to be pointing inwards slightly, so that their field of view would overlap. The rig used to support the cameras seemed like a special built, and the cameras were quite different to the normal infrared setup on some choppers, more like normal video cameras. Even in the close up shot, I cannot see any identification on the cameras or rig.

[Tim B]

Danny G, there are not many spots left for viewing at Bankstown.
I normally head to Bunnings on Milperra Road and park in the small carpark just on the right of the entrance to the complex.
If it is a weekend, still turn off Milperra Road to Bunnings, but try driving past Bunnings and turn right at the roundabout and continuing along that road.
You may be able to park on a concrete driveway off to the right at the end of the runways, or continue along and find somewhere to park further down the road.
Don' try this during the week though, as there are too many trucks coming and going, just stick to Bunnings then.