Photos of a Unreal start to the year spotting wise.

[Jaryd stock]

Some photo's of Special livery's that has arrived in January.....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6745396113_f8e7375c53_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6735127767_ac72148197_z.jpg

WUNNULA as QF 6021 the last shot of her in this scheme...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6618662519_a437635479_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6745275357_f5e039e616_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6745394151_4129b96f6e_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6745273929_0cb495a68a_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6652093107_d8737b45df_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6611408509_5c01817962_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6577603783_f914f72c58_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6441166617_077b7af43c_z.jpg

[Sarah C]

Unreal photos! :)

[Bernie P]

Great collection Jaryd! NOW, apart from OEJ, what are the chances of ALL being here in the one day??

Thanks for posting!

[Jaryd stock]

Bernie i wish! Thanks Sarah and good photo's Chris. That Bloody New Horizon's scheme I still haven't been able to get...

Round 2:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6739685799_c809cc7937_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6682820531_840f518e11_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6652088845_a8a375a699_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6598390267_542c837157_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6591077471_1155857520_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6414419375_4096fc3893_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6414055879_96e6158651_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6445405533_443408e195_z.jpg

[Jaryd stock]

Admitedly Chris thats an old shot i took early last year, but it's been in this year so i thought throw it in now trying to remeber where it was..... I think that was when i was on my way to Tassie and just got a fluke shot from my seat.

And just because it's raised the bar for how a Rugby scheme should look like, and is now my Favorite in this region! here is another of ZK-OKQ....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6739688411_679d1c29c6_z.jpg

[Jaryd stock]

Question regarding Chris's comment on the AN-225 can it land in Sydney or would it be to big ? It has biggest wing span and is longer than the 748 so would it fit?

[Donesh I.]

My dream has become your reality. Fantastic. Broke out in goose bumps when I saw the pics.

[Nigel C]

Question regarding Chris's comment on the AN-225 can it land in Sydney or would it be to big ? It has biggest wing span and is longer than the 748 so would it fit?

From what I understand:

At MTOW, I believe it may be too heavy for General Holmes Drive tunnel (I'm not entirely sure what the new load rating is since it was strengthened for the A380...600t is one figure that comes to mind);
Rwy 16R/34L should be long enough for take-off at MTOW (atmospheric conditions would be the big variable here);
There would be no problems with jet blast affecting the shoulder of the Rwy (outer engines at same location as A380), but the pavement may not meet the required strength (someone with local knowledge of asphalt engineering and load tolerances would be needed to properly answer that one!);
No parking bays are big enough for it here; and
There are probably many obstacle clearance limits that it wouldn't meet; and
CASA approval needed.

There is probably a bucket load of reasons , but based on the above I highly doubt it would ever grace this place.

Size comparison chart below...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/429px-Giant_planes_comparison_svg.jpg

[Jaryd stock]

Thanks Nigel i didn't even think of weight i did think that there wouldn't be a place to park it, looks like we may have to go to Narita if that's the closest port it calls in to.

[Nigel C]

It's not just the weight that needs to be considered, it's the tyre pressure and subsequent loading each wheel puts on the pavement. From what I've been told, the B787 has a bigger loading than the A380. The An225 has a heap of wheels, so it might have a relatively low or similar loading even at max weight compared to the A380.
(Another way of looking at it, would you rather a woman stand on your feet with flat shoes or high heels? I'll take the flat shoes option!)

[Paul f.]

Thanks Nigel i didn't even think of weight i did think that there wouldn't be a place to park it, looks like we may have to go to Narita if that's the closest port it calls in to.Try Singapore that the closest its ever been to Australia.

[Jaryd stock]

That's quite interesting regarding the 787, the 225 has an extra 4 boggies compared to the 124 and those back 4 can turn as well so it can do a bit of crab walking down the taxiway. I think the 380 can be a little heavier with a full load than the Antonov I think don't qoute me...

[A McLaughlin]

The 77W is the heaviest aircraft per wheel flying, so the 225 likely wouldn't have a problem there. But as Nigel said, parking bays and wingtip clearances along TWY Alpha and Bravo would likely also be issues.

[Tony G]

Not sure about the weight issues, but I think the length of the runway should be okay. Isn't Sydney 16R/34L of a the few airports where he space shuttle can land?

[Nigel C]

The 77W is the heaviest aircraft per wheel flying, so the 225 likely wouldn't have a problem there. But as Nigel said, parking bays and wingtip clearances along TWY Alpha and Bravo would likely also be issues.

Heaviest per wheel, but with slightly lower tyre pressures it's impact on the pavement is comparable with other similar generation aircraft (B77W 221psi @ 15.5kg/cm2). The relative stiletto effect of the B787's wheels (230psi @ 16.17kg/cm2) could prove to be quite a challenge to airports when it's in widespread use. Time will tell!

[Shayne G]

I'm a bit confused, you guys talk like an AN124 has been to Sydney this year. Did one visit or is this just wishful thinking here?

[Jaryd stock]

Last year was the last one in, Volga Denper 82084 or 48 can't remember

[Shayne G]

Yeah I was there to see that take off last year.

From the view I had the AN124 and A380 were on 34L at the same time due to the AN124's need to power up it's engines for a few minutes on the runway.

But to go back on topic, good thread and great photos. Glad to see Sydney has had some colourful visitors, you can include the Korean Air B744 HL7495 as well.

[Paul f.]

I'm a bit confused, you guys talk like an AN124 has been to Sydney this year. Did one visit or is this just wishful thinking here?One due into MEL this week and next week as well,not sure about SYD.

[Shayne G]

Yes from what I understand Sydney should be seeing another one in the next few weeks too. If not then some other exotic freighter charter, however I can't confirm 100% at this time so treat this as a rumor.

[Alexander.L]

So when will the AN-124 be in Melbourne? I will be in Melbourne from the 26th to the 29th so I was wondering if i could get a shot.

[Paul f.]

So when will the AN-124 be in Melbourne? I will be in Melbourne from the 26th to the 29th so I was wondering if i could get a shot.The first one is due in Friday night and out Saturday night.

[Anthony F]

The first one is due in Friday night and out Saturday night.

What time on Friday?

[Shayne G]

For someone who spends most of his spotting time at night I'm surprised you have not noticed these night freighters around Sydney sooner, I was hoping you would catch one sooner or later as I would be if I had your equipment. :D

The BAe 146's generally arrive Mon-Thurs near 11pm, there is normally two from two different places. I'm not sure when they depart I'm pretty sure they are the same ones that depart around 4am-5am. These aircraft operate primarily to Sydney at night, they also can operate during curfew meaning it's very hard to catch them in daylight as they need to go tech or have a Cobham machine operating for them.

Other frieghters at night are the AaE 733's that arrive use to arrive around 8:30pm and out around an hour later and Toll 733's too with a similar schedule. There is a Cessna that does Canberra-Sydney-Canberra too but I can't remember what type it is.

[Shayne G]

I have seen the BAe146's load and unload near the pond before aswell as the B733's (I'm unfamiliar with bays) so I'd say you would catch them from the new location a bit easier sometimes as sometimes they head over to the pond area like the one in your shot seems to be. :D

[Nigel C]

All the 146's park at the pond during the night and come and go a couple of times each throughout the night. VEA is the regular C404 Titan that does the Canberra run at night, although it only goes to the pond to unload, then taxies to the GA for loading. Occasionally VEC comes in its place.

[Shayne G]

I was pretty close, my memory has faded a lot since I paid close attention to the night freighters a few years ago esp when DHE was around. Thanks for the extra info Nigel :D

[Jaryd stock]

Regarding the Weight issue for the AN-225 and yssy I don't think it would be a problem, I was looking at some old mags today that had reports on the Antonov. One was from Take Off magazine if you remember that mag,it says and I qoute. " During the flying routine for the 1988 Paris airshow the Antonov 225 landed, after it's display the pilot was told that it would have to wait on the runway due to other aircraft blocking the turnoff exit, the pilot's response was no worries we don't need a exit and taxied straight across the grass and on to the adjoining taxiway, the aircraft didn't even break a stride whilst on the uneven surface".
Crazy Russians is all I can say...

[Nigel C]

No mention of the debris no doubt jet blasted from the grass. And if they tried something like that at Sydney they'd probably get bogged ;)

[Nathan Long]

Isn't Sydney 16R/34L of a the few airports where he space shuttle can land?

Not any more!

[Nathan Long]

From Wikipedia (grain of salt, etc...)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_abort_modes#Australia

Australia

* Kingsford-Smith International Airport, Sydney, New South Wales (until 1986)
* RAAF Base Amberley, Ipswich, Queensland
* RAAF Base Darwin, Darwin, Northern Territory
* RAAF Base Pearce, Perth, Western Australia

[Bernie P]

From Wikipedia (grain of salt, etc...)

Not the only reference, but another one as well...

Global Security (http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/sts-els.htm)

[Nigel C]

Is it wrong for me to point out that Sydney is made from grains of sand, not salt? ;). Ok, I admit salt would have been dredged up too!

:p

[Jaryd stock]

Here's China Eastern's newley painted A333 B-6125, it arrived this morning couple days old this scheme think this is it's first flight after coming out of the paint shop....don't think it's as nice as the others..

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6768600517_5933313689_z.jpg

And Here's a King Air VH-WXC that was at GA this morning, I can't remeber where but i've seen this livery before somewhere in europe if you know please put my mind at ease and tell me...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6768771253_cbdabde453_z.jpg

[phil.l]

Titan airways? stansted England.

[Jaryd stock]

I think that's the one Phil if I remember correctly I saw it on a 757 that livery, were they a charter airline Phil or were they a proper commercial airline?

[phil.l]

I saw it on a BAE-146 and a King Air, think they do freight runs.Their 146's have ex VH-JJZ and ZK-NZC.

[Kieran Wells]

Titan airways? stansted England.

Definately Titan Airways. Flies alot around eastern Europe and Spain and England...
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Crystal-Holidays-%28Titan/Boeing-737-33A/2018233/&sid=c24470efa1ac73d332702e6466abd379

[Jaryd stock]

I like it, I don't really take much notice of props but I thought I'd get a shot....

[lloyd fox]

VH-WXC is BNE based and operates for Coastwings and yes it is in the old Titan livery UK.

It has made several flights to Sydney but usually operates to SW QLD for the LNG fifo out of BNE.