Spotting trip

[NeilP]

Hi Guys and gals,

Am planning a driving spotting trip after Christmas from Sydney through Armidale, Tamworth, then Brisbane back to Sydney taking in, Gold Coast, Ballina, Coffs, Port Macq(for family), and Newcastle.

Any tips for specific days, times, and things to look out for would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance...

[Tim Bowrey]

Hi Neil,

I worked/lived at Newcastle Airport most of this year and last year and its pretty boring most of the time although if you catch a lucky day where there are alot of movements its really good.

I can suggest Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm are the best times for RAAF movements mostly F/A-18 Hornets, PC9's and the Hawks and the odd Wedgetail movement (They generally fly Monday-Friday but times vary and can be up in the air for 1hr or even all day). Very rare to fly weekends unless special ocassion and Fridays is only 9am-12pm roughly and can be quiet.

Other movements such as C-17's and C-130's are very unpredictable although Herc's are seen often a few times a week. C-17's once in a blue moon, better off going to Amberley for those and the Super Hornets.

I can deffinatly recommend FighterWorld museum and their observation deck which is great for viewing the aircraft using both directions of runway although RWY12 arrivals can be limited(Runway changes occour very frequently unless a strong easterly or westerly wind is blowing.). If you do go to FW Cafe try the "Wedgetail" sandwich, its awesome!

Need anymore help, PM me id be more than happy to try and help.

Cheers

[NeilP]

Great advice Tim, all taken on board. Thank you...

[Brock Little]

Hey Neil,

I have lived in the Gold Coast all my life under the RWY 14 flightpath of OOL. It is quite a good airport to go to for spotting, you can go right up to the fence and aircraft pass right over your head - the fence is only about 50-100m from the threshold of runway 14, and you can get great shots of arriving or departing aircraft, even if they are landing on RWY 32.
As for aircraft movements, you get sizes ranging from Cessnas to Airbus A330-300s, and maybe the occasional C-17 if you're lucky.

AirAsia X operates to OOL from KUL daily, using A330-300s which are scheduled to arrive at 0750 each morning. Jetstar also operates A330-200s to OOL from KIX and NRT, and they arrive between 0600-1000 each day. You also get the usual 737s, A320s, and E-Jets as well.

Jetstar also operate frequent A321 services to OOL, so you'd see them alot as well.

Airnorth operates to OOL from DRW via ISA each Thursday using an E170.

Airline destinations below:

AirAsia X: KUL
Air New Zealand: AKL, CHC
Airnorth: DRW, ISA
Jetstar Airways: ADL, AKL, CNS, CHC, MEL, NTL, KIX, PER (commences 4/4/11), ZQN (commences 17/12/10), SYD, NRT
SEAIR Pacific (uses C208 Grand Caravans): LYT (Lady Elliot Island)
Tiger Airways Australia: ADL (ends 9/11/10), AVV (commences 10/11/10), MEL, SYD
Virgin Blue: ADL, CBR, MEL, NTL, SYD, TSV
Pacific Blue: AKL

It is quite a busy little airport!

For more info, here's a URL to an OOL spotting info page.

http://jetspotter.com/ool%20view.htm

Enjoy planning your trip!

[NeilP]

Thanks Brock, OOL is much busier than I thought!

[lloyd fox]

In regards to BNE.

Have alook at BNE INT movements.

http://bne.com.au/files/pdf/Monthly%...ember%2010.pdf

In regards to domestic and commuter.Alliance operate F50 and F100 aircraft out of BNE.Skytrans have 3 Dash 8 aircraft based here.Gam have 2x DO228 based here.AMSA have a DO328 here and Customs Dash 8's are regulars.Brindabella operate metros and J41'S daily.Qantaslink have up to 45 arrivals a day with Q400's,Dash 8-300 and dash 8-200.
Heaps of RFDS B200 flights a day as well as NSW ambulance.

Toll ATR42 based here as well as 2 x 733's.AAE 146F based here as well.
Other commuter regulars are Hardy Aviation metro and Airlink B1900.QLD GOVT operate a B1900 3 times a week as well. Pelair SF340 and 2 metros and REX SF340 based here, as well as numerous Toll metro freighters.
Pionair Convairs to start BNE-CNS-POM soon and Heavylift 734F also due shortly.

Strategic have 1 or 2 320's based here as well as the 332.

Aircraft and airlines you dont get in SYD.
EVA AIR 332,Air Niugini F100,Singapore 333's,Korean air 332's,Royal Brunei 772,Our Airline 733,Strategic 320's,Alliance F100'S.,Air new Zealand 744's.Etihad 332's.etc

[Nigel C]

Originally Posted by lloyd fox

In regards to BNE.

Aircraft and airlines you dont get in SYD.
EVA AIR 332,Air Niugini F100,Singapore 333's,Korean air 332's,Royal Brunei 772,Our Airline 733,Strategic 320's,Alliance F100'S.,Air new Zealand 744's.Etihad 332's.etc

Highlighted ones have appeared in Sydney, some quite recently, although they aren't regular appearances.