Interesting aircraft - what have you seen on your computer today?
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Ah thanks, yes, just seen there are drones en route. Odd about the protracted hold - getting down to landing weight?
I frequently fly the A32N to the Near East, and we often only get to MLW between Crete and the Egyptian coast, so being overweight for a landing after turning back would be a fair assumption.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Double Hydco Thank you! Presumably the early descent also helped with slimming down! Cheers!
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RAAF KC-30 just went over out of Mildenhall - sounded loud enough to have chicks on tow though I don't believe it did.
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QF331/332 has operated SYD-SIN-LHR-SIN-SYD three times in the last year, for whatever reason.
I'm not sure why its latest instance used LGW instead, but it's reportedly the first time ever a Qantas aircraft has landed at Gatwick.
I'm not sure why its latest instance used LGW instead, but it's reportedly the first time ever a Qantas aircraft has landed at Gatwick.
reportedly the first time ever a Qantas aircraft has landed at Gatwick
https://www.airliners.net/photo/Qant...7-138B/1288440
It's visited Gatwick a couple of times at least - October 2007 (when the above photo was taken) and again in October 2009 (40 years after its retirement by Qantas).
Very good to see not one, not two but three 747 freighters simultaneously on the Elmdon apron at BHX today. These being Rom Cargo YR-FSA, National N729CA and Silkway 4K-BCH.
I am struggling to recall if this has occured previously as planned movements, that is excepting diversions.
I am struggling to recall if this has occured previously as planned movements, that is excepting diversions.
Last edited by ATNotts; 17th Apr 2024 at 17:00.
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Someone at Gatwick mentioned to me that it was the first QANTAS aircraft to land at Gatwick. Sounds impressive, but definitely not true!
Boeing 747-238B VH-EBB was one of a number of 747s that diverted to Gatwick on 31st December 1972 due to dense fog at Heathrow.
Boeing 747-238B VH-EBB was one of a number of 747s that diverted to Gatwick on 31st December 1972 due to dense fog at Heathrow.
I suppose the 'Qantas never having been to Gatwick' was in reference to operating flights to/from LGW, rather than visiting hobby Jets or diversions. Bearing in mind the rarity of 747's at LGW back in the day before Wardair started regular service, that 1972 NYE flood of 747's from LHR must have been pretty spectacular to witness.
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Nice to see Surrey Hills gliders venturing a little further away from Kenley today, Twin Astir and the K-8 which was visibly climbing in a thermal at one point.
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Indeed the sight of those 747s at Gatwick in 1972 was a pretty spectacular sight. Particularly as two of them, including the QANTAS as far as I can recall, were parked on the 'diagonal' stands at the end of the old southern pier. The roof of that pier was the viewing terrace at the time of course, and from the western end of the terrace, which wasn't surrounded by a high security fence or glass, it almost felt as if you could reach out and touch the 747s!
I agree that the claim re the first QANTAS flight undoubtedly meant it was the first planned service to the airport by the carrier, but the wording that Dave Reid reported above was exactly the same as the words I heard from someone at the airport (i.e. specifically "the first QANTAS aircraft to land at Gatwick") so I suspect there had been an internal/staff briefing on the subject that used those very specific words. Perhaps I'm just a stickler for precise and accurate wording, but I couldn't help myself and had to point out that a QANTAS aircraft definitely had landed at Gatwick before ;-)
I agree that the claim re the first QANTAS flight undoubtedly meant it was the first planned service to the airport by the carrier, but the wording that Dave Reid reported above was exactly the same as the words I heard from someone at the airport (i.e. specifically "the first QANTAS aircraft to land at Gatwick") so I suspect there had been an internal/staff briefing on the subject that used those very specific words. Perhaps I'm just a stickler for precise and accurate wording, but I couldn't help myself and had to point out that a QANTAS aircraft definitely had landed at Gatwick before ;-)
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Interesting to see an Emirates A380 transiting from Gatwick to Heathrow...
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Just about 15 mins. It was taxying longer... presume a slow taxi at Gatwick to fit in with a slot time at Heathrow.
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See one of they French TV relay Beech 200s is at work at 28000' over London/Dartford. Marathon?
