Geneva and EBACE 2007

The EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition) is becoming a regular date in my calendar and this year was the 4th time I was visiting.

As usual, the trip was preceded by a day at Gatwick as thanks to Peter and Angela, my night stop was at the ‘Horsham Hilton’ meaning a short trip to catch the Easy Swiss flight in the morning. Unfortunately, the weather on Monday was a bit grim and was threatening rain if not actually raining most of the time. As 08 was in use, I parked near the Flight Tavern and walked round to the crash gate. In position by 07:20 and the numbers began to fall in to the book. The plan was to stay here until the lunchtime Emirates arrived before adjourning for food. Lunch was early though due to the rain getting too heavy. Back an hour later until packing up at 17:05.

Am not a regular visitor here so lots of catching up was done. Made 6 Easyjets and 2 Ryanairs. 3 XLs including the one in BA colours and the British Jet MD-90. Other highlights were the Gabon Airlines 767 EC-JOZ and Qatar 330 A7-AFL which we think was on a first visit.

Nice early start on Tuesday and a quick spurt up the M23. Parking was easy and the transfer bus appeared right on cue. The Easyjet check-in was working well where we met up with Michael to make up the group of 3. Even security was easy producing a comment of “could have had an extra hour in bed” which is just what you want to hear.

Our flight to Geneva was to be on A-319 HB-JZM which we boarded nice and early which boded well for an on time departure but in the end we pushed back 10 minutes late. Our hour and a quarter flight was uneventful which is what you need really. The weather was much better today but then it had to be.

An hours time difference means we arrived at 11am to find the longest queue for immigration I’d ever seen here. We only had hand luggage so once past here we were soon on the viewing area above the terminal. Many familiar faces here and the shop was doing a booming trade. A baguette and drink were had before we set off for the EBACE registration hall where we picked up our passes that had been pre-booked.

The hall that was empty last year now had display stands showing that EBACE is getting more and more popular. The static park (accessed through security checks) seemed to be as full as usual and getting pictures was as difficult as ever due to all the people wandering about. The end of the park still gives good views of the airport action although I’m sure there were more vehicles going up and down the service road than previous years. Only fluffed one shot over the 3 days because of this so manageable.

Several new models on view including the Eclipse 500 and the Citation Mustang which is a sign of things to come with the VLJ (Very Light Jet) becoming a popular concept. Dassault have added winglets to their Falcon 2000 and branded it as the 2000LX. Canadair’s new Challenger 605 was on view as were several smaller types that honestly didn’t hold the attention.

On the last day of the show I managed to get on board the Honeywell G450, Global Express (see pic left), CL-605 and Challenger 300. This was a good way to get out of the sun and enjoy some AC as it was getting really hot. Also went on the BBJ (N4AS) and had a very quick look in the Legacy 600 on the way out of the show.

Nothing really exotic this year (other than a Korean Global) but plenty of new biz to keep the interest going. A reasonable number of airliners with some of the smaller types operating the routes. The evening Finnair flight was a different EMB-170 (Womble) each day and the LOT flight at the same time was am EMB-170, 737-500 and EMB-175. Flybaboo now have a Dash 8-400 as well as the smaller –300s. Aeroflot have a daily minibus at lunchtime but only A-320 VP-BQV was good for me. Air France use 318s with N, P and Q being seen. Etihad now fly here with A6-EYG and J being seen.

Easyjet are one of the biggest (if not the biggest) operator here with the Swiss registered A-319s being based here but occasional visits by G- ones. Flights from Berlin provided a few elusive ones and brand new G-EZBV operated from Bristol.

We were luckier than some with our flight home. The morning 319 to Gatwick went tech so a LGW based aircraft was used for the lunchtime flight but this was still at Geneva when the evening flight should have gone. Another LGW 319 was used (G-EZBU) for our flight and although was 50 minutes late departing was only about 5 minutes behind the earlier flight. We landed at Gatwick at 20:10 local and after dropping Peter off, got home about 2 hours later.

Like most trips, it was tiring although no early mornings while in Switzerland was a nice change. Same again next year? I think so.

Pics at http://bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1286774.html

Florida trip 2007

The annual Miami Boat Show attracts more business jets than usual so a week in the sun was called for. There were plenty of biz but not as much sun as I'd hoped.

Another foreign trip barely 2 weeks after returning from Switzerland.

Sunday Feb 11th saw me at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 to meet up with Brian and check in for American Airlines flight 57 to Miami. Not really surprised that we had to pay an extra £20 each for the Airport Passenger Duty even though the airline had told Brian over the phone that it would not be charged.

Our 777 N752AN pushed back just 2 minutes after the departure time and we were soon rolling down runway 27L for a 9 hour 6 minute flight.

Entry formalities were fairly easy and my fingerprints and photograph were added to the database.

Headed for the Avis desk to complete the paperwork and then a shuttle bus to pick up the car. Brian had ordered a compact so we were quite surprised to see a Kia Sorrento in our space. Slightly bigger than I’m used to (I drive a Fiesta) but am always up for a challenge. We decided that we’d stay at Miami until it was dark so headed off for NW 36 Street to find a vantage point.

The main carrier at MIA is American with many 737-800s and 757s (both with and without winglets) plus A-300s. No MD-80s seen. American Eagle have a good presence with ATR-72s and Embraer jets. A good number of biz here plus many freighters. I counted 10 727s on the cargo ramp when we arrived.

We moved round to the photographers area next to runway 12 where there are holes cut out in the fence. A few spots of rain at dusk so we decided to set off to our hotel in Fort Lauderdale. It started to rain once we left Miami and didn’t really stop until Tuesday morning. Most of our travelling over the week was up and down the I95 so the navigator wasn’t too overtaxed.

The chosen hotel was the Ramada Plaza just a couple of blocks west of Fort Lauderdale Exec. It was adequate but suffered from a lack of nearby eating places.

Monday – I never get a good nights sleep the first night arriving in the US so getting up at 05:00 was not a problem. Decided that as the hotel restaurant didn’t open until 7 this was far too late. Most mornings were therefore usually spent waiting for McDonalds to open at 6. Not my favourite eating establishment but better than going hungry.

Started with a circuit of Fort Lauderdale Exec (in the drizzle) and a few biz in the book as you’d expect. A short drive south down the I95 to Fort Lauderdale International. Found the viewing area by the threshold of runway 09L. Pictures can be taken through the fence here but officially you’re not supposed to approach the fence. Saw my first JetBlue aircraft here. Plenty of their A-320s seen. Also prevalent are Spirit with 319s and 320s. Air Tran too with 717s and 737s.

Foreign airlines here include Aero Mexico (B73G) Air Canada (319/320/321), Air Jamaica (320/321) and Westjet (B73G). Like most Florida airports, loads of biz were seen.

The weather was getting worse as the afternoon went on and we packed up at 4 (must have been bad!) but another look at Exec before giving up completely. Arrived in time to see a G4 preparing to depart so “Gulfstream mode” was selected and a vantage point found to get a shot (N669BJ). While exploring the nooks and crannies, an open door at the back of a hangar revealed a Westwind so a quick stop to get a better look. We were then invited to see the boss so hands were shaken and we went in. Showing enthusiasm for these Israeli birds resulted in cameras being fetched and shots taken. Needed to go out on the ramp to get pictures and as it was pouring they must have realised we were keen. An excellent way to finish the day.

Tuesday – north up the I95 today to Palm Beach. Arrived at about 07:20 to find the viewing park which was supposed to open at sunrise. In reality it was opened on each of the 3 days we were here at 08:00. The rain had finally stopped and a very pleasant day was spent here logging and photographing the many biz movements here. Airliners seen included Air Tran, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest and US Airways. Only break today was a visit to the terminal where I sneaked off and had a pizza leaving Brian peering in to the distant hangars from the car park roof. Finished at about 6 and headed home.

Wednesday – back down to Miami to meet up with Gavin for breakfast at Dennys. Brian wanted to spend the day here so I let Gavin drive me over to Opa Locka. Not very busy here but some really interesting aircraft present. 3 Antonov 26s and an Antonov 12 were nice as was a pair of old Gulfstream 2s. A line up of a DC-4, 6 and 7 was spoiled when the DC-6 started up and departed. What a great sight!

Back to Miami mid morning where the rest of the day was spent in the sunshine watching and photographing the movements. A 4th An-26 arrived here which I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing in the US.

Thursday / Friday – consecutive visits to West Palm Beach these days. All I can say is “loads of biz”.

Saturday – a quick visit down to Miami to start for a Mexican G4 before returning back up I95 to Fort Lauderdale for the rest of the day. Due to the change of wind direction, we parked ourselves up on the Hibiscus car park by the terminal where a good view over the whole airport was had. An unusual moment was when the blocks of flats in the distance started to move before we realised that they were actually cruise ships. Another interesting selection of airliners, this time in the sunshine.

Off topic slightly was a contrail that appeared in the north and then just disappeared. This turned out to be a launch from Cape Canaveral of a satellite. Another first.

Sunday – was our last day so check out from our hotel. Another thorough trip round Fort Lauderdale Exec again in the rain. We found the dumped Mexican 125 this time and I managed to get some shots of some Sabres. Then noticed that G3 N500EF was in which I’d been hoping for all week. Decided that the camera HAD to be pointed at this one. Couldn’t find a way so decided to ask at the reception of Aztec Aviation expecting to be told to go away. Was surprised to be told that if I came back in an hour it might be possible. It was indeed possible but a tug that wouldn’t come off until the battery was recharged and the awful weather didn’t help but I got a couple of shots. This and sightings of the based G450 (N464ST) and 550 (N565ST) meant I was happy.

Back down to Miami where we had time for about an hour by the fence before returning our car to Avis. 622 miles of fairly uneventful motoring. Shuttle bus to the American terminal where we joined the queue for check in followed by the queue for baggage check in but no queue for security. My first beer for a week and a pizza and everything was going well. We boarded our 777 30 minutes before departure and then things started to go wrong. The flight was overbooked so I think this was creating a problem but then a technical problem couldn’t be fixed so the aircraft was withdrawn from service and we all got off after 2 hours. Eventually we all marched to the other end of the terminal as another aircraft had been found and we finally pushed back 4 and a half hours late. Must confess though that I had one of the best sleeps I’ve ever had on a flight so it passed fairly easily. The 7 and a half hour flight arrived at Heathrow at 10:10 the following morning.

A tiring (through lack of decent sleep at first) but very enjoyable trip. May well do the same thing next year.

My pics can be seen at http://bob-holland.fotopic.net/ Gulfstreams and Legacy shots are mostly in their own collections now.

Zurich and the WEF 2007

Zurich in January sounds like madness but this is when the World Economic Forum meets at nearby Davos. Many heads of state and important bods meet up to supposedly sort out the world’s problems.

Got up before the alarm on Wednesday (24th Jan) morning and thought I could have a leisurely breakfast until I looked out of the window. The first snow of the winter decided to arrive the same day as my first foreign trip of the year.

A reasonable trip down to Gatwick considering the conditions with fortunately all the idiots going in the opposite direction. Got to the check in at about 06:00 to see Brian waving at me. A speedy procedure using BA’s automated system. We were bussed to our aircraft (G-LGTI B733) on a remote stand and were only about an hour late departing. This was pretty good compared to some of the flights that day.

Not a lot seen on departure as the windows were covered in de-icer so 80 minutes after lifting off rwy 26 we landed on rwy 14 at Zurich where the temperature was –4 degrees. Parked on Terminal E. Quite good views of the movements from here but decided to head for the terrace as photography was a priority for this pair. There is an underground railway that links with the main terminal complex and I’m sure I heard cows and yodelling half way through the tunnel.

Entrance to the terrace costs 2 SFR (about 80 pence) with tickets bought in the shop next door and opens at 9am although timings may be different in the summer. Full airport security to get through but everyone very friendly. The view from the terrace is excellent with one of the runways directly in front although some movements on the other runways are a bit distant. 2 of the main parking ramps can be clearly seen though.

We had booked ramp tours for Thursday and Friday which was just as well as the weather on Wednesday was not ideal. Coffees and snacks can be purchased in the restaurant so the odd break from the cold was possible. These tours are a must for photographers and even for spotters as they visit areas difficult to see from land side.

Once it got dark, we moved over to Car Park 6 which overlooks the easterly end of the cross runway (28/10) and another biz ramp. This was the normal routine each day plus mornings before the terrace opened. The 11th floor allows you to see over the buildings the other side of the road.

The ramp tours each day were excellent and lasted over 2 hours. The organisers react to events and try to be in the right place at the right time for photos. There is much on and off the bus but this is understandable for a major airport.


An example of how close we get to the action. That's me on the left.
(Picture courtesy of Graham Wasey)

We stayed in the Formule 1 hotel which was basic but OK for what we wanted. It was so cheap that we had a room each as neither of us wanted to use the bunk bed. Bed and breakfast for 2 nights was 151 SFR (£63) which is probably as cheap as you’re going to get. It is next door to the Ibis Hotel where we had dinner (and just the one beer) each night.

The weather was turning positively tropical by Friday and our evening BA flight home (G-DOCO B734) was pretty well on time. The snow had disappeared by the end of the weekend but as I’m reliably informed that this was the warmest WEF for many years, guess we didn’t do too bad. Temperatures of -14 have been experienced at previous events.

Loads of biz were seen plus airliners. Singapore use their new B773s daily but only 2 different ones seen (SWD and SWE). Thai were better with their A346s (TNB,C and E). 2 Malaysian 777s but only MRN good for me.

Thoroughly enjoyed it once I thawed out and would certainly consider doing it again. Thanks to Brian for most of the organising. Roll on Florida where it should be warmer.

Rather than list everything seen, can I point you to my pictures at my website.

http://www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1194315.html

The 2008 event is being held from 23rd to 27th January. Dress up warm.