Early start on Wednesday 23rd Jan arriving at Gatwick North at 05:30 to meet up with Brian and Alex for the BA 2750. No snow this year so uneventful.
Our plane this time was B734 G-DOCG parked on stand 140R so a short bus trip was required. The flight is scheduled for 07:40 so a push back of 07:52 wasn't bad. Had started the log by then as a couple of Flybes went past us including ERJ-190 G-FBEC which was my first one of these.
Airborne at 08:09 for a 70 minute flight before landing on runway 14 at Zurich where the temperature was a balmy -1 degree in sunshine.
Numbers falling in the book before we parked included new SQ B773 9V-SWJ. Entry formalities were speedy so up on the terrace to join the throng of enthusiasts. Still only 2 SFRs with the same security checks.
In position in time to see a departing Dubai BBJ and arriving Ukrainian IL-62 followed by a USAF BBJ (C-40). Wasn't impressed to see a Blue1 MD-90 as still hadn't started on their 146s. Various other movements held the interest but an offer to be driven to the end of runway 14 for some landing shots was too good to turn down. Many thanks to Alan and Dave for this. The viewing area is a long way from the terminal and does not appear to be on a bus route so a car is essential to reach here. It's definitely worth the effort.
Spent the afternoon here until it got dark. Got some cracking shots (like the above) and plenty of Gulfstream arrivals (14 in all) so the author was happy. Airliners too of interest with many Air Berlins and Air France/Cityjet 146s (the ex Northwest ones). The Thai A-340-600 was really late today and went past the lens. HS-TNA was 1 of the 2 not seen last year. My first Air France EMB-190 arrived followed by a Sevenair CRJ-900 (TS-ISA) which made the jaw drop.
Back to Car Park 6 for a couple of hours in the dark before being driven back to our hotel which was next to Alan and Dave's which was handy. We were again in the Formule1 and had dinner in the Ibis next door. A couple of beers with Dave to end a good day.
Thursday morning looked good with the sky clear. Basic continental breakfast at the hotel (coffee and rolls) before back in the taxi (cheers again Alan) and off to car park 6 to wait for the light to improve. Off to the end of the runway a little before 9. The sun is the wrong side from our spot the afternoon before so of course the Swiss have considered this and have another spectators area the other side of the runway. About 10, we transferred to the other side as the sun moved round.
A steady stream of movements although only 4 Gulfstreams before heading back to the airport at about 11:30 as we all had a ramp tour booked for 12:30. Back up to the terrace to find a Brazilian AF Embraer parked below us. One of my airliner highlights was my first Blue1 146 (OH-SAL) which was very pleasing.
Tickets were exchanged for yellow jackets and a 2 hour tour commenced. As always, the tours are run by enthusiasts so they go to all the right places. Didn't seem to be as many visitors on the ground this year. Many aircraft dropped off their passengers and then flew off to park somewhere else, returning later in the week. May be something to do with increased airport fees. Quite a few aircraft are regular WEF visitors but nice to get pics in the sunshine.The terrace and the car park finished the day. Had to use the hotel shuttle bus tonight as Alan and Dave were going home. These run every 30 minutes so not long before we were dining again in the Ibis.
Friday was a bit of a disappointment weather wise as the sun had gone. This was the usual Zurich weather at this time of year so no real surprise to the regulars. Left the hotel for the last time on the 07:25 shuttle. The car park was a bit chilly so a coffee stop was taken on the way to the terrace. Turns out the terrace was closed as the Pakistan A-310 next to the terrace was being loaded but was open by the time we got there.
We were again on the 12:30 tour but my first Air One CRJ-900 and 2nd Blue1 146 arrived first. Each tour is slightly different and we got shots that we'd missed the day before. The Egyptian Sovereign was outside the hangar this time.
A late lunch was taken in the terminal before passing through security and heading to Terminal E for our flight home. There are good views from here and numbers were still falling in the book when it got dark. My first Finnair ERJ-190 was nice to see. Thought the trip would begin and end with this type but made a new BA A-321 while boarding B733 G-LGTG. Flight 2755 was 30 minutes late leaving. 72 minutes after leaving R28 we were landing on R26L at Gatwick. Parked on Stand 112 which meant a walk over the 'bridge' which was made even more impressive by the Oman Air B767 taxying below us as we crossed.
A great trip with even more ticks in the book than last year so definitely on my calendar for next year. The terrace may be different next time as I understand they're demolishing the end of it to make way for a new parallel taxiway.
My pics at http://www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1447731.html
Next year's event will be held between 28th Jan and 1st Feb.
No comments:
Post a Comment