Geneva and EBACE 2010

It's May so it must be Geneva again. This time it's the 10th EBACE and my 7th consecutive visit.
An early run round the motorways found me at the Gatwick long term car park at 06:20 and shortly after meeting up with Brian at the North Terminal. Usual travelling companion Peter was spotted in the security queue and we all got together for an early morning coffee. The 4th member of the group, Paul, was travelling from Heathrow and would meet us there.

Our flight EZS8570 was again departing from the satellite so we had to cross the bridge for the best view of the airport. Various based liners fell in the book plus a Norwegian Shuttle B738 but not the Cubana Il-96 which had gone tech. Our plane was A-319 HB-JZT which pushed back at 08:22 (7 mins late) and we headed for a rwy 08R departure at 08:35. 84 mins later, we were touching down on rwy 05 at Geneva.

The immigration boxes have been moved nearer the gates which I'm afraid has not speeded up the process. It was not long though before we were picking up our show passes and getting in the static park. Quite cold today but dry which was an improvement on the forecast. More than ever in the static this year but only the CJ4 was a new type.

Weather was cold but the threatened rain just about held off. Stayed in the static park until closing time and on the way out accepted an offer of cakes and champagne. Headed for the car rental where Paul had again booked a car for our stay. The long term parking area were checked before Jet Aviation was explored. Finished off at the flying club where dinner was taken. Our hotel was again the Campanile.
Wednesday started wet and didn't get much better. Brian and Paul decided to stay at the garage at the end of the runway while Peter and I were dropped off by the exhibition hall. Driest place with a view was the terrace where the helicopters parked. I tried to get in the static park whenever the weather eased but even I couldn't cope with the grim conditions. A good opportunity to get on board a few planes as business was slow. Did catch G450 N5113 arrive plus the Ghanaian Jetstar 2 (9G-ABF) so worth making the effort. Peter was going home this evening and I was picked up to finish again at the flying club.

Thursday was dry and much better so spent the day in the static. Still plenty happening to hold the interest. Early kick out of the static on the last day but held out as long as we could. Time to kill before the flight so went up to the Altitude Restaurant in the terminal. Flight home (EZS8577) was on HB-JZF which taxyed away at 19:35 (25 mins late) and was airborne off 23 at 19:44. Just 56 mins later we touched down on 08 at Gatwick.

Geneva and EBACE 2009

Held this year between 12th and 14th May, this was my 6th visit to this annual event.

Pretty much the usual routine with an overnighter at Horsham the night before meaning some time at Gatwick the day before. Decided that as I'd 'done' Gatwick recently, would only do an afternoon so only 8 new numbers in the book. Highlight was new Air Europa ERJ-190 EC-KYO.

Not too early a start as Peter and I headed for the North Terminal to meet up with Brian who was doing EBACE for the first time. Flight to Geneva this year was on A-319 HB-JZJ which pushed back at 08:15 (spot on time) and was airborne 19 minutes later from runway 08R. Flight time was 1 hour 18 minutes landing at 10:52 local. Parked on a remote stand this year so needed a bus to the terminal.

Easy entry formalities as usual and we were soon in the static park where we spent the day. Security is much easier getting through as they're only looking in bags and not scanning everything. Landing runway all week was 23 (from the right) so good pictures from this spot. We also met up with the 4th member of the group, Paul.

New types in the static park were the Phenom 100 and 300.

Baboo are the based airline and now have 3 Embraer 190s along with 2 Dash 8-400s. Myair are new and operated CRJ-900 EI-DUY (twice). Malev operated a Dash 8 which I think is different and Egyptair operated 737-800s which were my first of these. Finnair operated an ERJ-190 on one of the flights and Qatar Aw used a 319 so a good mix of airliners again.

As last year, Paul had booked a car which certainly makes life easier. The car rental desks have now moved to the end of the terminal (west end) and they operate a shuttle bus. We started off at the long term park area (east end) which was full of jets. Highlight was new Manx Global M-SALE. We then had a look at Jet Aviation which resembles a building site with a new hangar just gone up. We then adjourned to the flying club for dinner (and a beer).

Hotel this year was the Campanile across the border in France. Not bad although full of British spotters from the Alpha Mike trip so lots of familiar faces at breakfast.

Wednesday continued in a similar vein although without the showers of the other 2 days. First visit this year to the roof of the garage that overlooks the Jet Aviation ramp. Would be good for pictures when the other runway is in use. Peter was only doing a 2 day stint this year so left us mid-afternoon.

Thursday was our last day so check out, a look round the airport and back to the static park. Had made a comment about not seeing a Mustang move so to make up, the following duly arrived; OK-FTR, D-ISRM, F-HDPY, OE-FMZ and LX-FGL. The only Eclipse of the trip also arrived in the shape of N502TS. Good to see Alex, looking even smarter than me.

The static usually closes at 3 on the last day but didn't get kicked out until 3.30 this year when we then headed for the new restaurant above the terminal which is just about where the old terrace was. Drinks are not cheap but the view is very good from here. It was then time to head for the gate where spotting continued. In fact, had to leave the boarding queue when G4 N1086 arrived which was my 5th G frame of the trip which was very pleasing.

Our flight home was A-319 HB-JZG. The door was closed at 7.25 (15 mins late) and we were airborne at 7.42, landing back at Gatwick just 61 minutes later. Spotting still not finished as saw my first Norwegian 737-800 while crossing the bridge.

7th visit next year? A fairly good chance I'd have thought. Dates are 4-6 May.

Pics at http://www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1697849.html

Geneva and EBACE 2008

My 5th visit to the EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition) so pretty much the same routine as previous years.

An afternoon at Gatwick (Monday 19th) before overnighting at Horsham with Peter and family. Gatwick is probably busier in the mornings but 10 new numbers still managed to fall in the book. 4 different Flybe EMB-190s seen of which 3 were new. A couple of Easyjets were also put away.

The usual early start picking up John Dyer on the way who was travelling with us. John had been told to dress smartly as we were going in the static park but we didn't expect to see him in a suit. An uneventful check in and departure from the North Terminal satellite which meant having to cross the 'bridge'. At the end of the bridge is an excellent view over the runway so unsurprised to find other spotters congregating here. Heard later that we did well to head for the gate when we did as the fire alarm had gone in the main terminal.

Boarded our A-319 HB-JZN for flight 8470 to Geneva. Pretty much on time with a push back at 08:41 and a take off from runway at 08:55. The usual Easy flight had us landing at Geneva on runway 05 just 77 minutes later. Entry formalities much easier this year and we were soon heading for the show to meet up with Paul Seymour on the balcony where they park the helicopters. This is an excellent vantage point and much scribbling was done while here.

Show tickets had arrived in the post so we only had to pick up lanyards so that we were fully legit. The static park held even more aircraft than before although this means it's harder to get pictures. As before, a big plus getting in the show is the view over the runway is second to none especially now that the spectators area on the terminal is closed for refurbishment.

Stayed airside until kicking out time at 6:00 and then the 4 of us went down to the car rentals counter as Paul had hired a car for the next 2 days. This turned out to be a real boon as the route march down to Jet Aviation was done in style this year. There is much change here as building work is going on and the road up the hill by the workers barracks has gone but the views over the ramps are still the same. My one and only Gulfstream frame of the trip (G5 VP-CES) was spotted here along with an A7 dash CJ.

Having the car meant I was able to visit the flying club on the north side for the first time and could see why so many head here. Excellent views over the ramps and a proper look at the G1 that's been stored here for years (TC-SMA). It was soon time to head for our hotels. Peter and I were back in the Novotel as the Ibis was full. John was in a cheapy near the border by the tunnel and Paul was in the F1 just behind us. We all met up again for dinner in the Novotel and as usual, the beer went down well after the first full day.

Paul was waiting for us as we came out of the hotel in the morning and we headed for the long term parking area and then the flying club. This was the routine for the next 2 days and I can't thank Paul enough for his efforts in making it easy for us. Spent the 2nd day round by the end of the runway to catch all the movements. As usual, no hassle at all but then we are in Switzerland. Finished the day at the flying club where we had dinner and I can thoroughly recommend the chicken curry.

The final day was back in the static park until 3:00 when they kick you out. The best weather today and as it's the departure day for most, plenty of pictures. Struggled a bit to find somewhere to eat before the flight and probably made the mistake of going airside for this as not much of a selection here. Managed a plate of pasta and a beer so all was not lost. Reasonable views of the movements from the satellite and numbers were still falling in the book. You can't afford to drop your guard as Falcon 50 3C-LGE went past the window and I managed to point the camera at it just in time. Our flight 8475 (on HB-JZI this time) was again reasonably punctual. Arrival on 08 at Gatwick was achieved 71 minutes after leaving Geneva. We again parked on the North satellite so again had to cross the 'bridge' on the march to immigration. The queue for the Iris scanner was no shorter than the old fashioned passport check so we did it the old way.

A selection of pictures from the trip can be seen at http://www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1515600.html

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