Vivek

Brilliant shots Azahan! Does the IR 747SP still operate to KUL? Cheers, Vivek

Thanks so much! Was lucky to get a spotlessly clean window on our Air Asia X A330 - Vivek

9M-MTD holding short of Rwy 32R Clicked this from the window of our D7 A330 holding on the adjacent taxiway. - Vivek

Beautiful shot of the MS 77W touching down Chaity! - Vivek

Great shots, kianhong! Your shot of the AIX 738, VT-AXV might actually be her last photo clicked by anybody. As you might be aware, VT-AXV overshot the runway during landing and crashed into a valley at Mangalore, India on Saturday (May 22nd) - Vivek

Excellent shots, Hoe Jyh and kianhong! That race between the 9W 332 and SQ 345 is my favourite. Can't wait to return to SIN and Crowne Plaza :-) - Vivek

Excellent touchdown shots WT Liew! Especially the LH 744. - Vivek

Nice shots Norman! Good to see our VT-JEA in Thai colours. - Vivek

Some photos appearing in the media showed oxygen masks deployed, which means that there had been a rapid descent or de-pressurization. Some reports say that the fall was around 15000 ft! http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Emirates-flight-suffers-air-pocket-fall-plunges-15000-feet/articleshow/5855390.cms - Vivek

It will be good to see Spicejet operating no-nonsense point to point regional services.

Hey - just a quick note guys. I would be visiting Singapore (again!) next month. This time it is a family holiday I will be arriving on May 16th, and leaving on May 20th. I am planning to do a couple of hours of spotting on atleast one of the days that I am there. I have done the Crowne Plaza & CBP locations last time, so any pointers on what I can do this time? Also, which runway direction is mainly used for landing in May? In Jan/Feb, landings were mainly on Rway 02L. I would also love to catch up with SIN spotters during that time. Lemme know if anyone is around. - Vivek

Australian Air Force F-111C Aardvark

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-212/ER 9V-SVM The plane with my initials

Awesome close-ups of those take-offs, Cornelis! KLM has such variety. Time to plan a trip to AMS soon.... - Vivek

Thanks, Cornelis! And here is a real classic! K-Mile Air Boeing 727-247F HS-SCJ - Vivek

Something that I always wanted to catch! TNT Boeing 747-4AH OO-THA - Vivek

Wow! Congratulations on your promotion, TK! So, this means no more trips to BOM?? Anyway, all the best for your new role, and look forward to seeing you as the BOSS on the Triple Seven soon.... - Vivek

I have always seen late rotations on an A340-300 irrespective of the airline/airport/weather conditions. A340-300s are known to have a shallow climb rate. Here is a comparative weight/thrust ratio of modern widebody aircraft. Got this info. from a thread on Airliners.net [AIRCRAFT] [MTOW] [MAX.THRUST] [RATIO KGS/LB] A330-200 230.000 128K/136K 1,797/1,691 A330-300 212.000 128K/136K 1,656/1,559 B747-400 385.555 227K/248K 1,463/1,555 B747-400ER 412.770 248.000 1,818 B777-200ER 263.085 168K/184K 1,566/1,430 B777-200LR 341.105 220.000 1,550 B777-300 263.080 180K/196K 1,462/1,342 B777-300ER 299.380 230.600 1,298 A340-200 260.000 124.800 2,083 A340-300 260.000 130.200 1,997 A340-300E 275.000 130.200 2,112 So, from the above figures, it is evident that the weight/thrust ratio of the A340-300 is the highest. In other words, the thrust to weight ratio would be the lowest amongst its peers. - Vivek

Thanks for this info, Prompong! I will surely get in touch with you guys before arriving there. Regards, Vivek

Great shots from Subang, guys! Nice to see all the rare traffic that you don't normally see at KUL. - Vivek

Also, In general, the A340-300 powered by its four "hair dryer" engines is notorious for late take-offs. - Vivek

Hi Guys, I have been following this thread since some time. I will be visiting Thailand (Bangkok & Phuket) in May 2010 along with the family. I would be spending 3 days in BKK & 3 days in HKT. Since I have my wife and our 21 month old son with me, I cannot do any "hardcore" spotting, but I would still like to spend a couple of hours in each location. Here are a few questions I have: 1) How is the weather in Thailand in May? (Sunny/Cloudy/Mixed) 2) What runway direction would be used for landings in BKK & HKT in May? 3) Is it possible to spot from the beach in HKT? 4) I understand that the hill next to the runway at HKT is good only in winters. Is there any other spot good for spotting at HKT? 5) Is it possible to hire a car (for sightseeing mainly) for the day and have the driver wait for you while you spot for a couple of hours? Any tips on the above would be really welcome. It would be good to meet up with the local spotters in BKK & HKT. Looking forward to this trip! - Vivek

Excellent "Heavy" rotation shots, guys! Especially the Raiders A340-300... - Vivek

Qantas Superjumbo arriving in pristine morning light - Vivek

Kingfisher Airlines A330-200 VT-VJP I had arrived on this very aircraft a few hours ago. Caught it departing back to BOM from the hotel room Bar & Lounge on Kingfisher Airlines A330-200 VT-VJP VT-VJP again on my return flight! Clicked this photo while deplaning at BOM. - Vivek