Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum
General Aviation Discussion => Spotting Trips => Topic started by: Dave on October 15, 2009, 11:44:34 PM
-
Well, just booked myself on a day trip to Madrid on Thursday the 19th of November with a fellow member from the site. We won't be as lucky with the weaher as you guys but it should be an interesting day none the less.
Will also be interesting to see if we can find the spotting mound with your directions Conor :)
-
Well, just booked myself on a day trip to Madrid on Thursday the 19th of November with a fellow member from the site.
I would be the other memeber..can't wait :)
Woody
-
If you don't mind me asking how much did the flights cost?
-
€50 (Each flight segment €20 + €10 card fee)
Woody
-
Are you thinking of joining the trip casper?? ;D P.S. Dont forget some travel insurance.. just incase.... ;)
-
Are you thinking of joining the trip casper??
If it's OK I wouldn't mind although I do have a few obstacles:
1 - Boss (Wife) - She's given the go ahead :)
2 - Passport - Have to try and find it and see if it's still valid
3 - Time Off - Have to speak nicely to my boss (work) and see if I can get that day off. I work in a school and they don't really like me taking time-off during term time. But you never know.
-
Im sure everyone else would agree when i say......Get looking for that passport!!!! :LOL And as far as work is concerned im sure you could have a ''sick day'' every once in a while.... as long as you dont get too much of a tan when in Madrid.... 8) .... ;D
-
And as far as work is concerned im sure you could have a ''sick day'' every once in a while
I've worked there for just over 8 years and I've taken 1 sick day in all that time :)
-
i cant see you having a problem with a day off then... also heres a added incentive .... if the weather isnt good for the airport theres always here...http://www.fly-by.nl/Gallery/2008/Madrid%20Area%20Tour%20-%20day%204.htm ;D
-
The sunset in Madrid for the 19th is 5.56pm http://www.sunrisesunset.com/calendar.asp?comb_city_info=Madrid,%20Spain;4;40.5;1;2&month=11&year=2009&time_type=0&use_dst=2 so there should be at around 7 hours of daylight for spotting at the mound.... heres hoping for sunny skys.... 8)
-
The sunset in Madrid for the 19th is 5.56pm http://www.sunrisesunset.com/calendar.asp?comb_city_info=Madrid,%20Spain;4;40.5;1;2&month=11&year=2009&time_type=0&use_dst=2 so there should be at around 7 hours of daylight for spotting at the mound.... heres hoping for sunny skys.... 8)
To go a step further, the weather on the day for the past few years :LOL
2008; Max temp was 15oC remained mostly sunny all day.
2007; Max temp was 6oC with some rain, the tempatures in the negative in the morning.
2006; Max temp was 16oC, partially cloudy.
2005; Max temp was 13oC, mostly cloudy.
2004; Max temp was 14oC, no clouds all day, again temps in the negative in the morning.
;D
-
I don't want to jinx it guys but...
http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/europe_dayforecast.asp?day=6&locationID=3211 (http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/europe_dayforecast.asp?day=6&locationID=3211)
:D looking positive at the moment
-
Yes its looking good for the day Dave .. Just hope you havnt jinxed it..lol
-
Well good luck tomorrow guys, take care and may the weather and spotting opportunities be with you :)
-
And a warning
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8366204.stm
-
Thanks for the heads up casper, i dont think we have to worry too much as there is no where on the spotting mound to use a credit card... ;D as for the weather it's looking very good for Madrid http://uk.weather.com/weather/tomorrow-Madrid-SPXX0050 (http://uk.weather.com/weather/tomorrow-Madrid-SPXX0050) and not too good for here http://uk.weather.com/weather/tomorrow-Dublin-EIXX0014 (http://uk.weather.com/weather/tomorrow-Dublin-EIXX0014) so get ready for a lot of shots of aircraft in sunshine... 8) We will have to try and orgnaise a trip next year that everyone can get a chance to go on....
-
Thanks for the heads up Casper, I'll try getting some euros before heading down tonight. As Hammerhead says, it seems we'll be lucky with the weather with only a few clouds and decent temperatures. We'll definately have to organise a trip for next year :)
-
Definitely - we'll ask Michael if we can charter one of his jets :)
-
have a god damned good time lads. Bring back dazzling pics:D
-
Four tired but happy spotters are now sitting in Madrid airport... Be prepared for some pics of sunny planes over the next few days...lol
-
Yup, a fantastic trip was had by all, definitely worth all the tiredness. The weather was perfect and we saw some interesting stuff.
In the morning, our tiddley 737 parked beside an Air China A330 and an Aerosur 747 which happened to be a new aircraft with the airline (originally a Virgin Atlantic 747) and her first flight being on the same day, yet none of us knew it! Here's a picture of the Aerosur 747 from airlines.net from yesterday, photo taken by Diego Ruiz De Vargas - Iberian Spotters
http://www.airliners.net/photo/AeroSur/Boeing-747-443/1611743/L/ (http://www.airliners.net/photo/AeroSur/Boeing-747-443/1611743/L/)
Unfortunately none of us caught the 747 as it unfortunately never moved from the gating area. Still an interesting aircraft so come across, particularly on it's first day with the airline. Also upon landing, we saw a cargo DC-8, although again, like the Aerosur 747, it didn't move during the time we were there.
Weather in Dublin was terrible when we left with heavy rain and strong wings; I've never seen a wing flex so much before in my life! Our flight arrived early at just before 11am, expected from Ryanair these days. We were greeted by a cloudless sky and 19oC temperatures.
After a long walk to the airports metro station, we hopped on to the metro and got off at the next stop, at Baraja's. Water was bought and then we headed to the spotting mounds with Squad701 and Hammerhead trying to get me to remember their instructions as a test. They had forgotten to tell me one important detail... to climb through a hole in a wire Fence! :P
We got to the spotting mound following a short walk from the Baraja's station. There were already a group of Portuguese spotters on both the higher mound and the lower mound so we opted to share the higher mound with them.
We saw a range of aircraft, perhaps surprising though was the huge amount of Ryanair and Easyjet aircraft we saw during the day, reminded me abit of being at a home airport. Runway's for landing and departure had changed from the trip Squad701 and Hammerhead had from their previous trip so it made catching aircraft more difficult as we would only be able to photograph if they taxied to the end of the arrival runway, something that didn't happen often.
Also all the Iberia A340's were parked a good distance away through the heat haze and departed on a runway seemingly a good distance away. Effectively only photos of taxing aircraft could be taken, but the mounds did offer some nice angles.
The only thing is the huge amount of poles and lightposts... never complain about Dublin again ;D
The mounds also offered some good shots of cars, trucks, and motorcyclists which suited some of us cough Squad cough ;D
We eventually called it a day just after 5pm when the sun was going down, and opted to go straight to Burger King located beside the Baraja's station, where both BHD and Hammerhead skillfully ordered the food, with BHD using Spanish, and Hammerhead using caveman terms and pointing at the menu making grunting noises. ;)
Once back at the airport, we passed through security quite quickly and headed for some snacks before the flight home. Ended up parked between an Aer Lingus A321, also due to Dublin 5 minutes before us, an Air Comet A330, and also an Aerolinas Argentinas 747 ;)
The flight home was uneventful with most of us drifting off to sleep for a short while. Unfortunately during the process of the safety brief, the cabin was bustling with noise people not listening to the cabin crew, however the cabin crew kept their cool and continued regardless so credit to them.
We arrived back at Dublin slightly early again at just before 11pm concluding a great day had by all. Personally I had a great time and enjoyed the company from all three guys and would love to do something like it again. Thanks for the great day guys!
Dave
-
Nice synopsis Dave, but you left out the bit about the flat type and being restricted to DUB at ~50mph :P
Woody
-
Nice synopsis Dave, but you left out the bit about the flat type and being restricted to DUB at ~50mph :P
Woody
LOL actually I had forgotten already about that! Woody had a flat tyre on his way to pick me up before heading down to Dublin, although we managed to change the tyre in 10-15 minutes to the spare tyre which was limited to 50 mph. Talk about bad luck before the trip had even started ;)
-
But we had then used up our portion of bad luck for the day before 4.15am, and from then till arriving home it was good luck all the way!
-
We came, we saw, we conquered :D Burgerking at least ;)
A wonderful day out with great company,
We're such nice guys ;D
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4121103578_e668421f2f_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4120305119_13d0e0476f_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4120348555_dde6ce506b_b.jpg)
Notice how in this shot I photoshopped out the lampost going through the middle of the Air China aircraft
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/4121284682_e0fe156c12_b.jpg)
Notice how in this shot I photoshopped the lampost, but got bored half way down ;D
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4121116651_3fcb116872_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4120384437_62c9e88a31_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/4121220160_46caf30d0c_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/4120445629_dbc69d494d_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4121220398_1c4c1620a7_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4120384095_25dc912750_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4120384745_fd9eb403ca_b.jpg)
-
Where have all the clouds gone??? (http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/doncashen/Madrid19-11-09053.jpg) Spotters at work..... (http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/doncashen/Madrid19-11-09247.jpg) Local wildlife.. The worlds most photographed butterfly.... ;D (http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/doncashen/Madrid19-11-09177.jpg) The local forklift driver thought we were there to take his pic.... ::) (http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/doncashen/Madrid19-11-09199.jpg) And finally .. Can you tell who it is yet??? ;D (http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/doncashen/Madrid19-11-09279.jpg)
-
Don I think I did a bit better with the local wildlife, I got a Greater Forklift-Driver Snr,
I think yours is a Lesser Forklift-Driver Jnr/Juv.
The Painted Lady (Butterfly) is doing well after being relocated to Dublin ;D
My good-lady was surprised to see that Tony from Coronation Street was there !
I told her he came with the Portuguese Spotting Societie's trip.
And don't forget Scania, the smoothest gearbox in the trucking world ;)
Sorry about the Paparazzi at the bottom,
but Have Paparazzi Will Travel :)
Cheers.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4121978838_647142ae05_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4121978566_e6d941dcd6_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/4121979048_51c428c012_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4121206261_4d9a37abd5_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/4121979348_034c111a49_b.jpg)
-
More than just plane spotting was going on ;D
Some nice use of the cloning tool going on with regards to the lamp posts!
I've only edited a hand full as the sick moggie has taken up most of my time, heres the interesting stuff so far;
1. Whilst circling in the hold pattern, woody noticed an aircraft joining the pattern, coming right towads us.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4122111480_f6a7e57b52.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122111480/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122111480/sizes/o/)
2. When landing, the cargo ramp where a DC-8 could be seen.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4122112034_bc2ba1301e.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122112034/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122112034/sizes/o/)
3. When taxing to the gate, we passed these 3 aircraft, possibly Grumman aircraft, which have been sitting there for years.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/4122112398_cdd9e4a9d4.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122112398/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122112398/sizes/o/)
4. One of the few pictures of an aircraft after landing, the rest exited the runway out of sight.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4121340613_2af3545d7d.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121340613/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121340613/sizes/o/)
5. The Portuguese cheered when this went past
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4122113466_1cbc695e3f.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122113466/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122113466/sizes/o/)
6. First heavy heading for departure
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2498/4121341687_a2ab57697a.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121341687/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121341687/sizes/o/)
7. Soon followed by the next heavy
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4122115104_4696a6dabb.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122115104/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122115104/sizes/o/)
8. And the enxt...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4122115652_800f9a3b2f.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122115652/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122115652/sizes/o/)
9. A good few South American airlines appeared
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4121343929_7efa665b6d.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121343929/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121343929/sizes/o/)
10.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4122116914_ddeccb2257.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122116914/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122116914/sizes/o/)
11. Recently retrofitted with 11 foot winglets
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4122118222_6149e0608e.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122118222/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122118222/sizes/o/)
12. Air Europa's Spanish football logo jet
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4122117558_3c7d2c8196.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122117558/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4122117558/sizes/o/)
13. Air Europa's Disbey jet
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/4121347099_ca3266182b.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121347099/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121347099/sizes/o/)
14. Finally one of the few photographable A340-600's
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4121346509_4d10b708d1.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121346509/sizes/o/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22682700@N02/4121346509/sizes/o/)
-
Fantastic series of photos all, but Dave that first one is stunning. Kicking myself now for not making it - hopefully next time. My wife even suggested she could come along, setup a deck chair and soak up the sun lol
-
I just checked the weather stats from the day and it seems it was the hottest 19th November ever recorded in Madrid. The hottest temperature previously on the same day was 16oC... we reached 19oC on the day
Fantastic series of photos all, but Dave that first one is stunning. Kicking myself now for not making it - hopefully next time. My wife even suggested she could come along, setup a deck chair and soak up the sun lol
Well thankfully Madrid is one of those crazy Ryanair destinations where if you look far enough ahead, they will always have 20 euro flights during the weekdays. I'm already thinking of heading back in Feb/March to take advantage of the better winter light and more bareable temperatures. 8) Anyone tempted to tag along? ;)
-
I'm going to have to leave it until after Christmas before booking anything - Santa's list is getting bigger and bigger :)
-
Looks like you had a great time gald the weather was good and that you also managed to get some brill pic's as well :goodjob:
-
Don, Conor, did either of you notice that two tree's had been chopped down since your last visit? Somebody cut down the trees to create a new space to capture aircraft through.. I wonder if the local authorities were responsible or whether a sneaky spotter was... :-X The remains can be seen in the picture below, of our aircraft departing an hour after arrival... slow turn around for Ryanair.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4121671797_51a3d188ba_o.jpg)
-
Grumman 159`s I think. At least one is registered to a UK company.
-
Grumman 159`s I think. At least one is registered to a UK company.
Thanks, I've never really heard of or seen this aircraft before.
Following the trend, some people pics. As you can see, the Irish duo were natural's infront of the lens ;)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/4122665235_e03647194e_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4123436720_0b2f5822a6_o.jpg)
I focused on everything but the butterfly!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/4122666009_ab2de88f93_o.jpg)
Don and his cars/gearboxes!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/4123437690_9fda2cf407_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4122666383_3273cc8519_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4123438448_706663504c_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/4123438054_f700de6c47_o.jpg)
Spot the odd people out!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/4122670497_fb65b6fa1e_o.jpg)
Woody!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/4122667657_f49c1cb09c_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/4122676163_dc9f02d4e0_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4122670741_c36170a365_o.jpg)
Dave
-
Well thankfully Madrid is one of those crazy Ryanair destinations where if you look far enough ahead, they will always have 20 euro flights during the weekdays. I'm already thinking of heading back in Feb/March to take advantage of the better winter light and more bareable temperatures. 8) Anyone tempted to tag along? ;)
I have just been checking the Ryanair website and it looks like therewill be no more day trips to madrid for a while as they have reducedthe flights on the route to one a day each way with the return flightleaving 20 min after the outbound flight arrives... >:( However i think a trip here might be in thepipeline..http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18396&p=186343&hilit=airbus+factory#p186343 (http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18396&p=186343&hilit=airbus+factory#p186343) ;) ;D anyone else interested??? :-X
-
However i think a trip here might be in thepipeline..http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18396&p=186343&hilit=airbus+factory#p186343 (http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18396&p=186343&hilit=airbus+factory#p186343) ;) ;D anyone else interested??? :-X
I assume it would be a day trip, same as Madrid?
If the price is right I'd certainly consider it, what time of year were you thinking of?
-
A bit of a shame about Madrid as the place made an cheap and interesting place for a day trip. I really enjoyed our trip back in November despite the lack of sleep!
The trip to the Airbus factory looks interesting. I recommend Amsterdam of course for a future trip ;)