|
Post by Kahloke on Apr 9, 2009 10:13:09 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Apr 11, 2009 22:34:54 GMT -8
Here's some photos from my flight from Nanaimo to Kelowna Wednesday April 8th, with a brief stop in Vancouver for a transfer. Back in the air tomorrow afternoon though, doing the reverse of that same route. Just after take off from Nanaimo. Yellow Point right below us. Looking back at Ladysmith, and surrounding mountains Trincomali Channel, with Thetis and Kuper Islands in the distance Up above Valdez Island now 3 hours later, I departed on a larger plane, which was a little more comfortable than the Dash 8. Nothing cooler than feeling that force of being sucked to your seat when the throttle has been pushed quickly on the runway for take off. We entered the clouds right after that photo, and there wasn't anything to see until we emerged just above Lytton in the Fraser Canyon, but at 22,000 feet in the air A few minutes later, I see a small plume of steam in the distance. That's Kamloops over there with their pulp mill. Finally, just moments before landing, we wave down at Queen of Nanaimo teen, aka Sean down in Vernon. Tomorrows trip photos to follow later.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 12, 2009 16:43:48 GMT -8
Cool photos! What type of plane from Vancouver to Kelowna were you on??? Next time you should fly WestJet from Comox to Kelowna except you have to connect in Calgary then backtrack to Kelowna but still they have less wait times in between.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Apr 12, 2009 17:23:38 GMT -8
Checking in Live, from YVR. I've been flying with Air Canada for the whole trip. The plane I was on from Vancouver to Kelowna was an Airbus Embraer 190. www.aircanada.com/shared/en/common/fleet/pop_fleetE190.htmlToday I'm returning home on a Dash 8. The trip from Kelowna to Vancouver was a little brutal with the excessive noise, and it was a longer trip on that plane. www.aircanada.com/en/about/fleet/dash8-100.htmlOne more short hop to go at 19:50 to Nanaimo though! I used to always take Westjet from Vancouver to Kelowna when I lived on the Mainland. This time I took Air Canada just because I wanted the convienience of not having to travel to far to the airport from home, and to also not have to go through security again at YVR just to switch airlines. The fares for this trip weren't too bad either doing it through Air Canada though. Next time, I'll probably travel with Westjet, because they offer a direct flight from Victoria to Kelowna in the mornings.
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 12, 2009 18:52:54 GMT -8
Checking in Live, from YVR. I've been flying with Air Canada for the whole trip. The plane I was on from Vancouver to Kelowna was an Airbus Embraer 190. I have never been on the E190. My brother quite likes them for short haul flights. Definitely not on my list of favourites. The new Q versions of the various Dash 8 models but especially the 400 (Porter in the east and many of the commuter airlines fly them) are substantially quieter because of new noise cancelling technology and the new type of props on the 400. I have however helped pull a 100 version with 9 other guys in a charity aircraft pull. The 30 longest seconds in my life. We won two years in a row though so it was worth it. 3rd and 4th years we lost to a team of refrigerator sized guys from Bombardier. Since they make the plane I smelled a fix . After that we stopped paying the entrance fee. Direct flights always win out unless like ferry geeks (or Karl) you specifically take multi-stop versions so you can visit as many airports as possible.
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Apr 12, 2009 20:42:04 GMT -8
I've heard the E190 is a comfortable plane. I guess the seats are just a smidge wider than the ones on the A319/A320 and B737 series aircraft. The E190 is also a 2+2 instead of 3+3, so no dreaded middle seat. Air Canada flies the 190 on the daily Toronto-Seattle flight.
|
|
|
Post by Nickfro on Apr 13, 2009 12:00:55 GMT -8
I've heard the E190 is a comfortable plane. I guess the seats are just a smidge wider than the ones on the A319/A320 and B737 series aircraft. The E190 is also a 2+2 instead of 3+3, so no dreaded middle seat. Air Canada flies the 190 on the daily Toronto-Seattle flight. A friend of mine flew home to Toronto from Seattle on that flight back in November. A whole lot more convenient than driving back up to Vancouver in the morning to catch a flight home, as long as you can make its 8am departure time. He also said although the seats and its configuration are nice, the seat posture isn't very good for a longer flight such as Vancouver/Seattle to Toronto on the E190. I've been flying with Air Canada for the whole trip. The plane I was on from Vancouver to Kelowna was an Airbus Embraer 190. I took that very same flight back in February. It sure is nicer than the prop jobs, as it only takes 30 mins instead of 45. Not enough time to watch a program on their seat back tv's on such a short run though. I have done two round trips to Kelowna on Air Canada this year. The first was on the E190 both ways. The second was a CRJ-100 there, A319 back. I sure like avoiding the Dash 8's if I can! However, although they may feel shaky, they are one of the most reliable planes out there! I just returned home from spending 4 days in Palm Springs for a destination wedding. Westjet is the only airline that offers a direct flight there from Vancouver, once daily. Some people found a somewhat cheaper flight out of Bellingham via Allegiant Air, but you get what you pay for. Allegiant's planes are old and crappy, and they smack you with extra costs for additional bags. Someone I know got smacked $80 each way for bringing golf clubs on Allegiant! Both trips for us were on Westjet's Boeing 737-700, which is their most common plane. It sure helped pass the time nicely on the flight home by watching the Masters on their live seat back TV's!
|
|
|
Post by Canucks on Apr 13, 2009 15:16:22 GMT -8
|
|
Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
|
Post by Nick on Apr 13, 2009 15:20:03 GMT -8
Nice shots, Canucks!
What camera did you buy? Have you made the jump to a DSLR?
*EDIT* I looked at the EXIF data on your photos, and discovered it is a Canon Digital Rebel XSi.
I have drooled over that camera several times myself. Are you enjoying it so far? The reviews I have read have been very favourable, particularly with the image stabilization.
|
|
|
Post by Canucks on Apr 13, 2009 18:48:26 GMT -8
Thanks Nick. So far I am pretty impressed with it except for the poor sharpening on the basic jpeg, but it can be adjusted along with contrast and saturation. The hardest part was finding one though! No one had it anywhere and I almost bought the D60 but I finally located one. Anyways, a highly recommended camera.
|
|
D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
Posts: 1,671
|
Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Apr 14, 2009 5:38:33 GMT -8
Thanks Nick. So far I am pretty impressed with it except for the poor sharpening on the basic jpeg, but it can be adjusted along with contrast and saturation. The hardest part was finding one though! No one had it anywhere and I almost bought the D60 but I finally located one. Anyways, a highly recommended camera. Are you using the jpeg format to save your photos, or jpeg+raw? I was shooting jpeg only on my Sony, and saw similar problems with sharpness which from my experience is due to the lossy format jpeg uses to compress images. I first switched to jpeg+raw, but soon gave that up because I just ended up processing the raw photos and ignoring the jpegs. So now I have the camera set on raw only, and spend a few minutes per pic to tune it up. I usually end up with a much better result (at least to my eye ) without any of the jpeg artifacts. My suggestion would be to follow my route and try comparing your final product when starting with a jpeg and when starting with a raw file. I found once I got into tweaking the photos, I actually spent less time on the raw files because there were less inherent artifacts to eliminate/mitigate.
|
|
|
Post by Canucks on May 25, 2009 19:33:51 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on May 26, 2009 10:06:05 GMT -8
I have been asked about the Emirates A380 that is due to start service June 1 to YYZ/Toronto. Yes I will be there and will get some pictures. Depending on wind conditions and runway chosen will determine what kind of pictures they will be . YUL, or Trudeau as it is properly called now, or Dorval (as the majority of French Canadians still call it refusing to say the word Trudeau ), or Montreal to the rest (especially Albertans who refuse to say the word Trudeau ), was supposed to be the first airport to get regularly scheduled service with Air France. That was also estimated to be followed by YYZ/Vancouver with one of the pacific airlines. YYZ wasn't to get A380 service by any of the airlines for quite a while. However, Emirates in their ever continuing PR push will make it first in Canada and Toronto their only allowed destination. YYZ major taxiways and two gates in Terminal One and one in Terminal Three, were all made A380 ready during the last construction push. So cross your fingers for favourable weather and conditions.
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 2, 2009 17:13:21 GMT -8
Yesterday was the first scheduled service of the Emirates A380 into Toronto replacing the 777-300ER that was already on the route. We were perfectly positioned at the end and just off one side of the projected arrival runway. I was listening to Toronto Centre. I heard something about a runway change and thought oh no. Sure enough switching to arrivals the Controller was telling an aircraft to prepare for course changes, their runway was changing. Toronto has three runways that are parallel in that direction and two in the cross direction. Thankfully they kept the same runway but just switched directions which made for getting there a little easier. So we immediately drove to the opposite side of the airport where parking is normally not allowed on the service road that runs near where the Air France A340 skidded off the runway a number of years ago. Thankfully the police and airport security were allowing a special dispensation. So here are a few pics of the arrival. Not the quality I would have hoped but gives you another idea of the plane they call the Whale Jet or better yet Big Momma. I must say in person I don't particularly think of the aircraft as graceful. Looks like a normal plane that is just too corpulent or something. I know looks are in the eye of the beholder, so just my opinion. Unfortunately the pics of the aircraft departing the taxiway and entering the terminal apron under the water cannon salute weren't very clear with the aiport fence interfering. As the aircraft turned off of the taxiway onto the last one that enters the terminal apron, apparently the engines pulled up sod and debri showering it all over the taxiway.
|
|
|
Post by Canucks on Jun 2, 2009 20:04:22 GMT -8
Nice pictures! Too bad there won't be an 380 coming to yvr anytime soon. Nice to see the security allowed some plane spotting.
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 26, 2009 7:39:34 GMT -8
So here we have the last Air Canada 777-300ER (77W) on firm order for the airline, done with decals similar to the ad wraps on the Coastals. More options exist but I don't see them being taken up for quite a while. paineairport.com/kpae2165.htmpaineairport.com/kpae2157.htmNot quite as impressive as the Coastal wraps in my mind but seems like 4 or more different Olympic events portrayed. Will be nice to see them clearer.
|
|
|
Post by timmyboy on Sept 25, 2009 8:28:00 GMT -8
With the runway extention complete we may see more flights in but I am going to try and get some approach shots of this beautiful aircraft on its way in. Anyone else in the area that can get out for 7am should be able to get some great ones as well. www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/49754/Kelowna-welcomes-largest-aircraftKelowna welcomes largest aircraft by Contributed - Story: 49754 Sep 24, 2009 / 1:46 pm Kelowna International Airport (YLW) will welcome one of the world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-124, when it arrives on Saturday September 26 at approximately 7 a.m. The Antonov AN-124, arriving non-stop from Kazan, Russia, will deliver helicopters to Kelowna Flightcraft for maintenance and modification services. Accommodating the Antonov at Kelowna airport was made possible because of the runway extension from 7,300 feet to 8,900 feet in November 2008. “The arrival of the Antonov is a great opportunity for YLW to attract other long haul flights for commercial passenger and cargo flights and for very specialized aviation maintenance work by companies such as Kelowna Flightcraft and AVM Solutions Inc.,” says Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. Avionics Modification Solutions (AVM) Bob Monaghan, President and CEO states, “YLW may see one or two AN-124 operations a year for similar helicopter deliveries.” The Antonov AN-124 will be the largest aircraft to land at Kelowna International and may be one of the noisiest aircrafts residents within the airport’s flight path are expected to hear. The aircraft is expected to depart Saturday at 10 p.m. The Airport, Kelowna Flightcraft and AVM Solutions apologize in advance for any noise disturbance experienced. Aviation enthusiasts hoping to watch the aircraft land and take off are reminded there is no parking or stopping along Highway 97 or the north section of the airport on Old Vernon Road. Sections of Airport Way will be cordoned off, but still accessible from the North and South entrances of Highway 97. Recommended vantage points to view the aircraft’s arrival include the Ellison baseball field and the far east extension of the long-term parking lot (airport parking rates will apply).
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Sept 25, 2009 9:56:46 GMT -8
The paper sort of got it wrong. **(oops never mind was multi-tasking and missed the "one of the largest.") The AN225 is larger and is known as the aircraft designed to fly the aborted Russian Space Shuttle the Buran. It is a bigger version of the AN125 with six engines instead of 4, and has the double tail arrangement. There is one flying and one in a sem-built state that has been languishing in Russia for quite a few years. The charter rate is mind boggling. I am pretty sure it was used for a humanitarian mission here The AN125 is a neat plane to see land and you will enjoy it if you get to see it. Think 747 with a full upper deck or like the C5A if you have seen it at airshows. One flies quite routinely to YYZ carrying fuselages for the Bombardier plant here making the Q400. One is a regular visitor to the Trenton Air base and seems to be on contract to help with resupply for the Canadian Forces - likely in Afghanistan. It is noisier than a 747 considering it is a Russian aircraft and was orginally designed for military use. But I don't think it is as noisy as the few 727 cargo aircraft still flying, nor the few older DC9's still in service with Delta (Northwest). I look forward to seeing any pics you are able to get. PS. If you ever get to see Big Momma (A380) land, it is whisper quiet and almost a let down .
|
|
|
Post by dofd on Sept 28, 2010 23:59:08 GMT -8
As a pilot, this is transit fanning!
I flew alot of planes, but never got to fly Africa .
|
|
|
Post by Freeland on Oct 3, 2010 18:49:23 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Oct 3, 2010 19:15:38 GMT -8
It's a shame they still don't barrel-roll jet-liners on their inaugural flight!
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Oct 3, 2010 19:37:14 GMT -8
It's a shame they still don't barrel-roll jet-liners on their inaugural flight! Well, Tex Johnston wasn't supposed to do that, of course, but it was a remarkable demonstration, and it certainly boosted sales.
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Oct 3, 2010 19:57:01 GMT -8
It's a shame they still don't barrel-roll jet-liners on their inaugural flight! Well, Tex Johnston wasn't supposed to do that, of course, but it was a remarkable demonstration, and it certainly boosted sales. Well, I'm going to use Jordan's signature word to describe Tex Johnston: DOPESAUCE.Yep. Too bad we don't got none of 'em left these days. We need some more people who are willing to do risky things to succeed.
|
|
|
Post by Freeland on Oct 3, 2010 21:42:01 GMT -8
I forgot to say to look at picture eleven out of twenty of pictures at the top of article. It probably the only picture of a upside down Dash 80 jet engine that was taken while in the middle of the barrel row. I did a double take when I saw it. Here is web page for second look. seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2012956268_pacificpjetage03.htmlEmory on Whidbey
|
|
FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
|
Post by FNS on Oct 3, 2010 22:21:36 GMT -8
And, here's the barrel roll! And, for "Coastal Skier", what is "DOPESAUCE"? Neat saying, to say the least.
|
|