Nothing Tou-louse
by Dave Anderson, Dave Rose, Chris Smith and crew
For the last few years a group of us have put together an annual flying trip from DTV using Dave Breden’s based Piper Arrow G-STEA and Cardinal Aviation’s Cessna 177 G-BRDO piloted by Khalid Khan and Colin Granton (sadly Colin couldn’t make this year’s trip) last year was the fantastic trip to Normandy and Jersey for the D’Day landing anniversary. My task was to put together a three day trip for 2016 that would include about 15 hours of flying, something to do when we got there, somewhere nice to stay and eat, oh and some nice weather to go with it, simples…
So out came the
air show and fly-in calendar and of course Sky Demon, (aviation
maps on the computer) and a pin! The most difficult part was
finding a weekend when everyone was available, a task that
became increasingly difficult pushing the trip further and
further into the year, in the end a date was picked and the
planning started. A visit I’d done a few times was a factory
tour of Airbus at Toulouse, so something to do, flying time
about right and sunshine, that would be the “mission”. The trip
would be over three days and two nights and a night stop on the
way in Bordeaux was included. A fuel and breakfast stop was
required on the way to Bordeaux, and where better than the
excellent flying club at Jersey airport, cheap landing fees,
cheap fuel and an excellent “Full English Breakfast”.
Bordeaux
Merignac airport shares the civil airport with both Dassault
producing the Falcon jet range and the Rafale, a French Air
Force base and a private aircraft museum. Dassault wouldn’t
entertain a visit, never mind I didn’t want a Falcon jet anyway,
but the museum which is housed within the French Air Force base
and not open to the general public did. Chris Smith did an
excellent job co-ordinating the visit, lots of paper work and
taxi’s to sort to get us in early on the morning of our second
day.
Our tour with
Airbus, visiting the A380 line was on the afternoon giving us
enough time to have a drive around the airport checking out the
large number of new Airbus aircraft awaiting delivery, stored or
in production.
Following an overnight stay our route
home was via Poitiers for lunch, well recommended and Caen for a
final fuel top up.
So that was the
plan, everything was booked, the flight plan’s filed, the
weather forecast looked good (maybe a little windy back at base
on the way home) and off we went.
Day One ~ Friday 5th August 2016
With G-STEA being the faster aircraft we decided to fly first avoiding any catching up on each sector, so at 0727 we were airborne with G-BRDO following at 0745. What seems typical the start of the flight was in cloud, but once past Sheffield the sky cleared to a beautiful day and great flying conditions, our route took us down west abeam East Midlands, over Coventry, Brize Norton and coasting out over the Needles on the Isle of Wight towards Jersey. Traffic was light and we were cleared straight into land on runway 26, parking up at the flying club. G-BRDO followed not long after and we were soon tucking into breakfast while the planes were refuelled.
Jersey Airport
JER / EGJJ
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
2-AWBN | Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche C/R | Stourfield Investments Ltd | |
2-KOOL | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Charlie Alpha Ltd | |
2-SALA | Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | Private | |
2-SMKM | Cirrus SR20 G2 GTS | Private | |
D-EGIB | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Private | |
D-EHLZ | Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane | Private | |
D-ELPA | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III | Private | |
D-ETLB | Cessna 172R Skyhawk | Private | |
F-GNJS | Diamond DA40D Diamond Star | Private | |
G-ASYJ | Beech D95A Travelair | Crosby Aviation (Jersey) Ltd | |
G-ATOT | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee | Sirius Aviation Ltd | |
G-AVGE | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Private | |
G-AVLJ | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Cherokee Aviation Holdings (Jersey) Ltd | |
G-AVUZ | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Private | |
G-AYPU | Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow | Monalto Investments Ltd | |
G-AZRH | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Trust Flying Group | |
G-BAGG | Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | Private | |
G-BFUB | Piper PA-32RT-300 Cherokee Lance II | Jolida Holdings Ltd | |
G-BGSA | Morane Saulnier MS.892E-150 Rallye 150GT | Private | |
G-BOET | Piper PA-28RT-201 Cherokee Arrow IV | Private | |
G-BPDT | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | The Channel Islands Aero Club (Jersey) Ltd | |
G-BSCS | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Private | |
G-ECOJ | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
G-ISLF | ATR-42-500 | Flybe (Blue Islands) | |
G-ISLH | ATR-42-320 | Flybe (Blue Islands) | |
G-JACB | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III | Private | |
G-JACH | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III | Alderney Flying Training | |
G-LUEK | Cessna 182T Skylane | Private | |
G-NIND | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee | Aquarelle Investments Ltd | |
G-NOSE | Cessna 402B Utililiner | RVL Group | |
G-OFCM | Reims Cessna F172L Skyhawk | Sirius Aviation Ltd | |
G-OSCC | Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | BG and G Airlines Ltd | |
G-PNGB | Partenavia P68B Victor | Private | |
G-SWAB | Sherwood Ranger XP | Private | |
G-VIPV | Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain | Capital Air Charter | |
G-VIRR | Robin DR400/500 President | Private | |
G-WARR | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Private | |
G-ZEBS | ATR-42-320 | Flybe (Blue Islands) | |
N37US | Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II | Private | |
N115MD | Rockwell Commander 114TC | Private | |
N2923N | Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | Private | |
N369AL | Cirrus SR20 G2 GTS | Private | |
N542AP | Dassault Falcon 2000EX | Corporate | |
N601AR | Piper PA-60-601P Aerostar | Private | |
SE-MAM | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | |
SE-MHE | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | |
XP573 | Hunting Percival P.84 Jet Provost T4 | Jersey Airport | Fire trainer |
Fully refreshed and tanked up our next leg to Bordeaux was about the same distance we had already covered to get to Jersey, turning left on departure we headed to the French coast abeam Dinard and South towards Bordeaux. Staying around 2500ft we had a great view of the countryside in cloudless skies and with the temperature rising it was a little bumpy at times. Bordeaux Merginac was a busier airport with airliners coming and going but we were soon vectored onto final onto the 3000mtr runway 23, parking on the GA apron next to a Phenom 300, Premier IA and an Irish Air Corps Learjet. The downside of landing at a mainstream airport is that you are a long way down the priority line for fuel, the upside it gave the photographers plenty of time to get photo’s of the airport movements that you wouldn't normaly get from outside the airfield including the French Air Force display team PdF that taxied out past us for a display near the town.
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
BOD / LFBD
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
1 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
2 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
3 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
4 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
5 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
6 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
7 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
8 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
9 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
258 | Bombardier Learjet 45 | Irish Air Corps | |
7T-VKG | Boeing 737-8D6 | Air Algerie | |
9H-OME | Boeing 737-505 | Air X Charter | Operating for Volotea Airlines |
CS-TPQ | Embraer ERJ-190-100LR | TAP Express (Portugalia) | |
D-CLBM | Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 | Liebherr Deutschland GmbH | |
EC-LVC | Airbus A320-214 | Vueling Airlines | |
EC-MGT | Boeing 717-23S | Volotea Airlines | |
EI-DEM | Airbus A320-214 | Aer Lingus | |
EI-EWJ | Boeing 717-2BL | Volotea Airlines | |
F-BTTF | Dassault Mercure 100 | ex Air Inter | Fire trainer |
F-BVIY | Reims/Cessna F177RG Cardinal | Private | |
F-GAXN | Robin R2160 Alpha Sport | Private | |
F-GELK | Reims/Cessna F172N Skyhawk | Private | |
F-GHQL | Airbus A320-211 | Air France | |
F-GIXT | Boeing 737-39M/SF | ASL Airlines France | |
F-GRHJ | Airbus A319-111 | Air France | |
F-GSTF/5 | Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga | Airbus Transport International | |
F-GTAO | Airbus A321-211 | Air France | |
F-GXGI | Robin DR400/180 Regent | Private | |
F-GZTA | Boeing 737-33V/SF | ASL Airlines France | |
F-HAOP | Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel | Air+ | |
F-HBCA | Beech 1900D | Chalair Aviation | |
F-HTTP | Raytheon 390 Premier IA | Aztlan Aviation SRL | |
F-MJDO/JDO / 1086 | Eurocopter EC135 T2+ | Gendarmerie | |
F-WNOV | Airbus A310-304ET | Novespace (Zero-G) | |
F-ZACQ | Sud Aviation SE210 Caravelle VI-R | ex Armée de l'air | Dumped |
F-ZBAB | Reims/Cessna F406 Vigilant | Douanes Francaises | |
F-ZBCG | Reims/Cessna F406 PolMar II | Douanes Francaises | |
F-ZBFA | Reims/Cessna F406 Caravan II | Douanes Francaises | Fuselage only |
G-EZAV | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
G-EZBO | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
G-EZON | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
G-FBJB | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
N402CD | Cirrus SR22 G2 GTS | OMD Aviation LLC | |
OO-JAV | Boeing 737-8K5 | Jetairfly | |
OO-SSS | Airbus A319-111 | Brussels Airlines | |
P4-KUL | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 | Empire Aviation Group | Stored? |
PH-BGD | Boeing 737-7K2 | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | |
T7-SAU | Airbus A340-541 | ex Singapore Airlines | Stored |
TC-JVD | Boeing 737-8F2 | Turkish Airlines | |
TS-KRT | Airbus A340-542 | Government of Tunisia | Stored |
Dassault Falcon (50/900) | PWFU - fuselage only |
Day Two ~ Saturday 6th August
After a very
enjoyable evening, some nice food and local wine, we were up
early for our visit to the museum at 0830, it was only a short
taxi ride from the hotel to the airbase main gate. Our paperwork
was ready and the guys from the museum arrived to take us down
to the hangar, the museum is run by a small team of volunteers
who only have access on three days of the week to work on their
collection. You need to be a member of the “museum” to visit and
a year’s subscription is 10 Euro, our host gave us a guided tour
and he spoke great English giving us facts on each aircraft on
display. They have managed to amass some gems, including the
only Falcon 30 built, fighters destined for export that were
never delivered and Mirage’s / Jaguars with almost delivery
hours on them. Needless to say most of us had never seen or
photographed most of the aircraft on display. Chris has compiled
a list of the inmates listed below and t
Conservatoire l'Air et l'Espace d'Acquitane
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
0 | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E | Armée de l'air - Patrouille de France | |
128/62-IK | CASA CN-235M-200 | Armée de l'air | |
EI-EXI | Boeing 717-2BL | Volotea Airlines | |
F-GKXU | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
F-GPVH | Agusta A109E Power | Proteus Helicopters | |
F-GRGG | Embraer ERJ-145EP | HOP! | |
F-GRH?? | Airbus A319-111 | Air France | |
F-HBNH | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
F-HEPC | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
G-EZBD | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
G-EZTM | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
G-GATS | Airbus A320-232 | British Airways | |
PH-EXD | Embraer ERJ-190-100LR | KLM Cityhopper | |
SE-LZU | Rockwell 690A Aero Commander | Corporate | |
SX-DVS | Airbus A320-232 | Aegean Airlines | |
Eurocopter AS555 Fennec II | Armée de l'air | ||
Conservatoire l'Air et l'Espace d'Acquitane | |||
01 | Dassault MD.454 Mystère IV N | ||
01 | Dassault Mirage 50M | Also registered F-ZWVA | |
2 | Dassault Mirage IIIC | ||
11/AJ | Dassault Mirage IV P | Gate guard | |
29/13-SO | Dassault Mirage 5F | ||
32 | Vought F-8P Crusader | ||
40 | Dassault Étendard IV M | Outdoor exhibit | |
50 | Breguet Br.1050 Alize | ||
56/CC | Dassault Mirage IV P | ||
62/GU | Reims/Cessna FTB337G Super Skymaster | ||
73/330-DF | Morane-Saulnier MS760 Paris | ||
99/JBW | Nord 3400 Norbarbe | ||
101 | Murdy CAP-10B | ||
104/10-SQ | Dassault MD.452 Mystère II C | ||
117 | Fouga CM-170R Magister | ||
130 | Mignet HM14 Pou du Ciel | ||
149 | Sud Aviation/Sikorsky HSS-1 Seabat | ||
158/12-YP | Dassault Super Mystère B.2 | Outdoor exhibit | |
165 | Aérospatiale SA.321G Super Frelon | ||
182 | Sud Aviation/Aérospatiale SE.3130 Alouette II | ||
188/63-BU | Nord 2501 Noratlas | ||
202 | Dassault MD.312 Flamant | ||
204/DG | Dassault Mirage IIIB | ||
228/43-BU | Max Holste MH.1521M Broussard | ||
232 | Dassault MD.450 Ouragan | ||
299 | Dassault MD.454 Mystère IV A | ||
345 | Fouga CM.170-2 Magister | Fuselage only | |
449 | CERVA CE.43 Guepard | ||
454 | Fouga CM.170R Magister | Patrouille de France scheme | |
560 | Dassault Mirage IIIE | ||
603 | Dewoitine D.520 | ||
605 | Dassault Mirage IIIE | Vertical stabiliser only (marked E605 exhibition) | |
615 | Dassault Mirage IIIE | Cockpit only | |
636/92-AW | Sud-Ouest Aviation SO.4050 Vautour IIB | ||
928 | SAI A-4SU Super Skyhawk | ||
1370 | Fouga CM-170R Magister | Marked 320/11-OD | |
1371/ER | Fouga CM-170R Magister | ||
2084 | Sud Aviation/Aérospatiale SA.319B Alouette III | ||
4656 | Dassault Mirage F1BQ-1 | Only 7 hours on the clock!! | |
21049 | Canadair CL-30 T-33AN Silver Star | Outdoor exhibit | |
44-35859 | Douglas A-26C Invader | ||
A18 | Sud Aviation SE.3130 Alouette II | ||
A151/7-HJ | Sepecat Jaguar A | ||
B01 | Dassault Mirage 2000B-5 | ||
E1 | Sepecat Jaguar E | Marked E-02/7-JH | |
F-BIFU | Nord 1203 Norécrin III | ||
F-CBRO | Fauvel AV-36 | ||
F-CCNB | Wassmer WA.30 Bijave (replica) | ||
F-CDJN | Wassmer WA.22A Super Javelot | ||
F-CETR | Carmam JP.15/36A Aiglon | ||
F-WAMD | Dassault-Breguet Falcon 30 | Only example built, fuselage only | |
F-WAQM | Aerostructure Lutin 80 | ||
F-WMSH | Dassault-Breguet Mystère Falcon 20C | ||
F-WNDB | Dassault-Breguet Mystère Falcon 50 | "Spirit of Lindbergh" fuselage only | |
F-WZVA | Supaero Petit Canard | Never flown | |
F-ZBBW | Canadair CL-215 | ||
F-ZJBN | Nord NC.702 Martinet (Si-204A) | ||
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet ATS | Cockpit only | ||
Dassault HU-25A Guardian | Prototype - cockpit only | ||
Dassault Mirage F1B | Cockpit only | ||
Transall C-160 | Replica | Cockpit only |
Visit over it was back to the aircraft around 11am and after holding behind a few Airbus’ we were soon airborne into clear blue skies and temps near 30degs for the short (1 hour) hop to Toulouse Blagnac home of Airbus. I had looked at landing at smaller airfields in the area but looking at transport to get from them to Blagnac it was worth paying the small extra charge to land and park where we needed to be and as handling was an option we didn’t need, in we went. As you approach the airport you get an idea of just how big this place is, two huge runways, dozens of hangars, production halls and parking area’s used by Airbus. We landed on 32R and parked on the GA apron, any of you been before it’s the one with the Jetstar that’s been there for many years, it could now be photographed from a better perspective along with some more modern stored ATR’s. I’d asked the tower how we got to the terminal to pick up our hire cars and she said “I’ll send someone over”. Shortly after a van arrived from the handling agent, her understanding was that we now required handling and that would be 780 Euro’s for both aircraft, after some good English charm I negotiated this down to just a bus ride to the terminal for 30 Euro’s for us all.
We picked up two hire cars, Dave Rose driving one, with Chris Smith, Oliver Breden and I, we headed for a tour around the airfield to see the many new Airbus aircraft parked at points all around the field. Jack (more used to a 1000cc motorbike) drove the other car to the museum, though reports were that Jack's definition of driving and that of Dave Breden, Dave Appleton and Khalid Khan was a long way apart all of who wanted to get in our car for the ride to the hotel !! We all met up again at the Aeroscopia Museum, the starting point for the Airbus tours.
Our tour was in
English and was specifically for the A380, the panoramic tour
covers more of the A330/A320/ATR aircraft but isn’t done on a
weekend. Sadly there is no photography allowed during the tour
which starts with a short coach ride before you are taken
through some of the history and then up onto a viewing gallery
looking down onto the assembly hall. Three aircraft are normally
inside but during our trip there were only two (both destined
for Emirates) due to planned maintenance work being carried out
where the first aircraft would usually be. You are then taken outside onto another gallery
looking over the A380 ramp which also had a number of A350 /
A320 aircraft parked around, great views sadly no photo’s
allowed.
Toulouse Blagnac Airport
TLS / LFBO
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
CN-NMF | Airbus A320-214 | Air Arabia Maroc | |
D-AIQW | Airbus A320-211 | Lufthansa | |
EC-KAI | ATR-42-300F | Swiftair | FedEx Feeder scheme |
EI-EXA | Boeing 717-2BL | Volotea | |
F-BVBI | Cessna F172M Skyhawk | Private | |
F-GCAG | Robin R1180T Aiglon II | Private | |
F-GHPH | Aérospatiale AS350B2 Squirrel | Ixair | |
F-GIXB | Boeing 737-33A/SF | ASL Airlines France | |
F-GRHE | Airbus A319-111 | Air France | |
F-GRHI | Airbus A319-111 | Air France | |
F-HBNF | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
F-HZDP | Airbus A320-214 | Air Corsica | |
G-EZAZ | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | Stored? |
G-EZWY | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
HB-GLB | Beech B200 Super King Air | Swiss Flight Services | |
M-AMRM | ATR-72-500 (ATR-72-212A) | Lease company | Stored, ex D2-FLY with Fly540 Angola |
OO-SSM | Airbus A319-112 | Brussels Airlines | |
PR-PDE | ATR-72-500 (ATR-72-212A) | Passaredo Linhas Aéreas | Stored? |
TS-ION | Boeing 737-6H3 | Tunisair | |
VP-CSM | Lockheed L-1329 JetStar 731 | Al-Fathiha Ltd | Preserved |
Airbus A310 | Vertical stabiliser on display on roundabout | ||
Airbus / ATR | |||
F-WWBA/0001 | Airbus A320-111(WL) | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft - WFU |
F-WHUE/6995 | Airbus A320-214(SL) | Airbus Industrie | To become B-8430 with Qingdao Airlines |
F-WHUM/6876 | Airbus A320-214 | Avianca Brasil | To become PR-OBB - stored |
F-WJKN/6871 | Airbus A320-214 | Avianca Brasil | To become PR-OCY - stored |
F-WWBB/7251 | Airbus A320-214 | Lufthansa | To become D-AIUW |
F-WWDF/7295 | Airbus A320-214 | Aeroflot Russian Airlines | To become VP-BCE |
F-WWDR/7264 | Airbus A320-214 | Interjet | To become XA-CBA |
F-WWIE/7325 | Airbus A320-214 | Spring Airlines | To become B-8642 |
F-WWIF/7253 | Airbus A320-214 | China Eastern Airlines | To become B-8557 |
F-WWIG/7272 | Airbus A320-214 | Frontier Airlines | To become N234FR |
F-WWIH/7240 | Airbus A320-214 | Aeroflot Russian Airlines | To become VP-BAD |
F-WWIO/7259 | Airbus A320-214 | Eurowings | To become D-AEWM |
F-WWIX/7279 | Airbus A320-214 | Aeroflot Russian Airlines | To become VP-BCB |
PK-LUH/7245 | Airbus A320-214 | Batik Air | |
D-AVVS/7163 | Airbus A320-232 | Vistara | To become VT-TTL |
F-WHUU/6733 | Airbus A320-232 | Saudi Gulf Airlines | To become VP-CGZ - stored |
F-WNEW/6419 | Airbus A320-251N | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft - to become 9M-AGS Air Asia |
F-WWDJ/7175 | Airbus A320-251N | Avianca Brasil | To become PR-OBD |
F-WWIQ/7147 | Airbus A320-251N | Pegasus Airlines | To become TC-NBB |
PR-YRA/7186 | Airbus A320-251N | Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras | |
F-WWBC/7011 | Airbus A320-271N | Spirit Airlines | To become N903NK - stored |
F-WWBE/6904 | Airbus A320-271N | Qatar Airways | To become A7-AJD - stored |
F-WWBG/7172 | Airbus A320-271N | Go Air | To become VT-WGC - stored |
F-WWBJ/6967 | Airbus A320-271N | IndiGo | To become VT-ITJ - stored |
F-WWBM/7124 | Airbus A320-271N | Air Astana | To become P4-KBH - stored |
F-WWBQ/7094 | Airbus A320-271N | Spirit Airlines | To become N904NK - stored |
F-WWBR/6907 | Airbus A320-271N | Spirit Airlines | To become N902NK - stored |
F-WWBV/6914 | Airbus A320-271N | IndiGo | To become VT-ITH - stored |
F-WWBZ/6946 | Airbus A320-271N | Qatar Airways | To become A7-AJE - stored |
F-WWDG/6952 | Airbus A320-271N | IndiGo | To become VT-ITI - stored |
F-WWDI/6868 | Airbus A320-271N | IndiGo | To become VT-ITG |
F-WWDK/7083 | Airbus A320-271N | Qatar Airways | To become A7-AJF - stored |
F-WWDN/7053 | Airbus A320-271N | Indigo | To become VT-ITM - stored |
F-WWDX/7102 | Airbus A320-271N | Volaris Mexico | To become N529VL - stored |
F-WWDY/7060 | Airbus A320-271N | VivaAerobús | To become XA-VIV - stored |
F-WWIU/6829 | Airbus A320-271N | Qatar Airways | To become A7-AJC - stored |
F-WWIV/6720 | Airbus A320-271N | Indigo | To become VT-ITB |
XA-VIB/7107 | Airbus A320-271N | VivaAerobús | Stored |
D-AVXB/6839 | Airbus A321-251N | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft |
D-AVXA/6073 | Airbus A321-271N | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft - prototype A321 NEO |
F-WWYA/1747 | Airbus A330-202 | Iberia | To become EC-MMG |
F-WWYF/1748 | Airbus A330-202 | Aerolíneas Argentinas | To become LV-GIF |
F-WWCH/1754 | Airbus A330-343E | South African Airways | To become ZS-SXJ |
F-WWCL/1724 | Airbus A330-343E | Saudia | To become HZ-AQ11 |
F-WWCT/1726 | Airbus A330-343E | Saudia | To become HZ-AQ12 |
F-WWKS/1741 | Airbus A330-343E | RwandAir | To become 9XR-WN |
F-WWKY/1731 | Airbus A330-343E | Saudia | To become HZ-AQ14 |
F-WWYH/1733 | Airbus A330-343E | Garuda Indonesia | To become PK-GHD |
F-WWYP/1734 | Airbus A330-343E | Saudia | To become HZ-AQ15 |
F-WWYX/1712 | Airbus A330-343E | Airbus Industrie | 9M-XBA NTU (AirAsia X) - stored |
F-WWTJ/0070 | Airbus A350-941 | Cathay Pacific Airways | To become B-LRK |
A7-ALQ/0076 | Airbus A350-941 | Qatar Airways | |
B-18902/0057 | Airbus A350-941 | China Airlines | |
F-WZFI/0055 | Airbus A350-941 | AerCap Leasing | Was for Sri Lankan but NTU to Sichuan B-304V |
F-WZFM/0062 | Airbus A350-941 | Singapore Airlines | To become 9V-SMG |
F-WZFT/0025 | Airbus A350-941 | Qatar Airways | To become A7-ALJ |
F-WZGA/0032 | Airbus A350-941 | Cathay Pacific Airways | To become B-LRB |
F-WZGB/0033 | Airbus A350-941 | Qatar Airways | To become A7-ALK |
F-WZGG/0003 | Airbus A350-941 | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft, stored - for Aeroscopia Museum |
F-WZGL/0039 | Airbus A350-941 | Cathay Pacific Airways | To become B-LRE |
F-WZGP/0043 | Airbus A350-941 | Ethiopian Airlines | To become ET-ATR |
F-WZGQ/0044 | Airbus A350-941 | Thai Airways International | To become HS-THB |
F-WZGR/0045 | Airbus A350-941 | LATAM Brasil | To become PR-XTD |
F-WZGT/0047 | Airbus A350-941 | Qatar Airways | To become A7-ALN |
F-WZGX/0051 | Airbus A350-941 | Finnair | To become OH-LWG |
F-WZNA/0072 | Airbus A350-941 | Cathay Pacific Airways | To become B-LRJ |
F-WZNB/0073 | Airbus A350-941 | China Airlines | To become B-18904 |
F-WZNC/0074 | Airbus A350-941 | Lufthansa | To become D-AIXA |
F-WWSL/0162 | Airbus A380-841 | Airbus Industrie | JA380A NTU (Skymark Airlines), stored - for Emirates A6-EVB |
F-WWSN/0167 | Airbus A380-841 | Airbus Industrie | JA380B NTU (Skymark Airlines), stored - for Emirates A6-EVA |
F-WXXL/002 | Airbus A380-841 | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft - For Aeroscopia museum |
F-WWOW/001 | Airbus A380-841 | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft |
F-WWSC/0228 | Airbus A380-842 | Emirates | To become A6-EUP |
A6-EUQ/229 | Airbus A380-842 | Emirates | |
F-WWDD/004 | Airbus A380-861 | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft |
F-WWLN/1210 | ATR-42-600 | AirSWIFT | To become RP-C4205 |
F-WWLQ/1212 | ATR-42-600 | Aeromar SA | To become XA-UYL |
F-WWLR/1213 | ATR-42-600 | Aer Lingus regional | To become EI-GEV |
F-WWED/1344 | ATR-72-600 | UNI Air | To become B-17016 |
F-WWEX/1340 | ATR-72-600 | Garuda Explore | To become PK-GJP |
F-WWEM/1353 | ATR-72-600 | Air New Zealand Link | To become ZK-MVN |
F-WWEW/1362 | ATR-72-600 | Cebu Pacific | To become RP-C7280 |
F-WWEE/1368 | ATR-72-600 | Myanmar National Airlines | To become XY-AMI |
F-WWEM/1376 | ATR-72-600 | Air Tahiti | To become F-ORVV |
HS-PZG/1345 | ATR-72-600 | Bangkok Airways | |
PK-TNF/1334 | ATR-72-600 | TransNusa Air Services | |
Aeroscopia Museum | |||
208 | Fouga CM170-2 Magister | ||
513/BE | Cessna 310Q | ||
F-BTOE | Sud Aviation SE210 Caravelle 12 | ||
F-BVFC | Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde 101 | ||
F-WWMT | Airbus A400M | ||
Ailes Anciennes Museum | |||
06 | Dassault Étendard IV M | ||
22+86 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21M | ||
44 | Dassault MD.454 Mystère IV A | ||
48/12-UA | Dassault Super Mystère B2 | ||
90 | Dassault Mirage IIIC | ||
457 | Fouga CM.170 Magister | ||
491 | Dassault Mirage IIIE | ||
504 | Breguet BR.765 Deux Ponts Sahara | ||
640 | Sud Aviation SO.4050 Vautour IIIB | ||
693/BI | Cessna 310Q | ||
14230 | Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star | Marked 80468 | |
26789 | Republic F-84F Thunderstreak | ||
42239 | North American F-100D Super Sabre | ||
F-BJLR | Max Holste MH.1521C Broussard | ||
F-GFLJ/201 | Nord 2501 Noratlas | ||
F-GHMU | Sud Aviation SE210 Caravelle 10-B3 | ||
F-GSHD / 529/FTF-VP | Fouga CM.170 Magister | ||
G-ALWC | Douglas C-47B Dakota IV (DC-3) | ||
J-4065 | Hawker Hunter F58 | ||
XE950 | de Havilland DH115 Vampire T11 |
Day Three ~ Sunday 7th August
We had scheduled a departure sometime after 11am, so a relaxing morning, swim in the pool, late breakfast sounds good, well it was for some, Dave Rose, Chris and I were up and out at 0730 (well some of us were ready to go, Chris was still dreaming of A350's we think!! (I was there by 0732!!!) We took the car and headed over to Francazal an airfield about 30 minutes away that is used for storage and maintenance of ATR's, we had seen 11 on the apron during our approach to Blagnac the previous morning. We drove up to the control tower area where you can look down the full apron, unfortunately some of the far ones were tail on and unreadable. As it was a Sunday the road down to the hangars and business park was closed, I'm sure during the week this would be open and all aircraft can be read off. Before heading back to the hotel for breakfast we had another look around Airbus to find a few more we had missed the previous day.
Toulouse Blagnac Airport
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
D-AEBQ | Embraer ERJ-195-200LR | Lufthansa Regional (Lufthansa CityLine) | |
EC-MKO | Airbus A320-232 | Vueling Airlines | |
EI-EWJ | Boeing 717-2BL | Volotea Airlines | Noted at Bordeaux two days prior |
F-GLNH | Beech 1900D | Twin Jet | |
F-GMZB | Airbus A321-111 | Air France | |
F-GPLA | Aérospatiale SN-601 Corvette 100 | AeroVision | |
F-GRYL | Raytheon 1900D | Twin Jet | |
F-HBNI | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
F-HNAK | Beech C90GTi King Air | ENAC | |
F-HOPL | ATR-72-600 | HOP! | |
G-EUOA | Airbus A319-131 | British Airways | |
G-EZDC | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
G-EZIJ | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
PH-EZT | Embraer ERJ-190-100STD | KLM Cityhopper | |
PH-VSQ | Robin DR400/140B Major | Private | |
Airbus / ATR | |||
F-GSTA/1 | Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga | Airbus Transport International | |
F-GSTC/3 | Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga | Airbus Transport International | |
F-GSTD/4 | Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga | Airbus Transport International | |
F-WWBX/7337 | Airbus A320-214 | Batik Air | To become PK-LUJ |
F-WWDL/7289 | Airbus A320-214 | Batik Air | To become PK-LUI |
F-WWCC/1740 | Airbus A330-202 | Iberia | To become EC-MLP |
F-WWKV/1746 | Airbus A330-243 | Sichuan Airlines | To become B-8468 |
F-WWYM/1742 | Airbus A330-302 | Aer Lingus | To become EI-FNG |
F-WWKT/1745 | Airbus A330-343E | South African Airways | To become ZS-SXI |
F-WXWB/0001 | Airbus A350-941 | Airbus Industrie | Test aircraft |
Toulouse Francazal Airport
LFBF
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
9H-AGH | ATR-72-500 (ATR-72-212A) | Leasing company | ex EC-KNO Islas Airways c/n 770 |
F-GUEA | Embraer ERJ-145MP | HOP! | |
F-WWEF/1346 | ATR-72-600 | Air New Zealand Link (Mount Cook Airlines) | To become ZK-MVM |
F-WWLK/1207 | ATR-42-600 | Bahamasair | To become C6-BFT |
I-SKYB | Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia | Skybridge AirOps | Stored |
M-DMLM | ATR-72-500 (ATR-72-212A) | Leasing company | ex B-22803 Transasia Airways |
M-IBAJ | ATR-72-500 (ATR-72-212A) | Leasing company | ex VT-KAP Kingfisher Airlines |
OM-VRC | ATR-72-202 | Danube Wings | |
VQ-BCL | Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia | Rusline | Stored |
Departing Toulouse on 32R after a short taxi gave some great views over the factory before we turned right and headed up country, our stop at Poitiers was a planned fuel 'stop and go' heading to Caen for food and a fuel top up, however on landing at this small sleepy little airport, where I think a single Ryanair was the only flight of the day Jack realised he'd been here before with IAS Medical on a repatriation flight and it had a great restaurant, so in we went for food. It was very busy with locals out for Sunday lunch, and true to his word some very nice food.
Poitiers Biard Airport
PIS / LFBI
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
F-BUBK | Reims/Cessna F150L | Private | |
F-BXEU | Robin DR400/140B Major 80 | Private | |
F-GIYA | Reims/Cessna F152 | Aero Club de Bigorre | |
F-GKQA | Robin DR400/140B Major 80 | Private | |
F-GMKV | Robin DR400/160 Chevalier | Private | |
F-GMLT | Beech B200T Super King Air | Corporate | |
F-GMOU | Reims/Cessna F152 | Private | |
F-GPBI | Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga IITC | Private | |
F-HODB | Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain | Private | |
F-PAJN | Collivier CO-04 | Private | |
F-PHJO | Jodel D112 Club | Private | |
F-PLUI | Jodel D119 | Private | Dismantled |
F-POKD | Jodel-Hugueny DH251 PR | Private | |
F-POIS | Dyn Aero MCR-01 | Private | |
F-POSM | Dyn Aero MCR-01 | Private | |
N753TW | Cirrus SR22 G2 GTS | Private |
After what seemed like a fairly lengthy wait to enter the runway (no taxiways) due to a few landing light aircraft in the baking heat we were off again to Caen on the French coast. Glad we had eaten at Poitiers as the cafe was closed and only drinks we could get were from a machine.
Caen Carpiquet Airport
CFR / LFRK
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
F-GBEH | Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger | Private | |
F-GHVV | Beech B200 Super King Air | Chalair Aviation | |
F-GIJB | Beech B200 Super King Air | Chalair Aviation | |
F-GRZK | Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-701 | HOP! | |
F-HBCG | Beech 1900D | Chalair Aviation | |
F-HPJL | Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 | Aerovision | |
F-WFYH | Nord 2501F-3 Noratlas | Unknown | Stored PWFU |
G-BTYC | Cessna 150L | Polestar Aviation Ltd | |
N473DC | Douglas C-47A Skytrain (DC-3) | Dakota Heritage Inc | Prop (literally!) from upcoming Dunkirk movie? Marked 2100882/3-XP |
We had been looking at the weather forecast for DTV at different times during the trip and each one had shown very strong winds across the runway during our expected arrival time, well within limits but possibly a bumpy approach to the area we set off for home. Sunday evenings are great times to fly, very little traffic about so direct routes were easier to get, Southend obliged with a direct route north and asked if we wanted to call Cambridge or Lakenheath next, I elected for Lakenheath who obliged by clearing us over the Mildenhall MATZ giving us a great view of the parked aircraft, including the Colorado F16's that staged through on their way home to the USA. With the help of people visiting that day we managed to tie up all that we saw on the ground and Chris has listed them below. As we pushed up the country passing Humberside the cloud started to form, the first we had seen since we left on Friday - ironic we were nearly home! Luckily we landed in moderate winds put the aircraft away and headed home as there was no sign of our friends behind, G-DO however had slowed down and had hit very strong head winds as they headed north landing some 45 minutes after us, losing 30 minutes in the journey, amazing what a few minutes can make.
So the trip was over for this year, everything went to plan, lots of good flying experience, the weather was superb, the company even better, so the 2015 was surpassed and everyone is asking where next for 2017!!!
Big thanks to Dave B & Khalid for the use of their aircraft, Dave R and Chris for collating the logs and photo's and the other guys for their excellent company.
Aircraft seen either over the top or from the air during the trip
OTT
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
CC-BBJ | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | LAN Airlines | |
CN-RNU | Boeing 737-8B6 | Royal Air Maroc | |
CS-TNH | Airbus A320-214 | TAP Portugal | |
D-ABKN | Boeing 737-86J | Air Berlin | |
D-ABZA | Airbus A320-214 | Air Berlin | |
D-AGWY | Airbus A319-132 | Germanwings | |
D-AKNG | Airbus A319-112 | Germanwings | |
D-ATUC | Boeing 737-8K5 | TUIfly | |
EC-JGS | Airbus A321-211 | Iberia | |
EC-KBX | Airbus A319-111 | Iberia | |
EC-KUB | Airbus A319-111 | Iberia | |
EC-LEA | Airbus A320-214 | Iberia Express | |
EC-LVR | Boeing 737-85P | Air Europa | |
EC-MBF | Airbus A320-214 | Vueling Airlines | |
EC-MFB | Airbus A340-313 | Plus Ultra | |
EC-MFP | Airbus A319-111 | Iberia | |
EI-DHA | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
EI-ENL | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
EI-ESR | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
EI-EVS | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
EI-EVZ | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
EI-FJA | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
F-GTAK | Airbus A321-211 | Air France | |
F-GTAS | Airbus A321-211 | Air France | |
F-GUGA | Airbus A318-111 | Air France | |
F-GZHC | Boeing 737-8K2 | Transavia France | |
F-GZHR | Boeing 737-8K2 | Transavia France | |
F-HBAO | Airbus A320-214 | Aigle Azur | |
F-HTVA | Boeing 737-8K2 | Transavia France | |
G-EZFB | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
G-EZWX | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
G-GDFX | Boeing 737-8K5 | Jet2.com | |
G-LCYO | Embraer ERJ-190-100SR | BA Cityflyer | |
LN-DYQ | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air Shuttle | |
LN-TUF | Boeing 737-705 | SAS Scandinavian Airlines | |
LY-SPF | Airbus A320-214 | Small Planet Airlines | |
OE-HCZ | Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 300 | Avcon Jet | |
OO-JAL | Boeing 737-7K2 | Jetairfly | |
OO-SSG | Airbus A319-112 | Brussels Airlines | |
OY-VKC | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia | |
PH-TFD | Boeing 737-86N | TUI Airlines Netherlands | |
PH-XRA | Boeing 737-7K2 | Transavia Airlines | |
SE-RER | Boeing 737-7BX | SAS Scandinavian Airlines | |
YL-PSG | Boeing 737-7BX | Primera Air Nordic |
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
Friday 5th August | |||
East Midlands Airport (EMA / EGNX) | |||
D-AEAG | Airbus A300F4-622R | EAT Leipzig | |
G-PRPC | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
G-KKEV | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
G-JEDP | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
PH-DCI | British Aerospace Jetstream 32 | AIS Airlines | Operating for Eastern Airways |
G-CELJ | Boeing 737-330 | Jet2.com | |
G-TAWP | Boeing 737-8K5 | Thomson Airways | |
G-DHKB | Boeing 757-256/PCF | DHL Air | |
Coventry Airport (CVT/EGBE) | |||
G-ANAF | Douglas DC-3C | RVL Group | |
G-APSA | Douglas DC-6A Liftmaster | G-APSA Ltd | |
G-BTPJ | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | |
G-BTPL | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, all white |
G-JMCL | Boeing 737-322/SF | West Atlantic | Stored, Magic Bird c/s |
G-LOFB | Lockheed L-188CF Electra | Atlantic Airlines | Stored, PWFU |
G-MANC | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, First Flight c/s |
G-OBWP | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, First Flight c/s |
G-SIXC | Douglas DC-6B | DC-6 Diner | Air Atlantique c/s |
G-SKTN/WR963 | Avro 696 Shackleton MR2 | Shackleton Preservation Trust | |
SE-LPU | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, West Air Europe c/s |
XV232/32 | Hawker Siddeley HS.801 Nimrod MR2 | Air Atlantique (Classic Flight) | |
Saturday 6th August | |||
Agen La Garenne Airport (AGF/LFBA) | |||
EI-ECR | Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2+ | Air Group Finance Ltd | |
F-GOGN | CASA 212-200CB | Unknown | Stored, PWFU |
Sunday 7th August | |||
London Southend Airport (SEN/EGMC) | |||
5N-MJB | Boeing 737-322 | Arik Air | |
G-CHRF | British Aerospace Avro RJ85 | Leasing company | Stored |
G-EZDL | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
G-FLTC | British Aerospace 146-300 | Leasing company | Stored |
LY-MCA | ATR-72-201 | Danish Air Transport | Operating for Stobart Air |
M-YBBJ | Boeing 737-7HE BBJ1 | Global Jet Austria | |
N687AP | Hawker Siddeley HS.748-2A | Zone 4 International | Stored - ex G-AYIM |
N743LA | Hawker Siddeley HS.748-2A | Zone 4 International | Stored - ex N748D |
N743MZ | Hawker Siddeley HS.748-2A | Zone 4 International | Stored - ex G-OSOE |
Mildenhall AFB (MHZ/EGUN) | |||
08-0050 | Bell/Boeing CV-22B Osprey | US Air Force | |
08-0051 | Bell/Boeing CV-22B Osprey | US Air Force | |
12-0063 | Bell/Boeing CV-22B Osprey | US Air Force | |
58-0059 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
58-0076 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
58-0118 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
58-0122 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
59-1483 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
59-1521 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
62-3499 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
(62-3578) | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
63-8884 | Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
58-0069 | Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
59-1513 | Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
63-8879 | Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker | US Air Force | |
64-14849 | Boeing RC-135U Combat Sent | US Air Force | |
62-4135 | Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint | US Air Force | |
ZZ665 | Boeing RC-135W Airseeker R1 | RAF - 51 Squadron | |
86-0345/CO | General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon | US Air Force | |
86-0368/CO | General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon | US Air Force | |
87-0227/CO | General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon | US Air Force | |
87-0237/CO | General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon | US Air Force | |
87-0241/CO | General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon | US Air Force | |
87-0249/CO | General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon | US Air Force | |
87-0254/CO | General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon | US Air Force | |
10-5714 | Lockheed Martin MC-130J Hercules | US Air Force | |
11-5733 | Lockheed Martin MC-130J Hercules | US Air Force | |
11-5737 | Lockheed Martin MC-130J Hercules | US Air Force | |
12-5759 | Lockheed Martin MC-130J Hercules | US Air Force | |
12-5760 | Lockheed Martin MC-130J Hercules | US Air Force | |
13-5778 | Lockheed Martin MC-130J Hercules | US Air Force | |
13-5786 | Lockheed Martin MC-130J Hercules | US Air Force | |
RAF Coningsby (CGY/EGXC) | |||
XR753/XI | English Electric Lightning F6 | RAF - 11 Squadron | |
XS897 | English Electric Lightning F6 | RAF - 29(R) Squadron | Marked XP765/A |
XW924/G | Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3 | RAF - 3(F) Squadron | |
ZH101/01 | Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 | RAF - 8 Squadron | |
ZH104/04 | Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 | RAF - 8 Squadron | |
ZH107/07 | Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 | RAF - 8 Squadron |