Aberdeen / Wick 13/05/19 - 14/05/19 Dave Rose
I had to meet with a client in Wick, so started looking for easy ways to get there!! Basically the options were, DTV or NCL with Eastern, or Loganair from EDI. Price precluded DTV (£100 more than NCL - shameful) so I booked the early afternoon via ABZ, and similar return.
I left home wondering firstly, would I get there? and secondly, on what?? and so the Eastern Bingo game started!! would it be "41" "2000" or "76". Everything was a bonus, as I hadn't flown on any of those types.
NCL was quiet, and it was straight through to airside and check the inhabitants
All photos were taken using a mobile phone.
NCL 13/05/19
|
D-CAGA |
Embraer EMB-505 |
50500376 |
Embraer |
|
D-CTRI |
Learjet 35A |
35-346 |
Air Alliance Express |
|
G-SAJU |
Embraer ERJ-135ER |
145494 |
Loganair |
The schedule said J41, and G-MAJL turned up on time. It looked like a full flight, until I realised they used 1 gate for 2 flights!! so 6 of us got on the bus round to the remote stand. The aircraft certainly doesnt look its age, with a 1 + 2 configeration, and I had the back seat. The down side is there are no overhead bins, so only 1 bag can be accomodated in the cabin, everything else goes on a "Valet" trolley and loaded into the hold, which means you have to remain onboard until they are offloaded at the other end. Large windows meant a great view, and we were soon taxying for a 25 departure. Due to military activity offshore, the routing was via Talla, EDI and Perth.
The J41's flightdeck looks surprisingly modern, with EFIS navigation.
Take off was very lively, clearly with a light load, and the flight was a very smooth 42 minutes, landing on runway 16 at ABZ.
ABZ was busy as usual, with its usual mix of choppers and scheduled stuff, pick of the visitors was B738 C-GLRN of Sunwing on summer lease to TUI, and based at ABZ. This aircraft also does "W" patterns through NCL on a weekend, and day stops at ABZ on a Monday. Others of interest were 168205, a Beech UC-12W Huron of the US Marines, parked on the remote north-east apron.
ABZ 13/05/19
|
168205 |
Beech UC-12W |
FM-28 |
United States Marine |
|
C-GLRN |
Boeing 737800 |
41353 |
TUI Airways |
|
EI-FPO |
Canadair Regional-Jet900NG |
15434 |
SAS Scandinavian |
|
F-HBXJ |
Embraer Emb-170100LR |
17000312 |
Air France Hop |
|
G-JMCR |
Boeing 7374Q8(SF) |
25372 |
West Atlantic UK |
|
G-SAJR |
Embraer ERJ-135ER |
145431 |
Loganair |
|
LN-RDV |
de Havilland Canada
DHC-8Q-402 |
4054 |
Wideroe |
Staying airside at ABZ allows all movements to be monitored, either from the front or around the side where Eastern depart from. After confirming my flight in Eastern's lounge I got the bingo board out again, as the staff didnt know the type!! I had a J41 boarding card, but clearly it means nothing. With 30 minutes to go there were no J41's on the ground, so I started to get excited, as 2 Saab 2000's were on stands. It got even more interesting when they dragged AT76 G-IACY onto the stand, could it be? yes.
Free seating took over, but the 2 stewardesses wanted us all at the back, to get the balance right, all 12 of us!! A very sprightly departure off 16 with a right turn over the Moray Firth direct to Wick, landing on runway 13, 21 minutes later. The AT76 is used mainly for offshore transits to Scatsca on Shetland, and is nicely fitted with blue leather seats. To be honest, I think they were crew training and used my flight for the detail, as the Chief Training Captain was up front.
Wick is an ex RAF base, in the usual triangular runway configeration, although the 6,000ft 13/31 is the only one in use. The Terminal is very small, with 1 gate, as its all thats required with 3 flights per day scheduled. Once leaving the aircraft you basically walk through the terminal into the car park. Far North Aviation are the handlers, and are getting very popular with delivery flights, and I missed Ce208 Caravan N504EX by 30 minutes, on delivery from the U.S.
Wick 13/05/19
Zilch
Wick 14/05/19
|
G-LGNH |
SAAB 340B |
333 |
Loganair |
The following day it was the reverse journey, again with 2 J41 boarding cards. G-MAJY turned up, and 8 of us took 21 minutes down to ABZ. Nothing out of the ordinary at ABZ, but the intrigue started again for the NCL flight. There were a couple of 2000's on stands, and I was hoping!! unfortunately G-MAJT arrived and clearly was my chariot.
ABZ 14/05/19
|
G-JMCZ |
Boeing 7374K5(SF) |
24126 |
West Atlantic UK |
|
LN-WDL |
de Havilland Canada DHC-8Q-402 |
4392 |
Wideroe |
|
SP-ATT |
Beech 400XP |
RK-480 |
Corporate |
25 passengers boarded, and it was very cosy indeed, mainly riggers who had been for some refreshment!! A not so sprightly departure obviously, and 46 minutes down, landing on 07 at NCL.
An interesting, and expensive few days away, very impressed by Eastern, in all aspects (and they turned up)