Uncle Chop Chop

I hope you have a good time.

Just looking on the internet and found this website http://www.a340.net. Click on the Multimedia and then Videos and have a look. They are big but they are worth it.

Great video.

Matthew is right. They should all be in the Album. What camera are you using? That 1st picture of the FedEx MD 11 is pretty dirty but my favorite picture is that of the Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200ER slowing down taken from the beach.

This Particular Trip occurred 2 years ago when I first started to get a real big interest in Aviation. December 10 After a nice sleep I awoke on a overcast and Cloudy Morning. After an hours drive from my house I Arrived at the Mt Gambier Airport at 12.30. After checking in for my flight to Melbourne International Airport, I sat down and did a final check of all of my Equipment. he plane started to board at 1.30pm (Victorian Time). The plane then started up and proceeded to the end of the main Rwy at Mt Gambier. The Co-Pilot then proceeded to tell us that there was some bad weather ahead and that they would try to miss as much of it as they can. After just over and hour, the Rex Metro 23 touched down on Rwy 34 at a very sunny Melbourne International Airport. After taxiing to Gate 11 all of the passengers disembarked the plane (after I got a Photo of the cockpit) and made our way to the arrivals hall were I collected my bags and proceeded to the Information Desk. After a short 5 minute walk I made my way to the Motel Formula 1. I checked in and found myself to be in in Room 319 on the top level but unfortunately it wasn't a room that faced the airport. After unpacking my bags I proceeded to the Airport for a look around. After finding a nice spot at Gate 10 I started to take some pictures of the Aircraft landing on Rwy 34 or taxiing past to either the gate or taxiing to the Rwy. Before I knew it, I had used up 2 rolls of film. By this stage it was 6.00pm and I was getting hungry. Macca's looked good. After having tea, I went back to the hotel were I settled into some reading of some Magazines that I had purchased at the Airport. By the time I had finished reading it was 11 o'clock and the ten News was starting. After watching that and Sports Tonight I turned out the light and tried to get some sleep. Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep thanks in part to the people in the next room (Newlyweds). I did end up getting some sleep but not much. December 11 After waking up and looking out the window, I had a shower and packed my bag for the short 1 hour flight up to Sydney. I arrived at the airport at 6.10am. I proceeded to the Virgin Blue Check-In Counter. After getting my Ticket I went to Macca's for a light Breakfast. Then at 6.45am I arrived at Gate 2 at the Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal. The Plane was meant to board at 6.45am but due to Traffic movements and rain at Melbourne, the plane didn't board until 6.50am. The plane was due to depart Melbourne at 7.15am but it didn't depart until 7.27am due to Runway Works on 2 Runways at Sydney. After the short flight landed at Sydney, the plane started to be emptied. I then asked if I could see the Cockpit. After no worries I then walked into the Cockpit. I was in there for about 10 minutes talking to the Co-Pilot and discussing what being a pilot is like and then proceeded to the Domestic Terminal. After a little look around the Terminal, I made my way to Gate 43A were I waited for about 45 minutes to board a bus that would take me on an Airside Tarmac Tour. The bus arrived 10 minutes late but that didn't matter. After paying for the tour ($30) I hopped on the bus and sat down. The tour started with a tour of the International Terminal. We drove past alot of Aircraft. Then It was a tour of the Main Runway and then on to the Emergency Services on the other side of the Airport. After that the Guide parked the bus next to Rwy 16R/34L. It was just in time because a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-412 landing inf front of us and started to reverse thrust in front of us. It was loud but the noise was like Music to my Ears. After that we did a tour of the Domestic Terminals. After the tour had finished we all got off the bus at the Tour centre and browsed at the Memorabilia at the Centre. After that I made my way back to the Domestic Terminal and had lunch. I then found a nice area at the end of the Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal to take Photos from. I was there for about 5 hours. It was 5.30pm and I made my way to the Qantas Domestic Terminal were I used the Self Check in service and choose my seat. I boarded the Qantas Airbus A330-201 at 5.50pm. The plane was loaded and left Gate 11 at 5.57pm. The plane then proceeded to the end of Runway 16R were we waited for 2 other planes to land on Runway 07/25. he plane then powered up and started to roar down Runway 16R. The plane got into the air earlier than usual because we had a light load. After we leveled off at 33,000 feet, the Flight Attendants served tea. A light Pasta and sauce with a can of drink and a roll. The plane then landed on Runway 09 at Melbourne International Airport. After entering the cockpit and taking some photos, I moved to the door were the pilot showed me the systems of the Plane. After that I made my way back to the hotel were I sat down and watched TV for a few Hours. After watching TV I settled down for a nice sleep. December 12 After waking up and checking out, I made my way to the International Food Court were I had some breakfast. After that I reviewed the Timetable and watched some Planes being Loaded and Unloaded at the International Terminal. After using 1 film I proceeded to Gate 11 at the Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal were I used up my remaining 2 films. It was 5pm so I decided to check in for my short 1 Hour Flight back to Mt Gambier. After I did that, I got tea. It was 6pm and it was time to venture down to gate 11 at the Domestic Terminal. My flight boarded 30 minutes later. The plane then started to taxi to Runway 27. At 6.50pm the plane started to power up and we were on our way at 6.52pm. The plane landed at Mt Gambier Airport 1 hour later. After a short wait for our luggage to arrive off the plane, I collected it and hopped in the car and went home with so many happy memories.

That does look good. I found a website that has pictures digitally changed and I found a few with Qantas. They look good. The link can be found at the bottom of this post. Click on the link and search for Qantas under the Airlines Heading. http://www.cardatabase.net/modifiedairlinerphotos/

Great Trip Report David. Have you got any photos to share with us? I would love to see them.

I know what you mean. I used to get bagged out all of the time on the Sydney International Airport Message Board.

Thanks for that Info. I always wanted to know what they ment and why they are there. Can you see any more Aircraft being painted in a special livery?

Welcome Mate. AYou will have fun and the best way to meet a few of the members is in the Forum Chat Room. Have fun and once again, Welcome Mate. P.S. Don't let my name get to you, I couldn't hurt a Fly. :lol: :lol:

The Rex Metro 23's. Flown on them about 6 times.

Have any members on this board ever volunteered their services at the International Airshow at Avalon? I was just on their website and found a link to the volunteers page. I put in my details and have received an application form. I was just wanting to know if anyone has ever volunteered and if they have what they did and would they do it again? More Info http://www.airshow.net.au/visitors/volu ... index.html

Well to start off I must talk about our Australian Airline, Qantas. Qantas I have flown Qantas a few times. The first was in 2003 when I looked at the old Sydney International Airport Enthusiast's Site before it was taken off the Net. I flew home from Sydney on an Airbus A330-201. The second time I flew with Qantas was in Feburary of the following year when I flew up to Sydney on QF 187 from Melbourne on an Airbus A330-303 for the Sydney International Spootters Weekend. I like their food and the friendly service they offer. i would have no hesitation in recommending Qantas to anyone who wants to fly in comfort. Virgin Blue The next Airline is Virgin Blue. Both times I flew on them where the same trips I took with Qantas. Bothe times I flew on a Boeing 737-700. The seats are a bit small but apart from that the planes are nice and neat. the Cabin Crew are all friendly. The food isn't that crash hot as you hav to pay a bit for a small amount of food. Apart from that they are a good airline. REX This airline is one of the best Airlines in the world in my oppinion. They service the east coast of Australia's regional Airports and connect to the more Bigger City Airports. Their friendly service is better to none and their prices are great. The aircraft are currently getting better and better. I hav flown on this Airline every time I have flown with Qantas and Virgin Blue. Ansett I have only flown on Ansett once. It was about 8 years ago when I was coming home from Canberra after a School Camp. It was on a Boeing 767-200 and I can't remember much from it.