Remarks: View from a Double-Decker BEST Bus, looking down BOM/VABB's Main Runway 27. Reverse Ops are currently underway due to this being Winter in Mumbai, and winds blowing from Land to the Sea. Jet Airways 117 Heavy from LHR is exiting the Active after Landing Rwy 09, while Kingfisher's A32X has Lined-up Rwy 09 for yet another Domestic Departure. As evident, early Winters can be really very HOT! Rwy 27 was notified as a sub-standard Rwy in many Airline Training Manuals when this photo was shot, but has since been re-surfaced and made Code F Compliant.
Remarks: Emirates' classy B773 operating as EK 503 BOM-'You Know Where' gets into Position & Hold at Rwy 27, as the Flight Deck crew performs some final checks before opening the Throttles. She is one of the 5 Daily Flights on the BOM-DXB sector, and earns handsome Revenues for the Dubai based Mega-Carrier.
First Flight of this Beauty: 21st Sept 2002.
Powerplants: 2x RR Trent 892
Remarks: Just 4 days ago, GF A320 'A9C-AG' skidded off the Runway at VOCI/COK. Today early morning 0415 Hrs IST, Turkish Airlines A343 TC-JDM christened "Izmir", operating as TK-720 from IST, veered off the Runway after landing on VABB/BOM's Primary Rwy 27. Amidst the Wet Spell over Mumbai, the Aircraft got stuck in mud between Rapid Exits N7 and N8, and Ops are currently underway to clear it off 09-27. All 97 Pax + Crew are safe. Secondary Rwy 14-32 was quickly brought alive soon after. All Aircraft are currently Landing and Departing 14, with an average delay of 45 min -1 Hr.
Remarks: AI's very first B77W 'Bihar' turning 90 on A4 in splendid Winter lighting. Unfortunately, scenes like these are history as in 2008-09, most of AI's Westbound Departures were shifted to Night time, in sync with EU/US Carrier Skeds. Those were the days!
First Flight: 2007/09/28
Delivered: 2007/10/10
Remarks: Mesmerizing Twilight 6 Hrs into our BOM-JFK Flight. Cruising at FL360 somewhere over (South) Western Russia, Onboard AI's 77L VT-ALD 'Gujarat'. The 77L's characteristic massive Wing-Flex is evident! What a sight this would be for those overflying us!
Remarks: The J product onboard AI's all Owned B777s (Regos VT-AL*). Seen here are the slightly messed-up seats 11H and 11K of the rear J cabin, post completion of the 15 Hr JFK-BOM sector. Supplied by Avio Interiors of Italy, these have also been installed on BMI A330s. What a Comfy Ride !! Thanks to the Cabin Crew for such a wonderful flight. And to VJ for the levelling.
Remarks: Onboard AI's 2nd 77L 'Arunachal Pradesh' operating tonight's Ultra Long Haul AI-140 from JFK to BOM. We are currently over Vishal Jolapara's ancestral native state of Gujarat, 13 Hrs 34 Mins post chocks-off & 48 Mins to touchdown. The aft Y cabin is superbly lit by the soothing Mood Light. Some of the 10" PTVs are displaying the view from the Forward External Nose Cam. After 4 flights on this sector, I have to admit that the crew that serves this sector is just Fantastic!
Remarks: This Jetlite 737, in the now extinct Intermediate Livery, has landed on VABB's secondary Rwy 14-32 from the 14 end. It will have to cross 9-27 and 14-32 to make its way to Terminal 1B. Shot with Nikon P&S S50.
Remarks: The weather in New York, the shine on the wing while banking, B77L's Raked Wingtips, the Wing Flex and Jones Beach/Long Beach make up for a perfect Photo-Op while on Approach to JFK 31R. Its been 15 Long hours in the air, on AI-141 BOM-JFK, though there is hardly anything to complain about. Thanks to the Cabin Crew for such a friendly & wonderful service! And to VJ for the Edit. Shot with Nikon Point & Shoot Coolpix S50.
Remarks: AY 30 Outbound to Helsinki Vantaa operated today by this rare MD-11ER. The MD-11 ER has a lot of history behind it! The Base Model (MD-11) failed to meet its promised Performance & Fuel-burn targets. McDonnell Douglas alongwith P&W, GE & NASA began a Performance Improvement Program (PIP) to improve the Aircraft's Weight, Fuel Capacity, Engine Performance & Aerodynamics. The PIP (1990-95) recovered the range for the aircraft. The ER version incorporates all the PIP options, including a MTOW of 630,500 lb (286,000 kg) and an extra Fuel tank of 3,000 US gallons in the Fwd Cargo Hold, thereby offering a Range of 7,240 nm (13,410 km), an increase of 400 nm (750 km) over the standard Pax variant. With the B777/A340/A330 around and a very big delay in the PIP, Orders weakened. Out of the 5 MD-11ERs ever built, this is the only Pax version in Active service. Thanks to VJ for the Edit! ;)
