July's visit on another very hot and sunny day. Temperatures in the mid-30s caused a number of hangar doors to be open affording tempting glimpses of their inhabitants. The ZIEGLER DC was operating close to capacity, and included what was to become the 1,000th A330/340 family delivery, in the form of A330-343E MSN1035, HS-TEP for Thai Airways International. ... Continue Reading →
Wednesday 24/06/2009 (09:15-22:30L)
June's visit on what was a hot and very sunny day, with heat haze being a big problem for the most part. I'm pleased to report that movement was noted - at last - amongst the long-stored, deferred, Kingfisher Airlines A340-500s. Only one example in full colours was seen (either MSN0886 F-WWTG or 0902 F-WWTJ), and this had... Continue Reading →
Wednesday 27/05/2009 (09:25-22:00L)
May's second visit, to what is sadly showing increasing signs of becoming a storage facility. The 4 remaining deferred Kingfisher Airlines A340-500s (MSNs 0886, 0894, 0902 & 0912) were still parked in the open, their fates uncertain although one for HiFly/Arik Air has subsequently been delivered. One of the two stored A340-600s for Iberia (MSN0960) has rejoined... Continue Reading →
Friday 15/05/2009 (09:05-21:55L)
May's first visit, this time with car and not one but two good friends, so everything that could be seen was recorded. A good amount of flying was witnessed, including the delivery of Finnair's latest A330 OH-LTO. Their next was also duly noted on its return from Chateauroux, freshly painted. Add to that the arrival of no less than 3 A320s from... Continue Reading →
Wednesday 15/04/2009 (09:25-21:15L)
April's second, this time on foot, with a single tour (Mach II) booked to provide access to the main plant. A week after my last visit it was especially pleasing to witness the roll-out of the first A330MRTT for the UK Royal Air Force, the unmated components having been seen entering the FAL previously. A similar event may have occured... Continue Reading →
Wednesday 08/04/2009 (09:20-22:05L)
April's first visit, this time with car and a full afternoon of tours (MACH II and J.L. LAGARDERE A380) to provide access to the main plants. In addition to this, a number of 'firsts' were also witnessed: the positioning into the mating jig of the front-fuselage section of the first A330MRTT for the UK Royal Air Force,... Continue Reading →
Saturday 21/03/2009 (10:05-20:45L)
March's second visit, this time on foot but with MACH II ( to gain access to the plant) and J.L. LAGARDERE (A380 FAL) tours to spice things up. Shots at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/a380spotter/sets/72157615644884161/ H. ZIEGLER DC from Parc Auto P3: closer 1 21/03/2009 l'aubrevouir from Parc Auto P3: closer at dusk 21/03/2009 ... Continue Reading →
Saturday 07/03/2009 (23:10-01:35L) & Sunday 08/03/2009 (07:10-16:45L)
March's first visit, this time travelling in style via Frankfurt and the delights of Lufthansa CityLine. Being a Sunday there was little activity at the plant, however with wheels and mostly empty roads, it was easy to note - and photograph just about everything that was visible. Hangar doors remained firmly shut for the most part, but... Continue Reading →
Saturday 21/02/2009 (09:45-20:40L)
February's visit, a week after my team mate's, with a Mach II tour taken to provide access to the plant. My luck was in as the ADER production line was partially open affording a view of 4 out of the 6 widebody frames under construction (details below). As the Airbus Visit tour of the hall is now restricted to... Continue Reading →
Monday 16/02/2009 (06:00-10:15L)
A rare trip to TLS without A380Spotter so not the normal log taking detail! Full set of photos can be found here http://flickr.com/photos/digitalairliners/sets/72157614077516250/ A320 0659 320-232 F-WWDB DLR, testbed. Parked on main apron at St. Martin du Touch. (3621) 320-232 (F-WWIK) Kingfisher Airlines, full colours EXCEPT for tail logo. Parked on main apron at... Continue Reading →
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