Airbus A380 - Melbourne - November, Monday 14th

[kipper]

Just spotted in the newspaper today that the Airbus A380 will touchdown in Melbourne on November, Monday 14th on part of it's world tour. I'm going to try and get more info and I'm hoping that the day it lands is one of my roster days off.

If so I'm going to head down to the Uniting Church on the hill and get a few shots off.

If you're from any other state wishing to state how it's arrived at your airport first, or how it's most likely going to rain in Melbourne, or that you've got a few extra meters of space between terminal airwalks, or that your runway has 10cm more space, please f@@k off from posting in this thread....kthx.

[redline]

why not try the airport kipper?
i think it was there a couple of months ago it was rather too big for the runway, or maybe just another large plane.

[birddog114]

Just spotted in the newspaper today that the Airbus A380 will touchdown in Melbourne on November, Monday 14th on part of it's world tour. I'm going to try and get more info and I'm hoping that the day it lands is one of my roster days off.

If so I'm going to head down to the Uniting Church on the hill and get a few shots off.

Yes, it was on the paper last couple weeks now and Qantas will celebrate their BD with this new aircraft on Nov. 16.

Make sure they know it's a 500 AF-S not the Heat seeker missile

[sirhc55]

Kipper - I am with you - a prayer is always helpful before the shooting

[redline]

or a stinger

[agriffiths]

Just spotted in the newspaper today that the Airbus A380 will touchdown in Melbourne on November, Monday 14th on part of it's world tour.

Hey Kipper, which newspaper did you see that in?

why not try the airport kipper?
i think it was there a couple of months ago it was rather too big for the runway, or maybe just another large plane

The North/South runway has been widened significantly just to accomodate the A380. Aircraft were forced to use the shorter East/West runway for a whole month while the main runway was being worked on.

[kipper]

Herald Sun, about 3-4 pages after the letters section.

[cordy]

You might want to be @ the airport by 7:30am im told

Having said that, special aviation events like this are always subject to change. Good luck

[kipper]

Cheers, I'll be their early. They usually do come in the morning and plus if they want to get photos I bet they said do it in morning light
I've shot at that spot in the afternoon and the light is horrid.

What other news do you have, will it be approaching from the North as per usual?

[cordy]

Depends on the wind, but my bet is north

You'll be able to tell if its coming from the south, wait for all the people who are at north to get in the cars and leave in a hurry . Either that or get yourself a cheap radio scanner and listen to the tower, it will probably call up as Airbus 1 or similar. Rwy 16 is north, rwy 34 is south

For what its worth, it takes 5-7mins to get to the southern end by car (operations road) from the church

But what sucks is the fact that I fly out of Melbourne on the sunday, cant push back my travel plans due to work commitments. So I really am praying this happens on fri/sat (I have heard the 11th as well but the source that gave me the time is a lot more reliable), that would be much better

I may live in Canberra, but I know Melbourne airport very well as I'm a plane nut

As for the church being bad in the arvo, im not sure what you mean? This was taken in the arvo there
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/760473/L/

Chris

[kipper]

Just trying to remember what time I was shooting there. I think yours must of been much later in the afternoon as the sun appears a lot lower (underside of wings being lit). Having said that I usually find when the plane is side on at that point it's lit nicely but when it's further north you have to watch your highlights as the metal tends to glare up.

[cordy]

Ahh yep, think that was taken at about 5pm. Its usually ok from 2:30/3pm onwards from that spot. One thing I learnt a little while ago is to intentionally underexpose aircraft images, due to exactly what you are talking about

Chris

[kipper]

Yeah I might try aperture priority and put it to underexpose.

The problem I had was I was manually setting exposure and when the plane moves from the north to the side on spot the highlights are constantly changing.

[ajo43]

I used to work for Qantas and was involved in the purchase of the A380. I sent a note to some old mates there pleading for an invite to the landing but I suspect it is a pretty closed circle. If I get to go then I'll try and sneak the d70 in.

I've been inside the A380 mockup at Tolouse. If you believe Airbus it will have bars, beds, golf driving ranges inside. The reality, lots more economy class seats crammed into a bigger space

Still, i can't wait to see it.

I also have some awesome pics of the QF1 when it crashed in Bangkok in 2000. Don't think I can post them othewise the airline might get a bit upset.

[agriffiths]

I'm lucky enough to be the boyfriend of a journo who works for the local paper... a paper which just happens to be covering the story and has been invited along for the landing. Of course I had to put my hand up to take some pic's . Most likley they'll say "No thanks. Didn't you see the sign out front.... No riff raff allowed":wink: .

[kipper]

Cool, if everyone can keep us posted as to what day it's officially kicking off and a rough time that'd be great.

[cordy]

Believe me, you dont need to be inside the fenceline to get good photos down there

[cordy]

lifted from the Qantas website

http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2005/oct05/3345

A380 to Visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne

Latest News
Sydney, 28 October 2005

Qantas announced today that the world's largest passenger aircraft - the Airbus A380 - would visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne between 11 and 16 November. The visit will coincide Qantas' 85th anniversary celebrations.

The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the arrival of the aircraft and its planned itinerary while in Australia had generated a great deal of public interest.

"We have worked closely with Airbus to make this visit a reality. This is the first time the A380 has left Europe," Mr Dixon said.

As well as helping Qantas mark its 85th anniversary, the aircraft will continue its flight test program in Australia and undertake airport compatibility assessments in each port.

The A380's current Australian schedule is:
* Friday 11 November
Arrive Brisbane late evening
* Saturday 12 November
Brisbane
* Sunday 13 November
Depart Brisbane for Sydney early morning
* Monday14 November
Depart Sydney for Melbourne early morning
* Tuesday 15 November
Depart Melbourne for Brisbane early morning
* Wednesday 16 November
Depart Brisbane and Australia early morning

Details of arrival and departure times will be announced next month.

Qantas was the first airline to sign a contract for the A380 and will take delivery of the first of its 12 aircraft in April 2007.

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (3345)
Email: qantasmedia@qantas.com.au

[gleff]

I'll be there.. lucky i'm on holidays

[Manta]

I'll be there for the Brissy visits with D70 in hand (hopefully on the tarmac as well).

[gleff]

I'll be there for the Brissy visit with D70 in hand (hopefully on the tarmac as well).

How are you going to get airside? I don't think they're having open days.. or do you work there?

Just curious. I'd love to be able to go inside one and check it out, but I think i'm dreaming.

[cordy]

From what Im told only very high ranking officials will get anywhere near it

[kipper]

Gary could turn up.....say he runs dslrusers.net....that'd make him a high ranking official

[Manta]

I work at Brisbane International.

[DionM]

Oooh ... Brissy is on the list ... yay

Might try and see it Friday (I work up the road) or try and get it leaving ...

[blinkblink]

In Melbourne, if there is a westerly or southerly wind then there are two great viewing areas for watching a landing where you can get quite close to the aircraft. These are outside the airport.

I think I'll go. I like airplanes.

Chris

[cordy]

It wont be landing on the west/east runway. Runway isnt graded for it

[kipper]

Cordy is exactly right, the North/South run way is the only option even if there is a f**king huge crosswind Not that I think it'd do much to this monster.

I remember back in Autumn when I was sitting at the Uniting Church waiting for planes and was like "WTF aren't any landing". Took me about 3-4 times out there to realise that they were widening the runway

[resnikov]

well i just heard something intresting.
Its ment to arrive at 10.30 at night. still on the 14th.
I heard this from someone who works at the airport.

[kipper]

Can't really see that happening. Qantas would want to use this opportunity for publicity photos of their new pride of the fleet. Having it land at 10.30 would suck major balls photography wise. Having it land at about 7-7.30pm though on the other hand wouldn't be so bad as this would be at sunset at this time of month.

[Manta]

Can't really see that happening. Qantas would want to use this opportunity for publicity photos of their new pride of the fleet. Having it land at 10.30 would suck major balls photography wise. Having it land at about 7-7.30pm though on the other hand wouldn't be so bad as this would be at sunset at this time of month.

And what's wrong with Qantas using another airport for their initial publicity push?? Don't forget it's landing in Brisbane first and not leaving until the following morning so by the time it getsdown to you guys it'll be old news. Plus, they probably want to see some sunshine glistening on that fresh paint too!

[blinkblink]

It'll be big news when it lands in Melbourne. It will be in every news bulletin. It'll land in Melbourne with enough time to make the 5pm news on Channel 10.

Qantas will suck every last drop of publicity they can out of it.

[Manta]

Qantas will suck every last drop of publicity they can out of it.

That's a definite....

[kipper]

Ummh wasn't Melbourne the first to actually upgrade their airport?

Btw Manta, this wasn't aimed at being a our city/state is better than yours thing.

You have to remember that mother nature doesn't give a flying fruit bat if you're doing a publicity shoot so when it comes down to it every day would have to be shot in the hope of getting decent shots of their pride and joy.
It might rain in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, so every other place that it doesn't will be used.

[Manta]

Ummh wasn't Melbourne the first to actually upgrade their airport?

Btw Manta, this wasn't aimed at being a our city/state is better than yours thing.

You have to remember that mother nature doesn't give a flying fruit bat if you're doing a publicity shoot so when it comes down to it every day would have to be shot in the hope of getting decent shots of their pride and joy.
It might rain in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, so every other place that it doesn't will be used.

Melbourne may be the first to complete their upgrades but we're all working on them. We're just as ready for the A380 as anywhere else, otherwise it wouldn't be landing here. It's also much more likely to rain in Melbourne than it is up here! (we're in a drought with severe water restrictions in place)

Other than that - I LOVE Melbourne!!!

[kipper]

Anyway you have to remember Brisbane is the Northest most city (that is capable of recieving this plane) so it only comes down to logistics it's landing their first and saving the best to last

[Manta]

Anyway you have to remember Brisbane is the Northest most city (that is capable of recieving this plane) so it only comes down to logistics it's landing their first and saving the best to last

(Northest???)

[kipper]

Ok so first it's a dig at Melbourne, now my spelling.
Geezus.

[kinetic]

Oh, you poor Melbournians!
Crappy weather, crappy airport. Oops did I say that?
Actually, I think that Brisbane's runway is OK, I think the taxiways possibly need widening (don't quote me on this!) All airports will have to upgrade their aerobridges to accommodate the height of the A380's, although Brissy has plenty of room between bridges (unlike Melbourne). PS Kipper don't worry about your spelling... it's your grammar ..... (only teasing!)

[kipper]

Lol why turn this into a state pissing contest?

This thread was suppose to be about information in regarding the A380 landing in Melbourne, nothing more.

[Manta]

Ok so first it's a dig at Melbourne, now my spelling.
Geezus.

A dig at your spelling? Not I.
If I was, I'd have pointed out "recieving" as well. (And I won't mention the incorrect use of the word "their" nor the poor grammar structure of the sentence. I also assume you're being respectful in the spelling of "Geezus".)

Perhaps I need to make my smilies bigger so there's no confusion as to when I'm joking????

I'm way too tired for this and much prefer to look at your bird photos than debate the merits or otherwise of landing fields, state capitals or the English language.

[redline]

why don't you just call up the airport media dept and confirm all the details there. i might try to get a shot of it on top of the hilton.

[kipper]

So now you're trying to circumvent the fact that you're having a dig at melbourne and my spelling by introducing new critisms (eg. my grammar). Nice.

[cordy]

Cordy is exactly right, the North/South run way is the only option even if there is a f**king huge crosswind Not that I think it'd do much to this monster.

I remember back in Autumn when I was sitting at the Uniting Church waiting for planes and was like "WTF aren't any landing". Took me about 3-4 times out there to realise that they were widening the runway

Its not only that, the West/East runway isnt wide enuff for the A380, it would do siginifcant damage to it

[kipper]

Yes, that's what is implied by the latter half of that sentence in regards to the work that was being carried out in widening the runway.

Not only that I think the N-S runway is slightly longer.

[cordy]

Ummh wasn't Melbourne the first to actually upgrade their airport?

Btw Manta, this wasn't aimed at being a our city/state is better than yours thing.

You have to remember that mother nature doesn't give a flying fruit bat if you're doing a publicity shoot so when it comes down to it every day would have to be shot in the hope of getting decent shots of their pride and joy.
It might rain in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, so every other place that it doesn't will be used.

Not sure what you mean by Melbourne being 'first to upgrade'. Brisbane has been upgrading continually since 1995 when the new terminal was built plus we have actually overtaken Melbourne and become the second busiest international airport in the country, behind Sydney. We are just as ready for the A380 as anywhere else, otherwise it wouldn't be landing here. It's also much more likely to rain in Melbourne than it is up here! (we're in a drought with severe water restrictions in place)

Other than that - I LOVE Melbourne!!!

Technically Melbourne was the first A380 ready airport in Aus. CASA has had to give special approval for it to land at Sydney and Brisbane. The runways of these two are not quite ready.

As for the real reason its landing at Brisbane its because thats where Qantas maintanance is based and where the Qantas 85 birthday is being held. John Travolta is also flying his 707 into Brisbane for the 85th birthday bash

[christiand]

Airbus A380 landing in Frankfurt, 9:00 am local time



more here:



Cheers,
CD

[kipper]

Manta, I think you misunderstand what I meant about publicity. Probably partially my fault for using the word publicity. What I meant is every time it's landing and take off here they will want to get decent shots of it and in good weather and good light. You would think anyway as they'd want to use some of this opportunity to get photos for brochures and the likes.

[Heath Bennett]

By the looks of that thing it is too big to fly.

Imagine how happy the terrorists would be to get a hold of that. That is a symbol of western wealth alright.

[kipper]

I wonder if they've done any tests of the aircraft under full load. Wonder how well the thing stops