Airliners-India.com

saif.747 · Member Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

My 2nd trip report on airliners.india.net Very Happy

Copyrights - Nisarg Vyas

BACKGROUND
After winning The SpiceJet Aircraft Spotting Contest, I had received Return Tickets for direct flights in India. After much pondering, I decided to go the Bengaluru. It was a 3 Day visit to the Silicon Valley Of India. My basic purpose for going there was spotting from the dedicated BIAL Platform set up by the API core members. I Flew on the 20th of August and was back on the 22nd

1st Leg

BOM-BLR

SG 343

CHECK IN
I had web Checked in the previous day. One thing strange was that SG dint allow check in baggage if u would web check in which was very surprising. Terminal 1B has plenty of check in counters so there was no rush. The terminal’s face lift is overall very appealing. There was a moderate queue for Security.I had carried no check in luggage for the 3 day trip. I had my cabin baggage and boarding pass stamped.SG 343’s boaring time was 12.00pm for the 12.40 flight following the new DGCA regulations to minimize delays at MIAL.I proceeded to Gate no 6.

TERMINAL PICS

The Display

Stores In 1B

After browsing through all the shops, I decided to have a pastry at CCD. It was strategically located and was an amazing spotting location. There weather was not very good and hence average shots. I sat there for about 20mins and saw some birds in action.

Chocolate Fantasy

Pics taken from CCD Spotting Location Wink

Boarding & Details of the flight:-

Flight No. SG 343
Aircraft: Boeing 737-86N
Registration: VT-SGE

Gate No. 06
Seat No. 8A
Loads: 95% approx.

Departure times:-

Scheduled: 1240 hrs
Actual: 0104 hrs

BOARDING & TAKEOFF

Boarding began on time at 12.00pm.I Took the second bus to the Aircraft which was parked at a 5mins ride from the terminal. I was greeted by the FAs. I sat on my side 8A and to my surprise the seat 8B was vacant.
For some unknown reason, though the aircraft doors were shut and the boarding stairs were taken away, we were not pushing back. I however dint mind as I was enjoying the view of birds reverse throttling or roaring down runway 27-09 leaving behind amazing water sprays. Hence I was least bothered. Finally we pushed back at 1256. While taxing the passenger on 8C at once on seeing me click pictures began to give me weird looks and told me photography is not allowed. I showed him the DGCA notices after which he remained shut. Evil or Very Mad

An ATR taking off on runway 14-32

The International Terminal L-R BA 772 , Iran 747SP Air Asia 330 , AI 77W , AI 744

A Spotter’s Paradise

After lining up , the engines were pushed to full throttle and we were airborne in no time.

FLIGHT & LANDING

On reaching cruising altitude - 37,000 feet. The Crew began taking meal orders. I wasn’t hungry at all so I decided to just settle with a mango drink. Once the Meal trays were taken back I got up from my seat and asked the cabin crew if I could visit the cockpit. The FA told me that passengers are not allowed to visit the flight deck while the aircraft is airborne and hence told me to come back once the aircraft lands. Since there was no IFE I was busy clicking pictures, reading the Inflight Magazine and listening to my iPod.

The Cabin

Soon we began descending for Bengaluru. Passing through clouds cleared the water droplets that were stuck on my window Very Happy

Within no time we touched down at runway 27-09 of Bengaluru International Airport.
Arrival times:-

Scheduled: 1430 hrs.
Touchdown: 1425 hrs.

DE-BOARDING AND TERMINAL
Inspite of the delay at Mumbai airport, this SG bird landed 5mins before the STA

I waited for everyone to de board the aircraft and then I went to the FA and asked them if I could visit the captian. She gladly nodded and escorted me till the flight deck. The 1st officer was still seated while the Captain was outside. I shared a few words with the 1st officer, Anmol Chidambaram. I sat on the captains’ seat and smiled for a photograph Very Happy

The Flight Deck

Throttle Control

I then thanked the captain, 1st officer and FA and deboarded the aircraft and took the last bus to the terminal. The ground service was by Globe Ground India and they had a swanky new bus for ferrying passengers to the terminal.

Few Shots Of The Aircraft

The interiors of the terminal were fantastic and shiny. Since I had no check in baggage I immediately proceeded to the exit after taking 2-3 shots of the terminal.

Ratings:-

A/C : 8/10
Crew: 9/10
Boarding & ground Formalities: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

I walked to the bus stand and boarded Vayu Vajra Bus no. 7. They had an amazingly maintained fleet of Volvo a/c buses and were really comfortable. The ride from the airport to the city took an approximate 1 hour’s time.

STAY IN BENGALURU
The Bengaluru City -
A Few Landmarks

AIRCRAFT SPOTTING AT THE BENGALURU PLATFORM
Spotting at 06.10 in the morning.
The Platform
It was pretty cold up there at the platform with mild breeze and low temperatures.
In the background were the mist covered hills which looked spectacular
A Special Thanks To Vedant Aggarwal.

2nd Leg

BLR – BOM

SG 344

THE TERMINAL – FROM OUTSIDE

The Same tower with a different cloud formation in the background Razz

CHECK IN
I Again had web checked in to secure my seat. This time two seats ahead – 6A. I did not have a printer so went without the print out of my boarding pass. Check in was quick and I started clicking shots of the airport terminal. The reflection of the ceiling on the granite flooring added to the charm of the terminal. I went through security and was seated in the waiting area near my gate no. 3. The airside of the airport was deserted with hardly two or three aircrafts parked and I had a view of none Confused

I was rather bored at the terminal and I started reading newspapers. I charged my fone. 10mins prior boarding I managed to click one shot of an Indigo Airbus A320.

Boarding & Details of the flight:-

Flight No. SG 344
Aircraft: Boeing 737-86N
Registration: VT-SGE

Gate No. 02
Seat No. 6A
Loads: 100% approx.

Departure times:-

Scheduled: 1500 hrs
Actual: 1508 hrs

BOARDING & TAKEOFF
Boarding was again via bus. I took the 1st bus to the aircraft as I was realy bored sitting at the terminal !
I took one two shots of the aircraft from outside and boarded the aircraft.

We pushed back, taxied to runway 27, roared down the runway and took off into the skies of Bengaluru.

FLIGHT & LANDING

The Leg Room

Once Again the crew started the meal service, this time I coudnt resist the aroma and ordered the chicken biryani. A complimentary drink ,raita and a sweet dish were served. The sweet dish was way too sweet !
Overall the Biryani was very tasty.

I took a small nap with my seat belt fastened and in no time the pilot announced that we were landing shortly.
The final bit of the flight was a bit turbulent because of the monsoons!
TRAFFIC AT MUMBAI
The New 1C Terminal At Mumbai

Terminal 1B

Once again after landing, the passengers started pushing one another to de-plane 1st
I was comfortably seated till they reached their way out of the aircraft. Some passengers remained seated as the flight was heading to Jaipur from Mumbai. Once again I asked the FA to let me have a view of the flight deck, she told me to wait as she went to ask the captain if she could let me in, turning back to me she nodded and let me in.

Once again I took a shot and had to rush out as the captain told me that the last bus was about to leave. I thanked them and de boarded the aircraft from the rear exit.

Ratings:-

A/C : 8/10
Crew: 9/10
Boarding & ground Formalities: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

The bus dropped us to the 1B arrival zone. Once again I went towards the exit not having any checked in baggage.
Took a rickshaw back home to Juhu after an amazing weekend trip

Hope u all like the trip report
Regards
Saif
P.S – Ill post the link to the takeoff / landing videos on youtube soon Very Happy

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:42 pm Post subject:

Brilliant report Saif! Thanks a ton for sharing. Smile

You caught the Iran Air 747SP at BOM- pretty rare catch. But was the flight delayed?

I also liked the pic of the AI, 9W and IT triopoly at BLR upon your arrival. Pretty much sums up the civil-av scene in our country.

Here's looking forward to the next one! Wink

PS: Great that the forum is coming up with more TRs of late. What better way to spend your time than reading a TR? Smile

Varun
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Yeah.

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

Brilliant TR Saif!!! Loved your pics! Very Happy

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Excellent TR.

I liked all the photo's that you clicked specially the Bangalore spotters point.

Keep it coming.

Sri_Bom

Nimish · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:09 am Post subject:

Wow - lovely report Saif! Sounds like you had a good time in Bangalore - the weather was good, the flights were fun, and the spotting - brilliant!
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We miss you Nalini!

saif.747 · Member Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

@varun : im realy glad u liked the trip report Very Happy

The Iran Air SP is inevitably delayed every single day for some reason or the other hahaha Laughing

thanks once again Smile

@rishul : thnx alot Very Happy

@sri_bom : thanks alot Smile

saif.747 · Member Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

@ nimish : yeah
the trip was amazing and perfect hehehe Laughing

the platform is amazing
and so was the SG flites and stay in bengaluru

G-BYGB · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:50 am Post subject:

Excellent trip report.

BTW how do you guys manage to get into the cockpit and be able to snaps from there?I've tried that so many times but so far pilots have denied the permission,on grounds of the DGCA rule. Sad

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www.flickr.com/G-BYGB photos

yash777 · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:25 am Post subject:

saif.747 · Member Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

@ G-BYGB : thanks Smile

yeah it all depends on ur luck and the FAs mood if she bothers to go up to the Captain and asks !
i showed thm the Spicejet Inflight magazine teln em i won the aircraft spotting comp durn BOM-BLR
bt durin BLR-BOM i tried goin in widout showin the magazine and tht too workd Very Happy

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

Nice TR, liked the BLR pics and the 747SP...

I flew SG a while ago, i liked their service. Not much difference IMO between 6E, G8 and these guys.
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eP007

saif.747 · Member Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

thanks

HAWK21M · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 4:57 pm Post subject:

Fantastic TR.
Your pics are always nice to view.
regds
MEL.
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Think of the Brighter side !!!

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject:

saif.747 · Member Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

hehehe thanks MEL Smile

@Varun : ur pics too are nice !!
its juz tht ur nite trip report pix r a lil blurry Razz