Another in the favorite series. This shot was taken early one morning this month. It features two Volaris Airbuses parked at Terminal 2. So, what's wrong with this picture?
Actually, if you look closely, you can see that there is a different type of tug for that aircraft. We generically call them supertugs. Instead of using a towbar, like the traditional tugs, the supertugs straddle and lift the nose wheels. They are more maneuverable than the traditional tugs, and have the advantage of no broken towbars. Our favorite part: They're also faster.
True, although this is not unheard of; I have also seen TACA/LACSA and AeroMexico aircraft with "foreign" registrations, usually US, but also at least one TACA with an Irish registration. I think this may happen when the aircraft is leased; a quick search shows that the aircraft in the foreground is registered to Wells Fargo.
The forward cargo door is open on the back aircraft, but no belt loader or lifter is present there? As I remember it, this leaves no way to close the door without bringing back the loader.
Pretty sure that they do have winglets - I can't recall ever seeing an A320-series aircraft without; but since Volaris paints theirs black, they are pretty much invisible in this nighttime shot.
Different web addresses?
ReplyDeleteWow - I hadn't noticed that. Good eye!
DeleteThe Volaris aircraft in the foreground is missing it's towbar. That would be my guess.
ReplyDeleteActually, if you look closely, you can see that there is a different type of tug for that aircraft. We generically call them supertugs. Instead of using a towbar, like the traditional tugs, the supertugs straddle and lift the nose wheels. They are more maneuverable than the traditional tugs, and have the advantage of no broken towbars. Our favorite part: They're also faster.
DeleteThe planes are Registered in the US (N-Number) but carry a Mexican Flag near the registration numbers.
ReplyDeleteTrue, although this is not unheard of; I have also seen TACA/LACSA and AeroMexico aircraft with "foreign" registrations, usually US, but also at least one TACA with an Irish registration. I think this may happen when the aircraft is leased; a quick search shows that the aircraft in the foreground is registered to Wells Fargo.
DeleteIf you look real close at the jet closest to the camera, you can see that the passenger in 32F doesn't have his seat in the upright position.
ReplyDeleteThat's why they haven't hooked up the tug yet!
DeleteI'm not an Airbus Guy, but does it have to do with the fact that the fuel truck is parked under the RIGHT wing of the plane in the foreground?
ReplyDeleteDepends on the airline but no.
DeleteThe forward cargo door is open on the back aircraft, but no belt loader or lifter is present there? As I remember it, this leaves no way to close the door without bringing back the loader.
ReplyDeleteYou close the 320 from a panel underneath the aircraft.
DeleteNo winglets?
ReplyDeletePretty sure that they do have winglets - I can't recall ever seeing an A320-series aircraft without; but since Volaris paints theirs black, they are pretty much invisible in this nighttime shot.
DeleteAirbus' first model, the A320-100 didn't have winglets, but I don't think they produced many of them.
DeleteHas it got something to do with the background lighting or the amount of equipment?
ReplyDeleteNo to each, although several commenters have pointed out details that I had not noticed.
DeleteDoes it have something to do with the winglet in the lowest part of the frame?
ReplyDeleteCone at the rear of one aircraft but not the other?
ReplyDelete