If you want to see A380s at LAX, the best time is usually shortly after lunchtime. That's when we have the highest concentration of A380 operations, and thanks to CG, HR, and SM, I caught all three of them together in this shot today. Singapore has just arrived, and is pulling into gate 123. Korean is on departure roll on runway 24 Left, while Air France has just landed on 24 Right.
Fabulous 3-fer. I got to fly on the 380 a couple of years ago, Air France SFO to CDG. Loved it, so don't know why it seems to have disappeared from the schedule. (Of course, it will schedule just to make ME happy.)
ReplyDeleteFor the last 2 Saturdays about 1100-1130 we've been blasted by 2 fighter jets roaring over the homestead. Any idea what they are or who they are? Scared the big dog. By the time I got outside they were at least FL 20 and rocketing through.
ReplyDeleteOf the three flight above, I think I'd be happiest on the CX flight from Narita. From personal experience with AF, I have nothing but contempt, and KAL I know zip about.
I've heard and been asked about the fighters a few times, and yet never think of it when I'm talking to someone who might actually know. Short answer: It's the sound of Freedom. Short answer #2: It's your tax money at work. Since it's on the weekends, I've always assumed that it was Reservists or National Guard guys, but I don't really know. Granted that's not a very informative answer, but on the odd occasions when I'm at home, I too always try to see who it is!
DeleteWhooops, that link doesn't work, 'video removed by owner' message coming up.
ReplyDeleteAirlines were slow to send A380s to LAX (Qantas was alone for years) but now there are 5 airlines (3 shown, plus Qantas and China Southern) with 2 more announced-- Emirates and British Airways. Now, if we could just get more takeoffs from 25, LAX would be A380 spotter heaven.
A380 takeoffs from 25 are, and will continue to be, rare occurrences. The reason is because the A380 (and B747-8) cannot use Runway 25 Right, which is the standard departure runway on the south side of the airport. Instead, they have to use 25 Left, which is normally used for arrivals. The A380/B748 also cannot use Taxiway Bravo, which parallels 25 Right, nor Taxiway Hotel, between the runways; nor can they be held between the 25 runways. With these restrictions, an A380/B748 on the south side creates a considerable traffic jam, and we avoid it whenever we can.
DeleteThat said, this weekend and continuing on through Tuesday, there is taxiway construction on the north side that blocks the only taxiway that the A380/B748 can use to access Runway 24 Left/Right for departure, and so they'll all be using 25 Left. Sadly for spotters, we're also experiencing a sudden return of marine layer fog, so visibility may not let you see them.
CAPVector
ReplyDeletedo you know if there are LIVE web cams to watch landings? i am go loving the final approach feed - been listening 3 days and nights! now: total thrill here!
I do not know of a video streaming webcam, but there is one that updates photos of the east end of the 25s (south side of the airport) every few seconds here: http://www.cargolaw.com/lax_webcam.html
DeleteI wish there was one that did the 24's. There used to be one that focused on T1 but when AF1 was in town, they'd pick up a feed and show the taxi and bat out of hell takeoff. That was always fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on the fighters. I once asked a KC135 Captain who I have watched grow up if they dropped lines on the fighters that circle LAX while POTUS was in town. She gave me a wide round answer with a wink. (Her mom and I have been friends since 1967 so I literally have watched her grow up, graduate from USAF Academy. Now's she's rotating from ITC to some 'stans across the sea.