LAX sees Antonov An-124s periodically, but a much less common visitor is the smaller Ilyushin IL-76. This one came in right at sundown one recent evening.
Awesome shots! The next day I spotted this one enroute over Chicago on its way to PHL. I would've made a video to post on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/ohareaviation but it was really too far away.
Yup, same one. Came in from Keflavik, spent the night, then left for Philly the next day. I was on position at the time it left, so no departure pix. Interesting detail about the Ilyushins and Antonovs we get at LAX: They bring their own towbar with them. So when they get to where they're going to park, they pull up to the waiting tug and shut down. Then they drop the rear ramp while the tug drives around to the rear of the aircraft to get the towbar. Then the tug, with the towbar, drives back around to the nose of the airplane to hook up the towbar and tow the plane into its parking spot. When it comes time to leave, they do they whole thing again in reverse. Fortunately for us, unlike the Antonov, the Ilyushin does not have to sit on the runway for four minutes before commencing its takeoff roll.
Thanks for the pics. At first glance while looking at the first one, I thought you had dipped into the "vault" and grabbed a PSA Bae 146 shot from thirty years ago...
Apparently the 777 Freighter is getting more common. MAS and Aerologic on the ICC ramp on picture Pvd1200908.JPG and a Fedex tail visible on the Alpha 2 ramp on pic Pvd1200913.JPG. --Filip
Yes, we see a growing number of B777 freighters. The loser is the MD-11, which is beginning to be less common at LAX. China Cargo (callsign: Cargo King) has replaced their MD-11s with B777s, and Lufthansa Cargo has started showing up with B777s as well. Meanwhile, EVA has been converting some of their (formerly) passenger B747-400s to freighter configuration. As far as I know, FedEx is still committed to their MD-11s, although they have begun parking some of their DC-10s.
Awesome shots! The next day I spotted this one enroute over Chicago on its way to PHL. I would've made a video to post on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/ohareaviation but it was really too far away.
ReplyDelete-Jay
Yup, same one. Came in from Keflavik, spent the night, then left for Philly the next day. I was on position at the time it left, so no departure pix. Interesting detail about the Ilyushins and Antonovs we get at LAX: They bring their own towbar with them. So when they get to where they're going to park, they pull up to the waiting tug and shut down. Then they drop the rear ramp while the tug drives around to the rear of the aircraft to get the towbar. Then the tug, with the towbar, drives back around to the nose of the airplane to hook up the towbar and tow the plane into its parking spot. When it comes time to leave, they do they whole thing again in reverse. Fortunately for us, unlike the Antonov, the Ilyushin does not have to sit on the runway for four minutes before commencing its takeoff roll.
DeleteDang - I've wanted to see the IL-76 for a while. Could LAX accommodate the AN-225? If so, has it ever come?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, LAX has never hosted the An-225. The thing is so huge, I shudder to think of the complications if it ever should show up here.
DeleteThanks for the pics. At first glance while looking at the first one, I thought you had dipped into the "vault" and grabbed a PSA Bae 146 shot from thirty years ago...
ReplyDeleteStand by for something from the vault!
DeleteIt's been a while since I've seen a Bae-146 here; the last ones I remember were operated for United by Air Wisconsin.
DeleteNice private B767 in the background of one of your taxi shots too!
ReplyDeleteYYC Dispatcher
I don't remember whose it is, I believe one of the casino operators, but it's one of a handful that we see several times a year.
DeleteApparently the 777 Freighter is getting more common. MAS and Aerologic on the ICC ramp on picture Pvd1200908.JPG and a Fedex tail visible on the Alpha 2 ramp on pic Pvd1200913.JPG.
ReplyDelete--Filip
Yes, we see a growing number of B777 freighters. The loser is the MD-11, which is beginning to be less common at LAX. China Cargo (callsign: Cargo King) has replaced their MD-11s with B777s, and Lufthansa Cargo has started showing up with B777s as well. Meanwhile, EVA has been converting some of their (formerly) passenger B747-400s to freighter configuration. As far as I know, FedEx is still committed to their MD-11s, although they have begun parking some of their DC-10s.
Delete