air-foto images

Welcome to SFO

2010-02-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

Americal Airlines Boeing 767 on final approach to San Francisco International Airport on a cold November morning!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2009-12-25T00:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from air-foto images!

Boeing 747s Nose to Nose at LAX!

2009-11-07T23:37:00.000-08:00

After crossing Runway 25R, the China Airlines Boeing 747 is now nose to nose with the Qantas 747! Notice the "Hollywood" sign in the background.

Click image for larger view.

LAX Traffic Sequence of Events!

2009-11-05T23:04:00.000-08:00

I was looking at the picture library trying to determine the sequence of events that led to the LAX traffic jam and it seem to have started when this China Airlines Boeing 747 landed. Below, the China Airlines Boeing 747 is taxiing towards TBIT, just starting to cross Runway 25R. You can see the Qantas Boeing 747 in the background being pushed back from TBIT so it can be towed to the parking apron on the west side to make room for more incoming international flights. At this point, the JAL 747 shown in the previous blog entry has already been pushed back and is taxiing towards Runway 25R for take-off.

LAX Rush Hour Traffic!

2009-10-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

While the Japan Airlines 747 bound for Narita takes off on Runway 25R, a China Airlines Boeing 747 from Taiwan is on hold, waiting for the Qantas 747 to clear the taxiway so it can proceed to the arrival gate at Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. Just another day at LAX all under the watchful eye of the control tower a great sight for plane-spotters!!!

Click image for larger view.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

2009-10-25T00:42:00.000-07:00

Please pee before boarding! In an effort to reduce the company's carbon footprint, All Nippon Airways customers are advised to go pee before boarding! Click here for details.

Late afternoon take-off from LAX and bound for Narita, this Boeing 777-381/ER was was delivered to ANA on April 25, 2009. Click image for larger view.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 NexGen (NG)

2009-09-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

Another Southwest Boeing 737-NG from a diffrent angle. These are three different planes and you will see a lot of them at LAX! Southwest only operates Boeing 737s and is the largest operator of this type aircraft. It currently has more than 540 in its fleet.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Next Generation

2009-09-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

A different view while on final approach at LAX Runway 24R. This Boeing 737 Next Generation model was delivered to Southwest Airlines on May 24, 2007.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737!

2009-09-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

Up close and personal with a Southwest Boeing 737 on final approach to LAX's runway 24R!

Click image for larger view!

LAX Airport Traffic

2009-09-05T00:05:00.000-07:00

To get to LAX, you usually have to take the 405 or 105 freeways which can be very challenging especially during rush hour. Then when you get there, the challenge starts all over again especially if you are catching an international flight! Just take a look at the picture below of the south-side of the Tom Bradley International (TBIT) Airport at LAX.

Click image for larger view

Plane Spotting Friday

2009-08-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

I went plane spotting last Friday and while walking towards the In-N-Out Burger plane spotting site, an Asiana Airlines 747 was landing. I already had the camera ready but couldn't take a decent picture because of the huge boulevard sign that was in the way. I did manage to "squeeze" a couple of pictures and here is one of them below.

Click image for larger view.

United Airlines Boeing 757 in Old Livery (Edited)

2009-07-26T00:18:00.000-07:00

A lot of airline companies have changed liveries in the past ten years and United is one of them. After posting the previous United Airlines Boeing 757 blog entry, I found another Boeing 757 photo in my files painted in the old UA livery. So which do you prefer, the old livery below or the new one from the previous post?

Click image for larger view

United Airlines Boeing 757-222 at LAX

2009-07-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

The Boeing 757 is a narrow body twin engined short to medium range jet designed to replace the aging Boeing 727 from the 1960s. The 757-222 pictured below was delivered to United Airlines on February 27, 1991. Depending on configuration, the 757 can carry between 186 to 279 passengers. Production of the 757 ended on November 28, 2005 after 23 years. A total of 1,050 were produced and more than 1,000 are still in service.

Click image for larger view.

Duck... and I don't mean the quacking kind!

2009-06-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

A reader recently asked... "How low do the planes really get when they fly over the In-N-Out Burger plane spotting site?" I told him "low enough to make you want to duck!!!" See for yourselves!

I included the palm tree and the lamp post to give you a perspective. Click image for a larger view that'll make you want to quack... I mean duck!

Malaysia Airlines at LAX

2009-06-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

I was reviewing my airline pictures and was surprised to see that I had a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-4H6. I only have this one photo and I don't have any flight info. I hope you like it.

Click image for larger view.

Air Canada at LAX

2009-06-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

This Air Canada Airbus A319-114, registration C-FZUJ is just seconds away from touching down on Runway 24R at LAX.

Click image for larger view.

Air Pacific, Fiji's International Airlines

2009-06-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

If you ever have to fly to Fiji out of LAX, chances are you might be flying Air Pacific (FJ) Fiji. Below is Air Pacific Flight FJ810, registration number DQ-FJK, arriving from Nadi International Airport. She is a Boeing 747-412 originally delivered brand new to Singapore Airlines (SQ) on November 01, 1989. After ten years of service with Singapore Air, she was leased to Ansett Australia (AN) for about a year. After Ansett was liquidated in 2002, she returned to Singapore Air for a couple of years service then was leased to Air Pacific in April 2003.

Click image for larger view.

Click here to see her in her Singapore Airlines livery (Reg# 9V-SMD).

Click here to see her in her Ansett Australia livery (Reg# VH-ANB)

More Air France at LAX

2009-06-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

Another photo of Air France Flight AF78 from Paris under the watchful eye of the LAX Control Tower. This picture was taken while this Boeing 777 was waiting for clearance to cross Runway 25R so it can proceed to the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX (TBIT). Taken from Imperial Hill plane spotting area. One of the great things about spotting planes from Imperial Hill is that when planes land, they will usually stop here for a few seconds to a couple of minutes (to pose for photographers) to wait for clearance to cross Runway 25R which most of the time is the active runway for take-offs.

Click image for larger view.

Air France at LAX

2009-06-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

Most of you probably heard by now about the crash of an Air France (AF) Airbus A330, flight AF 447 flying from Brazil to France. I don't have pictures of any Air France A330 Airbuses. The only Air France aircraft picture that I have is a Boeing 777-328/ER shown below. It is not a direct equivalent to the Airbus A330. Although they are both high capacity, long-haul twin engined aircraft, the Boeing 777 is a larger aircraft with greater range. The Airbus A330 is closer in equivalent to the Boeing 767-300. Click here for Boeing 777 specifications and here for Airbus A330 specifications.

This is Air France Flight AF 78 spotted from Imperial Hill arriving at LAX from Paris.
Click image for larger view. May the 228 souls on-board Air France flight AF 447 rest in peace.

Click here for a file photo of AF Flight 447 courtesy of airliners.net

EVA Air Boeing 777-35E/ER Redux

2009-05-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

A couple of new air-foto images readers recently asked to see the original picture of the EVA Air Boeing 777 that I'm currently using for the header of this blog. They wanted to see how far along she was on its final approach to LAX. So here she is again (This picture was the first post on this blog) with a few minor tweaks. I think she looks better this time around.

Click image for larger view.

LAX Sunset

2009-05-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

Beautiful picture of what appears to be an Airbus A340 landing at LAX 24R on a nice spring sunset! Photo courtesy of fellow plane spotter who I call "The Doctor". Photo was taken from the In-N-Out Burger spot. Click image for larger view.

LAX Plane Spotting Guide

2009-05-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick guide to two popular plane spotting locations around LAX. Imperial Hill at the corner of Imperial Avenue and Sheldon St and In-N-Out Burger on the corner of Sepulveda and 92nd St.

Click map for larger view

This map gives you a general idea where the two spots are located. I've also marked the runways for additional guidance. On a typical day, planes will be landing on runways 24R(Right) and 25L(Left) and take-off on runways 24L and 25R.

Click map for larger view

To get to Imperial Hill, take 105 West all the way to the end of the freeway then turn left at the first traffic light which is California Street then turn right on E. Imperial Ave and continue driving to the top of the hill. There is a flag pole with the American flag flying and picnic chairs and tables so it will be hard to miss. You can park curbside along E. Imperial Ave for free. Click here for a picture of Imperial Hill from a previous post.

Click map for larger view

To get to In-N-Out Burger from the 405 Fwy, take Century Blvd west just like going to the airport then turn right on Sepulveda/PCH and In-N-Out Burger will be on your left side on the corner of Sepulveda and 92nd Street. You can park curbside along 92nd St for free with a one or two hour time limit I think? This is an excellent place to take pictures because planes fly really low here. They will be about 200 feet above you when they fly over so you wont need a powerful zoom lens to catch a great picture. In fact some of the best pictures taken here were taken with wide angle lenses. Just click here and here to see what I mean.

In case you get hungry while spotting at Imperial Hill, drive west on Imperial Ave and there is a 7-11 on the corner of Imperial and Main. If you get hungry at the In-N-Out spot, well - need I say more . . . Make mine a double-double animal style and a medium coke!

Southwest Airlines at LAX

2009-05-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Up close and personal with a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 with blended winglets on final approach to LAX Runway 24R.

Click photo for larger view

Asiana Boeing 747 at LAX

2009-04-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Spotted again on a different day is Asiana Airlines Flight OZ204 arriving from Incheon International Airport (ICN). This Boeing 747-48E Combi is just seconds away from touching down on Runway 24R.

Click image for larger view.

Delta 747 at Atlanta (ATL) - Finally!

2009-04-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

Why is it a big deal having a Delta 747 in Atlanta (ATL), headquarters of Delta Airlines? It's because it was during the mid-70s was the last time a Delta 747 was in Atlanta! According to aviation enthusiasts, Delta retired all of its Boeing 747s around that time and never operated this type of aircraft until it merged with Northwest Airlines late last year. Because of the merger, Northwest planes are now being repainted with Delta colors. The Boeing 747 below, registration N665US, was the first Northwest aircraft to be repainted.

Below is how she looked when she was in service with Northwest Airlines. This actually is the old Northwest livery. She was repainted one more time in the new Northwest livery before acquiring her Delta colors.

Below is what she would have looked like before acquiring her Delta colors.

Below is another picture of this former Northwest 747 fresh out of the paint shop last December at the Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, California (VCV).

Because of the merger, Delta will be also be adding Airbuses to its fleet - A319s, A320s and A330s. Before the merger, Delta never had any Airbuses. It flew mostly Boeing and McDonnell-Douglas aircraft. So take a good long look the next time you see a Northwest Airlines plane! It may be the last time you'll ever see one!

Japan Airlines 747 departs LAX

2009-04-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

This picture of a Japan Airlines 747 was the first picture I've ever taken at Imperial Hill. I had just parked the car, got out with camera in hand and this 747 came flying by and I just started snapping away. I don't have the flight information but I'm almost sure this one is headed for Narita (NRT) International Airport, Tokyo, Japan.

After taking pictures of the JAL 747, I took a picture of this fellow plane spotter talking about how much the wings flexed on the 747 as it took off. If you look at the picture closely, you can still see some flexing. The other guy in the picture had his Macbook Air with him and was also using a radio scanner to monitor air traffic control. It was nice having him around to tell us what flights were arriving and departing.

Air France Boeing 777 at LAX

2009-03-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

Air France Boeing 777-328/ER Flight AF78 arrives at LAX from Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport. This extended range Boeing 777 was delivered to Air France on December 23, 2004. Air France will be accepting delivery of a special Triple 7 soon! The 777th Boeing 777 with Air France's new livery will be delivered sometime this year. Click here for a sneak peak courtesy of Matt Cawbey of Skyline Photography. Visit Matt's website for more new plane smell!

Boeing 747-48E "Combi" Diagram

2009-03-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

Here is an excellent diagram of a Boeing 747-48E Combi courtesy of EVA Air. It shows how the plane is configured to carry both cargo and passengers. Access to the cargo zone is via a cargo door located next to the exit door behind seats 54A/C. Click image for larger view.

Plane Spotting at LAX

2009-03-24T08:23:00.001-07:00

Mid-afternoon arrival for Asiana Airlines Flight OZ204 arriving from Seoul, South Korea. This Boeing 747-48E is specially configured to carry both passengers and cargo and is commonly referred to as a "combi" in the airline industry. I've flown in one of Asiana's combis before from Inchon International Airport to LAX and it turned out to be a very nice flight. It wasn't very crowded since there are less passengers to load and off-load and the seats were configured with more leg room. Click image for larger view.

Air Force One at LGB . . .

2009-03-20T23:57:00.001-07:00

Side view of Air Force One. Cick picture for larger view. Some of you were surprised to find out that Air Force One's schedule was published in the papers and wondered about security. While security is always a top priority for the President, it is also important for him to be accessible to the public, even though those who came to see him at the airport only managed a brief glimpse. According to the Long Beach Press Telegram, President Obama spent 9 minutes at Long Beach. As soon as Air Force One landed, 9 minutes later he was on board Marine One (Presidential Helicopter operated by the Marine Corps) and was on his way to a town hall meeting at Costa Mesa, California.

Personally, I wasn't surprised to see Air Force One's schedule in the papers. What surprised me was Air Force One landing at Long Beach Airport instead of landing at Los Alamitos Army Airfield (California National Guard Base) which is only about 5 miles east of Long Beach Airport. But then again, Los Alamitos is not accessible to the general public either!

Air Force One Spotted at Long Beach (LGB)

2009-03-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

I heard on the news that Air Force One was landing at Long Beach Airport today at 3:00 pm and fortunately, planes landing at Long Beach fly almost directly over where I work! So at about 2:45 pm, I and a fellow plane spotter from the office - who also dabbles as a doctor (Pathologist to be exact) sneaked up to the roof and waited. We spotted a couple of commercial flights while waiting and in between shots, my fellow spotter said "this is better than looking at squamous cells all day through a microscope". I guess he likes his Nikon digital camera better than his Nikon microscope! Here's the first installment on the Air Force One Series. Click picture for larger view.

China Eastern Airlines Airbus A346 Spotted!

2009-03-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

I was watching the Air France Boeing 777 slowly taxi to the International Terminal when a China Eastern Airlines Airbus A340-642 suddenly appeared on runway 25R. There was a lot of traffic that day so I didn't see the Airbus taxi down the other end of the runway in preparation for its departure. Fortunately I had the camera ready and was able to snap 3 frames before it went out of range. This was flight MU586 bound for Pudong International Airport, Shanghai. Click photo for larger view.

Welcome to air-foto images

2009-03-11T15:36:00.001-07:00

Welcome to air-foto images. Above is a Boeing 777-35E/ER operated by EVA Air. This is flight BR12 arriving from Taipei and is just a few seconds from touching down on Runway 24R at LAX. This is the original photo that I used to make the air-foto images banner for this blog. Click photo for larger view.