Log Quito/Ecuador 10-14 Oct
Decided to take a trip to Quito on a KLM MD11 before the flight downgrades to a 777 from the winter tt. Flew BHX-AMS-UIO with the AMS- UIO flight stopping in Bonaire (BON) and Guayquil (GYE-Ecuador) en route.
Birmingham/BHX 10/10;
A6-EBI B773 EK EC-JYC SA227 EI-FXJ ATR FDX G-RAJJ 146 N500LS BBJ TC-AAI B738 PGT TC-JPN A20 TK YL-RAD AN26 RAF Avia
Flew out to AMS on KLM FK100 PH-OFL KL 1426 (was booked an E190)
Amsterdam/AMS 10/10;
nearly 8 hr stopover here before our onward flight so time to bag a few winners;
A7-BFB B77F QR B-6526 A332 CZ B-LIB B74F CX D-AIBG A319 LH # EI-DSG A320 AZ # ES-ACB CR9 ES HZ-ANA M11F SV JY-AYP A320 RJ LX-KRC CL6 N228KT CL3 # N985AR MD11 CWC OO-TSA B77F TNT # PH-BGP/Q/R/T/ B73G KL PH-EZO/P/R/S E190 KL PH-TFA/B/C/D/F B738 ArkeFly SU-GCC A320 MS # VP-BII B747 ABR VQ-BHE B744 ABR
and off to Bonaire on KLM MD11 PH-KCA KL 753
Bonaire/BON 11/10;
Touched down at 0321 local time after just over 9 hrs. All passengers had to disembark while the a/c was serviced. We had a walk across the ramp to the terminal - was a bit surreal actually, lovely clear night, very warm, moonlight reflecting off the MD11. Anyway, one other a/c here we could see was;
PJ-AIW BN2 EZ Air
and off again on PH-KCA to Guayaquil.
Guayaquil/GYE 11/10;
Daylight when we arrived at 6.15 but we didn't get off the plane this time. However the back door was opened for cleaning staff and we stood in the doorway and managed to log the following during our hours stop;
EC-KNT BE90 FAE-894 C130 Ecuadorian AF HC-BHM B727(Tame - stored) HC-CEY E170 Tame HC-CID/CGJ A320 Tame HC-CIJ B763 Aerogal HC-CJA/CKY B763 LNE HC-CKL/N A319 Aerogal HC-CLA/B A320 LNE N567AV A320 Avianca N680SE CE680 N983AN B738 AA N7717B CE650
and off again on PH-KCA to Quito.
Quito/UIO 11/10;
Finally arrived just shy of 8 am after 15 hrs total from AMS, glad to get off. Immigration quite quick so went upstairs to a cafe for coffee - checked with the hotel and we could check in at 10. In the International terminal upstairs from arrivals is a small cafe with views out onto the ramps so we made do with that until the hotel was available. Across the other side of the airport is a ramp with some a/ c stored/wfu on it which included 2 FK27, 3 FK28 and 1 each B727 and 737. We could read the 2 F27's and 737, the rest we got later in the trip. Also seen when taxi-ing in are quite a lot of Ecuadorian AF aircraft, many stored/wfu, some without reg,s and an all white E190 which is unmarked but is HC-CEZ Tame E190 which was pranged recently at Quito.
HC-CLD/E A320 LNE FAE-620/691 B727 Air Force FAE-743 HS748 Air Force HC-BEY HS748 Air Force (739) YL-LCY B763 SBA CC-CZZ B76F LAN N774LA B77F LAN HC-CGW A320 Tame HC-CGO E145 PetroEcuador HC-CGG E190 Tame HC-CFC D328 VIP N717ES PA42 CC-BCA A319 LAN
off to our hotel for 3 nights, the Hotel Savoy Inn - $60 USD per night for a twin room, hotel has good views of the approach and threshold. We had 305 - alternate rooms have balconies on our floor was odd numbers, next floor up was even,s and so on. Had a shower and freshen up, got the sbs up and running and settled down for the down. Not overly busy but quite a bit of cargo, and military movevments too. A lot of aircraft don't plot on sbs, no military (except C130 '892') don't show at all so you need to be on the ball otherwise its easy to miss departures.
Aerogal; A319 - CKM/O/P, CLF A320 - CJM/V/W
Tame; A319 - CGT A320 - E170 - CEX E190 - CGF
SAERO; E120 - CEM BE1D - BVN/CBC
F-GRLF BE200 N986AR M11 CWC D-ALCS M11 LH N340UP B767 UPS N767QT B767 Tampa HC-CEC AS350 HP-1520CMP B73G Copa N495TA A320 Taca HC-CFS D328 VIP CC-CPX A319 LAN N418LA B76F LAN N121LH PA42 HC-CIZ B763 LNE IGM-628 CE550 Army AEE-503 CN235 Army
Quito/UIO 12/10;
After an early night and a good sleep, i was up at 6 for the morning departures (managed to miss the Copa 190 though). Was only loggin new stuff now;
HP-1375CMP B73G Copa N632AA B757 AA N17719 B73G COA HC-CLC A320 LNE HK-4636 B727 LAS Colombia N772LA B77F LAN HC-DAC BE90 N986AR MD11 CWC N420LA B763 MAS Cargo YL-LCZ B763 SBA N199BP BE390 FAE-892 C130 Air Force N52LJ LJ55
Decided to go to the Air Force museum this morning, down at the far end of the airport inside the air base. After passport check at the main gate we were allowed in. Museum entry is free. Approx 20 aircraft preserved, including a few from the UK such as a Meteor, JP, 748 etc. I only log transports/helo's etc but if anybody wants a full list drop me an email;
465 Beech C-45 FAE-44691 DC-6 HC-AUT C-47 HC-APV B-23 FAE-897 C130 52-7536 S-55 FAE-53602 PBY
From the museum you get good views of the stored aircraft i mentioned upon our arrival so logged;
HC-BSC B727 (Tame) HC-BMD/BZU/CEH FK28'S (latter 2 in TAME clrs) HC-CJI B737 HC-BSL/BSV FK27'S
Then as we were about to exit we got chatting to an air force employee (turned out to be a mechanic) and we mentioned about the Hs748's and its nice to still see some flying and he took us to the main ramp where we able to get some nice pics and tie up many of the stored a/c;
FAE-043 SA40 FAE-047 SA40 FAE-001A SA60 - fuse only, damaged in accident sometime FAE-451 DHC6 HC-CLT AT42 Tame - very recent delivery FAE-740/741/742 HS748 - stored HC-AUK HS748 (684) - stored HC-CHB B733 Aerogal C-GSGJ CE208 HC-CJY CE340 FAE-895 C130
The damaged ex Tame E190 is in one corner of this ramp where we couldn't get up along with a C130 and another Hs748. The 748 is i believe to be FAE-682 but i am not sure about the Herc, probably either 893 or 896.
Before going back to the hotel we headed downtown to La Carolona Park to see;
(FAE-063) DC-6 Unmarked in a childrens play area.
Before logging the following from our room again;
EC-GPB A340 IB PN-116 HU369 Police N768QT B767 Tampa N648AA B757 AA N770QT B767 Tampa
Quito/UIO 13/10;
HP-1563CMP E190 Copa N953AR MD11 Skylease N27722 B73G CO N471TA A319 Taca FAE-602 Dhruv N526LA B767 MAS N459UP B757 UPS FAE-601 Dhruv HP-1377CMP B73G Copa AN-236 B200 Navy N472TA A319 Taca AEE-502 CN235 Army AEE-202 CN212 Army
Decided to do some sightseeing and take a flight to Cuenca, out with Tame E190 HC-CGG and back on LAN A320 HC-CLC, just booked it on the day, each leg costs about $72 USD. Good views of the Andes and some of Ecuador's volcanoes on the way down, was dark on the way back.
Cuenca/CUE 13/10
Not a lot here at all, but a pretty city nonetheless.
HC-BXC FK27 - stored PN-120 HU369 Police HC-CEX E170 Tame HC-CKL A319 Aerogal and our ride home HC-CLC
noted at Quito on arrival;
CC-BCB A319 LAN HP-1525CMP B73G Copa
Quito/UIO 14/10
Seems a bit quiet today, only new things i have logged so far is;
N312LA B763 LAN N195AN B757 AA N954AR MD11 CWC
Packing now as we are off to Panama shortly.
Summary.; Would thoroughly recommend Ecuador, stunning country, well worth visiting. If spotting only then prob 2 days is enough but with the days the MD11 runs it worked out having 3 nights here and 2 in Panama. $ USD is the accepted currency, every where is clean, taxi's are cheapand the people are very friendly although English is rarely spoken. A bonus is the hotel has its own micro brewery making beers, a dark andred beer, very nice. One thing that may change though is a new airport is being built at Quito, due to open October 2012 - we saw it when flyingdown to Ceunca, and its a long way out of town, no proper road (or rail) links currently exist either and if the current airport closes next yearafter the new one opens spotting may not be as easy.
Quito 14/10;
Logged from the terminal before departure;
N339UP B763 UPSN492TA A320 TACAPH-MCT M1F MPLX-TCV B744 CargoluxHC-CKU AS350PN-126 AS350 Police
Flew up to Panama on Copa B737 HP-1374CMP CM 828.
Panama/PTY 14/10
Fortunatly we parked at a remote stand on arrival which necessitated a bus ride to arrivals hall past all the stands so we were able to get everything parked up.Immigration was rather slow and not that busy, luckily we got in the lines before thepassengers off an Iberia 340 got there first otherwise we'd of been there a lot longer.No views inside the terminal once landside. If you exit the terminal (either level), walkto you're left at the end of the terminal are views out onto one ramp either from thedepartures level or arrivals below. On arrivals there is a very small domestic terminal,walk just past it and there is a view out as well. We spotted here occasionally and not for long periods either but no one bothered us whilst there.We stayed 2 nights at the Riande Aeropurto Hotel & Resort. Its a short shuttle ride away andcost $130 USD a night for twin with brekkie. Very nice hotel but no good for spotting as it issurrounded by tree's and only 2 stories high. Another problem we had was the weather. October is apparently the rainy season, and boy did it rain. After getting settled in our rooms i decidedto go back to the airport for another look around and still couldn't find anywhere suitable to spotso hired a car for the weekend, cost $128 through National - best thing we could of done in the end.
N401AV A320 AviancaN938TA E190 TacaHK-4453/4456/4506 E190 AeroRepublica (Copa livery)
Copa fleet;B73G - HP-1371/1375/1380/1520/1525/1530/1531CMPB738 - HP-1522/1533/1535/1536/1712/1713/1716/1720CMPE190 - HP-1557/1564/1569CMP
Panama/PTy 15/10;
So PTy has 2 runways, paralell but staggered, where one ends the other starts but oppositesides of the terminal. We landed from over the Pacific ocean towards the terminal. There wasnowhere down that end we could get to to spot. The other runway has several hangers and ramps at thefar end of it and a road with reasonable views along it as well. On arrival at the airport after breakfast we pulled in off the road at the terminal end and parked up. Some locals and taxi's were alsostopping and waiting here as well. Most traffic was using the other runway behind ther terminal with only the ocaasional Copa coming out our side but the GA, Cargo and Mil all used 'our' side. After a while i went back tohotel and got my sbs so we didn't miss anyuthing on the other side. You can see a/c taxing out but becauseof construction work, piles of earth etc you could read anything off as the Copa reg's are low down.
We also missed a bit as well as it rained really heavily and about 2 pm we gave up as the rain was torrential and couldn't see anythin, big thunder storm as well. We came back out about 4 for a few hours again.
N64C BE90HP-1402APP CE208 AeroperlasPR0AVB A319 Avianca BrasilN14228 B738 COAHP-2010DAE B757 DHLN164SB LJ31N851MM B738 AALN936TA E190 TacaYV450T B757 SBAN664AV A320 Avianca HK-4507 E190 AeroRepublica
Copa Fleet:B73G - HP-1370/1376/1377/1378/1379CMPB738 - HP-1523/1532/1534/1538/1539/1715/1717/1719CMPE190 - HP-1540/1556/1558/1559/1561/1562/1564/1568CMP
165378 C130 USN07-7186 C-17 USAFAN-260 C212 Coast GuardN147CS P-3AEW US Customs
Between cargo and Copa hangers was a ramp with some stored aircraft on it, we read off;
B727 - N854AA, HP-1653CTW, HP-1585PVI + 1 uidDC8 - not read but from db = N791ALCV240/580 - HP-1473 + 3 more uidDC9/MD - 1 x uid
Further down past Copa hanger is another (seemingly mil) ramp;
Another US customs P-3AEW (read off as N148CS following day)2 more Casa 212's from Coast Guard - AN-250, 225 (SAN-225), and a BN2 AN-209plus a few other bits and bobs we couldn't get.
PTY 16/10;
yippee, got up and it wasn't raining, in fact the sun was out.
Copa fleet:B73G - HP-1373/1521/1524CMPB738 - HP-1526/1529/1721/1723CMPE190 - HP1560/1565/1567CMP
YV287T B737 VenezolanaN148CS P-3 US CustomsPR-AVC A319 Avianca BrasilN74525 B739 COAN78438 B739 COAN821SC A300 StafHK-4702 B737HK-4328 AeroColombiaN303PM FA50N4PG G550EC-KCL A340 IBN37408 B738 COALV-X416 Epic??HK-4559/4560/4505/4454 E190 AeroRepublica
Wanted a trip to the other airport at Panama Cit (PAC) which the car came in very handy for. Its about 45 mins drive if you can find you're way, not signposted until you get quite closeand with quite a few one way roads in the city we struggled for a while but we got there in the end.
Panama/PAC 16/10;
A smaller airport than PTY, only one runway for a start and you can pretty much drive around the wholeairfield. A shopping centre sits opposite the airport with places to park and see across the field.In the centre are lots of small lock up type hangers, loads of GA/lights etc. Beyond that are biggerhangers, the terminal and airline hangers from AeroPerlas and Air Panama which you drive past the back of.Some the hangers have wire meshed doors/windows which can be seen through as well. The terminal area doesn'thave great views and has a wall blocking views out either side of it.
HK-4130W PA31 storedHK-4290 CE4xxHK-4309 CE402HK-4685 BE90HK-4756 BE400HP-004APP AT42 AeroPerlasHP-639PS BN2HP-668AR RC690HP-1153BL BN2HP-1212SX EC130HP-1303 BN2HP-1338MF BN2HP-1403APP CE208 AeroperlasHP-1418 B407HP-1434AL PA31 storedHP-1445 CV580HP-1500 BE90HP-1691 GLF2HP-1702 P68HP-1747FT CE4xxHP-2121 ECxxHP-4000HC R44HP-4111 CE208HP-9001 ECxxHP-AOPA SH360 (fuse only - fictitious reg)N146A ALOU stored N636CR PA31N730FE FK27 FDXN799RM H125N998RG RC690N1326A C56XN4587L BE90TG-TRA AT42 Taca RegionalYS-111-N BE200 COCESNA (calibrator)YV-1087CP PA31 stored
Air Panama fleet:FK27 - HP-1542/1543/1604/1631/1670PSTFK70 - HP-1731/1732PSTSF34 - HP-1671PST
In one of Air Panama's hangers were a DHC6, a CS212 with N99TF taped on and an all white FK50.Next door at AeroPerlas was an AT42 at the back of the hanger. Couldn't get enough of an angle onany of these to get anything (bar the Casa).Along the road at the back of the hangers is a Subway at one end and a really nice (starbucks like)coffee shop at the other. When we got all we could we had a coffee here and popped up the road to Miraflores Lockson the Panama canal for a brief look. Couldn't spend long as we had to get the car back and check in for our flighthome but we got there as a cruise liner and oil tanker we're going through the locks.
Flew back to Amsterdam on KLM MD11 PH-KCG KL 758
Amsterdam 17/10
4 hour stopover before our flight to LHR, however Dutch Immigration were doing passports checks at the gate so veryslow getting off (normal for South American flights apparently). So we had only 3 hours by the time we got onto theviewing terrace;
B-2083 B77F China CargoB-2423 B744 JadeB-HKF B744 CXD-ABLD B73G ABEC-LEB GLEXES-PVC LJF-GESP F2KG-EZGR A319 EZYHB-JKB GSLZ-AXA LJN166FB FA900N730AG PC12OO-JAT B737 (a/W)PH-BGW B73G KLMPH-DLN P180PH-ILC FA900RA-76950 IL76 VolgaTC-ABK A300 ACTVQ-BEF A321 SU
and finally back to LHR on KLM B733 PH-BDO, delayed an hour by strong winds at LHR. Thats the lot, feel free to get in touch if you want any info etc.
Cheers
Kev Stokes (Al Huggins/Steve Hampton)
Excellent report Kev, must go there sometime myself