Gallery Update: Provo Double-Allegiant Sighting

I'm now on the second week of classes. During some down time between classes and a collaboration for a group project today, I got some spotting in. With my luck, I got a double dose of Allegiant Air today! Well, lucky for me; not so lucky for the passengers of each flight. As mentioned previously, Allegiant Air utilizes the TAC Air FBO as their terminal in Provo and there's only room for one Allegiant jet at a time at the makeshift terminal! Part of my luck this time was catching an arriving MD-83 but there was a departing Airbus that was running late; as a result, the MD-83 was forced to hold on the taxiway for over 30 minutes until the late Airbus (Scare-bus!) cleared out. I certainly would not want to be one of the passengers of that MD-80 as they probably weren't expecting a delay AFTER arriving in Provo! A departure delay is understandable but an arrival delay just sounds ridiculous! In addition to the double-Allegiant sighting, there were some addition interesting traffic while I was there. Anyways, here's the link:

Provo (PVU) 3

Photo preview:

Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (N879GA) arriving on 13 as AAY132 from Phoenix-Mesa. I am so happy to photograph another "Mad Dog!" Allegiant's entire MD-80 fleet is slated to be phased out by 2020. This particular airframe was delivered new to Korean Air as HL7571 and then went to the now-defunct Canadian low-cost carrier Jetsgo as C-GKLN prior to acquisition by Allegiant. This airframe was also one of two that advertised online gambling for Bodog, until Allegiant discovered that online gambling is illegal in the United States.

Eurocopter AS-350B-4 EC-130B-4 (N717CL) arriving after what was most likely a scenic flight. Operated by Cirque Lodge, a very exclusive drug rehab center in Sundance, Utah where many celebrities have gone for rehab, this helicopter is used to show residents the beauty of the Wasatch Front as part of overcoming their addiction.

UVU's Diamond DA-42 Twin Star (N104TS) airborne after departing 13.

UVU's Diamond DA-42-180 Twin Star (N334TS) executing a missed-approach while working the pattern.

Robinson R66 (N558JG) arriving.

After holding position at the south end of the airport for nearly 40 minutes AAY132 FINALLY gets moving to the terminal! I can imagine many frustrated passengers on board... This delay after arrival also most likely ate into the turn-around time for the return flight to Phoenix-Mesa. Technically, the flight arrived into Provo on schedule; it was delayed by a Los Angeles-bound Allegiant Airbus that was late and behind schedule.

I certainly hope to catch many more "Mad Dogs" in the future before they become an even rarer sight. With both American and Allegiant phasing out their respective MD-80 fleets in the near future, these old jets have already become planespotter's gem!

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 (N311NV) departing on 13 for Los Angeles as AAY345. Normally, I'm in class when this particular flight departs on time but today it was running late! Airframe formerly with EasyJet as G-EZAD and even temporarily leased to Aeroflot as VP-BDN.

Move along, little "scare bus!" Word of caution to anyone considering flying on Allegiant: While their airfares are great, be prepared for the unexpected when flying with them!

United States Air Force C-130H Hercules (92-0551) taxiing back to the TAC Air FBO ramp after returning from another sortie. I saw this airframe in action this past weekend and it appears that it along with the other C-130 is in town for paratrooper exercises of some sort.