Gallery Update: Chasing an Allegiant Air Airbus A319

Earlier this afternoon, I drove out to the airport dike road again to chase another Allegiant Air Airbus A319, the first one I went after in well over a month. I've been monitoring FlightAware and FlightRadar24 frequently and I've noticed that many Airbuses that Allegaint has been sending into Provo were airframes I've photographed before, so I really had no reason to chase after them. Today was different because today's catch was an airframe I haven't photographed before. Also of note, I've noticed that it's been nothing but Airbus A319s flying into Provo for the past two months and no MD-80s, which I've found strange. It appears that most of Allegiant's operations out of the destinations they currently serve out of Provo have all converted to Airbuses as the MD-80 continues to be slowly phased out of the fleet, which is too bad because I personally loved hearing the noise of an MD-80... Anyways, here's the link:

Provo (PVU) 35

Preview:

SOCATA TBM 850 (N553CA) executing a low approach over 13. Clearly, they were practicing instrument approaches.

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 (N326NV) on short final for 13, arriving from Phoenix-Mesa as AAY132.

Airframe first delivered to Cebu Pacific as RP-C3190 in October 2005. Acquired by Allegiant in September 2015.

Gallery Update: Chasing a KaiserAir 737

Earlier this afternoon, I got to photograph a very rare visitor at the Provo Municipal Airport; it was a Boeing 737-700 operated by a private charter airline known as KaiserAir. Based in California and founded in 1946, KaiserAir, Inc. operates FBOs at Oakland International Airport as well as Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa. It also operates a small fleet consisting of three Cessna Citations and three Gulfstreams under FAA Part 135 operations for on-demand charters as well as three Boeing 737s (consisting of one -500, one -700, and one -800) under Part 121 operations as it's own airline. The airline's Boeing 737s are used primarily for twice-weekly flights between Oakland and Kona International Airport in Hawaii doing business as Kona Shuttle, which serves as an exclusive club for members/residents of several affluent North Kona Coast developments. Flights were only available by invitation only and members pay their dues to fund the shuttle operation. Seats were available only to members and their families, household staff and invited guests. Prior to KaiserAir, Kona Shuttle was previously operated by Primaris Airlines and later by Ryan International Airlines and Miami Air International. I am absolutely thrilled to catch a new airline livery to add to my portfolio! Here's the link:

Provo (PVU) 34

Preview:

KaiserAir Boeing 737-7BX (N737KA) on short final for 13 arriving as KAI51 from Oakland. Aircraft was later scheduled to depart Provo for San Jose as KAI198.

Note the Hawaiian flower on the vertical stabilizer to signify the Kona Shuttle operations. This is a pretty neat and attractive livery! It's also a little odd to see that there are no winglets on this 737-700.

Airframe originally delivered to the now-defunct Midway Airlines as N365ML in February 2001. It then went to Virgin Blue (predecessor airline to Virgin Australia)  in Australia registered as VH-VBT and nicknamed "Launie Lass" in January 2003. KaiserAir acquired the airframe about eight years ago in March 2009 and re-registered it to the current N-number.

Gallery Update: Spotting to Alleviate Boredom

It has been a very busy month as I've been trying to finish up flight training for a private pilot license. As a result, I haven't gotten much spotting and photography in. I didn't get much today, but I did go back to the Provo Airport dike road and got something; I was bored...

Provo (PVU) 33

Preview:

Cessna 510 Citation Mustang (N510LL) after departing on 31. Earlier this month, Cessna announced the end of production this VLJ (Very Light Jet). Nearly 500 Citation Mustangs were built in the past 12 years.

Pilot Life: Review Flight (Round Five!)

This is it, the last flight I'm supposed to do with my instructor before the end-of-course stage check. We went up for another round of reviewing maneuvers. As usual, I did my pre-flight at my own discretion as my instructor met me at the plane once again.

N245NH, "Wolf 01," the Katana we took up today. 

We eventually got airborne and then spent the next hour out in the practice areas working and polishing up the maneuvers I've been mastering, or rather re-learning the past month and a half. I tried my hardest to get everything right, but I just wasn't sure of myself because honestly, some elements were stacked against me...

After we were done in the practice area, we returned to the Provo Airport and landed before recording in the logbook and calling it. From here on out, I've been instructed to study on my own (which I've been doing constantly, mind you!) and prepare for the stage check, which will be happening as soon as an opening become available. As of right now, I'm not feeling too confident because of my instructor and his character, the overall situation I've been dealing with so far this year, and all this time since April that could've been better used in my opinion.

Pilot Life: Review Flight (Round Four!)

Things are finally getting down to the wire. Today, my instructor and I took to the skies once more to get everything I've been seeking improvement on and needless to say, we got things done in today's flight lesson. After I got dispatched out, I headed out to the plane and did my pre-flight; my instructor met me at the plane as well.

N220NH, "Wolf 03," the Katana we took up today.

After the usual pre-flight/before-takeoff business, we got airborne and proceeded out to the practice areas with radar service provided as usual with Salt Lake Approach in adherence with UVU's standard operating procedures. As per the usual checkride/end-of-course preparations are concerned, we practiced everything I was taught previously and tried to polish up any mistakes or deficiencies my instructor felt that we needed to address.

After the usual maneuvers we returned to Provo Airport, where we got some laps in the traffic pattern as well as some landing practice in before calling it. According to my instructor, we have one more flight planned this week before I do my stage check. I hope I can knock all this out of the park soon because the semester ended earlier this month and I wasn't planning on being held up this long (Yes, my feelings about how UVU got me into this situation is still mixed...)!

Pilot Life: Review Flight (Round Three!) Doing Pattern Work

It has been a busy week; I have been meeting with my flight instructor every day this week in an effort to get things finished up in private pilot training. We flew this past Monday, Wednesday and again today while we did some ground instruction on Tuesday and Thursday. Today, we were supposed to fly out to a practice area to do some more maneuvers but all the practice areas were taken. My instructor then decided that we should stay in the pattern so I could practice some landings since we haven't been done any recently (when I think about it, it's sound reasoning!). That also meant a shorter flight today and I was okay with that.

N974CT "Wolf 06," the DA-20 my instructor and I took up for a few rounds in the pattern. Last time I flew this Katana, it was on my third solo flight back in November!

After the usual pre-flight/pre-departure procedures, we got airborne and flew the traffic pattern. We got four laps in the pattern in before we had to call it quits. In that time, we got in the usual landing techniques, slips-to-landing, and even a go-around. Short flight, but it was good to get some landing practice in.

Pilot Life: Review Flight (Round Two!) & Logging 50 Flight Hours

Review of my flight skills continues as my instructor put me through the paces like the other day.

N245NH "Wolf 01" for today's flight review.

It was business as usual as we got airborne and headed out to the practice areas once again and practice all the performance maneuvers required for the private pilot checkride, along with a little simulated instrument flight time before coming back to Provo to get a quick lap in the traffic pattern in with a touch-and-go. One touch-and-go and a full-stop landing later, we called it a day.

One milestone with today is that I hit 50 flight hours.

Pilot Life: Review Flight (Round One!)

After two successful solo cross-country flights last week, my instructor re-joined me in the airplane on today's flight. It is finally getting down to the wire as we quickly approach the end-of-course and eventual checkride; I'm hoping that by the end of this month, I'll be licensed pilot! In the meantime, training continues in order to polish up and improve upon skills that are lacking. Today's flight kicked off a series of reviews that my flight instructor had me go through, all relevant to the end-of-course stage check as well the eventual checkride.

N220NH, "Wolf 03," the Katana we took up today.

We eventually got airborne after being delayed by one of Allegiant Air's Airbus A319s that was supposed to depart ahead of us, but had engine troubles during push-back (they eventually got pulled back to the gate!).

Had to wait for an Allegiant Airbus; THIS exact Airbus!

After we did get airborne, we headed out to the practice areas and got on with Salt Lake Approach. From there, my instructor had me do all the performance maneuvers we've practiced many times, some of which required me to go under the hood for. After working in the practice areas, we came back to Provo and practiced some landings before concluding what turned out to be an hour and a half of flying. Here's hoping I'll be confident enough at the end of all this...

Pilot Life: Solo Cross-Country Via Richfield and Nephi

It's two-for-two! This is turning out to be a really good week! This morning, I embarked on another, slightly longer solo cross-country flight down to Richfield and back. In addition to touching down in Richfield, I also made a stop in Nephi to fulfill certain distance requirements; I'd consider this my "Hail Mary" cross-country as a student pilot given the flight profile!

I got up early this morning to get my my flight plan charted out and then I headed to the airport. Like last time, I briefly met with my flight instructor and he approved of my flight plan (one of these days, I'm gonna start utilizing electronic means to make flight planning go by faster!). Afterwards, I called up the Flight Service Station in Cedar City to file my flight plan and requested the standard weather briefing.

N980CT, "Wolf 09," the Katana I did my "Hail Mary" cross-country flight in. How appropriate that I'd return to do a solo cross-country flight in the very plane I flew my first solo flight in!

I've had to get my instructor's endorsement for my last solo cross-country I did the other day and this one was no different. After signing me off, I headed out to the plane and quickly went through my pre-flight checks. I then hopped in, got the engine started, and got ready with the all the before-takeoff checks prior to getting airborne. Same route down and back, with the exception being that this cross-country required that I land at three different airports. So between my stop-and-go in Richfield and my full-stop landing in Provo, I did a stop-and-go in Nephi as well.

After getting back, my instructor was waiting for me and we debriefed before discussing our next plan of attack for when we go fly together again.

Pilot Life: Down to Richfield, First Solo Cross Country Flight

Today, I achieved another milestone in my belated flight training towards a private pilot certificate by going on my very first solo cross-country flight down to Richfield and back. This is one flight I waited several months to accomplish and needless to say, it just felt awesome to be up in the air by myself again and log some pilot-in-command time (which I haven't done since last November). I felt really good about this flight because despite the fact that it's been three weeks since I last flew a cross-country flight with my instructor, everything I re-learned back then was still fresh in my mind and I was able to recall everything I needed to utilize and remember for today's flight.

N208NH, "Wolf 02," the Katana I flew down to Richfield and back in for my first solo cross-country flight.

Last night, I wrote up my flight plan. When I got to the airport, I met with my instructor briefly so he could look at my flight plan; he approved of it, which was good enough for me. I went to a vacant classroom and called up the Flight Service Station in Cedar City to file my flight plan and pick up the standard briefing. Once that was all squared away, I got myself dispatched out, got a full load of fuel into the plan from the UVU dispatchers, and did my pre-flight. I hopped in the plane and got the engine started up. I got taxi clearance and taxied to the run-up area to check systems before continuing on towards the runway. Once I received takeoff clearance, I got airborne and headed south. I called Cedar City Radio and opened up my flight plan and leveled off at my chosen cruise altitude. I headed towards Nephi Airport, my first waypoint and made my position calls on the CTAF.

Once past Nephi, I headed towards the north end of the Sevier Reservoir, my second waypoint, where I would make a turn towards the southeast. Just south of Nephi, I ran into a little precipitation; I ensured that outside air temperature was above freezing and I made sure to stay out of any clouds. My next waypoint: Salina-Gunnison Airport, where I made my position reports on the CTAF. Once past that tiny airport, Richfield was in sight, so I began my descent and prepared for a touch-and-go landing, making CTAF position calls along the way. I set myself up at pattern altitude and entered the Richfield Airport pattern and prepared to land, downwind, base leg, final, and all. I touched down on Runway 19 and did my touch-and-go to get airborne again to fly home northbound.

After departing Richfield, my flight back towards Provo followed the same route I took in reverse order. As always, I made the appropriate radio calls whenever I was using an airport as a waypoint. Eventually, Provo came back into sight and I called up Cedar City Radio once again to close my flight plan. Once that was done, I contacted Provo Tower and received instruction in preparation for landing. I touched down on Runway 31 and taxied back to the ramp.

First solo cross-country flight complete!

Gallery Update: Chasing a 787-9 in Salt Lake City!

Finally! After seven years since the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the skies, I have finally photographed one for myself today at Salt Lake City International Airport! One year ago on May 5, 2016, KLM  Royal Dutch Airlines, flag carrier of the Netherlands began seasonal twice weekly nonstop service from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, and increased service to three times weekly on July 4, 2016. This is the first transatlantic route from Salt Lake City served by a European-based airline and is intended to supplement the existing daily flight between Salt Lake City and Amsterdam operated by Air France KLM’s Transatlantic Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, which operates its fourth-largest hub there. When they first started flights last year, KLM used Airbus A330s. Now as of this year, KLM now uses Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on their Amsterdam-Salt Lake route.

Personally, I find it ironic that I've spent the last ten years living in the Pacific Northwest where 787s SHOULD be a fairly common sight but my first sighting of one happens to be in the Wasatch Valley! The irony is in the fact that Dreamliners have eluded me for seven years...

Special thanks and shout-out to Bruce Leibowitz of Flightline Aviation Media for the useful information about spotting at Salt Lake City International, particularly the bike/jogging trail located under the approach path of 34L, where I took all my photos!

Here's the link:

Salt Lake City (SLC) 4

Preview:

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-700 (N608SK) arriving from Sun Valley as SKW4720.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200LR (N953SW) arriving from Twin Falls as SKW7405.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200LR (N441SW) arriving from Pasco/Tri-Cities-area.

KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (PH-BHI) "Lavendel" arriving from Amsterdam-Schiphol as KLM609. All of KLM's Dreamliners are named after flowers or flowering plants. "Lavendel" translates to Lavender. This is the eighth 787-9 delivered to KLM's fleet. I am beyond excited to finally add the Dreamliner to my photography portfolio!

The 787-9 first flew on September 17, 2013 and is 20 feet longer in fuselage length than the base model 787-8. The 787-9 also retains the same wingspan as the 787-8. KLM's Salt Lake flights depart on the same day as KLM610 on the return leg.

This was also my first time catching the full KLM livery. The last KLM aircraft I saw was a "naked" 777 last year headed for the paint shop!

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-700 (N611SK) arriving from Boise as SKW4610.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200LR (N426SW) arriving from Great Falls as SKW4558.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a United Express) Embraer ERJ-170-200LR E-175LR (N106SY) arriving from San Francisco as SKW5465.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-932/ER (N843DN) arriving from Atlanta as DAL109. This was also my first time catch a Delta-operated 737 sporting the split-scimitar winglets.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200ER (N702BR) arriving from Missoula as SKW4764. Airframe originally delivered  in 2000 as N851FJ to Atlantic Coast Airlines to fly under the Delta Connection colors. In 2001, it was re-registered to the current N-number and flew for United Express. It was then transferred to Independence Air in 2004. Following the demise of Independence Air, airframe went to Chautauqua Airlines in 2007 and flew under Continental Express colors. SkyWest took ownership of the airframe in 2010.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200LR (N447SW) arriving from Idaho Falls as SKW4542.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200LR (N431SW) arriving from Fresno as SKW4641.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-832 (N37700) arriving from New York-JFK as DAL45.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A320-211 (N318US) arriving from Portland as DAL1194.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 717-2BD (N896AT) arriving from Sacramento as DAL702.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-440 (N8968E) arriving from Kalispell as SKW4775.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 717-2BD (N949AT) arriving from Reno as DAL1244. Formerly with AirTran Airways painted in the Orlando Magic basketball team livery.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200ER (N685BR) arriving from Rapid City as SKW4549. Airframe first delivered to Atlantic Coast Airlines in 2002 and flew under the United Express banner. It was then transferred to Independence Air in 2004. Airframe then went to Comair in 2006 and flew solely under the Delta Connection banner. Following Comair's demise, SkyWest took ownership of the airframe in 2011.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-790 (N614AS) arriving from Portland as ASA714.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 717-2BD (N717JL) arriving from San Jose as DAL50. Formerly with AirTran Airways and the only 717 to not have the -AT prefix in it's N-number. The -JL prefix was dedicated to former AirTran CEO Joe Leonard, who was a positive influence on the now defunct airline, by  leading the turn-around of the carrier and establish a culture of trust and entrepreneurship at AirTran following the bad reputation the airline had from it's predecessor ValueJet.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A320-212 (N352NW) arriving from Oakland as DAL553.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-702 (N632SK) arriving from Burbank as SKW4519.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-700 (N630SK) arriving from Billings as SKW4505.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A320-212 (N365NW) arriving from San Francisco as DAL706.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-700 (N613SK) arriving from Bozeman as SKW4649.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2B19 CRJ-200LR (N448SW) arriving from Gillette as SKW7391.

SkyWest Airlines (d/b/a Delta Connection) Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-701ER (N641CA) arriving from Omaha as SKW4657. Formerly with Comair and the very same airframe that was involved in a ground collision incident with an Air France A380 at New York-JFK on April 11, 2011.

Gallery Update: Chasing Jets at Provo!

I took my last final exam (which was optional for extra credit!) earlier this afternoon and as far as classes for the semester are concerned, I'm done! Now, the only focus I have right now is to finish up flight training. I noticed on FlightAware that Flight Options was sending in one of their Embraer E-135s into Provo today so I thought I'd go chase it down. Since I had time and I was done with classes for the semester, I felt it would be great to get some fresh air and enjoy the beautiful weather today! I went spotting from the dike road again and I completely lucked out in photographing a handful of jets! I mainly went after the Embraer, but the traffic pattern got busy to the point that several aircraft I wasn't expecting to see started coming in so I ended up spotting for a lot longer than I originally anticipated.

As always, watching airport operations from outside an airplane serves to be a great inspiration to me as it reminds me why I got into flying in the first place. Here's the link:

Provo (PVU) 32

Preview:

Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga SP (N8292G) on short final for 13 arriving from Rexburg, Idaho.

Cessna 150M Commuter II (N3715V) on short final for 13 working the pattern.

Cessna 525C Citation CJ4 (N460RG) on short final for 13.

Flight Options Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 600 (N908FL) operating as OPT908 executing a missed-approach for 13 after a flight from San Jose, California.

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP (N6869T) on short final for 13.

Cessna 150D (N4442U) on short final for 13.

OPT908 executing a second missed-approach for 13.

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-112 (N324NV) holding short of 13. Departing as AAY133 for Phoenix-Mesa.

OPT908 executing a low-approach prior to entering the pattern for a full-stop landing.

Cirrus SR22 (N535RT) on short final for 13.

OPT908 on short final for 13, this time actually landing. After vacating the runway, the flight taxied all the way back to 13, received its short-range IFR clearance and departed for Salt Lake City.

Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)/Gulfstream G150 (N150KM) on short final for 13. On it's final approach, this jet had to weave back and forth in order to create sufficient spacing between it and the Flight Options Embraer that landed prior!

Cirrus SR22T (N435JA) on short final for 13.

Cessna 650 Citation III (N702SS) taking 13 for departure.

OPT908 taking 13 on departure for Salt Lake City.