Gallery Update: Double-Allegiant Airbus Sightings

After classes this morning, I stuck around as there were two Airbuses operated by Allegiant Air flying in and out today. The downside to these sightings? Both were same airframes I've seen within the past couple of days! I'll continue to keep an eye out for them "Mad Dogs!" Here's the link:

Provo (PVU) 4

Preview:

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 (N305NV) airborne after departing 13 as AAY133 for Phoenix-Mesa. I saw this very airframe this past Saturday operating this same route.

Robinson R22 Beta II (N44UH) taking off.

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 (N311NV) arriving on 13 from Los Angeles as AAY344. I saw this airframe depart Provo this past Monday heading TO Los Angeles.

AAY344 taxiing to the terminal/FBO. It might be a repeat airframe but you can't beat this view!

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.

Gallery Update: Big Birds in Provo

It's Saturday and though I didn't have any classes, I had to run some errands this morning and that included a stop at the Utah Valley University Flight School as well as a visit to the neighboring TAC Air Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) to purchase some materials needed for Ground School. It was my lucky day because a pair of Air Force C-130s as well as an Airbus A319 operated by Allegiant Air were there and I showed up just as they were about to depart so I justified getting a little planespotting in since I had some time to kill.

Provo (PVU) 2

Preview:

UVU's Diamond DA-20-C1 (N988CT) parked on the ramp.

UVU's Diamond DA-40 Diamond Star (N100UV) airborne after departing from 13.

United States Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules (93-1036) from the 94th Airlift Wing out of Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia airborne after departing 13.

United States Air Force C-130H Hercules (92-0551) airborne after departure from 13. Also from the 94th Airlift Wing out of Dobbins ARB.

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 (N305NV) airborne after departing 13 as AAY133 for Phoenix-Mesa. Formerly G-HMCC with EasyJet and then to EasyJet Switzerland as HB-JZO. These Allegiant Airbuses are starting to become a common sight; I certainly hope I can catch a few of their Mad Dogs here. Allegiant has orders for over 30 aircraft from the A320 family split between 19 A319s and 15 A320s planned to be in service by 2020, which will replace the MD-80s.

Gallery Update: Utah Valley University Flight School

My first week of classes at the Utah Valley University Flight School is finished. I won't be the first to admit that the first week is always the hardest. I still have some loose ends to tie up and look into, but I will eventually start to make significant progress. In the meantime, I can enjoy the new environment I've found myself in by studying the very things I love and documenting them with a few photographs along the way! Here are the links to some new photos, the first being a few shots from my camera taken while on the campus at the Provo Municipal Airport and an update to the off-airport gallery:

Provo (PVU) 1

Off-Airport 3 (Updated)

Preview:

Diamond DA-20-C1 Katana (N957CT) parked on the UVU ramp. Students starting out will first learn to fly in the DA-20; it is an Austrian-designed  two-seat tricycle gear general aviation light aircraft.

Diamond DA-42 Twin Star (N334TS) taxiing back to the UVU ramp. Students train for their multi-engine rating in these at UVU.

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-112 (N324NV) arriving on 13 as AAY132 from Phoenix-Mesa. Airframe formerly G-EZAE with EasyJet and then with EasyJet Switzerland as HB-JZV before being sold to Allegiant; this airframe was also originally delivered as an A319-111 equipped with two CFM International CFMI CFM56-5B5/P high-bypass turbofan engines. Prior to beginning service with Allegiant, this airframe was re-engined with two CFMI CFM56-5B6/P (thus the -112 designation).

AAY132 taxiing to the terminal, which is currently the TAC Air FBO being leased out for airline operations. Allegiant currently flies to Los Angeles, Oakland, and Phoenix/Mesa from Provo, with plans to begin flights to San Diego on September 28, 2016. Allegiant is currently the only airline serving Provo.

Diamond DA-20A-1 Katana on display at the main campus of Utah Valley University. This aircraft weighed too much to fly and was given to Utah Valley University. It’s on display outside the science building on campus. It is jokingly called “Katana on a Stick” by students!

Gallery Update: More Off-Airport Spotting in South Jordan, UT

I squeezed in some more off-airport spotting throughout the day today. Considering that it was Sunday and not much is going on until first day of classes tomorrow, I figured I could catch some things flying overhead. Here's the updated link:

Off-Airport 3 (Updated)

Preview:

Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 on approach to Salt Lake City International. Note the Delta logo painted on the belly of the aircraft. All new Delta planes as well as those that will continue to see service for the long run are getting this subtle livery update.

American Airlines Airbus A319 on approach to Salt Lake City International.

Frontier Airlines Airbus A319 on approach to Salt Lake City International.

JetBlue Airways Airbus A320 on approach to Salt Lake City International.

FedEx Express McDonnell Douglas MD-11F inbound for Salt Lake City after a cargo run from Memphis.

UPS Airlines Boeing 767-300/F on approach to Salt Lake City after a cargo run from Louisville.

FedEx Express Boeing 757-200/F on approach to Salt Lake City International. I don't think I've ever seen a FexEx 757 before.

Compass Airlines (d/b/a American Eagle) Embraer E-175 on approach to Salt Lake City International after a flight from Los Angeles. These E-jets are starting to become a common sight everywhere!

Gallery Update: Off-Airport Spotting in South Jordan, Utah

Yesterday, I left home and made the long, lonely drive to Utah as I will be attending Utah Valley University's flight school to study Aviation Science. I can't officially move into my apartment until Monday so I'm technically homeless this weekend. Thankfully, I have an aunt who lives in South Jordan, UT just south of Salt Lake City on a seasonal basis and she was gracious enough to let me stay at her place for the weekend. As mentioned at the start of this year, her home is right underneath the south approach to Salt Lake City International Airport so I'm taking the opportunity to squeeze in some off-airport spotting while I'm staying in South Jordan. This evening while I still had some sunlight, I stepped outside and shot some photos. And since I'm going to be living in and going to school in the Wasatch Range, I have a few new potential spotting locations to check out and look for; I need to go spotting at Salt Lake City International and I'll definitely be shooting frequently at Provo Municipal when time allows! Here's the updated link:

Off-Airport 3 (Updated)

Preview:

American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 on approach to Salt Lake City International from Dallas/Fort Worth. It certainly has been a while since I last saw an American MD-80 as they are in the process of being retired.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900 on approach to Salt Lake City International. Note the Delta logo painted on the belly of the aircraft as well as the split-scimitar winglets.

Gallery Update: Morning Trip to Cottage Grove

I got off from my final night of work this morning as I will be getting ready to depart Oregon for school down in Utah in a few days. I got a call from my uncle a few hours after getting home and he invited me out to go flying with him to get some breakfast. I haven't flown with my uncle in his Cessna 172 in a couple of years so naturally, I accepted the invitation. We flew down to Cottage Grove, Oregon from Albany where my uncle keeps his plane in a hangar and we ate at the The Vintage Inn, just short walk away from the Cottage Grove State Airport. After getting breakfast, we stumbled across the Oregon Aviation Historical Society's hangar, a small museum dedicated to preserving the aviation history and heritage specific to Oregon, making for a pleasant discovery! After briefly checking out the museum, we flew back up to Albany. Here are the links to the photos I took on this spur of the moment trip:

Cottage Grove (61S) 1

Oregon Aviation Historical Society

General Aviation Wings (Updated)

Albany (S12) 3

Photo preview:

My uncle's Cessna 172N Skyhawk II (N5174E) pulled out of the hangar just prior to our flight.

Just after taking off from Albany Municipal Airport's Runway 16 climbing southbound.

Turning for final approach into Cottage Grove State Airport's Runway 33.

Final approach for 33.

N5174E parked at Cottage Grove!

Long Anzani Longster AL-1 replica (N930AL) on display at the Oregon Aviation Historical Society.

Stinson SR-5 Reliant (NC14585) on display at the Oregon Aviation Historical Society.

Rearwin 8500 Sportster (NC17099) on display at the Oregon Aviation Historical Society.

Approaching Albany on the return flight.

Final approach for 34.

Short final for 34. Since I last flew into Albany, the runway got upgraded with a displaced threshold. 

Cessna 150 Commuter II (N66709) parked on the Infinite Air Center ramp.

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser (N98241) parked on the Infinite Air Center ramp.

Cessna 140 (N76704) parked on the ramp.

Piper PA-28R-180 Arrow (N4958J) parked on the ramp.

Cessna T337C Turbo Super Skymaster (N2460S) parked on the ramp.

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk parked on the ramp. This airframe along with two other frames are being restored by (wait for it!) teenagers attending the Albany Options School for eventual display at the airport as part of a service learning project.

Face to face with the mostly completed Skyhawk.

A second A-4 Skyhawk still in the early stages of restoration.

Cessna 310P (N556RT) parked on the ramp.

N5174E back home and about to be put back in the barn!