Qantas BNE-SYD-BNE on 767s (Photos)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Introduction:

Local spotter Joel and I were planning another spotting trip down to Sydney. I noticed that the Sydney Darts Masters were on again in late August, which I was interested in going to so we booked the flights for over that weekend. We would fly down on Thursday the 28th in the morning and fly back on Sunday the 31st at midday. We would be flying Qantas both ways, and on Boeing 767s which I was really looking forward to!

Brisbane Airport:

Caught the train to the airport, and met up with Joel when I switched onto the airport train. We arrived just after 7am for the 8:25am flight. We checked our bags in and then headed down to security and up to gate 22 where our flight would be leaving from. This would be my first flight on a Qantas 767 since May 2011. I’ve only flown on them three times, VH-OGE twice and VH-OGP once. Both aircraft have since been retired so I was guaranteed a new rego. I’ve tried to fly on QF B763s since 2011, but Qantas always sub in B738s for me!!!

VH-OGO it is!




Boarding commenced at about 8am. I was very excited to be back on a Qantas 767!!

August 28, 2014
Qantas
QF509
BNE-SYD
VH-OGO B763
Seat 26K

Pushback, the last time I would see Yananyi Dreaming


Joel took a video of the take-off, which can be found here…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b7q...e6YrFBY59hsI-Q

Screaming down RWY19


Passing the International terminal


Passing the city


Passing over the southern suburbs of Brisbane


Breakfast time, yoghurt, muesli and a muffin bar


First time getting to use one of the Q streaming Ipads with Qantas.


Cruising along




On finals for RWY16L






I took a video of our landing on RWY16L at Sydney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Aob...dbAT-7ZpfKmZqg

Bernie took this excellent photo of our arrival.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniep/14879644608/

[Brandon Giacomin]

Joining four other B763s at T3


Interior shot as we disembark


We managed to score a cockpit visit too which was fantastic








The pilots were super friendly and were more than happy to have a quick chat and allow for some photos. I asked him when the last flight would be, he said December 27 which has since been confirmed

Sydney Airport Spotting:

Zac soon drove around and picked us up to take us to the mound. He was up from Canberra for the day. We met up with Bernie and Daniel Kirby at the mound. Daniel was up from Melbourne for the weekend and would also be attending the darts!

Here are some of my favourite shots from our first day of spotting…



We then went to Bernie’s for dinner before heading into the city. Zac drove back to Canberra, Daniel and I went to the darts while Joel and Bernie did some night photography around the city.

August 29:

We all went out to the airport nice and early. Met up with Matt Ayto and was also nice to finally meet Damian Freiberg who runs the fantastic central Queensland plane spotting blog.

Here are some of my favourite shots from the day…

[Brandon Giacomin]

I was very happy with this shot. The four major Australian carriers in the one shot.




After another great day of spotting we grabbed some dinner before Daniel and I went into the city for the 2nd night of the darts.

August 30:

Just a half day of spotting today. We went to the AFL at ANZ in the afternoon for the Swans vs Richmond game. Bernie is a big swans fan while Daniel supports Richmond! After that, Daniel and I went to the 3rd and final night of the Sydney Darts Masters.

Here are some of my favourite shots from the morning spotting…

[Brandon Giacomin]

A couple of shots from the AFL…




…and a couple from the darts




August 31:

Our last day in Sydney, we were on the midday flight back to BNE. It was another early start and morning spotting session. Was nice to finally meet Mehdi, who was visiting from Dubai.





Well after another fantastic Sydney spotting trip it was unfortunately time to head home! We checked in and dropped off the bags before joining the massive queue for security. Boarding commenced just before midday.

[Brandon Giacomin]

August 31, 2014
Qantas
QF524
SYD-BNE
VH-OGI B763
Seat 43K

Ready to go!


Taxiing out to RWY16L


Making the usual series of turns after a RWY16L departure


Beautiful day!


Cruising up the coast


Light lunch on the flight up to BNE. Very nice little pizza slice.


I watched a couple of episodes of Two and a Half men on the iPad. The iPad worked well, plenty of content to keep you entertained.

Overflying the Gold Coast on descent


Nice weather up in Brisbane too…


Bit of a speed brake on descent


Over the southside


Turning finals for RWY01


Over the Gateway bridges


Short finals


Nearly down…


Touchdown!


Well after another enjoyable flight on a Qantas 767 is was time to disembark. We picked up our bags. My parents picked me up and that was the end of our awesome Sydney trip!

Conclusion:

Awesome trip! Huge thanks to Bernie for looking after us! Also thanks to Joel, Daniel, Matt and Zac for the company while spotting. Was good to finally meet Damian and Mehdi! I had a great time.

The Boeing 767 is just an awesome aircraft! It will be so sad to see the Qantas 76’s go!

Next trip for me is a quick day trip down to Sydney on September 28th for one last ride on QF8! Then up to Cairns in early October for a holiday and then Sydney and Melbourne in late October for a couple of days to try and score some more flights on some 767s!

Thanks for reading…

Brandon

[Dave Dale]

Nice report Brandon.

Dave

[Brock Little]

Nice work Brandon.

[Todd Steele]

Great report Brandon!

[damian f]

Hi Brandon

Yes it was great to finally meet you - and all the other guys who I only know through the computer!

Thanks too for the kind words about the CQ Plane Spotting Blog!

Cheers
Damian