Browsing Tag: Boeing 747-8F

#nomnom says the Qatar Airways 747-8F

What other airline delivery event will bring up Trump and “fake news”? Where the CEO says that the US3 (United, American, and Delta) need to “shut up and mind their own business”? And where no one is surprised by any of these comments? Qatar Airways of course!

These fancy tail things are to for me! Kinda want some for my living room.

Last week, Qatar Airways took delivery of their first Boeing 747-8F, and I was excited to go. Not just to see the airplane, but to once again hear what Akbar Al Baker might say. He is known for speaking his mind and providing some entertaining sound bites.

The Spirit of 12s Boeing 747-8 Freighter taking off at Paine Field. Photo: Bernie Leighton

The Spirit of 12s Boeing 747-8 Freighter taking off at Paine Field – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter

The Spirit of the 12s Boeing 747-8F has been pretty popular, especially by tracing a 12 using their flight path. Tomorrow, Saturday the 1st from 11am to 1pm, it will be on the ground next to the The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour where you take photos and cheer on the Seahawks.

There will be a special Seahawks rally that starts at noon (arriving by 11:30am is suggested) and then fans will be able to file past the specially-painted 747-8F and take photos. Admission to the rally and taking photos are free. If you like the Seahawks and you like airplanes, this might be your thing.

A special flight path for a special plane. Image: FlightAware.com

A special flight path for a special plane – Image: FlightAware.com

A Rendition of what a Lufthansa Cargo Boeing 777F will look like - Photo: Lufthansa Cargo

A Rendition of what a Lufthansa Cargo Boeing 777F will look like – Photo: Lufthansa Cargo

Two years ago an interesting order was placed with Boeing. One that might have slipped under the radar for most.  This order didn’t really make all too many waves in the AvGeek world and to be honest, I didn’t even realize it myself till I was tipped off by a fellow AvGeek.

In March 2011 Lufthansa Cargo put in an order for five 777 freighters and this spurred a large amount of curiosity since it did not seem like the ideal choice to replace their aging fleet of 18 classic MD-11 aircraft.

An American Airlines 777-300ER on approach to Paine Field in Everett - Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com

An American Airlines 777-300ER on approach to Paine Field in Everett – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com

I don’t know about other AvGeeks & plane spotters out there but I have this list of aircraft that I have been trying to get photos of lately.  Well it sure was a lucky day in Everett when I can tick two off the list in the span of a few minutes.

What is on my list?  First, I hope to get each airline that operates the Boeing 787s (because some of the liveries are just downright pretty) and also every airline that operates to Australia (where I am from). Other than that, my list is pretty much made up of  airlines that I feel good looking schemes or ones that I haven’t seen before.  The holy grail’s though are the special schemes and the retro liveries.

A Saudia Cargo 747-8F About to turn onto 16R at Paine Field - Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com

A Saudia Cargo 747-8F about to turn onto 16R at Paine Field – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com

The four that have eluded me lately up at Everett had been the American Airlines new Livery, Aeroflot’s 777-300ER, Saudia Cargo 747-8F and the Uzbekistan Airlines 767.  When I saw on the Saturday morning that the American 777 was doing a test flight, well you can bet where I was headed.  Even though the fog was thick in the morning for the takeoff, I ran some errands and came back for the departure.  When the sun had burnt away the fog and it was a glorious looking afternoon.

To make the afternoon even better, as the American 777 came onto its final approach, the Saudia Cargo 747-8F got taxi clearances for the test flight it was about to begin… score!

An American Airlines 777 in the New Livery Touches down as a Saudia Cargo 747-8F taxi's by  - Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com

An American Airlines 777 in the New Livery Touches down as a Saudia Cargo 747-8F taxi’s by – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com

Even though some of the photos were not perfect, it doesn’t matter.  It’s about getting out and enjoying the sunshine, seeing the aircraft and chatting with fellow AvGeeks.  Here is to a fruitful spring and summer of spotting!

MORE SEATTLE 2013 SPOTTING PHOTOS

This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent.

Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry.

@BigMalX | BigMal’s World | Photos