As winter turns to spring, the sun begins to shine, temperatures rise and so too does the wind from the north.
The regular aircraft operating from Essendon start to swell with an increase in air traffic and a reduction in parking space. In the skies around the Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne, more fixed and rotary aircraft take the opportunity to show others the city at close quarters.
Following is a list of aircraft that I have heard in and around Essendon.
AIX 1981 Cessna 172RG
BLM 1999 Bombardier CL600
BSV 2005 Cessna 172S
CHZ 1974 Cessna 172M
DAX 1995 Van’s RV4
DDK 1978 Piper PA-28-161
DDS 2005 Cessna 182T
EOD 2005 Cessna 172S
EOR 2006 Cessna 172S
EVR 1997 Cessna 172R
FOX 2012 August AW109SP Helicopter
HJV 2009 Cirrus SR20
HRM 2001 Robinson R22 Beta Helicopter
JVH 1973 Bell 206B
KXX 2008 Eurocopter EC120B
LEP 1998 Bombardier BD700
LSP 2004 Cessna 172S
MDQ 2012 Eurocopter AS350B3
MDN 1977 Beech 58
MGV 1977 Piper PA-28-151
MZD 1980 Maule M-5-235C
NRA 2004 Piper PA-28-161
NCG 1974 Cessna T210L
ONE 1973 Bell 206B
OVC 1980 Fairchild SA-226-T
OVM 1943 Douglas DC-3-R-1830
PHU 1982 Aerospatiale AS350BA
PPQ 1995 Dornier 328-100
RCR 1994 Piper PA-28-181
RNZ 2004 Robinson R44 II
TBL 1980 Cessna 172N
TMQ 1944 Douglas DC3R-1830-90C
TYD 2009 PA-28-161
TXH 2009 PA-28-161
VAD 2010 Hawker Beechcraft B200C
VAE 2010 Hawker Beechcraft B200C
VBX 1981 Bell 206B (III)
XDZ 2007 Robinson R44 II
XUM 2006 Augusta 109E
YXD 2000 Cessna 172R
ZFK 2011 Eurocopter EC225LP
ZMM 2007 Piper PA-46-350P
VH-FOX (callsign FOX1) spools up and begins its taxi for takeoff from the Northern Pad
It is great to see not 1 but 2 Douglas DC-3 aircraft still flying today, as I have fond memories as a child of the 60’s seeing many more of these grand birds, some in Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) livery.
The Cessna 172 and its variants is certainly the most popular aircraft type heard.
Helicopters of various sizes and shapes are also represented well (highlighted) and this number will increase as the summer fire danger period approaches when a number of dedicated fire helicopters will return to be based at Essendon.
One of my favourite aircraft is Dornier DO328, VH-PPQ. This aircraft is operated by AMSA providing search and rescue capability when needed. It is a magnificent aircraft to see and listen to when it spools up. This is normally parked at the southern end of the Essendon main terminal, with crews ready to deploy at short notice.
Photographs used on this blog have been taken with my Fuji S200EXR. More of my photographs can be seen on www.flickr.com/photos/vk3pi
Dornier 328 VH-PPQ returns from a sortie and taxi’s off Runway 35 following landing.
