Rio de Janeiro: not so marvelous this time...

Rio de Janeiro, March 2016

When you just want to get a tan and a good relax time and your wish is ruined by typical end of summer thunderstorms and by a huge street protest...

The first day of my stay in Rio was marked by heavy rains and lightning. The rain caused major problems with cars and people circulation. The second day we were already warned for a huge street protest against the Government.

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Street Protest

The protesters began gathering in Avenida Atlântica at Copacana still in the morning.

The view from my room

Soon a large and noisy crowd invaded Copacabana accompanied by the sound of several helicopters capturing images for the TVs and light aircraft towing banners with messages about the protest.

I must say that Brazilians are the best protesters I know. Instead of the usual plain, monotonous or even violent protests that we see around the world, Brazilians face it like a real party where they have fun at the same time they transmit their angry message. They sing, they dance and they bring their tambourines!

Copacabana panoramic view

"Fora Dilma": time for Dilma to leave!

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Back to Portugal

So my plans for this layover were a total failure... It was time to cross the Atlantic again, heading to Porto - the second biggest city in Portugal.

Some photos I took after the arrival in the morning:

A330 wing view/CS-TOP

Wing upper surface detail

CS-TOP named "Pedro Nunes"

At Porto, I spent almost all the time to have a deserved rest after the long red-eye flight. The following day I would finally fly back to my home base - Lisboa.

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OPO-LIS Flight

Even if it started to rain short before our pushback, I took the opportunity and the fact I had a window seat for a photo report of the flight. The aircraft for this flight was the A319 with CS-TTP registration, named "Josefa D'Óbidos".

Before pushback, still loading the holds

Engine #2 view

Taxiing to runway 17

Lining up after backtrack

Tarmac of cargo area - on the left, euroAtlantic's 777

One of euroAtlantic's 767s also parked at OPO

Port of Leixões

Engine #2 inlet

Finally above the clouds during our climb

Already descending to Lisboa - slats deployed

And, with no surprise, the weather at Lisboa was also miserable...

Landing on runway 21 - ground spoilers and idle reverse!

During disembark I tried to go artistic with this last shot:

Cateringpor truck

It's always good to be back home... Even if it rains!

BTL 2016: TAP Fleet's Retrofit

Lisboa, March 2016

Last weekend I visited the yearly Tourism Fair in Lisbon (BTL). TAP's stand was the most prominent of the exhibition. There we could see the new Business Class seats that are installed in the two A330-200 that will be soon introduced in the fleet.

At the same time we were invited to try the new seats, a leaflet was given to the visitors telling us the retrofit plans of the current fleet (for both medium and long haul aircraft) and the features and configurations of the new aircraft, including the A330neo that shall arrive in 2017.

Also at TAP's stand we could find a nice model of the A340 in a generous scale.

CS-TOA model

A340-300 vs A330-900

In the same pavilion, there was also the stand of Azores Airlines - the new brand of SATA Internacional - featuring a large whale tail.

Azores Airlines

Later that night, it was time to meet the real CS-TOA for another transatlantic flight! Here's a look of the cabin before boarding.

CS-TOA economy cabin

First aircraft for TAP Express arrived today

Lisbon Airport, February 2016

It's not usual for me to go to the "spotters' corner" and take photos (well, it used to be... but many years ago when I had a decent camera!). However I try to go there on certain special occasions. The last one was the arrival of the first Emirates scheduled flight to Lisbon, in 2012!

And today it was the arrival of the first aircraft for TAP Express: the new brand of TAP Portugal for its regional flights. A new fleet of 17 aircraft will be operated under this brand: 8 ATR 72-600 operated by White Airways and 9 Embraer 190 operated by Portugália.

ATR 72-600 PR-AKG

If you look carefully, the new registration CS-DJA is visible under the Portuguese and EU flags:

"CS-DJA" hidden

The entire fleet of "Portugália - PGA Airlines" will be replaced (the Fokker 100 and Embraer 145 will leave) and the two ATR 42-600 already operated by White shall be returned to their lessor.

Flying with Portugália Airlines

Aviation Shots, September 2015

Lately, I've been flying a lot on this small airplane - the Embraer 145. From a passenger point of view, the Embraer 145 is a nice airplane if the flight time does not extend too much. For a 1:40 flight like this one, it's still OK. The small bins of this Embraer mean that many cabin trolleys don't fit inside them and have to go as carry on baggage in the bulk with a "Delivery at Aircraft" tag.

CS-TPN

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Barcelona-Lisboa

We departed with a clear day, providing a great view over El Prat airport after the typical sharp left turn when departing from runway 25L.

Barcelona Airport

And now, some Spanish landscapes after reaching cruise altitude...

Halfway to Lisbon, it's usual to pass abeam Madrid Barajas airport.

Such a huge airport!

Madrid

Still on our way

And the final approach over beautiful Lisboa...

Montijo Air Base and 'Vasco da Gama' Bridge

Runway 03 in sight

'Cristo Rei'

'25 de Abril' Bridge

After landing, and on our way to the parking ramp, a nice view of one of TAP's flagships.

CS-TOB

And finally, a beautiful Falcon 7X which unfortunately recently had a ramp incident, in Lisbon Airport.

OE-IMF

First time in Miami Beach

Miami Beach, May 2015

It was with some surprise that I was called the previous day to fly to Miami since it's a very popular and wanted destination among the crews. For me it would be the first time in seven years that I would enter the US again and also my first time in Miami.

Flying on the good old A340 - which took 8:35 to cross the pond - we descended towards Miami still with daylight. Perhaps due to air traffic congestion we extended our approach way over the Everglades which I could see from my observation window while sat at door 3LH.

Everything went smooth during my third entry in the US, especially while passing through the Passport Control. I was just asked about the pilot's strike which took place some days earlier.

As we were leaving the airport, I could see plenty of AA airplanes, several Centurion Air Cargo MD-11s and the sole 737-800 of the new Eastern Air Lines! Outside the airport they were announcing the return of a "legend" to the skies next 15th May. I don't know if it really happened or not.

Our hotel situated at North Beach is a crew only hotel. One can immediately realize that at the lobby front desk where they have exposed several aircraft models which are gifts from the crews that stay there. One example of our airline (which started flying to Miami only a few years ago) is also present!

Sherry Frontenac front desk

The rooms are spacious but the decoration is really old and typically american. Being built on the oceanfront it gives you direct access to the beach which makes its nice pool a little bit useless - at least for me!

First impressions of Miami Beach: big cars, some limos and Spanish is for sure the second language spoken. You also see many Brazilians around here.

Collins Ave

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North Beach

Of course I spent most of my stay enjoying the beach and the incredible warm sea water of Miami! Such a summer destination made me remember my glorious charter days with the L-1011...

As an extra (for an aviation fan) several reciprocating engine aircraft flew over the beach towing large banners:

I also had the opportunity to spot the amazing Lufthansa A380 leaving the coast towards Europe.

The other side of the beach...

On the second day I went to the famous Lincoln Road, a pedestrian mall with shops, restaurants, galleries, etc, and ended the day eating some awesome spare ribs at the Big Pink restaurant and going for a night walk along the Ocean Drive.

Next day, a rest was needed before our red-eye flight back to Portugal. I thought the beach was perfect the place for this purpose...

Before leaving the hotel I took these last pictures showing the window view from my room:

I really didn't want to leave! Miami Beach is completely different from the other America I knew (I mean New York) but it's also a fascinating place to visit!

Back to the airport I could notice the 737-800 of new Eastern Air Lines was on the very same place and I could also see a pair of Amerijet 727s - still one of my favorite aircraft types.

Smooth take-off and climb on our A340 back to Europe and the amazing sight of the turquoise waters while leaving the coast, made me want to come back soon!