At 2:15pm on Tuesday 12th March, Boeing 747 Dreamlifter N718BA (operated by Atlas Air) took off from Paine Field heading towards Nagoya, Japan for a scheduled pick up of structures and assemblies for the 787 program. Shortly after departure during the climb out process, the Dreamlifter declared an emergency.
N718BA lands at Paine Field in Everett (not on the day in question) – Photo Mal Muir.
Doug Alder with Boeing communications told AirlineReporter.com, “Shortly after leaving Everett on a routine flight to Nagoya, Japan, the crew of a Boeing Dreamlifter received an indication of a potential problem with the hydraulic system. The crew made a decision to return to Paine Field in Everett. Following standard procedures, the crew dumped fuel to reach maximum landing weight.”
As you can see from the Flightaware logs there was a number of circuits done over the Puget Sound area while the aircraft was dumping fuel and then once at the safe landing weight, the Dreamlifter returned to Everett.
At Paine Field the Dreamlifter made a low pass so that Boeing & Paine Field staff could verify the landing gear had been properly deployed. Once verified the Dreamlifter went back around again and landed safely. After landing the aircraft started undergoing a safety inspection by Boeing.
The video above of the low pass and landing was taken from the Stratodeck by the Future of Flight. You can also check out KING5 News with additional photos and video of the incident.
The Dreamlifter landed safely on the ground, no one hurt or injured. Boeing confirmed that this is not the first time the Dreamlifter had to land prematurely. There have been other events like bird strikes or a cracked windscreen, which are seen in standard flight operations.
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
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
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
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!
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.
With Aviation Geek Fest fast approaching and in the spirit of AvGeeks everywhere, I am giving out my tips on spotting at Paine Field (KPAE) in Everett. Known predominantly as the location of ’œthe Boeing Factory’ it can be an AvGeek’s dream or nightmare. Here are some of the tips and tricks from a local AvGeek who calls KPAE his home base…
You could take photos just like this using our guide. Photo by David Parker Brown / AirlineReporter.com
Location:
Paine Field (officially known as Snohomish County Airport) is located in Mukilteo/Everett, roughly 30 miles north of Seattle. In relative terms, it’s about 30 minutes or so north on I5 from downtown (if you’re not during peak Seattle driving time that is). Originally an Air Force Base in the 50s it became the home of the Boeing Factory when the 747 factory line was built on the site, the rest from that moment is history.
The airport has three runways (two parallel & one cross runways) though the one predominantly used is 16R/34L. This runway is the site where every Boeing wide body since the first 747 has had its first ever flight; pretty good landmark. The field also has a number of other aviation related tenants including ATS (Aviation Technical Services) who do the maintenance work for Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest and Alaska Airlines, along with a number of local AvGeek attractions including the Future of Flight, Historic Flight Foundation & the Flying Heritage Collection.
Some key places to spot at Paine Field. Orig image from Google Maps.
Where to Spot:
The two primary locations that most AvGeeks are going to be interested in are ’œFuture of Flight/The Mounds’ or ’œThe Wind Sock’. These two locations border 16R/34L and at different times mean different kinds of views available. The rough guide is:
Future of Flight/The Mounds: Predominantly used for 16R Arrivals/Departures. Your best shooting/viewing spot is up on the Stratodeck (free to access) on the top floor of Future of Flight and can lead to some great views/shots of aircraft lining up for take-off, panoramas of the flight line showing all the different aircraft in multiple states or taxiing for take off. You can also get nice approach shots as aircraft land right in front of the factory. If the Stratodeck is closed, there are a number of mounds built into the sites next to the fence line that allow you to take a photo unhindered by those pesky barb wire fences (no need for a step ladder here). For those staying at the Hilton Garden Inn (located next to Future of Flight) you may even be able to get a good shot direct from your balcony.
(Example Shots – A Lot 787, ANA 787 Lining up, Ethiopian 777 Cargo Head On)
The Location of the “windsock” at Paine Field. Not much here but you will be close to the action Photo by Malcolm Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
The Wind Sock: Located down near the Historic Flight Foundation, this spot is a little bit more basic and not as well known. There isn’t really much to this spot but a built up area, just off a side entry at the top of a mound. What it gives you is unrivalled close up action of the touchdown point of 34L. You are extremely close and those with big lenses will need to zoom all the way out for some arrivals (especially a Dreamlifter). Though you can get some impressive landing/take off shots you will also get very close to touch and go’s by the heavies on 16R and that can be an impressive sight on its own.
(Example Shots – Dreamlifter Take Off, Emirates 777, JAL 787
To help you find your way to these two locations, a great new site Aviation Photographic has a great little guide to spotting at Paine Field with a map that will show you an easy way to identify these locations (even if from a satellite image).
People lined up on the mounds outside Future of Flight, to take photos of an aircraft departing. Photo by Malcolm Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
When to Spot:
Weekdays are by far the best time to spot at Paine Field with the factory and test flights in full force. Flights come and go at random times and although Flightaware.com can be a great source at times, you need to live by one rule at Paine Field: Boeing Time.
What is ’œBoeing Time?’ It is really just a way to describe that if you are an avid spotter, out to get that brand new aircraft fresh from the factory, be prepared to wait’¦.. a lot. Because these are test flights, so there is no guaranteed time of departure. They either pop up at the very last minute or more often than not, they run late.
Usually you can rely on the Dreamlifter schedule which are operated by Atlas Air. They show up on Flightaware as GTI4*** (where *** is the rest of the flight number), and they come at all hours of the day or night. You can sometimes get a Southwest or Alaska or Delta 737 coming in on the weekends for maintenance, although most of the time this is during the middle of the night.
Boeing 787s on the flight line at Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
Random Tips/Tricks:
A couple of extra little tips and/or tricks for you:
Being that there is no commercial service here at the field, you will more than likely need a car to get around. There are a number of places around the field that offer great places to spot. Just try to stay off Boeing property, since they do not allow you to take photos from their property and might be met by a security person. If you stick to the above two spots, you won’t have a problem (and a step ladder won’t be required).
Since flights come and go at any time, having a scanner or access to LiveATC (via one of their mobile apps) can be helpful. Remember that LiveATC has about a 10-20 second delay and that access is not guaranteed so it could go down. On some days they will also play the ATC feed on top of the Stratodeck at Future of Flight.
During winter you can get some great shots even with the rain and cold. Since movements are often infrequent you may not be exposed to the elements for long, you can hang out in your car down by the mounds and pop out when needed.
Hopefully the guide can help you enjoy your time at Aviation Geek Fest (or any time in Seattle really) that little bit better. If you have photos taken from Paine Field you want to share, put them in the comments — we would love to see them.
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.
China Southern Boeing 787 Dreamliner B-2727 lands at Paine Field earlier today. Photograph by Michael O’Leary.
The world-wide fleet of Boeing 787 might be grounded, but Boeing flew one Dreamliners from Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas to Everett. The ferry-flight only contained Boeing employees and was used to run a test on the lithium-ion batteries. During the flight, the battery had to be closely monitored and no issues were reported.
The FAA approved this ferry-flight, but has not approved future test flights. Hopefully we will be able to see more 787 test flights in the air soon. See video of the landing on KING5.
A China Southern Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives a Paine Field in Everett Thursday. All other Dreamliners are grounded. Boeing was granted permission to fly this aircraft to Everett. Photography by Michael O’Leary.
It appears that Alaska Airlines has taken the next step to start possible commercial flight service at Paine Field, located at Everett, WA. “This is a required step if the carrier were to begin jet service out of the regional airport at some point in the future,” the airline stated in a press release. The key word is “were.”
“We continue to believe that our flights at Sea-Tac Airport and in Bellingham best serve the Puget Sound region’s needs for affordable air travel, particularly in light of the significant investments both airports have made recently to improve their facilities,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of planning and revenue management. “That said, if one or more other airlines begin operations at Paine Field, we would commence service alongside these carriers. Submitting a schedule with the FAA along with a request for authorization to serve Paine is a necessary step in the process.”
In this case, it is pretty obvious that Alaska is referring to Allegiant. Is Alaska really only taking a defensive position here or are they testing the waters to gauge reaction from the public? Public flights at Paine Field is a political hot-topic; There are many wealthy folks who live in the surrounding area, who have a strong voice against additional air traffic.
“Alaska Airlines’ proposed schedule in the first year of operations would include 14 weekly round-trip flights to Las Vegas, Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii, using Boeing 737-800 jet aircraft.,” Alaska’s press release stated. “Alaska would also fly 21 weekly round-trip flights to Portland, Ore., with Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.”
Alaska would plan to expand operations stating they they would fly 49 weekly round-trip flights, including, “28 round-trips to Las Vegas, Honolulu, Maui, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Diego with 737-800s, plus 21 weekly round-trips to Portland using Q400s.”
Summary of proposed service for the first year 35 round-trip flights a week:
City pair
Weekly Frequency
Aircraft
Everett-Honolulu
4
737-800
Everett-Las Vegas
7
737-800
Everett-Maui
3
737-800
Everett-Portland
21
Q400
Summary of proposed service by the fifth year 49 round-trip flights a week:
City pair
Weekly Frequency
Aircraft
Everett-Honolulu
4
737-800
Everett-Las Vegas
7
737-800
Everett-Los Angeles
7
737-800
Everett-Maui
3
737-800
Everett-Phoenix
4
737-800
Everett-Portland
21
Q400
Everett-San Diego
3
737-800
Flight information from Alaska Airlines.
This seems like quite a bit of potential traffic to just be getting ready, but better off to be prepared right?
One of the biggest hurdles left is there is no terminal at Paine Field and the airport has stated they would not pay to build one. Could/would Alaska and Allegiant work together to build a terminal together? Highly doubtful.
As of now, Allegiant has no comment. Your move Allegiant.
