It was time to say goodbye for now to MAN and Northwest England. Our trip had been wonderful - can't wait to come back - maybe with the SAS direct flight from Oslo a weekend in early September?
MAN is definitely the spotter heaven!

18:58 Well seated at one of the emergency exits, here my the first photo. All SAS MD-80 have installed an electric heater system on the wings. This was done after the crash of MD-81 OY-KHO at Stockholm-Arlanda after engine flameouts due to clear ice ingestion from the wing. Luckily enough and thanks to the pilot skills of captain Rasmussen, none were killed during this crash.

19:01 Sunset with My Travel Airways Airbus A320-214 G-SUEW at the neighbouring gate

19:07 Aurigny ATR72-312 G-BXTN parked at the end of pier B - same take-off time us - 19:10 - but seems to be late for its GR687 flight to Guernsey

19:08 On TWY Tango after having taxied on Lima Delta - here you can see one of the crash gate SE of Tango and the farm behind that.

19:10 Early take-off due to a light aircraft and enough power. To the left is Wilmslow Road (A538) and the tunnel entrance under the runway.

19:11 Climb-out about to enter the first cloud layer

19:13 Still climbing - we have now turned in direction NNE

19:40 At cruise altitude - this day we flew NE with Newcastle fix point to avoid London Control

19:42 Our spotter mobile driver, Kjell Oskar, enjoys a good book and red wine over the North Sea

19:43 And our back seat driver, Ole Johan, enjoys the moment of silence it seems

21:18 Sunset over the North Sea (we have now crossed into the European time zone)

22:15 The last leg between Copenhagen and Oslo would be with SAS Airbus A321-232 SE-REG "Svipdag Viking".

Spotter sites visited:

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL/ENGM)
Thursday 29 April 2004
Spotter Guide for Oslo Airport, Gardermoen

Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH/EDCH)
Thursday 29 April 2004

Birmingham International Airport (BHX/EGBB)
Friday 30 April 2004
Spotter Guide for Birmingham International Airport

The RAF Museum at Cosford
Friday 30 April 2004

Manchester International Airport (MAN/EGCC)
- The south side of the runways
- The Aviation Viewing Park
- Aircraft seen from the AVP
Saturday 1 May 2004
Spotter Guide for Manchester International Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL/EGGP)
Sunday 2 May 2004

Woodford Aerodrome
Sunday 2 May 2004

Manchester International Airport (MAN/EGCC)
- Multi Storey Car Park Level 13
- Inside the terminal
Sunday 2 May 2004
Spotter Guide for Manchester International Airport

Inflight photos from the trip back
Sunday 2 May 2004