Reoch's Ilyushin Adventure! [Part Two now added!]

[PeterR]

With classic Russian airliners becoming a dying bread, a small group of us from university decided to book ourselves onto some Aeroflot IL-96 flights before they're retired later this year. Out of the limited destinations available, Istanbul seemed to host the rarest airline traffic and therefore this would be our destination!

Part One, the flights.
All this shots were taken during the inbound and outbound flights from Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) to Istanbul Ataturk (IST) and also the transit time at Moscow.

#1

Crusin'. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#2 - Our bird, RA-96010 after arrival into Moscow.

Golden Beauty. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#3 - Note the lack of central luggage bins...?!

Ilyushin Interior. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#4 - Aircraft stored at IST, apparently all awaiting cargo conversion.

IST Take-Off. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#5

De-Ice. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#6

Boarding the Beast. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#7 - The meal tasted much better than it looked surprisingly!

The Meal. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#8

Aeroflot Cargo. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#9

Departing Moscow. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#10 - Your reading light is in the back of the seat infront, as is your emergency oxygen mask. The seats were actually really spacious and comfortable!

IL-96 Seat Back. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#11

New Bird. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#12

Донавиа. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#13

Russian Power. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#14

Sleeping Giant. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#15

Storms over Europe. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

[Flare Path]

Great coverage. Looking forward to part two!

[Maisie]

Are they all really being retired? News to me, sad news at that too! Are they going else where to be used or scrapped.

Nice photos too, love the one banking looking over the snow.

[theactualsparky]

Are they air louvres in the seat backs?

[Russ]

Some great pics. Do like the black and white shot in particular.

[Lossie15]

Interesting read and smashing photos mate!

Looks like you have an awesome time!

Mark.

[PeterR]

Thanks for the comments so far guys! Part two will be coming this afternoon with my shots from Istanbul Airport.

In response to the questions;
- Aeroflot haven't given an official date but with the arrival of more A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft replacing the IL-96's former routes, a few different sources all give September 2013 as the OSD for the remaining 6 airframes.
- Yeah the personal air conditioning is on the seat back, as is the reading light and crew cal button so the overheard panel is totally empty. A very clever idea really!

[Macc]

Very nice set, shame the Il's are going!

[PeterR]

Part Two, Istanbul Ataturk Airport! An airport which has some really excellent spotting locations and plenty of rare traffic, here's just a small selection but there's plenty more if you're interested!

#16

Barcelona and the Beast. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#17

Colourful Classic. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#18

Kargo Karrier. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#19

Boeing Blastoff! by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#20

Team America. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#21

Flying High. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#22

Afghan Airbus. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#23

Türk Yıldızları. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#24

Rotate! by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#25

200th. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#26

Mahan Arrival. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#27

New Libya. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#28

Olympic Hopeful. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#29

Emir A310. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#30

Iranian Airbus. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#31

Globally Yours. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#32

Azerbaijan. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

#33

IL-96 Approach. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

[Lossie15]

To add, Some of the rotation shots are very very nice mate! I do like the variation of turk schemes!

Mark.

[JohnH]

Nice shot from Istanbul. May I ask where you where taking the photos from.

[sylvancatharsis]

Nice Wouldn't mind riding on an Ilyushin...

Fine selection from IST as well.

[PeterR]

Thanks for the comments chaps. IST is a pleasure to spot at with two main locations to visit;
- The beach on the 05 approach where all the landing shots are from.
- The 'FlyInn' shopping centre with is used for the runway 35 (on the ground right to left) / runway 17 (rotation 3/4 head on) take-off shots.

[Mictheslik]

Rotation shots are very impressive...location looks a bit like southside at Manchester (only with much better traffic!)

.mic

[DOUGHNUT]

Any problems with taking photos at Istanbul airport ? Was there last year and it did not seem very 'spotter' friendly.

[PeterR]

We didn't personally have any problems spotting from the shopping centre or the beach!

[Niallxg]

That Turkish Casa is lovely.