LAX的賞機記

這次到LAX，剛好遇到九一一後被關閉的觀景台首度重新開放，於是當然得上去拍拍飛機囉！2011.1.31.這天的活動，有提供免費咖啡給賞機客，現場還會播放航管的對話方便大家拍飛機。新聞稿上還特別說，這個賞機活動剛好有幾個稀客得拍，分別是Air New Zealand All Blacks A320: ETA 9:25 a.m.; ETD 11 a.m.與 Qantas A380: ETA 9:45 a.m. (evening departure)。紐西蘭航空的全黑A320是大稀客，因為它是新機，這是趟delivery flight，也就是說，它中停LAX加油後，回到紐西蘭大概也不會再來LAX了。所以是大稀客。當然，QANTAS的A380也很有趣，但至少還是定期班機，所以全場賞機迷大家抓的多是黑機（其實很醜，沒啥興趣）。這天LA天氣很不配合，下大雨。之後幾天，通通都是大太陽。唉！真是運氣啊～




這一天主辦單位發的新聞稿如下：

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE AT LAX THEME BUILDING OBSERVATION DECK SCHEDULED FOR PLANE SPOTTERS, GENERAL PUBLIC; UNIQUE AIRCRAFT TO OPERATE AT LAX ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 30

(Los Angeles, California – January 25, 2011) The first-ever “Sunday Morning Coffee” for plane spotters, aviation enthusiasts and the general public is scheduled on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, from 8:30 am to 11 a.m. on the Observation Deck atop the iconic Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This is timed to coincide with some unique flight operations scheduled Sunday morning.

The Observation Deck has a 360-degree view of LAX’s terminals and airfield, with telescopes installed for free viewing. A portable scanner will be available during the free-coffee period so visitors can listen to radio transmissions between pilots and air traffic controllers.

Following the “Sunday Morning Coffee,” the space-age, retro-themed Encounter Restaurant, located directly under the Observation Deck, will offer a “Plane Spotters Lunch Special” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The restaurant is open until 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Visitors to the Observation Deck will be treated to a view of Air New Zealand’s unique All Black Livery on a new Airbus A320 during a brief stop at LAX (its only stop worldwide) on its delivery flight from Franceto New Zealand. The aircraft’s sleek black exterior includes a silver fern motif and Koru (Maori for loop) on its tail. The aircraft is the first of Air New Zealand’s new domestic A320 jet fleet and is the only aircraft in the airline’s fleet to be painted with an exclusive black livery. The unique livery celebrates the airline’s long-running sponsorship of the NewZealand Rugby Union and the All Blacks rugby team. The 2011 Rugby World Cup games will be held in New Zealand this fall.

Air New Zealand’s new Boeing B777-300 is also scheduled to operate at LAX on Sunday.

Qantas Airways’ resumption of daily Airbus A380 super jumbo jet service between LAX and Sydney begins this Sunday. The airline resumed A380 service at LAX on alternating days on Jan. 17. LAX is the only U.S. West Coast city where airport visitors can see the world’s largest commercial airliner.

Singapore Airlines begins A380 service at LAX on Sunday, March 27, and Korean Airlines recently announced it will begin A380 service on Oct. 1.

Sunday morning’s schedule of highlighted flights:

Air New Zealand All Blacks A320: ETA 9:25 a.m.; ETD 11 a.m.

Qantas A380: ETA 9:45 a.m. (evening departure)

Air New Zealand B777-300: ETA 10 a.m. (evening departure)

LAX is a popular spot for plane-spotters and aviation enthusiasts because the nearly 65 passenger and 20 all-cargo airlines, in addition to commuter and charter flights, that serve LAX provide a wide range of aircraft types, liveries and frequency.

The Theme Building Observation Deck is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For security purposes, personal belongings are inspected before visitors enter the dedicated elevator to the Observation Deck.

The 50-year-old landmark LAX Theme Building draws travelers from around the world The building, that looks like a space ship landed in the middle of the airport, recently finished a three-year, $12.3-million renovation, which included a unique seismic retrofit involving the installation of a rooftop tuned mass damper (TMD) containing 600 tons of steel (equivalent to the weight of two Boeing 747s) added to the top core. The TMD will absorb violent motion caused by an earthquake by counterbalancing with harmonic vibrations of its own. This was the first time in the U.S. that a TMD was installed at the top of a building.