Excel Airways Southend – Gatwick

Having downloaded an XLA 767-300 (iFDG) I decided to take her out on her first flight. Not fancying a 12 hour Caribbean run I decided on a positioning flight from ATC Southend to her homebase at Gatwick. The weather was clear with just a slight breeze, and the flight was a short 20 minute hop across the Thames.

Pushing back after some maintenance at the ATC facility:

And a head on view:

As this was a positioning flight – no passengers or freight were being carried:

Turning on to the runway after having been given take-off clearance:

V1…Rotate:

The 767-300 is quite a graceful aircraft compared with the stubby -200! The titles on the front read “Golden Caribbean” – as these flights were started in conjunction with this tour operator:

On ILS approach for Gatwick’s 26L runway. This is the more commonly used one, as 8R is in operation only when easterly winds are present:

I landed just after this VS 747-400 (G-VTOP) however due to my low weight I came to a stop quickly and was able to take an early taxiway to the parking – wheras the 747 went right down, almost to the 8R threshold:

Some AI traffic at LGW – A 757-200 of Thomas Cook and a MyTravel A321 I am coming near to completing all the LGW operators (phew!) Models are by FSP and AI Aardvark:

The standard charter airlines, as well as something a little more interesting – an Air Namibia MD11 resting before its return flight to Windhoek:

Enjoy:)!