Another day in paradise (aka Kirkwall Airport)

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Last week I visited a few airports and sadly did not have a lot of time to take pictures but as always had the camera with me just in case.  Prior to leaving Orkney we had a crew change for the Subsea Viking and we had a visit from another Saab 2000 in Eastern colours, in theis case G-CERY

Then it was off to Glasgow, no time to take pictures at the airport but as I was standing outside Ikea, this Cessna 208 flew past.  I believe it operates a service from the River Clyde to Oban.  Sorry about the definition but it was a long distance shot.


After a short trip to Glasgow it was back to Edinburgh and while I was waiting to fly I managed to take a few frames.  They are all through glass but hopefully OK.  First an A320-200 operated by BMI


Then a few 737's in a row G-MSJF, G-BYZJ and G-CDKD




These were all planes I rarely see.  Then it was back to the type of aircraft I see on a regular basis.  First G-JECM, a Dash 8 just about to depart


Followed by G-ERJA, and Embraer 145


After arriving at Kirkwall at 1900, it was time to turn around and fly to Stornoway the next morning via Sumburgh and Inverness.  As I waited for G-LEAF to be loaded, I had a few minutes to take pictures on the GA apron.  First of all there were a couple of bizjets namely N403QS, a Gulfstream G1V


And N126KC, a Hawker 800


Parked next to these was G-ISAY, Highland Airways newest Jetstream 41


The last picture I managed to get on this trip was of G-TURF, an F406 parked in the Highland hangar in MCA colours


After getting back home, we had a few visitors this week.  First of all a flypast by XV236


Then completely out of the blue, my jaw dropped when Polly Vacher, her husband and her friends flew in from Mull unexpectedly.  Lovely to see everyone.


We then had a fly in by a number of aircraft on their way to Norway.  First a lovely Beechcraft Bonanza G-ZLOJ


And the inside


We also had the first Saratoga I have seen N77YY


And the inside


And I cannot believe what I did next, there was also a very pretty Trindad and I forgot to take a picture of it but here is the cockpit - Doh


My final picture of the week is N22CU, a PA46 which flew in the previous night from Holland


Donald Alexander Macleod 25/02/36 to 17/06/2008

Thats almost it for now other than to report the sad loss of someone who will always be part of Kirkwall Airports history.  Donald MacLeod moved to Orkney in 1966 as an engineer responsible for the Viscount fleet.  He continued his career until retiral with British Airways when they pulled out of flying their own routes and introduced franchises.

Donald met and married Marion who latterly became Senior Supervisor for Security but when I had the chance, took her on board the terminal duty officer team in January of this year.

Donalds passed away suddenly but is fondly remembered by family friends and colleagues.  He is survived by his three daughters Pamela, Morven and Tina and his grandchildren.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family.

Thats it for this week, take care and thanks for reading

Neil