BRUSSELS AIRPORT SPOTTERS DAY 2017

After the third attempt of competing in the contest for joining the spotters day on Brussels airport it was finally the succesfull one.

After solving two simple questions I got the confirmation I was one of the lucky 25 winners of the 3rd edition.

Tuesday 4th of July 2017. 

Brussels Airport organised for the third time a spotters day.

We where expected at 16.00 in the departure terminal near the Exki store.

We received a warm welcome by Joke and her colleagues. After checking our passports we received a visitors badge and a safety vest. A bus picked us up and brought us to the entrance of the airside.

After a strict safety check we where able to visit our surprise. 

The ANA Dreamliner 787-8 which we could explore under supervision of very friendly ANA employees. By using the jet bridge, we visited the cabin area and resting area of the plane. Also the cockpit was very impressive. One of the main goals in developing this cockpit was to create a familiar cockpit for those who currently fly Boeing airplanes. An airline pilot flying a Boeing 777 should be able to make the transition towards a Boeing 787 only in a few days.

Before visiting the inside of the plane an handling officer was able to give us a lot of information concerning the handling procedure after an aircraft arrives at the gate. 

Notice in the pictures below the connection of the electricity supply, this way an aircraft doesn't need to use its own auxiliry power unit. The yellow tube (ground air conditioning tube) which is also connected with the plane is the airco. It's able to blow warm or cold air into the cabin area to reach or keep the wanted temperature inside the aircraft. 

Registration JA806A will keep a special place in our heart.

Many thanks towards 'ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS' and his staff members to make this visit possible!

After this visit we moved to our second location.

related link : https://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/be/e/

The second spot of the day was situated between the cargo side and Melsbroek Air Base. 

Here we had a clear view on the runway 25R to witness all movements. 

Taking pictures from landings, take-offs and a lot of taxiing was great fun.

Food and drinks where provided at that time by the Brussels Airport staff.

After several hours on this spot we moved with the bus towards our last location.

Our third location was not far from pier B close to the ANA Dreamliner which we visited earlier that day.

Here we saw up close aircraft landing on 25L and taxiing towards pier B.

After organising some group photos and receiving a nice goodie bag we returned home after a magnificent day of spotting.  

Many thanks towards Brussels Airport, Joke and colleagues for the perfect organisation and warm welcome! (and for the very nice gift : book Brussels Airport - photography Tom D'Haenens)

related link : https://www.brusselsairport.be/nl