They truly are, in my opinion one of the best quadjets ever made in terms of looks. As a Bournemouth spotter i am extremely lucky to get as many as 3x A340 movements in one day so when they eventually retire it will be a massive loss!
@@aviation747 Absolutely same here. Other than the B737-800 I went to see the A340 Depart today, I feel complete as i have never caught it before, ill post the link for the video in the comments. Beautiful Plane. (I spot at Bournemouth sometimes too!)
@@aviation747 I know, took forever for them to do their thing, the previous day we watched them load that plane, Yesterday it took off. Arrived In china today at 11.
Absolutely magnificent aircraft, and in my opinion the 340-600 is the best looking 4 engine sub sonic aircraft of all time. I flew on a Virgin 340-600 from DC to LHR about 15 years ago there were less than 70 passengers on board it was an incredible experience. I believe this all freight airline European Cargo will eventually have 12 340-600 in the fleet. What a pity that Virgin gave the type up during Covid, but as others have mentioned Lufthansa seem to be working their 340s hard, so still an opportunity to fly on one.
They really are one of the best looking aircraft around! That must have been incredible getting to fly on one especially with virgin atlantic! I think european already have all 12 in their fleet its just some are still in storage at other locations. They also have a couple A340-500s!
@@aviation747 that is great to hear! I used to love the 707 but the A340 is the modern equivalent. Great to see / hear the A340 is finding a new role in life. Stunningly beautiful airliner.
@@malahammer I totally agree, beautiful lines and profile. My favourite aircraft of all time. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think the DC-8, whilst also a fine aircraft, is its ugly sister, though the CV990 was nearly as nice and streamlined as the 707.
Over half a century ago, I had a great uncle and aunt who lived across the road from Hurn. I used to love visiting so I could watch the Bristol Freighters being loaded and departing. They were a bit less sprightly than that departure. Still good to see the A340s being used - they sometimes pass over here on their way into or out of Bournemouth.
@@aviation747 A few times but not at Bournemouth. The most memorable was in the late 70s when I got bumped up to first on a Pan Am 747 at Heathrow and we were number 1 departing after Concorde. The one and only time I've heard all the windows rattle on a modern airliner - the inner ones, not the outer pressure ones. Other than that, it was just glimpses here and there as it flew over.
I suspect that was an engineering transit flight, i.e. gear not raised and possibly no passengers giving that lift with strong headwinds. Nice capture.
Thank you! It was a transit flight for maintenance, it also wasn't a very long flight therefore it wasn't carrying loads of fuel further adding to its impressive climb performance!
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
They fly over my house in Southampton to or from China/Bournemouth most days, its about 5 minutes away by plane so quite low, absolutely makes my day when I see it. As I understand during Covid they were bringing in PPE, not sure what now, general airfreight?
No, The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down.
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down. The gear was actually down for the entire flight!
interesting.. i wonder if this will be the next addition to the european cargo fleet. ive heard that they have one coming in july and another two by october. ive seen G-ECLM on flightradar a few times with 'TEST' as the call sign
This aircraft is already part of the fleet although i am unsure if it has been kitted out for cargo flying, the departure in this video was a maintenance ferry flight though so its certainly possible!
They kept it down the entire flight as it was a ferry flight, the gear hadn't been cycled in an extended period of time therefore a cycle test is required something that was performed during its maintenance at another airport as Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for this. You are correct about the gear down creating more drag and it also limits the aircraft's speed that it can fly at so as not to cause any damage to the gear making this flight very slow and very inefficient in terms of fuel burn
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down. The gear was actually down for the entire flight!
It was a ferry flight for maintenance, the aircraft had been on ground so long it required a gear swing test something that wasn't possible at Bournemouth therefore it flew its entire flight with its gear down!
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down.
It was a ferry flight for maintenance, the aircraft had been on ground so long it required a gear swing test something that wasn't possible at Bournemouth
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down.
The aircraft was empty with minimal fuel onboard, i doubt it would be able to achieve this with a full load of pax / cargo, either way i agree that the pilot was definitely having a good time!
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down for its entire flight! This is a very rare occurrence, my first ever time seeing it!
It was a ferry flight for maintenance, the aircraft had been on ground so long it required a gear swing test something that wasn't possible at Bournemouth therefore it flew its entire flight with its gear down!
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
@@aviation747 I've seen this test done in hangars raising the aircraft with jacks. Apparently from what you say they didn't have this equipment in Bournemouth.
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
3 days ago G-ECLB (Eurocargo Flt SE650) another A346 came down through the Gulf (spotted near Basrah) en-route to Haikou in China, obviously empty as he was up at 39''0 (possibly for freighter conversion). Powerful beasts - I used fly on these with Qatar who used them on the CDG route for a few years at one time. Etihad had some as well, and actually they (EY) wrecked one and wrote it off even before delivery on engine run-up tests at Toulouse - forgot to 'chock the wheels' and it started rolling/accelerating across the pan and hit/climbed up over a Blast Wall. (A6-EHG)
The flights to China are cargo flights with cargo in the cabin, although im unsure if they go to china loaded but i know they come back with cargo. That incident with the Etihad 340 must have lead to someone having a lot of explaining to do!
@@aviation747 Being from this very part of the world, that test receiving team were at the time I believe, still GAMCo or certainly the ex GAMCo company renamed. GAMCo was the old 'Gulf Air Maintenance Company' and there were many many horrific stories around about Senior Managers (who were not locals at that time yet, but Egyptian/Levant expats), forcing certificated aircraft engineers, i.e. Sub-Continent/Philippinos etc to sign off aircraft when they had determined that work had NOT been completed correctly, in other words they were leant upon..... (to keep their jobs). So that team were almost certainly GAMCo, or ex members of GAMCo, and in that incident several were severely injured - human error was the BEA (French accident bureau) analysis - very unprofessional actions.
I believe its due to the aircraft requiring a gear swing test something BOH doesn't have the facilities for to the best of my knowledge therefore it is flown with its gear down to its destination, in this case where the maintenance / tests are conducted
I take it this was recently? I must come down to BOH and get some photos of these birds in action, looking on Flight Radar 24 it looks like 2 arrivals and departures most days
@@markotango54 This was filmed around a year ago (im very slow at getting content uploaded) but its well worth a visit, last Saturday i was filming the red arrows at BOH and managed to catch 3x A340 movements in one day!
Авто/Мото
The A340 is such a beautiful, elegant machine. They are becoming a bit rarer, I will miss seeing them when they all retire.
They truly are, in my opinion one of the best quadjets ever made in terms of looks. As a Bournemouth spotter i am extremely lucky to get as many as 3x A340 movements in one day so when they eventually retire it will be a massive loss!
agree!!! especially the -600s. I love the lufthansa ones.
@@aviation747 Absolutely same here. Other than the B737-800 I went to see the A340 Depart today, I feel complete as i have never caught it before, ill post the link for the video in the comments. Beautiful Plane. (I spot at Bournemouth sometimes too!)
@@twisteycute2 Awesome i am glad you where able to catch it!
@@aviation747 I know, took forever for them to do their thing, the previous day we watched them load that plane, Yesterday it took off. Arrived In china today at 11.
A340 is an Airbus icon!
It truly is, Always lovely to see one!
They are simply a gorgeous looking aircraft. Terrible they are getting very hard to see these days, so elegant in the sky.
They really are, it will be awful when they all retire!
Absolutely magnificent aircraft, and in my opinion the 340-600 is the best looking 4 engine sub sonic aircraft of all time.
I flew on a Virgin 340-600 from DC to LHR about 15 years ago there were less than 70 passengers on board it was an incredible experience.
I believe this all freight airline European Cargo will eventually have 12 340-600 in the fleet.
What a pity that Virgin gave the type up during Covid, but as others have mentioned Lufthansa seem to be working their 340s hard, so still an opportunity to fly on one.
They really are one of the best looking aircraft around! That must have been incredible getting to fly on one especially with virgin atlantic! I think european already have all 12 in their fleet its just some are still in storage at other locations. They also have a couple A340-500s!
@@aviation747 that is great to hear! I used to love the 707 but the A340 is the modern equivalent. Great to see / hear the A340 is finding a new role in life. Stunningly beautiful airliner.
The 707, for me, is still the best and most perfect looking 4 engine aircraft.
@@malahammer I totally agree, beautiful lines and profile. My favourite aircraft of all time. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think the DC-8, whilst also a fine aircraft, is its ugly sister, though the CV990 was nearly as nice and streamlined as the 707.
@@malahammer The 707 is a beautiful bird sadly more or less extinct nowadays
Airbus is one of the best aircraft manufacturers
I was fortunate enough to fly with lufthansa A340/600 a few times! What a wonderful aircraft !!!!!!!❤❤❤
Wow very nice, i would love to fly on one someday!
One of he best!
Over half a century ago, I had a great uncle and aunt who lived across the road from Hurn. I used to love visiting so I could watch the Bristol Freighters being loaded and departing. They were a bit less sprightly than that departure. Still good to see the A340s being used - they sometimes pass over here on their way into or out of Bournemouth.
Wow that must have been incredible to see! Did you ever manage to see the Concorde back in the late 90s / early 2000s?
@@aviation747 A few times but not at Bournemouth. The most memorable was in the late 70s when I got bumped up to first on a Pan Am 747 at Heathrow and we were number 1 departing after Concorde. The one and only time I've heard all the windows rattle on a modern airliner - the inner ones, not the outer pressure ones. Other than that, it was just glimpses here and there as it flew over.
Lufthansa still uses the 340. Must have some useful service life in them!
They do indeed although i believe that Lufthansa are planning on getting rid of them in the next year or so.
I suspect that was an engineering transit flight, i.e. gear not raised and possibly no passengers giving that lift with strong headwinds. Nice capture.
As far as I am aware all of the A340s based at Bournemouth have been converted to freighters.
Thank you! It was a transit flight for maintenance, it also wasn't a very long flight therefore it wasn't carrying loads of fuel further adding to its impressive climb performance!
@@aviation747where did it fly too?
Flew on an Air France 340 from Atlanta to Paris 22 years ago, beautiful aircraft
Very cool, that must have been an amazing experience!
A creature of exquisite beauty ❤
Beautiful capturing ❤
Thank you!
Great catch. That thing got out of there!!!
Thank you!
Wow absolutely amazing video! ✈️🤩👍🏼
Woah, that’s crazy! Such a beauty and such a beast.
Cool stuff! May I feature this takeoff in one of my next episodes? Of course with a link back to your original video. All the best to you!
Hello! 😮
Thank you, go ahead it would be awesome for you to put this in one of your videos!
@@aviation747 Awesome, thanks!
Wonder what Clickbait 3minutesof Aviation will use??
Ahh what clickbait title will you give it? "Plane Fails To Stay On Ground" ?
Wow! Amazing beast ❤
In that last tight curve the landing gear must have good drag
It certainly would be, luckily the aircraft was mostly empty so its not too much of a problem.
Our favourite local aircraft ❤
I wodner if this was some sort of training exercise. I see he never retracted the landing gear
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
They fly over my house in Southampton to or from China/Bournemouth most days, its about 5 minutes away by plane so quite low, absolutely makes my day when I see it. As I understand during Covid they were bringing in PPE, not sure what now, general airfreight?
Yes the A340 is now over thirty years old
Ferry flight. Love me a good gear down take-off!
Fantastic airplane 👍👍👍
Did the pilots forget to pull up the gear?
No, The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down.
Очень красивый самолёт!!!
Согласованный
Left under carriage down a long time.A340 nice plane
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down. The gear was actually down for the entire flight!
interesting.. i wonder if this will be the next addition to the european cargo fleet. ive heard that they have one coming in july and another two by october. ive seen G-ECLM on flightradar a few times with 'TEST' as the call sign
This aircraft is already part of the fleet although i am unsure if it has been kitted out for cargo flying, the departure in this video was a maintenance ferry flight though so its certainly possible!
Took a long time to put the landing gear up . I always thought that not doing so would affect the drag of an aircraft .
They kept it down the entire flight as it was a ferry flight, the gear hadn't been cycled in an extended period of time therefore a cycle test is required something that was performed during its maintenance at another airport as Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for this. You are correct about the gear down creating more drag and it also limits the aircraft's speed that it can fly at so as not to cause any damage to the gear making this flight very slow and very inefficient in terms of fuel burn
@@aviation747 Interesting.... I never knew of this procedure. But yes, it makes sense not to risk raising the gear in this situation.
@@ihsrosary There have been flights in the past that have been trans Atlantic with the gear down for this reason. Not common but does happen.
Probably off for freight conversion. There are another 4 of this type operated from Bournemouth
AFAIK they are all converted, they have been there for years.
It was off for maintenance and possibly conversion too, although i am not too sure as it still hasn't flown on any of Europeans cargo routes.
Iberia A340!!!
When did they pull up the landing gear? Nevertheless, sharp aircraft.
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down. The gear was actually down for the entire flight!
@@aviation747 Wow, ok. Interesting.
was he coming back round to land as wheels not folded away ? Great aircraft
It was a ferry flight for maintenance, the aircraft had been on ground so long it required a gear swing test something that wasn't possible at Bournemouth therefore it flew its entire flight with its gear down!
@@aviation747Where did it go for the gear swings?
@@stephenholland5930 I believe Frankfurt
The A340 is the Forgotten Super Jet....
Ex Iberia a340-600
That‘s like a rocket launch for an A340. Must have been without any payload and limited amounts of fuel.
Yep it was completely empty with minimal fuel for a short ferry flight to Frankfurt!
@@aviation747 Runway lenght is available for heavy takeoff ?'
The -500 and -600 were not under powered like the earlier versions. They could really go.
Amateur here but why didn't he retract the undercarriage? (On the world's second most beautiful plane ❤)
@@jonathanhindson1594 Best way to cool brakes and pads before retract
Love your plane shot! Can I feature it in my project with credit? Thanks!
Thank you! Feel free to use this and any of my other videos in your project :)
@@aviation747 Thank you so much! I really appreciate your generosity. I'll be sure to credit you properly. Thanks again!
@@flightmode254 No worries mate glad i could help!
@@aviation747 Thanks alot🙏🙏
Long time to retract the landing gear😮
The aircraft needed a gear swing test therefore it flew its entire flight with the gear down.
Beautiful Aircraft....but what about gear-up???
The aircraft needed a gear swing test alongside other maintenance this was a ferry flight to a location where all this was possible!
Why was the gear down?
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down.
Why them wheels still out
It was a ferry flight for maintenance, the aircraft had been on ground so long it required a gear swing test something that wasn't possible at Bournemouth
How come the gears are not retracted after takeoff?
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
@@aviation747 ah, i see. So like globale airline's ex china southern 380.
@@hamburger7478 Exactly like that!
What happened with the landing gears ???
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down.
Must have been empty. Or had the more powerful engines. Awesome view 😎
Thank you! The aircraft was empty for this ferry flight and it has the more powerful engines compared to the A340-200/300
That's indeed a ver steep takeoff.
I don't think it's legal with passengers. But the pilot had fun...
The aircraft was empty with minimal fuel onboard, i doubt it would be able to achieve this with a full load of pax / cargo, either way i agree that the pilot was definitely having a good time!
The pilot forgot to retract the landing gear. :)
The aircraft had been on ground long enough that a gear swing test was required something that Bournemouth doesn't have the facilities for therefore the aircraft had to be ferried with its gear down for its entire flight! This is a very rare occurrence, my first ever time seeing it!
@@aviation747 Ok, for short distances, it's no problem. However, for long distances this generates drag and fuel consumption is much higher.
@@aguimars Indeed thats why they try to keep this type of ferry flight short!
Good candidate for convrsion to all cargo. Conversion will give them longer life and save them from early retirement and scrapping
Couldn't agree more! Its great to see these aircraft get a new lease of life!
WHY LANDINGS GEAR NO GO UP???!!??
It was a ferry flight for maintenance, the aircraft had been on ground so long it required a gear swing test something that wasn't possible at Bournemouth therefore it flew its entire flight with its gear down!
@@aviation747 ah, yes. Very well then.
This is a newest one I suppose, it's got the bigger GE engines as opposed to the smaller earlier A340 versions.
Nope, the A340-500 and this A340-600 is powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 500.
It is the newest model of the A340 yes but as seen in the previous reply it uses the Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines
It looks line the landing gear got stuck half way.
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
@@aviation747 I've seen this test done in hangars raising the aircraft with jacks. Apparently from what you say they didn't have this equipment in Bournemouth.
Dude, retract the gear!
The aircraft needed a gear swing test as it had been in storage for an extensive period of time, Bournemouth does not have the facilities for this so it had to be ferried with its gear down to a location where this could be completed alongside further maintenance / modifications before it enters service with the airline.
OMG Gear up already!!! what is the hold up?
Ferry flight, it had to fly with it's gear down.
She went off like a stabbed rat 😂
I live under London airspace so I get see a lot of rare planes sometimes. But I’d pay to see an A340 over me fr!
Very cool, your best bet would be a diversion or the occasional flight European cargo make into Heathrow!
I hope I see them ✈️
@@awuraama7185 If you get lucky im sure you will! If not they fly pretty much daily out of Bournemouth its well worth a visit!
Underpowered hardsell not steep at all 😂
the flying pencil
3 days ago G-ECLB (Eurocargo Flt SE650) another A346 came down through the Gulf (spotted near Basrah) en-route to Haikou in China, obviously empty as he was up at 39''0 (possibly for freighter conversion).
Powerful beasts - I used fly on these with Qatar who used them on the CDG route for a few years at one time. Etihad had some as well, and actually they (EY) wrecked one and wrote it off even before delivery on engine run-up tests at Toulouse - forgot to 'chock the wheels' and it started rolling/accelerating across the pan and hit/climbed up over a Blast Wall. (A6-EHG)
The flights to China are cargo flights with cargo in the cabin, although im unsure if they go to china loaded but i know they come back with cargo. That incident with the Etihad 340 must have lead to someone having a lot of explaining to do!
@@aviation747
Being from this very part of the world, that test receiving team were at the time I believe, still GAMCo or certainly the ex GAMCo company renamed. GAMCo was the old 'Gulf Air Maintenance Company' and there were many many horrific stories around about Senior Managers (who were not locals at that time yet, but Egyptian/Levant expats), forcing certificated aircraft engineers, i.e. Sub-Continent/Philippinos etc to sign off aircraft when they had determined that work had NOT been completed correctly, in other words they were leant upon..... (to keep their jobs).
So that team were almost certainly GAMCo, or ex members of GAMCo, and in that incident several were severely injured - human error was the BEA (French accident bureau) analysis - very unprofessional actions.
@@Man_from_UNCLE wow i never knew about this, it sounds incredibly unsafe though!
Il cherosene costa purtroppo è anche se bellissimi sono antieconomico ormai e surclassato dal 787 e a350 per non parlare dei 777.
captain must have thought he was at farnborough lol, also why didn't he put gear up?
I believe its due to the aircraft requiring a gear swing test something BOH doesn't have the facilities for to the best of my knowledge therefore it is flown with its gear down to its destination, in this case where the maintenance / tests are conducted
I take it this was recently? I must come down to BOH and get some photos of these birds in action, looking on Flight Radar 24 it looks like 2 arrivals and departures most days
@@markotango54 This was filmed around a year ago (im very slow at getting content uploaded) but its well worth a visit, last Saturday i was filming the red arrows at BOH and managed to catch 3x A340 movements in one day!
A 340-600 : the most beautiful of all Airbus planes.
@@aviation747why are you being so cryptic in where it was going 😂