Well, we all must start our journeys somewhere. This year me and my good friend and pilot Bertrand and I are beginning a new world tour in Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport(VHHH), flying first to Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport(RPLL). We'd be flying the first leg together, and he chose his favourite 737-800. I "borrowed" a 747-400 from Cathay Pacific for this flight.
I boarded the aircraft, which was parked at the far end of the terminal, and began startup procedures.
My aircraft, B-HOW parked at one of those extra long jetways at Hong Kong.
Normal startup procedure, fuel loadouts checked, route logged into the Flight Management Computer (FMC) and all flight systems checked. Soon, it was time to push and start. I flicked the red anti-collision light switch on, started up the APU and called for pushback.
Pulling back from the gate, while starting engines.
4 good starts, and the aircraft was off. I began the long taxi to runway 7L, watching Bertrand's cute 737 in front of me.
Taxiing down the long parallels.
Having reached the runway before me, Bertrand decided to take off first.
I reached the runway before too long though. Final takeoff checks, landing lights and strobes on, Traffic Collision and Avoidance System (TCAS) set, engines to continuous ignition and the aircraft was ready. I began to line up on the runway, watching Bertrand depart.
There was no traffic around except Bertrand, who was well clear, so I advanced the four throttle levers forward and enjoyed the sounds of the Rolls Royce RB211 engines spooling up. We began our roll...
...and soon the lightly loaded 747 soared into the sky.
Chek Lap Kok's interestingly Y-shaped terminal
The climb through the thick clouds was pretty uneventful, and soon we were cruising high at flight level 390, about 39000 feet above sea level.
Passenger's point of view
Bertrand seems to be having some minor problems
Climbing out of the thick clouds
Front seat view
High in the sky
Before too long, my aircraft made landfall over the Philippines.
The descent was slightly turbulent, but the huge size of the 747 meant it wasn't affected much. The both of us were soon over Manila turning around for the approach. Bertrand went in first, and I followed behind.
Descending into Manila
Gear down, all set for landing until...
Bertrand was lagging on the runway. Naturally, this meant that I couldn't land, so I executed a go-around.
Climbing out after going around
Turning to the missed approach point
I made a circle around the airport and came around for a second try. By this time, the sun was setting
Gear and flaps down.
Final approach
Over the runway threshold
This time, the landing went according to plan.
The touchdown was quite smooth, but then, the 747-400 is an easy plane to fly. I engaged reverse thrust and spoilers, and braked the aircraft. Soon, the 747 was rolling nicely on the runway.
I exited the runway and made for a gate near Bertrand. There, I shut down the aircraft and made preparations for the next flight.
B-HOW parked next to a glorious sunset.
I decided to hang around Manila a while, but Bertrand left off. The next leg of our tour was a southern town in the Philippines know as Tambler, which I'd never heard of before. In the end, I'd only fly this leg a few weeks later. For now, though, that was a pretty satisfying flight in a great aircraft.
