Taking the F50 to Donegal

Noxegon

Yesterday afternoon I decided to take the "Little Fokker" to Donegal before Amapola leave the route in a few weeks.

The weather wasn't amazing – and I got fewer takeoff shots than planned as this morning's flight was cancelled due to high winds – but I totally recommend the trip for anyone looking for something to do.

The Caisleáin Óir hotel is walking distance.

Irish Steve

Thinking back a long time ago, the aircraft to do that trip on (on a clear day) would have been the Shorts 360, with the larger windows, and flying at much lower levels, they were a real joy to look out of at the passing scenery. Not quite so nice on a filthy weather day over the Brecon Beacons on the way to or from Bristol, but that didn't happen too often fortunately.

FunkyDa2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118550804#Comment_118550804

Or better still, the 330(the "vomit comet"). Short 330 - Wikipedia

L1011

Waiting to get confirmation of which of the two sets of days in the next two weeks I've asked for off work I get to head up - unlikely to get another F50 opportunity easily. Will be hiring a car in the airport to do what I'd be driving up for otherwise so its just an (expensive) modification of a planned trip rather than a specific plane-bagging one.

Irish Steve

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118551965#Comment_118551965

Never got to travel on the 330, and from comments at the time I don't regret it, the handling and stability was not nice compared to the 360. Did a lot of hours on the jump seat of the 360s, and it was an interesting period of time, only 2 of the 6 in the fleet had autopilot, so I was able to watch and learn a lot. That led on to other things, but that's a story for another time.

Noxegon

I never got to fly a Shorts... I'm reminded of this (presumably apocryphal) ATC exchange:

TOWER: "XYZ123 (Shorts 330, Female pilot) clear to land 34"

XYZ123:"Roger, clear to land"

TOWER:"ABC987 report final number 2 to a Shorts 330"

ABC987:"OK when the Lady's got her Shorts down we'll slide in behind!"

L1011

Booked in for next weekend, my partner is already a tad wobbly in an ATR (although we were on a quite ratty 72-201 before) so I'm not sure what the reaction to an F50 that's about my age will be!

Noxegon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118552044#Comment_118552044

Now you’ve got me wondering whether airplane fans make up a statistically significant percentage of those taking the DUB/CFN route this month. I wouldn’t bet against it, particularly on weekends.

I’m one of them! Sat in Dungloe waiting for the bus over to Carrickfinn right now.

Getting this far from County Galway has been……an experience. I started my journey at 1pm yesterday.

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118620264#Comment_118620264

Jaysus, that's taking the scenic route, in all senses of the word!!

I haven't flown that route in years - the first time we did it (during F&M, so interminable queues to cross the borders), it worked a treat. About 2.5 hours door to door, when it was taking 6+ to drive.

Shortly after, a relative flew with pals - there was fog, so they first diverted towards Derry, then Sligo, couldn't make the runway there so after 2 or 3 attempts finally off to Knock, and a 4.5 hours bus transfer. 11.5 hours door to door 🤣

On that occasion, Donegal Airport provided some of the best customer service I can ever remember receiving. I love that airport!

(Apologies for the slight diversion from the aircraft, hope y'all enjoy your flights, I'm very envious! It's a breezy one today!!!)

L1011

Taking the "early" flight Friday, and there's a wind warning currently til 1200... could be fun, if it goes. Going on the schedule I presume the airframe overnights in CFN as the first flight is 0805 CFN-DUB which would be during the warning time. Long time between that arrival and the first flight up though.

Noxegon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118635717#Comment_118635717

Yes, it overnights in CFN.

bikeman1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118635717#Comment_118635717

There have been plenty of cancellations over the last few months due to weather. If it’s out of limits or forecast to be out of limits, they won’t fly.

You can ring Amapola or if at the airport they will put you on the next one. They don’t tend to operate later and see if it dies down. They just cancel.

Rowley Birkin QC

Any car rental recommendations up there?

Looking at a Friday night - Sunday afternoon jaunt but no cars seem to be available.

Noxegon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118640173#Comment_118640173

Enterprise is the only company serving the airport.

L1011

Enterprise, phone them and they are much more flexible than the booking engine allows (e.g. you can return Sunday, but the booking engine says no-go). Its a satellite office of Letterkenny, cars are dropped up as needed. Just remember there's about a week left of Amapola and the F50, then it'll be Emerald on an ATR72-600 - but if you're going for the scenery that doesn't really matter!

So, the moning CFN-DUB operated yesterday but the other three flights were cancelled. There were none scheduled for today anyway for whatever reason - even weeks back. So presumably the airframe is still in DUB, be interesting to see if the morning CFN-DUB tomorrow is cancelled or they dead-head up there.

Rowley Birkin QC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118645067#Comment_118645067

Ah nice one. Not so worried about the type of plane, just like the idea of heading up for a weekend without the long drive. Cheers for the tip.

retalivity

My dad is due to fly down to Dublin tomorrow evening, not looking likely with the weather forecast for tomorrow evening in Carrickfinn...

Noxegon

Yup, I wouldn't expect the Little Fokker to be going anywhere for the next 24 hours or so.

I'm glad I got my flight in a few weeks ago.

L1011

There's a positioning flight filed for 7am to get the frame back to Donegal, feck knows if even that'll operate.

L1011

SE-MFP made it up, and back in DUB now

retalivity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118651556#Comment_118651556

Apparently it did not land at carrickfinn... flight from Donegal this morning was cancelled. 99% chance for the evening flight to be cancelled as well.

https://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/live-arrivals/flight-info?flightid=HP330-20220218

Noxegon

FR24 has no coverage in the vicinity of CFN. I can only assume that they made an assumption about landing time in that case.

L1011

Fr24 has apparent tracks for both directions but it could be simulated and be in and out of a rejected landing and return to DUB.

I have the building, power and data to put a receiver up there if they feel it's required!

L1011

1510 cancelled as I was checking in. Later flight still on... For now...

L1011

And it's gone too. Bus at 6 apparently, I could drive quicker

I was heading up to do something else not time dependent, not just get the F50, so I'm going home!

Noxegon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652820#Comment_118652820

Make it so!

https://www.flightradar24.com/apply-for-receiver

L1011

After some discussion with my partner, plus a quick check to see if there was anywhere suitable for us to do with our cases packed and days off.... we've rebooked for tomorrow. Will stay in the hotel in Dungloe this time. Won't be getting what I needed to get done done; but if we actually get up we'll at least get a night away!

Will go out on the bus so I can just go on the piss if the flight is cancelled.

L1011

Got to the gate this time, hour to go but looking likely finally.

L1011

In a taxi to Dungloe now. About half the flight were heading straight back, fair few getting pics on the apron

EchoIndia

The Amapola Fokker 50 left Donegal this morning at 0915 on a ferry flight back to Sweden.