Quick Guide to Philippine Planespotting in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL/RPLL)

The planespotting group in the Philippines is known as the Philippine Planespotters Group (PPSG). It's composed of planespotters mostly from the Philippines and sometimes from other countries. Local planespotters are based in different airports in the Philippines, usually in Manila (MNL/RPLL), Cebu (CEB/RPVM) and Davao (DVO/RPMD). The group can be contacted through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippineplanespotters/

Planespotting in Manila (MNL/RPLL)

There are many planespotting locations in MNL, usually close to Runway 06. Spotting in 24 is quite rare; there are only a few good spots in 24. Here's a few of the possible spotting locations in Manila:

 Satellite image courtesy of Google Maps. Legends by fellow planespotter Johannes Paul Victorina Lastimoza

A. PPSG HQ (http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=14.498150&lon=120.997823&z=18&m=b)

It is located near the threshold of Runway 06. Here you can get close up shots of departing aircraft should 06 be the active. However, you can only get belly shots if the other one is. You can also take pictures of landing aircraft but there's a better spotting location if landing A/C is your preference. Spotting in this location is best during afternoon onwards; sunlight shines on the airplanes' fuselage. Food and drinks are available at very affordable prices. There is a covered area in this location as well, should you wish to take a rest. The only disadvantage when taking close up pics of departing aircraft would be the airport fence. If you can insert the lens then there's no problem. If not, however, you might end up having a vignette effect on your pictures. Another would be the airport guards. Although this problem was already resolved, there are still some who would say that it's prohibited to take pictures of airplanes even if the airport General Manager (through an official letter) said that there's no rule existing on the ban on planespotting and that it's perfectly fine to planespot.

PPSG HQ

Lunch in the PPSG HQ

B. Tulay (http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=14.495817&lon=120.999594&z=18&m=b)

This is only walking distance from PPSG HQ. Here you get a good view of landing aircraft. You can see departing aircraft but your view is limited. Just be ready to bear the foul smell coming from the river.

Viewpoint in the Tulay spotting location

Spotters in action waiting for the arriving A/C to come closer

C. Along Kaingin Road
For side shots of arriving and departing aircraft, plus a good view of Terminal 1. You will need to climb up the concrete culverts/trees lined along the road to get a view of the runway/terminal.


D. Terminal 1 Departure Deck

Quite far from the PPSG HQ. I haven't tried spotting here, but this area is a good alternative when 24 is the active. You can get close up shots of parked aircraft in T1 and in the Remote Parking Bays. The Antonov 124 usually parks in the remote bays should it land in MNL. The location isn't spotter-friendly, however. Airport guards may be the issue but an inviting smile and good reasoning can pull you off. Good for rare airplane spotting as they usually park at the Remote Parking Bays.

E. Departure Area Off Ramp
Same restrictions as to location D. Provides you a good viewpoint of domestic aircraft arriving from Runway 24 OR rotating from Runway 06. The location allows you to include the Control Tower in your composition.

F. Along West and East Service Roads
Relatively safe for planespotters. Provides you a "province" look of Runway 24 arrivals. You also have the option to include trees and tall grasses or the Makati/Bonifacio Global City skylines for a more modern look. Offers a good vantage point to LTP and Villamor provided your lens has enough focal reach...Dramatic runway 24 late afternoon/sunset departures are also in the menu.

With special thanks to Johannes Paul Victorina Lastimoza, fellow PPSG member, for his added contribution in this guide.

Planespotting Pictures in MNL- Philippine Airlines (and Airphil Express)

Philippine Airlines is the flag carrier of the Philippines. It used to be state-owned however it is now privately owned. Currently, 49% of it belongs to San Miguel Corporation, a known and a large conglomerate here in the Philippines. The move was for SMC's plans of modernizing the flag carrier, also the oldest airline in Asia.

PAL Express (former Airphil Express) is the low cost end of Philippine Airlines. Currently, the airline accounts for domestic flights of the parent company. PAL, then, accounts for international flights and select few domestic flights.

Philippine Airlines's fleet is composed of Airbus A319, A320, A330-300, A340-300, Boeing 777-300ER and 747-400 aircraft. PAL Express's fleet is composed of Airbus A319, A320, Bombardier Dash 8 -300 and Q400 aircraft, all from Philippine Airlines.

Airphil Express Airbus A320. This livery no longer exists here in the Philippines. Planes with this one currently wear the Sunriser livery of PAL.

This is my VERY LAST picture of an Airphil-painted jet. RP-C8396

I have no pics for Airphil-painted Bombardier's but I have videos..

PAL Express Bombardier Dash 8-300

Philippine Airlines Airbus A319 - RP-C8603. Remember that both PALEx and PAL aircraft are wearing the Sunriser livery, right? One way of differentiating a PAL and a PALEx plane is to check the underbelly. If it has a grey shade (like this one) then it's PAL's. If none then it's PALEx's. All of the Dash 8's are PALEx's.

RP-C8612, an Airbus A320

 Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300 - RP-C3336

 Another A330. This time, it's RP-C3335

This time, an Airbus A340! RP-C3432

Underbelly view of RP-C7774, a Boeing 777-300ER. As of this date, it is the newest in PAL's fleet I believe. Q: Which is better, the A330 or 777? ;)

RP-C7475, one of five 747's in PAL's fleet.

IN THE FUTURE: PAL will have Airbus A321 and A330 (High Gross Weight version) aircraft. Their current A330 fleet will be passed on to PALEx once the orders are delievered. Moreover, they have plans on buying the 747-8 and the 787-8 (of which there are no firm orders yet)

That's all! And only now have I realized that I have all aircraft types of Philippine Airlines taken. #achievementunlocked

(This post is no longer included in the "Photography" section)

Planespotting Pictures in MNL- Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific is a low cost carrier based here in the Philippines. It is the largest airline here in the Philippines by fleet number. Before their current fleet they had 757's and DC9's. Currently, they have a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, including a few ATR 72-500's. The Airbus A320 family accounts for about 81% of the airline jet traffic here in the Philippines, with Cebu Pacific accounting for 40% of the A320 Family fleet).

 

More pictures (local planespotters are quite fed up with too many A320's here in the Philippines... They would call it an "Airbug")

Bottom view of RP-C3197, an Airbus A319

Notice any difference? Sure you do! This A320 is fitted with what Airbus calls Sharklets. Cebu Pacific is the first airline here in the Philippines to receive an Airbus A320 fitted with Sharklets. This one is RP-C3272, one of two (the other, RP-C3273) existing Sharkies here in the Philippines. This was taken in La Salle Green Hills.

The last picture :)

I have no pictures of their ATR yet but I have videos... Here are links to the videos.

A Cebu Pacific ATR Landing in MNL

A Cebu Pacific ATR Taking off

(Not a planespot video/picture) IN THE FUTURE: Cebu Pacific will introduce a new type in their fleet, the Airbus A330-300. There are no A330's with their colors but in the meantime here's a video of an A330 with their colors as rendered in Microsoft Flight Simulator X.

P.S. This is my first post. Thanks for reading :D Although most of my posts may be about airplanes, my blog would not be limited to it.

(This post is no longer included in the "Photography" section)