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Flight Tracking Services - Interesting Observations

flymo

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Geordie back from exile.
Whilst exploring the FR24 world today I saw one of the FedEx MD11, N574FE, aircraft that has been grounded since Sept 2025 brought to life in Singapore this morning. I saw at least 2 of these parked near the northern perimeter of Changi airport last time I was there, wonder if one or more is getting ready for ferrying somewhere or even returned to service ? MD11.png
 
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Peter Mugridge

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I'll have to check back as I can't remember which issue it was, but I am sure there was something in a recent Air Britain News saying they were going to be ferried for storage and then parting out. Very unlikely any will return to service.
 

Mojo

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Was surprised to see this tiddler waiting to take off at Heathrow this morning. Possibly a member of the royal family?
IMG_8128.jpeg
 

Peter Mugridge

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Was surprised to see this tiddler waiting to take off at Heathrow this morning. Possibly a member of the royal family?
There are quite a few biz jet movements at Heathrow each month. However, given this one went to Aberdeen Dyce, which is of course quite close to Balmoral...
 

Bald Rick

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something described as Air Force One just flew over, en route from Switzerland to (probably) Lakenheath. Definitely US Government though (99-0004).

And perhaps not coincidentally, massive bolt of lightning not long afterwards!

Edit: it was following Air Force Two…
 

thejuggler

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I was tracking an unusual one earlier today. An Avro Anson which made a return visit to Leeds Bradford, where it was built 80 years ago.
 
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A very unusual (and loud!) engine note drew my attention to this over Grimsby. Unfortunately not visible due to cloud, but the Douglas DC-6 from the "Flying Bulls" collection apparently on its way to Reykjavik.
 

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Peter Mugridge

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A Goodyear blimp in the form of Zeppelin D-LZFN is currently in the London area, as the screenshot below from a moment ago shows.

1783674051809.png
 

Ted633

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A very unusual (and loud!) engine note drew my attention to this over Grimsby. Unfortunately not visible due to cloud, but the Douglas DC-6 from the "Flying Bulls" collection apparently on its way to Reykjavik.
Going to Oshkosh air show in the states. The collections P-38 Lightning and A-26 Invader started their journey on Sunday, although they need more stops than the DC-6.
 

Jimini

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One for us night owls from LGW early doors this morning:

Several flights diverted after plane blocks Gatwick runway

A number of flights were diverted from Gatwick airport after a plane temporarily blocked one of its runways.

Emergency services met the British Airways plane as a precaution upon landing, following reports of a "technical fault" with the aircraft.

One of the diverted planes, an already-delayed EasyJet flight from Rome to Gatwick, had to land at Stansted airport instead - and subsequently became stuck there because it was unable to find fuel.

Passengers were left on that plane for over two hours in the middle of the night before disembarking.

The BA plane which temporarily blocked the runway at Gatwick Airport reportedly experienced a landing gear issue. BA said the plane landed safely and passengers disembarked normally.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: "Earlier this morning, the runway was closed for a short period due to a technical issue with an aircraft.

"As a result, a small number of flights were diverted, with the majority later returning to London Gatwick. As always, safety and security is our number one priority."

There were a number of delays to arrivals and departures from Gatwick Airport on Wednesday, although it was not clear if these were connected to the earlier runway closure.

Here's a few screenshots from FR24 that I took...

Flight with landing gear issues at LGW being met by the emergency services on the runway:


FR4.jpeg


Nine flights squawking 7700 / mayday (the ones in red):


FR3.jpeg

FR24 list of the nine flights:


FR1.jpeg
 

JG89

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Spanish airline Iberia used a FIFA World Cup 2026 liveried aircraft to operate their Madrid to Buenos Aires service yesterday, just a few days after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final.

IMG_4678.jpeg
 

Bald Rick

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A nearly boxfresh Air Alaska Dreamliner just went over, on a Heathrow - Seattle trip. AS101. Right now just flying up the Lune gorge (at 34,000ft)

I didn’t know:

a) they had any widebodies
b) they flew to Heathrow!

Anyone tried them out?
 
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AlterEgo

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A nearly boxfresh Air Alaska Dreamliner just went over, on a Heathrow - Seattle trip. AS101. Right now just flying uo the Lune gorge (at 34,000ft)

I didn’t know:

a) they had any widebodies
b) they flew to Heathrow!

Anyone tried them out?
They've been flying transatlantic since earlier this year, also to Rome. They're rather expensive so I haven't tried them yet!
 

KatieLouLou

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A nearly boxfresh Air Alaska Dreamliner just went over, on a Heathrow - Seattle trip. AS101. Right now just flying up the Lune gorge (at 34,000ft)

I didn’t know:

a) they had any widebodies
b) they flew to Heathrow!

Anyone tried them out?
They acquired widebodies through their acquisition of Hawaiian
 

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