Dear Readers
First of all, I thank you for taking the time to read this story.
This story begins on June 17, 2008, that morning I received a message (SMS) saying: at 1:30 p.m. (11:30 UTC) the A318 MSN 3509 from LAN Future CC-CVV leaves for its first flight and at 2:00 p.m. (12:00 UTC) the Emirates A380 MSN 011 future A6-EDA departs for a test flight. I make it a point to leave early at work so I can go take photos of the A318, since those are the planes I don't try to miss.
Well, since the A380 was also on the flight plan, I decided to stay to take some photos since the weather was good.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I thank Rodrigo E. and Karsten A. for their help with the data and information they have made available to me, since without them I could not be reporting this.
Arriving at the scene, I check the runways (listening to the scanner) and make the decision to take photos of the A318 while it is on its way to takeoff.
After taking the respective photos of the A318 I saw that the A380 was being moved and I made the decision to change position since I wanted to catch it taking off. And these are the results.
After that photo section I went home happy, prepared photos and put them online on known sites.
The photos have had many views and that makes me happy
The photos have had many views and that makes me happy
On June 29, 2008, I received an email. When I read it, I was a little impressed since it was the editor Richard Maslen of Airliner World Magazine, where he wrote that the editorial team was interested in my photos to be published in the edition. September 2008, they asked me for the photo that is published in JetPhotos, which should meet some size requirements and that's where the problems began for me, I have the program known to everyone to edit the photos but I am not an expert with the aforementioned program, so I contacted my friends Carlos V. and Fernando O. to ask for a hand with this issue. After several email exchanges with my friends, I managed to edit the photo to the requested requirements and send it.
First of all, I thank Michael B. for his help in writing the following
On July 7, 2008 I received an email from Richard Maslen thanking me for the photo and asking me for more photos from that day, at that time I prepared three more photos and sent them.
On July 9, 2008, an email from Richard Maslen arrives again, thanking him for the photos and informing him that he will be arriving in Hamburg on July 27 and wants to meet me, taking advantage of the opportunity of his stay in Hamburg, since the reason for Your stay in Hamburg is to be able to be at the delivery ceremony on July 28 and you would have the opportunity to fly on the delivery flight of the plane from Hamburg to Dubai.
I responded to that email with the following:
Hi Rich,
But there is something in my mind I like to suggest and I ask you to discuss this internally whether it would be possible or not.
For me, as a plane spotter, this would be the realisation of my dreams to participate in an event like this one.
Thanks a lot for advising your plan. I’m looking forward to meet with you on the 27th of July.
And this is my suggestion: Key Publishing receive my photos free of charge for their usage at Airliner World. For this I ask Key Publishing to compensate this with an invitation, for my person, to participate at the delivery ceremony of the first A380 to EMIRATES on 28th of July 08 here in Hamburg.
Please, don’t misunderstand my intention. I’m very proud and happy that Key Publishing showing interest at my work and decided and for my photo.
For me, this hobby is the balance to my daily life and I never was on a hunt for the perfect picture to gain any money and it never will be. The hunt for the perfect picture will be my wonderfully hobby, as well for the future.
I hope not be too straight forward with my suggestion, but it would be truly the realization of a dream.
I hope to hear from you.
Regards
Alejandro
On July 11, 2008, two days of waiting, I received an email from Richard Maslen, saying that he understands the situation since it was very difficult to get the invitation for the magazine to this ceremony, but he will contact Emirates to See what can be done with this situation.
Coming home on the night of July 11, 2008, after a hard day at work, I found the big surprise in the form of an e-mail from Richard Maslen, asking for my personal information, since I had the honor of being able to be at the delivery ceremony of the first A380 to Emirates as the official photographer of Airliner World and I had to contact the Airbus press department to confirm the details, you can imagine the joy, pride and happiness I had at that moment.
On July 12, 2008, I contacted the Airbus Press department, where the data was confirmed and they gave me the itinerary for July 28.
July 28, 2008
The date arrived, we arrived early, the photographic equipment was prepared the day before, everything was ready and we were leaving, on our way to the Airbus plant, Richard Maslen notified me via SMS that they were leaving the Hotel in the direction of the event and we would meet there.
After parking the car in the Plant's visitor parking lots, I walk a few steps towards the main entrance.
After 20 minutes of walking, looking at many airplanes under construction, I arrive at the Delivery Center where the press room is where I have to present myself to receive the official accreditation.
After receiving official accreditation
I receive the press kit where the details of the ceremony are, including the schedules.
After that reception I was invited to have breakfast, very good
Now, after clarifying the formal things, the work begins, photos, photos, photos.
After breakfast I meet the editor Richard Maslen, a very kind and friendly person, with whom I coordinate the details of the ceremony.
The time has come
and the important guests began to arrive
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Tim Clark and Boris Becker
And the time came to enter, as always a few minutes before to take advantage of capturing some images
And the time came to enter, as always a few minutes before to take advantage of capturing some images
on the stopovers being received by the Emirates flight attendants or TCP presenting their new uniforms.
Of course at the entrance to the ceremony room a reception
And I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a photo with the beauties
Before starting the ceremony, some impressions of the guests and place
Punctual at 10:00 Local Time (08:00 UTC) the ceremony begins, with presentations of the A380 in Emirates colors.
At the end of this presentation, the moderator of the event welcomes the guests and representatives of the different unions.
Along with this occasion I passed the word to Tom Enders President and CEO of Airbus
Handing over to Bruce Hughes, Manager of Engines Alliance
and finished with the speeches
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum Chairman, CEO and Owner of Emirates
Having finished his speech, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum took the opportunity to place an order for Aircraft with Airbus, which is composed of 30 x A 330 and 30 x A350, for which the purchase contracts were signed at that time.
After signing the contracts came the delivery of presents between the companies.
After the presentation of gifts, the aircraft delivery ceremony begins, presented with an artistic performance, which is accompanied by a multimedia presentation of the Emirate routes.
At the same time, the new Emirates uniforms are officially presented by its crew accompanied by a singer
Now the time has come, an inexplicable moment, full of emotion, the lights went out and the curtain rose, where Airbus workers in Hamburg accompany the first A380 to be delivered to the Finkenwerder plant.
The moment was accompanied by applause and euphoria from those present.
The moment was accompanied by applause and euphoria from those present.
After that presentation of the Plane, the moment came when HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum President, Manager and Owner of Emirates had to personally see his new Plane, being accompanied by Tom Enders President and Manager of Airbus, who were greeted frantically by the workers of Airbus
After the important people vacated the box, the guests were able to pass by to continue admiring the event. I believe that now the photos say much more than words.
After the representatives of the airline and Airbus entered the plane, I changed my position so I could see everything from another angle.
And preparations began for the representatives' plane to disembark.
The door opened and the act began, beginning with the Crew
and within a few moments the representatives
Where they approached the press for the respective Official photos
After that photo conference, the Representatives of both the Airline and Airbus left in the direction of the Delivery Center, being accompanied by the international press. Who were frantically fired by Airbus workers.
There came the moment when only the Airbus workers and myself were in the kitchen. That caught my attention because the press was not interested in the plane, but well, there they were, I began to appreciate the plane and take the respective photos.
And I couldn't stay with the desire to take a photo in one of the engines, so you can have an idea how big they are, I'm 1.70 m tall.
Then at the Delivery Center I tried to get close to where Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum President, Manager and Owner of Emirates was, so I could take a photo, but as I expected, I was surrounded by the international press and this is the only photo I could take.
Now the time has come, the time to enter the plane, to be able to appreciate its new interior. Before that, I had to strengthen my strength with a coffee that was accompanied by a sandwich, or rather the second and abundant breakfast.
Entering I find the front staircase that goes to the second floor “Upper Deck” later, more on that topic, I enter to the right and I am on the first floor “Main Deck”.
Main Configuration Data
Main Deck (Economy Class)
399 seats in 3 – 4 – 3 configuration (row 43 – 88)
except row 67 2 – 4 – 2 and row 80 2 – x – 2
399 seats in 3 – 4 – 3 configuration (row 43 – 88)
except row 67 2 – 4 – 2 and row 80 2 – x – 2
separated into three sections of 76, 135 and 188 seats.
Upper Deck (First and Business Class)
First Class (row 1 – 4)
14 Seats in 1 – 2 – 1 configuration
except row 4 1 - x - 1
First Class (row 1 – 4)
14 Seats in 1 – 2 – 1 configuration
except row 4 1 - x - 1
Business Class (row 6 – 26)
76 seats in 1 – 2 – 1 configuration separated into two sections of 58 and 18 seats.
76 seats in 1 – 2 – 1 configuration separated into two sections of 58 and 18 seats.
Other data:
At the bottom rear of the Airplane “Main Deck” is the “Crew Rest Area”.
In the upper rear part of the Airplane “Upper Deck” is the “Onboard Lounge”
In the upper front part of the Airplane “Upper Deck” there are two “Onboard Shower Spas”, which are exclusive for First Class passengers.
As I said, entering to the right under the forward ladder is the crew chief's office, where all the necessary cockpit controls are located.
and we go to Economy
Here you can see the “Crew Rest Area”
And of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a seat, in one of the most comfortable seats in Económica, where you can notice that you have room to stretch your legs.
Here you can see the view that one has of this seat
I have reached the back of the plane, and there is the scale that connects “Main Deck” and “Upper Deck”.
Going up you reach the Bar or Onboard Lounge, which is exclusive for First and Business passengers.
And we go to Business
And of course I couldn't miss taking a seat.
Let's move on to First Class “First Class”
A few details at hand, the seats are a luxury, they have an integrated massage system, all the commands for managing the seat space are made by the portable screen that is on the side of the seat. I leave you the images that say more than the letters.
And unfortunately I couldn't take a seat in first class, of course I took a seat, but there was no power to take my photo since everyone wanted to see only the first class as seen in the photo.
Now it's time to see the most important thing about the plane.
The shower
A revolution in civil aviation.
And we arrive back at the point where we started
Leaving through the right front door I am very kindly dismissed by the Crew with:
“Thank You for your visit, Your Welcome”.
From that place I take the opportunity to make the following images.
Work finished, photos taken. A day full of emotions, very interesting experiences and moments that I will never forget.
But before leaving came the well-deserved lunch, and I took advantage of having lunch with the following view, personally I think that this is the best view that one can have while having lunch
After a delicious lunch, it was time to leave, I said goodbye and thanked the Airbus Press delegation and there they told me to please go to the entrance of the Delivery Center before leaving, since Emirates has a present for the guests of the ceremony
After walking a few meters, I arrive at the Delivery Center where I am received by the Emirates crew, where I am greeted in several languages, including Spanish, the Lady who greets me is of Uruguayan nationality, I personally congratulated her on the new plane and for the honor of being able to meet a Latin American compatriot who flies with such a beautiful aircraft.
To that end, she personally gave me this present, with the following content
A very nice present that I personally like a lot, that every time I see it, I remember every moment I lived at this event.
Well, after receiving this present, I thanked him very much for the gift and asked him for a favor, which he fulfilled.
The favor I asked of him was if he could give me two more presents since I wanted to give them to two people who deserved to receive the same gift as me, since without his help I would not have been able to attend this event, upon hearing the story as I came to this event, she gave me two more presents and added a comment that I will never forget: “To experience an event like this is an honor for anyone who is related to civil aviation and it is even more so for a person who handles it as hobby and I wish you good luck for the future.” Very nice words that, as I said, I will not forget, I said goodbye very kindly and thanked him with all my heart.
I left for home very happy, and since I had come walking, I walked back, taking advantage of passing by the construction rooms seeing that airplanes were under construction.
Then at home I unload the camera, appreciate the photos of the day and transfer them to a DVD, since in a few hours I had to meet with Richard Maslen, to give them the photos of the day, for the reason that the photos will be published in the Magazine Airliner World for the month of September 2008 and since there were many, it would be a big problem to send them by e-mail.
Summarizes
Analyzing the moments I experienced before, in and after the event, I feel very proud to have had the opportunity to attend.
It was a very long road and it took a lot of patience to be able to achieve success like this, since only very few people had the opportunity to attend the event.
I personally carry out this beautiful hobby to maintain balance in my life, to get rid of the stress that comes with the daily routine.
I also have to thank my wife and daughter who support me as best they can and congratulate me on my personal successes when my photo is accepted in well-known sites or published in a world-known magazine.
Finishing this story I want to thank all the readers who took the time to read it.
Sincerely