In September, the Times-Picayune newspaper ran an article titled “Watch one of the world’s largest planes coming in for a landing at the New Orleans International Airport (MSY).” The aircraft was the famous Volga-Dnepr‘s Antonov AN-124-100; this was a remarkable opportunity to capture a rare Aircraft in this part of the country. The AN-124 is the world’s second-largest aircraft. As you can imagine, this discovery caused quite a stir with my inner AV geek.
The Antonov An-124 is a large, strategic airlift, four-engined aircraft designed in the 1980s by the Antonov Design Bureau based in Ukraine. In the 1980s, Ukraine was then part of the Soviet Union. Today, Volga Dnepr Operates a fleet of these heavy-lift aircraft for hire. Volga-Dnepr Airlines is based in Ulyanovsk, Russia. It provides air charter services by operating a unique fleet of twelve Antonov AN-124 cargo aircraft certified for global operations.
It took a few days to discover the AN-124 was waiting in New Orleans for its next assignment. I floated the idea of a joint effort to capture images of the Russian giant with a few fellow photographers. We all agreed photographing this rare aircraft on the ground wouldn’t cut it. We wanted to try to catch it in flight. We got a tip that the AN-124 scheduled departure time was around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday for its next destination.
Before the trip, I did a preliminary review of possible photo locations on Google Maps. With an early start to the day to give us time to scout these locations, we set out for New Orleans. Using the registration number and the Flight-aware App, we got an update. The departure time was now 6:00 p.m. Most of the day, the larger cargo aircraft took off using runway 11 to the East. We then worked out different positions on the East side of the airfield with the best possible angels. As take-off time neared, we went to separate locations to wait for the big moment.
After the departure, our group reconvened and discussed the learning experiences over a great New Orleans dinner. We all agreed working together yielded the best possible results. We all enjoyed the Antonov chase and made great memories and exciting images.
The Antonov AN-124 Condor Golden hour departure from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The Condor is a large, strategic airlift, four-engined aircraft designed in the 1980s by the Antonov Design Bureau in the Ukrainian SSR, then part of the Soviet Union (USSR). The massive aircraft's First flight was in December 1982.
The Antonov AN-124 Condor departs Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Golden Louisiana light. The AN-124 remains the largest military transport aircraft in the world.
The Antonov AN-124 Condor raises the landing gear on departure. Volga Dnepr Airlines is an airline based in Ulyanovsk, Russia. It provides air charter services by operating a unique fleet of twelve Antonov AN-124s (largest production cargo aircraft), five Boeing 747-8F, and five IL-76TD-90VDs, all cargo aircraft.
This Volga Dnepr Airlines AN-124 Condor is one of fifty-five built by the Antonov Design Bureau. The Antonov Design Bureau is a Ukrainian aircraft manufacturing and services company. Antonov's particular expertise is in the fields of very large aircraft using unprepared runways.
This Volga Dnepr Airlines AN-124 Condor is one of fifty-five built by the Antonov Design Bureau. Antonov has built approximately 22,000 aircraft, and thousands of its planes operate in the former Soviet Union and developing countries.