muellae From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 18 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2693 times:
Hello community,
I am interested in going out spotting in Russia. Of course moscow or st.petersburg should be the most interesting places and best to reach.
I know that spotting in russia is not accepted by police or security. But I often heard about guided (commercial) spotting tours to DME/SVO/LED where you won't get in trouble with the police. So here are my questions:
1.) Can anyone recommand such a tour operator?
2.) Is there another open day like this one: http://www.airliners.net/photo/2163462 planned in the future? And would it be possible to participate also for non-russian spotters?
megatop412 From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 2623 times:
Muellae, thanks for the question as I had always wondered about Russian spotting as well. I figured it had to be easier than Soviet spotting(showing my age there) but didn't know how welcoming they are about foreigners photographing their airports. I'd love to take a trip over there in the next few years before all the Il-86's and -62's are gone
There are still a handfull of Il-62s left, some as cargo birds and some with the Russian disaster management agency (borderline military I suppose. The Il-86 is only in use by the military. The last civilian flights where a year and a half ago. There are still several stored, 4x at DME, 2x at VKO and 2x at the aviation college at SVO. Another one can be seen at Saint Petersburg's Pulkovo.
The Tu-134 is also getting very rare with only a few being used as executive jets and again the military. There are quite a few Yak-42s and a handfull Tu-154s around. At Saint Pete's you'll also see quite a few An-148s courtesy of Rossiya.
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From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 18 posts, 
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. Only military ones left.
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