Four digit flights QF7xx_

[Gladstone Tim]

Hi,
I have seem similar general threads but nothing specific. Transiting SYD on Monday night the flights on the monitor intrigued me...four digits QF7xx_ and some after what I believe is curfew. Are they freight? Aircraft with dispensation? Another interesting thing was they were on the monitors in the lounge but not the general terminal.

 

[antycbr]

Freight. There are certain aircraft that are “quiet” such as the BAE146 that are allowed to operate during curfew.

 

[jase05]

Freight. There are certain aircraft that are “quiet” such as the BAE146 that are allowed to operate during curfew.

Yep, mostly our freighters. The BAE’s are still on the chopping block but for now the old girls are still chugging along doing their job

 

[Hvr]

And MEL AP doesn't have a curfew so they can arrive late in the evening.

 

[jase05]

And MEL AP doesn't have a curfew so they can arrive late in the evening.

Correct. Just need SWZ to hurry up and open, that will be a game changer (and lead to more bonuses )

 

[nancypants]

4 hairdryers connected by an oil leak

 

[dylarr]

Freight. There are certain aircraft that are “quiet” such as the BAE146 that are allowed to operate during curfew.

There's also dispensations in place until the end of March 2023 allowing a number of 737/320 freighters to operate to operate during the curfew period.

Sydney Airport - Temporary Change to Night-time Freight Operations

Why are the changes necessary? The COVID-19 pandemic, and resultant social and travel restrictions, have had a material impact on Australian aviation, freight and logistics sectors. There is still significant volatility in Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) which is

engage.airservicesaustralia.com

 

[NM]

4 hairdryers connected by an oil leak

Also known as the "Muffler" as they make more noise inside than outside.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Its not MEL airport, its more so the others that do have a curfew, ie, ADL, but needs the freight brought over, ie, newspapers, etc.
Flightaware does list the QF7xx_ some days.
A lot of the time, it comes in over Gulf St Vincents, but have heard it over the city centre some days, about 3.30am or 4am.

 

[RichardMEL]

4 hairdryers connected by an oil leak

It's funny because it's true.

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure knows

 

[OZDUCK]

My main memory of the BAE 146 was the strange noise caused by the flaps retracting/extending. I only had one trip in them - Melbourne/Launceston return - and luckily I had read about it beforehand. Apparently QantasLink FA's also used to make an announcement warning about the noise but I can't remember if this as done on my two flights.

 

[docjames]

Also known as the "Muffler" as they make more noise inside than outside.

The other throwaway was that it had 5 APUs…….

 

[Quickstatus]

four digits QF7xx_

The aircraft providing these freight services can be old 737-300 or 737-400.
Even passenger A330 or 737-800 have been used for purely freight runs
QF also has 1 767 freighter

Sometimes it’s a charter or wet lease.

Qf has charted for freight purposes a variety of aircraft sometimes under wet lease agreements : BAE146 aircraft from Pionair, 767 freighters, and massive 747-400F / 747-8F from Atlas Air

 

[nancypants]

It's funny because it's true.

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure knows

I’m told I have it wrong and they’re actually connected by an electrical fault

 

[RichardMEL]

I’m told I have it wrong and they’re actually connected by an electrical fault

I remember when the 146's were rebadged to Avro RJ's (100's?) but it didn't really change much. lol

we joke but they are fondly remembered as reasonably unusual aircraft with thew underwing mounted engines. Baby IL-76's if you will (The Soviets were far more keen about underwing mounted engines imo).

Local area opraters were AN and I think NZ ran them under the Air Nelson(?) or similar regional operator moniker? I flew them in AN colours, also in europe they were a thing. God love 'em.

 

[trooper]

Always liked them.... I thought we didn't see them any more because they grew up into.....

 

[jase05]

Always liked them.... I thought we didn't see them any more because they grew up into.....

The 146’s are a fantastic domestic freighter but unfortunately they are getting long in the tooth and more expensive to upkeep. When they go U/S they are often out of action for longer stints these days. The phase out plan keeps getting pushed back so we will probably still be using them in 5 years time

 

[Mwenenzi]

Local area operators were AN and I think NZ ran them under the Air Nelson(?) or similar regional operator moniker? I flew them in AN colours, also in europe they were a thing. God love 'em.

In NZ were operated by Ansett NZ that then become QF NZ (version 1) as a franchise (that failed).

List of BAe 146 operators - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[serfty]

Flew in them in the 90's. on QF coded flights.

Among the ports I flew from/to in them were OOL, ASP, AYQ, BME, DRW, CNS, GTE, LST ...

 

[NM]

Flew in them in the 90's. on QF coded flights.

Among the ports I flew from/to in them were OOL, ASP, AYQ, BME, DRW, CNS, GTE, LST ...

They were also used on AN on Cains-Weipa route.