REVIEW- JUST PLANES – IBERIA A330-300

JUST PLANES – IBERIA A330-300

A review by Marlon Carter

Format: Blu-ray
Time: 268 min

Features

Just Planes is delighted to be continuing its Iberia series with a 5th program. Each episode has been really popular and this time we're honored to be the guest of the airline's new Flight Operations Director for a flight to the 168th country in the series: Panama!

The focus of this film is to showcase Iberia's ETOPS procedures and feature the airline's latest long haul addition to the fleet, the Airbus A330-300. Our crew of 3 pilots will present everything to you in details and you will enjoy following their work from the moment they arrive at the airport until the 3 day trip is complete and they're back at Madrid.

• Cockpit filming using up to multi cameras for great views on takeoff & landing!
• Airbus cabin retrofit presentation in the Iberia Hangar
• Pilot Presentations
• Flight Planning by Dispatcher with crew briefing.
• Flight Preparations
• Cockpit Set-up
• Briefings
• Checklists
• External Walkaround
• Departure & Arrival Airport Charts
• Cockpit Presentation
• Very Extensive ETOPS presentation
• Lots of scenery on both flights
• Beautiful sunset & sunrise!
• Cabin Service

Highlights

This program starts off with a presentation on how aircraft at Iberia are retrofitted with new seats and it also takes a close look at an A340 as it undergoes a C Check. It was quite interesting to see an aircraft that once was full of passengers completely gutted. This also included the cockpit area where many components were removed perhaps for servicing.

The next presentation to follow focuses on the work of the dispatch as he explains the measures involved in planning the most cost effective route to Panama. After an introduction to the flight crew, the dispatcher discusses the details and routing of the flight with the pilots who are all in agreement with the proposed flightplan.

After the captain briefs the cabin crew on the details of our 10 hour flight, we head over to the aircraft where the First Officer takes the viewers on an extensive external walkaround of the A330. From the cockpit, while taxying for takeoff the captain and first officer discuss an interesting feature of the A330 which is the Thrust Bump option. For those of you who are not aware of this feature, this is definitely a presentation you do not want to miss.

During our flight to Panama, some of the highlights you will enjoy are the presentations on the CPDLC and a very extensive presentation on ETOP procedures that was very insightful. This topic covered the majority of our flight and it touched on details such as aircraft performance and adequate airport selection.

On approach to Panama, the crew was very on edge as entered the final approach phase since there was a threat of bird strikes with one bird coming very close to the aircraft. Nonetheless, the landing was uneventful and thanks to the replay, it can be enjoyed from other camera angles also.

For our return flight to Madrid, after another meeting with a dispatcher at Panama, we depart at sunset with our First Officer in command of the aircraft. During this last leg of our journey we get a closer look at the cabin service provided by Iberia which is first class to say the least. In addition to this, other highlights included further discussions on ETOPS planning and an array of amazing views from the cockpit of the A330. The landing in Madrid was very smooth and this did not go unnoticed by the Captain who warmly commended the F.O. Taking this program to a fitting end, viewers are treated various action clips of the Iberia A330 in the company’s new livery which was quite stunning.

While this isn’t the first program to feature Iberia, I am always impressed with the professionalism and the friendly demeanor of the flight crews. This program is definitely worthy of adding to your collection and it is a must have to anyone who is a fan of the A330 and the operations of Iberia. – Highly Recommended.

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