DFW | November 2009 | Founders' Plaza | Heavy departures...

Some days of the week I have an hour to kill while waiting on some the Chicklets' activities to wind down and finish up after school so I'll sometimes take the opportunity to swing by Founders' Plaza (it's only 10 minutes from their school) to grab a few shots. This particular day was a nice afternoon with the winds blowing out of the north and I was going to see if I could catch the late afternoon international departures.

This is N785AN, a Boeing 777-200ER built and delivered to American in March 2000. She must have been loaded to the gills and then some as her climbout as a lot flatter than usual for a 777 and I usually don't catch the gear retraction this late as most days it occurs much earlier.

Climb, dammit, CLIMB!!! This is D-AIGF "Göttingen", an Airbus A340-300 built and delivered to Lufthansa in March 1994.

Passing abeam Founders' Plaza after takeoff from 36L....this aircraft D-AIGF, was built originally for Continental Airlines back when Continental had some orders for the A340 in the late 1980s. That transaction got canceled and then it was to become N3404G with Northwest Airlines, but then that transaction got canceled as well and she ended up getting taken on by Lufthansa.

"Lufthansa 479 Heavy, contact Departure, good day....."

Heading out as well that afternoon is N396AN, a Boeing 767-300 built and delivered to American in February 1999. I think this flight was headed to South America, but not sure.

"American 822, cleared to land Three-Six Left, caution wake turbulence KLM heavy Airbus departing parallel right before you."

Now *that* is a spirited takeoff! A330s are some of the most graceful looking jet twins out there with the wing flex.

Now passing abeam Founders' Plaza in the setting sun, PH-AOE "Parliament Square-Edinburgh" is a relative youngster amongst the heavy departures this particular afternoon at DFW, having been built and delivered to KLM in July 2006.