Daniel’s Travel Vlog

WELCOME TO THE AIR KORYO FLEET SERIES #9

This video has been remastered and substantially improved in Sight & Sound and replaces the video published in 2015.

Many of you may not be aware of the fact, that aviation videography on the ground and in the air is hard work and the output is not always rewarding.

Filming is not only time and money consuming, but requires accurate preparation, especially when asking for cooperation of the airline, crews, security and authorities.

Once accepted and approved, it is all a matter of weather, seating on board, fellow passengers, camera condition and last but not least the ability of the person behind the lens.

Therefore I always prefer to plan my own tours well in advance to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Planning a trip to North Korea is a different story.

It is impossible to get permissions from the airline, the crews, security and the authorities in advance.

Yet, filming the beauties of Air Koryo in detail has always been my dream.

There are many videos published on YouTube featuring flights onboard Air Koryo.

Yet, I was looking for more substantial footage with more detailed inflight impressions.

Travelling to North Korea means always to join a group tour and to depend on the mercy of circumstances.

Inspired by my friend Lutz, I decided to join the German speaking Aviation Tour in May 2013, launched by Juche Travel Services.

Twelve flights onboard Air Koryo were on the agenda, meaning tough and hard work with uncertain output.

Restrictions imposed by security issues change on a day to day basis and remain totally unpredictable.

Seating on board is also a problem for filming because everybody wants the same seat with the same clean window and the same video footage of take off and landing.

The third problem is a pure lack of time on board and in between flights.

This video features flight JS 5400, the fourth out of six on a single day and #9 out of twelve in total, performing sightseeing flights from / to Pyongyang onboard the ever so faithful AN-24RV.

These were the flights, which took place on May 23, 2013, making this one of the busiest days in recent Aviation History of Pyongyang Airport.

JS 5100 IL-62M P-881

JS 5200 IL-76TD P-914

JS 5300 AN-24RV P-532

- Lunch break in the abandoned Terminal -

JS 5400 AN-24RV P-533

JS 5500 TU-154B P-552

JS 5600 AN-148-100B P-671

This flight took place after an hour's lunch break in the deserted arrival / departure hall at the Airport terminal.

No personnel, no security, no police, nobody.

We could have walked out freely airside, if we tried.

There were two flights onboard AN-24 due to our group size and once in North Korea, why not hop on both rotations ?

Can not do any harm.

As we walked out after lunch; I was about to get my camera ready, when I realized, that something has changed.

Before it was P-532, now I read P-533 on the fuselage.

Some mistake ?

Planes were switched quietly and unnoticed, while we were resting and enjoying our lunch boxes.

As chances for keeping the planes and the crews busy are rather rare, this is the best opportunity to maintain the fleet in flying condition.

Again everybody on board was relaxed and friendly and seemed to enjoy our enthusiasm more than we did.

Nobody cared about any legal restrictions and everybody was allowed to move freely and take as many pictures as desired.

Watch and enjoy with me the Sights & Sounds of Classic Aviation.

Thank you for watching my channel.

History of AN-24RV P-533

Airframe 47309708 was manufactured 1974 at the Aviant Plant and delivered the same year to Choson Minhang, registered P-533.

P-533 can be considered the younger twin sister of P-532.

In March, 1992, Choson Minhang was renamed into Air Koryo.

Banned from most international destinations, P-533 is still active, operating mainly domestic charter flights and is an extremely rare sight outside of North Korea.

Flight details

Flight : JS 5400
Date : Thursday, May 23, 2013
Aircraft : AN-24RV
Registration : P-533
Built : 1974
From : Pyongyang (FNJ)
To : Pyongyang (FNJ)
Take off : 14.10 h (0510 UTC)
Touch down : 14.38 h (0538 UTC)
Flying time : 28 minutes
Flying distance : 150 km
Altitude : 3.000 m
Speed : 400 km/h

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