Uploaded April 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Airservices air traffic controllers and aviation fire fighters welcomed the return of Qantas' flagship A380 VH-OQA, Nancy-Bird Walton, to Sydney on 22 April.
Call-signed 'QF32' (Qantas flight 32), the A380 touched down on Sydney's runway 16R at about 9:20am, having flown in from Singapore.
The occasion was marked with a special welcome radio transmission by the tower controller.
"Qantas 32, on behalf of Airservices at Sydney tower, welcome home Nancy-Bird Walton." the controller said.
On landing, the aircraft was also treated to a traditional 'water arch salute' by Airservices aviation fire fighters.
The water arch salute involved two ultra-large Mk8 fire vehicles throwing water over a distance of more than 80 metres as the aircraft passed through the arch.
The Nancy-Bird Walton was grounded on 4 November 2010 when an uncontained engine failure struck shortly after take-off from Singapore, resulting in extensive damage.
Airservices air traffic controllers and aviation fire fighters welcomed the return of Qantas' flagship A380 VH-OQA, Nancy-Bird Walton, to Sydney on 22 April.
Call-signed 'QF32' (Qantas flight 32), the A380 touched down on Sydney's runway 16R at about 9:20am, having flown in from Singapore.
The occasion was marked with a special welcome radio transmission by the tower controller.
"Qantas 32, on behalf of Airservices at Sydney tower, welcome home Nancy-Bird Walton." the controller said.
On landing, the aircraft was also treated to a traditional 'water arch salute' by Airservices aviation fire fighters.
The water arch salute involved two ultra-large Mk8 fire vehicles throwing water over a distance of more than 80 metres as the aircraft passed through the arch.
The Nancy-Bird Walton was grounded on 4 November 2010 when an uncontained engine failure struck shortly after take-off from Singapore, resulting in extensive damage.
