Daniel’s Travel Vlog

WELCOME TO THE AIR KORYO FLEET SERIES #1

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 the first flight onboard the TU204100 on the scheduled service from Beijing to Pyongyang.

The attitude of the crew onboard was rather relaxed although taking pictures and filming on board was prohibited in the announcements for "safety" (not security !) reasons...

We had the worst possible weather condition upon arrival, it was raining cats and dogs.

I apologize for the poor quality.

Considering the circumstances, the following twelve videos are the best I could accomplish to give you an impression of what a flight onboard Air Koryo is like.

History of Tupolev 204100B P633

Airframe 1450741964048 was manufactured in May, 2009 at the Aviastar Plant in Ulyanovsk, performed her first flight on May 8, the same year and was registered RA64048.

This serial number remains questionable, since the name plate on board shows serial number 1450743164048.

RA64048 has not been taken over by Vnukovo based Red Wings Airlines due to financial problems.

RA64048 has been leased and delivered to Air Koryo고려항공 on March 4, 2010 and registered P633.

Together with sister ship P632 and the AN148, P633 forms the back bone of the small fleet of Air Koryo and operates mainly scheduled services on the international network.

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

Thank you for watching my channel.

Flight details Flight : JS 152
Date : Saturday, May 18, 2013
Aircraft : TU204100B
Registration : P633
Previous registration : RA64048
Built : 2009
From : Beijing (PEK)
To : Pyongyang (FNJ)
Take off : 13.14 h (0514 UTC)
Touch down : 15.39 h (0639 UTC)
Flying time : 1 hour 25 minutes
Flying distance : 990 km
Altitude : 9.000 m
Speed : 750 km/h
Flight Captain : Kang, Yong Chon
First Officer : Kim, Yong Gwang
Cockpit Crew : Ryu, Sung Chan
Cockpit Crew : Kim, Hak Bom
Cockpit Crew : Ri, Chung Gol
Cabin Crew : Kim, Un Dzu
Cabin Crew : Dzang, Yong Ok