Zak/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user2/2.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 11 Oct 11, 08:41
NEWS
‘Significant’ Cracks on Boeing 767 Spur Expanded Jet Checks United Continental Holdings Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., American Airlines and other U.S. carriers may need to inspect their Boeing Co. 767s twice as often after one operator found “significant crack sizes” had developed sooner than expected. Link
Qantas strikes escalate: Union warns of long campaign Qantas (QF) faces an unprecedented industrial action after the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Assn. (ALAEA) warned of a series of full-day strikes leading up to Christmas to support wages and job security claims. The ALAEA canceled Monday’s 4-hr. stoppage over a technical issue but 11,000 passengers were still disrupted. Link
American Airlines taps TIMCO Aviation Services for 757 work TIMCO Aviation Services soon will provide heavy maintenance for American Airlines on four Boeing 757 aircraft. The airline notified the Transport Workers Union of the change. "American Airlines takes a very strategic approach to its maintenance planning needs," said Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for the airline. "At this time, a short-term solution is required to address a large number of heavy maintenance checks for a portion of American's fleet." Link
American Eagle's contract talks with pilots union stall American Eagle has been trying to reach an agreement with its pilots union on new contracts before the airline is spun off from AMR Corp., but the two sides stand at an impasse, the union says. Leaders of the pilots union "concluded after much deliberation that the company's last counter-proposal was unworkable." American Eagle said it is "open to further negotiations." Link
Air Canada's flight attendants plan to go on strike Air Canada says it will maintain its normal schedule despite a planned strike by its flight attendants, who rejected a tentative contract deal with the carrier. This is the second time in three months that the union has rejected a tentative agreement. "We are perplexed and disappointed that two tentative agreements negotiated in good faith with and unanimously recommended by the democratically elected representatives of our flight attendants have failed to be ratified," said Duncan Dee, executive vice president and chief operating officer at the airline. "Air Canada remains hopeful that a disruption can be avoided." Link
Airlines cut back on paper, but challenges remain Airlines are reducing their use of paper by shifting toward digital boarding passes and electronic versions of flight manuals. However, there are certain areas where the paper trail still exists. "We would really like to eventually get to the point where we wouldn't have to print out that much paper, but we're just not there yet. We don't have the systems in place to be able to do that yet," said Victoria Day, a spokeswoman for the Air Transport Association. Link
European air-traffic agency urges action on lasers Eurocontrol, the European air traffic agency, says lasers pointed at planes present a growing danger in the European Union. There were 4,266 laser incidents in the EU last year and 2,836 in the U.S., the agency said. "EU legislation should cover the purchase, the carriage and the use of laser, exactly in the same way as for handguns, rifles and other weapons," said Dragica Stankovic, a Eurocontrol safety expert. Link
EasyJet to open two bases in France EasyJet (U2) will open two new bases in France during the 2012 summer season, with two Airbus A319s in each base. The new bases—in Nice and Toulouse—will bring to five the number of bases in the hexagon with a total fleet of 24 aircraft. Link
Beijing cuts domestic jet fuel prices by 2.2% The Chinese government cut domestic jet fuel prices to CNY7,503 ($1,174) per ton, down 2.2% from CNY7,670 in September, the second price reduction this year. Fuel costs comprise more than 40% of Chinese carriers’ operating expenses. China Southern Airlines, which operates 80% of its flights on domestic routes, could see fuel costs reduced by CNY440.5 million annually because of the change. Link
China To Surpass U.S. in BizAv Sales China’s business jet market will eclipse sales in the United States, in pure dollar terms, in the next 10 years or so. That’s the prediction of Jason Liao, chairman and CEO of China Business Aviation Group (CBA) and one of the most experienced insiders in China’s business aviation scene. Overall commercial aviation growth year-on-year in China stands at 18%, or twice the annual rate of GDP growth – a stellar number by any measure. This year Liao forecasts deliveries of 70 new business aircraft into China worth about $2.45 billion, and he believes that China’s business jets will roughly double in number each year from now on. Link
Royal Brunei Outlines New Short-Haul Strategy Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) is adding Airbus A320s to its fleet next year and has confirmed that its new business strategy is to focus on short-haul rather than long-haul operations. The carrier “is planning to add at least one extra A320 to the short-haul fleet in March-May 2012 to ensure the airline can offer a more consistent schedule and level of service on the regional network,” it says. RBA has no A320s on order, which means it is likely to be in the market to lease the aircraft. Link
German Govt. Seeks Talks To Avert ATC Strike The German government stepped in on Monday to demand the air traffic controllers' union and DFS ATC authority return to talks in order to avoid a threatened strike in a row over pay and conditions. German transport minister Peter Ramsauer said talks were planned for Wednesday and the ministry would take part in the negotiations. Link
Other News
Airbus has reportedly offered to secure jobs in Germany until the end of 2020 as management seeks to resume contract negotiations after a work stoppage Friday at four German plants, Bloomberg reported.
Transatlantic airline OpenSkies will begin to offer iPads to travelers as part of its inflight entertainment (IFE) offering.
The Serbian government has extended the deadline for bids for the financially troubled, state-owned JAT Airways (JU) until Oct. 31.
American Airlines (AA) will expand deployment of Gogo Vision to approximately 400 aircraft by the end of 2012. The streaming video service, first launched in August, is available on 15 of its Boeing 767-200 aircraft.
Finnair will operate 3X-weekly Helsinki-Dubai Boeing 757 service Oct. 7-March 23.
Air Berlin and Malev have reached a codeshare agreement beginning Oct. 30 on routes to Budapest from Berlin Tegel, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Zurich. In a next step, both carriers plan to extend the cooperation to each other's frequent flyer programs.
Turkish Airlines will launch 4X-weekly Istanbul Ataturk-Mosul service Oct. 13.
Ethiopian Airlines will launch 3X-weekly Addis Ababa-Seychelles service Nov. 15.
AVIATION QUOTE
There is only one rule - Rule One - TNB - Trust No Bastard - they are all trying to kill you.
— Captain Rick Davies, Chief Pilot, Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland Section), advise given to new captains.
ON THIS DATE
October 11th
---In 1910... President Teddy Roosevelt becomes the 1st US president to fly when he is taken up in St. Louis.
---In 1956…a Vickers Valiant of No. 49 Squadron RAF drops Britain's first air-dropped atomic bomb, over Maralinga, South Australia.
---In 1990…First flight of the Rockwell/MBB X-31.
---In 2006…New York Yankees baseball pitcher Cory Lidle's Cirrus SR20 aircraft crashes in New York City, killing Lidle and his flight instructor.
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."
"Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
"Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the bag over your own mouth and nose before assisting children... or other adults acting like children."
"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."
And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight."
Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City: The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump, and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault...it was the asphalt!"
Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the flight attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate."
Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had landed his plane into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy that required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying XYZ airline." He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no, ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land or were we shot down?"
After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the flight attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."
Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of US Airways." One of the ones I experienced while flying on Western Airlines a long time ago: I was on a multi-landing flight from Seattle to Phoenix. After a smooth landing the lead flight attendant stood up and gave a welcome to speech saying "Welcome to Denver" and we all looked up at her and stated and stated that we just landed in Boise! After a quick recovery, including laughs by us and her, the quick intermediate stop ended and the plane took off again for the next leg. On the next landing the pilot really bounced it hard on landing (it felt like it dropped it down 4 feet). This time the stewardess got up and stated: "We are DEFINITELY on the ground in Salt Lake City."
TRIVIA
Which Airport Am I At?
1. I took off from Frankfurt Main International Airport in Germany on Icelandair, the national flag carrier of Iceland. I circled around a peninsula in southwestern Iceland and landed at the largest airport in the country, and hub for Icelandair. Where am I? Akureyri Airport Reykjavík Airport Keflavík International Airport Copenhagen Airport
2. I took off from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport on US Airways, heading north. Before landing, my plane was routed over Three Mile Island, a nuclear power plant known for its partial meltdown in 1979. While landing, the Susquehanna River is visible from the left side of the aircraft. What Pennsylvania airport am I about to land in? Philadelphia International Airport Lehigh Valley International Airport Pittsburgh International Airport Harrisburg International Airport
3. I took off from Bellingham International Airport on the newly formed, ultra-low-cost carrier, Skybus Airlines, heading east towards the airlines' main hub. Landing, heading south, on Runway 28L, the largest city in Ohio is visible from the right side of the aircraft. Which airport am I about to land in? Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport James M. Cox Dayton International Airport Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport Port Columbus International Airport
4. I took off from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport on Qantas heading south towards New Zealand. I am heading to one of the most popular resort towns in New Zealand, famous for its skiing, mountain biking and other adventure sports. Lake Wakatipu is visible from the aircraft prior to landing. Which airport am I about to land in? Christchurch International Airport Queenstown International Airport Auckland International Airport Wellington International Airport
5. I took off from London-Heathrow International Airport on Emirates Airlines, heading towards one of the largest and most important cities in the Middle East. The airport that I am about to land in is not only Emirates' major hub, but also a focus city for Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Yemenia. Where am I about to land? Dubai International Airport Doha International Airport Abu Dhabi International Airport Bahrain International Airport
6. I took off from Miami International Airport on an American Airlines flight bound for South America. My destination is the largest city in the country, and one of the largest cities in all of South America. I am on final approach into the airport, called Simón Bolívar International Airport of Maiquetia. Where am I? Bogotá, Colombia Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Guayaquil, Ecuador Caracas, Venezuela
7. I took off from Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport on China Eastern Airlines heading towards, you guessed it, China. The city in which I am about to land is not only the hub of the airline, but also the largest city in China. What major Asian airport am I about to land in? Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Hong Kong International Airport Beijing Capital International Airport Shanghai Pudong International Airport
8. Returning from my vacation in Fuerteventura on LTU International, I am about to land in a major European city, and the largest in Germany. The airport is not the only one serving my destination, but the only one not located within city limits. Referred to by some as "The Holiday Airport," where am I about to land? Düsseldorf International Airport Berlin-Tegel International Airport Berlin-Schönefeld International Airport Berlin-Tempelhof International Airport
9. Taking off from Abu Dhabi International Airport on Etihad Airways, my journey now takes me to Africa. I am heading toward the second largest city in Africa. This country is the home of the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the World. Where am I about to land? N'Djili International Airport (Kinshasa) OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) Cairo International Airport Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos)
10. At last I am heading back to the United States. Taking off from Toronto-Pearson International Airport on Air Canada, I am heading towards an airport in southwestern Florida. Air Force One was at this airport on September 11, 2001, before President George W. Bush was informed of the terrorist attacks at 9:05AM. Which popular wintertime airport am I about to land in? Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Tampa International Airport Southwest Florida International Airport
Ideology: The mistaken belief that your beliefs are neither beliefs nor mistaken.
halls120/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user58/1.pngoffline(Plank Owner) 11 Oct 11, 11:11
1. Keflavík International Airport 2. Pittsburgh International Airport 3. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport 4. Christchurch International Airport 5. Dubai International Airport 6. Caracas, Venezuela 7. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport 8. Berlin-Tegel International Airport 9. N'Djili International Airport (Kinshasa) 10. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport
At home in the PNW and loving it
HT-ETNW/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user1747/1.pngoffline11 Oct 11, 16:37
I come to different conclusions for #'s 7, 8, and 9 here ...
7. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (= PVG, not SHA for intercontinental flights)
8. Berlin-Schönefeld International Airport (SXF) , TXL is within Berlins city limits, whereas SXF is located in the state of Brandenburg.
9. Taking off from Abu Dhabi International Airport on Etihad Airways, my journey now takes me to Africa. I am heading toward the second largest city in Africa. This country is the home of the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the World. Where am I about to land? N'Djili International Airport (Kinshasa) OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) Cairo International Airport Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos)
Hmm, a tricky one. The only remaining member of the (original) Seven Wonders of the World are the pyramids at Gizeh (Giza), stipulating "CAI" as solution, but then Cairo is the largest city in Africa, not the runner-up ... -HT
Use your time wisely; remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life.
CO777ER/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user60/1.pngoffline(Database Editor & Founding Member) 11 Oct 11, 21:26
1. I took off from Frankfurt Main International Airport in Germany on Icelandair, the national flag carrier of Iceland. I circled around a peninsula in southwestern Iceland and landed at the largest airport in the country, and hub for Icelandair. Where am I? Reykjavík Airport
2. I took off from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport on US Airways, heading north. Before landing, my plane was routed over Three Mile Island, a nuclear power plant known for its partial meltdown in 1979. While landing, the Susquehanna River is visible from the left side of the aircraft. What Pennsylvania airport am I about to land in? Harrisburg International Airport
3. I took off from Bellingham International Airport on the newly formed, ultra-low-cost carrier, Skybus Airlines, heading east towards the airlines' main hub. Landing, heading south, on Runway 28L, the largest city in Ohio is visible from the right side of the aircraft. Which airport am I about to land in? Port Columbus International Airport
4. I took off from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport on Qantas heading south towards New Zealand. I am heading to one of the most popular resort towns in New Zealand, famous for its skiing, mountain biking and other adventure sports. Lake Wakatipu is visible from the aircraft prior to landing. Which airport am I about to land in? Queenstown International Airport
5. I took off from London-Heathrow International Airport on Emirates Airlines, heading towards one of the largest and most important cities in the Middle East. The airport that I am about to land in is not only Emirates' major hub, but also a focus city for Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Yemenia. Where am I about to land? Dubai International Airport
6. I took off from Miami International Airport on an American Airlines flight bound for South America. My destination is the largest city in the country, and one of the largest cities in all of South America. I am on final approach into the airport, called Simón Bolívar International Airport of Maiquetia. Where am I? Caracas, Venezuela
7. I took off from Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport on China Eastern Airlines heading towards, you guessed it, China. The city in which I am about to land is not only the hub of the airline, but also the largest city in China. What major Asian airport am I about to land in? Shanghai Pudong International Airport
8. Returning from my vacation in Fuerteventura on LTU International, I am about to land in a major European city, and the largest in Germany. The airport is not the only one serving my destination, but the only one not located within city limits. Referred to by some as "The Holiday Airport," where am I about to land? Berlin-Schönefeld International Airport
9. Taking off from Abu Dhabi International Airport on Etihad Airways, my journey now takes me to Africa. I am heading toward the second largest city in Africa. This country is the home of the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the World. Where am I about to land? Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos)
10. At last I am heading back to the United States. Taking off from Toronto-Pearson International Airport on Air Canada, I am heading towards an airport in southwestern Florida. Air Force One was at this airport on September 11, 2001, before President George W. Bush was informed of the terrorist attacks at 9:05AM. Which popular wintertime airport am I about to land in? Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
