S V Choong

The 777-200LR which visited AKL has rego as N6066Z. There is another 777-200LR which has rego N60659. So I guess the call sign must be related to N6066Z? No Gavin, as I mentioned earlier. Unfortunately the a/c was parked on Stand 17 near Gate 1 at NZAA, we can barely see it. So there is not much of point seeing it. I can't get time off work during that day as I was a bit tied up. I did regret not being able to see her though.

Gavin, I forgot what record it was, but it was not as significant as the record which 9M-MRA hold. It has something to do with the aircraft delivery probably went a different route than 9M-MRA. I am sure someone from MAS can clarify this, especially TK.

Then perhaps we should name it as "Ask Captain PapaRadzi" and "Ask First Officer TK"?

China has given up their peg with US Dollars? Not quite! They have pegged it at USD $1.00 - CNY 8.11 level. That's hardly any improvement at all. It is just one of those "entree" tricks to keep Uncle Sam quiet for the moment, but expect the US to keep barking on China for this rate in the coming future. HKD is also pegging on USD at USD $1.00 - HKD $7.85 level. So what is the exchange rate of USD and MYR at the moment?

Neither do HKG and SIN, but hey they are doing a bloody good job.

Don't forget that 'our' 9M-MRM is also a record holder.

Thanks for the news Ken, I can't get time off work to have a look at my beloved aircraft - 777-200LR. A bit busy at work really... Saw the news last night on TV3 about the 777-200LR though. Boeing had also put a 1 whole page advertisement on the NZ Herald showing off their 777-200LR capable for flying Auckland - New York direct and non-stop! I was going to see her this morning but found from jetspotter.com that she is parked at Stand 17 near Gate 1 at NZAA, which is not much you can see from the observation deck and therefore not much of point to see her at all. Hope you have a good time at Hawkes Bay and the Waikato region.

I have noticed that the administrator and moderator has been trying hard by personally initiated topics by themselves. In the past, rumours as such will be held by themselves. Seems like somebody is trying to save their own sinking boat.

Sing Yew, you are right about that. I really enjoyed the anime version Have you seen the movie yet? TK, checked just now, you did mention Chinese airlines. I was confused as the original author of this post mentioned China Airlines.

TK, I think you have mistaken here. I am sure you know that China Airlines is Taiwanese, whereas the girls you mentioned you saw at PVG are girls of China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Air China, China Southern, Hainan and other mainland carriers. Same as Japanese Airlines, they only hire good looking ones Pieter, what my signature says: "Fujiwara Tofu shop (private use only)", that's the slogan painted on the car of Takumi Fujiwara who is the main character of the movie "Initial D" (check my avatar). Initial D is initially appeared as Japanese manga (comics) but two HK movie directors have turned the story into a real movie featuring characters from HK, Taiwan and Japan.

Virgin Blue to launch 'Polynesian Blue' 14.07.05 3.40pm Australian discount airline Virgin Blue has signed an agreement with the Samoan Government to operate a joint venture called "Polynesian Blue". The new airline will take to the skies from October, flying Boeing 737-800s from Samoa to Australia and New Zealand -- routes currently flown by Polynesian Airlines. Polynesian Airlines will continue to operate its turboprop aircraft and ground handling divisions. Virgin Blue and the Samoan Government will each own a 49 per cent stake, with the remaining 2 per cent held by an independent Samoan shareholder. Polynesian Blue will assume Virgin's trademark low-cost structure and budget fares. The aircraft will have its own Polynesian Blue livery, featuring a red body and a palm tree on the tail along with the familiar Virgin Blue "boomerang". "This is an exciting project for Virgin Blue and we are very happy to be partnering with the Samoan Government to offer a viable and affordable airline option to both the people of Samoa as well as the thousands of tourists who will visit the beautiful islands," Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said. Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the move would ensure Samoan airfares were competitive, allowing it to make the most of the growing Pacific Island tourism market. The Polynesian Blue aircraft will be operated by New Zealand-based Pacific Blue. The airline is currently recruiting pilots and cabin crew from within Polynesian Airlines and externally. - NZPA http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=3&ObjectID=10335815

I guess I have the same question as Pieter. If you are talking about looks, then I think it may be a difficult question.

Haven't heard anything yet, but will find out from my buddies here in NZ. If Jetstar is to compete on the trans-Tasman flights, it will most likely be competing with Freedomair (a low cost subsidiary of Air New Zealand). Thanks for viewing, Sing Yew.

Hmm... Pieter, not sure entirely if they will be the two existing RNZAF 757-200s rego NZ7571 and NZ7572. May be they will acquire new 757s (2nd hand of course) as we are talking about the possibility of Hercules C-130 replacement. The cargo door may well be similar to those on the 757Fs which DHL acquired from BA. Probably the first ever jet to land on Antartica and it will be a long range 757... very interesting indeed.

Hope you guys don't mind, I am bringing some news from NZ into this forum. Proposal for a modified 757 to Antartica mission. Read below (especially the last part). Fish poachers' patrol may stay in Antarctic 07.07.05 An Air Force team could be stationed at Scott Base each summer as New Zealand gets tough on fish poachers plundering Antarctic waters. Surveillance of illegal fishing boats in the Southern Ocean and the Ross Sea has been done by long-range Orion aircraft flying from Dunedin. But Antarctica New Zealand operations manager Julian Tangaere told the annual Antarctic conference in Christchurch this week that an Orion crew will fly to the ice runway in McMurdo Sound this spring to assess basing themselves there each summer. "They're going to do additional surveillance there to pick up unauthorised fishing," he said. "They'll use an Orion and they want to base it out of McMurdo and not from out of New Zealand, because it gives them a bit longer to patrol." The Orion would go to Antarctica in November for a test flight. Basing the aircraft at Scott Base would have some significant implications, said Mr Tangaere "It has a crew of 18 and obviously they need somewhere to stay." The Orion could also be used to assist research teams on the ice. "It's also extremely capable in doing search-and-rescue and medevacs," Mr Tangaere said. The Air Force will also assess using a modified Boeing 757 to take people and cargo to and from Antarctica as part of New Zealand's share of the joint logistics pool with the United States and Italian Antarctic programmes. Antarctica New Zealand is facing a shortfall of capacity because the Air Force's rebuild of its ageing Hercules fleet over the next few summers means it can only provide 12 of the 15 flights New Zealand contributes. Mr Tangaere said the 757 aircraft was faster and could carry more than a Hercules. "That's why we're very keen to introduce this. It's a very capable aircraft," he said. "Unfortunately, the 757 has to go through a number of rebuilds and modifications - putting in longer-range fuel tanks and a side cargo door. "We hope late next year they'll be doing test flights and perhaps introducing it into service in 2007." Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10334498

MW a complementing site to AM? Not anymore, not if they are a dying and deserted site.....

May be damp leased (different from wet lease)

Well it was done for "obvious reasons" (as what they'd like to describe without elaborating further). That is just another example of double standard on their standards of moderation. In the past I have seen people posting links to other businesses and profit making organisation but they did not stop it or deleted the topic, so it all comes down to the owner's personal preference than anything else.

'Welcome back' Isaac, haven't seen you online for yonks

Hmm.... I have always thought that the nose wheels were maneuvered by stepping on the foot pedals ("brakes" and "clutches" of a car) at the cockpit??? So I guess they changed it on the 777s eh? Very informative photos as usual Azahan

Sorry Azahan and TK if you guys find it offensive, I won't ask any further question.

Who has better legs? TK or Big Brother Azahan?

That explained why MH deploys their A330-200s to IST Not the A330-300s

Looks like the piece of land in the middle is still occupied by some landowner. May be the next Tokyo airport should be out on the sea again? Not only one cannot sleep there but also worried about aircraft running the house over.

Sure it is better for MAS to have PTVs installed on A330-300s. But.....the cost factor counts. Cathay has PTVs installed on their A330-343x