Nguyen Vu Loc

I also applied last Thursday evening and haven't received yet the member details Anyway 10 Ringgits = 1 meal onboard Air Asia so nothing to lose here

QR-888 was already on hold for 30 minutes while on approach to PuDong. Since the situation was not ameliorating QR requested diversion to HongQiao Quote: "By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Aug 24th 2011 20:19Z, last updated Wednesday, Aug 24th 2011 20:33Z A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300, registration A7-BAC performing flight QR-888 from Doha (Qatar) to Shanghai (China), needed to enter a holding around 14:40L (06:40Z) while on approach to Shanghai's Pudong Airport due to weather. The crew subsequently decided to divert to Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport at 15:10L and declared emergency due to being low on fuel. A Juneyao Airlines Airbus A320-200, flight HO-1112 from Shenzhen to Shanghai Hongquiao (China), was on approach to Hongqiao Airport, when Air Traffic Control instructed the crew to abort the approach in order to accomodate the emergency of QR-888. The crew, without requesting priority or declaring emergency, refused the instructions and continued their approach for a safe landing forcing ATC to delay the Boeing 777-300. Flight QR-888 landed safely on Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport at 15:37L following the Airbus. The aircraft later continued to Pudong reaching their destination with a delay of 9 hours. China's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) reported on Aug 24th that QR-888 declared emergency due to fuel shortage while waiting for approach to Pudong and diverted to Hongqiao. Air Traffic Control issued instructions to Juneyao's flight 1112 to give way to the Qatar Boeing, the crew however did not comply with the instructions forcing the controllers to re-arrange the landing sequence. The CAAC opened an investigation and pledged: "Verified violations will be severely dealt with according to law." A briefing circling in China's aviation industry suggests that the Qatar Boeing 777 landed with 5 tons of fuel remaining, the Juneyao Airbus A320 with 2.9 tons of fuel remaining. Metars Pudong: ZSPD 130900Z 24008G13MPS 210V270 9999 -TSRA SQ SCT030CB 29/23 Q1005 BECMG FM0910 33007G12MPS +TSRA SQ ZSPD 130830Z VRB01MPS 9999 TS FEW030CB 29/22 Q1002 BECMG TL0930 20005MPS TSRA ZSPD 130800Z 32008G13MPS 9999 TS SCT016 SCT030CB 27/21 Q1003 BECMG TL0915 22005MPS -SHRA ZSPD 130730Z VRB03MPS 9999 -TSRA SCT016 SCT030CB 29/23 Q1003 BECMG TL0900 22005MPS NSW ZSPD 130700Z 14006MPS 9999 TS SCT030 SCT030CB 32/25 Q1003 BECMG TL0830 NSW ZSPD 130630Z 15005MPS 120V180 8000 SCT026 FEW026TCU 33/25 Q1003 WS RWY17R NOSIG ZSPD 130600Z 14007MPS 8000 SCT026 FEW026TCU 33/25 Q1003 NOSIG ZSPD 130530Z 17005MPS 8000 SCT026 FEW026TCU 32/26 Q1003 NOSIG ZSPD 130500Z 17007MPS 7000 SCT026 FEW026TCU 32/26 Q1003 NOSIG ZSPD 130430Z 16006MPS 7000 SCT026 32/26 Q1003 NOSIG ZSPD 130400Z 19004MPS 150V270 7000 SCT023 33/25 Q1004 NOSIG ZSPD 130330Z 21003MPS 150V290 7000 SCT023 FEW023TCU 33/24 Q1004 NOSIG Metars Hongqiao: ZSSS 130900Z VRB01MPS CAVOK 25/24 Q1005 RETSRA NOSIG ZSSS 130830Z 21007MPS 160V240 1600 R18L/0800VP2000D R18R/1000VP2000D +TSRA BKN026CB 25/23 Q1004 BECMG TL0840 TSRA ZSSS 130800Z 12007MPS 9999 -TSRA SCT030CB 29/21 Q1002 BECMG TL0840 TSRA ZSSS 130730Z 18007MPS 8000 SCT030 32/24 Q1002 NOSIG ZSSS 130700Z 22005MPS 9999 FEW030TCU 33/24 Q1002 NOSIG ZSSS 130630Z 24004MPS 190V280 9999 FEW030TCU SCT030 34/22 Q1002 NOSIG ZSSS 130600Z 23005MPS 200V260 9999 SCT030 34/23 Q1002 NOSIG ZSSS 130530Z 22003MPS 170V250 9999 SCT030 34/24 Q1002 NOSIG ZSSS 130500Z 23003MPS 190V280 9999 BKN028 34/25 Q1003 NOSIG ZSSS 130430Z 24002MPS 200V280 9999 BKN028 33/24 Q1003 NOSIG ZSSS 130400Z 25003MPS 220V290 9999 BKN026 33/24 Q1003 NOSIG " Source

Geoff: Yes they are the early model Hind A with tandem pilot/gunner seats. Here is the link to a defunct one at Ho Chi Minh City's Air Force Museum Mi-24 VNPAF

Here is the photo of "improvised ladder" I mentioned above

WaiPing: Nai Yang is a public beach, I don't see any restriction of spotting there unless you stand too close to the fence. I still see on JP photos from this beach posted May 2011. FYI, there is a paved pedestrian path along the outer fence. you can take photos of the ramp and terminal like here At the end of the path where you can shoot aircraft on runway, there is a small thatched shelter where you can sit to wait for aircraft. I don't know about its roof now but it surely is a good location. You may also find near the fences some piles of pavement bricks that spotters used as improvised "ladder". Another location is a cashew nut tree on the other side of the runway. You need to climb this tree to avoid the fence blocking the aircraft. It's very close to the runway threshold, 80-90mm zoom is enough. See example taken at the foot of the tree (I wore pants so cannot climb lah ) And here are the locations from Google Earth: Good luck!

2 US Navy C2A® Greyhound came to SGN to carry a Vietnamese delegation to visit the US aircraft carrier George Washington (CVN-73) sailing off-shore South Vienam 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 02 other Vietnamese military aircraft have landed SGN on that morning 5/ Antonov AN-26 reg.268 6/ Helicopter MIL Mi-8 reg.7850 Pieter: They move the MI-24 out to give place to newly refurbished UH-1. I don't think they scrap these ones because these choppers were "mothballed" during the last 2 years.

Waiping, you rent a motorbike taxi in the vicinity of CGK, all drivers know the way to take you to the kampung opposite of the Terminal T2. Some security guy may ask you if u stand too long close to the wired fence, but u can make some "qan xi" like my friend Nguyen Phuong has done (Nguyen had been to 6th MW anniversary). Here is the link to his trip report (in Vietnamese !) just watch the photos of the location. CGK spotting

Nice shot, Waiping It's a steep climb for a flight lasting approx. 5 hours.

BKK 1. Hon Kit 2. flee 3. Pieter C. 4. KC Sim 5. Keith Ng 6. Vu Loc

Bravo Hoe Jyh Excellent trip report covering the necessary details for air spotters. I wish I could travel there. Is there any moment the runway was closed for public traffic crossing that you caught on photos?

Soorox: U're right about branding issue. After VN Airlines' petition on BL's livery which is exactly Jestar's+a small unconspicuous "jetstar pacific", the VN authority has ordered the airline to change the logo . Besides, BL has to pay for using Jetstar Logo which increases operating expenses. BL is delaying this change on the ground that the company is operating at loss. Repainting means the aircraft will be out of operation for 1-2 weeks. Branding problem is also causing delay of opening VietJet aka Air Asia Vietnam.

WaiPing: Air Asia will certainly have a couple more big sale campaigns before March 2012 so we can keep that date of 30 June

Folks: I think that for MW Vietnamese members we'll be pleased that the next MW anniversary venue is BKK (Suvarnabhumi and Don Muong). Just for the sake of travelling abroad by air So, like Flee and KC Sim's comments, make our mind soon and Prompong will take care of the program #1 A good sign during the Anniversary day: This bird made an aerobatic show for us during a low traffic break I get lucky on the 2nd day at Subang: #2 head close-up #3 Rotate #4 Gear-up My sincere thanks to MW organizers.

Hi Syafiq, Your question is quite difficult to give a straight answer. Officially VVTS doesn't have a public viewing hall like KLIA or SIN. You may spot aircraft on final approach or taxiing out for departure at the right smoking area of the Intl. Departure Terminal. We have various places out of the airport perimeter. See the link to our website's spotting info VVTS spotting locations Some are good in the morning, others during the afternoon due to the Sun trajectory (runways' heading 25L and 25R) and business hours of the cafes. If you come and spot during the weekend we'll take you to the proper places. It's preferable to have a zoom lens to 300mm. cheers, Vu Loc

Hi Folks, Better late than never, on behalf of the "Vietnam delegation" I sincerely thank you all to make our spotting visit to Malaysia very friendly and fruitful (in terms of hundreds of aircraft pics taken). We are specially grateful for the best coordination from the great "ATC" host Chaity , for Mr.&Mrs Norman's "catering service" with yummy chocolate cakes and for the graciously offered "ground service" from MIR, Victor, Hon kit, Yong and some more that we regretfully can't remember your names. We look forward seeing you at our "spotting hub" SGN and at the next 7th anniversary of MalaysianWings. Let's browse some of my pics of our eventful day (some are backlit, sorry for the quality ) #1 Muster point at KLIA Dep Terminal #2 Random shots of the MW group #3 Jumpa lagi Saddiah #4 Selamat Pagi Uncle Norman #5 Terima kasih Chaity #6 A330-200 Gulf Air #7 B767-200 Air Zimbabwe #8 A321 VN Airlines

Thank you Eric and also Sheng. We'll need your offer once we muster at KLIA. See you soon

Hi Waiping, See u in the evening of 24 at the hotel. My registered name at My Hotel is Nguyen Vu Loc. Cheers, Loc

Hi Pieter, From the attached link to their website (still under construction) they will use B737 and some small turboprops vietstar

Zamir: Quote:"Capture with Nikon Coolpix P7000.It hard to get good photo through the glass + got light reflection.Capture on 1/6/2011" Try to position your camera lens as close to the glass as possible. This will get rid of disturbing reflection and also improve the auto-focus. Same method is applied to DSLRs which perform better with a rubber hood. Cheers Sri Ramani: Nice pic of the B744 Kuala Lumpur being pushed back S M Tang: I like your photos of 330MH and United Airways' MD-82(?)

Pieter, Tamizi & al. Thanks for your appreciation and support. More photos to come as I just took a leisure trip by plane. Cha`o Sorox, The A332 VN-A374 won't get a repaint in the forthcoming months since the aircraft was delivered in Dec 2009. As I mentioned earlier total aircraft repaint for Vietnam Airlines medium & heavy aircraft occurs when proceeding C-Check abroad based on the airframe flying hours. IMO, repaint will be done after 3 years since the last paint. It could be earlier once Vietnam has facilities/equipment to repaint large aircraft. So far the Cambodia Angkor Air A321 and ATR72s are totally painted at Tan Son Nhat hangars.

Rains are frequent now in the afternoon at SGN. If you don't mind getting wet, you have a good chance of A/C miss approach and go-around and water fumes at take-off and landing. #1 A CRJ-900 Air Mekong (P8) made a go-around right after this shot due to heavy rainpour at the runway threshold #2 A332 VN-A372 and A374 landed with crosswind #3 B77W Air France on reverse #4 A332 VN-A377 landed after thunderstorm #5 A343 Turkish TK-TJJ power reverse on wet runway #6 A332 CI rotated on RWY25L for TaoYuan Taipei This one is dedicated to Sneeze Lam who had graciously informed us on Facebook Sneeze C.W. Lam 3:32pm Jun 5 B-KPF is coming in HCMC as CX765 The 77W Hong Kong City landed at approx. 5:45PM under overcast sky

Congrats! Norman, the photo is very nice, striking color contrast yet pleasing to my eyes.

He He, Huan, bravo for covering this event for VNAS. Some comments: 1/ you should use your real name Huan in this MW forum 2/ use the image hyperlink instead of the thumbnai one.

Jason: "sorry quality lousy, weather not good :x " I wish that SGN or HAN weather could be same at 5 to 6PM! The pics are so nice and sharp, and the clouds pop up giving a 3D vision. So don't be too modest