Sandeep G

Maybe the temporary hangar will become a permanent LCCT?

Give me a GLEX anyday over and above G4/G5/G6! Sexy beast! Thanks for the awesome head-on shot Kanehoshi!

MAR: What is the target community here? Wealthy arab families or Medium Wealth Malaysian/Arab families?? Have you got statistics to show that MAS Charter has indeed poorly calculated the market?? Have you got the two-way air services agreement detailing all the nitty-gritty points about sellable seats per week so on and so forth?

Ineresting catch. I thought it is a mandatory requirement for any aircraft carrying the Malaysian Civil Register to have the Malaysian Flag and the words "MALAYSIA" on the aircraft... Albeit the Sultan of Johor - how come he is not party to the rule?

Transaero B742 VP-BPX Spotted at WSSS Bay 203 (adjacent T2-F60) on 12Mar2011. Seems to again be sitting idle guarded by an army of orange traffic cones!

cheers buddy! Thanks for the picture of SRI in the meantime Nguyen!

Was in SGN last night - VP-BMX still sitting idle at Bay 21 with engine/probe covers. Any shots of SQ186/185 (9V-SRG) from our VVTS gang? cheers! - Sandeep

Official NOTAM: A444/11 RWY 14L/32R AND RWY 14R/32L CLSD DUE TO DEMOLITION WORKS. FROM 03 020700 TO 03 020800 So now it would appear the closure is BOTH runways from 0700-0800Z (or 1500-1600LT) That kinda blows... plus no mention too if a runway can be made available in case of emergency, albeit I would imagine so.

I reckon he's got lots to say about the on-board-munchies. Hmmmm.... I always feel tired after I eat so much.

Paradoxical. We blame MH for continuing to operate non-profitable routes. We blame D7/AK/FD/QZ for dropping non-profitable routes. Anyone seen the latest earnings report between the two carriers?

Isn't Abdullah Ahmad Badawi a board member for MH???

Why didn't they go for a B777 Tanker instead?? Will the B767 include much upgraded avionics??

OFF TOPIC: Mate, if you STILL can't understand the indecency of what you posted, you need to swop the initials of your first and last name around - it would be more suitable to your character. BACK ON TOPIC: New Firefly uniform is nice - hope we can see some "official" shots of the new MAS crew uniform soon - I too missed seeing the photograph.

Second such major failure in recent times right?? I recall recently RADAR also failed.. Hope DCA invests more cash into new ATM facilities and equipment.

Been reading this thread with much intrigue, and well.... I had to give it a go. Agree with you on the www.malaysiaairlines.com/au - Maintenance page - highly irritating & still appears. Agree with you that the "Country" pages should work. In fact tried navigating from the MY page to the AU page - the dropdown menu top-right of the screen is a travesty. However, try navigating to the HQ page - You can make a boooking there and in AUD - Did a dummy booking from SYD-KUL-CDG-KUL-CDG 07Mar2011/15Mar11 and the all in fare was AUD1,930 for Y. Seemed to work all the way, didn't pay of course. Alternatively: www.singaporeair.com :) B77W to SIN/A380 Upper deck to CDG - IFE system is good/comfort is good/food quality and portions are reasonable

I have a feeling those Super Hornets are a combined US DoD/Boeing sales pitch to India and hence the possible use of a civillian tanker (probably less red-tape than air-force jets). Have a feeling they stopped in Malaysia for more than just an R&R layover - I'm sure our boys at the TUDM & MinDef were giving them the lookover for potential purchase - similar to the C17 visit/demo during the Thunderbirds trip. I hope that TUDM at least orders some C130-J or the C17 type. The region could actually use a more logistics based airforce what with all the natural disasters and relief missions flown. Plus, the A400M seems to be dawdling along. Typhoon? Gripen? Rafale? Super Hornet? or more SU-30MkM? The air-defence definately needs some upgrades to more versatile types & quantity is also an issue. At least 50-100 strong to look after the entire nation's airspace. I'd like to see the money spent here rather than, for example, on Warisan Merdeka and the KL International Finance Centre - two important, but redundant projects given the amount of available land within the CBD for equally good and definately cheaper projects. When are the Super Pumas arriving?

NOTAM Available from WBFC Airspace: Applicable to an area approximately the same location as WB®-517 CORRIDOR. Highlighted portions aapply to what RobK mentioned in his original post for the thread. Nothing exciting here it looks like, just navy firing exercises. D124/11 ROYAL BRUNEI NAVY WILL BE CONDUCTING LIVE FRNG EXER WI AREA BOUNDED, BY THE FLW COORDS: 0520N 11440E 0520N 11410E 0540N 11410E 0540N 11425E 0525N 11440E BECAUSE OF NEW SOUTH CHINA SEA ATS ROUTES STRUCTURE DRG ACTIVATION PERIODS OF THE ABOVE DANGER AREA, THE FLW ATS PROC SHALL BE ADOPTED FOR ALL FLTS OPR AT FL370 AND BLW BTN SEGMENTS OF THE ATS ROUTES IN KINABALU FIR NAMELY : A )M768 BTN ASISU AND MAMOK B )M768 BTN ASISU AND BRU VOR C )M758 BTN OLKIT AND VJN VOR D )W441 M758 BTN VLB VOR, DOGOG AND OLKIT E )DIVERSSIONARY ROUTE Y445 FOR RNAV ROUTE M768 PROCEDURES : A ) M768 BTN ASISU AND MAMOK ACFT EASTBOUND ON AWY M768 AFTER PASSING ASISU SHOULD TRACK AWY Y445. ON PASSING LEDAM TRACK AWY M759 TO BRU AND THEREAFTER TRACK DCT TO MAMOK JOINING AWY M758 TO DEST AND VICE VERSA. B ) M768 BTN ASISU AND BRU VOR ACFT OPR ON RNAV ROUTE M768 IS TO FLY BRU/M749/LEDAM/Y445/ASISU TO REJOIN M768 AND VICE VERSA. C ) M758 BTN OLKIT AND VJN VOR 1.ACFT EASTBOUND ON AWY M758 AFTER PASSSING OLKIT SHALL TRACK ON AEY M759/B348 TO VJN VOR.ALL OTHER OVERFLTS BEYOND WBKK SHALL PROCEED TO DEST VIA FLT PLANNED ROUTES AFTER VJN VOR. 2.DEP FM WBKK ON M758 SHALL RE-ROUTE ON AWY Y446 PADLO Y447 AND JOIN M758 AT OLKIT. 3.OVERFLTS WESTBOUND AFTER PASSING VJN VOR SHALL TRACK ON Y446 PADLO Y447 AND JOIN M758 AT OLKIT. D ) W441/M758 BTN VLB VOR, DOGOG AND OLKIT 1.ACFT EASTBOUND ON M758/W441 TO WBKL SHALL ROUTE AWY M759.AFTER PASSING BRU TRACK DCT TO VLB VOR. 2.ACFT DEP FM WBKL ON AWY W441/M758 SAHLL TRACK TO BRU JOINING AWY M759 OTHERWISE AS CO-ORDINATED. E ) REF AIP SUP MALAYSIA NR 05/2002 DATED 02 MAY AIRCRAFT OPERATING ON RNAV ROUTE M768 IS TO FLY BRU M759 LEDAM Y445 ASISU TO REJOIN AND VICE VERSA. APPLICATIONS : A ) THE BAOVE PROC SHALL APPLY 30MINS PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF EACH NAVAL FRNG DUE TO FLT TIME FM ENTRY POINTS CROSSING OVER DANGER AREA. THE ABOVE PROC SHALL NOT BE APPLIED WHEN ACFT ARE RADAR IDENTIFIED AND PROVIDED WI RADAR VECTORING EITHER BY KOTA KINABALU OR BRUNEI RADAR TO CIRCUM NAVIGATE CLEAR FM DANGER AREA. RMK/FLARES AND ILLUMINANTS WILL BE USED DRG THE EXER. SFC TO 37000FT AMSL FROM 02 080200 TO 02 241300 DLY BTN 0200-0600 AND 1100-1300 UTC ON 08,10,15,17,22 AND 24 FEB 2011

Honestly, sounds like the best time for MAS & Qantas to get together. MH is also now on the expansion front/QF wants to expand internationally - KUL would be a good platform for QANTAS to expand its network in collaboration with MH. I feel EMIRATES is too aggressive in its own ambitions and may not be a good partner for any airline to collaborate with in the present environment - furthermore, the uncertainty of the new Jebel Ali airport and isolation of EK from competition as a result of the proposed move from DXB to the new airport for all foreign carriers making DXB an EK whitewash. Imagine MH and QF codesharing and using eachothers equipment - i.e. MH metal some of the week/QF metal the remainder. ROME daily PARIS daily STOCKHOLM daily MANCHESTER daily NEW YORK daily (via MAN/LHR) MOSCOW daily Daily access from all Australian major cities (PER/SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL) to KUL with QF/JQ. Hmmm possibly even a one-world entry for MAS?

Some other possible reasons for the deferred delivery of the aircraft (beyond the critically confined and lacking space at the KLIA LCCT apron) 1. A320NEO - I believe that AirAsia would more than likely be in negotiations with Airbus regarding the conversion of a bulk of their outstanding orders to the new A320NEO. 2. A330 Increased MTOW - The delay in delivery of the A330's is not just for "balance sheet refinement" ahead of a public listing - but in tandem with the recent announcement of the go-ahead to increase the A330's MTOW that would see an increase in range capabilities - an issue close to the heart of AirAsiaX's expansion plans what with flights to NZ and Paris in the offing. Possibly also, a modification of the order to include up to 5 A330-200 aircraft for European/Trans Atlantic or East Asian/Trans Pacific ops. See this flightglobal article - interestingly, the article speculates the aircraft would be available from 1Q2012 - a date that would seem to coincide perfectly with the AirAsiaX deferal.

Bandung is 2,500ft AMSL - hence the higher approach speed (higher alt->lower air density->higher approach speeds) - further complicated by high temperatures. If WBGG runway was extremely wet with the recent rain, it is very possible that the AirAsia incident is a case of "AQUAPLANING". The runway looked pretty wet to me. This has happened before in many other incidents worldwide.

Condolonces to the family, friends and colleagues. On another note - hope the unions/media give some space to the real tragedy of someone passing.

For RWY 20 Via A464 Southbound: BOBAG1B Arrival "ARAMA" Transition. Via A576 Southbound: BOBAG1B Arrival "REKOP" Transition. The BOBAG1B arrival takes you "around the mulberry bush" - i.e. From ARAMA/REKOP South East to BOBAG, then east to SAMKO and on to BATAM, before a left turn up the eastern shore of Singapore to DOVAN & BIPOP for radar vectors to final. If you are coming from the South China Sea, there are a number of arrivals - the popular ones being PASPU1B or TOMAN1B. Flying down the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, one would expect the PASPU1B arrival, BIKTA transition - but most aircraft from the South China Sea will fly via the VEPLI transition, seldom the MABAL transition due to the MALAYSIAN/SiNGAPORE restricted military airspace over the South China Sea. The LELIB2B Approach via ARAMA transition, LELIB-JB-ALFA-BIDUS is an interesting one, as per the requirement to be at 7,000ft or above JB and 6,000ft or above at ALFA because you overfly a restricted airspace WM(P)228 which is from GND-5000ft - the ISTANA COMPLEX!

Thanks Liam, I was wondering whether the flight got away well and with what kind of load. Did you hear anything wrt LOAD ex-PER?

Hi Weihong, Congratulations on the interview with SQ. Some tips to share: 1. Preperation: "SIA" - SIA history - evolution from Malayan Airways - Research the SIA present/future fleet types & numbers/Route Network (particularly recently launched and upcoming destinations) & Fleet deployment (e.g. A380 to NRT/SYD/MEL/CDG/LHR/ZRH etc.) - Research the Singapore Airlines Group structure - e.g. SIA/SIAEC/SIA Cargo/Silk Air/and formerly SATS (now independant) and how much value each component gives to SIA. - Research on SIA tech crew (pilot) population and ratio of number of crews/aircraft. - Research SIA stock price/Aviation Jet fuel price/Recent media press releases by SIA (found on the corporate website, I believe). - If you are able, find the SIA core values and study these as a way of seeing how you as a person would fit into the company. 2. Preperation: "Self" - some typically asked questions: - Why do you want to become a pilot? - What are your immediate and long term goals in life? - Why not, as a Malaysian, join MAS/Air Asia/Firefly or even RMAF etc? Why SQ? - What are your personal interests beyond aviation? e.g. sport/arts/hobbies - What does your family think of your choice to become a pilot? - What is your own interpretation of a pilots lifestlye? - Are you in a relationship/engaged/married? What impact would this decision make on your life at home? 3. Prepartion: "Technical" - How does an airplane fly? - What is the governing difference between 2-engine, 3-engine and 4-engine aircraft? - What do you understand of terms such as ETOPS/CRM/CPL/ATPL etc. - What do you understand of the training regime and the course you would embark upon if selected to be a pilot at SIA? - How can you explain an aircraft aerodynamic stall? - Explain the difference between Flaps/Ailerons/Elevators/Rudder - what do they do? - How are airplane control surfaces manipulated in older aircraft and more modern aircraft like the B777/A330 etc? - What is the difference between sub-sonic/trans-sonic and super-sonic aircraft? what is IAS/TAS/GS in relation to the speed of an aircraft in flight? What effects the speed of an aircraft in flight? - What basic weather phenomenons are prevalent in Singapore/Malaysia and when do they occur 4. Preparation: "History/Geography" - When/Where/Who did powered flight first take place. - What is the meaning of latitude/longitude? What is the Equator? Where is the tropic of cancer/capricorn? what is it? - If flying from Barcelona to Sao Paolo, which ocean(s) would you cross? - What continent is country "X" in? Which way(s) would you have to fly to there from Singapore? 5. Personal Presentation: - DRESS: Long Sleeve business shirt with tie and business pants, tucked in, shoes black polished - no requirement for a jacket. - HAIR: Neat/Not coloured/preferably NOT spikey (unless naturally so) - Communication skills - This is the biggest assessment item of the interview as the way you present yourself through communication is a big eye opener into your overall potential. Speak GOOD english with correct sentence construction and choice of words - be confident in your english. DO NOT USE 'Lah/Meh/Mei/Lor/Like that/etc' and other Malaysian/Singaporean colloquial terms. Be prepared to use technical jargon if you are comfortable in doing so to project a knowledgable and keen image. - Polite: BE POLITE and BE A GENTLEMAN! Do not sit until asked to take a seat for example. Place your bag beside you on the floor. Say 'please' and 'thank you'. - Eye Contact: Be positive with your eye contact and the interview panel. - Humble: DO NOT TAKE OFFENCE to ANY line of questioning UNLESS you are truly offended - if you are, comvey this in as polite a way as possible. What they 'may' be looking at in all this questioning: - How do you compose yourself when asked tough questions. - Are you easily stressed/miffed? - Do you comprehend the question and give a thoughtful answer, with minimal hesitation, or do you simply fire off the first thing in your mind? - What type of character are you? Assertive? Aggressive? Laissez-faire? Supportive? - think about which one(s) you should be! The above covers all the way from the Round 1 interview, to the Round 2 interview. The process is as such: DAY 1: Round 1: General interview with at least 2-3 persons (Flight Ops HR/Flight Ops Management Pilots) (5-10mins) DAY 2: (if successfuly complete 1st round interview above only) 1st: APTITUDE Testing with computers Round 2: Panel interview with at least 5-6 persons (as above + company psychiatrist) (10-20mins) Round 3: "TEA PARTY" the group of interviewees will meet with panel following all the Round 2 interviews for makan/drinks. Good opportunity to ask relaxed questions in a group environment and 'break the ice' with the captains. Don't stand around willy-nilly waiting for someone to say something. Have questions prepared BEFORE the process - anything you may want to ask and don't be shy to discuss - it can be anything operational/technical/cadet pilot related. Mingle well with the management staff AND your fellow interview mates. DAY 3: (if successfully make day 2 ONLY) MEDICAL EXAM - Civil Aviation Medical Board (CAMB) That completes the interview process. If you clear the medical and the interviews - you will be notified of your batch start date by mail following the process anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. Be patient. Don't harrass the HR staff for a reply. Go about your daily life, and hopefully one day, you'll get that magical email/call from SIA HR congratulating you on your appointment as cadet pilot and date to report for duty. Then the rollercoaster ride starts! Email me if you get to that point - hope you (and anyone else who is applying and has been offered interviews) do! Best of luck.

Haven't read the official report personally, but I've also adapted the skill of taking whatever the press says with a pinch of salt (or be it Masala in this case). Rigorous screening before hiring of an individual, followed by continuous monitoring of an individual throughout training and then constant monitoring & proficiency checks every 6 months for the rest of that inidividuals career punctuated by numerous other developmental courses & careful medical screening annually or bi-annually plus the need to make timely & SAFE decisions that result from high levels of training on an everyday basis and from gained experience by one's own self or through the mistakes/experiences of others and working in a dynamic environment where the situation is never the same twice and adding in to the mix internal and external stressors from home and at work plus the everyday threats of terrorism, fatigue and weather all the while with up to 300 unsuspecting individuals in the back of a scaled pressurised toothpaste tube - and there's still more. My English isn't bad, I wanted to make the sentence 'never-ending' to emphasise a point - I hope you can see it. Please, don't be too quick to jump down the throat of a young (or even elder) individual whose circumstances we will really never know in full. Glad that this story nonetheless had a safe ending.