Fitri Shukri

Yes I can confirm the F111 of the RAAF are here. For joint training, and making loud noises to the neighbourhoods here, and contributing to Penang's economy (the RAAF personnels regular 'social' visits to Penang Island)

First of all, thanks for the nasi lemak Azahan... was really good despite eating it for lunch ! Secondly, thanks to both darkside sifus, Emperor and Azahan, for helping me learn the 'darkside way'... having been using SLRs for so long, thought the transition to DSLR would be 'peanuts', but it proved tougher to me... Especially everything on the delta 70 is opposite to the film Canon SLR operations. Still learning the way of the D70s... so here are my first shots with the D70s + SUPERSOFT 70-300mm G lens... I really need to get a better lens, that is for sure! Arrived at Oscar Hotel just in time for Mauritius Didn't had to go for full 300mm for this one From the LCCT Star of the day I must admit, the learning was tough, had to resort to 'Sports' mode, after facing difficulties with the A and S modes, nothing wrong with the D70, its all me! and the soft 70-300mm lens!

hope they settle the problems in their own backyard first before venturing outside... and hope FAX do come to peninsular

Sungai Petani, Kedah

Ahaaa, Millenium Court. I used to stay there in my final semester at UM. Teoh, does the BOMBA Mi17 helicopter still fly in circles over PJ and UM from time to time? They used to do that nearly every working days, circa 2002 - 2003.

The first and third photo shows the Army Alloute and the second photo is the Navy SeaFennec. They are parked temporarily at the Sungai Besi air base. Maybe on a joint exercise. Thanks Teoh for your photos. Is it from Universiti Malaya? Still at 9th College?

I think MH used to operate this route for a shrt while with their F50 alongside the Tawau-Tarakan route. We will just have to see whether this route can be profitable. I'm of the assumption that the Filipino living in Sabah are used to the 18 hours sea ordeal because it is much more cheaper. But hey, lets try the Antonov 24b just for the sake of it... would fun!

Anyway, I believe if any democratically government in the world, either pro-'Islam' or pro-'what ever', none will attack first. It is the PREEMPTIVE ATTACK policy of the USA and some of its allies which is dangerous to the world. They can send their UAVs and fire hllfire missiles at any house/car/anything, and claim it was an attack on a terrorist meeting/hideout and nobody can do anything about that... not even the UN. They can even send UAV to fire at spotters with big bazooka lens and claim the spotters were actually carrying a real bazooka and trying to shoot down a FedEx or DHL plane!!!! Maybe its not about who attack who, its more about the 'danger' of technology transfer getting in the 'wrong' hand. Anyway, I'm still hoping that the FA18F deal gets through as it is one of my favourite fighter aircraft

This is why the government have not made any purchase of the FA18F Super Hornet despite the RMAF keen interest in it and having the funds in the previous Malaysia Plan 8. By the looks of it, I don't think Malaysia will buy any more major US weapons or equipments in the near future due to US discriminating weapons export policies to certain countries including Malaysia. The US are afraid that Malaysia (and Indonesia) could use their own made in USA weapons against their interests (read : our small neighbour down south) should some pro-Islam leader takes over the country whether through proper election or ala Iranian Revolutions someday. The way I see it in ASEAN's future, Malaysia + Indonesia + Vietnam BUYS MAINLY FROM THE RUSSIAN Singapore + Thailand BUYS MAINLY FROM THE USA

Thanks TK. As usual... MORE MORE MORE PLEAAAAASEE

The whole thing about Iran is that so many things are embargoed, especially by the US. Even if it is not a US product, they still can't buy it because there might be parts or technologies made in US in it, especially the Airbuses. Still, if you look at how the Iranian tweaked US technologies, you'll be amazed. That is how they got most of their F14, F4, Attack Helis and some other US weapons bought during the Shah regimes still flying today despite being embargoed by the US and other Western countries for more than 20 years. Imagine what will happen to Malaysian aviation, especially the air force if Malaysia is put on sanctions and embargoes. Once, only half the RMAF MiG29Ns were flying due to spare parts shortage. And this is during periods of good relationship with the Russian! I wonder, why won't the Iranian buy the IL96M? Look very much like an A340 to me. I haven't been to Iran, but from what I've heard, it is a very very very beautiful country. And I've to admit, the Iranian girls are........ so so so so hot (under their viels) And by the way, don't tell me the Iranians are oppressed under the regime bla bla bla... they are more democratic than most of the Arab countries, including those Arab regimes backed by the US (sorry to include politics here, but hey, politics is a big part of life, whether you like it or not!)

Wow, great shots Iggy. Too bad the haze. Wonder why they use all 3 fuel tanks. Were the Hawks there also? How bout the heli, there must be some colourful BOMBA flying the Kuching skies somewhere... unless they're out there fighting forest fires that causes the haze. More More Pieter, Maybe the MiG29Ns not participating for this year Merdeka. Or maybe the RMAF are 'saving the best for last' Come 2008, we'll have another stunner, the SU30MKM

Happy Merdeka day to Kuching folks, in advance. To Tamizi, wait till you see the MiG29Ns in action

Excellent shots Imran. Especially the second set of photos. Now, where is this new spot???

Its something called E G O

Oh OK. But Butterworth AFB doesn't have a longenough runway for 707. Usually widebody military especially from RAAF or RAF carrying troops to Butterworth will use PEN. Since PakLah constituency Kepala Batas is near Buttereorth, the B737BBJ is a regular here at Butterworh.

Is KUA runway long enough for widebody?

Purely racism And I think the current day terrorists are much more sophisticated. They would most probably be wearing business suits and speak English with a British or American accent. If you were to sit next to them, you might mistaken them to be Western educated Arabs working for some US multinational company rather than Wahhabi educated working for Osama or Al-Qaeda. Heck, I think the next generation of terrorist might not even be Arabs or Asian. They might be of Caucasian origin themselves.

Fly Asian Express is the 3rd airline, well sort of. I just hope FAX will extend its Fokker 50 services to Peninsular Malaysia and provide direct flights between major cities that bypass KLIA. Such as Penang-Malacca, Penang-Kuantan, Penang-Kota Bharu (this I will be a regular), Penang-Kuala Terengganu, Penang-Langkawi, Ipoh-Kuantan, Ipoh-Langkawi, Ipoh-Malacca, Ipoh-Kota Bharu, Ipoh-Kuala Terengganu, Malacca-Kuantan, Malacca-Kota Bharu, Malacca-Kuala Terengganu, Malacca-Langkawi, Malacca-Alor Star, Kuantan-Kota Bharu, Kuantan-Alor Star, Kuantan-Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu-Alor Star, Johor Bahru-Kota Bharu, Johor Bahru-Kuala Terengganu, Johor Bahru-Langkawi, Johor Bahru-Alor Star

Last night I flew AK bacause 1. Direct JHB-PEN 2. Cheaper and save more time than a MH JHB-KUL-PEN Even my father who exclusively fly MH C Class all the time is starting to warm up to the idea of flying AK when there is a direct flight which bypass transit at KUL

Is it true that the old airport might be converted into a military base to house attack and transport helicopters and also for C130 operations? These were what some Tawau residents told me. Personally, I think it is better to centralise all aviation activity at the new airport, military or civilian.

Choong, My first visit to Sabah was in 1998, and it happened to be Tawau was the first town in Sabah I visited. Took a MH KUL-BKI-TWU flight on a B737-400 and it was still the old airport back then. Upon landing, you can immediately see the people who are greeting you at the airport fences. My best experience in Tawau was during my first visit there in August 1998 watching the Armageddon movie at a wooden cinema in Tawau. The atmosphere in the cinema was kampung-like, but the visual and sound system was as good as the modern TGV/GSC in KL's cinema. Funny thing, instead of popcorn, they sold local kerepek/keropok for the moviegoers. Up till today, this is my best memory of going to cinema. While on a visit to Tawau last year, I was also introduced to a special meat, very tasty but hot and good to increase sexual libido . I can't remember which animal the meat is from. But it was at a Muslim restaurant not far from Kinabutan. Going to Sabah again next week. But unfortunately this time, Tawau is not in the itenary.

Dino, We in Malaysia says : "CANTIK GILERRR... BAGUIH PUNYA DOK MAI" Of all, love those retro shots. Come over to Penang-lah

Whether it is Tan Sri Hassan Merican, Allahyarham Tan Sri Azizan, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Bukhary or Datuk Tony Fernandez, they all are high profile corporate leaders who lead quite a simple life (comparing to their standings and incomes). Very different to previous MAS leaders and its current Chairman. Just for your info, Hassan Merican is a very strict person as far as business in concern. His daughter who graduated from UK were once jobless for quite a long time. He could have given her a job in Petronas, but he didn't maybe because she just wasn't qualified. The billionaire Syed Mokhtar, it is said he drives around in a Proton Perdana, have alow profile office in downtown Brickfield, fly mostly in Economy. Tony Fernandez, I heard he drive only a Ford 4WD.

Thank you for the article Keno. Hope MAS management reads this. Just a question, if your proposal is accepted, and MH decides to codeshare with KLM and join SkyTeam, does this justify the need for A380 in MAS? Meaning the A380 to serve several times daily KUL-AMS, KUL-LHR and possibly a KUL-SYD.