Denny Yen

Pieter: I recommend that you adjust the exposure compensation, increase it to +1, +2 or so on above 0. For Canon, this function is called Exposure Compensation. Also, you can switch-on the AEB (Auto Exp Bracketing) function, which takes 3 shots each time the shutter release button is pressed. Again, you can set the AEB setting (for Canon, this is called AEB). I trust Nikon DSLR also have these 2 features. ISO 400 is fine. I took similar dark photos although its afternoon shots, I thought that increasing the ISO will solve the problem. But reading the manual again, tell me that exp compensation and AEB will help. Another factor is to use partial metering instead of spot metering. This will tell the camera to take a more balanced spot measuring for overall picture area. As for the dark brown grass, there is a built-in color filter for DSLRs too. The setting can be adjusted to capture a richer color.

SV, Pieter: Correct, the red shirt with white collar is CAL/CI for CNY season only, they are the PR girls giving the goodies to disembarking CNY passengers at CKS. The 400 missiles are not substantiated at all...its yesterday's since day one Ah-Bian became president until today, he's still using the same story to "scare" Taiwanese parliament to approve arms sales. Meanwhile, Taiwanese news media last week reported that F-16s were scrambled to tail Chinese airlines overflying Taiwanese airspace during the special charter period. This allegation was denied by the air command.

It was the result of the Chinese Communist war between Mao's army and KMT nationalist army (led by CKS). KMT was almost beaten, and had to retreat to Tw in 1949. KMT claimed to be legitimate gov't of all China, and they brand Communists as bandits and therefore an illegitimate gov't. (the situation here is almost similar to N.Korea and S.Korea). Since 1949, direct links (air, sea, trade) between 2 sides are banned (except for mini-links or via HKG). This policy remains until today, and is more rigorously defended by the Ah-Bian gov't. Patriot and SAM missiles are in place around this island. Nevertheless, the horses have already bolted from the stables especially with so much Taiwanese investments and tech transfer into China. Everyone want direct links, but Tw politicians are a stubborn lot.

Accoding to TV reporter, Xiamen F/As were specially selected for this trip. They have to pass a Minan (Hokkien) speaking test to qualify for this flight. No reports about Beijing's sensitivity, in fact Taiwanese media are more engrossed about the specially painted jet "2008" which is a good luck number (perfectly rounded figures, "8" is formed from two "0"). Taiwanese side did not send any special livery a/c except for Kitty plane. EVA withdrew it from their normal TPE-FUK route for this special flight. CAL/CI was surprisingly quiet about their flights except for the press conference about a CNY goody bag and special menu for these flights. CI used A330, not B744 like previously. Last time, they even highlighted their first female 744 capt for these charters. My memory mistake, I think this is the 3rd or 4th time they have direct charter flights. I recall the 1st time direct flights were allowed, CAA stated about the routing via HK airspace before turning here. I don't know this time. I believe there are 2 no-fly zones above the straits' airspace with a narrow West-East corridor between these 2 zones. Probably they used this corridor this time or via Makung/Magung waypoint. These flights were brokered by businessmen's associations and KMT initially. The Ah-Bian gov't is quite negative about it, but in the end they have to approve it because of overwhelming demands. These flights are open for everyone, and costs additional NTD2,000 than via HKG. However, NTD2,000 for cutting journey time from 7 to 1 1/2 is a good trade-off.

This is the 2nd time in 60yrs direct flights are allowed. The airspace between these 2 neighbours is opened for direct flights only during this period, and at all other times, a/c from either side risk being shot down. These flights have benefitted businessmen and their families living on both sides of the Taiwanese straits. A typical journey which takes 7hrs can now be cut into 1 1/2hrs with direct routing and without transitting in HKG. For this historical moment, airlines involved in the program put in lots of efforts in terms of a/c used, special uniform for F/As, goodies for passengers (souvenir, money, etc). Most were even highligted on TV. Here are some highlights.

There are some good actors such as Takeshi Kitano (who speaks no English, he was best known in "The Blind Swordsman" or "Zatoichi") or Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai"; "Batman Begins"). My favorite is Ryoko Hirosue (acted with Jean Reno in a French Film called "Wasabi")...so sweet.

Go to here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_navigation I don't know if you want non-technical info. A related area is airspace regulation. This comes under the jurisdiction of a country's civi aviation authority. Also, including enroute maps (official ones) would be cool. A good source is here: http://www.caas.gov.sg

Is this a regular tour or specially arranged tour? I'm surprised to see they even allowed photography in baggage handling area.

This is for benefit of anyone interested in AKL spotting. This map was prepared by Charlie Furusho (a pro aviation Japanese photog, his work was featured on JAL and ANA calendars).

20Da retained most of 20D features such as 8.2MP, 9point focus, body-construction and menu. The main difference is in the "IR cut-off function" called "H-alpha". Canon engineers say this will allow capturing of "true" color of an object. Here is the comparison and demo: http://cweb.canon.jp/camera/eosd/20da/attention/main.html 20Da is designed specifically for astronomy and its capabilities are demostrated here (java site, click on the tabs and follow arrows):- http://cweb.canon.jp/camera/eosd/20da/special/index.html As for "Canon 30D"....its probably just an easy guess using the numbering sequence, 10D, 20D, so on.

Referring to Canon 20Da (a = astronomy)? This was launched Feb/Mar 2005 for Japanese market only. Until end 2005, Canon Japan did not give any hint about release date and price for non-Jp market.

This one covers N.American skies. Almost real-time data on flight time, wx, routing and time-elapsed info also available. http://flightaware.com/live/

Its a slur used by Americans. Nevertheless, Japs have a slang (not necessarily vulgar, but quite impolite by Japanese standards) for foreigners "Gai-jin" (foreigner), the proper polite word is "Gaikoku-jin" (and gai-jin is not short-form for gaikoku-jin, as they want us to believe). The Japanese guy is reading a magazine called "Airline" magazine I showed previously. That page is called "international airport walker" It shows the best spots for a particular airport, where to eat, travelling distance/advise.

Best: EVA - because its fresh-looking and not heavy/oily. Even the missus (who is JAL long-term customer) agrees EVA meals are delicious. This is an example on the EVA NRT-TPE sector. The white soba (noodle) is usually served during winter. Small bottle is sauce for the noodle, pour all into box and mix with seaweed and wasabi (green mustard). Worst: BA - the croissant is rock-hard.

I believe JAL wanted to showcase the feature of the costume, and hence the horizontal depiction. JAL planes featuring face of actors are not new, they started with Hideki Matsui (of NY Yankees). On a side note, Shingo Katori is really big in Japan (besides being in a member of SMAP). He has acted in NHK, Fuji TV historical dramas and voice in anime. And not to forget the "Shingo" drink.

This event is in Singapore. A380 will make an appearance, wearing SQ livery/banner Some info here:- http://www.asianaerospace.com/aa2006_show_info.asp

Same thing with in-flight meals...after finishing her meal, the missus always clean the spoon/fork/chopsticks with napkin and put it back into its plastic wrapper. Its also their habit to fold the napkin so that the clean side shows on top.

Thanks for the scoop Sing Yew, keeping your radar screen open to scan news huh?!! DJ is a very respected agency, and they do not simply write any news without verifying the story/source. MAS chose to "out" the story via foreign media, rather than local media. Although the timing of this news is unexpected, however, the tactic used is not new. It is probably a move calculated to "gauge" reaction and make appropriate adjustments in time to respond to local media and politicians' reaction when the news hits them tomorrow/over the next few days.

NRT (the busiest in Japan) is in Chiba prefecture (Chiba-ken), and also the 2 Disneys (Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo Disneyland). This makes Chiba pref gov't the next richest (in terms of land revenue, municipal taxes, etc) next to Tokyo Metropolitan Gov't.

Thanks Azahan for lovely comments. Dragon service is not as frequent as CX. CX flies direct from HKG (several), via TPE (one)...morning, afternoon and night arrivals. NRT is still dominated by Korean and US airliners: Delta, CO, UAL, NW, AA...connecting not only west coast, but mid-west all the way to Houston and eastern part.

My missus is Japanese, in-laws live in Chiba-shi. Fukuoka girls are very friendly, warm and easy-going (not so materialistic like those from Tokyo)...but avoid Harajuku girls (their costumes, heavy make-up/war paint makes them look like halloween party-crasher). Nagoya...looks like heavy engineering/car related industry work or post-grad studies huh? Gifu-ken...did you snowboard? Saw on TV, many youngsters did it during New Year weekend.

That camera is for collecting video images for investigators in case of air accidents or rwy incidents. Along airport perimeter, there is a double-layer fence...those also have CCTVs too, but it points downwards for watching people. Women spotters yes...some are aviation fans, others use their cellphone cameras. Japanese of all ages love cameras, even grannies/retirees use expensive ones such as 20D, D70 for shooting flowers, macro shots.

Marry Japanese ah-moi...can go to Japan every 3 or 4 months. Also, very good skin, beautiful too...especially those from Akita-ken...Akita Bi-jin (translation for non Japanese-seaking MWingers: Jin is not the Malay Jin, but Jin in Japanese means person...so Akita Bi-jin = Akita Beauty).

After this Asiana 772 was pushed back, it didn't move at all. Several ground crew ran out to look at nose-gear compartment. Then red-jacket guy came out later. The Asiana moved after the all clear was given. There is a complicated "V" turn before getting into Rwy 34R's threshold. The same Asiana was moving very cautiously just before the V turn. Looks like 2 a/c taking off from 2 parallel rwy. But the Asiana slowed down for the V turn. Japanese worker's efficiency...they waited at the gate for several minutes even before the arrival of a/c. Baggage unloading is very fast and efficient. For me, it took a total of 26mins starting from disembarking, then, walk towards the passport control, a 25meter-long queue here, clear the control, wait & collect my bags at conveyor and clearing customs. "Piano keys" reflected in lower tail end of the Asiana. Best spotting location...I bet they can feel the jet blast/smell jet exhaust from here.

Shin Chitose (New Chitose) is relatively new, it looks like a half-eaten doughnut from the air. Land shortage and increasing JASDF (Japan Air Self Defence Force) activities meant that most civillian airports are being given back to military or given back to developers for other uses. Before Chitose, Sapporo already had an existing airport called Okadama. Komaki/Nagoya is another example, when they closed the civilian ops and move it to Chubu. Kitakusyu new airport is also being built on an artificial island. CI flies to HND up to 2002 (I think) and can be very confusing for Japanese (they can't distinguish between Air China, China Airlines, flights to Taipei but not CI, etc)...as a result, there had been occassions when non-Japanese speaking Taiwanese visitors were put on wrong airport bus by hotel staff. Now, its so simple...all international flights (except heads of gov't such as Air Force One) fly into NRT. HND is purely domestic civillian airline services, cargo, air charter, Tokyo Air police, etc.