KS Ong 1 Report post Posted December 7, 2013 (edited) She was a rival to the 747s, L1011s, bridging continents, capturing the imagination of many with her unique tail engine. Hundreds flew during the 80s and the 90s and were the pride of many airlines, But today, she is a fuel guzzler and uneconomical to be maintained. She is the DC10 and the only airline in the world that still operates the last passenger version is Biman BANGLADESH AIRLINES. But not for long. The last of her kind and the second last to be built, S2-ACR (New Era) is counting her days to retirement. Having to know that her "supposed last flight" is on 6 December to KUL, we have embarked to document this historical event. And after many many days of discussion with the relevant authorities we have been given a GO to do the coverage. Meeting with MAB and going through security protocols and presenting a memento. Then we are off to get our security screening, clearance and to be escorted.. to be continued... Edited December 7, 2013 by KS Ong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Azahan 1 Report post Posted December 7, 2013 We entered KLIA at around 2pm in our vehicle. We drove straight to substation building at 32L facing the hangars. We had to pass through cargo area and the hangars. Hehe.... Upon arriving at the spot, I took this picture. No obstruction this time and MAHB Security left us to ourselves. Yay! For your information, we split into two groups. One group covered the landing and take off and the other group stationed at the satellite gate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
knasrul 0 Report post Posted December 7, 2013 so lucky! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonathan Kong 0 Report post Posted December 7, 2013 Just to recap, weather for the past weeks had been really miserable... as you can see from the satellite image below Date: 6 December 2013 Time: 7:43 am MH21 coming in from Paris under a think blanket of cloud. I then went to join the rest of the members to MAB for safety briefing before we start our work for Biman Just a side note, during the meeting, one member of the gang had a crush on one of the MAB staff.... rest is history hati dia tarak di sini... kekeke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tamizi Hj Tamby 1 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Hahahaha Anyhow keep the story going! Can't wait to read your coverage! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kwek 0 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Wait a minute, you actually drove your own vehicle into the airside? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ellist 0 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 waiting for more to come! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Azahan 1 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Wait a minute, you actually drove your own vehicle into the airside? Ya laa Kwek. I think in this discipline, KLIA is ahead of your Changi. Hehehehe........ And our driver was MdSalleh, the spotter king of SZB. He regretted to play such role as he couldn't spot while driving. Keh keh keh..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kwek 0 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Hi Azahan, sometimes it's better this way....haha. ........ Looking forward to more pictures please! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Great stuff guys! That is why everyone comes to Malaysianwings! KS, I am not sure what the thread title meant - I thought it was the end of an old Era. Soon there will be no more three holer pax services as KL will also retire its MD-11 fleet quite rapidly... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Teh 0 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Great stuff guys! That is why everyone comes to Malaysianwings! KS, I am not sure what the thread title meant - I thought it was the end of an old Era. Soon there will be no more three holer pax services as KL will also retire its MD-11 fleet quite rapidly... Answer found below the cockpit window on the port side of the beauty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Azahan 1 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Biman three holer was expected to arrive at 1545. We had 90 minutes to so called 'set up' and 'test our' gear. Hmmm....... I 'tested' my gear by taking this video. One of the 'thousands' of Emirates' triples, this one a Melbourne-bound, dropping by to steal MH's passengers on the Kangaroo run. They are really good at what they do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Azahan 1 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 Testing testing. Weather was unexpectedly friendly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Azahan 1 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 News Biman News Dear Customer, There has been a lot of interest lately from press, aviation enthusiasts and the general public, on what will be happening with Biman’s last DC10s, which will be phased out in the coming months with the arrival of new aircraft. These are the last flying passenger DC10-30 aircraft in the whole world. So I thought I would take this opportunity to brief you with the latest news, which will be updated when further firm news becomes available. Biman currently has 2 DC10-30s flying. As their fuel consumption is higher than other aircraft in our fleet, they are used sparingly. One of those DC10s will come to the end of its economic life on 10th November 2013 (today), and will be scrapped locally. The last DC10 will continue normal flying until 7th December 2013, the start of the revised schedule for the fog period here in Dhaka. Thereafter, it will only be used as a standby aircraft, in case another aircraft in our fleet become unserviceable for any reason. We will not be scheduling it on any route though. This last DC10 will continue as a standby aircraft until sometime in February 2014. The exact date is not known yet, as it is being coordinated with the arrival of our brand new B777-300ER aircraft from Boeing. We expect to know the exact date in early January 2014. The last DC10 is being donated to a museum in the USA, a fitting end for an aircraft that has served Biman loyally and well over many year. Accordingly, we will then offer for sale, as a last opportunity to travel on a passenger DC10, anywhere in the world: a. Seats on a last flight Dhaka to Birmingham (UK). Note this will need a technical stop somewhere. b. 2 (or more if demand requires it) one hour ‘scenic tours’ to/from Birmingham c. We are unsure if the US authorities will give us traffic rights on the Birmingham to USA sector. If they do, this will also be offered for sale. d. We are also discussing with the UK POost Office, about the carriage of ‘Last day Covers’ on the last sector Birmingham-USA, for sale at a later date. Tickets will only be sold via our website, hopefully from early January, so do not buy tickets elsewhere, we want these tickets to go to genuine aviation enthusiasts. If there is a demand for more ‘scenic tour’ flights at Birmingham, we can consider these too. We hope you will join with us in celebrating the farewell of a loyal, beautiful aircraft, but also to recognize that the time has now come for Biman to equip itself with the very latest in new aircraft and technology. Kevin Steele MD & CEO I took this from Biman's website. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samuel Chy 0 Report post Posted December 8, 2013 wow! can't wait to see more photos from you guys! MW rocks! this time don have to worry about all these lamp polls for 32L shots. keep the ball rolling Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Teh 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 Meanwhile when the guys are performing their testing... Team Satellite too has checked-in after collecting the magic pass and have our theme park wristband on. The DC10 will be parking at C4 as requested..... so we hop on the CIMB train over to the satellite... Since we know our gate, and our target is delayed for 40mins... our team decided to chillax at the coffee joint... and our friend went briefly into the slumber-land... to be continued.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Azahan 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 While my colleague was snoring at the terminal, we were busy 'testing'...... With attractive pricing, lots of MH's passengers defect and fly with this one for the European run. After all, its One World maaa........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samuel Chy 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 as usual, nose-bleeding shots from u Taiko Azahan! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Azahan 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 Cheers Sam. Hehe, its been a while.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KS Ong 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 During our meeting with MAB, we are told "ONLY TO SHOOT" BIMAN. We are "NOT ALLOWED" to shoot other airlines. So what do we do about that? We just oblige and shoot "BIMANs" la :db: This "BIMAN" (FedEx) A300 is a real work horse and is dire need of new paint. Without wasting too much time, we quickly took out our gear at the substation to get "BIMAN" test shots. Our first subject "BIMAN" (Emirates) 77W. Although we don't get street 'tiangs', we do get bigger and fatter tiangs to be in our way. This "BIMAN" (US Air Force) C17 caught us by surprise. Got to know form MAB patrollater that this C17 was rejected to land in SIN earlier. Still have to avoid tiangs Also more tiangs. After going through the tiang hassle, this is the reward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdsaleh 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 Test shot,test shot...!!! Retro livery Old livery New livery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 Team Satellite too has checked-in after collecting the magic pass .....Am I right in reading that magic pass has validity till Sep 2014 ? I hope you refused to return it after your assignment Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wong Hock Peng 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 (edited) Well since others have show their's test shots, its time for me to show mine..... We have already have EK, 3K, QR, FX and US Airforce.... Spotting in KLIA is incomplete without ..... YES! the red army! 9M-XXA 9M-AHU 9M-AQH more to come.... stay tunes! Edited December 9, 2013 by Wong Hock Peng Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KS Ong 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 The "Oh Tahi Banyak Tajam" (s#1t Sharp) Moment! One Point for Canon One point for Nikon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benjamin Ho 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2013 The fedex bird looks more like being tortured rather than work horse... and why was the C-17 rejected at Sin? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites