RE: 737 Family

I think there are relatively few points between the two that are apparant to the public. Possibly the only significant one is cabin width. What the public don’t understand is that the little Airbus can do so many things that the 737 can’t. For example – if desired it can use palletised cargo for faster turn arounds which the 737 can’t, it can land when the visibility is down to 75 meters when the 737 needs 200 meters, it can have a pair of 4 wheel bogies fitted to operate from rough strips which the 737 can’t, etc, etc. these things are not readily seen by the passenger but they give the operator the chance to give a higher level of service if they choose.

Interflug – glad to hear things have worked out for the best despite 911. I guess it’s better to leave early with fond memories than to stay longer and feel it could get you down. You must be near the approach path to R23 at STN.

RE: MyTravel DC10-30

Interesting, according to the CAA web site G-AWIW is a Stampe biplane that hasn’t had a C of A since 1973 but still holds the registration. It could be that they haven’t updated the web site for a while.

A find it amazing that MyTravel take on a gas guzzler in their current situation while everyone else is trying to get their costs down!

RE: Airline Business

I think at the moment 146 leasing companies will almost pay you to take them off their hands 😉

RE: My Short Pilot Career Thus Far

All my gliding (4000 flights!) were on the civilian side rather than the military. I haven’t flown a glider for a few years now but sometimes I miss the camaraderie.

RE: Six hurt in Airbus smash.

What were these guys on. It’s bad enough to hit one obstacle (the jetty) let alone another (the 757). Assuming the 757 was not already on the stand they were towing onto (surely they weren’t that stupid!) how do you hit your jetty AND an aircraft on another stand?

RE: Your first solo

I’ve had several memorable occasions which I consider as valid as my first solo:

First solo – Age 16 in a K13 glider on a winch launch. I soared for 22 minutes in very weak thermal lift and had the only soaring flight at the club that day!

First powered solo – Age 17 in a C152 at Shoreham. I was a silly bugger in those days and thought it would be fun trying to use the right seat controls while sitting in the left!

First flight as an instructor – In a Blanik glider at Kenley. A fraught experience when you let other people try to kill you!

First training flight in a twin-engine aeroplane – You feel like the king of the airfield when there is more than one throttle in your hand. People start taking you much more seriously, wallet empties very quickly.

Instrument rating flight test – The hardest flight anyone does in their life, ever, period. Getting a first time pass is a great thing to boast on your CV. I passed first time, I boasted!

First flight in a commercial aeroplane – For me it was a Saab 340 and suddenly you start to feel a real sense of acheivement. Mixing it with the heavy metal at big airports like Schiphol makes you feel cocky until you get a bit too close and experience some wake vortex.

First flight in a jet – My first flight in a jet was a 757 from Gatwick to Chateauroux near Poitiers before doing 6 touch and go’s. Things happen fast in a jet so at the start you are just hanging on to its coat tails.