I’m never able to figure out what is meant by the departure time. If a flight is due to depart at 1.30pm for example, does that mean that it will push back at 1.30pm, or should it be on the runway at 1.30pm, ready for takeoff?

As for a 20 minute delay… when you consider that an hour is assigned for such a short flight, a delayed departure doesn’t really matter. When the flight is complete in 40 minutes or so anyway, you only arrive one or two minutes behind schedule.

Departure time is when you push off the gate.

All aircraft go through cold weather ops as part of their certification so it doesn’t particularly affect the decision as to which is best. What are the real criteria? If you’re looking for an aircraft that can haul 10 tonne loads out of short fields then an AN-124 isn’t for you. If you’re after hauling oversize items you might want something bigger than an SD360.

It has always been a known thing in gliding circles that if you land a fabric covered aircraft in a field of cows they are partial to licking the fabric to destruction because of their dope affinity.

Nothing insinuated at all…after all I was a trolly dolly for 9 years too!

The Boeing 757 is a truly impressive aircraft with its hi-tech wing design…

Well that bit certainly made me laugh…one thing the 757 wing most definitely isn’t is high tech! Boeing played very safe when chosing the aerofoil for the 757.

I fully understand where you’re coming from Skymonster however these twins that are designed for ETOPS from the outset (777 and A330) really are very good. I wouldn’t have a problem with flying either on long haul ops…but there is a definite nice feeling about having 4 levers in your hand!