[Mazrim]

I've always wanted to join the Pepsi Generation.
I'll be honest with you, I was expecting to see some kind of StarCraft 2 ad on the plane.

[Bigtime]

I'll be honest with you, I was expecting to see some kind of StarCraft 2 ad on the plane.

Haha! Well they do have 2 747's and 1 737 in a special Starcraft II livery.

[Coldrsx]

"*Brought to you by Canada's second most efficient "small" airport** "

OMG

i just about lost coffee to my mac

[Yume-sama]

It's nice to see Korean Air here. We have a very large Korean community in Calgary, it would be great if we could even get 2 - 3x weekly service for more than a month.

It would also open the door to connect to Vietnam (another large minority group in Calgary), and China, etc.

:D Then we just need to get Emirates in here to connect us with India, Lebanon (another large minority group :P), and that region.

One can dream~

[Bigtime]

"*Brought to you by Canada's second most efficient "small" airport** "

OMG

i just about lost coffee to my mac

I knew you YEG'ers would enjoy that! :D

[Aegis]

It's nice to see Korean Air here. We have a very large Korean community in Calgary, it would be great if we could even get 2 - 3x weekly service for more than a month.

It would also open the door to connect to Vietnam (another large minority group in Calgary), and China, etc.

:D Then we just need to get Emirates in here to connect us with India, Lebanon (another large minority group :P), and that region.

One can dream~

Or, better yet.. Air Canada to offer direct flights to those destinations.

I'm anti-Emirates. (Notwithstanding the fact that the A380s landing in Toronto are quite a sight).

[Yume-sama]

Or, better yet.. Air Canada to offer direct flights to those destinations.

I'm anti-Emirates. (Notwithstanding the fact that the A380s landing in Toronto are quite a sight).

:frog: Well... we wouldn't be getting an A380 :P Frankly, I don't care what airline does it, but it's highly unlikely Air Canada ever would.

[Bigtime]

Or, better yet.. Air Canada to offer direct flights to those destinations.

I'm anti-Emirates. (Notwithstanding the fact that the A380s landing in Toronto are quite a sight).

Perhaps when AC's 787's start to arrive. Right now I think they are content to funnel most of that traffic through YVR and YYZ. But if the 787 delivers the promised numbers it can make YYC-Asia routes much more attractive to them.

[Yume-sama]

Perhaps when AC's 787's start to arrive. Right now I think they are content to funnel most of that traffic through YVR and YYZ. But if the 787 delivers the promised numbers it can make YYC-Asia routes much more attractive to them.

:yes: The 767's were supposed to retire when the 787 came in to service a year or two ago. :haha: Maybe that will still be the case and 787 will handle the YYC - NRT run.

That would be nice. :tup: I'm flying from YVR - NRT on their new 777-300ER, quite excited for that. Their old A330's took a couple of years off my life.

[Bigtime]

Yup, note I said WHEN the 787's start to arrive! :D

How did the A333's take some years off your life, cramped in the back? To my knowledge they've all undergone the XM treatment with the new interiors now.

[Yume-sama]

Yup, note I said WHEN the 787's start to arrive! :D

How did the A333's take some years off your life, cramped in the back? To my knowledge they've all undergone the XM treatment with the new interiors now.

:yes: Well, the last time I was on them was before XM lol - I unfortunately was sitting in economy. My tray table was broken, there was exposed wiring at the side, the ceiling above me was dripping something (the flight attendant taped a paper towel up there to "fix it", it made horrible crackling sounds the entire flight (9 hours) that had everyone talking and buzzing, the TV's were broken, mid-way through the flight some sort of fog or mist was spraying through the air conditioner (which the pilot said was "normal", but I had never seen before), they ran out of food by the time they got back to me (not really the A330's fault). And, it was a horrible flight that kept giving you that sinking feeling (you know, when you go down a steep hill :P) and the flight attendants came on frantically telling everyone to put on seatbelts a couple of times. Again, not really the A330's fault.

But I started flying JAL's 747's immediately after that :D The 777 will be my first trans-ocean flight with AC since then lol

I was moments short of scribbling my will on a napkin.

[Bigtime]

Wow, that sounds like no fun at all! I have flown coach on the A330's with AC a few times crossing the Atlantic, and luckily enough never had any experiences with that.

Funny about the mist coming from the AC units, usually you only see that in very hot and humid places.

The one thing you'll notice about the 777 is that the cabin is not as quiet as the A330, I really like how quiet the 330/340 cabins are.

[Yume-sama]

The flight was also delayed 24 hours due to an engine failure on its way in to Narita lol - which made me feel uneasy from the start.

I'll be sitting up front in the 2nd row on the 777, so hopefully it's quiet :D

I do like the new cabins AC has, I always avoided them at any cost before they completed XM, but now they're my airline of choice. Who'd have thought.

[Bigtime]

Row 2 eh? Very nice! You'll have to tell me what you thought of AC's new Business First section, never had a chance to try it myself yet.

[Mazrim]

Haha! Well they do have 2 747's and 1 737 in a special Starcraft II livery.

I wasn't even being serious....LOL.

Did a google search, continued to laugh:
http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/starcraft-ii/news/starcraft-ii-advertised-on-side-of-planes/a-20100624142525552056/g-20070518211627437097

[suburb]

Or, better yet.. Air Canada to offer direct flights to those destinations.

I'm anti-Emirates.

Even if Air Canada would fly direct to Dubai from Calgary (good luck!), the value of getting to Dubai is all the connections from there to places in Africa and Asia, so you'd likely need to transfer to Emirites anyway. Ever tried going to safari in the Serengetti? Don't think Air Canada goes there!

I've used airlines from the gulf twice and it was a pleasure each time ...

First was a trip to India where I landed in Dehli, found my way around India and departed out of Chennai. Air Canada does go in and out of Dehli, but it would be a more expensive ticket and after traveling India on boat, train, bus and cart, I'd have to find my way back to Dehli from Chennai for the return leg, costing me an extra day plus travel costs.

Second time, which was Emirites, was to go to East Africa for my Safari adventure. I flew in to Dar-es-salaam and flew out of Nairobi. Had an awesome trip, including Zanzibar, Ngorongoro, Serengetti, Masai Mara and Mombasa. There are only a few carriers going to East Africa (among other African centres of interest).

I'm not saying this of you in particular as I really have no idea, but I find some of the anti-Emirites folks really have no idea of such parts of this amazing world of ours. Nothing against the Calgary Zoo (in fact I visit regularly) but man the safari experience is something otherworldly. Emirites can make it all a lot easier for us. It isn't all about the Indians or what have you.

Where you get to from Dubai:
http://www.emirates.com/ca/English/flash/route_map.aspx

[Bigtime]

I wasn't even being serious....LOL.

Did a google search, continued to laugh:
http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/starcraft-ii/news/starcraft-ii-advertised-on-side-of-planes/a-20100624142525552056/g-20070518211627437097

I thought you knew about those special liveries when you posted, that must have been awesome for you to see! :haha:

[Aegis]

Even if Air Canada would fly direct to Dubai from Calgary (good luck!), the value of getting to Dubai is all the connections from there to places in Africa and Asia, so you'd likely need to transfer to Emirites anyway. Ever tried going to safari in the Serengetti? Don't think Air Canada goes there!

I've used airlines from the gulf twice and it was a pleasure each time ...

First was a trip to India where I landed in Dehli, found my way around India and departed out of Chennai. Air Canada does go in and out of Dehli, but it would be a more expensive ticket and after traveling India on boat, train, bus and cart, I'd have to find my way back to Dehli from Chennai for the return leg, costing me an extra day plus travel costs.

Second time, which was Emirites, was to go to East Africa for my Safari adventure. I flew in to Dar-es-salaam and flew out of Nairobi. Had an awesome trip, including Zanzibar, Ngorongoro, Serengetti, Masai Mara and Mombasa. There are only a few carriers going to East Africa (among other African centres of interest).

I'm not saying this of you in particular as I really have no idea, but I find some of the anti-Emirites folks really have no idea of such parts of this amazing world of ours. Nothing against the Calgary Zoo (in fact I visit regularly) but man the safari experience is something otherworldly. Emirites can make it all a lot easier for us. It isn't all about the Indians or what have you.

Where you get to from Dubai:
http://www.emirates.com/ca/English/flash/route_map.aspx

I have no doubt that Emirates is a fabulous airline. Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of flying them before. My issue is that they are a predatory firm. I'm not as interested in a Canada-Dubai link as much as a Canada-India or Canada-Vietnam, etc link that Air Canada should be able to handle, when the new 787s arrive.

Our government has poured billions of dollars into this airline to ensure we have a flag-carrier, now why not give Air Canada conditions for success by allowing them some potentially lucrative routes?

[The Chemist]

I'm hoping for a direct Calgary-Shanghai when the 787s arrive in AC's fleet. :)

[halifaxboyns]

I've flown home on some of the XM 767's from Calgary (to Halifax) when they add extra flights at Christmas. I had a chance to fly business using points and had the lie flat seats the whole way and they were wonderful. They were so comfortable!

[freeweed]

I thought you knew about those special liveries when you posted, that must have been awesome for you to see! :haha:

kekekekeke

[suburb]

I have no doubt that Emirates is a fabulous airline. Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of flying them before. My issue is that they are a predatory firm. I'm not as interested in a Canada-Dubai link as much as a Canada-India or Canada-Vietnam, etc link that Air Canada should be able to handle, when the new 787s arrive.

Our government has poured billions of dollars into this airline to ensure we have a flag-carrier, now why not give Air Canada conditions for success by allowing them some potentially lucrative routes?

Good point about dollars having been poured into Air Canada and certainly it would be nice to get any direct routes to India or Vietnam, however, I should note that Emirites services 10 cities in India. Even with the 787s, it will be many a decade before Air Canada could even contemplate going to 10 Indian cities directly from Calgary. That means without Emirites landing here, it will remain three very long segments for Calgarians for the most part.

Predatory or not, they are offering something that others cannot.

[Bigtime]

3 segments to India?

Back in 2007 I used BA's new route to LHR and went YYC-LHR-DEL.

[Aegis]

Good point about dollars having been poured into Air Canada and certainly it would be nice to get any direct routes to India or Vietnam, however, I should note that Emirites services 10 cities in India. Even with the 787s, it will be many a decade before Air Canada could even contemplate going to 10 Indian cities directly from Calgary. That means without Emirites landing here, it will remain three very long segments for Calgarians for the most part.

Predatory or not, they are offering something that others cannot.

I wouldn't even demand a YYC-India route - just simply direct India-Canada flights by a Canadian airline.

[lubicon]

I wouldn't even demand a YYC-India route - just simply direct India-Canada flights by a Canadian airline.

We used to but IIRC the route was cut as India tends to be a low yielding route. Much better for AC to codeshare the flights from Europe to India and use the aircraft on better performing routes. They still make the same amount of money and don't tie up a bunch of resources to run the route. It's seamless for the travellers as well - your flight isn't going to be N/S anyway so a stop in europe is the same whether you are on AC metal or another airline.

[Bigtime]

I believe AC could do YYZ-DEL or Mumbai non-stop now with their 77L's or 77W's.

But as you have pointed out they may not make much money on the route, regardless of if the aircraft can do the flight or not.

Edit: I just checked the AC fleet info for ranges on the two 777 types they have, and punched them into the great circle mapper, easy to make India with either type from pretty much any Canadian airport that could support a fully loaded 777 for the flight.

[suburb]

3 segments to India?

Back in 2007 I used BA's new route to LHR and went YYC-LHR-DEL.

You're right for Dehli, but my comment was in context of Emirates serving ten Indian cities. If someone flew you to Toronto but you wanted to go to Calgary, you'd not be too pleased. India is more than one, two or three cities.

[suburb]

I just checked the AC fleet info for ranges on the two 777 types they have, and punched them into the great circle mapper, easy to make India with either type from pretty much any Canadian airport that could support a fully loaded 777 for the flight.

Problem is from a cost perspective, they don't compete with Emirates. The Indians and others instead go Canada - EU - Dubai - India

[Doug_Cgy]

Has anyone heard anything new regarding the International terminal?? This is probably one of the projects I'm most excited about!!

[Bigtime]

Well if I had to choose I would probably be with the government on this one and not allow increased access to Emirates. There is far too much info about them that never sees that light of day.

Oh the spotter in me would be all excited to see an Emirates 777 come in here, but you might as well say bye-bye to KLM, BA, and probably one of our Frankfurt operators (most likely LH).

[Bigtime]

Problem is from a cost perspective, they don't compete with Emirates. The Indians and others instead go Canada - EU - Dubai - India

Just an observation, but I see plenty of Indians catching either the AC or LH flights back to YYC from Frankfurt, so can we assume quite a few right now choose that option to get over to India?

[suburb]

Just an observation, but I see plenty of Indians catching either the AC or LH flights back to YYC from Frankfurt, so can we assume quite a few right now choose that option to get over to India?

Certainly (there are a lot of Indians to go around) - Air India also flies from Frankfurt. Of course, I don't want to get too tied to India in the discussion about Emrites. My main point is the extensive network that Emirites goes to, not only in Asia but also Africa.

As an aside, I'm always so envious of folks who live in the major European centres who can easily get to so many places for a quick 3-5 day holiday, whereas a lot of the historic world is quite far for us in general.

[Bigtime]

I got some shots of a rare visitor here yesterday morning, departing for Anchorage:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4835956729_1b10d231f2_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4836572910_e778aaea19_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4835958751_70641ca5ec_b.jpg

[Aegis]

^^^ Beauty.

[Bigtime]

Courtesy of the always informative I Fly Calgary Blog (http://www.iflycalgary.ca/):

April 2010 saw the first decrease in year over year numbers since November 2009. The total number of passengers going through YYC in April was 998,523, a 1.1% decrease from April 2009. This decrease was the result of a 3.4% decrease in domestic travel as Transborder and International traffic were both up for the month by 2.4% and 7.9% respectively.

April 2010
Domestic: 675,430
Transborder: 214,851
International: 108,242

May 2010 on the other hand was a great month for YYC with traffic growing 6.0% to 1,017,299. Domestic travel grew by 2.2%, Transborder by 11.3% and International grew a whopping 28.5%. Overall for the first 5 months of 2010 Domestic travel is down 1.2%, Transborder is up 7.9% and International is up 14.5%.

May 2010
Domestic: 720,130
Transborder: 196,353
International: 100,816

[MrBigStuff]

Is there any way some one could get me a ride in the SR71 Blackbird???
I have a longing to go on a high altitude flight and take a look around. I wish to see the real curvature of the earth.

[MalcolmTucker]

Is there any way some one could get me a ride in the SR71 Blackbird???
I have a longing to go on a high altitude flight and take a look around. I wish to see the real curvature of the earth.

Only thing close would be Virgin Galactic these days. When the Concorde was still flying I believe you could see the curvature.

As for the Emirates talk, Canada focuses on developing O&D from Canada when negotiating air service agreements, not feeding other countries hubs (besides obvious exceptions, like open skies with Korea, EU, USA). I don't think we will see any gulf airlines in Canada beyond the 6x flights to YYZ anytime soon.

[Bigtime]

Is there any way some one could get me a ride in the SR71 Blackbird???
I have a longing to go on a high altitude flight and take a look around. I wish to see the real curvature of the earth.

Don't think they are operating the SR-71 anymore (at least officially...), however with the right connections you could find yourself in a U2 spy plane:

1PmYItnlY5M

Sir Appleby is right though, your best chance will be when Virgin Galactic is up and running. I'm already saving some pennies aside to do that trip in my lifetime.

Here's how I have it figured, I've spent 60 hours underwater (SCUBA), live on land, and have ~900 hours flying in the logbook. All that is missing is space!

[suburb]

Canada focuses on developing O&D from Canada when negotiating air service agreements, not feeding other countries hubs (besides obvious exceptions, like open skies with Korea, EU, USA).

LOL! Nothing like the 'exceptions' totaling 800,000,000 people, of which most are like people I should add. This line of think also marginalizes the underlying fact that we fly to get places fast. It is like planning an LRT without considering where people want to go.

[Ramsayfarian]

Slightly off topic, but I figured you plane nerds would like this video.
It makes me want to get a pilot's license.


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d17_1280278684

[Bigtime]

So apparently Mexicana had their A319 seized at the airport today, not sure who they owe money too but the word is that Nav-Canada seized two other birds. One in Vancouver, and one in Toronto.

[Bigtime]

Air Canada sub-leased 4 A319's to Mexicana, this could be seizures by either them or Nav-Canada for non payment.

[GoflamesGo]

Tha SPyPLane video is amazing! I can't wait for space tourism to get going! also for it to be a little more accesible.

[CalgaryLankan]

About Mexicana aircraft seizure, nothing reported in mainstream media yet. Not important ???? or Bigtime is way ahead than media....

[Bigtime]

About Mexicana aircraft seizure, nothing reported in mainstream media yet. Not important ???? or Bigtime is way ahead than media....

Way ahead of the media, but then again it may not be a BIG story here. However it could be the start of the collapse of Mexicana.

Airliners.net thread on the seizures at YYC and other Canadian airports here: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4882051/

[KrisYYC]

I posted that thread on airliners a good 5 or 6 hours after the plane was seized. I thought forsure it would have been on airliners.net already but I guess not.

After some snooping around here at work it looks like (though not totally confirmed) that it was AC who seized A319's that they had leased to Mexicana. Nav Canada was not involved.

MX 870 (MEX-YYC) is operating tonight with an A320. If they can fly in a 320 then obviously it's not Nav Canada that they're in debted too. Unless the 320 is seized tonight too, I'll keep you guys posted lol.

Kris

[MrBigStuff]

Don't think they are operating the SR-71 anymore (at least officially...), however with the right connections you could find yourself in a U2 spy plane:

1PmYItnlY5M

Sir Appleby is right though, your best chance will be when Virgin Galactic is up and running. I'm already saving some pennies aside to do that trip in my lifetime.

Here's how I have it figured, I've spent 60 hours underwater (SCUBA), live on land, and have ~900 hours flying in the logbook. All that is missing is space!

That is some AWESOME video of the U2 flight - makes me want to go even more. :tup: :tup: :yes: :yes: How did you find that video??
Also I must thank you for finding it. :yes: :yes: :yes:

[MrBigStuff]

Slightly off topic, but I figured you plane nerds would like this video.
It makes me want to get a pilot's license.



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d17_1280278684
I say - go for it - it's awesome flying up there when you're by yourself, or with passengers that you choose to take with you. It is fun being in command of an aircraft.

Bigtime will vouch for me on this one!!!:tup: :tup:

[Ferreth]

That is some AWESOME video of the U2 flight - makes me want to go even more. :tup: :tup: :yes: :yes: How did you find that video??
Also I must thank you for finding it. :yes: :yes: :yes:

What's sad is that I pretty much guessed what that video was before I saw it. Too bad more people can't see the planet from 70,000+ft.

You really need to be watching Top Gear. The same presenter took a Bugattii Veyron Super Sport up to it's top speed of 417km/hr in last weeks episode. Here's a Youtube from his previous run with the "slow" plain Bugattii Veyron.
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LO0PgyPWE3o&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LO0PgyPWE3o&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

[jsbertram]

Slightly off topic, but I figured you plane nerds would like this video.
It makes me want to get a pilot's license.


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d17_1280278684

Another classic prank:

A friend of the family (a pilot for CPAir) somehow arranged to borrow a seeing-eye dog & white cane for an April Fools gag. He wandered around the Calgary airport in his full uniform and when he found a flight ready to board he'd tap-tap-tap his way onto the gangway with the dog - passing the passengers waiting to board their flight.

Instead of coming back out, he'd duck out the bridge side door to the tarmac & let the poor gate staff explain to the panicked passengers it was an April Fools prank - their actual pilot & co-pilot COULD see where they were flying.


I don't know if he got into trouble over this, but I don't remember him doing it again.

[MrBigStuff]

What's sad is that I pretty much guessed what that video was before I saw it. Too bad more people can't see the planet from 70,000+ft.

You really need to be watching Top Gear. The same presenter took a Bugattii Veyron Super Sport up to it's top speed of 417km/hr in last weeks episode. Here's a Youtube from his previous run with the "slow" plain Bugattii Veyron.
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LO0PgyPWE3o&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LO0PgyPWE3o&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

Yup!! Calgary to Edmonton in 30 minutes - imagine that!!!
:haha:

[Ferreth]

Yup!! Calgary to Edmonton in 30 minutes - imagine that!!!
:haha:

The problem being that the tires will last for only 15 minutes at that speed, but that's okay because the fuel will run out in 12 minutes. :cool:

[Bigtime]

I say - go for it - it's awesome flying up there when you're by yourself, or with passengers that you choose to take with you. It is fun being in command of an aircraft.

Bigtime will vouch for me on this one!!!:tup: :tup:

I can definitely vouch for it. I still miss those early morning flights in perfectly smooth air. Best office in the world!

That is some AWESOME video of the U2 flight - makes me want to go even more. :tup: :tup: :yes: :yes: How did you find that video??
Also I must thank you for finding it. :yes: :yes: :yes:

I think I remember seeing the video linked on another forum somewhere.

[CalgaryLankan]

Bloomberg reporting the Mexicana news, and issue seems to be resolved. Is the 319 still parked at the hanger ?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-30/mexicana-plane-seized-by-lessor-forcing-flight-cancelations-canada-says.html

[Aegis]

Weird night.

1 missed approach (westjet), approx. 20:05..

Can anyone help me identify this plane? It departed at approx 20:45, it was completely white, and a quad jet. It wasn't a 747 or an A340. Didn't seem to be as big as an A330 either. The nose was had more of a sharp angle than what I've seen on most Boeing or Airbus models. I can't find it on fightaware....

[Yume-sama]

There has been a completely white A340 (even though you say it wasn't) coming around lately. For what, or where, I donno :P

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/4823879058/

[Aegis]

There has been a completely white A340 (even though you say it wasn't) coming around lately. For what, or where, I donno :P

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/4823879058/

Yeah, that's it. I was wrong, it IS an A340 after all. I just thought it looked different than the Lufthansa A340 that was here last spring. Maybe an earlier, smaller variant.

[Bigtime]

That A340 is operated by Hi-Fly and has been doing troop charters over the last few weeks. WeeinYYC caught it on the 24th departing in the early morning light:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4823879058_286479ebc4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/4823879058/)

Edit: I believe it is an A340-300 series, so the same type that Lufthansa is operating into YYC.

Double Edit: And yes, there is no rare visitor that WeeinYYC doesn't get a picture of! :D

[Aegis]

That A340 is operated by Hi-Fly and has been doing troop charters over the last few weeks. WeeinYYC caught it on the 24th departing in the early morning light:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4823879058_286479ebc4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/4823879058/)

Edit: I believe it is an A340-300 series, so the same type that Lufthansa is operating into YYC.

Double Edit: And yes, there is no rare visitor that WeeinYYC doesn't get a picture of! :D

This is why I love quality web forums.

Do you know where this plane was headed? and, for which army are they transporting troops?

[Bigtime]

This is why I love quality web forums.

Do you know where this plane was headed? and, for which army are they transporting troops?

If memory serves it was heading for Hanover.

[MrBigStuff]

The problem being that the tires will last for only 15 minutes at that speed, but that's okay because the fuel will run out in 12 minutes. :cool:

HMMM - that changes everything!!
So much for a 30 minute trip to Edmonton from here.

[CalgaryLankan]

Just saw a L1011 tristar landing on 10, probably one from Royal Air Force

[MrBigStuff]

Just saw a L1011 tristar landing on 10, probably one from Royal Air Force

It's been a while since I've seen one of them - they are getting scarce - any reason why??

[MrBigStuff]

I had early morning flights also in small aircraft - but before I would go, I liked visiting the Springbank control tower and watch planes come and go with the ATC guys. One morning in July of 1976, I was up there and they told me that a BH 125 jet was going to do a touch & go, and not long after - there it was - it touched down on the white bars on runway 34 and lifted off on the white bars of runway 16 - a 3200 ft. runway back then. That was a treat to see. One of the controllers said: "That otta wake up the college", making reference to North American Air Training College that was out there at that time.

[MrBigStuff]

That A340 is operated by Hi-Fly and has been doing troop charters over the last few weeks. WeeinYYC caught it on the 24th departing in the early morning light:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4823879058_286479ebc4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/4823879058/)

Edit: I believe it is an A340-300 series, so the same type that Lufthansa is operating into YYC.

Double Edit: And yes, there is no rare visitor that WeeinYYC doesn't get a picture of! :D

Have you come across any pics of the A340 - 600 anywhere???
The only one I have come across, is in an email, that was destroyed by some flight crews that were playing around - and disengaged the safety features for taxiing of this plane. They lost control of this A340-600, and crashed it into a concrete wall - totalling it. :( The airplane belonged to Emirates. It was a brand spanking new aircraft. Sad day it was. :(

[Yume-sama]

Lufthansa uses A340-600 to fly to YYZ. They have 26 of them~!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3890285521_05b5dfc404_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29033907@N02/3890285521/in/photostream/

[MrBigStuff]

Is that thing sleek, or what???
Awesome picture of that one - thanks much!! I would like to sit in a window seat - in the front 3rd of this bad boy!!

The ultimate seat: in the cockpit!!!

[jsbertram]

Have you come across any pics of the A340 - 600 anywhere???
The only one I have come across, is in an email, that was destroyed by some flight crews that were playing around - and disengaged the safety features for taxiing of this plane. They lost control of this A340-600, and crashed it into a concrete wall - totalling it. :( The airplane belonged to Emirates. It was a brand spanking new aircraft. Sad day it was. :(

Initial article & photos from FlightGlobal:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/19/219705/toulouse-accident-occurred-as-airbus-a340-was-exiting-engine-test-pen.html

Followup article from FlightGlobal:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/12/10/319969/violation-of-test-procedures-led-to-toulouse-a340-600.html

photos from other angle:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1928708/posts

[Bigtime]

Just a reminder that the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Lancaster bomber arrives today. The updated schedule has it arriving between 1:15-1:45pm.

I will be out with a few other Calgary spotters hoping to get some pictures of this bird as she comes in.

[kap384]

Pictures will be awesome Bigtime. Looking forward to them. But the sound of those 4 Merlins in unison is epic.:cool: Especially if you haven't seen them before.

[Bigtime]

Wow, what a sight that was. The viewing areas were packed with people to watch the arrival also!

Hope to have the shots up tonight after work.

[bookermorgan]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4857423363_297ecaca8d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookermorgan/4857423363/in/photostream/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4857424081_874342b81c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookermorgan/4857424081/in/photostream/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4858044074_4a79a5027f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookermorgan/4858044074/)

[Bigtime]

Great shots, and thanks for the delicious cupcake!

[CalgaryLankan]

That was a nice shot of the beast - so sad, I am working and could not make it. Can we see it at Sait? - any advice?

[CalgaryLankan]

Potential Northern Lights tonight and until Thursday night - due to peak in solar activity. See the links posted.....

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20100803/sun-storms-100803/

http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/Default.asp?Date=20100804

Sorry - this is not an aviation related post but I am sure those who are looking at the sky for man made birds will enjoy dancing lights too.....if we get a chance.

[Bigtime]

That was a nice shot of the beast - so sad, I am working and could not make it. Can we see it at Sait? - any advice?

Yup, it will be on display at the SAIT aerocentre for the next few days. Check out the aerospace museum website for the times.

[Bigtime]

Some pics:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4858338563_3235cb7f44_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/4858338563/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4858961146_9de02b0e7d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/4858961146/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4858961686_0cf7f919ed_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/4858961686/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4858340511_64d3a9c6c2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/4858340511/)

[Policy Wonk]

Just a reminder that the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Lancaster bomber arrives today. The updated schedule has it arriving between 1:15-1:45pm.

I will be out with a few other Calgary spotters hoping to get some pictures of this bird as she comes in.

It flew low over downtown around 1:00, I was visiting a friend at her condo when it flew from the North.

[kap384]

Great work Bigtime. I'm going to head up there on Friday. Supposed to be flying all day.

[CalgaryLankan]

AC009 seems to be YYZ - YYC - YVR - NRT on some days and nothing mentioned in the timetables except YYC.com says Vancouver/Narita. Yesterday's flight too was operated via YVR. This is the second time it happened.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA9

Anyone know of a reason for this hop?

[Bigtime]

AC009 seems to be YYZ - YYC - YVR - NRT on some days and nothing mentioned in the timetables except YYC.com says Vancouver/Narita. Yesterday's flight too was operated via YVR. This is the second time it happened.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA9

Anyone know of a reason for this hop?

Headwinds to strong right now to make YYC-NRT non-stop?

Edit: There is a thread over at a.net about the YYC-NRT route, I've asked your question there also. I'm sure someone will have the answer there.

[Bigtime]

Damn airliners.net is fast with some answers:

The July 27 diversion to YVR was due to weather radar problems. Following from the Transport Canada incident reports for that date. Not sure what caused the August 3 diversion.

Air Canada Flight ACA009, a Boeing B767 300 IFR Calgary to Tokyo Japan, en route encountered problems with its weather radar and requested diversion to Vancouver. The aircraft landed Runway 08R at 2023Z without further incident.

[Yume-sama]

Mexicana officially filed for bankruptcy. Didn't AC give them back the planes :P? Oh no! They got scammed~!

[Bigtime]

From I Fly Calgary (http://www.iflycalgary.ca/):

Air Canada increasing Calgary-Maui service

According to Airline Route Update, Air Canada will be adding a 4th weekly flight between Calgary and Kahalui Maui for the Winter 2010-11 season. This is an increase of 1 flight per week over last winter. The flights will now operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday starting on Dec 17. From Nov 6 to Dec 16, there will be 1 flight per week on Saturdays only.

[MrBigStuff]

From I Fly Calgary (http://www.iflycalgary.ca/):

Air Canada increasing Calgary-Maui service

According to Airline Route Update, Air Canada will be adding a 4th weekly flight between Calgary and Kahalui Maui for the Winter 2010-11 season. This is an increase of 1 flight per week over last winter. The flights will now operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday starting on Dec 17. From Nov 6 to Dec 16, there will be 1 flight per week on Saturdays only.

Will any of these flights be during the daytime, or late at night - which seems to be the trend lately.

[MrBigStuff]

I am not up to snuff on my geography - so I must ask: Where is Narita???

[Yume-sama]

I am not up to snuff on my geography - so I must ask: Where is Narita???

57.5km east of central Tokyo. :tup:

[Bigtime]

Will any of these flights be during the daytime, or late at night - which seems to be the trend lately.

Usually the Calgary/Vancouver-Maui flights leave in the early evening and arrive in Maui around 8-9pm. The flights back to the mainland are the overnight flights, usually departing around 11pm Maui time and arriving in the early morning in Canada.

I used one of the direct Calgary-Maui flights in April, we left Calgary at 2:20pm and arrived around 4:30pm or so in Maui.

[Bigtime]

Here's the answer from airliners.net as to the second YYC-NRT flight that had to go to Vancouver first:

Maintenance issue that prevented the aircraft from making the ETOPS crossing of the Pacific. The orig. aircraft flew YYC-YVR where they did an aircraft swap (and a nessecary re-crew of the flight due to the delay).

[Bigtime]

Keep your eyes on the airport and south around 11:10am today. The Golden Hawk CL-13 Sabre will be departing for Comox around that time.

Based on the weather they should use 16 to depart and will be heading over the city southbound initially.

[kap384]

Thanks Bigtime!

[CalgaryLankan]

Here's the answer from airliners.net as to the second YYC-NRT flight that had to go to Vancouver first:


Second instance, YYC arr/dep screen identified the flight as Vancouver/Narita, so it is pre-planned. Now it does make sense.

[Innersoul1]

Lufthansa uses A340-600 to fly to YYZ. They have 26 of them~!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3890285521_05b5dfc404_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29033907@N02/3890285521/in/photostream/

LOVE that plane!

[MrBigStuff]

57.5km east of central Tokyo. :tup:

My - that's a long way from here!!! That would be a looonngg swim, &/or walk.:haha:
BTW - thx for the info. :yes:

[MrBigStuff]

Usually the Calgary/Vancouver-Maui flights leave in the early evening and arrive in Maui around 8-9pm. The flights back to the mainland are the overnight flights, usually departing around 11pm Maui time and arriving in the early morning in Canada.

I used one of the direct Calgary-Maui flights in April, we left Calgary at 2:20pm and arrived around 4:30pm or so in Maui.

Going out there wouldn't be so bad with those hours - but coming back, those hours are YUCK!:yuck:

[Bigtime]

Going out there wouldn't be so bad with those hours - but coming back, those hours are YUCK!:yuck:

Coming back isn't bad, and it gives you pretty much one last full day to enjoy Hawaii before leaving. You just sleep on the flight back, no different than hopping over the Atlantic to Europe.

[CalgaryLankan]

An interesting jet crash images from OshKosh

http://www.avweb.com/newspics/galleries/airventure2010/jack-roush-crash/large/01.jpg

http://www.avweb.com/newspics/galleries/airventure2010/jack-roush-crash/large/03.jpg

[CalgaryLankan]

http://http://www.avweb.com/newspics/galleries/airventure2010/jack-roush-crash/large/01.jpg

[Ramsayfarian]

An interesting jet crash images from OshKosh

http://www.avweb.com/newspics/galleries/airventure2010/jack-roush-crash/large/01.jpg

http://www.avweb.com/newspics/galleries/airventure2010/jack-roush-crash/large/03.jpg

Wow, incredible shots. Do you have a link to a backstory?

Never mind.
http://jalopnik.com/5602493/new-photos-show-roush-plane-crash-as-it-happened

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/12/2010/08/fcc30c4096b810a2639d3e5f73d22c4e/original.jpg

[Bigtime]

Oh yes, Jack Roush crashing yet another plane.

The word is he came in pretty slow after a very short base to final (as per usual at Oshkosh, that place is a zoo during Air Venture) and tried to go around once he realized how low and slow he was, too late and he stalled her in. Any higher and he probably would have been a smoking hole in the ground.