The Aviation Blog
I’ve ever wondered how the rich and well-heeled may travel and how the premium lounges actually look inside. Malaysia Airlines provided some shots from inside the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur KLIA (KUL).
Dining Area
Entertainment
Workout Station
Internet/Working Area
Restroom
Decoration
Photos: Malaysia Airlines
Have you ever dreamed of living in an airliner? Soon you can book your own room in the world’s first Jumbo Hostel, located at Stockholm International Airport, Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN), Sweden.
The Boeing 747-200 at last operated by Transjet offers 25 rooms with 85 beds in total. One highlight will be the Cockpit Suite - the cockpit has been converted into a deluxe suite with parts of the original interior saved.
Bookings will start in December. Visit http://www.jumbohostel.com
In the next 2 weeks I’ll be on holiday. I’m sorry but during that time no new articles will be posted and no new commentators will be approved. I also won’t reply to your e-mails till I’m back.
I hope you’ll miss me and I’m looking forward to seeing you again in 2 weeks! 
Yay! Today my new Flightstory.net T-Shirt arrived.
It’s great quality, the logo is clean and shiny and the special matte-silver print effect is pretty cool!
If you like this shirt, you can get one at my Spreadshirt Shop. Unfortunately it only can be delivered to European countries and Japan.
You may want to check out the other products available for international shipping from the Cafepress Shop.
A patent for diagonal seating rows has been filed at the US Patent and Trademark Office. For wide-body aircraft, this arrangement allows a possible 12-abrest (3-6-3) configuration in Economy Class. Welcome to the slave ship! In addition, the drawing features triangular lavatories for optimal room usage.
Let’s hope that no carrier will adopt this strange seating configuration!
Abstract
A seating arrangement for a vehicle, especially an aircraft, in which seats are arranged in a plurality of generally parallel ranks, each rank extending in a fore-and-aft direction, and in a plurality of rows, each row extending at an angle other than a right angle with respect to said fore-and-aft direction and wherein adjacent seats in a row overlap in a transverse direction. In the preferred embodiment, the seats of a row also overlap in said fore-and-aft direction and include a truncated armrest at one side of the seat arranged to fit behind an adjacent seat. The seats further include an armrest at the other side of the seat, the armrest comprising a bar which extends from the rear of the seat so that a portion of one seat is located beneath the armrest provided at said other side of an adjacent seat.
Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office
Detroit, MI (USA) & Windsor, ON (Canada) will be the third stop on a ten city worldwide tour to make up the 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Series schedule. On May 31 and June 1, twelve of the world’s best pilots will introduce Canadians to a new dimension in motorsport. The pilots will pull up to 10 Gs with unprecedented skill and precision in their high-performance race planes just feet above the Detroit River in a captivating race against the clock.
The Detroit-Windsor race will follow the San Diego stop on May 3 and 4, and the 2008 season opener that took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE on April 10 and 11 where British racer Paul Bonhomme brought a first-place finish back to Great Britain. In 2007, 4.5 million spectators attended 10 stops worldwide.
The Detroit-Windsor race will be staged along the Detroit River, which is one of the world’s most trafficked international shipping lanes. There will be two ticketed areas on both the Detroit and Windsor sides of the river that will offer all the necessary amenities and services including Jumbotron screens to get a birds-eye view of the race action.
Windsor’s rich knowledge in the automotive industry as well as its abundance of sports fans make it an ideal stop for the Red Bull Air Race World Series. The city shares an international border with the US and is located on the other side of the Detroit River. This race will mark the first time the Red Bull Air Race will take place between two countries at the same time, making world history for the Series and for the cities of Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
“This is a world class event, an event that is so large that I don’t think people from Detroit or Windsor have truly grasped how significant it is,” said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis at the official launch of the event today at the Detroit City Airport. “We are very proud to be part of this unique opportunity: the first time the Red Bull Air Race has taken over two countries at the same time. Once again building on that wonderful legacy of two nations working together, two regions working together, and two cities providing the event, providing the fans, providing opportunity.”
“The city of Detroit is proud to welcome the Red Bull Air Race World Series on our international waterfront this May,” added Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. “This is yet another example of how Detroit is an ideal host for premium sporting events like the Red Bull Air Race, which will help further place our fine city on a global stage.”
This will be the first year a Canadian city is included in the Red Bull Air Race Series. The 2008 Series returns to London, Budapest, Porto, and Perth, which all held races in 2007. Tickets to the Detroit-Windsor race can be purchased at www.redbullairrace.com.
Each race will comprise two days of competition: Qualifying Day and Race Day. The overall series points leader will be crowned Red Bull Air Race World Champion after the season finale in Perth, Australia in November. In the Red Bull Air Race, the world’s best pilots race at speeds reaching 260 mph, enduring forces of up to 10 Gs as they navigate a low-level, aerial race track made of air-filled pylons.
Source: Red Bull
An air traffic controller saved a Northwest flight from flying into mountainous terrain in Montana last year. Now Lee Wheeler was honored for his heroic intervention by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Continue here: Listen to the Interview and ATC conversation
At the “TravelHacker” Blog, a great list with the “Top 50 Resources for Getting a Cheap Flight” was posted.
These days, travel is expensive, and costs are rising fast enough to make your head spin. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dream vacation-you just have to get smarter. Enlist the help of these tools and resources, and you’re sure to score a flight at a reasonable cost. …
Continue at http://www.airlinecreditcards.com/travelhacker/
I decided to create a list with aircrafts built in China, but looking confusingly similar to western types. I’m not generally claiming that they were copied. Some might have been built in license, some might use officially licensed parts.
This list will occasionally be updated. Please leave a comment if you know further types.
China Star CS2000
Looks like: Boeing 787
AVIC ARJ21
Looks like: Douglas DC-9 / McDonnell Douglas MD-80/90 / Boeing 717
Shanghai Y-10 (canceled in 1983)
Looks like: Boeing 707-320
Xian MA60
Looks like: Antonov An-26
Chengdu JF-17/FC-1
Looks like: Northrop F-20 Tigershark
Chengdu J-10
Looks like: Israel IAI Lavi B
Changhe Z11
Looks like: Eurocopter AS-350 Ecureuil
Changhe Z8
Looks like: Aérospatiale Super Frelon
Photo Credits:
China Star CS2000 by: carnoc.com; Boeing 787 by: Boeing; ARJ21 by: AVIC; DC-9 by: Paul Robbins; Shanghai Y-10 by: Taecoxu; Boeing 707 by: Gerard Helmer; Xian MA60 by: AVICI; Antonov An-26 by: Kristof Jonckheere; JF-17 & F-20 By: Wikipedia; J-10 & Lavi by: Unknown; Changhe Z-11 by: Yuxiaobin; Eurocopter AS-350 Ecureuil by: Marco Toso; Changhe Z8 by: unknown; Aérospatiale Super Frelon by: Wikipedia
To all aviation enthusiasts, readers and visitors of this website(s) - I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous year 2008.
Thanks for stopping by and enriching this website with your comments and submissions! Please keep it up and I hope to see you again in 2008.
Finally some nice Christmas Greetings from the official transport of Santa Clause
I’m pretty impressed of Cathay Pacific’s new Economy Class seats, already introduced in May. Finally an airline is improving the poor Economy Class experience by innovating its seat design. Finally someone was researching on how to improve seating comfort for us tall people.
It’s no secret that I call Cathay Pacific my favorite airline, all the more I’m delighted about the improvements being made.
First of all, the most important improvement, the new seats have a fixed rear panel to allow reclining without intruding on passengers space seated behind. Using the LEAP Live Back™ feature, the seat is sliding to the front/down instead of tilting back. No more “seat-reclining-wars”, no more “bloody” knees - more leg space! 
Since years I’m waiting for this kind of improvement in Y class!
Furthermore, this technology provides active support of the spine in all positions, like sitting in a office chair, allowing better seating comfort. Additional comfort is provided by specially designed neck support with adjustable ears.
Some more quite clever changes have been made. The literature pocket has been relocated to below the seat cushion to create more leg room and a larger table offers increased comfort when dining. The new seats are also offering a coat hook to add more convenience.
The Personal In-flight Entertainment System has also been enhanced, now featuring a larger 9″ personal TV screen and Audio&Video on Demand.
Thank you Cathay Pacific!
Visit: http://www.cathaypacific.com for further information
Let’s do a little poll!
Which aircraft type, do you think, SAS will use as long-term replacement for their recently dropped Dash 8 Q400?
Bombardier CRJ 700/900/1000, Saab 2000, ATR 72, Embraer ERJ 145, Embraer 170/175, Avro RJ 70/85, Fokker 70, Antonov An-148, Sukhoi Superjet 100 or some other type?
If you vote for “Other” please leave a comment to specify your choice!
You can help finding Steve Fossett via Google Earth! The satellite images have been updated for the affected area since Steve Fossett disappeared.
For further instructions and to ensure that you see the most recent image you need to visit http://www.mturk.com/mturk/preview?groupId=9TSZK4G35XEZJZG21T60&kw=Flash
and download a special .kml file.
It is highly recommended to turn OFF terrain by unchecking the “Terrain” box under Layers in the lower left corner of Google Earth!
Visit: http://www.mturk.com/mturk/preview?groupId=9TSZK4G35XEZJZG21T60&kw=Flash
Source: http://www.stevefossett.com
Many users visit this Blog because of some specific questions they are looking for answers for.
Today I will address first of those questions to help you finding your answers quickly.
How many SU-37 does Russia have?
0! The SU-37 is a prototype aircraft and is not in production. Russia has not ordered any Su-37. In total only 2 fighters have been built. One of them crashed in 2002.
Is the A380 ready?
Yes! First delivery to Singapore Airlines will be on 15 October. Its first commercial flight will be on 25 October, to Sydney.
737-800 accidents
In total 7 so far. See http://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?Type=103-8 for further information.
funny atc transcripts
Can be found at http://www.flightstory.net/gate2/4/ATC-Radio-Transmission
How old is Travolta’s Boeing?
43 years (built in 1964). See http://blog.flightstory.net/45/john-travoltas-boeing-707/ for more information.
Hong Kong Airport whilst waiting for flight?
You can do several things while waiting at Hong Kong Airport, world’s best Airport. Hong Kong International Airport has world class shopping, dining and entertainment facilities. There is also a free Airport-wide Wi-Fi Service! Following links may help you.
HKIA Terminal1: Skymart, Passenger Guide
HKIA Terminal2: Skyplaza, Passenger Guide
Is flight-mode in phones safe to use?
Yes. Using Flight-Mode all phone functions are beeing disabled, so it’s not interfering with the sensible aircraft systems. In Flight-Mode it’s not possible to make or receive phone calls or SMS/MMS. Using the Flight-Mode is also recommended for use in hospitals.
Is the F22 Raptor the best jet?
Depends on your personal opinion. In fact it’s one of the best jet fighters available today. If you like you can join the discussion at f-22-vs-su-37-vs-su-30-vs-eurofighter
Why Kingfisher chooses only Airbus?
Because they are smart enough. Seriously, they do not operate only Airbus aircrafts, they also use 10 ATR 72-500’s (22 orderd). Not using any Boeing plane may have financial and/or operational reasons.
Where are the F-22 Raptors based?
Tyndall AFB, Florida (43d Fighter Squadron)
Langley Air Force Base, Virginia (1st Fighter Wing)
Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (53d Wing)
Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska (53d Wing)
Future bases:
Hickam AFB, Hawaii
Holloman AFB, New Mexico
Why Airbus A380 2 reverse?
The Airbus A380 only has thrust reversers on the 2 inboard engines. The reasons for that are that you simply don’t need additional 2 reversers to stop the aircaft, weight savings, because of risk of FOD (Foreign Object Debris / Foreign Object Damage) since the outboard engines are hanging off the paved portion of the runway.
Why using composites in planes
Composite materials have lighter weight than traditional materials which results in fuel savings.
But composites are hard to inspect for flaws, some of them absorb moisture. Dangerous hairline cracks can happen which could lead to a fatal crash if not discovered and repaired immediately. Composites are more expensive than traditionally used materials due to complex and expensive fabrication. Furthermore it has higher maintenance costs and the repair of damaged parts is much more complicated and more expensive.
Aluminum is a very tolerant material and can take a great deal of punishment before it fails. It can be dented or punctured and still hold together. Composites are not like this. If they are damaged, they require immediate repair. An airplane made entirely from aluminum can be repaired almost anywhere. This is not the case for composite materials.
How many Boeing 787 have been ordered
706 orders from 48 customers so far.
How many orders Kingfisher gives to Boeing
0
China Airlines - Boeing 737-809 what you should do
Follow the instructions given by cabin crew, leave back your bulky hand luggage and run run run….
What was John Travoltas first airplane
As far as I know a Ercoupe 415
“Flightstory.net” is having a little break for the next 2 weeks!
For the “Flightstory - Aviation Blog” this means that no new aviation articles will be posted during this time. Newly made comments won’t be get approved until then. However commentating is still possible. New comments will be saved in system queue and approved at later date.
At the “Flightstory.net - Aviation Story Database” (main site) newly submitted flight stories, crew hotels and comments will also not be get approved. But submitting is still possible as well. All submissions will be saved properly!
Flightstory.net is not dead so don’t remove the feeds from your feed reader! It will be back with new hot aviation articles. If some important news may happen it will be added later. Some new features are planned for the not so distinct future as well.
In the meantime please vote on these 2 polls to help improving flightstory.net. Thanks for taking part!
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