South African Airlink - What are their future plans?
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Just a question to 4g_handicap.
Is Link operating out of Eros using proper airfield analasys or do the pilots spend the lengthy time requiered before every t\o getting into the books. Sound like another Nelspruit operation.
Is Link operating out of Eros using proper airfield analasys or do the pilots spend the lengthy time requiered before every t\o getting into the books. Sound like another Nelspruit operation.
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Hi guys,
Three Holer,
One could take offence at such remarks - I hope you are not implying that our Nelspruit operation is illegal?
Nope no manual(olden day stuff)We have a computer program that gives us RTOW's for EROS. We put into it the length, elevation and slope, as well as on obstacle profile. It gives us a printout showing the weights for spread of temperatures and wind. We have one for each runway(runway 19 obstacle limited rather than length), as well as flap setting and whether we are using reduced thrust or full.
Basically out of Eros on runway 01 with a temp of 28, we lose about 1500kgs off our structural MTOW.
SAX has also questioned our figures(we do the route at their behest) and we have had the factory test pilot out here from Brazil looking into it for us and he has come back and said we are too conservative in our figures, so looks like we will be up-ing them.
About Nelspruit - Link has gone to great effort to specialy certify the J41 for operation there, including using only aircraft fitted with water meths injection. Also, they are very strict about payload limits. They were there the other day getting the CAA to re-declare the clearway(something to do with those props again). The whole operation enjoys the benefit of Bae's blessing.
Speedbird59 - sure feel free to e-mail me anytime. About the cadets - I don't know much and have never flown with them. Their intake criteria is very high - in fact I am not sure I would have been successful had I applied, and they are undergoing some of the very best training in the world, so I am sure they not a bunch of fools. I also think SAX did not want them at one stage because of some or other problem, but they are also competing with pilots that have 4 times their experience.(SAX wouldn't even talk to me before I had 1000 hours)
There has been a lot to say about why the training went to Australia - I am sure SAA had good reason(not the least being an objective assesment ie they don't want to be accused of racism should a non-white be thrown off the course). I know the ground school is done here(I think 43)
I will certainly keep you updated claw, but I think things are just going to be gossip for the next 3 months. Link at this stage is also a political hot potato - internal politics with the pilots. The J41 drivers are not impressed about guys coming in from outside the company to fly the ERJ.
ANyway, see ya all later
Three Holer,
One could take offence at such remarks - I hope you are not implying that our Nelspruit operation is illegal?
Nope no manual(olden day stuff)We have a computer program that gives us RTOW's for EROS. We put into it the length, elevation and slope, as well as on obstacle profile. It gives us a printout showing the weights for spread of temperatures and wind. We have one for each runway(runway 19 obstacle limited rather than length), as well as flap setting and whether we are using reduced thrust or full.
Basically out of Eros on runway 01 with a temp of 28, we lose about 1500kgs off our structural MTOW.
SAX has also questioned our figures(we do the route at their behest) and we have had the factory test pilot out here from Brazil looking into it for us and he has come back and said we are too conservative in our figures, so looks like we will be up-ing them.
About Nelspruit - Link has gone to great effort to specialy certify the J41 for operation there, including using only aircraft fitted with water meths injection. Also, they are very strict about payload limits. They were there the other day getting the CAA to re-declare the clearway(something to do with those props again). The whole operation enjoys the benefit of Bae's blessing.
Speedbird59 - sure feel free to e-mail me anytime. About the cadets - I don't know much and have never flown with them. Their intake criteria is very high - in fact I am not sure I would have been successful had I applied, and they are undergoing some of the very best training in the world, so I am sure they not a bunch of fools. I also think SAX did not want them at one stage because of some or other problem, but they are also competing with pilots that have 4 times their experience.(SAX wouldn't even talk to me before I had 1000 hours)
There has been a lot to say about why the training went to Australia - I am sure SAA had good reason(not the least being an objective assesment ie they don't want to be accused of racism should a non-white be thrown off the course). I know the ground school is done here(I think 43)
I will certainly keep you updated claw, but I think things are just going to be gossip for the next 3 months. Link at this stage is also a political hot potato - internal politics with the pilots. The J41 drivers are not impressed about guys coming in from outside the company to fly the ERJ.
ANyway, see ya all later
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I assume that the originators opinion does not reflect that of the majority of pilots at SAAL.
Such an offensive attitude is most certainly "noted". This is a very small community.
Your "opinions" are both inaccurate, as well as "stroppy".
Tone down before you spoil things for more than just yourself in the upcomming "get together".
Such an offensive attitude is most certainly "noted". This is a very small community.
Your "opinions" are both inaccurate, as well as "stroppy".
Tone down before you spoil things for more than just yourself in the upcomming "get together".
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Spool-up,
I seem to have offended you - perhaps I am too much in awe of my aeroplane. Also perhaps too much lighthearted jest.
I would be interested to hear what is offensive about my attitude, as well as what I have said that is inaccurate. I am always open to correction. I have never claimed to know everything, and I certainly thought I made it clear in my posts that opinions are my own, and not that of anybody else.
I seem to have offended you - perhaps I am too much in awe of my aeroplane. Also perhaps too much lighthearted jest.
I would be interested to hear what is offensive about my attitude, as well as what I have said that is inaccurate. I am always open to correction. I have never claimed to know everything, and I certainly thought I made it clear in my posts that opinions are my own, and not that of anybody else.
Spool-up; We all know that there is two sides to every story. The days of the broederbond are over, one is entitled to one's opinion. Or is this what SAA teach's ,if you can't beat them on merit, then use "bully-boy" tactic's? 
4g; nothing wrong with being loyal to Airlink, they have come a long way under difficult conditions.
4g; nothing wrong with being loyal to Airlink, they have come a long way under difficult conditions.
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Join Date: Jan 2001
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Thanks for your posts guys,
Personally I think there's been some interesting contributions especially from 4g.
I think if we were all sat around having a beer there would be no harsh words....the internet is great but the medium has it's limitations as a form of communication.
I think we have covered a wide range of interesting issues. So thanks again guys!!
Personally I think there's been some interesting contributions especially from 4g.
I think if we were all sat around having a beer there would be no harsh words....the internet is great but the medium has it's limitations as a form of communication.
I think we have covered a wide range of interesting issues. So thanks again guys!!
Speedbird59: I have to agree, it has been interesting and thank you for starting the thread and allowing me to hijack it!?!
You are probably right, it would be a good discussion. Especially after sinking a few Castles!
You are probably right, it would be a good discussion. Especially after sinking a few Castles!
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Hey! Spool Up.. your attitude sucks,talk about getting "stroppy!"
Wind your neck in and enjoy some interisting comms.
Or is that the STD attitude at "SAAL?"
Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit
4g Your enthusiasm is great to see..hope the Rogers and Barrys appreciate..
Howzzit!!!
Wind your neck in and enjoy some interisting comms.
Or is that the STD attitude at "SAAL?"
Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit
4g Your enthusiasm is great to see..hope the Rogers and Barrys appreciate..
Howzzit!!!
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Ok guys, thanks for the support - I feel better now.
Claw, here is a link to yesterdays newspaper(The Star), where there was a report on the proposed merger. Looks to be hotting up.
SAA, Airlink & SAX Merger article
Off on a nightsop, so chat to you guys tommorrow.
Regards
Claw, here is a link to yesterdays newspaper(The Star), where there was a report on the proposed merger. Looks to be hotting up.
SAA, Airlink & SAX Merger article
Off on a nightsop, so chat to you guys tommorrow.
Regards
Thanks 4g; Looks like I was wrong!? Can't help but cringe when I hear the names ******* and ***. They seem to be feathering their "empire" quite nicely. 
I'm sorry Claw, but I can't let this excellent thread be turned into a sniping exercise.
[ 13 December 2001: Message edited by: 4HolerPoler ]
I'm sorry Claw, but I can't let this excellent thread be turned into a sniping exercise.
[ 13 December 2001: Message edited by: 4HolerPoler ]
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Whoahh!!!! 4 Holerpoler that was a bit heavy handed man. That is if what you left behind reflects the original post accurately.
These guys are public figures and peole are entitled to a reasonably expressed opinion...
These guys are public figures and peole are entitled to a reasonably expressed opinion...
Thread Starter
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Just a thought guys re SAA.
Its seems that whilst SAA is state owned, privately owned operators will struggle. I mean the likes of Airlink and Comair tradionally make a profit only for them to pay corporation tax to pay for SAA's losses.
The Claw, re. the Castle's after today they just got about 10% cheaper.....a beer for 28p beggers belief but it's true. My mates back home (UK) can't believe we have it so good. Then I spoil it by telling them most people earn about R5000 per month here or less than £300(not pilots of course).
Its seems that whilst SAA is state owned, privately owned operators will struggle. I mean the likes of Airlink and Comair tradionally make a profit only for them to pay corporation tax to pay for SAA's losses.
The Claw, re. the Castle's after today they just got about 10% cheaper.....a beer for 28p beggers belief but it's true. My mates back home (UK) can't believe we have it so good. Then I spoil it by telling them most people earn about R5000 per month here or less than £300(not pilots of course).
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Hi guys,
Claw, come visit - just think of all the castles you could afford to buy us!
Speedbird59 - now you really want to open a can of worms. You hit the nail on the head.
At the risk of further enraging Spool-up and possibly ruining my career - it is very difficult for any airline to compete. Airlink has enjoyed success due to it's association with SAA(I think purely because of the reservation system that bring us so many of our pax).
I should apologise to you guys - my statement that our National Carrier loses R2 million a day was inaccurate it is in fact only R1.97 million. That is soooo much better.
I am sure you guys have heard the joke about SAA & Comair(specially adapted for this thread).
Two B737 are at the holding point with SAA being in front and dealing with some minor snag - of course the Comair aircraft ask "How long" to which SAA responds "only 3 or 3 minutes".
Well 5 minutes go passed and the Comair Captain getting impatient chirps the SAA aircraft "You are aware, Sir, that we pay for our fuel".
To which the quick witted SAA captain replied "Well, you are paying for ours too"
Anyway, that should land me in plenty hot water, so enjoy it.
Regards
Claw, come visit - just think of all the castles you could afford to buy us!
Speedbird59 - now you really want to open a can of worms. You hit the nail on the head.
At the risk of further enraging Spool-up and possibly ruining my career - it is very difficult for any airline to compete. Airlink has enjoyed success due to it's association with SAA(I think purely because of the reservation system that bring us so many of our pax).
I should apologise to you guys - my statement that our National Carrier loses R2 million a day was inaccurate it is in fact only R1.97 million. That is soooo much better.
I am sure you guys have heard the joke about SAA & Comair(specially adapted for this thread).
Two B737 are at the holding point with SAA being in front and dealing with some minor snag - of course the Comair aircraft ask "How long" to which SAA responds "only 3 or 3 minutes".
Well 5 minutes go passed and the Comair Captain getting impatient chirps the SAA aircraft "You are aware, Sir, that we pay for our fuel".
To which the quick witted SAA captain replied "Well, you are paying for ours too"
Anyway, that should land me in plenty hot water, so enjoy it.
Regards
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4g,
As the saying goes "many a true word spoken in jest".
The Claw
todays R/£ exchange rate touched 17.95 which means if i'm not mistaken a 5 Rand Castle is about 28p. I don't much care for the stuff as I'm a Guniness man myself which sets me back a whopping 8 Rand-cynical exploitation!
Finally after reading several other forums it has just occured to me that this one is relatively Gov free....whats going on (mind you I'm not complaining)
Cheers
As the saying goes "many a true word spoken in jest".
The Claw
todays R/£ exchange rate touched 17.95 which means if i'm not mistaken a 5 Rand Castle is about 28p. I don't much care for the stuff as I'm a Guniness man myself which sets me back a whopping 8 Rand-cynical exploitation!
Finally after reading several other forums it has just occured to me that this one is relatively Gov free....whats going on (mind you I'm not complaining)
Cheers
This is an illegal gathering.....you have five minutes to disperse! 
If you are lucky enough to find Castle in a pub over here it costs £1.20 per beer, so 4g when in SA I'll get the round if you pick up the tab over here??
If one looks at the "turn-coats" of the Luxavia/Trek days, I would worry if I still worked for SAX.
If you are lucky enough to find Castle in a pub over here it costs £1.20 per beer, so 4g when in SA I'll get the round if you pick up the tab over here??
If one looks at the "turn-coats" of the Luxavia/Trek days, I would worry if I still worked for SAX.
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Claw,
What, on my 800 GBP salary - you must be daft. Although, in retrospect, I could probably agree to that on the basis that I could never afford to travel to UK. I could feed my family for a month on GBP airport taxes alone.
The lastest rumour that I hear is that Virgin is going to start an airline here in RSA(RB is here in SA) - possibly in competition to SAA, and it is possibly not with Nationwide(their alliance partner). I wonder if anyone can fill us in.
Also, rumour has it that BA & Comair might part company.
So anyone have some hot gen for us?????
What, on my 800 GBP salary - you must be daft. Although, in retrospect, I could probably agree to that on the basis that I could never afford to travel to UK. I could feed my family for a month on GBP airport taxes alone.
The lastest rumour that I hear is that Virgin is going to start an airline here in RSA(RB is here in SA) - possibly in competition to SAA, and it is possibly not with Nationwide(their alliance partner). I wonder if anyone can fill us in.
Also, rumour has it that BA & Comair might part company.
So anyone have some hot gen for us?????
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4g - Branson's been talking about this for years - remember he was slated to bail out Sun Air?
Don't forget that (as in most countries) foreign ownership is capped at 49% - so he'd need the appropriate local partners in place.
They'd eat him alive!
Don't forget that (as in most countries) foreign ownership is capped at 49% - so he'd need the appropriate local partners in place.
They'd eat him alive!