Subang alternate for MAS?

[Lorin]

Rumour is that DCA Malaysia has approved Subang(wmsa) as alternate for all MAS aircraft. Another desperate move to save on fuel. If that's the case, we too would like to save fuel. But is Subang capable of taking in everyone or is it only for MAS? Is MAB ready for everyone?
Now everyone can....(use Subang again).
Money..Money...Money..

[SuperRanger]

it true. we started using SZB as destination alternate last month, when the weather is good and chances of a diversion is low. i believe it's not under the purview of MAB though because MAS has relocate some of our equipments (steps, refuelling trucks, etc) over to SZB. specific instructions have been given to crew to park at MAS hanger for ground handling in case of diversion. :ok:

it saves several hundred kilos of fuel (esp. for long-haul sectors) per flight and can add up over time... ;)

SR

[NWT]

Would rather fly to Subang anyway, much closer to KL city and suburbs where I need to get to !!

[Lorin]

Just how much savings can the airline expect from using SZB as an alternate.Just curious. Everyone knows that SZB is under utilized. Capitalize on it.

[overmars]

KLIA is just too far from any signs of civilization!

[Sultan Ismail]

"... far from any signs of civilisation"

What kind of stupid remark is that...
KLIA is 28 minutes on the ERL from the centre of KL
Changi is 30 minutes from Singapore on the MRT
Paris-Roissy (Charles de Gaulle) is one hour from Paris on the RER
Stansted is 45 minutes on BR from London
Gatwick is something similar from London
Heathrow is 15 minutes from Paddington + taxi or tube to wherever.

And if you think Subang is closer than that to KL you must be on something. There is no timetabled passenger service from Subang to KL, your best bet is a couponed taxi.

The original alignment for the PUTRA LRT to Subang has now been taken over by a developer for condominiums, so nothing will be happening there.

And isn't the MAS hangar mentioned by SuperRanger on the "otherside" of the Jalan Terbang..... (will willingly stand corrected on that)

KLIA is great I regularly fly back from South Africa and Europe, and can guarantee to be at home in downtown KL one hour fifteen minutes after touchdown.

[overmars]

OK, maybe my stupid remark was a bit too generalized.

But still, the airport is only accompanied by the Sepang Circuit and countless oil palm estates. That was the basis of my remark.

Hope I didn't offend you, o' Sultan... :p

[kwaiyai]

when you say SZB as alternate do you mean Scheduled? that being the case Sultan Ismail hit the nail on the head. I fly out of that place and there aint any decent way to get to KL compared to KLIA.
When I first arrived I had to commute from Near PD for a while and compared to The Big one SZB Sux, It'll cost the savings made to instigate a decent Link network.
Have a nice day, :cool:

[Lorin]

Hi Kwaiyai..yep it's for scheduled MAS.
I believe Subang is CAT 7 according to AIP so the BIG Ones have to bypass n go elsewhere. Doesn't really helping anyone.

[Kaptin M]

SQ started using Paya Lebar as alt. for Changi many years ago.
Fuel saving, but not really practical.

KLIA is a nice airport, but as overmars (correctly) stated, it's a long way from any REAL civilisation.....I don't suppose it had anything to do with a former PM reportedly owning much of the land on which it was built? :rolleyes:

[Sultan Ismail]

What is this obsession with being near (real) civilisation.

Airports are not holiday camps, they are transit terminals from one mode of transport to another enabling the traveller to get from departure point to destination as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Why are Nice and Kansai located in the sea, even Sydney to an extent, to get them out of the way and perform what they are there to perform.

A good transport system into the local CIVILISATION node is essential and KL scores highly.

On a different note, any of you guys ever get to KL please PM in advance and we can organise a BASH at LUNA or the HRC.



p.s. about that former PM, he may well have benefited from certain of his investments but he has managed to add an incredible amount of infrastructure to a 3rd world country

[essentialbus]

@ Sultan I.

Yes, I agree with you on the commute from KLIA to Central Station Hilton in 28 minutes flat. Not many airports in the world beat that service. They got that right.

Your remark on "3 rd world country" intrigues me though, you are not a Bumi I suppose, I used similar wording once at a certain head office located at Jalan Sultan Ismail and that did not got down well, almost got deported.

As for the beer, I now the luna Bar, but where is HRC ??

Regards
E.B.

[Foreign Worker]

HRC = Hard Rock Cafe.

Agreed Sultan, M2 added a lot of "infrastructure" to the KL part of Malaysia - but certainly not without advancement of his own personal wealth.
Thank god he's gone now, he was a xenophobe of the highest order who on a slow news day would start chanting his mantra of "the western devils are trying to colonise us."

The jailing of his Deputy PM, on trumped up sodomy charges, and the attempted poisoning of him during his internment were nothing short of disgraceful, and as much as he might like to have us believe he did for Malaysia (boleh), that abuse of his power by M2 will stay with him beyond his grave.

[maxalt]

I don't expect you'd be allowed to disembark pax at Subang if you divert there....esp International flights! No customs/immigration to handle numerous diverted a/c!

[Lorin]

Maxalt, customs n immigration available at Subang. Probably prior notification neeeded during odd hrs (sleep zone)

[Captain Rat]

Out of interest, when driving on the highway from Kl city to KLIA, about half on the left is some sort of hangar and a landing strip, presume this is some sort of military base? Any ideas anyone?

[Lorin]

Capt Rat. I think ur are refering to the Sungai Besi Military Camp. It's in the city area. It is a military base and they also have the Royal Selangor Flying Club. It was the international airport before Subang. BOAC used to land there.Now it is used by the RMAF Choppers and Police Air Wing. The C130's used to be here but now they have moved to Subang.In Avaition terms this aerodrome is called Simpang. They also have a Royal Malaysian Air Force Museum. I hope ur are refering to this aerodrome. This is the only one in the city. Happy Flying.

[Sultan Ismail]

TUDM Simpang



You refer to this Lorin
http://www.highveldresource.com/simpang.jpg

On an historical note, this was a regular port of call for Comet 4 and Britannias, the runway is still the same length as in 1957 however the thresholds have been moved as is obvious. I am still trying to leave tyre marks on that road sign, better that than the obstacles on the other end, 4 railway tracks with 25,000 volts in the overheads. The elevated structure at the far end is the Express Rail Link to KLIA.

The TUDM museum is the area to the right of the 22 threshold, you can see the DH Heron and an A4 Skyhawk, after that is the operational TUDM helicopter squadron with an S61 Nuri and at the far end the apron for the Royal Selangor Flying Club.

[kwaiyai]

Sultan Have you seen that Film "Executive Decision" when Kurt Russel lands the 747on something similar He he. Fantastic photo too.
Regards.:ok:

[Captain Rat]

Thanks for the replies, but no I am not refering to Sungi Besi, i am very familiar with that field. The one I am refering to is approx. half way between KL city centre and KLIA. As you drive along the highway towards KLIA, on the left, fairly close to the road, is a structure that looks like a hangar and a landing stip. Next time I pass I will try and get a photo and post it here.

[jonybungah]

Captain Rat

I've seen it too. After leaving the KL-Sban highway going to KLIA, its on the left hand side. I once saw a 737 infront of the hanger. I wonder how in the world it got there.

[satumare]

That's an aviation college catering for Maintainance Engineers and Mechanics.
MAS send some trainees there.

What everybody saw are mostly half cut out of service aircraft for training purposes.Not flown there but trucked in.

Hangar looks like a full service hangar.
Impressive. I think the name is Sepang Aviation Training College

[flightleader]

Just hope they don't use the 'half cut' like their cars!

[Smoozesailing]

Capt. Rat,

I think what you are refering to is the MIAT (Malaysian (or is it MARA?) Institute of Aviation Technology). in Salak Tinggi. There are 2-3 hangers but maybe only a helipad. I don't think it has a landing strip.

[Captain Rat]

Many thanks for the replies.