Qantaslink and Emirates to PNG ?
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b55.... When I worked up there no GNSS/ RNAV for GKA and Chimbu. Hargen had NDB approach. GKA & Chimbu are visual approaches. Can get the blood flowing at times. I wouldnt like to fly with people who didnt know the land or weather. Ive see old boys who spent most of their flying career in PNG break into a sweat going in and out of these places.
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...the wires, and how about those earth quakes rolling through (been there done that), and oh, how about those chimbu "reception (pissed off!!) committees", and oh, how about those 20-25kt. quartering tail winds on final, and oh, how about trying to find that threshold in the rain and low cloud, and oh, how about trying to get down the valley when you can't get in ,and oh, how about...., THE WIRES, you have f8cked up if the wires come into your problem solving. Why doesn't AirNuigini go in there? Because Chimbu is and always has and always will be for the young(not going to die here and building loads of flt. time!!), the bold(not going to die here because I'm really the best pilot in the world!!), and the reckless(don't care where I die...).
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b55...last time i spoke with a mate who works for Air niugini he told me he flew in and out of Chimbu. He is no hour builder or thrill seeker, just a pilot who likes to fly oh... and he is old over 59.
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sky surfer
Buai Bob and an3 bolt were suggesting that if Qlink wanted to make a a move into PNG why don't they go to the REALLY challenging places like Chimbu, Hagen or Goroka, like "real" PNG PILOTS do. Just responding to that idea from them. It sounded like a go at Qlink pilot's abilities. Most PNG pilots never REALLY ENJOY going into Chimbu(Airlines go where management say, not pilots) When was the last time AirNuigini went into Chimbu? Last time I was aware was when they had Dash 7's. And not for that long either. Can't remember but why did they pull out of Chimbu?! (not enough revenue on the route, too many missed approaches-diversions, loss of the Dash 7, all of the above)
Buai Bob and an3 bolt were suggesting that if Qlink wanted to make a a move into PNG why don't they go to the REALLY challenging places like Chimbu, Hagen or Goroka, like "real" PNG PILOTS do. Just responding to that idea from them. It sounded like a go at Qlink pilot's abilities. Most PNG pilots never REALLY ENJOY going into Chimbu(Airlines go where management say, not pilots) When was the last time AirNuigini went into Chimbu? Last time I was aware was when they had Dash 7's. And not for that long either. Can't remember but why did they pull out of Chimbu?! (not enough revenue on the route, too many missed approaches-diversions, loss of the Dash 7, all of the above)
Last edited by b55; 17th Mar 2010 at 06:18.
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and an3 bolt were suggesting that if Qlink wanted to make a a move into PNG why don't they go to the REALLY challenging places like Chimbu, Hagen or Goroka, like "real" PNG pilots do
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Buai Bob
"While they are at it why don't they start AFTERNOON flights direct to Mt. Hagen and Goroka to their schedules. I'm sure the boys down at Qlink would JUST LOVE to have a crack at that."
Wahgi Warrior
"....forget Hagen and Goroka, Chimbu is the CENTRE OF FUN."
an3 bolt
HAHA...DON'T FORGET TO TELL THEM about the wires."
What am I suppose to get out of those BS comments?
"While they are at it why don't they start AFTERNOON flights direct to Mt. Hagen and Goroka to their schedules. I'm sure the boys down at Qlink would JUST LOVE to have a crack at that."
Wahgi Warrior
"....forget Hagen and Goroka, Chimbu is the CENTRE OF FUN."
an3 bolt
HAHA...DON'T FORGET TO TELL THEM about the wires."
What am I suppose to get out of those BS comments?
Join Date: Mar 2010
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B55, seems I've hit a nerve there. You don't happen to work for QLink by any chance? I actually wish the QLink guys all the best on the CNS POM run. I wonder who will be doing their turn arounds for them in POM. I hope the refuellers turn up for them just as quickly and reliably as they do for me. I guess they will carry Nadzab as an alternate for Moresby, just like we do. Do they have to get checked in there or will they just have a crack at it the first time they have to divert. All I hope is that they do their homework better than the last lot that had a go at this (ala Sky Air World)
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Um..not too sure what QLink flying CNS - POM - CNS has to do with flying to Goroka and Chimbu, but anyway, to set the record straight Sky Air World did not have a "go at it," on the route, they were simply chartered by PX due to heavy maintenance that was being carried out on some of the PX fleet.
And yes, as stated by others, PX currently operates the Dash 8 into Chimbu three times a week.
And yes, as stated by others, PX currently operates the Dash 8 into Chimbu three times a week.
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Emirates was told 2 weeks ago that they could have an additional 7 slots into Australia/week if they flew via a regional port such as Cairns, Adelaide or Darwin. Personally I don't think there are enough Muslims, Indians or oil in PNG for Emirates to be flying there, however I do think Cairns maybe an option with QantasLink allowing connections to PNG.
Cairns to PNG
A couple of quick questions:
What aircraft is proposed for QLink to use for the route, -300's or -400's?
PX currently do a Mt Hagen-Cairns charter in their Dash-8 for Barrick Gold, but it has to refuel at TI on both the up and down.
Now if QLink did a direct Highlands service, would they have the range to not have the fuel stop?
If the -400 was on the route, would it have the range or would it need to drop into Horn to refuel - difficult then since Horn cannot take the -400 due to pavement issues.
And what would be the ALT for direct CNS-POM or CNS-MHN routings.
Plainmaker
What aircraft is proposed for QLink to use for the route, -300's or -400's?
PX currently do a Mt Hagen-Cairns charter in their Dash-8 for Barrick Gold, but it has to refuel at TI on both the up and down.
Now if QLink did a direct Highlands service, would they have the range to not have the fuel stop?
If the -400 was on the route, would it have the range or would it need to drop into Horn to refuel - difficult then since Horn cannot take the -400 due to pavement issues.
And what would be the ALT for direct CNS-POM or CNS-MHN routings.
Plainmaker
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I am fairly sure the 400 to get out to POM hold for a while and still get back to Cairns with additional holding if wx required. A very different machine compared to the 1/2/3 in that respect. It has twice the fuel capacity of the 300, no were near twice the burn and 100kts of TAS on the 300.
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12 flights a week is a massive increase in capacity on a route already with two carriers.
Doubt very much that the 'link will ever fly any more north than whats required for the 14L ILS.
They aren't stupid and I'm sure will hire PNG experienced guys to crew the aircraft if contracts/RPT runs are in the offing (could be requirement from the customer).
IF they don't, no offence but I would prefer to fly as a pax in an all-stops run up into the Southern Highlands in a DHC6. Horses for courses.
Doubt very much that the 'link will ever fly any more north than whats required for the 14L ILS.
They aren't stupid and I'm sure will hire PNG experienced guys to crew the aircraft if contracts/RPT runs are in the offing (could be requirement from the customer).
IF they don't, no offence but I would prefer to fly as a pax in an all-stops run up into the Southern Highlands in a DHC6. Horses for courses.
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While the 400 is capable of carrying CNS+60 for POM it's dependant on the load obviously, however my understanding is that for International ops an alternate is required, I may be wrong. Nadzab would be the only one for the 400 if push comes to shove.
Crewing will be from Cairns and Qlink will not employ from outside to crew the flights, period, PNG experienced or otherwise. There are one or two in Qlink with PNG experience but it won't be a prerequisit and if one is required to divert to Nadzab I would expect that all Captains would have to be port qualified, ie; go there, self briefing would not be an option, that could prove expensive.
Crewing will be from Cairns and Qlink will not employ from outside to crew the flights, period, PNG experienced or otherwise. There are one or two in Qlink with PNG experience but it won't be a prerequisit and if one is required to divert to Nadzab I would expect that all Captains would have to be port qualified, ie; go there, self briefing would not be an option, that could prove expensive.
Not sure how AUS runs airport Qualification, but under ICAO airports are Cat A,B or C.
A requires no special briefing.
B requires a briefing (self briefing of written material is acceptable)
C requires physical entry, though an approved, specific Simulator detail is acceptable.
Might Q-link qualify its pilots for Nadzab in the Sim?
A requires no special briefing.
B requires a briefing (self briefing of written material is acceptable)
C requires physical entry, though an approved, specific Simulator detail is acceptable.
Might Q-link qualify its pilots for Nadzab in the Sim?
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It's a bit like Lord Howe, terrain, local conditions, etc.
As an absolute minimum a Sim session would be appropriate however for LH a Sim and at least 4 sectors is the min.
As an absolute minimum a Sim session would be appropriate however for LH a Sim and at least 4 sectors is the min.
When VB started their BNE-POM services up on behalf of PB the Captains required a physical entry into Port Moresby with a Check/Training Captain prior to operating there on the line. (Cat C port)
Cat C ports for VB 737 are Cairns, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Canberra, Hobart, Christmas Island, Honiara, Port Moresby, Denpasar, Wellington.
We only carry an Aussie alternate for POM as NZB was considered not suitable fo a whole 'variety' of reasons!
Cat C ports for VB 737 are Cairns, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Canberra, Hobart, Christmas Island, Honiara, Port Moresby, Denpasar, Wellington.
We only carry an Aussie alternate for POM as NZB was considered not suitable fo a whole 'variety' of reasons!
Thread Starter
POM is an easy place to get into if your not coming from the North. ILS's on both runways and reasonably reliable ATC with radar,although they do have the occassional glitch ! The issuses will be on the ground,parking,refuelling and ground support. Who's going to do their turn arounds ? I'm sure PX will show a lot of interest if Qantas take away the code share.