QF Ek Green Light
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I was waiting for it andrew. Above but behind, or below but in front ? Could be construed either way.
Last edited by ampclamp; 1st Apr 2013 at 05:08.
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Possibly, but maybe also where the pilot flying the EK aircraft could best see the lead (QF) aircraft in the formation, whilst maintaining an element of vertical separation?
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tail dragger I am sure safety of flight was the major, if not the only factor . 2 rather large aircraft would make an awful mess if something went wrong.
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Qantas & Emirates A380 Sydney Fly-over
I'm sure lots of us would like to hear from any knowledgeable QF driver about yesterday's flyover.
For example:
- what time did each aircraft take off?
- where were they when they "formated"?
- what altitude/separation?
- were they RPT passenger-carrying?
Pete
For example:
- what time did each aircraft take off?
- where were they when they "formated"?
- what altitude/separation?
- were they RPT passenger-carrying?
Pete
Loved the bit where Mr Clarke says the 2 carriers are "stitched" I think he means QF has been "stitched up"
I didn't realise Joyce was such a little man. That group photo in the video demonstrates one thing though he has a big mouth!
I didn't realise Joyce was such a little man. That group photo in the video demonstrates one thing though he has a big mouth!
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No RPT pax on board. Just big wigs, pollies and a few staff afaik.
Nunc est bibendum
You'll find answers to many of your questions here.
Other bits I can think of. Pushed back just prior to 10am. They formed up off the coast at north head. 1500' was the lower limit I think. I have no idea about separation.
Both PICs were ex Mirage drivers- one RAAF, the other Dutch I think. Beyond that don't know much.
Other bits I can think of. Pushed back just prior to 10am. They formed up off the coast at north head. 1500' was the lower limit I think. I have no idea about separation.
Both PICs were ex Mirage drivers- one RAAF, the other Dutch I think. Beyond that don't know much.
Last edited by Keg; 1st Apr 2013 at 07:23.
Nunc est bibendum
Got a message from a colleague in QF who seems to have a bit of gen:
QF Chief Pilot (Domestic) had been give the regulatory approval for the planning and go ahead from CASA - it was him who gave the final go ahead. The PIC of the Emirates 380 was the fleet captain for emirates - according to QF DOM CP he had another guy with him who was an ex Belgium or Dutch fighter guy with the formation endorsement. The actual separation was 200' vertical (the emirates 380 being higher and behind - think wake turbulence) and 4 wings lateral.The maneouvre was flown with the autopilot in "track" mode - I assume that is not dissimilar to Boeing hdg mode.
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Xenophon letters to Qantas, ACCC over Emirates released
Independent Senator for South Australia, Nick Xenophon, has asked the Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce and the chairman of the competition regulator, the ACCC, Rod Sims, to respond to or clarify a set of public interest concerns about the authorisartion of the Qantas-Emirates partnership.
They relate to the ACCC rejecting some of the arguments advanced by Qantas in recent years concerning its long haul business being a failing enterprise.
This is the letter to Mr Joyce.
They relate to the ACCC rejecting some of the arguments advanced by Qantas in recent years concerning its long haul business being a failing enterprise.
This is the letter to Mr Joyce.
Respectfully, may I suggest at you as the CEO of Qantas, in light of such matters, have an obligation to state publically that Qantas international:
NICK XENOPHON
- is not in “terminal decline”;
- can compete and operate profitably;
- does not suffer from “material structural disadvantages”;
- that the employment of Australian based Qantas International employees is not at risk, and;
- that the decision to ground the Qantas fleet was, with the benefit of hindsight, questionable.
- I would be grateful for a response to the matters raised within 10 days.
NICK XENOPHON
It's not always a case of what goes on the plane, stays on the plane for the glitterati of the aviation world. At a gala dinner for the launch of Qantas' union with Emirates, MC and Collingwood Football Club president Eddie ''Everywhere'' McGuire reflected on why he was not on the ''party plane'' from Sydney to Dubai on Sunday, as Emirates president Tim Clark and federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese remembered the launch flight with much fondness.
''It was a very happy flight, ladies and gentlemen,'' Clark told about 700 guests in a giant tent at resort Atlantis on Dubai's artificial island, The Palm.
Albo called a toast and pointed out that ''many of you on the flight last night would have had plenty of practice [charging glasses]''.
It was a very Australian night in Dubai. Singer Jessica Mauboy did a few numbers while Kerri-Anne Kennerley saved one for last.
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But it was disco queen Gloria Gaynor who brought the crowd, including Qantas boss Alan Joyce, to its feet. Qantas chief spinner Olivia Wirth and union boss partner Paul Howes soaked up the vibes, as did senior Qantas executives Simon Hickey and Lyell Strambi, top federal transport bureaucrat Mike Mrdak, former Liberal MP Bruce Baird and chef Neil Perry. Qantas' happy flights of fancy
''It was a very happy flight, ladies and gentlemen,'' Clark told about 700 guests in a giant tent at resort Atlantis on Dubai's artificial island, The Palm.
Albo called a toast and pointed out that ''many of you on the flight last night would have had plenty of practice [charging glasses]''.
It was a very Australian night in Dubai. Singer Jessica Mauboy did a few numbers while Kerri-Anne Kennerley saved one for last.
Advertisement
But it was disco queen Gloria Gaynor who brought the crowd, including Qantas boss Alan Joyce, to its feet. Qantas chief spinner Olivia Wirth and union boss partner Paul Howes soaked up the vibes, as did senior Qantas executives Simon Hickey and Lyell Strambi, top federal transport bureaucrat Mike Mrdak, former Liberal MP Bruce Baird and chef Neil Perry. Qantas' happy flights of fancy
Last edited by TIMA9X; 4th Apr 2013 at 04:20.
George Orwell and his book 1984 come to mind, and i think he said we are all equal its just that some are more equal than others. If my memory serves me correctly it was the pigs he was refering to which in light of this is very appropriate for all and sundry on that aircraft.
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Anyone spot what could be construed as a conflict of interests in that guest list?
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Anyway, it appears it was quite a party for the chosen few in Dubai after the game changer launch flight to LHR via Dubai last Sunday.
"Subsequently it's lost grd steering so will need a tow in - please keep it low key, we don't want emergency services chasing them down the runway".
Green hyd is the only system that opens the cargo doors. Nobody explained to the special people why it took nearly 2 hours to get their bags off.
Word is that EK approached Qantas and Alan bit hard.
Qantas, as I forecast, is now changing or has already changed the class baggage limits and frequent flyer program policies to match EK's.
Watch as the rest of Qantas "harmonizes" its systems and policies to match EK.
After that, the "economies of scale" argument is trotted out and some Qantas staff are transferred into EK departments.
The remaining Qantas staff are made redundant.
Qantas is now a business name of EK in Australia and flies the Pacific.
At some point the shareholders will be put out of their misery.
Qantas, as I forecast, is now changing or has already changed the class baggage limits and frequent flyer program policies to match EK's.
Watch as the rest of Qantas "harmonizes" its systems and policies to match EK.
After that, the "economies of scale" argument is trotted out and some Qantas staff are transferred into EK departments.
The remaining Qantas staff are made redundant.
Qantas is now a business name of EK in Australia and flies the Pacific.
At some point the shareholders will be put out of their misery.
Last edited by Sunfish; 4th Apr 2013 at 09:29.
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At some point the shareholders will be put out of their misery.
It's probably true that Joyce and the board had to give away more than they planned to in the last 20 minutes prior to the press announcement in order to get the agreement over the line, but was it too much?
Institutional investors may intervene if things became too one sided, wouldn't you think?