Would you beleive this?
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Would you beleive this?
JAKARTA: Wings Air passengers were baffled on Monday when the aircraft that took them from Jakarta landed in a deserted airport after the cabin crew announced they were arriving in Padang, West Sumatra, just on schedule.
Although the recent air disaster that killed 150 people in the neighboring Medan was still on the mind of the 130 passengers, they did not panic because the MD-82 aircraft touched down perfectly.
Still, they were confused when informed they had just landed on the wrong airport, Tabing Airport, which was closed on July 21, following the opening of the new Minangkabau International Airport elsewhere in Padang outskirts.
The aircraft soon took off again with the cabin crew assuring everybody on board that nothing was to worry about the aircraft.
A passenger, Syahrial, said he heard the pilot tell the air traffic control tower of the Minangkabau airport that the runway was in perfect view and ready to touch down. And the tower controller told the pilot to go ahead.
A Minangkabau Airport spokesman Youhanes Gaffar said the incident happened because of bad weather and disruption of the aircraft's navigational system.
"Apparently a passenger used his or her mobile phone when the aircraft was ready to land," he was quoted by Kompas daily as saying.--JP
http://www.thejakartapost.com/yester...d=20050914.A08
Although the recent air disaster that killed 150 people in the neighboring Medan was still on the mind of the 130 passengers, they did not panic because the MD-82 aircraft touched down perfectly.
Still, they were confused when informed they had just landed on the wrong airport, Tabing Airport, which was closed on July 21, following the opening of the new Minangkabau International Airport elsewhere in Padang outskirts.
The aircraft soon took off again with the cabin crew assuring everybody on board that nothing was to worry about the aircraft.
A passenger, Syahrial, said he heard the pilot tell the air traffic control tower of the Minangkabau airport that the runway was in perfect view and ready to touch down. And the tower controller told the pilot to go ahead.
A Minangkabau Airport spokesman Youhanes Gaffar said the incident happened because of bad weather and disruption of the aircraft's navigational system.
"Apparently a passenger used his or her mobile phone when the aircraft was ready to land," he was quoted by Kompas daily as saying.--JP
http://www.thejakartapost.com/yester...d=20050914.A08
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A passenger, Syahrial, said he heard the pilot tell the air traffic control tower of the Minangkabau airport that the runway was in perfect view and ready to touch down. And the tower controller told the pilot to go ahead.
IT!!!!
The Reverend
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Not an uncommon occurence. Several well known airlines have landed at RAF Changi instead of Paya Lebar in Singapore, before Changi became the international airport. Same thing in Dubai and Sharja. Runways on same alingments, just a few miles apart.
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Why is this post on here?
To continue with the topic, I recall a few years ago the Space Shuttle "Columbia" visiting the UK. We had a lounge full of people (as our flat overlooked Runway 28R at Heathrow) as the 747 with her piggy-back flew at 20ft above the runway.
We were aghast at the radio traffic. ATC told the skipper "Climb to Flight Level 1 and continue present heading to Tower Bridge"
Back came the response " Our Flight Plan says London Bridge. Please confirm TOWER Bridge Over".
ATC responded immediately "Columbia - We repeat Flight Level 1. Continue present heading to TOWER BRIDGE, TOWER BRIDGE - PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE!"
"SHOOT!" Came the response from Columbia "Us Yanks call Tower Bridge "London Bridge". Yeah, right! Flight Level 1 continue present heading to Tower Bridge!"
......English and Americans - Same Language only, somehow, different!!!
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[pedant mode]
Flight Level 1 is 100' ... and operating below 6000' in the London area the aircraft would be given a clearance at an altitude and not a Flight Level (which could actually be below Ground depending on the air pressure on the day).
[pedant mode off]
Flight Level 1 is 100' ... and operating below 6000' in the London area the aircraft would be given a clearance at an altitude and not a Flight Level (which could actually be below Ground depending on the air pressure on the day).
[pedant mode off]
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I stand corrected! Indeed, if I remember correctly, Columbia flew over Central London at an altitude of about 2 or 3 hundred feet to enable by-standers to get a good view!
It was quite memorable - even if the exact ATC conversation wasn't (we didn't have hand-held digital recorders in those days - all I had was a cheapo Air Band receiver!)
However, I do remember the precise, clipped tone of the Heathrow controller and the altercation concerning "London Bridge" and "Tower Bridge"! - Indeed, that same misunderstanding cost the Americans dearly a few years earlier when they bought that horrible, grey monstrosity thinking they were getting the graceful, opening spans!!!
It was quite memorable - even if the exact ATC conversation wasn't (we didn't have hand-held digital recorders in those days - all I had was a cheapo Air Band receiver!)
However, I do remember the precise, clipped tone of the Heathrow controller and the altercation concerning "London Bridge" and "Tower Bridge"! - Indeed, that same misunderstanding cost the Americans dearly a few years earlier when they bought that horrible, grey monstrosity thinking they were getting the graceful, opening spans!!!
