ANA's live video on takeoff and landing
 

The ANA flights I've been on have all had live video on takeoff and landing. It is a two-camera production. The first camera points straight ahead and its video is on during taxi through rotation for a pilot's view (if I'm using the right term). Then, it switches to a camera pointing straight down, giving you a perspective you don't get out a side window. Back to forward view at landing. Quite entertaining. I wish the U.S. carriers I fly would try this. It would take about $500 worth of parts to put it together. Does anyone in Europe do this?

I understand that a number of UK charters have had this facility installed in the past decade. As it happens - I never fly on charters! Not because of an opposition to them as such - I simply do not buy package holidays.

With regards to mainline carriers - I have never seen this. I agree that it would be dandy to watch. When carriers have the SkyMap kind of feature, showing location in graphical form - they usually turn the system off on finals, which is very annoying.

That said, I remember a flight from Geneva to London with Swiss a few years ago, when the SkyMap was on from push back. Each turn on the taxiway was shown. Amusingly, though, the graphic that represented the aircraft was pointing the wrong way by 180. This meant that Sky Map, showed us flying backwards to LHR. :p

Finnair on their AB320s. Unfortunately I've only seen it in the dark - not very interesting :(

bmi's A330s have it. In fact you can choose between forward and downward facing cameras (except, disappointingly, the downward one doesn't work during takeoff and landing - I expect it was considered too scary).

I've also seen it on Emirates' a/c - either 777 or A330 (or possibly both).

USA
 

Used to exist on certain US carriers until the MD-10 incident in ORD (Chicago O'Hare) where it caused serious PAX panic duing the fairly fatal icident I'm informed (by a survivor). Since then - No way José - in the US at least.

The ANA system is OK especially on daylight flights over Fuji-san - then its really good.;)

Your estimate of price is way out. You can't put a catering trolley on an aircraft for $500. I suggest $10000 is a better starting guess.

gofer: The event in ORD - was that where it came rest across a taxiway bridge over a major access road?

Hi,


I think that was the AA DC-10 disaster at ORD in 1979 when the number 1 engine fell over the wing damaging the hydraulics and disabling in the process the stall-shaker fro the flight deck with the consequence that the crew did not have eough time to recognise what was happening and correct it before the crash.
Apparently the passengers did watch the take off on the screens.
I did not think there were any survivors aboard the airliner at least?

A very sad event.:(

TBS

CX has the forward facing ones on some of their 777s, but sometimes they have to be reminded to put it one, and some of the in-flight managers refuse for some reason. The takeoffs and landings are quite fun - even at night.

Emirates have had them on the 777's since 1998 at least.

Did a trip LHR to DBX, the views on the stand were interesting, the loading people and tug driver all centre stage and probably not aware of it, then the taxying and takeoff, after that no use at all, until the final approach at night, and again the interesting view of the lead-in lights and the rabbit.

They are a bit gimmicky at any other time, a vertical view from 39000 feet at night is much like the proverbial paint drying.

I read yesterday that the next shuttle, or is that todays shuttle will have a similar camera in the nose of the external fuel tank, its a one way trip for the camera, but should be interesting, try the NASA web site for details.

Yup, it was a great shot of the launch. The SRBs are recoverable so perhaps the camera is as well. That would be a good thing as it cost US$ 700,000.

SAS A340's are another fleet that are fitted with the cameras ,selectable from the seat back screen

Unfortunately, the camera was attached to the ET - so it's now at the bottom of the Pacific. Did it really cost $0.7m? :eek:

m.

Nooooo... typical NASA, the camera cost $50k. $650k for the paperwork and sign-offs....

:) :eek: :)

R1

Gulf air have it as well ....and I also liked the United "ATC Channel"when they remembered to switch it on. :)

And I have just discovered that Air China has them (forward and down) on their 777s which was fun on the HKG-PEK run recently.

I think Garuda as well, but I could be getting mixed up with Gulf Air (I flew them both this year, all those G+Ts confuse me)

SAS on their new A321s. No seatback monitors though, and above something like 15000ft they switch to the Airshow, sometimes interrupted by the most annoying Mr. Bean. Comes on again for landing. On their A330s and 340s it's in the seatback monitor. I like the Airshow, if for nothing else then it does supply you with an ETA. Just remember to add around 15-20 minutes for the descent and approach. Also nice when you're looking out the window wondering what that city is.