KUL ATC SYSTEM UPGRADE
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Isle of Wight
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Space Shuttle?
Landing from FL150 at 20nm out ala space shuttle?
Some 20 years ago travelling from LHR to KUL ( old Subang airport ) on a brand new MAS B744 I had a ****ty experience after being invited to watch the landing. I was a young British F/O then and the arrogant captain saw it fit to show off. We descended late charging down on full speed brakes making Victor Batu Arang ( about 13 nm from touchdown ) at about 9000 feet doing over 230kts when everything was dumped down to affect a landing that was barely stabilised at 100 feet. Throughout the approach everything was vibrating as we were almost at flap 30 placard speed. Speedbrake warning with full flaps until 100 feet. The late descent caused the cabin altitude to lag behind the airplane and after touchdown we had a massive ear popping experience. During the whole ****ty freak demo, I told them they couldn't make it to no avail. I mentioned to the captain the stupidity of the whole freaking show off and he just brushed me off as not knowing the " aircraft's capability " like he did! I can still remember my trembling knees and the urge to pee. Name of that clown...a certain modern sikh singh; the quiet as mouse Malaysian f/o..a certain local crocodile dundee who had a baby crocodile pet.
A complaint letter to MAS came to nothing. I was a young chap then, easily forgiving and forgot to pursue further due to other more pressing matters in my life then.
So I certainly hope we did not have a hero going to land from FL150 at 20 miles out!!!
Some 20 years ago travelling from LHR to KUL ( old Subang airport ) on a brand new MAS B744 I had a ****ty experience after being invited to watch the landing. I was a young British F/O then and the arrogant captain saw it fit to show off. We descended late charging down on full speed brakes making Victor Batu Arang ( about 13 nm from touchdown ) at about 9000 feet doing over 230kts when everything was dumped down to affect a landing that was barely stabilised at 100 feet. Throughout the approach everything was vibrating as we were almost at flap 30 placard speed. Speedbrake warning with full flaps until 100 feet. The late descent caused the cabin altitude to lag behind the airplane and after touchdown we had a massive ear popping experience. During the whole ****ty freak demo, I told them they couldn't make it to no avail. I mentioned to the captain the stupidity of the whole freaking show off and he just brushed me off as not knowing the " aircraft's capability " like he did! I can still remember my trembling knees and the urge to pee. Name of that clown...a certain modern sikh singh; the quiet as mouse Malaysian f/o..a certain local crocodile dundee who had a baby crocodile pet.
A complaint letter to MAS came to nothing. I was a young chap then, easily forgiving and forgot to pursue further due to other more pressing matters in my life then.
So I certainly hope we did not have a hero going to land from FL150 at 20 miles out!!!
Last edited by Sunny Boyle; 24th Dec 2011 at 22:36. Reason: Space shuttle?
Join Date: Feb 1998
Location: Formerly of Nam
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Yep I too have been held at FL150 till approx 20nm out and
the consequential radar vectoring over the Malacca Strait but
I got no problems with that - the Approach chatter and TCAS
(not to mention thunderies) sum up the reason why. Besides,
the dynamics of arrival traffic can change dramatically - and
don't forget there are departures to contend with in the same
airspace with ALL aircraft needing separation.
Problems occur when you're told to expedite descent while on
the STAR after being instructed to reduce speed even further
in the same breath - in which case I just reply I can give one
or the other but not both at the same time.
And another peeve is being told by Area to keep up the speed
yer number one, track shortening etc and then go and call up
Director to be told to slow down to 170kts.
the consequential radar vectoring over the Malacca Strait but
I got no problems with that - the Approach chatter and TCAS
(not to mention thunderies) sum up the reason why. Besides,
the dynamics of arrival traffic can change dramatically - and
don't forget there are departures to contend with in the same
airspace with ALL aircraft needing separation.
Problems occur when you're told to expedite descent while on
the STAR after being instructed to reduce speed even further
in the same breath - in which case I just reply I can give one
or the other but not both at the same time.
And another peeve is being told by Area to keep up the speed
yer number one, track shortening etc and then go and call up
Director to be told to slow down to 170kts.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hilo
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Doing a sortie from KIX to KUL arriving about 2130 hrs on New Year's Day...any chance of air traffic snafu at that time? I guess holiday traffic should be cause for worries besides the resident thunderstorms that crop up suddenly every now and then.
The commute to downtown KUL should be relatively smooth if it's the holidays right? Does Malaysia " Mondayise " holidays that fall on Sundays?
Thanks.
The commute to downtown KUL should be relatively smooth if it's the holidays right? Does Malaysia " Mondayise " holidays that fall on Sundays?
Thanks.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Flyin' low and feeling mean
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Traffic from will be heavy as you get closer to downtown KL. While Monday is a holiday people will be out in force on Sunday too. Went downtown for Christmas lunch last week, and the traffic was mind-boggling for a Sunday afternoon.
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FL150 at 20nm? very poor judgement on your behalf. i hope you didn't attempt to land from that?
YGBSM. 
Not my choice. ATC kept us that high due to traffic. Oh, and I did land from it as ATC vectored us all over creation.
Join Date: Feb 1998
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Actually Hogger come to think of it if you're light enough and
CFM'd (no IAEs) you might make it in 20 miles out at FL150.
You'd have to disconnect the AP and pull the speedbrake then
drop your gear at Vle, let the speed reduce and pull the flaps
till you end up with Config 3 hanging out, then stowing the
speedie back and pulling out Conf Full a few secs before the
thresh. Old cav-wotnot might **** himself with the approach
gradient being outside his zone of comfort but you'd probably
make it with a few sharp S-turns.
Of course it'd be a very steep approach with the thrust idle
throughout.
Done it in the sim once, but with IAEs I needed close to 23
miles with S-turns. If your sim is CFM'd it might be worth a
fiddle around if there's any spare time left.
CFM'd (no IAEs) you might make it in 20 miles out at FL150.
You'd have to disconnect the AP and pull the speedbrake then
drop your gear at Vle, let the speed reduce and pull the flaps
till you end up with Config 3 hanging out, then stowing the
speedie back and pulling out Conf Full a few secs before the
thresh. Old cav-wotnot might **** himself with the approach
gradient being outside his zone of comfort but you'd probably
make it with a few sharp S-turns.
Of course it'd be a very steep approach with the thrust idle
throughout.
Done it in the sim once, but with IAEs I needed close to 23
miles with S-turns. If your sim is CFM'd it might be worth a
fiddle around if there's any spare time left.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ampang
Age: 75
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During the whole ****ty freak demo, I told them they couldn't make it to no avail. I mentioned to the captain the stupidity of the whole freaking show off and he just brushed me off as not knowing the " aircraft's capability " like he did! I can still remember my trembling knees and the urge to pee. Name of that clown...a certain modern sikh singh; the quiet as mouse Malaysian f/o..a certain local crocodile dundee who had a baby crocodile pet.
My guess...a certain insufferable braggart named lato' g string? I remembered croc dundee bragging about that freakish feat too!
