Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

What makes a pane successful basically comes down to money. Airlines are a business after all. They want to make a quid and it is a very fine line.

For instance, I will provide an example. The Airbus A380. Looks to be a fantastic machine. A lot of innovation and technology, plus massive capacity and range.

Do the airlines like the A380? The answer to that question is NO. QANTAS was a launch customer. QANTAS now believe that the A380 was one of the biggest mistakes in their history. They now want to get rid of them but can't sell them. So they could end up being moth balled eventually in the Nevada Desert Graveyard.

Reason why they don't like the A380 isn't because it isn't a good aircraft, but because they need a lot of bums on seats to turn a profit and more often than not, they are losing money. So the aircraft has become a white elephant money pit. Emirates are the same and so too so many other A380 operators. Production of the aircraft has ceased because no one wants to buy an A380.

Is the A380 better than the B747. Answer to that is NO. The B747 was a very successful aircraft over 4 decades. The B747 is an icon. A380 is a bit of a failed project.

The high capacity sector will be dominated between the B777, B787, A330, A350 (that's a little ripper) and the the next gen B797.

The medium haul sector will be dominated between the A320 family and the B737 family.

[Kikapu]

I was once on a flight from SFO-LAX on a MD-80 series where the flight attendant very proudly was stating to the passengers around him at the rear of the plane, that “ if it ain’t Boeing, we ain’t going” was quite funny for me to hear, considering the plane was not a Boeing, but McDonnell Douglas was taken over by Boeing few years earlier..

I use to love watching the MD-80’s take off with it’s steep nose up climb with it’s sleek wings.

[Paphitis]

I was once on a flight from SFO-LAX on a MD-80 series where the flight attendant very proudly was stating to the passengers around him at the rear of the plane, that “ if it ain’t Boeing, we ain’t going” was quite funny for me to hear, considering the plane was not a Boeing, but McDonnell Douglas was taken over by Boeing few years earlier..

I use to love watching the MD-80’s take off with it’s steep nose up climb with it’s sleek wings.

The MD-80 is a very sexy aircraft.

It later became the B717 as Boeing took them over.

I'm a MD-80 (B717) fan as well. Yes it is one of the most beautiful sleek planes ever made.

QANTAS operate the MD-80 to this day as B717s operated under contract from a company called Cobham.

The same thing is occurring between Boeing and Lockheed. I love Lockheed. Totally fabulous aircraft company that build the Lockheed martin Poseidon P8. But what's a P8? It's a highly modified B737. Had a look inside one last year. It's incredible. Worth 150 million each.

[Kikapu]

What makes a pane successful basically comes down to money. Airlines are a business after all. They want to make a quid and it is a very fine line.

For instance, I will provide an example. The Airbus A380. Looks to be a fantastic machine. A lot of innovation and technology, plus massive capacity and range.

Do the airlines like the A380? The answer to that question is NO. QANTAS was a launch customer. QANTAS now believe that the A380 was one of the biggest mistakes in their history. They now want to get rid of them but can't sell them. So they could end up being moth balled eventually in the Nevada Desert Graveyard.

Reason why they don't like the A380 isn't because it isn't a good aircraft, but because they need a lot of bums on seats to turn a profit and more often than not, they are losing money. So the aircraft has become a white elephant money pit. Emirates are the same and so too so many other A380 operators. Production of the aircraft has ceased because no one wants to buy an A380.

Is the A380 better than the B747. Answer to that is NO. The B747 was a very successful aircraft over 4 decades. The B747 is an icon. A380 is a bit of a failed project.

The high capacity sector will be dominated between the B777, B787, A330, A350 (that's a little ripper) and the the next gen B797.

The medium haul sector will be dominated between the A320 family and the B737 family.

The B-747 was a great success, because it had no competition in matching it’s performance in the number of passengers it could carry, great range and versatility as a cargo aircraft where the nose cone could open. It was the perfect aircraft at it’s time which ruled the skies the next 50 years.

[Kikapu]

I was once on a flight from SFO-LAX on a MD-80 series where the flight attendant very proudly was stating to the passengers around him at the rear of the plane, that “ if it ain’t Boeing, we ain’t going” was quite funny for me to hear, considering the plane was not a Boeing, but McDonnell Douglas was taken over by Boeing few years earlier..

I use to love watching the MD-80’s take off with it’s steep nose up climb with it’s sleek wings.

The MD-80 is a very sexy aircraft.

It later became the B717 as Boeing took them over.

I'm a MD-80 (B717) fan as well. Yes it is one of the most beautiful sleek planes ever made.

QANTAS operate the MD-80 to this day as B717s operated under contract from a company called Cobham.

The same thing is occurring between Boeing and Lockheed. I love Lockheed. Totally fabulous aircraft company that build the Lockheed martin Poseidon P8. But what's a P8? It's a highly modified B737. Had a look inside one last year. It's incredible. Worth 150 million each.

Although the L-1011 was the better built aircraft, DC-10/MD-11 was a more beautiful aircraft despite it’s problems.

[Paphitis]

What makes a pane successful basically comes down to money. Airlines are a business after all. They want to make a quid and it is a very fine line.

For instance, I will provide an example. The Airbus A380. Looks to be a fantastic machine. A lot of innovation and technology, plus massive capacity and range.

Do the airlines like the A380? The answer to that question is NO. QANTAS was a launch customer. QANTAS now believe that the A380 was one of the biggest mistakes in their history. They now want to get rid of them but can't sell them. So they could end up being moth balled eventually in the Nevada Desert Graveyard.

Reason why they don't like the A380 isn't because it isn't a good aircraft, but because they need a lot of bums on seats to turn a profit and more often than not, they are losing money. So the aircraft has become a white elephant money pit. Emirates are the same and so too so many other A380 operators. Production of the aircraft has ceased because no one wants to buy an A380.

Is the A380 better than the B747. Answer to that is NO. The B747 was a very successful aircraft over 4 decades. The B747 is an icon. A380 is a bit of a failed project.

The high capacity sector will be dominated between the B777, B787, A330, A350 (that's a little ripper) and the the next gen B797.

The medium haul sector will be dominated between the A320 family and the B737 family.

The B-747 was a great success, because it had no competition in matching it’s performance in the number of passengers it could carry, great range and versatility as a cargo aircraft where the nose cone could open. It was the perfect aircraft at it’s time which ruled the skies the next 50 years.

That too. They were in a league of their own in that capacity and sector. An aircraft still flying today and for good reason.

The A380 won't make it unfortunately. It came into existence with a big bang but hasn't met expectations.

Airlines are preferring the B787 and A350. Boeing are talking up the B797 as being even better than both the B787 and A350 so everyone is waiting to see what they come up with.

When the A380 came out it was billed as the B747 killer and yet the irony is that the B747 is going to outlive the A380 by a long way. So the B747 ended up seeing the A380 come and go. B747 is like the Beatles or Elvis Presley of aviation. Timeless and infallible.

[Paphitis]

I was once on a flight from SFO-LAX on a MD-80 series where the flight attendant very proudly was stating to the passengers around him at the rear of the plane, that “ if it ain’t Boeing, we ain’t going” was quite funny for me to hear, considering the plane was not a Boeing, but McDonnell Douglas was taken over by Boeing few years earlier..

I use to love watching the MD-80’s take off with it’s steep nose up climb with it’s sleek wings.

The MD-80 is a very sexy aircraft.

It later became the B717 as Boeing took them over.

I'm a MD-80 (B717) fan as well. Yes it is one of the most beautiful sleek planes ever made.

QANTAS operate the MD-80 to this day as B717s operated under contract from a company called Cobham.

The same thing is occurring between Boeing and Lockheed. I love Lockheed. Totally fabulous aircraft company that build the Lockheed martin Poseidon P8. But what's a P8? It's a highly modified B737. Had a look inside one last year. It's incredible. Worth 150 million each.

Although the L-1011 was the better built aircraft, DC-10/MD-11 was a more beautiful aircraft despite it’s problems.

L-1011 is another legend of the sky. I agree is very beautiful.

there are a few aircraft that just go on and on - L-1011, B747, B737. And they will still be flying in 30 years time with FEDEX and by the US Military as tankers.

[Paphitis]

FAA have just commenced the Verification of Australian Qualifications and will be making contact with the Australian Authorities.

They emailed me this telling me to contact the Australian Regulator to inform them that the FAA will be making inquiries and to provide permission for them to release my license information by filling out Form 452.

The email said, license holders from Australia, Malaysia, India, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland must do this otherwise their authority won't release the information.

Well done Cyprus with a very special mention from USA FAA which indicates to me that the Cypriot Authorities have strict processes....

Just also obtained my US Restricted Radio Operator Certificate issued from their FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Which now allows me use Aviation Radios. The Australian Equivalent is CASA Radio Telephony License.

So the ball is moving.

[Kikapu]

You are definitely going to fly over some great landscapes in the USA, especially the western parts, not to mention “city of lights” whenever you make a night landings in big cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco Bay Area and of course, Las Vegas. You will become a “flying tourist” yourself with a bird’s eye view..

[Paphitis]

You are definitely going to fly over some great landscapes in the USA, especially the western parts, not to mention “city of lights” whenever you make a night landings in big cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco Bay Area and of course, Las Vegas. You will become a “flying tourist” yourself with a bird’s eye view..

I can’t wait Kikapu.

All these wonderful places. I think the USA is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to have regular overlays in San Francisco, Las Vegas and fly over the Rockies, and yeh go to Miami, Dallas and Denver. It’s all pretty cool stuff.

The major hubs for us are LA, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Washington, Chicago and Newark/NYC. The hubs are massive with about 100,000 passengers being moved from the major ones. Smallest 60,000 passengers a day. Everything in America is just in huge proportions. Kind of hard to wrap my head around it all.

I asked about an LA, San Francisco or Denver domicile but was not granted that as they said only Newark and Chicago are available to be as that is where their needs are pressing and because of the seniority bidding rules. But could be open down the track.

I got this thing about Denver. Such a very pretty place. Suits my style better too but wife is dead set sold on NYC.