UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 9587 times:
We are well into January and I think it is time we reignited our discussion about classic and rare aircraft which we may be able fly in 2012.
Already on the table for 2012 are tours to North Korea which are aimed at aviation enthusiasts and feature flights on the IL-62M, IL-18, An-24RV & Tu-154B2 with Air Koryo. The latter sub-type is a new one for me and will be something special, but then the whole trip should be. Air Koryo also still operate a Tu-134 which I would have also liked to see in the itinerary, having still not flown the type yet.
It also looks like a DC-8 flight may be organised for enthusiasts in May, which hopefully we should have confirmation of soon.
The venerable Saha Air B707s are apparently still active in Iran, but for how long no one quite knows since Saha are already operating the A300-600 alongside the B707s. There still appear to be a small number of B727-200s operating in Iran with Iran Aseman Airlines and Iran Air.
The Iran Air B747-SPs are still very much active on flights to IST, BOM, PEK, KUL and BKK. The Iran Air B747-100 and -200s are also still active, although do not usually get scheduled for any particular routes - often filling in here and there for other types and operating Hajj/Umrah flights.
Biman are still operating three DC-10-30s, S2-ACO/CP/CR on flights to the Gulf and HKG. All three have been noted active (and flown on by various members of this forum) in the past few weeks.
Good news from Kenya in that the 1965-built East African Safari Air Express DC-9-14 5Y-XXA (line no. 19) has emerged from a check with a fresh coat of paint and will be operating alongside the F28-4000 on flights to Hargeisa and Mogadishu, as well as hopefully operating some domestic flights on behalf of Fly540. Sister ship 5Y-XXB (line no. 4) has been stripped for spares.
I believe that this year could be one of the last for the Tu-154, apart perhaps from Air Koryo. Whilst looking for TU3 flights in Russia this week, I did not happen to notice a single TU5 flight. Does anyone know any remaining operators and routes?
My personal priority now is the Tu-134, but this is now very difficult with only a handful remaining in service in Russia. I have found a couple of sectors on which UTAir are still showing TU3 as the equipment for Jan/Feb (VKO-SCW & LED-SCW) as well as UFA-NUX with Yamal Airlines (YC). If anyone knows of any other sectors or carriers, I would certainly appreciate the information. I had planned to go to Kyrgystan to fly the Altyn Air Tu-134, but sadly it crashed upon landing at OSS in late December.
I hope this thread generates some good ideas, tips and information as similar threads have in the past. Looking forward to your input.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 1, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 9580 times:
Great thread ! Here an incomplete list of other classic airliners which are supposed to be operating.
Boeing 727; apart from Iran, scheduled flights are still undertaken in Bolivia with Aerosur and TAM, most likely between La Paz, Sucre, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. Also Ariana Afghan still flies a few.
Fokker F-27; TAM Bolivia still uses one, they might even take a 2nd F-27 Friendship on routes from La Paz, on the same routes as MA-60s but their La Paz office can tell in advance where they've scheduled them.
Fokker F-28; Biman and Myanma still have one or two operational. I flew Bimans in november between Sylhet and Dhaka. LADE Argentina still flies the rare -1000 series.
BAe-748; Air North continues to use them from Whitehorse Canada
Convair 580; In Canada, Nolinor and Kelowna only uses them on charters. Scheduled flights are in New Zealand; Auckland-Napier-Chathams, and in Tonga (any recent reports?). According to one source, TAM Bolivia is still using one on routes in the 'lowlands' but as far as I know they retired the last ones about 4 years ago. Any reports are welcome
Last year, Malu Aviation was flying a Nord-262 and later maybe a G-159 between Goma and Kisangani, DR Congo. I am looking at flying on these but I am worried about the unrest in the area.
Il-18; apart from Air Koryo, the Daallo flights between Jeddah , Djibouti and/or Hargeisha might still run. Ian do you know more?
Il-96; only Aeroflot and Cubana remain faithful passenger operators
Il-114; only Uzbekistan Airways operate them
Preservation groups have DC-3s, a Super Constellation, DC-7, Catalina/Canso, DH-104 Dove, An-2s, and B-17, B-25 and even B-29 available if you donate or become a member. Fly them when you can.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 2, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 9558 times:
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 1): Il-18; apart from Air Koryo, the Daallo flights between Jeddah , Djibouti and/or Hargeisha might still run. Ian do you know more?
Yes, definately still operating Daallo Airlines and Jubba Airways flights beyond Djibouti (JIB) to Hargeisa (HGA), Mogadishu (MGQ), etc.
A couple of us flew UP-I1801 in October JIB-HGA-JIB. UP-I1802 (which I flew JED-HGA a couple of years earlier) & UP-I1803 were both also at HGA, under maintenance:
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 10397 posts, RR: 66 Reply 3, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 9546 times:
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Thread starter): It also looks like a DC-8 flight may be organised for enthusiasts in May, which hopefully we should have confirmation of soon.
Ahh bother, that's finals month for me, so I won't be going anywhere.
tugmaster From Northern Mariana Islands, joined Jul 2004, 555 posts, RR: 11 Reply 4, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 9519 times:
Hi Ian,
Great to see this thread back up and running....
I'm speaking with the 'Cedarjet' constantly, and we can't think of many more than already has been added..
maybe
Orient-Thai.... Still flying the unigue 747-100SUD...?
AeroMajestic...plans to put a YS11 on regular pax runs within the Phillipines...
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 5, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 9510 times:
Quoting tugmaster (Reply 4): Orient-Thai.... Still flying the unigue 747-100SUD...?
the 100SUD is seen rusting away without engines. Orient-Thai still flies some 747-300s but unfortunately their daily BKK-HKG flight is now done by a 767-300. Talking about 747 classics; Saudi Arabian flies some 300s to Jakarta and India. Transaero have some but not sure if and on which regular routes
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
MHG From Germany, joined Dec 2004, 544 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 9448 times:
Quoting tugmaster (Reply 4): AeroMajestic...plans to put a YS11 on regular pax runs within the Phillipines...
Well, they never started flying besides a "media flight". Their website is still active but there are no activities actually. Talked to them in november and they said "sir, we are rescheduling our flights" which is nothing but an excuse for "sorry we won´t operate in the future ..."
Still, Zest Air (Z2) operates 3 MA-60´s on domestic route out of MNL beside their fleet of A 320´s.
YVRLTN From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 1759 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 9325 times:
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 1): Convair 580; In Canada, Nolinor and Kelowna only uses them on charters
As far as I know, all the Kelowna Convair's have been converted to freighters, tankers or sold - none operate pax flights anymore. One is now a rare 5800(F) and normally daystops at YVR.
I am thinking about organizing a YVR meet this year once the weather improves and possibly getting together some classic flights.
I have three ideas
1) Shorts 360 flight to Port Hardy for a ride on the Grumman G21 Goose - both with 8P
2) Charter the Van City Air Beech 18 on floats to Sproat Lake to see the Martin Mars
3) Charter an Air North HS748 (assuming they will be at YVR again this summer doing the fishing charters) during its downtime during the day to either Nanaimo or possibly Port Alberni (only 3952' runway) again to see the Mars.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 9, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 9282 times:
I personally think about going to D.R. Congo (Kinshasa) because I am fascinated by the Nord 262 and Malu aviation has the last flying one of that type. There are some other interesting things to fly there as well, possibly a DC-9 or a G-159 Gulfstream prop. I considered going in february but I feel uncomfortable due to safety issues in Congo to travel by myself. If 1 to 3 people like to join me sometime in the next two years let me know here or by PM.
Sounds good... I'll definitely come back in YVR one day, but I can't commit on a date this year. But please post on the forum if your plans materialize and I can see if I can manage. Maybe you can work together with the classicjettours.com people to do joint PR
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
The B747-SPs were stored in around 2008. They were ferried to RUH for overhaul about 18 months ago for overhaul with a view to re-entering service and were actually scheduled for some RB flights from last August, but this got delayed and eventually those flights showed as A320s again, so there must have been delays in releasing them from maintenance. I noted them in RUH at the beginning of December without engines and rudders. I guess the political situation in Syria means they are unlikely to re-enter service any time soon, if at all.
1) Shorts 360 flight to Port Hardy for a ride on the Grumman G21 Goose - both with 8P
2) Charter the Van City Air Beech 18 on floats to Sproat Lake to see the Martin Mars
3) Charter an Air North HS748 (assuming they will be at YVR again this summer doing the fishing charters) during its downtime during the day to either Nanaimo or possibly Port Alberni (only 3952' runway) again to see the Mars.
Any interest?
I would be interested to find out more after you have contacted Van City Air and Air North, i.e. indicative prices, minimum pax numbers, etc.
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 9): I personally think about going to D.R. Congo (Kinshasa) because I am fascinated by the Nord 262 and Malu aviation has the last flying one of that type. There are some other interesting things to fly there as well, possibly a DC-9 or a G-159 Gulfstream prop. I considered going in february but I feel uncomfortable due to safety issues in Congo to travel by myself. If 1 to 3 people like to join me sometime in the next two years let me know here or by PM.
A forum member went there and flew the N-262 last year. He apparently had some issues - the words 'I was assaulted X times' rings a bell from his feedback at the time. If you send me a PMwith your e-mail address I will send you his feedback from the trip.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 13, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 9172 times:
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 12): A forum member went there and flew the N-262 last year.
I know him (DK) well, I emailed him a lot about Congo too... Pity I didn't know about his trip in time. Exact reason why I will try and find a travel mate if I ever go there. The friends I hired a C-46 with last year aren't really interested in Africa.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 9220 posts, RR: 50 Reply 14, posted (4 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 9137 times:
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Thread starter): The Iran Air B747-SPs are still very much active on flights to IST, BOM, PEK, KUL and BKK. The Iran Air B747-100 and -200s are also still active, although do not usually get scheduled for any particular routes
I want to go on the Iran Air SP.
Istanbul looks like a good possibility.
I flew on the SP before. I like this plane. This is probably the last chance to fly on one again.
No war please!!! Peace be on Iran and their 747 SPs!!
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
Loran From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 386 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 8955 times:
Quoting MHG (Reply 6): Well, they never started flying besides a "media flight". Their website is still active but there are no activities actually. Talked to them in november and they said "sir, we are rescheduling our flights" which is nothing but an excuse for "sorry we won´t operate in the future ..."
Interesting info, thanks for sharing. I was trying to get hold of them but impossible. They run a facebook page and I asked them to post their schedule, no reply either. Still got to nail the YS-11 somehow.....
SIBILLE From Belgium, joined Jun 2005, 417 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 8920 times:
What about the Buffalo Airways DC-3 from Yellow Knife to Hai River?
And don't forget Cuba.
I've flown on Aerogaviota An-26 this week (10 Th January 2012) from Cayo Largo to Havana (watch the video in the topic in this forum).
Also possible to fly Aerocaribean Emb-110 frim Varadero to Cayo Largo and Aerogaviota Mi-8 from Varadero to Trinidad.
Seems the Cubana Yak-42 is not flying anymore (I had a Havana - Santiago de Cuba flight booked on January 12 th but they changed the Yak for B-737 and I canceled the flight).
An Aerocaribean Yak-40 was still scheduled last month on Cubana flight from Havana to Camaguey but it seems this flight is now ATR-72 operated........
The Aerogaviota An-26 topic is archived. I'm going to put the video in a new topic in the "trip report".
GBLKD From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2011, 330 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (4 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 8789 times:
Quoting SIBILLE (Reply 16): What about the Buffalo Airways DC-3 from Yellow Knife to Hai River?
I'd like to do that myself but I do wonder how long Transport Canada will allow old Joe to keep operating those old DC-3s over Great Slave Lake with paying customers on board. Will be a sad day when it comes to an end but I can see the authorities finding a way to force Buffalo's hand to either modernise or quit passenger ops to Hay River
Be77 From Canada, joined Nov 2007, 308 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (4 months 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 8728 times:
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 14): I flew on the SP before. I like this plane. This is probably the last chance to fly on one again
Might be easier to become a high roller with the Sands Casino? More expensive of course, but in general a lower chance of encountering grey painted pointy jets. (Although that might allow some great A to A photos).
(At least I think Sands is still operating them - but I haven't seen one since I was in IFP on way to Havasu a couple of years ago)
Birdwatching From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 3313 posts, RR: 54 Reply 19, posted (4 months 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 8689 times:
There seems to be a new airline operating a non-ER 767-200 from Guyana to JFK. That is quite a rare aircraft nowadays.
What other options are there today to fly on a 767-200 (non ER)?
Loran From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 386 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (4 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 8607 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 19): There seems to be a new airline operating a non-ER 767-200 from Guyana to JFK. That is quite a rare aircraft nowadays.
What other options are there today to fly on a 767-200 (non ER)?
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 20): How about Business Air from Thailand? They had a few 767-200s non ER active in 2011, but also operate(d) the -300ER
Very interesting news, thanks for posting. There are in fact no options for a scheduled service except this new operator. Jet Asia Airways in BKK seems to be charter only and Business Air retired HS-BIA a few months back, so this option is gone. I was lucky to snatch a ride on BIA last year. And I saw Gabon Airlines has one of its two 767-222 stored in Addis since a few months and they were chartering a HiFly A310 for a while.
TCASAlert From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 8223 times:
It's a shame that it isn't possible to get on any of these aircraft without visiting some desolate warzone or being on the other side of the world.
Some more local flights that may be a little more accessible:
Manx2's LET-410s, operating on flights from BLK-IOM-BHD, and their Do228s operating on flights from GLO and CWL-HLY.
NextJet Sweden's ATPs operting ARN-GEV, although they are being swapped for ATRs from April, so get there quick.
MON have A300-600s but their route allocation isn't really publicised so difficult to know what routes they operate, they seem to do most of their flying from LGW and MAN though
SAS still have 3 x MD87s and I'll hopefully be on one on Monday.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3735 posts, RR: 52 Reply 24, posted (3 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 8214 times:
Quoting TCASAlert (Reply 23): NextJet Sweden's ATPs operting ARN-GEV, although they are being swapped for ATRs from April,
Already changing from this week (!!!). DanubeWings ATR-72 is operating ARN-GEV from now on behalf of NextJet.
Quoting TCASAlert (Reply 23): MON have A300-600s but their route allocation isn't really publicised so difficult to know what routes they operate, they seem to do most of their flying from LGW and MAN though
At least they do operate a flight to GVA in the current winter schedule, on Sunday morning. Don't know if this is from LGW or MAN.
[Edited 2012-02-01 07:59:22]
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
B747forever From Sweden, joined May 2007, 16086 posts, RR: 12 Reply 25, posted (3 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 8340 times:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 24): Quoting TCASAlert (Reply 23):NextJet Sweden's ATPs operting ARN-GEV, although they are being swapped for ATRs from April,
Already changing from this week (!!!). DanubeWings ATR-72 is operating ARN-GEV from now on behalf of NextJet.
But instead the ATP will fly on the BMA-VXO route, starting today. Will be flying on the ATP from VXO-BMA on March 1st, after flying down to THN on a Golden air Saab 340B.
B747forever From Sweden, joined May 2007, 16086 posts, RR: 12 Reply 27, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 8490 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 26): Do you have any additional infos on that? I can't seem to be able to book that through their web site.
For how much longer will the ATP fly with them?
Nextjet operates the flight on behalf on Flysmåland
The ATP will be used on the morning/evening flights while the Saab 340 will operate the off peak flights. A few weeks ago I emailed them and they confirmed that the ATP will be used on almost all their departures except one or two each day. I am not sure for how long they will keep flying the ATP, but the article makes it seem as a long term upgrade.
This is by far the cheapest option to fly on the ATP. A one way ticket on this route costs around €40 while Nextjet charges €70 (one way) on their flights operated by the ATP.
It is a great opportunity to fly on the ATP. One can combine it with a Saab 2000 or 340 A/B flight out of BMA, which is what I will do. Will fly down on the Saab 340B to THN (hopefully they wont change it to a SF340A!) and then take the train to VXO before flying back to BMA on the ATP.
WestJet747 From Canada, joined Aug 2011, 586 posts, RR: 0 Reply 28, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 8489 times:
Quoting Loran (Reply 15): Any updates on illusive Baltia Air Lines?
Doesn't look promising. Last I heard, California Pacific Airlines (CP Air) was the only legitimate entity seeking FAA certification at present. If anyone could confirm or correct that would be appreciated.
Baltia took delivery of a pax configured 747 a while back but their website now includes an "airfreight" section...perhaps they realized their business model is rather laughable and they are going to begin ops as a cargo-only carrier?
Quoting Be77 (Reply 18): At least I think Sands is still operating them - but I haven't seen one since I was in IFP on way to Havasu a couple of years ago
I heard through the grapevine that one of the Sands 747SPs was seen at MFM as recent as a couple months ago. Purely a rumour I heard though.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 31, posted (3 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 8435 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 26): For how much longer will the ATP fly with them?
I flew on two routes last month, ARN-Vilhelmina and Lycksele-ARN, see my tripreport, the pilots said they would use them for a few years more. The reallocation of one of the ARN based ATPs to another route BMA-VXO is being covered by the wetleased ATR. NextJet has another ATP which is reported being prepared for passenger services, so there's nothing to worry about.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
Be77 From Canada, joined Nov 2007, 308 posts, RR: 0 Reply 33, posted (3 months 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 7913 times:
Quoting Loran (Reply 32): Does anyone know where Pacific Coastal's Grumman Goose flies to?
The "Float Division" page lists the destinations.that would be served. Most of the destinations are pretty small, so the equipement choice for each flight is probably set by loads (both freight and pax).
If you did want to experience it, I imagine a call would get you more info...and since you probably don't really care about the destination (no self respecting A.nut does), then you could probably go standby on any trip that they rolled out a Goose for.
Note - any VFR flight in that part of the world is going to be a visual treat - it is spectacular...
Hywel From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2008, 612 posts, RR: 4 Reply 34, posted (3 months 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 7861 times:
Any help appreciated please:
I'm visiting Russia in September 2012 and am hoping to fly some classic Russian aircraft, e.g. the Tu154 (very hard to get now...), Yak-42 and possibly others.
I already have flights booked on the A148 with Rossiya, Su100 with Aeroflot, Tu204 with Vladivostok Air and IL96 with Aeroflot, however these are all modern (or fairly modern!)
I will be free in Moscow on the 14, 15, 16 September and St Petersburg on the 18, 19, 20 September. So I can book day trips from these cities on these dates.
Anyone have some advice or news about airlines/routes?
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 9220 posts, RR: 50 Reply 35, posted (3 months 3 hours ago) and read 7557 times:
Quoting Hywel (Reply 34): I will be free in Moscow on the 14, 15, 16 September and St Petersburg on the 18, 19, 20 September. So I can book day trips from these cities on these dates.
You can go for joy rides on Sukhoi 27 or Migs if you have the money.
YVRLTN From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 1759 posts, RR: 0 Reply 36, posted (2 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 7385 times:
Quoting Loran (Reply 32): Does anyone know where Pacific Coastal's Grumman Goose flies to?
They are based in Port Hardy along with the Beaver's - they have 4 at the moment, though I dont know how many are flying right now as it is quiet time. They mostly fly to various lodges and resorts, activity is mostly in summer. Heres the destinations.
Aacteon Sound, Allison Sound Belize, Creasy Bay, Chief Nolas, Frederick Bay, Long Lake, McKinnon Lagoon,
Mereworth Sound, Nugent Sound, Seymour/Slingsby, Strachen Bay, Trevor Lake, Warner Bay, Woods Lagoon,
Wyclees/Long Lake Anchor Cove, Big Spring, Blackgold, Boswell, Bucks Camp, Burnt Island Harbour, Coopers Cove, Dawsons Landing,
Draney Inlet, Duncanby, Eberts/Moses, Fishegg, Fishegg Inlet, Fishhook Bay, Pierce Bay, Finn Bay, Frederick Sound,
Goodhope/Salmon King, Hoy Point, Goosebay, Hardy Inlet, Johnsons Bay, Kilbella Bay, McNair Creek, Naysash,
Nekite, Rivers Inlet, Wuikinuxv.Doc Creek, Gennesse, Hakai Pass, Jenny Inlet, Kwatna, Marabelle, Machmell, Namu, Ocean Falls, Oles, Quatalena,
Sheemahant, Wallace Bay.
The last 8P SH6 C-GPCF has now been parked as its due mx. If numbers pick up for this summer, it may return to service for one more season but its not promised. GPCW is stored in the hanger and is timed out, will never fly again.
I will make enquiries about a flight on the 4N HS748 ex YVR and the Vancity B18 in the next month or so once summer schedules & contracts are getting finalized.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 38, posted (2 months 3 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 7155 times:
Quoting Be77 (Reply 33): .and since you probably don't really care about the destination (no self respecting A.nut does),
So true... I showed up at Nairobi airport yesterday asking JetLink; where is your F-28 going today? Mombasa or Kisumu? Only Kisumu, ok I'll buy a one way ticket to Kisumu. The CSR girl didn't stop laughing for 5 minutes....
So here's an update from Kenya... from boring Kisumu , the only reason I'm here is the F-28.
the very old DC-9-14 5Y-XXA is flying daily these days. 4 days a week, East African sells its own tickets to Hargeisha and Mogadishu, and the other days it's standby for Fly540... It often does Kisumu-Eldoret-Nairobi-Mombasa-Zanzibar flights. I had a jumpseat flight friday after I told the only reason I flew on it !
Also an F-28 is flying for Fly540, this week it's grounded with some hydraulic problems. But otherwise it's also regularly operated on above destinations (Kisumi, Zanzibar, Mobasa).
JetLink also has an F-28, a unique -6000 with single overwing doors and different slats, it mainly flies Nairobi-Kisumu and occasionally to Mobasa.
An acquantaince of mine flew on the Malu Aviation Nord-262 from Goma this weekend. It will get a last major check in march and then will fly for one more year, til march 2013. Last chance to fly on one ever !
Problem is the scheduled passenger flights are probably cancelled and it will fly more cargo and charters, but it might be possible to hitch a ride on that one.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
Loran From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 386 posts, RR: 2 Reply 39, posted (2 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 7116 times:
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 38): I showed up at Nairobi airport yesterday asking JetLink; where is your F-28 going today? Mombasa or Kisumu? Only Kisumu, ok I'll buy a one way ticket to Kisumu. The CSR girl didn't stop laughing for 5 minutes....
She probably didn't remember Ian and Loran then. We did the same April last year, and were well known among the airport staff and airline ops offices after 4 days of logging classics.... A very nice bunch of people there, also snatched the best jumpseat rate ever (7 our of 10 flights).
Could you do me a favour and enquire if Fly540 Uganda still operates 5X-FFN? This is a cargo F-27. My previous F-27 prospects stalled recently and I'm getting a bit worried as opportunities are disappearing quickly.
For everyone who is interested, I flew on this pencil yesterday from AAL to OSL:
The good news is that its contract with Air Noway was extended for another couple of months and there are no plans to retire this type. If Air Norway does not go belly-up again, the flights may continue for another three years. North Flying operates three Metroliners out of AAL and there is another one based in OSL apparently. Very pleasant operator and great staff, which allowed us to have a look at the aircraft before the flight.
Birdwatching From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 3313 posts, RR: 54 Reply 40, posted (2 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 7109 times:
Keep in mind that you can fly a guaranteed AN24 (no equipment changes) at a very cheap fare (41$) out of Havana (HAV) on the twice-daily flight to Nueva Gerona on the beautiful Youth Island. This schedule allows you to fly back on the same day, although I'd highly recommend to stay for a few days. I did this recently and loved it.
Be aware that the flight is always full (the fare is $2.45 for Cubans) so you have to book weeks in advance.
This flight has been diverted to the US several times in the past by hijackers, so you might be able to log an interesting route like Havana to Key West.
I'll post a trip report in the next days.
Soren
[Edited 2012-02-27 07:23:08]
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead! True story.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 41, posted (2 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 6938 times:
I am back in Amsterdam, updates on the DHC-7
Air Kenya still flies one, 5Y-BMP almost daily to the Masai Nara game reserve. One or two roundtrips a day with about 3-4 stops when at least a couple of pax want to get in or out to their resort. A trip is quite pricey so I didn't go, having flown on Berjaya.
On transfer in Cairo I saw Petroleums/PAS DHC-7 SU-BMC scrapped in little pieces, which might indicate they withdrew some or most now they got more DHC-8s.
Quoting Loran (Reply 39): Fly540 Uganda still operates 5X-FFN
I asked but the person involved didn't know about cargo or foreign operations.
My idea is they still operate that one; one cargo F-27 is in the fleet list of their early 2012 inflight magazine, while the only other F-27s ever registered have either crashed or were damaged. I saw the damaged 5X-FFD at Wilson.
For your F-27 project I think Bolivia has the best chance, the TAM/Bolivian Air Force have bought and refurbished the old ex CP-2013, it might join FAB-90 on scheduled flights from LPB, especially if/when one of their MA-60s is indeed damaged beyond repair.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 42, posted (2 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 6834 times:
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 38): So true... I showed up at Nairobi airport yesterday asking JetLink; where is your F-28 going today? Mombasa or Kisumu? Only Kisumu, ok I'll buy a one way ticket to Kisumu. The CSR girl didn't stop laughing for 5 minutes.....
Quoting Loran (Reply 39): She probably didn't remember Ian and Loran then. We did the same April last year, and were well known among the airport staff and airline ops offices after 4 days of logging classics....
Loran - that was actually the East African F28! The Jetlink F28 was in storage when we were there. On my previous visit it was only operating to Juba. Now that it is operating domestics I will definitely try for a flight on it next time I'm down there.
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 38): the very old DC-9-14 5Y-XXA is flying daily these days. 4 days a week, East African sells its own tickets to Hargeisha and Mogadishu, and the other days it's standby for Fly540... It often does Kisumu-Eldoret-Nairobi-Mombasa-Zanzibar flights. I had a jumpseat flight friday after I told the only reason I flew on it !
Loran and I got the same treatment. What a day that was, especially after jumpseating the Air Kenya DHC-7 a few hours earlier!
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1432 posts, RR: 43 Reply 43, posted (2 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 6826 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
I got word from Juche Travel Services a few days ago, the JULY North Korea Aviation tour will now feature a TY-134 instead of the AN-24. They will try to charter then AN-24 anyway for a 30 minute FNJ roundtrip if there is enough demand.
Personally I'm quite excited to get the TY-134 instead of the AN. I cannot say if this will happen on any other tours.
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 10397 posts, RR: 66 Reply 44, posted (2 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 6825 times:
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 43): I got word from Juche Travel Services a few days ago, the JULY North Korea Aviation tour will now feature a TY-134 instead of the AN-24. They will try to charter then AN-24 anyway for a 30 minute FNJ roundtrip if there is enough demand.
Personally I'm quite excited to get the TY-134 instead of the AN. I cannot say if this will happen on any other tours.
Similarly the September tour will also feature this swap from the An-24. Sounds good.
tupolevtu154 From UK - England, joined Aug 2004, 1988 posts, RR: 36 Reply 46, posted (2 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 6719 times:
Quoting TCASAlert (Reply 23): MON have A300-600s but their route allocation isn't really publicised so difficult to know what routes they operate, they seem to do most of their flying from LGW and MAN though
I just booked LGW-TFS in April on the A300. You have to make a mock booking and go to the seat map to identify what aircraft is what.
Quoting TCASAlert (Reply 23): SAS still have 3 x MD87s and I'll hopefully be on one on Monday.
I don't know if they're for SAS, but most of Spanair's remaining MD87's were re-registered in Sweden and ferried to ARN
EC-FFH to SE-DMP
EC-FFI to SE-DMO
EC-FHD to SE-DMR
EC-FHK to SE-DMS
Apparently then going on to the US? Glad I caught EC-KAZ a couple of years ago!
Quoting Hywel (Reply 34): I'm visiting Russia in September 2012 and am hoping to fly some classic Russian aircraft, e.g. the Tu154 (very hard to get now...), Yak-42 and possibly others.
As far as I'm aware, Alrosa are still around and they operate schedules from Moscow. Their website is nigh on impossible to navigate though. I saw Gazpromavia had a flight LED-VKO in November, but I think that was just one of their usual unpredictable charters. A Yak 40 was possible LED-CEE-LED in a day with Servestal, but they've got a few CRJ's now that I think have probably ruined chances there. If not, look at AK Bars Aero. They were using a Y40 into LED in November to a selected destination which escapes me, everywhere else it's a CRJ.
Quoting Hywel (Reply 34): Vladivostok Air and IL96 with Aeroflot, however these are all modern (or fairly modern!)
Nice work! There's talk of myself and another forum member catching an SU IL96 TLV-SVO, but I'd quite like to avoid TLV. Still, if it means getting on one of those beauties so be it! How did you manage the Vladivostok Tu204?
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 41): I saw Petroleums/PAS DHC-7 SU-BMC scrapped in little pieces, which might indicate they withdrew some or most now they got more DHC-8s.
I had a quick turnaround in LXR in November and we were parked next to one of their Dash 7's. Looked operational as it had a GPU attached and a cargo door open with someone hanging around.
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 45): Imagine if they had managed to arrange an IL-76 flight as well! Apparently they tried that but it was not possible.
As soon as I read this I was captivated by hope! My name's down for September but I have a new job in the pipeline which might totally screw my chances of ever getting on one of these DPRK trips. If so, I'll be gutted.
It goes without saying these are all just my personal observations and are obviously time sensitive! But I hope they help someone.
Loran From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 386 posts, RR: 2 Reply 47, posted (2 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 6626 times:
Quoting tupolevtu154 (Reply 46): I don't know if they're for SAS, but most of Spanair's remaining MD87's were re-registered in Sweden and ferried to ARN
EC-FFH to SE-DMP
EC-FFI to SE-DMO
EC-FHD to SE-DMR
EC-FHK to SE-DMS
Apparently then going on to the US?
Just checked SAS' schedule and the last MD-87 flight is showing somewhere early June, although a recent fleet plan quoted them staying in the fleet until 2014. I got several alarm bells ringing because I am still missing this type and want to avoid going to Africa. So I will make an emergency trip to BRU or FRA next weekend which will each see several MD-87 flights on Sat and Sun.
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 42): Loran - that was actually the East African F28! The Jetlink F28 was in storage when we were there.
Thanks for correcting, totally forgot ours was East African. Wouldn't mind flying it either, since our flight was at night and the good seats were gone.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 43): I got word from Juche Travel Services a few days ago, the JULY North Korea Aviation tour will now feature a TY-134 instead of the AN-24. They will try to charter then AN-24 anyway for a 30 minute FNJ roundtrip if there is enough demand.
I am also on the July tour, and based on the seatmap the Ty-134 will be a different one I flew on (P-814). It had a cargo compartment in the read fuselage and the last seat row was just ahead of the flaps, so I don't mind the equipment change that much given that there will be an An-24 pleasure flight.
sia744 From Australia, joined Mar 2001, 70 posts, RR: 0 Reply 48, posted (2 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6617 times:
I am also on the July tour of North Korea and can't wait to fly those classics especially the TU-134. On the way to china I plan to catch the Biman DC-10 & A310 also.
Does anybody offer enthusiasts tours to Russia? I'm looking for a tour company which is more focused on flying the rare types than actual plane spotting. Do any exist? many thanks.
Birdwatching From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 3313 posts, RR: 54 Reply 49, posted (2 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 6610 times:
Quoting sia744 (Reply 48): On the way to china I plan to catch the Biman DC-10 & A310 also.
Don't do this, unless you have a big and safe time buffer in China. Biman can be delayed for days, and you don't want to noshow on your DPRK trip because the Bangladeshis can't get their DC10 patched up in time.
I was really lucky last fall when I did the whole Biman thing, but I had several days of padding all around the flights just to be safe.
Soren
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead! True story.
sia744 From Australia, joined Mar 2001, 70 posts, RR: 0 Reply 50, posted (2 months 2 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 6601 times:
Thanks Soren,
I have included 4 full days in between Biman flights and the DPRK tour. I just hope they still use DC10s on the HKG BG78 flight. I intend to fly on the China Southern A380 to Beijing.
LXM83 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 518 posts, RR: 10 Reply 51, posted (2 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 6559 times:
Hi everybody
Here's an update about rare older Russian built aircraft still operating in Russia, the list is probably not complete, but I've invested a lot of time in it as I'm planning a trip for myself in the not-too-distant future:
Tu-134 (TU3)
UTAir: It appears a daily rotation each from VKO and LED still is planned until October 12. Schedules VKO2040-SCW2235/0700 VKO0900 and LED2030-SCW2220/0820-LED1020 (times vary slightly depenting on Winter or Summer schedule). Both require a stay at SCW, reduced service over weekends.
Alrosa: Weekly flight each Monday on the OVB to SVX route until 14May. OVB0805-SVX0905/2115-OVB0015.
Tu-154 (TU5)
Alrosa: weekly flight on the OVB-LED route until 20May. Schedule Sat OVB1335-LED1440, Sun LED1800-OVB0100. Plus a single remaining flight from DME to KRR and back on 14Mar (Wed), DME1320 KRR1500/1740 DME1920.
Gazpromavia: daily VKO-MCX flight until Oct12 added following Dagestan Airline's demise, schedule VKO2030-MCX2300/0920-VKO1150. Requires a stay in MCX which due to political unrest is not recommended, also unclear if foreigners without special permission will be allowed to go to MCX.
Other opportunities with Gazpromavia could be found on the VKO-NYM and VKO-NUX routes, but the schedules vary and alos 73G and YK2 will operate.
Yakutia: also daily VKO-MCX flight, however currently only available from 12 to 24Mar and only bookable one-way at the moment. Probably in the process of being set up. Schedule appears as VKO1055-MCX1320/1450-VKO1720. This would allow to stay at MCX airport and leave again on the same day, either on the return flight or on another carrier. Not clear if this schedule will be continued in Summer.
Yak-40 (YK4)
Vologda Air Entreprise: 2 times weekly VGD0805-VKO0920/2025-VGD2140, Tue & Thu, schedules quite inconvenient as they are originating/termination from/to VGD, a city with no other scheduled flights. So it involves an overnight in VGD and a train ride in either direction. I plan to take a night train from Moscow to VGD and then jump on the flight back to VKO.
Otherwise no other YK4 operations left in the European part of Russia (AkBars and Severstal are now only using CRJ).
Yak-42 (YK2)
Izhavia: 2 flights daily on the DME-IJK route as follows: IJK0700 DME0850/1000-IJK1200 (Mon-Sat) and IJK1700-DME1850/1955-IJK2200 (daily). Allows for a day return from IJK with some limited sightseeing time included. Reasonable fares (approx RUB 4400 one-way) can be found and Izhavia's internet site allows for bookings with foreign credit cards (although Russian only).
Not clear if Izhavia will add 1 weekly IJK-LED-IJK flight as last summer as a seasonal flight.
Saravia: up to 3 daily flights on the RTW-DME-RTW route currently. Schedule shows more flights and also flights RTW-VKO-RTW, but these seem not bookable.
UTAir: Using leased Yak-42 (Tulpar?) on two routes: until 27Oct daily VKO1135-UCT1340/1600-VKO1830, day return possible and also combinations with Gazpromavia possible (see below). From 25Mar to 27Oct daily VKO1120-USK1355/1530-VKO1820. Fares on both routes quite high. Flights easily bookable in UTAir's English website.
Gazpromavia: twice weekly VKO-LED-VKO, evening flights, schedule varies, usually Fri and Sun (but some extra services on/around Russian public holidays). Then on the route to UCT as follows until 26Oct VKO1915 UCT2145/0700-VKO0935 (departure from VKO Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun, returning next day, but daily from 05Jun to 13Sep). Then daily excluding Sat evening flight (schedules vary) VKO-ULV-VKO, however I have seen the schedule, but flights seem not bookable (either not operating or only for Gazprom staff?). Also operating 3x weekly on VKO-OVS-VKO and 1x weekly on VKO-EYK-VKO, but these are out-of-the-way destinations with little back-up flights should something go wrong.
Kuban Airlines: Still uses Yak-42, but also has 737's, so there's a risk for an equipment change. Currently the Yak-42 seems to be regularly used on the following two routes: daily VKO1900-NAL2120/0900-VKO1120 (from 25Mar VKO-NAL 1 hour later), and Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat on OGZ1000-VKO1230/1730-OGZ2000. Both require overnight stops in either NAL or OGZ. Security situation in NAL and OGZ can be volatile.
Grozny Avia: daily flight on GRV-VKO-GRV, but would not recommend GRV as it is in Chechnya.
An-24/An-26:
Nordavia: multiple An-24 destinations from ARH, MMK and NNM. Also international routes ARH-MMK-TOS and ARH-HEL. I don't cover these flights in detail as schedules are easily available.
Pskovavia: 3 weekly An-24 flights as follows: PKV0610-DME0810/2115-PKV2315, each Mon, Wed, Fri. Require a stay in PKV in either direction and no other flights available. Could possibly be combined with overland travel to/from Estonia or Latvia, as PKV is near the border.
Kostroma Airlines: 2 weekly An-26 flights KMW0720-DME0840/1920-KMW2040, each Mon and Fri. Same problem as with Pskovavia and Vologda Air Enterprise - requires overnight stay in KMW and surface transport.
Izhavia: may resume weekly An-24 flights IJK-KZN-MRV this summer, however as of today no schedules are published. Also may use An-24 on the IJK-LED-IJK route if and when it resumes instead of Yak-42.
Please let me know if I omitted something. My research was focused on European Russia, but many other opportunities further East may exist.
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 53, posted (2 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 6426 times:
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 51): Here's an update about rare older Russian built aircraft still operating in Russia, the list is probably not complete, but I've invested a lot of time in it as I'm planning a trip for myself in the not-too-distant future:
Many thanks for providing this info. That is exactly what this thread is all about! When are you planning your trip for?
Quoting Skyeurope (Reply 52): Air Urga seems to operate a weekly AN24 Nikolaev (Ukraine)-Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen flight.
Hywel From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2008, 612 posts, RR: 4 Reply 55, posted (2 months 2 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 6366 times:
Quoting tupolevtu154 (Reply 46): Nice work! There's talk of myself and another forum member catching an SU IL96 TLV-SVO, but I'd quite like to avoid TLV. Still, if it means getting on one of those beauties so be it! How did you manage the Vladivostok Tu204?
Vladivostok are flying to AER (Sochi/Adler) from SVO on behalf of Aeroflot
Nice catch! Not planning another Russia trip just yet as I went in November and missed a TU204. There was a Transaero flight I was booked on LED-DME which, for the 5 days beforehand had been operated by a Tu204, and on our day was the planned 735. Unfortunate!
Skyeurope From Germany, joined May 2006, 45 posts, RR: 0 Reply 58, posted (2 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 6010 times:
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 51): Yakutia: also daily VKO-MCX flight, however currently only available from 12 to 24Mar and only bookable one-way at the moment. Probably in the process of being set up. Schedule appears as VKO1055-MCX1320/1450-VKO1720. This would allow to stay at MCX airport and leave again on the same day, either on the return flight or on another carrier. Not clear if this schedule will be continued in Summer.
According to yakutia.aero, the flights to Makhachkala will be operated by TU154s in summer as well.
Loran From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 386 posts, RR: 2 Reply 59, posted (2 months 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 5921 times:
Does anyone have any insight whether Biman still operates 3 x DC-10? Airfleets.net reports S2-ACP being in storage, leaving only two operational (ACO and ACR). All other fleet lists still list ACP as active. The last photos in the database are from 03/2011.
Nevertheless Biman recently extended its MTU maintenance contract for its CF-6-50 for another three years and I think there will be no new deliveries until late 2013, so I hope they will stay at least until end of next year.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 61, posted (2 months 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 5914 times:
Quoting Loran (Reply 59): Nevertheless Biman recently extended its MTU maintenance contract for its CF-6-50 for another three years and I think there will be no new deliveries until late 2013, so I hope they will stay at least until end of next year.
I chatted with the pilots on fly flight on -ACO in november and they said they plan to fly their DC-10s for another 3 years indeed. They still work well on the gulf routes.
Now with Omni having retired their last DC-10, even while they were charter only, it's really the only and last chance to fly on one as passenger.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
Skyeurope From Germany, joined May 2006, 45 posts, RR: 0 Reply 62, posted (2 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 5891 times:
Any infos if Biman retires their last two Fokker 28s?
I've just looked for flights from Dhaka to Sylhet in July and the Biman flights which were showing as Fokker 28 operated last week, now list a Boeing 737.
Birdwatching From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 3313 posts, RR: 54 Reply 63, posted (2 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 5824 times:
Quoting Skyeurope (Reply 58): According to yakutia.aero, the flights to Makhachkala will be operated by TU154s in summer as well.
Yes can anybody confirm if this is indeed true? I'm thinking about this in mid May. Round trip 240 EUR. Will I have a chance of it being operated by TU154 or is this just incorrect data in the schedule?
Soren
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead! True story.
Hywel From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2008, 612 posts, RR: 4 Reply 64, posted (2 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 5800 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 63): Yes can anybody confirm if this is indeed true? I'm thinking about this in mid May. Round trip 240 EUR. Will I have a chance of it being operated by TU154 or is this just incorrect data in the schedule?
A day trip doesn't seem possible as the website won't let you book it, claiming there's not enough time between flights. And I wouldn't fancy staying overnight in Dagestan!!
LXM83 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 518 posts, RR: 10 Reply 65, posted (2 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 5756 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 63): Will I have a chance of it being operated by TU154 or is this just incorrect data in the schedule?
I think it's quite plausible they will use the TU5 as this is a new route operated on short notice after Dagestan Airlines' permit was revoked. But of course Yakutia also has Boeings, so an equipment change at some stage may not be impossible. I think as long as you don't book too much in advance you may be fine.
Quoting Hywel (Reply 64): A day trip doesn't seem possible as the website won't let you book it
You could always book two separate tickets, but the ground time (arrival 1320, departure 1450) to re-check-in seems a bit short, especially if the inbound flight is delayed. They may close check-in 60-40 Minutes before departure regardless of delay. You could always book UT to return to Moscow (departing 1550).
Someone said here on the forum that a special permit would be necessary to fly to Dagestan, where MCX lies. I don't know if this is so, but you may want to check with a Russian travel agent.
As Hywel said, you don't want to get stuck in MCX overnight.
Hywel From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2008, 612 posts, RR: 4 Reply 66, posted (2 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 5693 times:
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 65): You could always book two separate tickets, but the ground time (arrival 1320, departure 1450) to re-check-in seems a bit short, especially if the inbound flight is delayed. They may close check-in 60-40 Minutes before departure regardless of delay. You could always book UT to return to Moscow (departing 1550).
Someone said here on the forum that a special permit would be necessary to fly to Dagestan, where MCX lies. I don't know if this is so, but you may want to check with a Russian travel agent.
As Hywel said, you don't want to get stuck in MCX overnight.
UTair also fly the route, so it's possible to fly VKO-MCX with Yakutia and return MCX-VKO 3 hours later with UTair (operated by B737-500). But if the UTair flight back is cancelled, you're stuffed. I don't think it's worth the risk myself, and most travel insurance policies will exclude Dagestan (as your home government/embassy will strongly advise against travelling there).
Criminal activity is widespread throughout the region, often targeting the few foreign tourists that do continue to visit for kidnapping, extortion, and worse. Dagestan shares along with the rest of the North Caucasus an extravagantly corrupt official culture and bribes and harassment are business as usual.
LXM83 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 518 posts, RR: 10 Reply 67, posted (2 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 5381 times:
An update for those interested in the Tu-154. Alrosa now has loaded the summer schedule and they will continue to offer limited flights on the DME-GDZ and DME-KRR routes as follows:
DME-GDZ-DME every Tue and Thu from 20Jun to 19Sep:
6R 503 DME1215 GDZ1400 TU5
6R 504 GDZ1530 DME1720 TU5
DME-KRR-DME only on these 3 dates: 02Jul, 13Aug and 24Sep (Mon):
6R 581 DME1250 KRR1440 TU5
6R 582 KRR1700 DME1850 TU5
This is a much safer opportunity than the flights to MCX discussed here before.
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 68, posted (2 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 5369 times:
Quoting Skyeurope (Reply 62): Any infos if Biman retires their last two Fokker 28s?
I've just looked for flights from Dhaka to Sylhet in July and the Biman flights which were showing as Fokker 28 operated last week, now list a Boeing 737.
Hi Skyeurope,
I have just looked at a random week in July on DAC-ZYL and found the same. I can only find the F28 doing BG617 DAC-CGP on Mon/Sat. When I tried to display DAC-CXB flights there don't appear to be any loaded yet - this is normally an all-F28 route. I wouldn't be surprised if the F28 got assigned to more flights nearer the time.
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1622 posts, RR: 1 Reply 69, posted (2 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 5318 times:
I'm not sure these are classic types, but, any idea where Emirates flies their A345s nowadays besides CPT? I know Etihad and Thai also fly them, as well as TAM I think, I'm just not sure what the routings are.
Also, I'll by flying AR between Syd-Akl in October, what are my chances of getting on the A342?
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
yapple From Singapore, joined Apr 2011, 49 posts, RR: 1 Reply 70, posted (2 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 5321 times:
Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 69): I'm not sure these are classic types, but, any idea where Emirates flies their A345s nowadays besides CPT? I know Etihad and Thai also fly them, as well as TAM I think, I'm just not sure what the routings are.
Thai are stopping their A345 services. Airlineroute.com has an interesting report regarding this.
Both A345 of TAM are now stored. Etihad still has 4 of them, to various destinations like MEL, JFK etc. Emirates still has 10 of them, and by tracking their first A345, I can see that they fly to ACC,ADD,BEY,PEK,SEZ etc.
aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 5819 posts, RR: 14 Reply 73, posted (2 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 5168 times:
Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 69): Also, I'll by flying AR between Syd-Akl in October, what are my chances of getting on the A342?
100%. That is the aircraft they always use unless they have no option but to send a 343 (happens maybe 3-4 times a year..). Their 343s are old buckets of bolts too, with double digit line numbers, so even if this was the case you'd hardly be ripped off...
Great ! I flew on the DC-10 and F-28 last november, great retro interiors.
But please have a Plan B ready when you get stuck somewhere... My Sylhet-Dakha flight on the F-28 was a few hours late for instance. You might be able to rebook yourself on another gulf flight which departs later.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1622 posts, RR: 1 Reply 76, posted (2 months 13 hours ago) and read 5079 times:
Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 73): 100%. That is the aircraft they always use unless they have no option but to send a 343 (happens maybe 3-4 times a year..). Their 343s are old buckets of bolts too, with double digit line numbers, so even if this was the case you'd hardly be ripped off...
Thanks for the reassurance, now if only the space in the GDS weren't zeroed out for the date I intend to travel, I'd be more confident that the route isn't being canceled. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.
Yapple/757MDE/Birdwatching:
Thanks for the info on the A345 and the reassurance. I'd never have known the A345 was flying to Mahe otherwise....now, I just have to decide if flying on the A345 is worth the 28 hours I'll travel from Casablanca to Mahe to get in position for it. What am i thinking? Of course it is!
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 79, posted (1 month 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 4884 times:
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 78): I looked into Istanbul for the SP but they took it down. It seeems that it's all BKK these days but it might change again.
Are the fares expansive these days?
I hope you will have a good stay in Iran and a good trip to Beyrouth.
Fares are usually pretty reasonable on IR.
It will just be day trip from the UAE. We will have 7 hours transit time in IKA and 3 hours in BEY before we fly QR back to the AUH.
See the following from my opening post of this thread. This is still the case so you have a choice of routes to catch the 74L. The 741/742 are more difficult:
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Thread starter): The Iran Air B747-SPs are still very much active on flights to IST, BOM, PEK, KUL and BKK. The Iran Air B747-100 and -200s are also still active, although do not usually get scheduled for any particular routes - often filling in here and there for other types and operating Hajj/Umrah flights.
aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 5819 posts, RR: 14 Reply 80, posted (1 month 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4865 times:
Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 76):
Thanks for the reassurance, now if only the space in the GDS weren't zeroed out for the date I intend to travel, I'd be more confident that the route isn't being canceled. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.
I have since heard that they are going to be operating a triangular EZE-AKL-SYD-EZE routing.....
airevents From Germany, joined Jan 2002, 756 posts, RR: 3 Reply 81, posted (1 month 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 4725 times:
LTU Classic are operating their De Havilland Dove on some flights to the German North Sea Island of Norderney this summer. A Dove may be an aircraft that not many have sampled yet. I am booked on 7 July, so if anybody wants to join, most welcome! Should be a lovely day with two Dove flights.
eirik From Norway, joined Mar 2005, 108 posts, RR: 1 Reply 82, posted (1 month 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 4681 times:
Quoting airevents (Reply 81):
LTU Classic are operating their De Havilland Dove on some flights to the German North Sea Island of Norderney this summer. A Dove may be an aircraft that not many have sampled yet. I am booked on 7 July, so if anybody wants to join, most welcome! Should be a lovely day with two Dove flights.
How did you manage to book a flight with them? I'm trying to find prices and schedules for PEK-IKA but am having trouble finding a website that has any information.
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 84, posted (1 month 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 4604 times:
Quoting TupolevTu154 (Reply 83): How did you manage to book a flight with them? I'm trying to find prices and schedules for PEK-IKA but am having trouble finding a website that has any information.
I have GDS access and an IranAir GSA near where I live where I can easily get tickets.
Would this be on the back of a North Korea trip by any chance?! I was looking at possibly doing this as well.
Here is the schedule for the period 20MAY-16JUN as an example. Flights are on Sunday (am) and Thursday (pm):
......7 1030PEK 1520IKA IR 803 74L JCIYV 0
...4... 1900PEK 2350IKA IR 801 74L JCIYV 0
TupolevTu154 From UK - England, joined Aug 2004, 1988 posts, RR: 36 Reply 85, posted (1 month 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4575 times:
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 84): Would this be on the back of a North Korea trip by any chance?! I was looking at possibly doing this as well.
You're right, it was an idea of mine for something interesting to do on the return to London afterwards. I'm on the September trip. Do you have a rough idea of the cost? Are they dirt cheap for the length of flight or astronomically expensive?
cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7345 posts, RR: 56 Reply 86, posted (1 month 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 4554 times:
Biman seem to routinely run between one and three hours late, or less. Three hours is worst case. Which is why I must take issue with this:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 49): Don't do this, unless you have a big and safe time buffer in China. Biman can be delayed for days, and you don't want to noshow on your DPRK trip because the Bangladeshis can't get their DC10 patched up in time.
Soren, sweetheart, Biman treated you like a returning lost son, moving you to a great seat, and giving you a jumpseat takeoff and landing on their gorgeous DC-10 - which was about two hours late, most of which was due to Muscat control, who delayed a lot of flights that week and some airlines incurred delays of their own by flying around Oman instead. I had a fairly tight connection onwards with BG to Kathmandu, and I made it (that flight was on time btw). You should be on here praising them - when was the last time Lufty, SAA, JAL or BA allowed cockpit visits in flight, or moved other passengers around to accommodate enthusiasts? The first officer took us onto the ramp at the en route stop in Sylhet for the walk around, for god's sake! And you're on here telling everyone how crappy they are?!
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 49): I was really lucky last fall when I did the whole Biman thing...
Lucky to be treated so well.
I would add, sure, if you will wreck the whole reason for travelling with a major delay, cos you have to be in Beijing in time to collect your DPRK visa and be at PEK airport for the Il-62 flight to FNJ (see you there btw), I would allow an extra day and fly the most reliable airline you can find - I am on BA and allowing 48h. But not cos I don't trust BG or IR or any of the more exotic options, it's just any transit, any third airport, adds to the risk of wx, industrial action, aircraft going tech, you name it, disrupting your journey. But this "Biman flights are days late" nonsense has to stop - especially from people who have been served so well by them.
Birdwatching From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 3313 posts, RR: 54 Reply 87, posted (1 month 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 4548 times:
Quoting cedarjet (Reply 86): Soren, sweetheart, Biman treated you like a returning lost son, moving you to a great seat, and giving you a jumpseat takeoff and landing on their gorgeous DC-10 - which was about two hours late
In fact Biman was wonderful and it was one of the most spectacular and interesting flights in my life, no doubt about that!
Quoting cedarjet (Reply 86): And you're on here telling everyone how crappy they are?!
Quoting cedarjet (Reply 86): But this "Biman flights are days late" nonsense has to stop - especially from people who have been served so well by them.
I never meant to say they're "crappy" and I didn't write this anywhere in my post, I only wanted to warn sia744 about the delays and suggest he includes a padding in his itinerary - and it is no secret that Biman DOES tend to run late, I followed their flight arrivals and departures for weeks before going at several airports around their international network. And there were delays, sometimes huge delays, sometimes the flights were on time. But on average, more delayed than most other airlines.
Apart from this, and I agree with you 100%, they are extremely welcoming and friendly to us aviation enthusiasts, and that's not only our experience but seems to be the case for many others as well!
Soren
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead! True story.
Aussie_ From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 1759 posts, RR: 20 Reply 88, posted (1 month 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 4314 times:
Awesome thread...
One country that hasn't been mentioned here is Uzbekistan and HY. I haven't looked in the last 12 months or so, but until recently there were some great domestic options on Yak 40, AN24 and the rare Il114. International sectors include the increasingly rare A310-300 as well. Fares are also extremely reasonable and based on experience, flying in Uzbekistan is a breeze and the country is also fascinating to visit. Does anyone have an update on flying in Uzbekistan in 2012?
Separately, who is flying the A310-200 these days? One type I'm yet to get in the logbook...
Anyway, I look forward to meeting some of you on the May North Korea trip. Hooray for the IL62 and IL18 - two types I thought I had missed forever! Now if only they had an IL86!
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4001 posts, RR: 48 Reply 90, posted (1 month 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 4298 times:
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 89): Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe S7 was the last 312 pax operator until they retired the old bird.
I found a few A-310-200s but you must be lucky to get on one of them
PC Air of Thailand has HS-PCC operational
Air Algerie and Iran have a few in their fleets but none have been seen flying for ages so I guess the PC one is the only one which is possible to get on
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 91, posted (1 month 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 4293 times:
Quoting Aussie_ (Reply 88): Anyway, I look forward to meeting some of you on the May North Korea trip. Hooray for the IL62 and IL18 - two types I thought I had missed forever! Now if only they had an IL86!
I look forward to meeting you. I have flown the IL-62 and IL-18 before but I just cannot get enough of these types so am really looking forward to flying them again.
You're right about the IL-86 though. No options left now at all.
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1622 posts, RR: 1 Reply 92, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 4216 times:
Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 80): I have since heard that they are going to be operating a triangular EZE-AKL-SYD-EZE routing.....
I had to say farewell to my ambition to fly on the A342, as they'll now be flying nonstop between Eze and Syd both ways.
I really can't justify paying 2400 dollars one way just to fly on the A342 in coach.
The only other alternative for the A342 is on RJ, between AMM and either JFK or Chicago, but, that's going the wrong way for the trip i have planned. As for the A345, I am booked to fly her between Sez and Dxb, i just have to decide if the 27 hour flying time to get into position to fly the A345 is really worth it (to fly the A345 based on my current trip routing, I'd have to fly Cmn-Tun-Cai-Kwi-Add-Sez overnight in Sez then do Sez-Dxb-Mct to pick up my itinerary from Mct-Bkk via Cmb.
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 5819 posts, RR: 14 Reply 93, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 4187 times:
Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 92):
I had to say farewell to my ambition to fly on the A342, as they'll now be flying nonstop between Eze and Syd both ways.
I really can't justify paying 2400 dollars one way just to fly on the A342 in coach.
Very sorry to hear that, I'm planning a Zest Air flight on the MA60 in the Philippines while I am there. It's a pity the SE Air Dornier 328 props to MPH are much more expensive than what it will cost on Air Phil Express with the DH8-311 otherwise I'd collect 3 new types for the trip..
vlad1971 From Netherlands, joined Jul 2005, 57 posts, RR: 0 Reply 94, posted (1 month 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 4016 times:
Does anyone scheduled to take a DPRK Aviation Enthusiast trip on May 12-19 ?? I am confirmed now on the trip . but it seems to me most of the fellow A.Netters taking July or September trips ......
SuperCaravelle From Netherlands, joined Jan 2012, 148 posts, RR: 0 Reply 95, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 3989 times:
Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 92): I had to say farewell to my ambition to fly on the A342, as they'll now be flying nonstop between Eze and Syd both ways.
I really can't justify paying 2400 dollars one way just to fly on the A342 in coach.
The only other alternative for the A342 is on RJ, between AMM and either JFK or Chicago, but, that's going the wrong way for the trip i have planned. As for the A345, I am booked to fly her between Sez and Dxb, i just have to decide if the 27 hour flying time to get into position to fly the A345 is really worth it (to fly the A345 based on my current trip routing, I'd have to fly Cmn-Tun-Cai-Kwi-Add-Sez overnight in Sez then do Sez-Dxb-Mct to pick up my itinerary from Mct-Bkk via Cmb.
I don't know how much of an option it is for you, but Conviasa also operates an A340-200, amongst others on the CCS-EZE route. As you also mention you're in the Dubai region, Egyptair still owns some A340-200s too, but I don't know where they fly them.
I'm nearly sure you've already considered this though, but you never know
cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7345 posts, RR: 56 Reply 96, posted (1 month 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3924 times:
Quoting vlad1971 (Reply 94):
Does anyone scheduled to take a DPRK Aviation Enthusiast trip on May 12-19 ?? I am confirmed now on the trip . but it seems to me most of the fellow A.Netters taking July or September trips ......
I'm doing it! So is the OP. And the founder of Oldjets.com... Plenty of great people to ride Il-18, Il-62, Ty-134, Ty-154B, and An-24 with.
757MDE From Colombia, joined Sep 2004, 1706 posts, RR: 7 Reply 97, posted (1 month 1 week 5 days ago) and read 3735 times:
Quoting vlad1971 (Reply 94): Does anyone scheduled to take a DPRK Aviation Enthusiast trip on May 12-19 ?? I am confirmed now on the trip . but it seems to me most of the fellow A.Netters taking July or September trips ......
I am!
I gladly accept donations to pay for flight hours! This thing draws man...
Hywel From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2008, 612 posts, RR: 4 Reply 98, posted (1 month 1 week 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 3616 times:
I've now got confirmed flights on the Yak 42 too. Routing is DME-RTW-DME with Saravia - Saratov Airlines. Total price was only 110 euros for the return flight, so very reasonable, and it's a day-trip so no overnight accommodation needed in Saratov.
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 99, posted (1 month 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3619 times:
I have managed to fly an Iran Air B747-100 and -200 over the past couple of weeks.
The B742 (EP-IAG) was on an IKA-DXB flight, several of which were shown in GDS as '747' instead of the usual '320' over the Persian New Year period.
The B741 (EP-IAM) I flew on Monday IKA-BEY. The same flight is also scheduled as a '747' for the next two Mondays, operating IKA-BEY-MHD-BEY-IKA. It could be either the -100 or a -200, of course.
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1622 posts, RR: 1 Reply 101, posted (1 month 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 3377 times:
Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 93): Very sorry to hear that, I'm planning a Zest Air flight on the MA60 in the Philippines while I am there. It's a pity the SE Air Dornier 328 props to MPH are much more expensive than what it will cost on Air Phil Express with the DH8-311 otherwise I'd collect 3 new types for the trip..
Ya, I kick myself a bit. When I took my first RTW trip back in 2006, I booked myself to fly Mel-Akl-Syd on EK and AR. I could have gotten both the A342 and A345 then, but I chickened out after getting a bit of the grill treatment from Austrialian customs coming into Perth from Indonesia. I decided I didn't want the hassle of trying to leave then re-enter Austrialia, so I rerouted myself to travel Mel-Sin instead.
It's ironic, when I first started in the travel industry back in the 90s, QX was operating the D328 in the Pacific Northwest, those aircraft were eventually sold to US when QX converted to the DH8. US used the D328 on several long thin routes thanks to it's long range and 370 mile an hour speed. I think at the time it was considered to be the fastest turbo prop in service. I'm sorry I never had the chance to fly on it. Other aircraft on my Coudla/shoulda/woulda list include the ATP, which ironically was being flown around in the midwest by UAX during the time I was living in the midwest, but money equals opportunity and I didn't have the money.
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
YVRLTN From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 1759 posts, RR: 0 Reply 102, posted (1 month 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 3255 times:
Quoting YVRLTN (Reply 36): I will make enquiries about a flight on the 4N HS748 ex YVR and the Vancity B18 in the next month or so once summer schedules & contracts are getting finalized.
I contacted Air North and there are now some pleasure flights arranged ex YVR on the HS748, including a trip to the YXX air show and back - which should be better than the last few years as it is their 50th anniversary (heres hoping anyway).
UT Air are flying VKO-TBW twice daily on it, and the fares are very reasonable. It's possible to take a day-trip from Moscow, the turnaround time is several hours in TBW.
Thanks for the info! I'm in Moscow in a month and I'll make this a day trip. Any other options for the flight back? I'd love to get two different airlines on this trip!
Soren
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead! True story.
Hywel From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2008, 612 posts, RR: 4 Reply 105, posted (1 month 3 hours ago) and read 3052 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 104): Thanks for the info! I'm in Moscow in a month and I'll make this a day trip. Any other options for the flight back? I'd love to get two different airlines on this trip!
Unfortunately there's only one airline and one route into Tambov - UTAir express from Moscow VKO.
You could take the train back to Moscow, but it takes 17 hours apparently
Seeing as the turnaround is 5 hours though, you MAY get a different An-24 on the return leg. Maybe the inbound goes off somewhere else and another aircraft comes in to operate the return flight? Really don't know though
aloges From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 7587 posts, RR: 51 Reply 108, posted (2 weeks 5 days 8 hours 7 minutes ago) and read 1538 times:
Quoting sia744 (Reply 107): Any passenger 727s still operating in Bolivia ?
The Aerosur website says that they have 3 of them left: http://www.aerosur.com/index.php?cat=197&pla=1
With the turmoil they've been in recently, you might want to jump at any opportunity you can get to fly on one. The routes should be domestic ones such as SRZ-LPB and SRZ-CBB.
Walk together, talk together all ye peoples of the earth. Then, and only then, shall ye have peace.
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 10956 posts, RR: 25 Reply 109, posted (2 weeks 5 days 6 hours 33 minutes ago) and read 1525 times:
Quoting MEA-707 (Reply 1): Convair 580; In Canada, Nolinor and Kelowna only uses them on charters. Scheduled flights are in New Zealand; Auckland-Napier-Chathams
Air Chathams C580 also flies WLG - Chatham Islands several times per week.
Had a DC3 scenic flight end of March as part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's 75th birthday celebrations. The ol bird was painted in the RNZAF colours from its operating era with the RNZAF
Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 110, posted (2 weeks 1 day 5 hours 34 minutes ago) and read 968 times:
For those going on the May DPRK tour next weekend, cedarjet and myself are organising a trip to a couple of aviation museums on Friday 11th May. If a couple more people want to join us, please let me know.
- China Civil Aviation Museum, Xiedao (Trident 1E, A310-200, BAe 146-100, Y-7s and a few others)
- China Aviation Museum, Datangshan (huge collection of aircraft, both civil and military)
Having been to Datangshan twice before, I can thoroughly recommend it. The collection of aircraft is amazing. Just on the civil side, there are examples (some multiple) of the Trident, Viscount, CV-240, DC-8, An-12, An-24, IL-12, IL-14, IL-18, IL-62 and Tu-124. Also, tons of amazing military aircraft and helicopters.
We plan to hire a car and driver for the day. I have done it before and it is not too expensive. Between 3 or 4 of us it should be quite reasonable. We would set off early morning to get to the first museum for 8am. After an hour or so there, we will set off for Datangshan which takes a few hours to walk around.
Loran From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 386 posts, RR: 2 Reply 111, posted (1 week 2 days 10 hours 26 minutes ago) and read 584 times:
Quoting YVRLTN (Reply 36): The last 8P SH6 C-GPCF has now been parked as its due mx. If numbers pick up for this summer, it may return to service for one more season but its not promised. GPCW is stored in the hanger and is timed out, will never fly again.
A friend of mine spoke to Pacific Coastal Airlines, their SH6 will return to service in mid-June. Two weeks to late for me unfortunately but apparently it will remain for a bit longer.
I booked flights on their B1900C and S340A, and also a pleasure flight on the G-21 Goose.
YVRLTN From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 1759 posts, RR: 0 Reply 113, posted (1 week 15 hours 58 minutes ago) and read 422 times:
Quoting Loran (Reply 111): A friend of mine spoke to Pacific Coastal Airlines, their SH6 will return to service in mid-June. Two weeks to late for me unfortunately but apparently it will remain for a bit longer.
Not too sure on this, I heard a lot later - if at all, as the air frame is also timed out. Would make sense to get it going for the busier summer season if they are going to.
Are you getting the HS748 flight? I have not booked yet as Im not too sure which date would be best for me.
Loran From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 386 posts, RR: 2 Reply 114, posted (6 days 10 hours 44 minutes ago) and read 323 times:
Quoting YVRLTN (Reply 113): Not too sure on this, I heard a lot later - if at all, as the air frame is also timed out.
I just had a look, C-GPCF has clocked 41'352 FHs and 53'083 cycles as of 31 March 2012. Strangely this is the airframe with the higher numbers, C-GPCW has clocked significantly less hours and cycles but was retired a while back.
In terms of return to service I can only quote what the Pacific Coastal staff told my friend, I will ask when I am there next week to clarify. In any way it is too late for my trip, but there are a few more constructions sites in my log which require a return to Canada eventually (DC-3 e.g.).
Quoting YVRLTN (Reply 113): Are you getting the HS748 flight? I have not booked yet as Im not too sure which date would be best for me.
Don't ask, a friend of mine and I had already booked a complete Air North round trip ex-Whitehorse on their HS-748 all the way up to Inuvik until we found out that one of their HS-748s will operate flights from Vancouver . Bad luck, my booking is non-refundable so I will stick with the trip up to Inuvik. It will be the 28th of May by the way, and we sill spend the 27th with Pacific Coastal to fly their B1900C, S340A and G-21 Goose.
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1432 posts, RR: 43 Reply 115, posted (6 days 10 hours 39 minutes ago) and read 319 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
I have been rebooked on the PBY-5A Catalina on the 24th of June, after my May flight was canceled. Certification and maintenance issues keep the 70 year old bird on the ground for a while longer, hopefully she'll soon take to the skies so I can fly her in June.
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but it seems to me most of the fellow A.Netters taking July or September trips ......
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. Bad luck, my booking is non-refundable so I will stick with the trip up to Inuvik. It will be the 28th of May by the way, and we sill spend the 27th with Pacific Coastal to fly their B1900C, S340A and G-21 Goose.
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