Baltia Paint Their 747 (pics And Video)

LGWGate49 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:03 am

So they've bought a beautiful old 747, fitted her with engines, and now given her a smart new paint job. They're even talking about a 'grand inaugural event' for her maiden flight from JFK-LED.

Is it just possible that our favourite start-up might get off the ground this time?

http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/board.aspx?board_id=918
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVeOLKKBgIg
http://imageshack.us/g/692/baltia348i.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/g/840/dsc00671io.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/g/5/dsc00812uoa.jpg/

AV8AJET · Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:26 am

Who knows? But why a 742? Why not a 763ER or even a used 744 or 772. I doubt this will last more than 6 months but I do Love the 747's but really how do they think they can last with 1 fuel thirsty and "old" plane. Goodluck but I don't give them a long lifespan.

[Edited 2011-09-23 18:27:30]

KingAir200 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:24 am

Cool to see old 6623 flying again, complete with Northwest interior.

MaverickM11 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 3:32 am

Wow. We're really doing this? All these years of preparation for weeks of flying, if that.

Quoting KingAir200 (Reply 2):
Cool to see old 6623 flying again, complete with Northwest interior.

For all those people yammering about the "golden age" of flying, this is what it looked like. No flat beds here; no ptvs.

tcasalert · Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:56 am

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 3):
For all those people yammering about the "golden age" of flying, this is what it looked like. No flat beds here; no ptvs.

Exactly how it should be.

na · Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:34 am

I wonder what their business model is. Must be a niche no one found yet. Low-cost of cause, otherwise this will be a white elephant. Baltia sounds like they are flying to the Baltic. Does that fill an old 742 regularly?

A start up with a 742 ten years ago was called unusual, but how shall I call it in 2011? Nice to see nevertheless. Smart livery. Makes me wonder why they didnt choose a 20 year-old 744 at least. This plane here has flown continuously for 30 years and has clocked about 104.000 hours. Did NWA do a D-check on it rather shortly, only a few years before retiring it two years ago, or what?

Good luck to them.

Vasu · Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:48 am

Good luck to them... its certainly nice to see something more unusual in the skies!

bjorn14 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:02 pm

Why is it going to Oscoda, MI?

Spacepope · Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:20 pm

Quoting bjorn14 (Reply 7):

Why is it going to Oscoda, MI?

Maintenance from Kalitta?

teme82 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:04 pm

Compared to used 744 how much more that older 742 will consume fuel per hour?

timf · Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:39 pm

Quoting KingAir200 (Reply 2):
Cool to see old 6623 flying again, complete with Northwest interior.

The funny thing is if you read Baltia's website you would think they were refurbishing the interior with modern amenities. I guess it's not surprising that it is exactly the same because an airline acquiring 747-200s can't exactly be swimming in cash.

jetfuel · Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:58 pm

On November 15, 2009 BLTA paid the remaining balance on one Boeing 747-200 Aircraft, without engines, and now owns the Jetliner free and clear. The purchase price of the Aircraft was $475,000. Logistic Air accepted 2,000,000 common shares as a small part of the aircraft purchase. The Aircraft was purchased without engines. In conjunction with the purchase, Logistic Air is Leasing to the Company engines on a "Power by the Hour" basis.

CX747 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:21 pm

It could be that all they can afford is a 747-200 at this point in time. I doubt this airline will be in business more than a few weeks but will it really be that bad to see a freshly painted 747 "Classic" on the tarmac at JFK? Here is to a successful first flight and many more down the line.

zainmax · Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:31 pm

What about their other B742 B705NL ?
Ex PK bird ?
She is still in KUL for maintenance ?

beeweel15 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:36 pm

Quoting CX747 (Reply 12):
It could be that all they can afford is a 747-200 at this point in time. I doubt this airline will be in business more than a few weeks but will it really be that bad to see a freshly painted 747 "Classic" on the tarmac at JFK? Here is to a successful first flight and many more down the line.

Well I hope they make it as well as anyone else who that tries in this dog eat dog world. I wish them well and BLUE SKIES AHEAD.

Quoting na (Reply 5):
Did NWA do a D-check on it rather shortly, only a few years before retiring it two years ago, or what?

The first one N705BL was owned by PIA

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Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Sam Chui

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Photo © Radek Oneksiak

That looks like their second plane N706BL.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Anthony Guerra - AirTeamImages

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © filmshooter

Quoting AV8AJET (Reply 1):
Who knows? But why a 742? Why not a 763ER or even a used 744 or 772

Well If you can purchase one out right for under $500,000 let me know.

Quoting AV8AJET (Reply 1):
I do Love the 747's but really how do they think they can last with 1 fuel thirsty and "old" plane.

Can,t they re-engine it with the newer engines that are used on the 744's today. Look at Air Force 1 it is a 742 but with newer engines.

boacvc10 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:41 pm

Quoting CX747 (Reply 12):
I doubt this airline will be in business more than a few weeks

What are the reasons you have your doubts?

pillowtester · Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:10 pm

For those of you that didn't click the first link, a description of Baltia's business intentions are located here:

http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/board.aspx?board_id=918#

They intend to focus primarily on US -> former Eastern Bloc market.

CX747 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:30 pm

One thing for sure, the 747-200 is a great looking airplane. To have it still be a regular at the international terminals would be a god send. 777s & A330s all look the same!

Max Q · Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:58 pm

Yes, a beautiful Classic Aircraft,

Good luck to them.

b6a322 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:00 pm

If Airberlin can fly between JFK and two destinations (albeit one seasonally) in Germany with their old 330's from LT that have the same kind of interior, I see no reason Baltia Can't.

Its just that this one is like an SUV. And needs 38318 times more kero!

And did anyone notice how in this picture: http://imageshack.us/f/24/baltia089.jpg/ it looks like a good 50% of the instruments from the panel are missing? No way that this plane actually got off the ground in my opinion.

[Edited 2011-09-24 15:02:24]

bralo20 · Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:16 pm

Quoting b6a322 (Reply 19):
And did anyone notice how in this picture: http://imageshack.us/f/24/baltia089.jpg/ it looks like a good 50% of the instruments from the panel are missing? No way that this plane actually got off the ground in my opinion.

Maybe you see something I don't see but I can't see any 50% (or even less) of instruments missing??

What I see is an upgraded flightdeck with regular gauges being replaced by monitors...

Here are similar ones:

Sistership from NWA: https://www.airliners.net/photo/North...d=2177e09c6a50a1b492becc5c8e384aaf

One from Atlas Air: https://www.airliners.net/photo/Atlas...d=2177e09c6a50a1b492becc5c8e384aaf

pillowtester · Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:17 pm

Quoting b6a322 (Reply 19):
And did anyone notice how in this picture: http://imageshack.us/f/24/baltia089.jpg/ it looks like a good 50% of the instruments from the panel are missing? No way that this plane actually got off the ground in my opinion.

One of the links is a video of the plane taking off in Baltia's new livery.

trigged · Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:38 pm

Quoting b6a322 (Reply 19):
And did anyone notice how in this picture: http://imageshack.us/f/24/baltia089.jpg/ it looks like a good 50% of the instruments from the panel are missing? No way that this plane actually got off the ground in my opinion.

I don't see a single instrument missing. I see some flat panel displays with them dark, but it has every instrument installed.

777way · Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:46 pm

Why a US airline with East Europe style branding? even Tower Air was better than this and looked American.

PlymSpotter · Sun Sep 25, 2011 12:06 am

Good luck to these guys, I'll be on one of their flights if they go ahead - I still need a 747-200 in my log book so say I've done that type.

Quoting 777way (Reply 23):
Why a US airline with East Europe style branding?

Perhaps because they want to attract an Eastern European audience.

Dan

airlinereporter · Sun Sep 25, 2011 12:19 am

This is beyond awesome. Yes, it might not be the best choice in aircraft choice, but for those of us who love this stuff -- seeing a Boeing 747-200 flying in the US again will be amazing. I have been following this carrier for years and rooting it on. Unbelievable she might actually fly.

With the extra fuel burn, I wonder how competitive the pricing will be. I know they will offer non-stop service, which is a huge advantage. Fly baby fly!

David

Polot · Sun Sep 25, 2011 12:20 am

Does a rooster have any specific significance in Eastern Europe? It seems like an odd logo for an airline, considering they can't fly for all that long...

CX Flyboy · Sun Sep 25, 2011 1:30 pm

Quoting poLOT (Reply 26):
Does a rooster have any specific significance in Eastern Europe? It seems like an odd logo for an airline, considering they can't fly for all that long...

I'm not sure I would want a huge cock as a company logo!

PlymSpotter · Sun Sep 25, 2011 2:38 pm

Quoting CX Flyboy (Reply 27):
I'm not sure I would want a huge cock as a company logo!

Why not, Ryanair have one as their CEO

tymnbalewne · Sun Sep 25, 2011 11:19 pm

Quoting CX Flyboy (Reply 27):

I'm not sure I would want a huge cock as a company logo!

Speak for yourself!

GymClassHero · Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:59 am

:') Beautiful.

Some classics never die!!

tsnamm · Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:39 am

Well its taken them at least 15 years to get to this point...maybe 4-5 more before they actually fly with passengers...I admire their chutzpa, but I can't see it lasting too long...DL couldn't make a 763 work JFK/KBP with a hub at one end, I can't imagine selling a 742 JFK/LED with nothing more than O & D traffic...I wish them luck

flyguy89 · Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:56 am

Quoting tsnamm (Reply 31):
but I can't see it lasting too long...DL couldn't make a 763 work JFK/KBP with a hub at one end, I can't imagine selling a 742 JFK/LED with nothing more than O & D traffic...I wish them luck

I think they might have a chance. The 742 is definitely not the ideal a/c with fuel at the price it's at right now, but what the 742 lacks in fuel efficiency, it more than makes up for in density/capacity. If they push fares low enough with a high-density configuration and cram that 742 full of seats, they might actually have a decent go. Now how this could reconcile with the way they currently describe the luxurious service they want to offer I don't know, but if they play their cards right they just might be able to pull it off.

b727fa · Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:42 pm

Quoting CX747 (Reply 12):
but will it really be that bad to see a freshly painted 747 "Classic" on the tarmac at JFK?

Hellenic Imperial brings their 742 into JFK. Looks like things are going "old school!"

tsnamm · Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:29 pm

I

Quoting flyguy89 (Reply 32):
If they push fares low enough with a high-density configuration and cram that 742 full of seats,

I just don't think there's nearly enough demand US to LED for a plane that size, let alone with the fuel inefficiencies...can't imagine operating more than 5 days a week...maybe only 3 times... and the other East European destinations they have "planned" VNO, RIX?... For example there's no non stop from OTP to JFK or the US at all,( a much bigger market) how do they expect to fill a plane to the Baltic States? As interesting as the concept is I just don't see it succeeding in the current economic climate...had they launched back in the 90's when they first proposed this venture they would probably have had a chance... now? I don't see it.

ScottB · Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:15 pm

Quoting flyguy89 (Reply 32):
If they push fares low enough with a high-density configuration and cram that 742 full of seats, they might actually have a decent go.

"We lose money on every passenger, but we make it up in volume!"

On a more serious note, LED isn't the kind of market where cheap tickets are going to drive lots of traffic. Americans must have a visa to enter Russia, and the business market is to Moscow.

Quoting beeweel15 (Reply 14):
Quoting AV8AJET (Reply 1):
Who knows? But why a 742? Why not a 763ER or even a used 744 or 772

Well If you can purchase one out right for under $500,000 let me know.

Sure, but buying an old, relatively inefficient aircraft for long-haul is perhaps false economy. I believe the fuel cost alone for just one round-trip would be in the neighborhood of $100,000. Then there's the fact that a 30-year-old 747-200 with 100,000 plus flight hours is going to require quite a bit of TLC.

Quoting LGWGate49 (Thread starter):
Is it just possible that our favourite start-up might get off the ground this time?

The whole thing just REEKS of being a penny-stock scheme. They haven't yet flown a paying passenger, and yet they have twice as many shares outstanding as LUV.

Rbgso · Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:41 pm

Quoting CX Flyboy (Reply 27):
I'm not sure I would want a huge cock as a company logo!

My vote for post of the day!

WestJet747 · Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:23 pm

Quoting PlymSpotter (Reply 28):
Quoting CX Flyboy (Reply 27):
I'm not sure I would want a huge cock as a company logo!

Why not, Ryanair have one as their CEO

But back to the topic at hand.....

I think what they are trying to achieve is definitely in the right ballpark...albeit slightly misguided. As it stands there are no direct flights JFK-LED, just about every flight connects through Moscow. I can certainly see a market for this direct service, but most definitely not as the "high quality three-class" service they are trying to achieve. If they are going to compete with SU who flies JFK-SVO-LED return for under US$700, they better be a cost leader.

Just a personal opinion, I'll fly on a newer SU A330 connecting in Moscow to save a few bucks long before I'll step onto an older 742 direct.

I really do hope Baltia succeeds, but I'm a realist, and I don't see these guys lasting an entire fiscal operating year.

bennett123 · Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:36 pm

So long as it is airworthy, why not try it.

Where else will you get to fly a B747-200 now.

Is it still on the N register.

n7371f · Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:27 pm

Quoting KingAir200 (Reply 2):
Cool to see old 6623 flying again, complete with Northwest interior.

Agreed. Northwest remodeled the interiors on its -200B's in the late 90's into early 2000...new overhead bins, sidewalls and bulkheads among other things. Interior should be in good shape.

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