Saturday, March 31, 2012

The worlds longest scheduled flights

"Are we there yet?" usually issues from the mouths of children. But aboard these 11 flights, even the adults pester flight attendants with such questions. U.S. News Travel sought out the most painstakingly long journeys in the sky. While some people measure length by mileage, we believe the flight's duration is much more important to travelers. After all, you only want to be stuck on a plane with strangers for so long.

The numerical data below was provided by each airline:

11. New York to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific

-- Miles: 8,059
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours

Cathay Pacific offers not one, not two, but three direct flights every day from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Each Boeing 777 takes about 16 hours to reach its Asian destination. The flight's carrier, Cathay Pacific, is unfamiliar to most Americans, but it is one of the largest airlines in Asia and Hong Kong's official airline. As travel between Asia and North America steadily increases, look for an escalating number of Cathay Pacific planes in your local airport.

10. Dallas-Fort Worth to Brisbane on Qantas

-- Miles: 8,584
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours

Jumping 16 hours ahead, travelers flying from Texas Cowboy Country to the Australian Outback will probably experience some jet lag. Add to that 15 hours of airtime, and the trek could be downright painful. Luckily, Qantas pampers its passengers with ergonomic seats, personal on-demand entertainment sets, three meals, and complimentary wine. Upon request, customers can also receive "dopp kits" complete with a razor, toothbrush, deodorant, and other products to freshen up on board. When travelers get restless or hungry, they can take a short walk to the self-service snack bar, which is fully stocked with free goodies.

9. Johannesburg to New York on South African Airways

-- Miles: 7,970
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours

In May 2011, South African Airways began its nonstop service from Johannesburg, South Africa, to New York's JFK airport. Operating once a day, an Airbus 340-600 shuttles more than 300 passengers around the globe. During their voyage, travelers receive two full meals, one snack, and complimentary beverages, including wine and spirits. In coach, the 2-4-2 seat configuration reduces the number of middle seats that regularly appear on planes with 3-3-3 arrangements. The seat-back entertainment screen comes with lots of programming as well as instructional videos for stretching during the flight.

8. Newark to Hong Kong on United Airlines

-- Miles: 8,065
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours

Departing from NYC's stepsister, travelers on United Flight 79 must sit tight for 16 hours before reaching their final destination. For frequent flyers, the commute from Newark to Hong Kong can be a rough one. International flights on U.S. carriers usually receive a bad rep. Small issues (like food quality and cramped seats) that are regularly overlooked on shorter flights balloon into big inconveniences during longer trips. American carriers also tend to receive lower customer satisfaction ratings on SkyTrax. For instance, United Airlines has a 4.1 out of 10 customer review score. Be sure to consider the onboard conditions before booking a lengthy flight on an American airline.

7. Atlanta to Johannesburg on Delta Airlines

-- Miles: 8,433
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 15 Minutes

It takes four pilots and two separate flight crews to handle Delta Flight 200 from Atlanta, Ga., to Johannesburg, South Africa. The Boeing 777LR used to make this trip travels 8,433 miles between the two cities and consumes almost 40,000 gallons of fuel. Meanwhile, when it comes to needing sustenance, the plane isn't alone. On board this 16-hour-and-15-minute flight, passengers annually consume approximately 70,000 cans of soda, 100,000 bags of pretzels, 200,000 bags of peanuts, and a half-million pounds of ice. The two in-flight meals offer a taste of American and South African cuisine. For instance, one current entree is a Lemon Spiced Kingklip, a type of fish native to South African waters.

6. Doha to Houston on Qatar Airways

-- Miles: 8,047
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 15 Minutes

Qatar Airways operates a marathon flight route between sunny Doha, Qatar, and humid Houston, Texas. Flying westward to the United States, the journey usually takes just over 16 hours. Economy passengers receive an amenity kit with an eye mask, toothbrush, and even socks to make them feel more at home. They can also follow the "Fly Healthy, Fly Fit" guide and perform some relaxation techniques onboard, such as deep breathing and stretching. While they're not sleeping or dining, travelers can view hundreds of films on their personal 10.6-inch TV screen.

5. Dubai to Houston on Emirates Airlines

-- Miles: 8,164*
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 20 Minutes

From oil capital to oil capital, Emirates Airlines brings people from Dubai to Houston on a lengthy nonstop flight. Commonly called a luxury carrier, the airline prides itself on its service on and off the plane. Flight attendants conduct two meal services, while the "As You Like It" menu (which includes pizza, fruit, and chocolates) is available throughout the journey. Additionally, travelers can take advantage of the full complimentary bar to calm their nerves. On this 16-plus hour trek, there's plenty of time to try all of Emirates Airlines' offerings.

4. Dubai to Los Angeles on Emirates Airlines

-- Miles: 8,335*
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 30 Minutes

Emirates Airlines runs a flight between glamorous L.A. and even more opulent Dubai. On the massive Boeing 777-200LR, passengers can choose to spend the 16.5 hours in the 216-seat economy cabin, the 42-seat business class area (that features lie-flat seats), or the eight ultra-posh suites. Each cabin showcases Emirates' unique starlit ceiling that reflects the time of day at the destination. This lighting system helps combat symptoms of jet lag. However, the price you pay for your journey might give you a headache: An economy-class ticket runs between $1,800 and $2,400, while a first-class ride jumps into the $12,700 to $14,000 range.

3. Los Angeles to Bangkok on Thai Airways

-- Miles: 8,260*
-- Scheduled Duration: 17 Hours 30 Minutes

Aside from having the most delicious food for economy travelers, Thai Airways operates one of the longest flights in the world, traveling from L.A. to Bangkok. Spanning 8,260 miles, the path of this Airbus A340-500 takes 17 hours and 30 minutes. Travelers appreciate the tasty onboard meals and congenial staff. In fact, Thai Airways receives SkyTrax's elite four-star rating, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.

2. Newark to Singapore on Singapore Airlines

-- Miles: 10,371
-- Scheduled Duration: 18 Hours

From Newark to Singapore, travelers aboard this 18-hour jaunt receive some much-needed pampering. For this long voyage, Singapore Airlines (SQ) employs an Airbus 340-500. Normally holding more than 300 passengers, SQ's luxury aircraft hosts only 100 seats. But to call them "seats" is really unfair; they're more like beds. Set in a 1-2-1 configuration (one at each window and two in the middle), the reclining chairs offer immediate access to the aisle. Should you be on this flight, you'll want to get up and move around, especially in the direction of the self-service snack bar. After all, you're on the longest flight in the world by distance.

1. Los Angeles to Singapore, Singapore Airlines

-- Miles: 9,500
-- Scheduled Duration: 18 Hours 30 Minutes

Currently, Singapore Airlines operates the longest flight in the world by duration, racking up 18 hours and 30 minutes in the air in just one go. From Los Angeles to Singapore, a business-class only airplane shuttles 100 passengers halfway across the globe. Most people are surprised to learn that this trip takes longer than the airline's Newark-Singapore flight, which travels about 800 more miles. The Newark flight path across the North Pole subjects the aircraft to less wind resistance, allowing it to travel faster than the flight from L.A., which crosses the Pacific Ocean.

(Joel Fineman - U.S. News & World Report)

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Reports indicate Hawker Beechcraft may file for backruptcy

Hawker Beechcraft Inc, the aircraft manufacturer owned by Goldman Sachs Group Inc's private equity arm and Onex Corp, is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection in the next several weeks, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Hawker, which was bought by the private equity firms in 2007 for $3.3 billion, is negotiating a prearranged bankruptcy with its largest lenders, which include Centerbridge Partners, Angelo Gordon and Capital Research & Management, these sources said on Wednesday.

Hawker and Onex declined to comment. Goldman Sachs and the lenders were not immediately available for comment.

The sources declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Centerbridge, a New York-based investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts and distressed investments, is the biggest lender, these sources said.

These lenders would also likely provide debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to allow Hawker to continue to operate in bankruptcy, one of the sources said.

One of the sources also said the DIP financing is currently expected to be less than $500 million, but cautioned the number has not been finalized and could change.

Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, the bank's private equity fund, and Canada's largest buyout firm, Onex, bought Raytheon Aircraft Co from Raytheon Co in early 2007, at the height of the buyout boom, and renamed it Hawker Beechcraft.

But the purchase has proven to be ill-timed. The financial crisis of 2008 and the subsequent economic downturn has led to a multiyear aviation industry downturn. The Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer of business jets, general aviation turboprops and military trainers has seen sales of its small and medium-sized business jets fall.

Hawker competes against bigger U.S. rivals such as General Dynamics Corp's, Gulfstream and Textron Inc's Cessna, as well as foreign players like Brazil's Embraer SA and Canada's Bombardier.

Hawker is one of several buyouts from the 2006-2007 period to run into trouble. Several private equity firms at the time paid aggressive prices for companies, loading them up with huge piles of debt and hoping that economic growth would continue to sustain the investments. But the financial crisis put a spanner in their assumptions about growth, making these firms unviable.

TURNAROUND SPECIALIST

In February, the company's owners brought in turnaround specialist Steve Miller as chief executive officer. Hawker had previously hired Perella Weinberg Partners and law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP as financial and legal advisers.

Miller, who is also chairman of bailed-out insurer American International Group, is known for his ability to work with financially troubled companies and solve hard problems, even earning the moniker of "The Turnaround Kid" after he wrote a book in 2008 about his experiences fixing companies over the years.

Miller, who has come out of retirement several times to work on corporate restructurings, helped oversee bankruptcies of companies such as Delphi Corp and Federal-Mogul Corp.

On Tuesday, Hawker clinched interim financing. It reached a deal with lenders that will provide a $120 million loan and defer the company's obligations to make certain interest payments.

This forbearance agreement, scheduled to expire at the end of June, has provided Hawker with more time to finalize the details of a prearranged bankruptcy with the main lenders, said these same the sources.

DEBT LOAD

Hawker has a huge debt load stemming from its 2007 leveraged buyout and was hit especially hard by a sharp decline business jet sales after the financial crisis.

One of the sources familiar with Hawker's management thinking said that the company's business plan had projected a recovery in the business jet market beginning in 2010, but that had only started to materialize this year.

Earlier this year, Hawker lost a contract to build 20 light attack planes for the U.S. Air Force, losing out in the bid to U.S. defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corp and Embraer.

The Air Force later cancelled that contract citing inadequate documentation for the decision, giving Hawker -- which had challenged the contract award -- a chance to compete. But no details have been released on the follow-on competition and it remains unclear whether the financially distressed company has a better chance of winning this time.

"We view this as a positive development for Cessna and Embraer business jet orders," said Morgan Stanley analyst Heidi Wood in a research report responding to the Reuters story.

"Our discussions with our industry sources... have indicated increasing reluctance by business jet buyers to order jets from an OEM in serious financial straits," Wood said. "We expect both Cessna and Embraer to pick up share ceded by Hawker."

(Soyoung Kim & Andrea Shalal-Esa / Rueters) 

Michael Huerta to become official head of FAA

US President Barack Obama has nominated acting FAA administrator Michael Huerta to officially become the agency's full-time head for a five-year term.

Huerta abruptly ascended from FAA deputy administrator to acting chief in December 2011 after former administrator Randy Babbitt resigned following an arrest on a charge of driving while intoxicated in suburban Virginia. Babbitt was mid-way through a five-year term that was not set to expire until May 2014.

According to a White House statement, Huerta will serve his own five-year term as administrator if the Senate confirms his nomination. Huerta has held various transportation-related positions in the public and private sectors, including serving as Dept. of Transportation chief of staff in the late 1990s.

At FAA's annual Aviation Forecast Conference earlier this month, Huerta spoke of the importance of aggressively modernizing the US ATC system.

Huerta's nomination quickly won the endorsement of US airlines. Airlines for America (A4A) president and CEO Nicholas Calio called him "an outstanding choice" and urged the Senate "to move swiftly on a nomination so important to the traveling public."

(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)

American Airlines seeks to void labor contracts

American Airlines (AA) has filed a motion with a US bankruptcy court seeking to have its contracts with three unions representing nine work groups terminated, saying that its "greatest single challenge" is labor agreements that are unfavorable compared with those of its competitors.

"Collectively, American's collective bargaining agreements [CBAs] with the unions saddle the company with the highest labor costs in the industry," AA, which filed for Chapter 11 protection last year, stated in a court filing Tuesday. "Those agreements tie the company to compensation rules that are among the most expensive in the industry and to the richest active and retiree benefit package, by far, among American's peers. Together, these CBAs generate a competitive headwind that the company cannot overcome."

The airline, which is looking to slash about 13,000 jobs, told the court that it has negotiated with the unions "for years … but those negotiations have failed to produce results." It said that in addition to "higher direct labor costs," AA's labor contracts "contain an array of archaic rules and other restrictions that constrain American's ability to generate revenues and shackle it to operations that cannot be economically justified."

AA asked the court for an April 10 hearing on the matter. It said the leaders of the unions representing AA workers, in rejecting past offers from management, have demonstrated "a fundamental, and lamentable, misunderstanding of the market in which American operates."

The Allied Pilots Assn. (APA), which represents AA's 10,000 flight deck crew, accused management of "running roughshod over our contract."

APA president Dave Bates said in a statement, "Just saying no to everything the APA leadership has proposed at the negotiating table does not constitute good-faith bargaining … We therefore urge management to rethink their strategy and join us in committing to good-faith bargaining."

(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Southwest Airlines receives second 737-8H4


Southwest Airlines took delivery of its second 737-8H4 ( 36680/3979) N8302F today March 27, 2012. The aircraft departed Boeing Field (BFI/KBFI) at 13:10 PST as "SWA8505" and arrived at Snohomish County Airport / Boeing Paine Field (PAE/KPAE) at 13:16 PST and parked ATS Hanger 1 for installation of the Row44 Wi-Fi system.

(Photos by Joe G. Walker) 

New G550 arrives in Long Beach

Gulfstream G550 (c/n 5372) N753GA arrived at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) from Savannah - Hilton Head International Airport (SAV/KSAV) on Monday March 26, 2012 at 09:12 PST for exterior paint and cabin interior installation.

Gulfstream action at Long Beach Airport and LAX

 G-V (c/n 544) N383LS operated by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation captured on final to Rwy 25L at LAX on March 21, 2012. 
 G550 (c/n 5196) N385WL turns off Rwy 25L following it's arrival at LAX on March 22, 2012.
G550 (c/n 5104) N661CP caught on short final to Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on March 21, 2012.

(Photos by Michael Carter)

USMC "Black Knights" pass thru Long Beach Airport - Part 1

On Saturday afternoon March 24, 2012, I was relaxing in my office "The Hanger" as it is known when I heard then watched four U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18As make their way into Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) around 15:45 PST. I wasn't sure if they would be departing but I decided to head over to the airport anyway and I was not disappointed as the four departed at 17:37 PST.    

 "VW-08" rolls by on "Delta." 
 F/A-18A (c/n 0420/A348) 162877 "VW-08" of VMFA 314 on the roll for takeoff on Rwy 30.
 "VW-07" taxi's full lenght on "Delta" for a Rwy 30 departure.
F/A-18A (c/n 0464/A381) 162903 "VW-07" of VMFA 314 rolls for blast-off on Rwy 30.

(Photos by Michael Carter)   

USMC "Black Knights" pass thru Long Beach Airport - Part 2

"VW-14" taxi's on "Delta". 
 F/A-18A (c/n 0322/A266) 162466 "VW-14" of VMFA 314 rolls for takeoff on Rwy 30.
 "VW-12" heads towards a Rwy 30 departure.
F/A-18A (c/n 0566/A473) 163146 "VW-12" of VMFA 314 screams down Rwy 30.

(Photos by Michael Carter)


Japan Airlines Accepts first and second 787 deliveries

Japan Airlines took delivery of its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliners on Monday, after a delay of about three years while the plane-maker wrestled with development and production problems.

The delivery to JAL brings the total number of 787s delivered to seven. The planes also are the first 787s to be powered by General Electric engines rather than Rolls-Royce.

The airline, which has 45 Dreamliners on order, postponed 787 service on several routes while it waited out another delay this year resulting from a manufacturing problem.

"We were sorry there was a slight delay, but relieved the aircraft is finally ready," said JAL President Yoshiharu Ueki at a ceremony marking the occasion. "And the delay's impact was that the carrier's service from Japan to Moscow, to Delhi, to Beijing was delayed one month."

JAL had expected to receive its first 787 by the end of February.The 787 is about three years behind its original schedule because of problems with Boeing's complex global supply chain.

"We know we were a little late, and we apologize for that," Jim Albaugh, chief executive of Boeing's commercial planes division, said at the ceremony. "We hope you'll forgive us."

Boeing made first delivery of a 787 last year to All Nippon Airways and is ramping up the production rate to 10 per month, a target many experts believe to be unattainable.

In early February, Boeing reported signs of "delamination" on the rear fuselage of some 787s. Delamination occurs when stress causes layered composite materials to separate.

Boeing has said it will take 10 to 14 days per plane to repair. The problem has caused some experts again to question the production rate target. Boeing has stood by its goal, saying the new issue may affect deliveries in the first part of 2012, but not in the longer term.

The company recently increased the 787 production rate to 3.5 per month from 2.5. Boeing is boosting production rates on all of its commercial planes to meet increased demand.

(Reuters)

jetBlue Captain has mental breakdown in flight

The captain of a JetBlue aircraft yelled about a bomb and had to be locked out of the cockpit and restrained Tuesday as the Las Vegas-bound flight was diverted to Texas, passengers said.

JetBlue Airways said in a statement that the captain of Flight 191 from New York JFK International Airport had a "medical situation" and that the pilot in command of the aircraft elected to land in Amarillo about 10 a.m.

Grant Heppes, a 22-year-old passenger from New York City, told The Associated Press that a man in a JetBlue uniform walked from the cockpit to the back of the plane, but that he started to become disruptive when he was barred from getting back inside.

"Once he got back to the front of the plane I heard him scream, `Let me in!'" Heppes said.

The pilot locked the captain out of the cockpit because the captain had been exhibiting "erratic behavior," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

Heidi Karg, a passenger on the flight, told CNN that the man was shouting "I need the code, gimme the code, I need to get in there." The pilot used the announcement system to call for someone to restrain him and some male passengers wrestled him to the ground, she said.

"We heard the word `bomb,'" Karg said. "We didn't know exactly what was going on."

Most of the passengers were "shocked and confused," Heppes said by phone from the airport at Amarillo.

"Nobody was very loud except for the people trying to help out. Everybody was just standing up and not really sure what was going on. It was very hard to tell," he said.

An off-duty captain who just happened to be a passenger on the flight went to the flight deck and took over the duties of the ill captain "once on the ground," the airline said in a statement. It didn't elaborate.

Shane Helton, 39, of Quinlan, Okla., said he saw emergency and security personnel coming on and off the plane as it sat on the tarmac at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.

"They pulled one guy out on a stretcher and put him in an ambulance," said Helton, who went to the airport with his fiancée to see one of her sons off as he joined the Navy.

Helton said the ambulance then sat on the tarmac next to the plane for more than 30 minutes.

JetBlue said the ill captain was taken to a medical facility in Amarillo.

Once on the ground and off the plane, authorities interviewed each of the passengers, Heppes said.

The FBI was coordinating an investigation with the airport police, Amarillo police, the FAA and the Transportation Safety Administration, according to agency spokeswoman Lydia Maese in Dallas.

She declined to comment on whether any arrest had been made.

In 2008, an Air Canada co-pilot had a mental breakdown on a flight from Toronto to London and was forcibly removed from the cockpit, restrained and sedated. A flight attendant with flying experience helped the pilot safely make an emergency landing in Ireland, and none of the 146 passengers and nine crew members on board were injured.

(The Associated Press)

Monday, March 26, 2012

Lufthansa considers parking cargo aircraft fleet

Lufthansa's air freight arm may give up on its freighter fleet should a recently imposed ban on night flights at Frankfurt airport be confirmed by a court in Leipzig on April 4, the unit's chief executive told a German magazine.

The current solution of scheduling take-offs and landings only before 2200 CET and after 0500 CET was "just a stopgap. It costs money and does not pay," Karl Ulrich Garnadt told Focus, according to an article published on Monday.

If necessary Lufthansa Cargo may have to part ways with its freighter fleet in the long-term, consisting of 18 McDonnell Douglas MD 11 planes, Focus quoted Garnadt as saying.

The magazine said around half of Lufthansa Cargo's freight is transported via passenger planes.

Previously, Garnadt said the night flight ban at Frankfurt, imposed in October, would hurt earnings by around EUR€40 million (USD$53 million) a year and sales by over EUR€100 million if it were made permanent.

Lufthansa Cargo made an operating profit of EUR€249 million in 2011, but said it would be unable to replicate this in 2012 due to overcapacity, a weak Chinese market and the night flight ban at its Frankfurt hub.

(Reuters)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Mickey Mouse visits LAX



Alaska Airlines 737-990 (30018/1326) N318AS which sports the carriers "Disneyland" livery, departs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) bound for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA/KSEA) on March 22, 2012.

(Photos by Michael Carter)
Delta Airlines 737-832 (30819/1008) N3765 now sports the carriers "SkyTeam" Livery. The aircraft is seen departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on March 22, 2012.

(Photo by Michael Carter)

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Future RAF C-17A?

This new C-17A N9500N which is more than likely destined for the Royal Air Force (RAF), departed Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) today on her first flight at 11:34 PST as "Boeing 245 Heavy." In the above photo, she is captured rotating from Rwy 30 on her afternoon flight, getting airbourne at 17:06 PST.

(Photo by Michael Carter) 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Photo of the Day / United 747SP-21 N532PA

United 747SP-21 (21024/270) N532PA ex Pan American World Airways "Clipper Constitution (Del. March 29, 1976), is captured under tow at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) in March 1986 less than a month after UAL bought the aircraft from Pan Am on February 11, 1986. The aircraft was later re-registered as N142UA and sadly was broken-up at Ardmore, Oklahoma in February 1999.

(Michael Carter Collection)

Friday, March 16, 2012

Ameristar Jet Charter MD-83 captured at Long Beach Airport

 Taxies on "Delta" towards a Rwy 30 departure. 
Rolls for takeoff on Rwy 30.

Ameristar Jet Charter MD-83 (53123/1987) N786TW arrived from Portland International Airport (PDX/KPDX) as "AJI9637" at 11:33 PST. Following a short ground time, the aircraft departed back to Portland International Airport at 12:44 PST as "AJI9637." 

This MD-83 was originally delivered to Avianca as EI-CEQ in May 1992.

(Photos by Michael Carter)

Thursday, March 15, 2012

787-881 "Dreamliner" departs Long Beach

The Boeing 787-881 "Dreamliner" departed Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) this morning at 09:50 PST bound for Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC/KSLC). The aircraft spent a day and a half here at the Boeing facilities giving local employees and politicians a close-up look at the new airplane. California Governor Gerry Brown even stopped by to see the aircraft.

It was really nice to see this bird here at Long Beach Airport and I sure hope it won't be the last! 

 Taxies on "Lima" towards a Rwy 30 departure.
 A nice look at the Rolls Royce / Trent 1000 engines.
 Rolling on Rwy 30 for takeoff bound for Salt Lake City.
 Rotates from Rwy 30.
"Positive Climb, Gear Up!"

(Photos by Michael Carter)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

C & M Airways Convair 640(F) visits Long Beach Airport

 Convair 640(F) (c/n 104) is captured on short final to Rwy 30 as it arrives at 14:26 PST from El Paso International Airport (ELP/KELP). 
 Taxies on "Delta" towards a Rwy 30 departure.
Rolls for take-off at 16:48 PST bound for General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia International Airport (HMO/MMHO).

(Photos by Michael Carter)
This gorgeous Pilatus PC 12/45 (c/n 550) PH-XII touched down on Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) at 16:00 PST on March 14, 2012..

(Photo by Michael Carter)  

U.S. Marine Corps F/-18's visit Long Beach

 F/A-18A (c/n 0540/A449) 163131 SH-220 VMFAT 101 "Sharpshooters" arrives on March 9, 2012.
F/A-18D (c/n 0987/D069) 164224 SH-273 VMFAT 101 "Sharpshooters" smokes the mains on Rwy 30 as it arrives on March 9, 2012. 
 F/A-18D (c/n 0982/D068) 164219 SH-272 VMFAT 101 "Sharpshooters" taxies towards a Rwy 30 departure on March 10, 2012. 
 F/A-18A (c/n 0227/A180) 162400 VW-01 VMFA 314 "Black Knights" taxies on "Delta" shortly before departure on March 10, 2012.
F/A-18A (c/n 0289/A234) 162443 VW-03 VMFA 314 "Black Knights" readies to depart on March 10, 2012.

(Photos by Michael Carter)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Boeing 787-881 "Dreamliner" visits Long Beach Airport

Boeings 787-881 "Dreamliner" arrived at Long Beach Airport today (March 13, 2012) as it continues on it's 4th World Tour visiting Boeing and supplier facilities around the globe. This is the 787s first visit to Long Beach and in true Seattle fashion the weather was cloudy and cool. 787-881 (40692/3) N787BX arrived at 10:14 PST following a 1hr 6min flight from San Diego International Airport (SAN/KSAN).

 "BOE787 Heavy" on short final to Rwy 30.
 Under-tow to the C-17A flight ramp, **note the "Fly DC Jets" sign in the distance.**
 One gorgeous aircraft!
 The 787-881 is welcomed by Boeing (DAC - Douglas Aircraft Company) employees and a "Mighty" C-17A. 
The many customers of the 787 are represented on the fuselage of this lovey aircraft.

(Photos by Michael Carter)

New G550 arrives at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB)

Gulfstream G550 (c/n 5370) N570GA tbr N721MM is captured on short final to Rwy 30 at 16:22 PST following a 4hr 39min flight from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV/KSAV) on March 13, 2012.

(Photo by Michael Carter) 

Future RAF C-17A?

C-17A (P-217) 10-0217 sits on the Boeing flight ramp on March 13, 2012. Even though this aircraft wears partial USAF markings the aircraft will more than likely be delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) once on going financial negotiations are completed according to several sources at Boeing.

(Photo by Michael Carter) 

Jackie Chan visits Zurich

Actor Jackie Chan owns this lovely Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 650 (c/n 14501139) N688JC which was captured at Zurich-Kloten (ZHR/LSZH). 

(Photo by Adrian Arzinhiemer)

Friday, March 9, 2012

A pair of lovely G450s at Long Beach Airport

 G450 (c/n 4163) N450EE departed Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on March 8, 2012 at 10:35 PST destined for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS/KAUS). 
G450 (c/n 4184) N333SZ rolls for take-off on Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) as it departs for Anchorage, Alaska (ANC/PANC) at 14:00 PST on March 8, 2012.

(Photos by Michael Carter) 

A long couple days!

 Holds short of Rwy 30 with the thrust reversers deployed as it prepares to depart to Oakland (OAK/KOAK) on March 7, 2012.
Caught on short final to Rwy 30 on March 8, 2012.

G550 (c/n 5043) N107VS made a cross country trip, March 7-8, 2012 from Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB). It departed Wednesday morning at 07:52 PST bound for Oakland (California) (OAK/KOAK) where it arrived at 08:41 PST. At 10:15 PST it departed Oakland bound for Teterboro Airport (TEB/KTEB), New Jersey arriving at 17:39 EST.

On March 8, the G550 began her trip back west departing Teterboro at 13:17 EST enroute back to Oakland arriving at 15:44 PST. Following a short ground time the G550 departed Oakland at 16:24 destined for Long Beach Airport where it arrived at 17:26 PST. 

A long couple days!

(Photos by Michael Carter)
 Taxies on "Lima" towards a Rwy 30 departure.
 Rotates from Rwy 30.
Positive climb, gear up!

G-IV (c/n 1022) N663PD operated by HMS Air LLC departed Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on March 8, 2012 at 16:28 pst bound for Bob Hope (Burbank) Airport (BUR/KBUR) where it arrived at 16:43 pst.

(Photos by Michael Carter)