Please talk about aeroplanes on this thread

[TheBoy]

Luton

It doesn't matter how much they dick around with the layout, it is way too small for the number of passengers it how has, and being retarded idiots, they have built shite surrounding the terminal area, so only expansions can be onto busy aprons, which obviously can't happen.

It needs a bit bomb, and rebuilding properly.  Mind you, the same goes for the entire town.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Then coming back from Larnaca tother day got to sit in the flight deck for take off and landing, stunning views of a thunderstorm over the mountains leaving and a gorgeous sunset over Lundun.

Not as cool as sitting in the flight deck, but the Emirates A380's have cameras so you can watch the action on your screen and that's still quite cool! 

I always turn it on as we are descending to see how soon I can spot the airport up ahead and it's bloody difficult, even at night!   

[LC0112G]

Then coming back from Larnaca tother day got to sit in the flight deck for take off and landing, stunning views of a thunderstorm over the mountains leaving and a gorgeous sunset over Lundun.

Not as cool as sitting in the flight deck, but the Emirates A380's have cameras so you can watch the action on your screen and that's still quite cool! 

I always turn it on as we are descending to see how soon I can spot the airport up ahead and it's bloody difficult, even at night!   

Most Japanese airlines had (have?) that too. I haven't been for years, but it was pre seatback screens and they used to project the image onto the bulkhead at the front of the cabin. When landing in a crosswind it was quaite funny watching everyones head tilting to the right, then left, then right as they tried to urge the plane onto the correct flightpath for the rapidly approaching runway. The go-around at Haneda was particularly interesting.

[tunnie]

I miss the radio, United back in the day you could tune into the traffic control radio. The pilot would even let you know the call sign so you could listen out for things.

I remember one bit where we had taken off and had crossed into another control zone. The pilot asked if there were any speed restrictions, negative was the response.

Then heard "Excellent" just as the engines throttled up some more 

It was also rather surprising how basic it was at ground level. "Follow that BA 747 in front of you for now" from control

[LC0112G]

I have my own air-band scanner radio. Yes some of the thing you hear are a bit - err - alarming. It's now frowned on to use it inside an airplane - 'they' don't want you to know the real reason for your delay, or why there is an F-16 off your wing tip 

Ground control is always a bit basic. Pilot are generally rubbish at type recognition, so "give way to the company 320 from your left" can go wrong.

[Rangie]

I usually just go to sleep 👍

[Doctor Gollum]

I have my own air-band scanner radio. Yes some of the thing you hear are a bit - err - alarming. It's now frowned on to use it inside an airplane - 'they' don't want you to know the real reason for your delay, or why there is an F-16 off your wing tip 

Ground control is always a bit basic. Pilot are generally rubbish at type recognition, so "give way to the company 320 from your left" can go wrong.

Speedbird Lima Charlie, follow the greens... Pretty idiot proof from the jump seat

[Kevin Wood]

You've got it all wrong. The secret to stress free flying is to leave all other humans, and engines, on the ground where they belong.

Had a very pleasant hour pootling around in this last time we got the vintage gliders out. Hadn't flown one for 30 years..

[Rangie]

There's a gliding place in Crownland not far from me where I walk the dogs close by, always looks fantastic watching them.

[STEMO]

There's one at the top of Sutton Bank. You can just put your feet through the glider and run, flintstones style, straight off the top. 

[YZ250]

You've got it all wrong. The secret to stress free flying is to leave all other humans, and engines, on the ground where they belong.

Had a very pleasant hour pootling around in this last time we got the vintage gliders out. Hadn't flown one for 30 years..
.............

My parents house was within half a mile of Haddenham Glider Club (Airtech) so we used to see them all the time. We used to ride our Moto X bikes around the Airfield perimeter and the gliders would either be winched up by a massive trailer mounted drum reel or towed up by a small plane, depending on wind I assume. One day when we were in the airfield, a glider suddenly changed direction and nose dived in to the ground. A 19 year old girl and her instructor were both killed instantly. 

[Varche]

In the seventies, my manager asked me if I fancied Gliding at night class! 9 weeks of theory which was very interesting. 10 th week was practical. A flight in a two seater including taking the controls. My boss was hooked and bought his own glider. I thought it was great but I had ticked a box. First and last time.

A few years later bought Mrs V a stunt flight. She absolutely loved it. She said every time it went upside down dirt and stones dropped into the canopy. Commercial flying is a necessary evil which I hope not to experience too many more times. Horrible experience end to end plus you put your trust in someone you have never met but could be tired, drunk, on drugs , asleep etc.I would rather drive . Certainly won't be getting on a Spanish train any time soon either.

[Viral_Jim]

Oh go on then, just to keep Ste happy - one for the frequent flyers out there. 

Which airline would you pick...

I'm planning on taking SWMBO away for her 40th and I am looking to fly out LHR->SIN, then SIN->HKG and finally HKG->LHR. I will strictly be looking at cattle class (potential extra legroom) as we're travelling with the kids. Airline options for direct flights are Singapore, Cathay Pacific and BA (also Quantas but they seem costly), with Singapore and Cathay for the middle leg. Out of those which would you pick? I've only ever used Emirates going east, and never in economy so really shooting in the dark with this one.

I am free to use different airlines for different legs as both open jaw and multi city options seem to cost significantly more than just booking the corresponding legs separately via Skyscanner or similar (any tips on getting the single carrier tickets for less are also welcome!). 

My instinct is to avoid BA, but that's based on some sh!tty experiences on their short haul european fleet, so maybe that wouldn't hold true for long haul  . Also, they do operate the A380 on that route, which I would love to fly again.....

[LC0112G]

Singapore airlines for LHR->SIN, and SIN->HKG. Getting home non-stop from HKG is more difficult - It's basically Cathay or BA, neither of which are part of any code share agreement with SQ, so a single ticket probably won't work. If you don't mind a layover in (or bouncing through) Singapore on the way back, I'd try and book the whole thing through SQ.

Don't know if it still runs, but there used to be a midday-ish SIN->LHR which didn't connect with any incoming flights from Australia, so often had better prices and availability than the flights that did connect with SYD/BNE/MEL/PER inbounds. 

SQ currently operate two A380's daily from LHR->SIN.

[Terbs]

I don't do flying....But I do the next best thing....I have Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and Meta Quest Virtual Reality.
Puts me up in the skies, with my feet on the ground I can fly anything from Kevin's gliders to A380's.

Must add, that its cost me more than what you chaps spend on flying, when I think of all the aircraft and sceneries, etc, I buy to install in the sim