Malaysia Airlines A350-900XWB @ Kuching: A Experience to be remembered!

December 8th, 2017, a date i will never forget.

Why?

That's the day where Malaysia Airlines is sending its brand new Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft to East Malaysia for proving flights.

Actually, i was flying to KCH to attend my fellow MWinger wedding on that night. However, upon hearing news that MAB is sending their A359 to KCH, I was ecstatic to hear that news, and it's a opportunity not to be missed!

First, my flight from Sibu to Kuching as follows:

Flight: AK6469 (SBW-KCH)
Airline: AirAsia
Aircraft: A320-216
Registration: 9M-AQP
Seat: 31F

Alpha Quebec Papa; my ride to KCH that day.

Boarding via rear staircase

Snapped from my seat. Looks like the clouds are looking dark at the background.

Overall, the flight was OK (kinda bumpy ride due to the large cloud formation).

Shortly after landing, i was picked up by Cikgu Kenneth, and we went for a lunch with other fellow spotters too (who arrived earlier today). And we had our lunch at the cafe responsible for MH flight catering in KCH. They are Keat Siong, Hon Kit, Samuel Chy, Rayner Larson, Cikgu Nizam Hakim, Cikgu Kenneth Chong, and also the rest of the MWings team (which i can't recall their names)

Credits to fellow MWinger Keat Siong for this photo

After lunch, we later head to the spotting area, and believe me, it's a tough place to reach!

Trekking to the spotting area

And it's a huge welcoming party for the MH A359 here in KCH! Credit to Samuel Chy, MWings BKI team for this photo.

Fortunately this spotting platform was made beforehand, thus making it easy for KCH spotters to spot any incoming/outgoing traffic in KCH.

And here she is; the A350-900!

Don't she looks sexy? Love the winglets

It's definitely a memory for me, as being able to spot a brand new aircraft for the first time.

Malaysia Airlines & Batik Air Malaysia B737-800 (Scale 1:400) by Phoenix

Bought these new models for my collection; which are:

* Malaysia Airlines B737-800 'Negaraku'
* Batik Air Malaysia B737-800

Both in scale 1:400, made by Phoenix Models.

First, the Malaysia Airlines B737-800 'Negaraku' livery.

The livery was launched in July 2017, in conjunction with the upcoming National Day on 31st of August 2017.

Below are the photos of the model:

Next one is Batik Air Malaysia B737-800. Malindo Air has operated B737-800s transferred from its Indonesian sister company Batik Air, and henceforth it was rebranded Batik Air Malaysia.

This particular B737-800, was delivered on November 2016 and the seating configuration on this aircraft is C12Y150.

Below are the photos of the model:

New Chapter in Malaysia Airlines

2017 marks another new chapter in Malaysia Airlines, as the company recently announcing new aircraft acquisitions in order for them to expand their destinations worldwide.

1st, the Boeing 737MAX, where MH 1st bought the MAX10, and afterwards the MAX8.

And here are the digital rendering of the MH 737MAXs:

The MAX8

The MAX10

Besides than that, MH also announcing the acquisition of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner too:

Digital rendering of MH B737MAX and B787-9 Dreamliner

Copyright: Boeing

Besides than Boeing, MH also acquired 6 Airbus A350-900 aircraft as well, with its 1st aircraft (9M-MAB) is being prepared for her 1st flight and later delivery:

Photo Copyright: Clément Alloing

And one of the A350-900 will be painted in 'Negaraku' livery too:

Batik Air Malaysia Boeing 737MAX8 by Panda Models, Scale 1:400

It's been awhile since my last post here; will give it an update from time to time should condition permits.

On May 2017; Boeing 737 operations in Malaysia enters a new chapter in history when Batik Air Malaysia/Malindo Air (Lion Air Group Subsidiary in Malaysia) receives its Boeing 737MAX, thus making it as the 1st commercial operator of the new Boeing 737 variant.

The aircraft, 9M-LRC, landed safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on May 2017 and later began its commercial operations a day afterwards, with inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

Instead of 2 class configuration (as usual OD fleet on their B739ERs and B738s), the MAX are fitted only in a single configuration (180Y seats), thus raising questions among aviation enthusiasts, especially in Malaysia.

Then, all of a sudden, all of OD MAX8s were later parked and stored without any specific reasons, and news came out that all 3 of the MAX8s (LRC, LRD and LRF) to be transferred back to Lion Air Indonesia. With the transfer news, it marks an end to a brief period of MAX operations in Malaysia, but it is not an end to it after all, when Malaysia Airlines signed a agreement for the delivery of MAX10 and later MAX8.

To commemorate the MAX8, Panda Models had released 2 models painted in Batik Air Malaysia livery, and the one i recently bought is 9M-LRD. Below are the photos of the model.

AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant Helicopter model by Amercom

Introducing my latest addition to my collection: AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant Helicopter, (Canadian designation of EH-101 helicopter) Model by Amercom.

This model itself is huge (scale 1:72) and the details of the model itself is awesome.

Here are the photos of the model:

Alongside the Easy Model Sikorsky HH-60H Jayhawk Helicopter model. The differences between both models could be seen here even though the scales are same (Scale 1:72)

The history of the helicopter itself could be traced back to 1987, where Canadian Government ordered 48 (later 42) of these helicopters (to be assembled locally under the designation of CH-148 Petrel (33 originally, reduced to 28) and CH-149 Chimo (15) as a replacement for the ageing Sikorsky Sea King (CH-124 Sea King) and Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight (CH-113 Labrador), in the anti-submarine warfare and air-sea rescue roles. However, after the change of Government in 1993, the order was cancelled, forcing the Canadian Government paying up to $157.8 million in cancellation penalties.

Only in 1998, the Canadian Government announced a scaled down search-and-rescue version of the EH-101, designated CH-148 Cormorant as the replacement of the CH-113s. All 15 of the Cormorants to be built in Europe, and the 1st two helicopters arrived in Canada in September 2001, and entered service the following year (2002).

The need for the replacing of the ageing Sea Kings led to the announcement by the Canadian Government where the EH-101 again entered the competition, only to be beaten by Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk, later to be designated as CH-148 Cyclone, where 28 helicopters are ordered.

At the moment, Royal Canadian Air Force operates 15 of these helicopters, where it was assigned to:

• 103 Search and Rescue Squadron
• 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron
• 442 Transport and Resque Squadron

On June 2011, Several US made EH-101s (built by Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel, actually chosen as a replacement for the USMC Marine One Helicopter, but the project was cancelled) was bought as spare parts for the Cormorants, and they also studying either the Kestrels could be certified for operational use.

Sources:

• AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant, Wikipedia
• Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel, Wikipedia
• Canadian Sea King replacement, Wikipedia

Malaysia Airlines Flight 2718 (KUL-SBW) incident, 8/04/2017

It's been months since my last post on this blog.

On April 8th, 2017 (Saturday), while it was raining heavily at Sibu, I received a photo of Malaysia Airlines B737-800 with emergency slides deployed via Whatsapp Group. Puzzled, I quickly asked my friend where did he receive that photo, and he said a friend of him send the photo.

Determined to know more, i quickly informed 2 aviation group on Whatsapp (where i've joined), asking do they heard anything about it. And moments later, information began to pour in: a Malaysia Airlines B737-800 aircraft skidded shortly after landing due to heavy thunderstorm.

The first photo of the incident which began to viral on Social Media (even the press later using this photo on their headlines the following day)

The incident occurred around 2200hrs,  as the ill-fated aircraft (B737-8H6, 9M-MXX) operating as Flight 2718 from Kuala Lumpur (the last flight of the day). The pax load on that flight was surprisingly low, 61 passengers and 6 crews (4 Flight Attendants, Pilot & Co-Pilot). However, all passengers and crews onboard the aircraft escaped unharmed, and they quickly exited the aircraft in a manner.

The incident caused the airport to be closed for the entire day (9th April 2017), which led to cancellation of flights and passengers ended up heading to Bintulu Airport to catch up any available flights, or cancelling them.

More photos of the incident below:

And here are the details of the incident by The Aviation Herald:

Malaysia Airlines Flight 2718 Incident, The Aviation Herald


As on April 24th, the aircraft is still parked at remote bay, as she underwent repairs:

(Photo Credit: Dr. Chuo Hock Tieng)

In Memoriam: YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Haji Adenan Bin Haji Satem, 5th Chief Minister of Sarawak (1944-2017)

Today (11th of January 2017AD / 12th Rabiulakhir 1438AH), Sarawak lost one of its illustrious son.

A no-nonsense leader, and he lead with his wisdom. He became the 1st Chief Minister of Sarawak who died in office.

Al-Fatihah and Farewell Tok Nan; We will miss you so dearly. And we are utterly devastated upon hearing the news of your passing.

In loving memory of YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Haji Adenan Bin Haji Satem, (27/01/1944-11/01/2017).
5th Chief Minister of Sarawak (1/03/2014-11/01/2017)

Photo Copyright Astro Awani