National Air Cargo's B747-400 Disaster.

About 2 weeks ago a National Air B747-400F (NCR 102) crash was caught on camera. Worst plane crash ever caught on tape. The flight took off from Afghanistan en-route to Dubai
The flight time to Dubai is about 2.5 hours and it was said to carry just enough fuel for the trip, the crash was said to have been caused by movement of a heavy pallet to towards the back which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable due to a shift of the airplanes's Centre of Gravity. The CG would have been very close to the aft limit. It appears that the Boeing 747-400 Freighter was carrying 5 MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles each weighing about 25,000 pounds (12,000 kg), i.e 14-tons. Mostly used by the United States Army and Marines.

Speculations was that the Boeing 747-400 may have stalled on take-off. The exact cause can only be determined once the investigators have retrieved the black box. My opinion: A classic stall on takeoff, the airplane goes up, loses airspeed, and falls off to the ground.
The fatalities reported involved 4 aircrew, 2 mechanics and a loadmaster.

Airbus Makes History: Rolls-Out Airbus A350XWB

Airbus Today rolled out the brand new state of the art A350XWB from its Hanger in Toulouse, France. Fully Painted! God don't you just love airplanes. This Airplane is a direct rival to the Boeing 787 and the B777. In-fact let the pictures and videos from Airbus Website do the talking.

Been So long!

Seems nobody missed me.. Do we even have Aviation Enthusiast in Nigeria sef! Nevertheless i they blog they go. I was in Houston a month back for my elder brothers wedding. It was fun by the way. Visited a few states but spent most of my time in the New York. I finally got a 1st hand look at Donald Trumps Private Jet. You cant miss it, Its parked right there on the tarmac at LaGuarida , New York. Saw the Singapore and Emirates A380s. Magnificent Airplanes Jor! I'm just too in Love with Aviation!

Arik Air Set to Commence Lagos, Nigeria - Sao Paulo, Brazil Routes before August

Sometime last year. Nigerian owned and based airline Arik air leased two Airbus A330-200 Aircrafts from Pembroke Group. an aircraft leasing, financing and management service company based in Dublin, Ireland.
These aircrafts were to act as supplement for the Lagos - Johannesburg route.
Arik has decided to maximize the potentials of this long haul, wide bodied jet by adding Sao Paulo, Brazil to its routes. Its been said that the Arik Air team had held talks with a Brazilian bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e social BNDS)  for possible funding of the acquisition of some aircraft by Brazilian plane manufacturer Embrear.

Aero Contractors to resume flight Ops.

Aerocontractors Nigeria sometime last week sacked all its workers, except its pilots and engineers. After they revolted the managements decision to sack its drivers and contract the job to an outside company. The management told all its sacked 600 employees that they would have to apply through the company website to be considered for reemployment.

The airline decided to begin scheduled operation this week but was denied operational rights by the NCAA. the Acting DG of the NCAA Mr. Nkemakolam Joyce Daniel, said that grounding the airline is necessary because at the time the airline sacked its workers some of them still had there On-Duty Card ODC which is still valid. this actually still posses a risk to the airline as some of these workers could go to any lengths to sabotage the airline. meanwhile Dana air resumed flight operations on Tuesday

Federal Government Suspends Dana Air's AOC

On the 11th, monday evening Dr Harold Demuren was sacked by the federal government stating that NCAA was the cause of the Dana crash which happened june of last year due to negligence and as well as giving the said airline back their Airline Operating Certificate AOC. Captaions of various aviation agencies and guru's in the country saw the federal governments decision to sack the former DG of NCAA as wrong.
On wednesday 13th the Federal Government appoints a former Nigerian Airways pilot and engineer Captain Fola Akinkuotu, the rector of International aviation college, Ilorin as the new DG of NCAA.
On friday or so, Dana's AOC got suspended for the second time, after Dana reported to the NCAA about a minor problem in one of there aircrafts. (I saw that coming!)
 Dana made a statement:
"We regret to announce the temporary suspension of our flight operations following a directive from the Ministry of Aviation through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Saturday, 16th March, 2013. No specific reason was given for the action. A meeting is, however, scheduled between the management of Dana Air, the Ministry of Aviation and the NCAA on Monday 18th March and we will update you as we get more information".
My Question is Why do government meddle with the business of aviation when there are to focus on developing aviation infrastructures? smh!

Aero Contractors employees on Strike.

On Wednesday the employees of Aero Contractors Nigeria carried out their threat of grounding the airline’s activities, forcing it to cancel flights and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded in all over the Nation. Its not known how long the strike would last for but the reason behind the strike was that the airline management about three weeks ago introduced a policy that outsourced most of the blue collar jobs, especially the drivers in the airline. This prompted the workers to demand the sack of the Head of Human Resources, otherwise they would go on strike, a threat the carried out yesterday. Thank God o, i was already trying to book a seat online this morning but aero site wasn't going through and there i was thinking it was network. I already started insulting my modem network. lol!

There website has been closed due to the strike action. According to aero contractors website the Head of Human Resources and Administration is Feyi Akinbile. There has been presence of  Armed policemen from the Airport Police Command on the airport premises to provide security, as they mounted a barricade at the entrance of Aero Airlines office and desk, at the airport,

Aero management in a statement apologised for the inconvenience suffered by their customers,

“our highly esteemed customers due to an abrupt industrial action by our staff which has led to grounding of all our scheduled operations. We are engaging with the Unions to find a quick and amicable resolution. Further details will be given in due course. Thank you for your understanding.”

Aero Management are currently trying to reslve issues with there staffs. Funny enough i heard that Feyi Akinbile HR/admin of Aero was HR at the time Air Nigeria had issues and decided to go under.

Federal Government Appoints Acting DG For NCAA

The Federal Government, on monday sacked Dr Demuren and on Tuesday, appointed the Director of Aerodrome Services, Mr. Joyce Nkemakolam, as the acting Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. Stakeholders of the Aviation industry expressed dismay for sacking Dr Demuren, saying the excuses provided for sacking him were ‘’flimsy.’’ and the Federal Government was wrong to have sacked  Dr. Demuren, describing  the action as being politically motivated. They were not happy over the decision to sack Demuren, as they contended that he deserved better treatment instead of being humiliated.  A few of them expressed their view over th governments decision which were mostly against the governments decision.
Capt. Dele Ore, President of Aviation Roundtable Nigeria said,

 "We kill and bury our heroes in this country. This is a man that the whole world has acknowledged as an achiever, this is one of our heroes, Dr Demuren needs the support of every Nigerian because he has done a very good job. I don’t know the offence he has committed. This is the greatest inhumanity of man to man,” 

Mohammed Tukur, Assistant Secretary General, Airlines Operators of Nigeria, AON, said the sack is very unfortunate.

“ Demuren has done a lot for the aviation industry in Nigeria. He has brought tremendous transformation into the aviation industry in the country, Those who orchestrated this are celebrating his sack but must know that governments come, and government go,”

 Sam Akerele, General Secretary, Aviation Round Table, the sack of Demuren came as a shock.

"His passion and contributions will be remembered by the nation. The Federal Government must have good reasons for the sack. Hopefully, it is not a power play,”

 Meanwhile the Federal Government has apointed Mr. Joyce Nkemakolam, as the acting Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. Not much is know about this man, i cant even get his pictures. Would work on that. Meanwhile a few rumored names have come up to take up the post of the DG of NCAA like Captain former NCAT rector Folashade Odutola, Dr Olumuyiwa Aliu a former top excutive of NCAA, Captain Kiddy Dare.

NCAA DG Dr Demuren Sacked!

Last Night the office of the Secretary General of the Federation served a letter to Dr Harold Olusegun Demuren reliving him as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). signed by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the removal of Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren from Office as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with effect from 12th March 2013. This is consequent to a careful consideration of Dr. Demuren’s unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the aviation sector. Mr. President wishes him well in his future endeavours.

This decision was reach after the some members of the House of representatives went on an uproar over the issuance of Dana Air's Airline Operation Certificate (AOC), some members claimed that Dana should not have been given AOC and sort out Dr Demuren's resignation for negligence.
Noteable Achievements:
Dr Demuren was recruited from the United States of America to join the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria in 1976 as Senior Airworthiness Surveyor and rose to become Assistant Director, Airworthiness in June 1989. On the creation of the defunct Federal Civil Aviation Authority in 1990, he was appointed Deputy Director Air Transport, Economic Regulations and Licensing. He rose to become the Director Safety Services in 1991. In August 1995, He was "forced" into retirement because of his strict adherent to Safety after a Government "restructuring" exercise.
After retirement, he worked as Aviation Consultant and later formed Afrijet Airlines in 1998. Afrijet Airlines became one of the biggest Cargo Airlines in the country by 2005 servicing various cargo destinations on the African Continent.
He was the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Afrijet Airlines until he was appointed Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority in late December 2005. His appointment was later confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in February 2007 in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act of 2006 that stipulates the tenure of 5 years for the Director General of NCAA. After his appointment, Demuren immediately took on the challenge of reforming the Nigerian Aviation sector and restoring the lost confidence to the Industry drawing up a strategic short, medium and long term plan anchored on Safety, Security and Satisfaction (consumer) in that order of priority. Dr. Demuren introduced a safety reform Agenda which enthroned professionalism, integrity and transparency in the conduct of Aviation business. On August 23, 2010, under the leadership of Dr. Demuren, Nigeria attained American Federal Aviation Administration International Aviation Safety Assessment (FAA IASA) Category One Certification. This allows direct flights from Nigeria to Continental United States (USA). He Launched the IATA E-ticket / Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) regime which revolutionized the Air travel industry in Nigeria in 2008. His most recent achievement was the implimentation of Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) on all Nigerian commercial Aircrafts.
He is also the President, Flight Safety Foundation-West Africa, currently serves in the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of Flight Safety Foundation, the only African member in the Board of Governors of the Flight Safety Foundation, the foremost international aviation organization with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.A. On September 28, 2010, Demuren was elected as the President of the 37th General Assembly of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) held in Montreal, Canada from 28 September to 8 October 2010. The appointment was unanimously endorsed by all the delegates of the 190 contracting states of the ICAO. His emergence made history as the first time an African was elected to preside over the ICAO General Assembly, the United Nations global aviation agency. Cool Achievements!

Great Aircrafts with Great designs

As an airplane ethusiast and wannabe pilot, I assumed i had seen it all when it came to aircrafts and airplane designs. Sometimes i try to imagine what these aircraft engineers are thinking, airplane designs has evolved since 1903 trying to meet up with demand of the growing technological advancement as well as customer demands.The design of aircrafts helps one identify these airplanes just by looking at them generally there are airplanes that have vary similiar design feature with very little distict patterns, some cannot even tell the difference between a Boeing 767 from an Airbus A330, or A320 from B737. Only aviation enthusiats can tell the deifference by the design of these airplanes. However you don't have to be an aviation geek to be able to tell, when you see a Boeing 747 or the Airbus A380, and to some extent the new B787. Theses aircraft have unique designs that enables any person identify these aircrafts, the designs and purpose of these airplanes puts them on the spotlight.
Aircrafts are designed to meet a certain aviation criteras and customer demands, as well as being environmentally friendly. The A380 and B747-8I were designed to carry more passengers as well as provide comfort and luxuary, fuel efficient.

The Antonov-225 and C5 Galaxy designed to carry more tons par trip. The An225 aka Mriya which means "Inspiration" is the heaviest and biggest airplane in the world. She has 32 wheels in total 14 wheel bogis on each side of the main landing gear and 2 nose bogies, each bogie has two wheels a crew of 6. 2 pilots, 2 Flight Engineers, Navigator and Radio Operator.

B2 Spirit for stealthy missions (it cost over $700million a piece), Space Shuttle for space travels and orbital movement,

Boeing Phantom X-48B used by NASA as an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle, The Concorde for passeger flight capable travelling faster than the speed of sound,

Tupolev Tu-22M just like the concord its a supersonic swept-wing jet, not for passenger use but rather a Russian bomber.

SR-71 Blackbird, a strategic reconnaissance aircraft holds the record of the fastest jet aircraft today at Mach 3. This fantastic aircraft was designed by Clarence Leonard Johnson

Airbus Beluga aka Super Transporter is an airplane designed totransport aircraft parts for airbus from its various plants across Europe. Hamburg germany, Sevilla Spain and Final Assembly in Toulose France. Something About its Gigantic Hump tho. Ugly! Lol

Billionaire Buys Hawaiian Airline

Hawaii. One of the best vacationing places in the World. A typical multi-millionaire would buy 1st class tickets or lets say rent a private jet. You get to Hawaii and pay for the best hotel just bye the beach, with spar treatments and first class services with the best view. Thats the life!
Well how about this. Oracle co-founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, bought his own Hawaiian island in june last year, 98 percent of the 141 square mile (365 square kilometer) island of Lanai for a reported $600 million! Relax thats not all, he now has an airline to go with it. Island Air, a regional carrier based in the Pacific island state, According to usatoday he bought the airline for an undisclosed amount. Island air announced on Wednesday that it had closed its sale to a newly formed holding company owned by Ellison. (I can't shout!)

 "This is another major investment and commitment to Hawaii," said a statement by Paul Marinelli, vice president of Lawrence Investments, LLC, the Ellison-owned holding company.

Les Murashige, Island Air president, said in the statement, "We are excited Mr. Ellison has acquired Island Air. He has the vision and resources to literally take Island Air to new heights."

Island Air operates some 224 weekly flights between the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kauai. The airline operates mostly Dash 8 (100 & 200series), about 8 twin otters. Island air offers code-sharing with United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
Larry Ellison isworth an estimated $41 billion by Forbes magazine, which ranks him third wealthiest American, behind Microsoft's Bill Gates and investment guru Warren Buffett.

Nigeria Gets 1st Bell 429 Helicopter in Africa

Bell Helicopters has delivered two 429s to the Nigeria Police Air Wing (NPAW) and Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Nigeria is actually the first Country to have the 429s delivered in the continent of Africa. Impressive! 
Nigeria is the fifteenth country in the world to approve the gross weight increase for the 429 from 7,000-7,500 lbs. FAA and EASA have not approved the weight increase, but Bell has submitted a "petition for reconsideration" with the FAA decision in the U.S. Nigeria's validation of the 429 and its endorsement of the gross weight increase is very exciting for us as the country continues to expand its aviation services and infrastructure.
Bell 429 is a light, twin-engine helicopter First flight of the Bell 429 was February 27, 2007 and received type certification on July 1, 2009. The Bell 429 delivers 155kt/287kph speed with a glass cockpit configuration. It is capable of single-pilot IFR and Runway Category A operation. The Bell 429 costs about $5 million. I want one. lol! 

Crew: 1 pilot Capacity: 7 passengers (six in passenger compartment; one beside pilot)
Length: 41 ft 8 in (12.7 m)
Rotor diameter: 36 ft (10.97 m) Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
Empty weight: 4,245 lb (1,925 kg)
Useful load: 2,755 lb (1,250 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D1
turboshaft, 625 shp (466 kW); 730 shp (545 kW)
Cabin volume: 204 ft³ (5.8 m³)

New Airlines in Nigeria

On Wednesday the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said seven airlines have applied for Airline Operators Certificates (AOCs), to operate their respective businesses in the Nigerian airspace. The prospective airlines that applied for the certificates are Prime, Dyro, Hak, AZMA, EAS, Easy Jet, and Taraba State Airlines. Skybird Airline was,  issued its AOC recently.seven new airlines have applied for Airline Operators Certificates (AOCs) recently. Discovery Air is an airline that has been operational since 2008 but has decided to enter into the aviation commercial market in Nigeria with one Boeing 737-300 and a CRJ200. To view there webpage click http://www.flydiscovery.com.ng/
So many airlines in Nigeria can hardly keep up.

The Dream of being a pilot.

Aviation Humor; B787

Aviation Love

How much love is too much for aviation. lol!

Qantas Pilots Behind the scenes - A Pilots Story

How Does An Airplane Fly?

You look up in the sky and wonder. How does an object obviously heavier than air, fly?
I bet at one point in your life you might have asked yourself that Question, especially for those of us that have a special fondness for flight. For some very curious folks like me, its one of the major reasons i made up my mind to know more and go into aviation. From there you enjoy the thrill and find your passion, you branch out to either become an air traffic controller, pilot, an engineer, a dispatcher, even doctors, lawyers and journalist can freely specialise in the industry.
These machinces suspends in the air for several hours defying the laws of gravity. Another funny fact is, airplanes come in different shapes and sizes. From very light single engine props to Heavy Jets like the 777s, 747s and A380s and let's not forget the jets design for military purposes as well as helicoptors. They are all termed "HEAVIER THAN AIR AIRCRAFTS"
Okay back to our main issue. How do Airplanes fly? Well in summary physics has the answer (that's way I indulge every wannabe pilot to take their physics lessons seriously). As for those who would become aeronautic engineers they go indept by applying mathematical theories and calculations to why an airplane flies.
There are four fundamental principles of flight
-Lift
-Weight
-Drag
-Thrust

These forces oppose each other and create a balance that keeps the aircraft in flight. I.e LIFT is opposed by the WEIGHT of the aircraft. THRUST is opposed by DRAG. These forces obeys newtons' 3rd law which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Airplanes
The wings of an airplane is also a major contributing factor that helps the aircraft create lift.
Example. When a B737 hurdles down the runway, air passes through the wings. From the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wings both above and below the wings. The air that passes above the wings passes with high speed and travels further with low pressure, while the air that passes below the wings of the aircraft passes at a lower speed with higher pressure. This process is what creates lift and is known as Bernoulli's principle which states that within an airflow of constant energy, when air flows through a region of lower pressure it speeds up and vice versa.
As the pilot moves his yoke towards him/her the ANGLE OF ATTACK is increased. The higher the Angle of Attack the more the pressure and the more the lift. Note that there is a degree to which a pilot can increase his Angle Of Attack. Any angle above the prescribed is know as critical angle of attack you could tilt the yolk and loose speed and enter a STALL.
Aircraft wing surface area is Dependent on the size of the aircraft. The bigger the aircraft the more thrust and wing surface area required to lift the aircraft.

For Helicopters.
I understand the basics of helicopter flight as well as its controls  movement. I had to seat on the left to have a visual comprehension, so all I know is on the surface.
 Rotor wings aircraft obey the same fundamental principles of flight. They are only different by design. Rotor heads generate lift as well as provide thrust for the helicopter. The Rotor is turned by an engine-driven shaft. Air passes through the rotor blades "just as we explained in the airplane section above" the air above the blades moves at high speeds and pushes air downward to create lift. By tilting the rotor forward, i.e pushing the cyclic forward, the downward flow is tilted backward, producing thrust for forward flight. Some helicopters have more than one rotor and a few have rotors turned by gas jets at the tips.
For a comprehensive explanation visit http://www.pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/rotary/helis.htm

AIB Releases Investigative Reports for Dana Air 9J-992; and 8 other Final Reports

Finally, The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released its preliminary report on the Dana Air 9J-992 Accident which claimed over 159 lives in June last year, in addition to several other air accidents dating back almost 10 years.
Updated reports released include those for:

1. Updated report on Accident involving Dana 9J-992, Reg. 5N-RAM, Crash in Lagos,3 June 2012.
2. Report on the Accident Involving DHL 727-200 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria On 7th September 2006
3. Report on Bristow Helicopters Accident Bell 412 EP Registration 5N-BIQ at Qua Iboe Terminal Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria on 3rd August 2007
4. Report on the Accident involving Belview B737-200, Reg 5N-BFN at Lisa Village, Ogun State, Nigeria on 22nd October 2005
5. Report on the Accident to AERO CONTRACTOR NIGERIA LIMITED AS 365 N2 Registration 5N-BJF at Bonny Airstrip, Bayelsa State, Nigeria on 24th March 2008
6. Report on the Accident Involving TAMPICO Club 9 Aircraft, Reg. 5N-CBF at Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria on 10th October 2006
7. Report on the Accident Involving TAMPICO Club 9 Registration No. 5N-CAV Which occurred on the 22nd July, 2008
8. Report on the Serious Incident involving A BAGGAGE TRACTOR (DOUGLAS) Towing Tug NO. 55/2 and parked Aircraft B737-200 at D-43 Avio-bridge on the Ramp at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria on the 15th January 2008
9. Report on the Accident to ADC Airlines B737-200, Reg 5N-BFK at Tungar Madaki, Abuja on the 29th October,2006

click here to see reports

The Great Mystery!

Actually, i have asked myself this question a thousand times. looooooolz......
I still dont have an answer tho.

Aero Acquires 10yr old Dash 8-Q400.

One of Nigeria’s major airlines, Aero Contractors, will be taking delivery of Dash 8-Q400.
The new generation aircraft is equipped with the latest naviagational facilities with lower fuel burn, thus making the aircraft more efficient, environmentally friendly and easier to maintain.
“Aero is an airline that prides itself to strict maintenance schedule of their aircrafts, as prescribed by the manufacturers and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The airline owns six 737-400s, six 737-500s and one Dash 8-Q400. There are also rumors that says, aero is seeking to get a Boeing 737-700. Awesome!

Boeing 787: Dreamliner Surfing

I miss the dreamliner in the skies already.
Subscribe to justplanes on youtube or visit www.worldairroutes.com for great cockpit videos.
My best video is a 4min video on the dreamliner. Its absolutly Soul winning.

American Airlines and US Airways Merge

                          American Airlines + US Airways New Look.

American Airlines and US airway are both leading airliners not just in North America but in the world. Now these two titanics have merge to form an even larger company. this merger would mean that the airline would own the largest fleet of airplanes in the world. i.e a staggarring 1500 aircrafts (largest in the world) including regional planes fleet with the most destinations in the world. Thats Huge! The merger is worth an estimated $11billion.
The company will operate under the American Airlines name and will be based at American’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, with a major presence at the US Airways hub in Phoenix. Doug Parker, the US Airways chief executive, will run the combined company. American Airlines head Thomas Horton will serve as chairman of the board through the first annual meeting of shareholders, at which time Parker will take over as chairman of the board.

GE to construct multi-billion naira manufacturing plant in Calabar

General Electric (GE) is set to commence work on the construction of its multi-billion naira engineering manufacturing plant at the Calabar Free Trade Zone, Mr Sadiq Kasim, General Manager of the zone, said that the management of the zone and the company had finalised arrangements for construction work to  commence on the construction of the factory at the free trade zone. Kasim said the company had promised that it would, in the first phase of the project, invest more than N250 million in the establishment of the plant. The plant would be designed for the manufacture of generator turbines for power plants, coaches for trains, engines for aircrafts as well as hospital equipment, among others.
About 300 Nigerian professional engineers and technicians would be employed in the factory and that provision would be made for the training of young Nigerians through the company’s technology transfer programme.
Maku Labaran (minister for information) described GE’s investment in the manufacturing plant as unprecedented.
``The announcement by General Electric to set up a plant here is the most important international endorsement of Nigeria as a safe haven for investment in Africa. It is the single most important investment for Nigeria since 1960. What is significant about this project when completed is that Nigeria will now acquire the technical capacity for high-level manufacturing on the continent,’’ he said. He said the investment was one of the many evidences that the present administration was making progress, saying Nigeria would soon become the hub for GE’s operations in Africa.

Mr Richard Bassey, the head of Public Relations at the zone, said that the 25 companies operating in the zone had employed more than 5,000 workers directly.
He said more than 1,000 others were indirectly involved in other jobs created through the activities generated from the free trade zone. The monthly internally-generated revenue of the zone stood at between N80 and N100 million.
Erm... Whats up with the mRO facilieies i thought was being built in Akwa-ibom?

Love in the Air: Nigerian Airlines Set for Valentine.

Its the season of love and local airlines are also expressing their love towards customers. Dana, Arik, Aero and some other airlines operating in Nigeria have each slashed fares to attract customers this valentine season. Arik reduced its fares by 13 percent, Aero takes N9,000 to Lagos from Abuja while Dana is charging N9,999 for the same route.
Dana’s bonanza is contained in a statement by Tony Usidamen, the airline’s Head of Corporate Communication said.
“The Valentine season is all about giving and, as our special gift to our valued guests, we are offering a special online fare of N9, 999. This way, more guests can travel and be with their loved ones this season,” So ladies that romantic dinner in Abuj, hold your guy airfares are cheap *wink*

American Airlines New Look

God knows, i never like american airlines former colour. Made the airline look cheap, with its red and blue strips, looked alot like a taxi. lol.
They got new looks as well as new interiors, really lovely

 

Aerocontractors Nigeria (AJ) to add Bombardier -Q400, likely to retire its 737-500s

There are rumors that Nigeria's Aero Contractors (AJ), also known as Aero, have announced plans to add several Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s to their fleet with an ex-Flybe (BE) Q400 currently being painted for Aero at Norwich Airport in the UK. 

Other unconfirmed rumours suggest that all of Aero's AJ's Boeing 737-500s due for expensive maintenance checks will be phased out and replaced with the less cost effective Bombardier Q400s.

Aero Contractors already operates 12 Boeing 737 Classics in addition to a Dash 8-200 and a Dash 8-300 on charter services.

Dana Crash; Investigative Reports says Pilot Error.

Investigations have confirmed that the inability of the pilot to turn on the fuel pumps of the ill-fated Dana Air flight that crashed at a Lagos suburb on June 3, 2012, killing about 160 people, led to the failure of the two engines and the eventual crash.
The captain of the aircraft, was an American Peter Waxtan, was making his last flight to Lagos from Abuja when the plane crashed, killing all on board and a few people on the ground.
Reports indicated that 17 minutes into the flight, Waxtan noticed problems with one of the engines of the aircraft and a little later, the second engine of the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft went off and it lost attitude before it crashed a few minutes to landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
The Wall Street Journal showed that the accident was likely caused by the crew's failure to properly monitor fuel flow and turn on certain fuel pumps, which resulted in both engines shutting down almost simultaneously from lack of fuel. No other significant problems were discovered with the engines or other systems of the aircraft, and the 22-year-old plane had plenty of fuel on board to reach the airport, according to people familiar with the joint investigation by the US and Nigerian officials.
The crash sparked an intense fire that raged for nearly a day and compromised the flight-data recorder. So investigators had less data to rely on than is usual in modern jetliner crashes and are still working on the final wording of the report.
The cockpit voice recorder, which survived intact, showed the pilots spent the last 25 seconds unsuccessfully trying to restart the engines.

Med-View Emergency Landing

Two days ago the minister of aviation had a press statement concerning med-views B747-400 Emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos. No reports have been given as to what actually caused the surge within the engine of the aircraft, which prompted a go around by the Pilots

Medview aircraft, a 737-400 with Reg.No 5N BPA from Lagos-Abuja-Yola earlier today made an air return to Lagos about 15 miniutes after take-off. The plane had taken off at 12 noon. The pilot of the aircraft who noticed a surge in one of the engines immediately applied the necessary safety precautionary measure by returning the aircraft to base.
The pilot made a safe and smooth landing while all passengers were successfully disembarked and subsequently transferred to another aircraft in the fleet, a 737-800. All passengers in the 737-800 were safely dropped at the two destinations-Abuja and Yola.
NCAA officials and technicians are currently on ground looking at the circumstances surrounding the air return. It must however be pointed out that air return is a normal procedure usually applied by pilots and airlines all over the world whenever there is a compelling reason to discontinue the flight.

Joe Obi

SA (Media) to the Hon. Minister of Aviation

Is it not too soon for such a new airline to experience faults barely 5months into the start of the airline

Senate Says Dana AOC be revoked and sack NCAA Boss

The Nigerian Senate has since been hammering that, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) boss Dr Harold Dumuren be sack for giving back Dana Airline its Airline Operators Licence AOC, 6months after the crash of one of its Aircraft. The senate also said the AOC be revocked because it was not issued with compliance of the Nigerian civil refulatory law of the 1999 constitution.
The Senate also mentioned that the intervention funds given by CBN to some airlines was diverted for order issues.
Watch this interview.

Nigerian Troops; Deployment to Mali.

So 1,200 Nigerian Troops arrived Mali yesterday to help curb insurgents from Northern Mali (supposedly were the violent Boko-Haram sects are being trained). Included in this battalion of soldiers are the air-wing of the Nigerian Airforce, flying and transporting our troops as well as their equipments to Mali. The transport plane for this job is the Nigerian Airforce, United States made Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Pix below:-

This transport plane has a capacity for 92 passengers, 72 combat troops or 64 paratroopers in a cargo compartment that is approximately 41 feet (12 m) long, 9 feet (2.7 m) high, and 10 feet (3.0 m) wide. Unlike passenger airliners, the hercules is designed from the ground-up as a combat transport with loading from a hinged loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage. The Lockheed cargo plane design possesses a range of 1,100 nmi (1,300 mi; 2,000 km), takeoff capability from short and unprepared strips, and the ability to fly with one engine shut down.

Another Aircraft deployed to mali are the Nigerian Airforce Gunships. The Aerospatiale SA 330 Super Puma helicopters.

This is a four-bladed twin engine medium transport helicopter. She has 3crew members and carries 16passengers or troops. Its has well placed defense. Two of these babies were deployed to mali to give Nigerian troops ease of transport support.

The next aircraft are the deadliest of all the aircrafts deployed, there are fast and incredibly swift. They are the light attack Dornier Alpha jet E.

There are low support jet aircraft with a crew of 2(Pilot and Navigator) it has a combat radius of 610 km (329nmi 379mi) lo-lo-lo profile, gun pod, underwing weapons and two drop tanks. It has got a Maximum Speed of 1,000 km/h (540kn 621mph) at sea level. Its Weapon stock comprises of:-

• Guns: 1× 27 mm (1.06 in) Mauser 27 Revolver Cannons in centreline gun packed with 120 rounds or 1x 30 mm DEFA in centerline pod with 150 rds
• Rockets: 2× Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each; 2× CRV7 rocket pods with 19× 70 mm rockets each
• Missiles: 2× AIM 9 Sidewinders 2× Matra Magic II; 2× AGM-65 Maverick;
  
• Bombs: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) of payload on five external hardpoints including a variety of bombs (such as the Hunting BL755 Clusterbombs) or Drop Tanks for extended range.

one of our alpha jet pilot preping to leave for Bamako yesterday, at the Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after flight brefing.

Dana Airline Resumes Flight Ops Today

Its been a major loss for Dana and Nigeria, because june 3, 2012 came as a shock when a Dana plane McDouglas 80 came crashing down into residential homes in lagos, just before landing. 6months have passed and Dana airline has finally resumed flight operations today after passing through regorous screenings, investigations and test to satify that they are save to fly. The airline had its first flight departing from Lagos-FCT Abuja around 7:20am this morning. Reports say the airline sold a few tickets, for about N14,400 and plans to make a trip with government officials and celebrities to the capital to assure Nigerians that its aircrafts are safe to fly.
The airline still has pending issues with its insurers concerning compensations for the relatives of the june 3 2012 crash.
Safe Flight people!

Into the world of private Jets.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Private Jets air as the name implies are aircraft bought buy individuals, companies and even state govnment for private use. Private jets range in Sizes from Very Light Jets, Light Jets, midsize jets to Heavy Jets‪. Usually a typical Gulfstream, Cessna Citation, Challengers, LearJet, are regular business jets that wealthy people can buy and trick out for either business or personal use, buying comfort you can get in 5star hotels, eliminating long queues at the airports, delays, stop-overs, stale and tasteless foods.
Private jet owner statics continue to grow every year. In Nigeria over a period of about 7yrs has recorded over 200 private jet owners.
According to statistics obtained from FAAN's website, the rate varies for Day landing $0.00909/kg ; Night landing $0.01364/kg. Parking for the first three hours does not attract any fee. Montly parking fee cost about $10,000 every month but depending on the size and weight of the aircrafts, parking and landing fees varies.
For the Gulfstream G450 aircraft, with landing weight of 29,935kg, the airport authority will charge the owner about $273 or its naira equivalent for day landing while it will take $408 for night landing.Some Nigerians who have been associated with owning private jets include Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Mike Adenuga, and Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim. Others are Sir. Joseph Arumemi-Johnson of Arik Air, Chairman of ThisDay Newspaper NdukaObiagbena, Dr. Babatunde Fagbemi of Maevis Nigeria Ltd, and award winning singers, P Square .
Some of the companies with private jets include Zenith Bank, Oceanic Bank, Dangote Group, NNPC, among others. Some state governments like that of Akwa Ibom, Rivers among others are believed to have acquired private jets.
The world of business aviation has spread its tentacles beyond 8seater luxury gulfstreams to Heavy and wide bodied commercial passenger jetliners like the Boeing 737NG, 747-400 & 800series, 757, 767, Airbus A330, A340, some of these planes seat up to 356 passengers for commercial use.

Well it seems rich folks do experience the recession. As Donald Trump bought a Boeing 757VIP jet from paul Allen. Microsoft's co-founder for a reported $100million. Trump's “new” 757 is basically a 20-year-old 737, but with a fuselage that's five meters longer. With a poky floor-space of 125 square meters and a range of around 8,000 kilometers, it is tricked out with Gold interiors and state-off the art Avionics system. Although it's a far cry from the 747-8 VIP, whose range is over 17,000 kilometers and makes Mr Trumps jet look like a single engine prop cessna. Shet!

The 747-8 Intercontinental is the latest, longest and about the most expensive corporate jet in the world -- a shiny new, “green” (empty) 747-8 will set you back US$300 million, but with a VIP fit-out the figure is closer to US$500 million.

But what else is there out there for those with a few more hundred millions to splash? Actually there is. THE A380.
The official 'monster of the skies' accommodating over 750 Passengers. Recently a Saudi prince. Prince Al-waleed bin talal cousin to the sultan of Brunei who himself owns a Luxurious Boeing 747-400VIP jet. Prince Al-waheed ordered the A380 sometime in 2009 and has since been delivered but has been undergoing dynamic interior makeover by "Design Q" a British Worcestershire-based firm. The A380 VIP business jet is expected to be delivered to the prince sometime early this year. The airplane is worth about $485million. Prince Al-waleed's flying palace has been pimped with an on-board garage, so that the prince can be driven right to the threshold of the aircraft or better still. A lift drops to the tarmac and a red casrpet unfurls, with downlights to 'give the impression of turning up at the Oscars'. The belly of the A380 has been turned into a relaxation zone, including a Turkish bath lined with marble only two millimetres thick to keep the weight down.
Next door is a wellbeing room, with the floor and walls turned into a giant screen showing the ground down below. Guests can stand on a 'magic carpet' and watch the journey, a scented breeze blowing into the room.

If work really is unavoidable, the boardroom is on hand with iTouch screens and live share prices projected on to the tables. For conference calls, a business partner on the ground can be virtually projected on to the table to 'join' a meeting.
The five suites which form the owner's private quarters have king- size beds, entertainment systems and a prayer room featuring computergenerated prayer mats which always face Mecca. A lift shuttles between the plane's three floors, from the private quarters upstairs, down to the concert hall that seats 10peaple, featuring a baby grand piano. Hian!

  Paul Allen, had a gulfstream IV that ran off the runway and a helicopter that totalled when it struck a cable during take-off from his yatch. His pilots made a safe emergency landing only to be damaged by the company towing the chopper on water. Totally submerging the chopper (no one was injured), paul took it a nouch, left out luxuary and purchased speed. He got himself a Russian MiG-29 (wow, just when i was asking myself if individuals could own a fighter Jet).

Gadaffi uses an Airbus A340 worth almost $300millon. (picture above).
Google has got 3executives and they all have a total of 8 private jets, The google boys both have one Boeing 767 aircraft that is worth about $180million. Roman abramovich, chelsea's manager also owns a 767 but has a passion for sailing. He would prefer to travel by sea and experience the full extent of luxury. His missing out!

Governments and military organisations are not left out in this private Jet venture:-
The State of Kuwait got a Boeing 747-800i with kuwaiti airline colours

The United States, uses a 747-400 to transport her presidents popularly known as "Airforce one". It is customised to uptmost secrecy and the jet comes with its own defense as well as evasive mechanisim. It has a Business Jet style cabin, containing private quaters for the president, a personal office, confrence rooms, galley, as well as a media room should in-case d president needs to give a press briefing or address the nation. The Jet has got up 55workers and crew and its capable of mid-air refuelling. It can also endure flying 3days non stop.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria," jet-liner carries the inscription: "Nigerian Air Force" and the number "5N-FGT" BB (Boeing 737-700), has been described as "the ultimate in space, range, utility and productivity," with an interior that is nearly triple the size of the most popular large cabin business jets. With BBJ cabins laid out to include a full dining room/conference room table, plus a private bedroom with a shower, the plane is said to be more like "flying office with rooms.
" The cost is about US$48 million for BBJ1 (Boeing 737-700).

 The newest aircrafft to grace the skies. Boeing's dreamliner 'the 787' some days ago made its way into the business world as boeing officially stated that its first 787business jet is under construction for Hong Kong real estate tycoon Joseph Lau. The aircraft is worth $156million.
Owning a private Jet enables its owners to sneak in and out anytime they please.