Never been on a plane before....

[PooPoo]

If they can do this with a lawnmower youve got no worries [url]www.big-boys.com/articles/lawnfly.html[/url]




Or would you swim here?


[url]www.big-boys.com/articles/stmarten.html[/url]

[bruciebabe]

Wimps. I have flown into and out of Saba several times. The shortest commercial runway in the world, with a sheer cliff at both ends. 400 metres long with 300 metres usable. The only aircraft that can use it are DHC Twin Otters. The view through the pilots windscreen on landing is interesting. On takeoff they don't take off. They go to one end of the runway and give it full throttle against the brakes for a moment before letting the brakes off. They then accelerate down the runway and off the end. Good stuff. Also the old Hong Kong airport was cool, the only flights where I always chose a (right hand) window seat.
Saba pics:

[lanciachris]

Awesome pics! Someones forgot to leave the arrester wire out tho

[Jon C]

Back to the tips. This one is in no way meant to frighten you, btw. I ALWAYS leave my seat belt on, just loosely. Only ever been in "Clear Air Turbulance" once, over the alps. Perfectly safe, planes are so over engineered that dropping several hundred feet is not a problem. However, the woman who was sat next to me broke her arm on the overhaed locker. My loose belt kept me within a foot of my seat, and I just had that sinking feeling when you realise that adrenaline is brown!

Have a great trip, The kick in the behind when you start your run up is fantastic!!

[tycho]

Get a seat at the back of the plane. After all, you never hear of planes reversing into mountains.


I love flying, takeoff and landing are the best. Set your watch to the destination time when you get on and set your routine according to this, beats jet lag on long haul flights.

[bruciebabe]

St Barts is a fun place to land. It has the silliest runway in the world with a big hill at one end. If you climb the hill and watch a few landings you realise that it would be unwise to stand on the top as they only just miss it. Take a close look at the first photo:

[deltafox]

Lol...Cool!

[wiggy001]

Remember the seatbelts aren't there to save you if you crash... they're just so they can identify the bodies by the seat number...

Flying is merely the art of throwing a long metal tube full of people at the ground and hoping you miss...

And why is it that if you scream "AAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!" in a library everyone thinks you're insane. Do the same in a plane and everyone joins in?

[esselte]

I want to die in my sleep like my granddad,not screaming and shouting like his passengers.

[bruciebabe]

St Vincents is also interesting, straight into a mountain.


The celebs come here in their bizjets en route to the Grenadines, though I could not believe it the day I saw a 727 in, especially when it took off towards the mountain! Interesting to say the least. It appears that they are regular visitors though it must be right on the limit for such a small airport.


See, wings over the grass.

[zcacogp]

If you are prone to blocked sinuses/mild ear problems, take some decongestant before you get on the plane, with enough time for it to work. Having problems with blocked tubes (Vixpy - NO!) can be quite painful.

Enjoy it. I still do.


Oli.

[tvrolet]

Never been on a plane? Lucky sod.

Some of us hate flying, and end up having to do 2 trips every damned week . And mostly on budget airlines so there aint even any perks (like air miles and free drinkies) for the discomfort.

There was a time when flying was glamerous. When I started doing a Edinburgh/London commute maybe 20 years ago there were pleasant hostesses (can't call them that now), a nice 4-course meal with mints coffee and wine (even on a 1 hour hop), and a pleasant lounge with fellow business travellers.

Now it's just like a cattle truck. Crammed in a terminal with loads of loud football-strip/shell-suit wearing types; likely as not there'll be a stag party or hen party on the plane on Friday evenings . Delays. Overpriced beer. The oversized bloke always ends up beside you, or the screaming baby. Or of you're in an isle, the folks on the inside always seem to suffer from bladder problems and you're up and down like a bl@@dy yo-yo.

Even the long hauls have lost their special cachet. Had to pay for drinks the last few times on Continental...and they're one of the more civilised ones. Don't get me started on KLM. What is that godawful dried-out excuse for a sandwich they insist on serving you with for breakfast, lunch and every other opportunity?

Glad I got that off me chest God I hate flying. Just girding my loins for tomorrows jaunt...back up Friday evening - oh joy

Have fun though. I'm sure you'll love it. Just don't make a habit of it.

WB

[Extra 300 Driver]

x1m said:

Don't get on one of these either...

Why not?

Plese back up your statement!

DF,

Don’t worry about a thing. It will go without a hitch, which airline are you flying with? I was an engineer in the RAF before turning to flying. When I left the RAF I worked as an engineer on civil airliners before getting involved, a bit, with flight-testing. I have been on a 737 with one engine shut down and the aircraft almost on its back, all part of its testing, and we had no trouble at all getting the aircraft back straight and level and restarting the engine. Modern Civil Aircraft are designed to take 4.5g’s with out any structural implications, they can go much higher than that, 6+g, but the OEMs do not guarantee that panels will not fall off.

Enjoy the experience, it really is magical. Listen to all mechanical parts working together in perfect unison to get you in the air. If you want an isle seat, so you can get up and walk around, then take it. If you want a window take that, its really up to you and what you think you will be happy with.. My general advise about flying is as follows;

Sit where you are happy, if you can.

Listen to the cabin crew safety brief, its for your safety

When you are seated always leave your belt on, loose but on. This will make you feel secure and stop you hitting your head if, in the unlikely event, you were to encounter turbulence.

Do not drink alcohol before or during the flight, it will make you feel rough as hell, drink water instead.

I know this sounds doom and gloom but look to where your nearest exit is. You will be amazed how many people, in an emergency, try to go through the door they go on through. You nearest exit may be behind you, just behind you so have a look.

ENJOY IT!

[Eric Mc]

I'd love the chance to fly in a Comet. Pity there aren't any flying examples around.

[wizzpig]

Fly wherever you like. But, whatever you do, don't land here.....

[outnumbered]

deltafox said:

Thats me. Never flown before, but im off to Italy in a coupla weeks. What can i expect?

The thing that I found surprising when I took my first flight was how much the various parts of the plane (wings, engines, etc) wave about. It's surprisingly flexible for such a big thing made out of metal.

[Cyberhuss]

Do you know where this is wizzpig?



Large Version

[rsvmilly]

Area 51?

[FourWheelDrift]

rsvmilly said:

Area 51?

Yes

[Cyberhuss]

How'd you both know that? thought it would have been a hard one..