@SASCaptain

~ Making sense of aviation ~

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Bagasi – New preferred brand!

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Best toilet bag ever…

After a lot of research, I bought a weekendbag from Bagasi last December. I had scouted for over 2 years and found out which qualities that I ranked extra high. Finally, I ended up with a bag from Bagasi. The bag has a lot of smart details, is made of the softest high quality leather and comes together with an excellent toilet bag! Yes, that’s right! They give it away for free when ordering a weekendbag!

I spend around 200 nights “on the road” packing and unpacking several times a week. A good toilet bag is like an old friend – and the toilet bag from bagasi.se has never let me down. It’s fantastic good looking, keeps it’s shape even when I press it deep down into my overloaded bag and it looks just as good when I need it the next evening.

Hands down – this is the best toilet bag I’ve ever used during 30 years of travel.

Bagasi is from now on a preferred brand and you’ll see some of the results in the future. Right now, during February 2019, Bagasi has a “Winter Sale” which means really good deals. Order your weekend bag now at a reduced price and get their cool toilet bag for free! They ship internationally!

More to come…

Order here: https://www.bagasi.se

#weekendbag

#bagasi.se

IGS Approach RWY 13 HKG

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Well, I found this Hi8 video clip when cleaning out a drawer… A very special type of approach, not performed anymore. The KAI TAK aerodrome has been closed for many years now, but the pilots memories from this approach tends to live forever. – With respect to the Captain´s privacy, I´ve decided to blur his face, since Youtube and Social Media weren´t invented in 1996. Who could imagine, that this would be on line over 20 years later?

I really hope you will enjoy this rare 5 min clip!

You´ll find more clips on my Youtube-channel – See ya!

 

Ottoman Empire & modern aviation? Huh?

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What has the Ottoman Empire to do with modern aviation?

Scimitar winglet by sascaptain.com

Scimitar winglet by sascaptain.com

So, what’s up with these fellows? And what has anything to do with the Ottoman Empire?

Aerodynamics

The main reason for winglets in commercial aviation is to save fuel. Aerodynamics teaches us that a perfect wing has as few “lift losses” as possible. Less wing tip vortex lowers the drag and gives better performance. Simplified – the basic cross section of the wing is more curved on the upper side, resulting in a higher air velocity, lower pressure and at the end – wing lift. If you can direct even more undisturbed air over the wing, the result is a more efficient wing.

Why winglets?

A winglet can be traced back to NASA’s research in the seventies, when fuel prices suddenly sky rocketed. A winglet was found to reduce vortex (swirling air) at the wing tips giving better performance and fuel economy. Some wings are more suitable to winglets as others, and the design and effectiveness are often debated. I’ve only seen Scimitars on Boeing 737’s. A Scimitar winglet has an extra ventral strake, giving the whole construction a very distinct appearance. Most of the good stuff comes from the top portion of the winglet, but the ventral fin amplifies the effect.

The picture above shows a 737 wing fitted with Scimitar winglets that I took at Gardemoen, Oslo. The installation takes a couple of days and lengthens the wing span by about 20 cm and range about 65 Nm. Cost? Around 600.000 USD

Is it worth it? Fuel saving is said to be around 5% which equals to about 170.000 liters/year. Since the price of jet fuel has fallen by almost 40% the last 6 months, the incitement for retrofitting these devices has shrunk. However, these smart devices gives a long term effect on both investment and environment, so I’m sure they will keep on being popular even at a lower fuel price. These low fuel prices won’t last forever, so it might be a good idea to invest some of the saved money on fuel during “the good years”?!

Scimitar – Curved sword from the Ottoman Empire (see picture).

Persian Prince Scimitar by strongblade.com

Persian Prince Scimitar by strongblade.com

Article inspired by flyingmag.com

 

readly_table_aviation

Readly – Read on the GO!

De- & Anti-icing

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De-icing / Anti-Icing

 

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Sunday 10th January 2016, CPH.

Last Sunday, the weather in both Copenhagen and Oslo had great impact on both our passengers travel plans and also on our schedule. I, together with my FO P Anderberg did our best to keep it both safe and efficient. However, these matters takes time. A normal de-icing in Copenhagen takes about 5 minutes. This Sunday, it took almost 18 minutes – due to special conditions (sticky snow). Combined with runway clearing, slot times to OSL, ground equipment not able to function at it’s best during heavy snow, push back tractors loosing grip when trying to move our heavy Airbus 321, gate guidance systems breaking down etc. It was one of those days… As a commander you can’t let this inflict your decision making or your way of handling the specific flight. During these circumstances thing takes time – and there isn’t much you can do about it. Most important – Never let pressure come creeping up on you! My task is to secure a safe operation – That’s my number one priority.

Some of you have asked questions about de-icing. Below is a very abbreviated quick course – Enjoy!

A delicate matter

As many of you probably know that an airplane wing is a very delicate construction. Everything is there for a reason, and the manufacturer has worked hard in order to build the most efficient wing profile.

Ice, frost and snow alters the wings character a lot. Even the thinnest layer of frost on the upper side of the wing could in some instances be lethal if left on the wings before takeoff. In Scandinavia, we have a very good knowledge about handling these advere situations during our cold winter season. The authorities have come up with a system governing the safe dispatch of various types of aircrafts. At the end, the Commander (Captain) has the ultimate responsibility to checkand decide which treatmet that should be used.

3 types of fluids

The three most common types of deicing fluids are

Type I/Type II/Type IV

Type I is un-thickened and either colorless or orange

Type II is thickened and either colorless or yellow

Type IV is thickened and colorless or green.

A one step procedure is done with Type I, simply to remove the existing layer of frost/snow/ice. The fluid is mixed with hot water. A one step procedure with Type I is only possible if there is no precipitation present and takeoff expected within a couple of minutes after the treatment

A two-step procedure is necessary as soon as there are some kind of precipitation present in combination with low temperatures. First step removes existing deposits and the second step prevents snow/frost/ice to build on the wings, airframe & stabilizer (within a certain time frame). This is called anti-icing (compare de-icing). De-icing is a removal procedure, Anti-icing is a preventive procedure.

Type IV fluids are even thicker and gives longer anti-ice effect. However, these fluids have a couple of disadvantages as well, and are seldom used nowadays.

After completion of the treatment, the Commander needs a de- anti icing report from the ground personnel, where after he checks a Hold Over Time table (HOT) to decide the latest time a takeoff is possible. This is depending on type of fluid, precipitation, temperature etc.

A pre takeoff check is done before every takeoff after de-icing.

 

 

Mission accomplished!

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From Eddie Gold: “Johan Wiklund and SE-AMO have arrived safely at Stellenbosch airfield to a fantastic reception. We don’t have the actual time yet of touchdown, but whether he made it for exactly 3:10pm or not is only a secondary thought compared to the massive undertaking this brave but humble pilot has achieved. To fly an 80 year old aircraft from the northernmost tip of mainland Europe, all the way to the most southerly tip of Africa with no modern instruments or following support is a true epic in the sense of the word. He has certainly done Gosta Andree and all other Swedish aviators proud.

We reckon there will be a big party today at Stellenbosch and we look forward to images and accounts from the celebrations. But for now, Mission Accomplished…give that man a beer!”

  

May the (AIR)FORCE be with you!

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Update CapeToCape

 

“Well this was one of those days I never will forget!” // J Wiklund

What a great crew and staff at this friendly Air Force base at Swartkop. Not that active when it comes to the main operations, but very active when it comes to flight museums and they keep over 15 aircrafts airworthy!
Harvards, Alouettes, DC3s and Tiger Moths…

Got out around 1000 and did an engine run tho check the oil leak which has been a problem.
I got help to get it fixed, and I also adjusted some of the wires.
Met with SAAB representatives and prepared some photos on the computer in the hangar, that I would show later in the afternoon.

At 1300 we had a briefing with the Gripen pilots (a 2 seater plane that just flew in).

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A bit delayed after some C130 dropping elite parachuters we got airborne around 1430.
We had the Gripen doing big turns and me doing more tight turns and at a lower altitude (150ft).
Intention was to have the photographers getting good shoots on both of us passing by.

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Five turns later the Gripen had to continue to refuel as the refuelling at Swartkop was temporarily out of order.
I got to climb. It took me a long time reaching 7000ft (2500ft above the airfield)
I did a looping, a barrel roll, half cuban eight and another barrel roll and the altitude was gone and the finishing of with steep turns to show the turn rate and a slow fly by followed by a fast low fly by and the landing.

The crowd seemed satisfied!  To be frank, you do not see much DH60 aerobatic at 5000ft often! (never!) And as some of our followers noticed, I sure did create some “green spaghetti” on FR24.com!

I did a speech for many of the SAAF pilots and others for more than an hour. I think it went well!
Inspire to go back to basic, to take on challenges in life and to keep a good balance in order to feel well – that were the main topics in my speech I guess!

I feel very satisfied how the day went!  Now some SLEEP to get ready to fly around 0800LT tomorrow.
Short flight to Orient to meet up with Brett, Mark and possible the Sling Aircraft factory.

Then we will fly to Kimberly and the Swedish monument to give the 100 Scandinavians that died in 1899 in the Boer war a thought!

Stay tuned,
Johan

 

 

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Aerobatics and aspirations

Here is an interesting experiment for all you open-cockpit pilots out there: aerobatics at high altitude (for us, anyway). I gave it a shot today at Baraganath just to see how it would feel. Not great, I can report… the thin air immediately drained me of all my energy. I’ll have to limit tomorrow’s air show to only a few maneuvers.

I flew to Swartkop and got a very nice reception, even though the lady in the tower refused at first to grant me permission to land. Turned out she hadn’t seen the document and was therefore following procedure… It all worked out in the end!

Some military technicians helped me with an oil leak and then a transport from the base took me into town to the school where I was scheduled to speak. I held a one-hour lecture about Cape to Cape, SAS and aviation for a group of very attentive and enthusiastic teens, who claimed they all wanted to become pilots. A great experience to talk with these kids.

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Then it was on to dinner in Johannesburg, with invited guests and especially folks from the Aircraft Factory, who make the great light aircraft called Sling. They’re truly passionate about their work – they’ve flown three times around the globe to create PR for their products – a publicity stunt that sure seems to be bringing them success!

 

Cape to Cape – South Africa update!

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A bit of a milestone – to get an exit out of Botswana and an entry into South Africa! The 16th country and the final country! I have overflown a few more countries but that doesn’t count!
Today I got a fantastic support yet again from Brett and Mark who escorted me to Pilanesberg. They were flying their Husky’s and at Pilanesberg we did the entry and filled out all the paperwork. Took probably 20 minutes and very quick handwriting. Starting to get used to this bureaucracy!
We plan a rendezvous on Wednesday in Kimberly – to give the 100 Scandinavian soldiers that died during the Boer war in 1899 a salute! History is important, and if you are remembered you are not forgotten!
At Pilanesberg Airport we suddenly were in a transport and on the way to Sun city for lunch. Big entertainment and perhaps not my cup of tea, but interesting and my kids would have loved it!
Short of time we rushed back to the airport and I got airborne again and reached the Barangwanath airfield (Photo above: Wolfram Short of time we rushed back to the airport and I got airborne again and reached the Barangwanath airfield (Photo above: Wolfram Zwecker). Fine welcome and socialising with some of the club members. Then they were very helpful giving me a ride to a family hosting me and a accompanying family/friends from Sweden. I have a fantastic support from Leif, his son Stefan, Leif’s sister and husband that just have flown into Johannesburg.
Quick change of clothes and then to a local restaurant and joining the big family with staff watching the rugby between Wales and South Africa.

I’m now dead tired and very happy to have reached South Africa! I rest my case now, and get back to you all tomorrow.
On the schedule is practice aerobatics in this thin air and to give one of the supporters a joy ride!

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Photo: Eddie Gold
Practice is intended for an event with SAAB and the South Africa Airforce on Tuesday…
Stay tuned,
Johan

SAS opens both new route & a new lounge!

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SAS inaugural flight SK 963 

 

First the opening of SAS’s new lounge at Stockholm Arlanda – Then, the inaugural flight SK 963 ARN-HKG! 10th of September was a busy day, but I thought I should share some pictures with you from these events. Pictures & clips from SAS and from Per Christian Reite.

 

Pers video (with CDR P de La Mottes welcome announcement)!

 

Opening of the new lounge at Stockholm Arlanda!

SAS opens new lounge in Stockholm