Monday, July 23, 2012

Qantas "Sliding” Down In The “Poles” Domestically Against Virgin Australia.

 Photo by Michael Dawson (Shot location: BNE)

Virgin pips Qantas on annual domestic passengers 
From: AAP July 04, 2012 2:58PM

VIRGIN Australia flew more domestic passengers than did Qantas-branded flights in the 12 months to the end of May - a first for aviation's traditional No 2.

In the year to May 31, Virgin carried 15.53 million domestic passengers, compared to 15.49m on Qantas-branded flights.

The Qantas figures do not include passengers who flew with its fully-owned subsidiary, Jetstar, which carried 830,000 passengers in May and 9.84m passengers in the year to May.

Virgin today also said it carried 1.42m domestic passengers in May, which compared to 1.37m passengers who flew with Qantas Domestic.

Virgin's domestic operations have previously carried more passengers than Qantas in a single month, but the latest data marks the first time Virgin has out-performed Qantas over a 12-month period.

Link to complete article: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/virgin-pips-qantas-on-annual-domestic-passengers/story-e6frg95x-1226416885329

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Panalpina 747-8F - "Service On Six Continents."

Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos - "Service Worldwide." 

Shot location - LAX (Photo by Michael Breckshot)

Thursday, July 19, 2012

100,000 Views – What A Wild & Crazy Flight It Has Been.

Shot location: ATA 757, ONT 

I woke up this morning and did what I usually do – I rolled out of bed super, extra, glacial-speed slow, fired up the coffee pot, and turned on the ‘ol computer to check out the goings-on in the world.

I went through the usual stuff, emails, current events, Tour de France news (it is that time of the year), aviation news, and finally the ‘Ol Blog. And then, I saw it – 100,000 views! Wow. I had to let that sink in for a few minutes. How did Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos get here? And more importantly, why?

The story began in 2008 pretty much the same way all whacky, but brilliant, ventures get started – Over many beers. While musing about the difficulties of getting one’s aircraft photos published, an epiphany appeared through the fermented haze – Why was there not a place to celebrate the less than perfect, you know, “Everyman’s” aircraft photo site?

And that was pretty much it. What was initially launched as a poke in the eye to the so-called “Leading Aviation Photography” sites on the net, has morphed into tidbits of wisdom, nuances, information, innuendo (naturally), and aviation news as it gets sniffed out. And, I promise more to come, to inform, and entertain the loyal viewership. So, belt in and hang on.

I have met so many kind people all over the world, and therein lies the true success of this venture – The people. So, a giant thanks to all of the friends and contributors which have made the blog a success.

Yes, what a glorious flight it has been, so far. Remember, don’t delete. Just submit your pics and repeat.

See, while not everyone can take perfect aircraft photos, we are all capable of taking Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.

With Blessings & Thanks,

Darryl Bustamante, President and CEO Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

One Day Gulfstream N581MB Had An Oil Leak. We Decided To Find Out Why.

There are a lot of nagging, little things in aviation, and oil leaks are one of them. Gulfstream II-SP, N581MB had been weeping oil from the port Rolls-Royce Spey a bit more than usual. Visual inspections gave no solid clue to the origins of the matter, so we decided to get creative. Real-world flight conditions, creative.

Our intrepid crew of three pointed her due south, got out the scissor-lift, and fired up #1 to full power. Now, it is said that there are some experiences one should try in life, like sky diving, climbing Mount Everest and eating Fugu. However, until you have stood a foot from one of these things at full honk, watching the trees 100 yards across the street shaking faster than a junkie on crack, then you have not lived. It worked. At full power an innocuous, eight foot breather tube with a tiny crack was the culprit.

The memories of my time in the charter business are still quite vivid, with visions of excitement, frustration, and triumph. On this day, however, I still wish I had put my camera in video mode while leaning on a screaming Rolls-Royce Spey.

Shot location: ONT

Saturday, July 14, 2012

A Further 787 Update From Palmdale (And Everett) - ZA001, ZA002, ZA003, And Now ZA461.

ZA001 and ZA002 on the Palmdale ramp. 

Our last report had the fates of the first three prototypes established, however, there are some new tidbits of information about their immediate lives, plus a correction, and one new airframe update.

According to our sources, ZA001 and ZA002 will be used for flight modification work before being permanently retired. As this top-secret photos shows, the engines on ZA001 were indeed taken off as spares for the ZA003 World Tour, and contrary to past reports, ZA002 still has its engines firmly attached.

After doing the Boeing World Tour, ZA003 is now back at Everett being prepped for long-term storage.

ZA461 was the airframe sent to do the Farnborough Show (in full Qatar livery), not the previously reported ZA003.

Friday, July 13, 2012

In Memory Of Brian Patrick O'Hare. March 20, 1969 - July 01, 2012.

Final words to my dear friend - A passionate supporter of all things Aviation.  

"Brian, we came to know each other through a genuine passion for all things aviation. We became friends sharing a genuine passion for life. We became brothers seeking the genuine good in humanity. 

The light of your heart touched far more souls than you could count, and for this, you truly succeeded in the work God set forth for you. 

Though I am a sinner in the Lord's eyes, I will always be a better man because of you. 

You will be missed, my brother, and you will indeed never be forgotten. 

God Speed, "Bobo." We will meet again." 

Darryl Bustamante

Saturday, July 7, 2012

New Airline News - California Pacific Airines First E-170 Spotted.

(Photos courtesy of California Pacific Airlines - Story courtesy Seattlepi.com)

"If the livery of California Pacific Airlines doesn’t look familiar to you, that is probably because the airline is not operational yet.

California Pacific Airlines was founded in 2009 and they plan to start revenue flights by the end of 2012. Earlier this week, their first of four Embraer E-170se, was brought to their homebase at McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).

CLD is located in Carlsbad, CA, just north of San Diego. They plan to fly to Oakland, Sacramento, and San Jose, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.

The airline will have their aircraft configured in a two class lay-out with a total of 72 seats."

Our Salute To That Iconic 80's Comedy, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Shot location: Near RIV

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

A Celebration Of Independence - God Bless America.

Shot location: EDW (Photo courtesy Abelard)

"No country upon Earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass."

George Washington, letter to Benjamin Lincoln, June 29, 1788