tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post7963223636062526774..comments2024-03-27T23:23:10.995+13:00Comments on 3rd Level New Zealand: Real Tonga's MA-60 - A passenger's reviewSteve Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06894943682751269848noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-80341150537238651462016-01-27T10:10:28.751+13:002016-01-27T10:10:28.751+13:00Hi,
Thanks for the article I had heard bad things...Hi,<br /><br />Thanks for the article I had heard bad things in the media about the airline... <br /><br />Not sure if you are still monitoring this post but I have a slightly different question on timing and connections in Tonga - are the flights from TBU to Ha'Apai supposed to 'connect with the last flight from Auckland to TBU which lands at 1:20pm on a Saturday? The domestic flight Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-34415532369856625822014-04-05T00:03:51.113+13:002014-04-05T00:03:51.113+13:00We (armchair critics) don't know with certaint...We (armchair critics) don't know with certainty where the parts are from and what is and is not brand new. Really anything is speculation. <br /><br />I have been told that all "consumables" are new, as with the APU and Pratt parts. Most of the avionics spares are new. Interior and trim is a mixed bag. <br /><br />Cost vs Benefit? (of new vs. 2nd hand)<br /><br />This aircraft Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-67171198410123334422014-04-03T16:38:54.559+13:002014-04-03T16:38:54.559+13:00There is no reason for an aircraft this new to sou...There is no reason for an aircraft this new to source 2nd hand parts. You have to ask the question, why are there low time 2nd hand spares. There are many Part 121 operators that use only new parts, including here in NZ. Having said this I have no issue with secondhand parts. johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06748102193696729615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-78914264743432931002014-03-29T23:16:29.821+13:002014-03-29T23:16:29.821+13:00Some of the spares are second hand some aren't...Some of the spares are second hand some aren't. <br /><br />What is the issue with second hand spares? <br /><br />As long as they are serviceable it is no problem. "2nd hand" parts is big business and an extremely common worldwide practice with airlines including Air New Zealand and Chathams.. where do all the Convair, Metro and DC-3 Spares come from? <br /><br />If I recall Spareshttp://iapgroup.com.au/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-64423817814172211152014-03-29T20:29:17.185+13:002014-03-29T20:29:17.185+13:00I have heard from a VERY reliable source that all ...I have heard from a VERY reliable source that all of their spares are second-hand and some are actually scrapped off other dismantled MA600s. I had not heard that the spar is magnesium, although I wouldn't put the manufacturer as I have also heard some scary things about the tail on that aircraft. That in initial testing, it shook violently during ground runs. Not sure how they fixed such a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-70421296654468524342014-03-25T20:28:51.393+13:002014-03-25T20:28:51.393+13:00@Anonymous, why don't you stop hiding behind a...@Anonymous, why don't you stop hiding behind anonymity and give yourself some credibility, Particularly if you continue make statements about people you can't backup. Stop Hidingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-77951999118395935672014-03-25T18:21:04.695+13:002014-03-25T18:21:04.695+13:00The wing spar on this type are magnesium, an attem...The wing spar on this type are magnesium, an attempt. to save weight.<br />A couple of our engineers went to China and did a maintenance course for the MA60. No where near as tough as the antonov it's based off, like most things produced in China it is designed to be disposable. Should serve Tonga well for a few years yet but it's structure won't last. Palu will likely run out of Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-16100201076404352702014-03-25T13:58:45.446+13:002014-03-25T13:58:45.446+13:00I've never heard of a wing spar being made out...I've never heard of a wing spar being made out of solid magnesium before but I do know they are producing wing spars out of titanium.<br /><br />Huge, 3D printed airplane parts in China<br />http://boingboing.net/2013/06/13/huge-3d-printed-airplane-part.html<br /><br />3-D printing adds wings to aviation<br />http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/13/content_16889254.htmKiwihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02237345977494205773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-87190127779297974242014-03-25T12:11:07.779+13:002014-03-25T12:11:07.779+13:00The EFIS screens look to be the same type as on th...The EFIS screens look to be the same type as on the 1900's. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-62217916990897219122014-03-24T21:26:26.461+13:002014-03-24T21:26:26.461+13:00The main wing spar is made from solid magnesium, m...The main wing spar is made from solid magnesium, manufacturers designed the aircraft to last 12 years under perfect conditions.<br />It IS a new aeroplane, but it will be much more difficult to maintain adequate structural strength than on an ATR or Convair. Especially with the Pacific conditions where corrosion is a huge issue which magnesium is highly susceptible too. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-15901441540511511372014-03-24T09:48:40.805+13:002014-03-24T09:48:40.805+13:00Awesome Kiwi. Thank you. It was a question that ...Awesome Kiwi. Thank you. It was a question that I never got to ask, so good to see that they appear to have comprehensive spares! Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-69380600594575695642014-03-24T08:17:09.534+13:002014-03-24T08:17:09.534+13:00They already have containers of spare parts in Ton...They already have containers of spare parts in Tonga for the MA60.<br />Go to tonga-broadcasting.net>Video Gallery>Local News>November 2013<br />On the 12 November 2013, 4 minutes into the video it says that they already have 4 containers of spare parts and more will be arriving later. Kiwihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02237345977494205773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-44868522771620500312014-03-23T15:54:04.216+13:002014-03-23T15:54:04.216+13:00The cockpit compassion was largely against the MA6...The cockpit compassion was largely against the MA600 and its full Glass Cockpit (http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/8/5/1826587.jpg). <br /><br />The comments about ditching was made by "someone in the know" (apparently) on RealTonga's Facebook page before it got taken down. <br /><br />Parts - Yes, could be interesting unless they are going to hold a big store. Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-595035950625100802014-03-23T13:08:52.333+13:002014-03-23T13:08:52.333+13:00Hi, your flight deck photo clearly shows the EFIS....Hi, your flight deck photo clearly shows the EFIS. Don't know anyone who said the machine would have to ditch if no landing achieved up north. They just can't carry full payload to operate. Parts are a big problem for this machine, almost unobtainable. johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06748102193696729615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-13758330288725795802014-03-23T11:04:30.286+13:002014-03-23T11:04:30.286+13:00Scaremongering and hysteria ruined toursim, not th...Scaremongering and hysteria ruined toursim, not the plane or the government. The MA60 is insurable. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-76109124969407151982014-03-23T10:25:55.513+13:002014-03-23T10:25:55.513+13:00It sounds great but you tell that to the insurance...It sounds great but you tell that to the insurance companies because...no independent certification no coverage. The government (Tonga) should don't the homework before they allowed this so call free aircraft to ruin the Tourism. Good to see Tonga PM change his tune and agreed with NZ to pay for a independent body to certify MA60 Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-2122449391831820912014-03-22T20:24:03.959+13:002014-03-22T20:24:03.959+13:00No problem at all. Just wanted to even the debate...No problem at all. Just wanted to even the debate up a bit and put across another point of view. <br /><br />Cheers<br />PetePeter Whitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397738201762479975.post-45050807132927904142014-03-22T15:35:48.058+13:002014-03-22T15:35:48.058+13:00Phenomenal write up. Thank you very much for the t...Phenomenal write up. Thank you very much for the time and effort that you have put in.<br /><br />CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com