What does IOSA certification really mean? Please read on to understand the stringent safety measures that govern the aviation industry. An Airbus A330 Flight Simulator Last September, AirAsia X Malaysia was officially recognised as an IOSA – International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit – registered operator. More stringent than the ISO 9001, which …
Captain Lim Khoy Hing shares insights on choosing seats and handling turbulence on board – for a relaxing journey through the skies. Source Travel 3Sixty AirAsia Premium Flatbed seat Which is the best seat on the plane? Some say it’s the aisle seat, while others prefer to sit by the window so they can enjoy …
Did you know that birds can remain in the air longer than a commercial airliner?Here are the remarkable facts about the creature that inspired the Wright brothers. Image source: Travel 3Sixty The golden plover According to American researcher Dr Jobe Martin, the golden plover bird – about the size of a pigeon and weighing an …
How fast is a commercial airliner? Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains this and other issues related to airspeed. Image source: Travel 3Sixty First successful flight by the Wright Brothers took 12 seconds. Just little over a century ago, the first successful flight was launched by the Wright brothers, and it took all of 12 …
Source Travel 3Sixty Cracks on the ground caused by earthquakes Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Lombok, an island to the east of Bali, Indonesia, in July and August, I was asked an important question: What would happen if an earthquake were to hit the runway as an airplane is approaching for landing? Circumstances …
From puffy white streaks that appear in the blue to shooting stars, the article below unravels the mysteries of the skies Source: Travel 3Sixty The contrails of a cruising aircraft When I was a young boy, I often wondered about the white smokey streaks across the sky that could be seen on a clear day. …
Is a gentle landing always desirable? Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains how pilots handle this important phase of flight. Source Travel 3Sixty Upon landing, the pilot slows down the plane by applying reverse thrust My first attempt to land a plane happened years ago and involved a Chipmunk – a tailwheel plane, also known …
Even planes need some Tender Loving Care. Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains the strict care required to keep aircraft airworthy. Image Source: Travel 3Sixty Engineers working on a jet engine during routine aircraft maintenance. I remember a British TV station once broadcasting footage showing how AirAsia X’s Airbus A340 executed an efficient turnaround and …
Captain Lim Khoy Hing talks about the stringent tests imposed on the modern aircraft before it is declared fit to fly With rapid technological advancements, commercial jet planes are continuously being improved to fly safer and better. Today, the hardware testing on a plane is incredibly stringent, especially on the engines and wings. Heart of …
This month, Captain Lim Khoy Hing discusses turbulence and ways passengers can overcome it. Travellers can get professional assistance to cope with turbulence anxiety. Image: Travel 3Sixty The fact is: turbulence is an unavoidable part of flying, and is not a concern when passengers have their seat belts securely fastened. Turbulence is usually …
Captain Lim Khoy Hing delves into the simple (and complex) truths about piloting different types of aircraft. Pilots in the cockpit of a Boeing aircraft – Image Travel 3Sixty Can an Airbus pilot also fly a Boeing plane (or vice versa)? The simple answer is, “No”; at least not without appropriate training on the different …
In recent years, flying has evolved with unprecedented safety standards. Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains how. Image: Travel 3Sixty According to a recent news article (2017 Safest Year on Record for Commercial Passenger Air Travel: Groups, Reuters), 2017 was the best year on record for safe commercial aviation. Though today, technological advances in aviation …
Captain Lim Khoy Hing debunks aviation myths and shines light on intriguing little-known facts to ensure you enjoy worry- and guilt-free travels. Image : Travel 3Sixty Passenger safety and comfort are prioritised when it comes to cabin design, ensuring guests enjoy a relaxing experience on board. The idea that there is less oxygen at …
How high should a plane fly? Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains optimum cruising altitudes. Image: Travel 3Sixty All planes generally have a preferred cruising altitude, and frequent flyers will notice this when their captain makes an inflight announcement, or when this information is displayed on the video screens. The cruising level is normally chosen for …
Captain Lim Khoy Hing has a favourite. Read on to see which is his preferred aircraft, and why. Having piloted both the Airbus and Boeing aircraft, I am often asked which airplane is better. From a passenger’s perspective, both are equally safe and comfortable, effectively getting you from point A to point B. From a …
Can an airplane be put into reverse? How do planes make a turn? Here is the inside scoop on steering a plane. Source: Travel 3Sixty A push back truck is used to manoeuvre an aircraft on ground Once the engines are on, an airplane can actually be put into reverse. This happens on the old …
At one time, mobile phone usage was totally banned on board aircraft, but now, the path is set for airborne use of smartphones and other electronic devices. Image: Getty (Travel 3Sixty). Do mobile phone signals really interfere with navigational flight instruments? The truth is, these signals can have a strong impact on the surroundings. A …
An Air Traffic Control Tower. Xanadu 212 – this would be a call sign specifically used by AirAsia X pilots on a flight to a destination in Australia (AirAsia X has designated that flights into Australia begin with the number ‘2’). A call sign is an alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a carrier, and is …
Sources: Travel 3Sixty. As AirAsia X commenced flights to Hawaii in June, I feel this milestone warrants a deviation from my usual stories revolving around the technical know-how of flying, and a closer look at some of the preparations involved in launching this exotic destination. In February, AirAsia X announced four weekly flights to Hawaii …
Hello Sir, I’ve heard of this question that I would like your answer on. “You are a First Officer in a cockpit with a Captain flying on an Airbus. Suddenly, an alarm blares and warns that the plane is heading onto a collision course, however the Captain refuses to acknowledge the warning and tells …