Ace Pilot Khan

Here is the first image of Qatar Airways structurally complete Airbus A380 at the Airbus production line in Toulouse.

“Seeing this image for the first time gives me great pride as Qatar Airways prepares to look forward to our newest aircraft type, the world’s biggest, joining our fleet next year,” says Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive.

This is one of the total of 13 superjumbos that Qatar Airways will configure in a three-class layout which are to enter service in the first half of 2014.

Airbus has officially announced that their newest model A350 XWB will take to the skies on its maiden flight on Friday, 14th June.

A350 XWB “MSN1” will take off from its Toulouse headquarters - Blagnac airport at around 10:00 am local time which will be witnessed by all Airbus employees based at Toulouse and many other online.

“The A350 XWB flight test teams are now carrying out the last checks on the A350 XWB “MSN1” before they give their final green light for the first flight to take place this Friday”, said Airbus.

Here is the crew of the A350 XWB maiden flight.

You can catch all the action live on the below links:

www.airbus.com
www.A350xwb.com
www.youtube.com/user/airbus

Thoughts?

Credits: Photos from A350XWB website

Airbus facilities in Hamburg have rolled the first Vertical Tail Section (VTS) of the 1st Qatar Airways A-380. This will be one of the 10 jumbo jets Qatar Airways has placed an order for in 2010.

With assembly of the aircraft set to begin this month, the carrier is set to receive it’s first A-380 in early 2014. By this time the Hamad International Airport (HIA) shall be operational and ready to receive the jumbo jet.

Qatar Airways will become the 11th Airline to operate a A-380 when it receives it first one in 2014. Along with Qatar Airways in 2014 Air Austral, Asiana Airlines, Etihad Airways and Skymark Airlines are also set to launch their A-380 services.

Are you looking forward to be flying the Qatar Airways A-380?

Photo Credit: Airbus Website

Qatar Amiri Flight is a VIP airline owned and operated by government of State of Qatar operating worldwide charters on demand and caters exclusively to the royal family of Qatar and other VIP government staff.

Amiri 1 is the call sign of the Amiri Flight aircraft in which the Emir of State of Qatar travels across the globe.

Here is a History of how the aircraft’s and livery has developed:

The 1st Amiri 1 was a Boeing 707-3P1C delivered to Qatar in 1977 under the registration A7-AAA. This aircraft has now been retired from service.

The 2nd Amiri 1 aircraft was a Boeing 747-SP21 was under the registration’s VR-BAT & VP-BAT. This aircraft began operations presumably early 90’s. Although not in use by the Amiri flight anymore but still in service.

The 3rd Amiri 1 aircraft is a Airbus 340-541 registered in Qatar as A7-HHH. This is the current Amiri 1 in use and is in the national carrier Qatar Airways colors (old QR livery).

Most probably the next Amiri 1 will be a Boeing 747-8BBJ registered as A7-HHE currently undergoing interior fittings and flying as VQ-BSK.

The Amiri flight has recently ordered 2 Boeing 747-8BBJ aircraft’s to join their fleet.

Photo Credits:

A7-AAA - A J Best, VP-BAT - Stewart K Marshal, A7-HHH - Alexandre Dubath, A7-HHE - Matt Cawby

Since its grounding in january due to a battery over heating causing a JAL aircraft to make an Emergency landing in Japan, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner will now be returning to the skies soon.

Nearly after three months the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has approved the new re-designed battery for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The improved battery system includes design changes to both prevent and isolate a fault should it occur. In addition, improved production, operating and testing processes have been implemented. The new steel enclosure system is designed to keep any level of battery overheating from affecting the airplane or even being noticed by passengers.

“FAA approval clears the way for us and the airlines to begin the process of returning the 787 to flight with continued confidence in the safety and reliability of this game-changing new airplane,” said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney.

Hope to see the Qatar Airways 787 soaring the skies soon.

Photo Credit: Matt Cawby

Twitter the Microblogging service yesterday announced the introduction of Trends in 160 new locations on its blog.

Just in December they had announced Trends being available in more than 100 cities. Belgium, Greece, Kenya, Norway, Poland and Ukraine are the countries to get Trends for very first time including over 100 new cities.

Trends are the easiest way to learn about the Hot and Happening topic in your Region, Country or City. This also comes handy to learn about the Breaking news or the topic you care about.

To change the location for your trends just click on the change option above the Trends (As shown in the image below) and select your city or location nearest to you to see the top trends. You can also choose Tailored Trends to see only the topics that are relevant to what you tweet.

Twitter has promised more locations will be added in the near future.

Thoughts?

Hamad International Airport will conduct a soft opening for 10 Airlines on the midnight of April 1st. A aircraft from Qatar Airways will be the first to land at HIA thus making it the first Airline to land at the new airport.

Currently HIA will be open to airlines who do not require Lounge access. The following airlines will operate through Concourse B:

1. Royal Nepal Airlines
2. Fly Dubai
3. Air Arabia
4. Air India Express
5. Iran Air
6. Syrian Air
7. Yemenia Airways
8. RAK Airways
9. Biman Bangladesh Airlines
10. Pakistan International Airlines

Here are some maps for you to familiarize with Hamad International Airport:

HIA Route Map

HIA Departure Terminal

HIA Arrival Terminal

A shuttle bus from DIA to the bus pavilion outside of concourse A at HIA, will do runs every 30 minutes from DIA and HIA. For more details you can reach HIA on +974 4010 6666.

Photo Credit: Doha Airport Website

Facebook sent out invites to press for an upcoming event on April 4th to its  Menlo Park Headquarters “Come See Our New Home on Android”

Rumours are that Facebook might announce a deeply integrated android phone in a partnership with HTC which has been doing the rounds for a year now.

Facebook’s invitation comes shortly after the company hosted an event at its headquarters to showcase its new mobile inspired News Feed which will be bringing a cleaner look to owners of smartphones, tablets and desktops. (Via GottaBeMobile)

So what do you think is in store from Facebook?

Earth Hour will be celebrated today across the globe from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time.

Below are the participating outlets and the events taking place in Qatar today:

The Torch Doha 

The Torch Doha will switch off its exterior LED lights in support of Earth Hour and will be offering candlelight dinner and chocolate fondue in two of its restaurants Three Sixty & Flying Carpet.

At Torch Café, located in front of The Torch Doha they will have side table mocktails and chocolate fondue.

W Hotel Doha 

W Doha Hotel is inviting its followers to a very to a very special event in Wahm this evening. They will be turning of their lights to make the world a brighter place.

Kempinski Residencies & Suites

All the exterior lights of the Kempinski tower will be switched off as well as non-essential interior lighting will be dimmed or turned off; candle light will be used in appropriate public areas such as Aroma and The Lounge.  

The Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton Doha is promoting Earth Hour to their local guests and will also be  conducting a candlelight yoga activity in their spa during this hour for the second consecutive year.

 Grand Hyatt Doha

Grand Hyatt is inviting you all to a Stargaze during Earth Hour by Rocca poolside with a 20% off at Roca from 7 - 11 pm. A complimentary bubbly will be offered during the blackout.

 Radisson Blu Hotel

The hotel is encouraging its guests and employees to switch off the lights in all guestrooms and public areas in order to raise awareness for the need to take action against climate change.

To celebrate Earth Hour the hotels restaurants Maxim and Pier 12 will be offering candle light dinners.

 The Pearl Qatar

Many activities are happening at The Pearl from this afternoon with Kids awareness programs to a Earth hour walk and more. Have a look into their event on Facebook for more details.

The other participating outlets are:

- Grand Heritage Doha

- St. Regis

- Oryx Rotana

- Wyndham Grand Regency

- Four Seasons Doha

- Ooredoo

- Aspire Zone Foundation

- Msheireb Properties

- QU Environmental Club

- Intecon Doha City

Are you taking part? Share your photos and videos with @EarthHour or use #EarthHour. You can also email them to earthhourqatar@gmail.com