Batphone Aviation Communications Anorak Corner

Anorak Corner

The ABC of BA
	Subtle changes in the British Airways livery will, doubtless, already have been spotted by the keener anoraks amongst you. BA is following other airlines by posting an abreviated form of the aircraft registration above the flight deck windows, as seen in this image. The reason for this change? The architecture at Heathrow's Terminal 5 means that the stand (on which the aircraft is parked) is often some
distance from the boarding gate (from where passengers - and crew - board). This is as a conseqnece of the air bridges crossing the terminal service road. The presence of the three letter code above the windows means the crew can quickly identify that the aircraft they are operating has arrived. This in turn ensures speedier boarding and better on time performance. Every little helps to make the BA experience right.
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Sub-liveral messages
	It has recently been pointed out to me that there is something in common between the Jetstar livery and that of FedEx. What better symbol for an airline than one that suggests a direction, moving forward or progress than an arrow? Both Jetstar and FedEx conceal an arrow within their logo. Look at the two images to the left. If you can't spot the arrow, or for that matter know of other liveries that conceal hidden images, contact us by clicking here.
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Norwegian celebrates a Boeing milestone
Back to top of page	Another significant arrival at London Gatwick Airport this weekend (26 April 2009) is the 6000th Boeing 737 to fly off the production line. The aircraft has been delivered to ILFC, the leasing company, for onward delivery to Norwegian Airlines. The aircraft is scheduled to rotate through Gatwick on Sunday afternoon, the aircraft's first day of operation for the Nordic carrier.

The future's bright; the future's orange
Back to top of page	From its start in 1995, easyJet has continued to grow. The airline now carries around 44 million passengers a year on over 170 aircraft. This week (20 April 2009) saw a further landmark with the 39th aircraft to be based at London Gatwick Airport arriving. Having first arrived at London's second airport eight years ago, the airline has seen phenomenal growth there. easyJet is now Gatwick's biggest airline, eclipsing British Airways, as a result of taking over GB Airways, which had operated what amounted to a merged operation with BA under a franchise agreement.

Glamourous history
Back to top of page	British Airways has announced more details on its upcoming London City to New York JFK all-business-class service, including some interesting flight numbers! The services will assume the numbers BA001, 002,003 and 004. These were formerly Concorde flight numbers and have not been used since the supersonic services stopped. These prestigious numbers (and the rumour that the crew will wear the uniform hat usually reserved for concorde/VIP flights) suggest that BA is putting a lot of kudos to the new route. Good luck to them, I hope to try the route out myself.

An ancient Boeing 737-200
Back to top of page	London Gatwick Airport has welcomed some unusual visiotrs recently, including a Boeing 737-200 of the Forca Aerea Brasileira. In fact, as an aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force it had the Boeing military designation of VC-96 (rather than 737-200). Whilst on the ground at Gatwick the aircraft celebrated its thirty-third birthday, having come into service on 31 March 1976.

China's Air Force One

And a question for our more dedicated aircraft enthusiasts. We don't know the answer, but we would like to know. Air China's version of Air Force One was also seen in Sussex last week (its American cousin was at Stansted). Does anybody know what the suffix P on Boeing 747-400 indicates?

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