Aviation – Page 57 – Take off with Natarajan

A Tour Of Changi Airport..Singapore…World”s Best Airport !!!!

April 16, 2013April 16, 2013Natarajan1 Comment

Singapore’s Changi Airport is a major hub for international transport, with more than 135,000 passengers passing through every day.

But it’s no boring airport terminal. Changi was just named the Best Airport in The World by Skytrax, a company that tracks and rates airline and airport performance.

Realizing that travel can be stressful, the team behind Changi designed the airport to be an open, airy space with lots of greenery (Singapore is the garden city, after all), gardens, outdoor access, and comfortable seating areas.

There are also incredible amenities, like a butterfly garden, rooftop pool, movie theaters, hotels, spas, and showers, and even a four-story slide.

The airport is an architectural marvel. The newest terminal, Terminal 3, was designed by CPG Consultants, in collaboration with Woodhead, Tierra Design and SOM, Bartenbach LichtLabor and Hugh Dutton & Associates.

The airport is an architectural marvel. The newest terminal, Terminal 3, was designed by CPG Consultants, in collaboration with Woodhead, Tierra Design and SOM, Bartenbach LichtLabor and Hugh Dutton & Associates.

Most passengers enter the airport at Terminal 3, the newest and largest terminal at Changi, which is where Singapore Airlines is based. At 380,000 sq. m., the terminal is spacious, with high ceilings and an open, airy feel.

Most passengers enter the airport at Terminal 3, the newest and largest terminal at Changi, which is where Singapore Airlines is based. At 380,000 sq. m., the terminal is spacious, with high ceilings and an open, airy feel.

There’s also a lush vertical garden here called the “Green Wall.” It has over 20 varieties of plants, vines, and flowers growing on it.

There's also a lush vertical garden here called the "Green Wall." It has over 20 varieties of plants, vines, and flowers growing on it.

It’s easy to get between terminals on the Skytrain.

One of the best things about Changi airport is its Balinese-themed outdoor rooftop pool, located in Terminal 1. Passengers can pay to use this pool for about $14. (It’s free for guests who are staying in the Ambassador Transit Hotel.)

One of the best things about Changi airport is its Balinese-themed outdoor rooftop pool, located in Terminal 1. Passengers can pay to use this pool for about $14. (It's free for guests who are staying in the Ambassador Transit Hotel.)

You can watch planes take off and land directly from the pool garden.

The pool also has its own Tiki bar.

And its own fitness center (along with locker rooms, where you can shower after).

Each terminal has an Ambassador Transit Hotel, where passengers can rent hotel rooms for a minimum of six hours — perfect if you’re exhausted and have a long layover. Room rates start at $76 for a 6-hour block and are charged hourly after that.

Each terminal has an Ambassador Transit Hotel, where passengers can rent hotel rooms for a minimum of six hours — perfect if you're exhausted and have a long layover. Room rates start at $76 for a 6-hour block and are charged hourly after that.

Rooms here look like normal hotel rooms, with two twin or one double bed, bathrooms, TVs, and desks. Some rooms have windows that look out onto the tarmac.

The airport has a nature trail, which encourages passengers to go outdoors and breathe in fresh air while at the airport. There are five gardens in the airport, including a rooftop sunflower garden.

There’s even an enclosed butterfly garden — the first such garden in an airport — which is home to butterflies, flowers, lush greenery, and a 6-meter (20-ft.) waterfall.

There's even an enclosed butterfly garden — the first such garden in an airport — which is home to butterflies, flowers, lush greenery, and a 6-meter (20-ft.) waterfall.

There’s lots of greenery inside the airport too.

There are free internet terminals scattered throughout the airport, making it easy to stay in touch.

And free charging stations, where you can lock up your phone while it charges.

Everything here is technologically savvy—even the bathrooms. Each bathroom has an electronic monitoring system where passengers can rate the cleanliness of the bathroom. If you’re not happy with the service, simply tap the frowny face on the touchscreen monitor.

Then tap the reason why you’re unhappy with the bathroom, and a message will immediately be sent to the bathroom supervisor alerting them to the issue. Then tap the reason why you're unhappy with the bathroom, and a message will immediately be sent to the bathroom supervisor alerting them to the issue.

High-end designer shops, like Gucci, Burberry, and Hermes, keep shoppers occupied while they wait for their flights.

But there are also some more affordable shops, and lots of duty free stores

There are tons of dining and drinking options. The airport even has an outpost of Singapore’s famous Harry’s Bar.

sumptuous buffet in the first class lounge.

But I chose to eat at the sumptuous buffet in the first class lounge.

When you’re tired of eating, drinking and shopping, you can watch a movie. There are two movie theaters in the airport, which show a rotating roster of current movies, like the Bourne Legacy.

When you're tired of eating, drinking and shopping, you can watch a movie. There are two movie theaters in the airport, which show a rotating roster of current movies, like the Bourne Legacy.

Kids will love the awesome four-story, 40-ft. slide.

As will adults. If you spend $10 at any airport venue, you’re eligible to ride the slide.

As will adults. If you spend $10 at any airport venue, you're eligible to ride the slide.

The whole airport is designed to help people relax and to make the flying experience less stressful. You’ll find seating areas scattered throughout the airport with cushy chairs for napping, reading, or TV watching. The chairs were really comfortable.

The whole airport is designed to help people relax and to make the flying experience less stressful. You'll find seating areas scattered throughout the airport with cushy chairs for napping, reading, or TV watching. The chairs were really comfortable.

Even the art exhibits are supposed to be soothing. This Kinetic Rain sculptural installation in Terminal 1 changes shape in a hypnotic dancing motion.

source:::::businessinsider.comnet

Natarajan

Here is a Collection of Amazing & Spectacular Aircraft Photos, From Around the World !!!

April 12, 2013Natarajan1 Comment

An F-16 Fighting Falcon refuels from a KC-10 Extender

Two Soviet MiG-29 aircraft en route to an air show in British Columbia are intercepted by F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing.

Two Soviet MiG-29 aircraft en route to an air show are intercepted by F-15 Eagle aircraft.

North American P-51D Mustang

US Navy F-14D Tomcat Refueling

Admiring the noctilucent clouds - Noctilucent clouds are not fully understood as a meteorological phenomenon. Clouds generally are not able to reach such high altitudes with such thin air pressures.

Admiring the Noctilucent clouds from Boeing 767 Flightdeck, which sit at an altitude of around 50 mi up (mesosphere).

Noctilucent clouds are not fully understood as a meteorological phenomenon. Clouds generally are not able to reach such high altitudes with such thin air pressures.

Cockpit of Airbus A320-211

C-17 Globemaster III, having just released a series of flares over the Atlantic Ocean

C-17 Globemaster III, having just released a series of flares over the Atlantic Ocean.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) returns to the Kennedy Space Center after a ten month refurbishment.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) returns to the Kennedy Space Center after a 10 month refurbishment.

Boeing 757-23A (R/W 26L)

Departing Boeing 757-23A (R/W 26L) four minutes after sunrise.

shot of this EK/Atlas Air 747 (2000ft above us) being chased by EK B777-200 (A6-EML, 4000ft above us) right at its tail. Captured out of a EK (now thats coincidence...) B777 flightdeck (through left #1 window upwards - thats why the neck was twisted ;-). Us at FL340, 747 at 360, other B777 at 380. Canon S50 max zoom.

Shot of a EK/Atlas Air 747, being “chased” by EK B777-200..Photo actually taken from the cockpit of another EK B777!

A 401st Tactical Fighter Wing F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft as another F-16 stands by during Operation Desert Storm

A F-16C refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker, as another F-16 stands by during Operation Desert Storm.

SOURCE:::web valuer.org

Natarajan

Changi Airport Singapore ….World”s Best Airport !!!! Incheon of South Korea is The 2nd Best !!!

April 12, 2013April 13, 2013Natarajan2 Comments

World's best airports

Singapore Changi Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport at the 2013 World Airport Awards held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Geneva. This is the fourth time Changi airport has achieved the top prize – last claiming victory back in 2010.
The awards are voted for by airport customers from around the world and this year the survey garnered 12.1 million responses.
For Changi, it was a triple success, as well as securing the top prize, it also picked up the awards for Best Airport in Asia and Best Airport for Leisure Amenities.

World's best airports

Last year’s winner, Incheon International Airport achieved a second place finish in the global rankings, and achieved major success in taking the awards for Best Airport Staff Service – Asia and Best International Transfer Airport.

World's best airports

For the first time in 6 years, there was a change to the top-3 global airlines with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport accomplishing an excellent third place finish in the survey.

World's best airports

Hong Kong International Airport achieved fourth position in this year’s global rankings being usurped from the top-3 for the first time in 12 years – the airport did however achieve top-5 finished in 6 of the awards categories indicating that it continues to be highly regarded amongst passengers.

Olympics Previews - Day -3

Beijing Capital International Airport retained its top-5 position in the global rankings and with it took the award for Best Airport in China.

Japan Airlines File For Bankruptcy Protection

Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) has been named as the World’s Best Domestic Airport at the 2013 SkytraxWorld Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Geneva.

Qatar Airways Launches New Route In Chicago

QATAR AIRWAYS Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport has for the third successive year been named as the World’s Best Premium Service Airport at the 2013 Skytrax World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Geneva.

Lufthansa Flight Attendants Launch Strike

FRANKFURT AIRPORT has been named as the World’s Most Improved Airport at the 2013 Skytrax World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Geneva.

Stansted Airport Deal To Be Finalised
London Stansted Airport has been named as the World’s Best Low Cost Airport at the 2013 Skytrax World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Geneva. This completes a hat-trick of awards for the fourth busiest airport in the UK who also took the top prize in 2011 and 2012.

Air arrivals across 6 major cities

Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has been declared the ‘Best Airport in India’.

Air arrivals across 6 major cities

Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport has been declared the second ‘Best Airport in India

Air arrivals across 6 major cities

Bengaluru International Airport (Bangalore) ranks at No.3

Air arrivals across 6 major cities

Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has been rated the fourth best airport in India .

Air arrivals across 6 major cities

Chennai International Airport is ranked as the fifth best airport in India.

Why Indian air tickets may get cheaper

source::::yahoo finance

Natarajan

Mumbai “s CSI Airport New International Terminal is Ready to Welcome You This Year!!!!

April 10, 2013April 11, 2013NatarajanLeave a comment

Mumbai airport's stunningTerminal 2

The Swanky New terminal is all set to open this year !!!!

Departure - Gate lounge.

Retail space.

Mumbai airport's stunningTerminal 2

Departure kerb.

Immigration Hall.

Mumbai airport's stunningTerminal 2

The swanky Terminal 2 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai is all set to open this year.

With a vision of making the airport one of the best in the world, the Terminal 2, or T2 has been built with a state-of-the-art four-level terminal with an area of over 4,39,000 sq. mts.
The new terminal will have new taxiways and apron areas for aircraft parking designed to cater to 40 million passengers annually.
Photographs, courtesy: MIAL

The Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (MIAL), a joint venture between the GVK led consortium (74%) and Airports Authority of India (26%), got the mandate to modernise and upgrade Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in February 2006.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) has been ranked as one of the top performing airports in the annual ACI Airport Service Quality Awards for 2012.

It has been rated the third best airport worldwide for airports in the 25-40 million passengers per annum (mppa) category by the Airports Council International (ACI).

Terminal 2 has a retail space spread across 21,000 sq. mts and 5,000 sq. mts of landscape area.

With 41 travelators, people can easily move about in the airport. The departure gate lounge has a seating capacity of 10,000.

A 6 lane elevated express way leading to the Terminal is another big highlight…

Making it easy for travellers, the T2 will have 188 check-in counters, 60 departure immigration counters and 76 arrival immigration counters.

Terminal 2 will also have 25 fixed link bridges and 52 passenger boarding bridges. The magnificent artworks adorning the walls will be an added attraction.

T2 will have 47 escalators and 73 elevators to make travel a pleasant experience.

The Terminal 2 will have 104 security check positions and 10 baggage carousels.

The new terminal will have a multi-level car park for 5,000 cars.

source::::input from a friend of mine …

Natarajan

Richard Branson”s New UK Airline!!!!

April 10, 2013NatarajanLeave a comment

Sir Richard Branson arrives in Edinburgh Airport on board the inaugural Virgin Atlantic Little Red flight.

Sir Richard Branson arrives in Edinburgh Airport on board the inaugural Virgin Atlantic Little Red flight. Photo: Getty Images

Virgin Atlantic has celebrated its first ever domestic flight, from London to Edinburgh.

Sir Richard Branson, the airline’s founder, was present at the launch of its inaugural domestic service, named Little Red.

He said the move would bring greater choice for consumers, potentially pushing down prices..

“Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter in Virgin Atlantic’s history,” said Sir Richard. “Our product, service and flair are known throughout the world, and we’re thrilled to be bringing that to domestic flying.

Virgin will soon fly 26 domestic flights a day, connecting Heathrow with Manchester and Aberdeen, as well as the Scottish capital.

The airline was granted new landing and take-off slots at Heathrow earlier this year following the takeover of Bmi by International Airlines Group (IAG) – the parent company of British Airways. Its foray into domestic services will also create dozens of jobs.

Nicola Sturgeon, deputy first minister of Scotland, welcomed the launch. “These new flights from Edinburgh and Aberdeen will create jobs, offer passengers easier access to Virgin’s global destinations and provide competition on these routes, resulting in a better deal for passengers,” she said. ?”Good access to Heathrow; Britain’s only hub airport, is essential for Scotland’s economic development.”

While Sir Richard was happy to reveal his specially-made outfit today, he may be less keen on the outfit he’ll be asked to wearnext month. On May 12 he will be boarding an AirAsia flight from Perth to Kuala Lumpur dressed as a female flight attendant to fulfil a bet made with AirAsia chief executive and F1 owner Tony Fernandes. Mr Fernandes, who once worked for Sir Richard’s music business, bet that his Lotus Racing team would perform better in its debut season than Virgin Racing, with the loser dressing up as a stewardess. Lotus Racing finished 10th, and Virgin 12th.

“The day of reckoning for Sir Richard has finally arrived,” Mr Fernandes said on Monday. “It’s an awkward moment when you go down memory lane and recall the times I used to work for Richard. And it’s hilarious to think now, that it’s Richard who will be working for me as a sassy flight attendant, complete with make-up, a pair of high heels and freshly shaved legs.”

The Telegraph, London

Natarajan

A Question Answer Session With Chris Hadfield !!!

April 10, 2013NatarajanLeave a comment

Question: What time zone do you live by? Do you switch off the lights at “night”?

We live on Greenwich time, UTC, same as London, England. We shut of most lights at bedtime – it feels right to do it.

Question: How long does it take for you to orbit around the Earth?

ISS orbits the world every 92 minutes, so that makes it 8 km/sec, or 500 km/minute – 28,000 km/hr. Or about Mach 25.

Question: Have you done any space walks? If so, what was it like?

I was Canada’s first spacewalker, doing two to help build the mighty Canadarm2 robot onto ISS. It was the most magnificent experience of my life. Alone in a 1-person spaceship (my suit), just holding on with my one hand, with the bottomless black universe on my left and the World pouring by in technicolor on my right. I highly recommend it.

Question: You tweet a lot. When do you find the time?

The priorities are crew health, vehicle health, work/science & then personal pursuits; I take photos, tweet & play guitar when I can!

Question: How long does the mission last?

I’m in orbit, working onboard ISS for 5 months, until mid-May 2013.

Question: What are your personal quarters like on the ISS?

I’m typing now in my ‘Sleep Station’, a small padded room with a door, completely private, like a bedroom without the bed, and phone booth sized.

Question: How often do you exercise on the ISS?

We work out 2 hours per day, every day, just to stay at a constant level of fitness to be ready to do a spacewalk, and to have strong bones and muscles when we come home.

Question: How long did it take you to learn how to maneuver in zero gravity? Are you much better at it now than when you originally came aboard the ISS?

I’m still learning! But sometimes now, I am graceful. I feel like an adapted ape swinging through the jungle canopy … until I miss a handrail and crash into the wall.

source:::babamailnet

Natarajan

Spectacular Aircraft Approaches !!!!

April 9, 2013NatarajanLeave a comment

Most Beautiful Airports Around The World !!!!

April 7, 2013NatarajanLeave a comment

Changi Airport's Terminal 3 in Singapore features an impressive roof composed of more than 900 skylights, each adjustable to let in the perfect amount of light, as well as a five-story vertical garden in the baggage claim area. Indoor gardens scattered throughout the airport lend a calming atmosphere to this busy hub.

Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 in Singapore features an impressive roof composed of more than 900 skylights, each adjustable to let in the perfect amount of light, as well as a five-story vertical garden in the baggage claim area. Indoor gardens scattered throughout the airport lend a calming atmosphere to this busy hub.

Beijing International Airport's Terminal 3, opened for the 2008 Olympics, is one of the largest buildings on earth. From the sky, the structure is meant to resemble a dragon adorned in the traditional Chinese red-and-yellow color scheme. Huge skylights let in plenty of natural light, and the entire terminal is color-coded to help passengers navigate it effortlessly.

Beijing International Airport’s Terminal 3, opened for the 2008 Olympics, is one of the largest buildings on earth. From the sky, the structure is meant to resemble a dragon adorned in the traditional Chinese red-and-yellow color scheme. Huge skylights let in plenty of natural light, and the entire terminal is color-coded to help passengers navigate it effortlessly.

JFK's Terminal 5, also called the TWA Flight Center, serves as the airport's JetBlue Terminal. The space was designed by Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen in 1962, and was meant to look like a seagull in flight. The building's unique design has been used as a New York filming location for movies like "Catch Me if You Can."

JFK’s Terminal 5, also called the TWA Flight Center, serves as the airport’s JetBlue Terminal. The space was designed by Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen in 1962, and was meant to look like a seagull in flight. The building’s unique design has been used as a New York filming location for movies like “Catch Me if You Can.”

Madrid is quickly becoming a major travel center in Europe, and besides being one of the easiest airports to navigate, it's also beautiful. Terminal 4's architectural highlights include colorful steel pylons supporting a bamboo ceiling that lets in sunlight with the aim of creating a tranquil and calming space for passengers passing through.

Madrid is quickly becoming a major travel center in Europe, and besides being one of the easiest airports to navigate, it’s also beautiful. Terminal 4’s architectural highlights include colorful steel pylons supporting a bamboo ceiling that lets in sunlight with the aim of creating a tranquil and calming space for passengers passing through.

source:::::USA TODAY

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