|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Sept 3, 2012 11:40:27 GMT 12
After their commercials with Dennis Conner whinging to Chris Dickson over in-flight meals, I resolved to fly on an Ansett NZ jet the first chance I got. My chance came in 1988. At that time, they were still using Boeing 737's, but I was very impressed with the comfort and the in-flight service. The second time I flew on their airline was in 1990 on a whisper jet. Walking downhill on the gate passenger walkway to the jet made me realize just how low to the ground it was, and it actually compared unfavorably internally compared with the 737 in regards to seating space. Still, the in-flight service was very nice. It was a shame to hear that they went belly-up (I moved to USA at the end of 1990).  Note: pic taken from www.airliners.net |
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Sept 7, 2012 15:02:23 GMT 12
The BAe 146 Whisper Jet's interior reminded me more of a Friendship than a 737! Still, service was good, and that jet was quiet...  Note: pic taken from www.airliners.net |
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Sept 7, 2012 15:49:02 GMT 12
A very good employer and exciting times. Very progressive in the early days.
The old 737's ran almost without fault in their final weeks, it was almost as if they knew...
Nice photos also, - thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by beagle on Sept 7, 2012 17:07:10 GMT 12
from memory their B737's were some of the first 200's, ex Lufthansa ??
|
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Sept 7, 2012 18:42:12 GMT 12
from memory their B737's were some of the first 200's, ex Lufthansa ?? Yes, I remember when they announced on the news that the reason why they were acquiring the BAe 146's were that the 737's - while running well - were of the earliest ones off the production line of that particular series. |
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Sept 7, 2012 19:08:06 GMT 12
I think it was the first three 100 series machines that were ex-Lufthansa. ZK-NED came from elsewhere and the two 200 series machines were later yet again. It would have been the poor maintenance of the Aloha machines that reverberated about the world. The subsequent extra maintenance and 'propaganda' probably forced Ansett into the early fleet replacement. Unfortunate as they were just humming in the weeks before they were parked up. The only Squawk on NEA in it's last week of flying was a blown taxi light. www.planespotters.net/Production_List/search.php?manufacturer=Boeing&subtype=737-200&fleet=7617&fleetStatus=5 |
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Sept 8, 2012 0:35:55 GMT 12
I think it was the first three 100 series machines that were ex-Lufthansa. ZK-NED came from elsewhere and the two 200 series machines were later yet again. It would have been the poor maintenance of the Aloha machines that reverberated about the world. The subsequent extra maintenance and 'propaganda' probably forced Ansett into the early fleet replacement. Unfortunate as they were just humming in the weeks before they were parked up. The only Squawk on NEA in it's last week of flying was a blown taxi light. www.planespotters.net/Production_List/search.php?manufacturer=Boeing&subtype=737-200&fleet=7617&fleetStatus=5Due to NZ being far from the manufacturers plants for all of their commercial aircraft, NZ developed an indigenous aircraft servicing industry that was renowned internationally. So if the former Aloha Airlines 737s that Ansett NZ used did run well, it was primarily because of that. Still, the age of the aircraft necessitated the eventual shift to the BAe 146. |
|
|
|
Post by alexjc on Sept 30, 2012 20:41:06 GMT 12
From what I gathered legend has it that TNT's overbearing head honcho, Peter Ables veto'd Ansett's choice of 737-500s for NZ which were making their way down the Renton production line...He'd got really hammered at the 88' Fanbrough Airshow and managed to order something like a hundred various Bae 146's for AWAS, TNT et al...Then need to find a use for them. Queenstown and Wellington was the perfect excuse, but killed trans-Tasman services (IMO dooming ANZ). Anyways, first flew Ansett in 1990 on their shiny new 146's CHC-IVC, really good service...Then flew them again in 2000 as they were transitioning out to QNZ franchise - bloody awfull! Dash 8-100 HLZ-WGN, Dash 8-300 WGN-CHC, then -100 again CHC-IVC, at least the last sector was a full service evening flight...Clearly showing signs of the end game to come.  |
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Sept 30, 2012 21:39:51 GMT 12
Hmmm, bits and pieces of that. Yes there was strong talk of the fleet replacement with the 500 series but they were never in production at the time.
The Aloha incident came about due to the shocking inspection standards that prevailed.
No reflection at all on the 737 fleet in NZ at the time. Even though the Ansett NZ fleet had come from America West they were well maintained down here.
That was a classic example of everyone getting dragged down to the lowest common denominator.
As far as I was aware the Company was intending to get the 500 series when it became available but the Aloha incident basically necessitated getting new aircraft into service asap. The 146's were basically available within months..
I was at Farnborough '88 and the 146 deal was already happening at that point. I was shown the display 300 series they had on static display and it was pretty obvious BAe were still working on the interior config arrangements for the Ansett NZ aircraft.
TNT had a large order in with BAe and it was quickly modified to include the new fleet for Ansett NZ. The aircraft were basically becoming available so quickly there was a real urgency in getting staff and equipment ready for the fleet roll-over programme.
Morale within the company was humming as most individuals were getting accelerated training and promotion options.
Those first two years of Ansett NZ were incredible, I doubt anyone involved, in any capacity, would speak poorly of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Oct 2, 2012 5:47:49 GMT 12
I only flew Ansett NZ twice and I enjoyed what they provided both times. I emigrated to USA before they went under, so when my wife and I returned to NZ for a family visit, seeing Qantas domestic aircraft in NZ was quite a surprise.
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 6, 2012 10:10:30 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by ox on Oct 6, 2012 16:59:15 GMT 12
I worked for them for nearly 3 years after I left the mob, I started about a month before we lost NEY.
Great company to work for. BAe146s were typically british.
And I am still working on Dash 8s 17 years later.
|
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Oct 12, 2012 9:54:27 GMT 12
I worked for them for nearly 3 years after I left the mob, I started about a month before we lost NEY. Great company to work for. BAe146s were typically british. And I am still working on Dash 8s 17 years later. What do you mean by "Typically British?" Just curious. |
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Jan 20, 2013 0:28:00 GMT 12
I saw on Youtube two Ansett NZ commercials: one involving a cat, and one involving a set of car keys. Unfortunately I couldn't find the Frank Sinatra commercial, or the service comparison commercials. If anyone out there has copies of them, maybe you could add them to Youtube...
|
|
|
|
Post by AussieBob on Jan 20, 2013 22:40:07 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Jan 21, 2013 13:52:05 GMT 12
Thanks for the information.
|
|
|
|
Post by TS on Jan 24, 2013 12:44:54 GMT 12
Here we are came across this of a 146 landing at MT Cook. But it looks more like Queenstown NZ ...  |
|
|
|
Post by expatkiwi on Jan 24, 2013 23:31:42 GMT 12
Here we are came across this of a 146 landing at MT Cook. But it looks more like Queenstown NZ ... Why yes, yes it does... |
|
|
|
Post by ox on Feb 5, 2013 9:06:45 GMT 12
What do you mean by "Typically British?" Just curious. They weren't the most user friendly aircraft to work on, odd sizes for things and a number of components seemingly placed on poles in the middle of the hangar and the aircraft built around them. Loose nuts on everything instead of anchor nuts, overly complicated systems. If anyone has ever had a Britich car they will know what I am talking about. Having said that, they are still going, albeit mostly the RJ versions. |
|
|
|
Post by baronbeeza on Feb 5, 2013 11:22:08 GMT 12
I have worked in BAe146 aircraft in a few countries about the show now. Operating them for a British airline in the UK was an experience, - a double whammy of Britishness if you like.
And yes I am a member of British marque clubs for both my motorbikes and classic cars.
I also have a weakness for Islanders and Trislanders having done factory maintenance courses and been a pilot rated on both types.
The 'British thing' is well known throughout the industry.
I have had the pleasure of changing a Flight Idle Baulk Actuator on a 146,- the rep later said that he would recommend you change every other possible component before tackling that one. The aircraft is literally built around it when the cockpit section is spliced up to the fuselage. From memory I used up a good number of the 1/4" drive extensions we had available on my shift.. I was working deep in the bowels of the cockpit that is for sure.
A little different to the Boeing products... (and Piper for that matter).
|
|
