Ok, Ok, keep moving we should get everyone in the crewroom if you squeeze up plus it’ll save on heating - come on in Ruud there are plenty of seats over in the corner by the biscuit tin - thats okay Graham it doesn’t need ‘guarding’ - you can tell it's Christmas as I've taken the lock off! Is everyone in? Good then I'll begin the meeting. Important stuff first - I have a memo from the auditors regarding finances specifically aircraft disappearing to the other side of the world and apparently somebody authorised the purchase of a Concorde! The good news is we have several measures to recoup the money such as  introducing a surcharge “In the unlikely event of loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop down. To start the flow of oxygen, simply insert your credit card …” and the mess-room Hoover has been sold as it was just gathering dust. And now for an important message regarding Elf and Safety:-

Please be advised that all persons planning to dash through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are required to undergo a Risk Assessment addressing the safety of open sleighs.

The assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available for collection by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night. While provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all facility users are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks. The Angel of the Lord is additionally reminded that prior to shining his/her glory all around s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory

Following last year's well publicised case, everyone is advised that legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr. R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence.

While it is acknowledged that gift-bearing is commonly practiced in various parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded under provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Further, caution is advised regarding other common gifts, such as aromatic resins that may initiate allergic reactions.

Finally, for those involved in the recent case of the infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly.

2017 turned out to be a year of change in the real world of aviation with many new aircraft types and developments maturing resulting in many other aircraft types being phased out. This is mirrored to some extent in the virtual world of aviation with new flight sims being released (X-Plane11, Flight Sim World, Aerofly 2, Prepared v4) that take advantage of the hardware advances over the past 11 years. Back in 2006 we were all getting excited about the newest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator (FSX) but who could have predicted that as Bill Gates took a back seat his successors would ditch the franchise? That co-incidentally was the same year UKDirect joined FS Airlines and in 2018 we will be celebrating our twentieth birthday! There are very few VA’s around who can boast that and it is in no small part down to all of you our pilots past and present. I'm not entirely sure how we can mark such a milestone but I shall start by awarding prizes for the best screen shots submitted to me or via Facebook throughout next year (refer to the screen shot below for my email address). Prizes will include DVD and Blue-rays and more than likely mugs and T-shirts (to be confirmed). If you post on Facebook but want to submit a better resolution image to me that is okay (recommended, it also helps if the subject if the screenshot is a UKD aircraft!).

Speaking of Facebook special thanks is due to Andy UKD579 for setting up the group page which has taken over the role of the forum and been a real success story this year. It has been a good place for pilots to help their fellows and discuss plans and of course post pictures.

Graham UKD140 has created some extra flights to use with FSAirlines over the festive period - further details below with suggestions for a great freeware airport scenery, departing from an airport near you!
 

For more information visit THIS LINK HERE.


And as if that wasn't enough you will find videos, pictures, puzzles and seasonal jokes to get stuck into.  I recommend you take time to watch the full length video from AirClips.com which they made whilst on a humanitarian flight across Africa.

To all our pilots wherever you are in the world on behalf of the hard-working staff behind the scenes may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas from the team at UKDirect and here's to the next twenty years!!
 

Merry Christmas from UKDirect

UKDirect has pilots from around the world and of course not everybody celebrates Christmas so for those who don't please just enjoy this newsletter in the spirit it is intended.

`A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!' cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge's nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he had of his approach.

`Bah!' said Scrooge, `Humbug!'

He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this nephew of Scrooge's, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked again.

`Christmas a humbug, uncle!' said Scrooge's nephew. `You don't mean that, I am sure?'
`I do,' said Scrooge. `Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.'
`Come, then,' returned the nephew gaily. `What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You're rich enough.'

Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said `Bah!' again; and followed it up with `Humbug.'

Excerpt from A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843.

Due to a hard drive failure I have lost all the email address’ stored in my UKD mailing group which is why I haven’t sent one out this time. I will be making a new list (and check it twice to see who has been naughty or nice) so if you want to be on it please email me at
mark[at]planecrazy.me.uk

Simon Pal UKD102/239 in a Boeing 737 over the Swiss Alps.
This screen shot has appeared in Directions before (4 years ago if you can believe that!) but it didn't win the coveted Screen shot of the ‘Month’ accolade then so I've rectified that now.
Sorry Simon, gone but not forgotten.
Do you have a screen shot you are proud of and wouldn't mind seeing messed up on here? Please send it in and share it with us.
To enter in the next e-magazine send your entries to Newshound: mark[at]planecrazy.me.uk

Brussels Airlines Last Avro RJ100 Flight

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On 4th July Swiss retired their last Avro RJ100 after decades of service. It was a sad moment for us avgeeks, but from a passenger and environmental perspective, it was for the better. The airline replaced their four-engined jets with new Bombardier C-Series aircraft. This leaves Brussels Airlines, CityJet, UKDirect and BRA as the last remaining operators in Europe. Both CityJet and BRA have plans to replace them soon but the next airline to phase them out completely though, was Brussels Airlines on October 28, 2017.  Just a few years ago these aircraft were the backbone of Brussels Airlines’ short-haul fleet, though the A320 family has replaced them now. When the Avro RJ100 was launched it was nicknamed the Whisper jet although standards have changed so much these are now considered noisy aircraft. Never mind though as UKDirect have no such plans to replace these planes and instead offer a complimentary set of ear plugs for each passenger. No other airline takes these steps! The tired interior and loose panels add to the charm and character of the flying experience. Check-out the Fleet page for a new repaint of the Quality wings RJ100.

Celebrating Milestones in International Civil Aviation

By Thomas Engle on July 11, 2017 (Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs).

In 2007, the United States and the EU signed the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement, one of the most important air transport agreements in the world.  It allows U.S. and European carriers to fly without restrictions between any American city and any city in the EU, Norway, and Iceland.  The Agreement has increased services in the transatlantic market that were previously subject to significant restrictions on operations arising from the pre-existing bilateral agreements.

The U.S.-EU Agreement has paved the way for closer alliance agreements among airlines on both sides of the Atlantic, facilitating greater connectivity.  The strategic alliances, codeshares, and other commercial arrangements that U.S. and EU carriers have entered allow them to better respond to market demands and provide greater flexibility and choice for travelers and businesses.  An efficient and vibrant transatlantic aviation market supports broader economic growth and prosperity here at home.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. and EU trade about $3 billion in goods and services every single day. We have invested more than $4 trillion in each other’s economies. U.S. Department of Commerce data indicate that some 12 million U.S. citizens traveled to Europe in 2016, the largest overseas destination for U.S. travel behind Mexico and Canada.( - I'm fascinated that the US considers Mexico and Canada to be overseas!)

A century ago: First African American combat pilot

Eugene Jacques Bullard was born in Georgia in 1895, emigrating to Europe when he was 17 years old by stowing away on a German freighter. He later settled in Paris, joining the French flying service Aéronautique Militaire in 1916 and becoming a pilot in 1917. When the United States entered World War I, Bullard applied to join the U.S. Air Force but was rejected because of his race, according to a biography published online by the National Air and Space Museum. 
 

 New Aircraft take to the Skies

Airbus New Engine Options (NEO)

The A330neo, A321neo and A319neo were expected to reach milestones in 2017.

A330NEO Comprising the A330-800neo and A330-900neo, the first A330neo deliveryto launch customer TAP has been delayed until March 2018. The new line is set to show improvements in efficiency and cabin capabilities. The Airspace by Airbus cabin is planned for launch on the A330neo line. Based on the A330-200, the A330-800neo has been designed with a range of 7,500 nautical miles and seats 257 passengers (or 406 in a high-density configuration). The A330-900neo accommodates 287 (or 440 in a high-density configuration).

A321NEO A maximum certified capacity of 240 seats, the A321neo’s Cabin-Flex configuration option gives the jetliner the increased exit limits and a new cabin door configuration. Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has taken delivery of its first A321neo, becoming the launch operator of the version of the aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engines.

ANA’s A321neo is configured for 194 passengers with 8 premium class seats and 186 economy class seats.. The aircraft is the first for the airline to be used on domestic routes equipped with in-flight entertainment system for all seats.. All A320neo family members incorporate Airbus’ Sharklets, which includes reinforced wing structures and wingtip devices and two new engine options. Options include the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM and CFM International CFMI Leap-1A.

A319NEO CNN says market demand isn’t where Airbus wants it to be for the A319neo because of its small size, nevertheless it made its maiden flight this year. Flight evaluations began on 31 March 2017. It can seat 140 passengers (or 160 in a high-density configuration), and has a maximum payload of 13.2 tons. The jet can also be powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM and CFM International CFMI Leap-1A. The single-aisle Airbus A319neo will be capable of trans-Atlantic flights, but will primarily be used for shorter routes more suited to its range of about 4,300 miles.

Airbus A350-1000 It isn’t a NEO, but the A350-1000 offers improved efficiency, lower noise levels and long-range capabilities similar to the A330neo. The aircraft is a member of the widebody family and can accommodate 40 more passengers than the A350-900. Delivery of the first A350-1000 – the longest-fuselage version of Airbus’ A350 XWB jetliner – is planned before year-end following the aircraft’s Type Certification by the European and U.S. airworthiness authorities., benefiting from the original A350-900 test campaign in 2014. Qatar Airways is set as the launch customer, with an outstanding order for 37.
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Comac C919

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC) C919 is a short-medium range commercial trunk liner. This is reportedly China’s first big airliner, which accounts for its slow development — first flight was originally set for 2014 and first flew on 5 May 2017, for a planned introduction in 2020.. .

With a basic and enhanced version, according to COMAC’s website, the aircraft has a range of either about 2,532 miles or about 3,451 miles. It can seat 160 in a one-class configuration, or 156 in a multi-class configuration.

United Aircraft Corporation MC-21

On October 17 2017, the first test MC-21-300 aircraft flew from the airfield of Irkutsk Aviation Plant to the airfield of Flight Research Institute n.a. M.M. Gromov (Ramenskoye, Moscow Region), to continue flight tests. The aircraft flew nonstop 4 500 km for 6 hours at the altitude of 10 000 meters..  The MC-21 has two variants: the MC-21-300 (160-211 seats) and the MC-21-200 (2310-176 seats).

The Irkut MC-21 is a Russian single-aisle twinjet airliner, developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau and produced by Irkut, both United Aircraft Corporation subsidiaries. The design is based on the never-realized, twin-engine Yakovlev Yak-242 as a development of the three-engine Yakovlev Yak-42.

Embraer E195-E2

Embraer on March 7 rolled out the first E195-E2 airliner from the São José dos Campos facility, declaring it the largest aircraft ever produced in Brazil. The manufacturer began the flight-test phase ahead of schedule during the first half of the year.

Planned for entry into service in the first half of 2019 with launch operator Azul of Brazil, the second-generation E-Jet is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney PW1900G geared turbofan engines and provides three additional rows of seats compared with the current E195. The single-aisle airliner can seat 120 passengers in two-class configuration and up to 146 in a single class, Embraer says. Advertised range is 2,450 nm—an increase of 450 nm. Azul plans to take the 30 airplanes on which it holds a firm order in a single-class, 130-seat layout.
Compared to current-generation E-jets, the company says its E195-E2 achieves double digit-lower fuel consumption. It has a payload of 35,506 pounds.

Antonov An-132D

Ukrainian manufacturer Antonov successfully carried out the maiden  flight of its latest aircraft, the twin turboprop military transport  An-132D. The improved version of the Antonov An-32 has been jointly  developed by Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.

The prototype aircraft UR-EXK was rolled out on 20 December 2016 at the manufacturer’s Kiev facility with the first flight taking place at Gostomel “Antonov” Airport.

Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A engines have been installed on the An-32D, the same powerplants installed on the Bombardier Q400 turboprop. The An-132 will also come equipped with Honeywell avionics, Liebherr air management system and Dowty propellers.

The multi role aircraft is capable of carrying up to 9.2 tons of cargo to a ceiling height of 28,000ft, with a max speed of 500km/h. Its possible uses include medical evacuations, fire-fighting, skydiving, cargo transportation and reconnaissance missions.

Seasons Bleatings To All

I have moved from the warmth of the Caribbean for the season to be jolly etc.. and am currently making a snowman in Astana, Kazakhstan whilst the 764 is on the ground being re-fuelled and re-supplied with mince pies. It was (inevitably) snowing steadily and thoughts of Christmas charters to Lapland came to mind. We have lots of aircraft sitting waiting around in the UK so I have made up some seasonal flights to Rovaniemi after finding some special Christmassy scenery on VATSIM at http://vatsim-scandinavia.org/pilots/airports/finland/efro-rovaniemi/ by Tatu Kantomaa.

Any A319/320/321, B734,737,738,739,752,753 or even the E170,175,190,195 are capable of making the 1300 mile trip with good planning. So I'll knock up some flights and the rest will be up to you..
If you decide to download the scenery read the PDF file as there are a couple of things to put in the FSX.cfg file so take care and make a back up first!
There are usually online events to Lapland (Charlie) and they are well supported by the community so have a look for any advertised.
Just keep your eyes peeled for a Jolly fatman in a red suit when airborne as I heard Rob Wright may be back!
Graham UKD140.

EFRO Rovaniemi

Do you have a screen shot you are proud of and wouldn't mind seeing messed up on here? Please send it in and share it with us.
To enter in the next e-magazine send your entries to Newshound: mark[at]planecrazy.me.uk

New UK2000 Sceneries of 2017

16th September 2017 Gatwick Xtreme V4 now Released.  40% Discount for version3 users
16th September 2017 Xplane version of Manchester released.
13th May 2017 Norwich Xtreme Released!
14th January 2017 Manchester Xtreme Released!

In addition to the new releases Gary Summons has worked tirelessly to update the whole range to be compatible with Prepared v4 and released many others for X plane 10 and 11 as well as for the Mac operating system.

Its seems to be an annual event - Gary Summon’s UK2000 scenery range is on sale at up to 40% off. The excellent scenery covers virtually every airport in England and Wales (VFR Airfields series) including some in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The versions for FS2004 are now free! The FSX and P3D Xtreme airports are in my personal opinion the best there is.
The sale only applies to download versions but includes the latest releases and ends 31^st  Dec 17.  http://www.uk2000scenery.com
Save 25% if you order 1 product, 30% if you order 2, and save 40% when you order 4 or more from the following:

Gatwick Xtreme v4
Norwich Xtreme
Manchester Xtreme v2
Aberdeen Xtreme
Exeter Xtreme
Humberside Xtreme
Southend Xtreme
Stansted Xtreme V4 (2015)
Birmingham Xtreme V3
Prestwick Xtreme
Jersey Xtreme
Heathrow Xtreme V3
Luton Xtreme
Leeds-Bradford Xtreme
Doncaster Xtreme
Edinburgh Xtreme **V3**
Glasgow Xtreme **V3**
Cardiff Xtreme
East Midlands Xtreme
London City Xtreme
Cumbernauld Xtreme
Newcastle Xtreme
Liverpool Xtreme
Bristol Xtreme
Belfast Xtreme
VFR Airfields Volume1 Version2
VFR Airfields Volume2 Version2
VFR Airfields Volume3 Version2

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FSUIPC latest versions:

FSUIPC5 5.122 for Prepar3D Version 4. Released  November 17th 2017 (3.3 MB)
FSUIPC4 4.971 for use with FSX, FSX-SE and Prepar3D 1.4-3.4.  Released August 16th 2017 (3.3 MB)

http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

Which Christmas Tree Doesn’t Belong in This Picture?

They might all be festive, but one of them is not like the others

In this image, there are 6 different Christmas trees. One of them isn’t like the others. Can you figure out which one?

Don’t scroll down until you think you have the answer. Make sure you look closely at the decorations and the different snow patterns on the trees. (Answer at the bottom of the page).

The UKDirect auditor is looking for the missing aircraft —Can you help him?

Help the UKD auditor out of the maze and track down the missing aircraft :)

Can You Spot the Bear Hiding in a Crowd of Reindeer?

The answer is at the bottom of the page but if your struggling you can find a hint below the spot-the-difference picture.

‘Spot’ the difference with Caribbean Direct

There are 10 differences between the two pictures - can you find them all?
The answers are at the bottom of the page. If you need a hint for finding the bear above he's in between the bottom of the snowman and Santa's nose.

My wife's been doing my head in, shes been looking through the window since it started snowing.... If it gets any worse I'll have to let her in!

This is the end of this years Christmas Newsletter, below this point are the answers for the above puzzles. Don't go any further until you've tried all the puzzles.

Which Christmas Tree Doesn’t Belong in This Picture? - Answer

If you look closely, you'll notice that on all the other trees, the left and right sides are decorated with identically coloured Christmas tree lights. The two lights on the bottom branches of Christmas tree number two are two different colors.

Can You Spot the Bear Hiding in a Crowd of Reindeer?
 

Spot the difference with Caribbean Direct