Hawaii ETOPS approved by FAA
Feb 18, 2019, 6:01 am
#121
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,512
Didn't GK say he expects profitability in three years? Many unseen forces will come into play. The buzz in Hawaii is pretty strong, as is the contempt for HA. I suspect inter-island flying will be the bellwether.
Feb 18, 2019, 2:29 pm
#122
Join Date: Jun 2011
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KOAK-PHOG
AND we're off & running yet again....this time a bit of a change in scenery:
https://www.flightradar24.com/SWA8725/1f8b53de
https://www.flightradar24.com/SWA8725/1f8b53de
Feb 19, 2019, 2:31 pm
#123
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
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AND we're off & running yet again....this time a bit of a change in scenery:
https://www.flightradar24.com/SWA8725/1f8b53de
https://www.flightradar24.com/SWA8725/1f8b53de
As Dolly Parton might say, "here you come again": https://www.flightradar24.com/SWA8725/1f8e05fd
Too bad they can't take a more northerly track, might make BOS in less time: Virgin 8
Feb 19, 2019, 2:51 pm
#124
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 138
Should we be reading anything into all these return flights from Hawaii to Dallas? I know they are just starting on the west coast, but if they wanted to add Dallas later, would doing these exercises now take care of any future FAA requirements for certification?
Feb 19, 2019, 2:59 pm
#125
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Other than the novelty & amusement of it all to those of us that are old and have flown lots for a long time, NO.
Might have Company HQ Employees onboard that would like get home tonight, might just be doing it because they can or whatever. The Official FT speculator will likely be along in a bit.
That plane is currently scheduled to go right back to making money starting Wednesday morning with a revenue flight DAL-PHX.
They're not planning/going to "add Dallas later". A least not with the existing fleet, et al. We now return you to regular programming
Might have Company HQ Employees onboard that would like get home tonight, might just be doing it because they can or whatever. The Official FT speculator will likely be along in a bit.
That plane is currently scheduled to go right back to making money starting Wednesday morning with a revenue flight DAL-PHX.
They're not planning/going to "add Dallas later". A least not with the existing fleet, et al. We now return you to regular programming
Feb 19, 2019, 5:27 pm
#126
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Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
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The San Francisco Chronicle reports that apparently WN has systematic problems calculating accurate baggage loads. Wonder if this is holding up the ETOPS certification?
Feb 19, 2019, 5:43 pm
#127
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 13
So as I read the FAA Flight Standards Information Management System circular (see below), it should take six non-revenue validation flights to receive the ETOPS certification. If that's the case, could today's flight be the last required flight?
2/14 OAK to HNL (first flight identified as a validation flight)
2/15 HNL to OAK
2/16 OAK to ITO
2/17 HNL to OAK
2/18 OAK to OGG
2/19 OGG to DAL
Especially if the plane is schedule to go back into revenue service tomorrow?
FSIMS Document Viewer
"For initial ETOPS approval, a part 121 certificate holder may be required to fly six non‑revenue flight legs. A part 135 certificate holder may be required to fly two non‑revenue flight legs. If the certificate holder has existing ETOPS approval and is adding a new aircraft/engine combination, a change to their existing authorization (120 minutes to 180 minutes), or a new geographic area of operation to its ETOPS approval, the certificate holder may be required to fly two flight legs (revenue service may be appropriate). Prior to the initiation of validation flights, the CHDO will issue appropriate operations specifications (OpSpecs) that are restricted to validation flights only (see paragraph 4‑1037)"
2/14 OAK to HNL (first flight identified as a validation flight)
2/15 HNL to OAK
2/16 OAK to ITO
2/17 HNL to OAK
2/18 OAK to OGG
2/19 OGG to DAL
Especially if the plane is schedule to go back into revenue service tomorrow?
FSIMS Document Viewer
"For initial ETOPS approval, a part 121 certificate holder may be required to fly six non‑revenue flight legs. A part 135 certificate holder may be required to fly two non‑revenue flight legs. If the certificate holder has existing ETOPS approval and is adding a new aircraft/engine combination, a change to their existing authorization (120 minutes to 180 minutes), or a new geographic area of operation to its ETOPS approval, the certificate holder may be required to fly two flight legs (revenue service may be appropriate). Prior to the initiation of validation flights, the CHDO will issue appropriate operations specifications (OpSpecs) that are restricted to validation flights only (see paragraph 4‑1037)"
Feb 19, 2019, 8:49 pm
#128
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SFO
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So as I read the FAA Flight Standards Information Management System circular (see below), it should take six non-revenue validation flights to receive the ETOPS certification. If that's the case, could today's flight be the last required flight?
2/14 OAK to HNL (first flight identified as a validation flight)
2/15 HNL to OAK
2/16 OAK to ITO
2/17 HNL to OAK
2/18 OAK to OGG
2/19 OGG to DAL
Especially if the plane is schedule to go back into revenue service tomorrow?
FSIMS Document Viewer
"For initial ETOPS approval, a part 121 certificate holder may be required to fly six non‑revenue flight legs. A part 135 certificate holder may be required to fly two non‑revenue flight legs. If the certificate holder has existing ETOPS approval and is adding a new aircraft/engine combination, a change to their existing authorization (120 minutes to 180 minutes), or a new geographic area of operation to its ETOPS approval, the certificate holder may be required to fly two flight legs (revenue service may be appropriate). Prior to the initiation of validation flights, the CHDO will issue appropriate operations specifications (OpSpecs) that are restricted to validation flights only (see paragraph 4‑1037)"
2/14 OAK to HNL (first flight identified as a validation flight)
2/15 HNL to OAK
2/16 OAK to ITO
2/17 HNL to OAK
2/18 OAK to OGG
2/19 OGG to DAL
Especially if the plane is schedule to go back into revenue service tomorrow?
FSIMS Document Viewer
"For initial ETOPS approval, a part 121 certificate holder may be required to fly six non‑revenue flight legs. A part 135 certificate holder may be required to fly two non‑revenue flight legs. If the certificate holder has existing ETOPS approval and is adding a new aircraft/engine combination, a change to their existing authorization (120 minutes to 180 minutes), or a new geographic area of operation to its ETOPS approval, the certificate holder may be required to fly two flight legs (revenue service may be appropriate). Prior to the initiation of validation flights, the CHDO will issue appropriate operations specifications (OpSpecs) that are restricted to validation flights only (see paragraph 4‑1037)"
Both birds used for ETOPS certification are scheduled to go back into service bright and early tomorrow.
N8329B - sitting in OAK currently - WN 748 OAK >> SAN 2/20
N8327A - mentioned above in DAL - WN 859 DAL >> SAN 2/20
Of course...these may be repositioning revenue flights to SAN for more proving ETOPS from SAN....*mixes the conspiracy pot*
Feb 19, 2019, 10:25 pm
#129
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Dont forget 2/5 and 2/6 flights too.
Both birds used for ETOPS certification are scheduled to go back into service bright and early tomorrow.
N8329B - sitting in OAK currently - WN 748 OAK >> SAN 2/20
N8327A - mentioned above in DAL - WN 859 DAL >> SAN 2/20
Of course...these may be repositioning revenue flights to SAN for more proving ETOPS from SAN....*mixes the conspiracy pot*
Both birds used for ETOPS certification are scheduled to go back into service bright and early tomorrow.
N8329B - sitting in OAK currently - WN 748 OAK >> SAN 2/20
N8327A - mentioned above in DAL - WN 859 DAL >> SAN 2/20
Of course...these may be repositioning revenue flights to SAN for more proving ETOPS from SAN....*mixes the conspiracy pot*
Feb 19, 2019, 10:36 pm
#130
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 413
No. With the current fleet they can't make that long of a trip fully loaded. These planes are mostly empty and have benefited from favorable tailwinds. Even with the lighter load on these flights, they can't make it westbound from DAL to HI.
Feb 20, 2019, 11:55 am
#131
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
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Posts: 257
Feb 21, 2019, 9:53 am
#132
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 13
"“We’ve completed our scheduled ETOPS validation flights,” Southwest said in an email. “We are continuing our dialogue with the (Federal Aviation Administration) this week to receive feedback which moves us closer to completing the final phase of our ETOPS application process. We don’t have anything to share regarding timing for (or contents of) future announcements, which would happen only after ETOPS authorization.”
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/...-test-flights/
Maybe I'm reading too much into a cautious email, but this does not sound like certification and ticket sales are imminent; it sounds like maybe there are further issues that need to be resolved.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/...-test-flights/
Maybe I'm reading too much into a cautious email, but this does not sound like certification and ticket sales are imminent; it sounds like maybe there are further issues that need to be resolved.
Feb 21, 2019, 10:02 am
#133
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Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
I would read absolutely nothing into any of this other than exactly what it says.
It would be foolish for WN to issue a statement presupposing what the FAA will do even if it already knows the approval will be granted after lunch today.
It would be foolish for WN to issue a statement presupposing what the FAA will do even if it already knows the approval will be granted after lunch today.
Feb 21, 2019, 10:55 am
#134
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: VX Gold/WN Companion
Posts: 682
"“We’ve completed our scheduled ETOPS validation flights,” Southwest said in an email. “We are continuing our dialogue with the (Federal Aviation Administration) this week to receive feedback which moves us closer to completing the final phase of our ETOPS application process. We don’t have anything to share regarding timing for (or contents of) future announcements, which would happen only after ETOPS authorization.”
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/...-test-flights/
Maybe I'm reading too much into a cautious email, but this does not sound like certification and ticket sales are imminent; it sounds like maybe there are further issues that need to be resolved.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/...-test-flights/
Maybe I'm reading too much into a cautious email, but this does not sound like certification and ticket sales are imminent; it sounds like maybe there are further issues that need to be resolved.
Feb 22, 2019, 3:40 pm
#135
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,512
Hawaii catering revealed:
Southwest will offer passengers a snack bag filled with Wheat Thins, pretzels, cheese spread, fruit snacks and — perhaps most surprising — Tic Tacs. This bag of items will be offered to passengers after the first round of drink orders is taken upon departure.
Milano cookies from Pepperidge Farm will be handed out during a coffee and water service one hour prior to landing.
On the beverage front, Southwest plans to introduce a new Minute Maid pineapple orange juice, a Blue Chair Bay coconut spiced rum, and Kona Longboard Island Lager to reflect the new destination being served.
Milano cookies from Pepperidge Farm will be handed out during a coffee and water service one hour prior to landing.
On the beverage front, Southwest plans to introduce a new Minute Maid pineapple orange juice, a Blue Chair Bay coconut spiced rum, and Kona Longboard Island Lager to reflect the new destination being served.