Farewell ANA Boeing 747-400D

The Boeing 747-400D was retired today after the short flight from Okinawa to Tokyo Haneda.  The Boeing 747 was first introduced to ANA (All Nippon Airways) in 1978.  The Boeing 747SR (short range) was used for the high density routes in Japan.  As ANA was successful with the 747SR, they ordered the 747-200, a more modern version of the 747.  The -200 opened up more destinations for ANA in Europe and North America.  In 1990, ANA received the popular 747-400 (international and domestic).  For a while, most airlines with a 747 were successful as fuel prices and the maintenance cost was not comparable as today.  In 2000, the fuel prices began rising and the inefficient quad-jet was burning fuel a lot more than the airplanes introduced to the world during that time period such as the new twin engine Boeing 777.  Airlines started to retire the 747 from their fleet and so did ANA.  First, ANA closed the international routes then the domestic version of the 747.  Down to their last two 747, they flew for the last time with ANA March 31, 2014.

Airchive's reliable article on the ANA 747 retirement
New York Times article on ANA 747

MH370 Day 24

"Even hoping against hope, no matter how remote, of course, we are praying and we will continue our search for the possible survivors," said Hishammuddin Hussein.

Diction (Vocab, for English class)

"This guide is intended for such relatively unhurried first-time visitors and for the many thousands of us who return to explore anew"(Chapple, 11).  I have seen this word before but I do not know the meaning. Using the words around the unknown, I think the meaning of the word is something different.  The clue word is return and explore and at a national park that is 3467 square miles, there is always something new to discover.  Dictionary.com says anew (def 1), "over again; again; once more.", and (def 2), "in a new form or manner."

"But in addition, there are myriad other ways to enjoy Yellowstone" (Chapple, 13).  I am not sure what myriad means but using my context clues, I think that this word means more or better because the word is an adjective and it talks about enjoying the national park.  You would never talk about a national park in a negative way if you are writing good things about it!  Dictionary.com says myriad (def 3), "of an indefinitely great number; innumerable."

"Colorful pool"

This book is a travel guide for Yellowstone so there are no characters or a plot like books teachers want students to read.  The vocab in the book is not challenging but I will keep reading on.  There are some sentences in this book that want me to visit this place.  I love photography and usually photograph airplanes but I will take photos of other things as well, especially the scenery.  I will play around with the focus, aperture, and shutter speed at various places and at different times of the day.  In the Preface of the guide, there is a photo of a sunrise along with parts of the Rocky Mountains in the background and a single tree in the foreground.  "Yellowstone means many things to many people: bears and bison, geysers and colorful pools, hikes and horseback rides, distant vistas and the stillness of the back country.  It can also mean clear dry western air, spectacular sunsets, and night skies of full of stars you think you're seeing to the end of the universe."  That passage makes me think of the nice scenery and the great photos I can take.

What are you hobbies? Is the book you are reading representing you well?

After looking at the sun for a few minutes (not recommended) and playing with the shutter speed and the focus, I got what I think is a pretty cool shot of a Hawaiian sunset!

MH370

"It is with deep sadness that Malaysia 

Airlines earlier this evening had to

confirm to the families of those on board

Flight MH370 that it must now be 

assumed the flight had been lost. "-Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines Dark Site

Malaysia Airlines flight 370 (not English related)

Pray for MH370
My thoughts on this disappearance

As of March 18,2014, anything is up on the table
What could have happened everybody is asking... pilot suicide, hijacking, terrorism, catastrophic mechanical failure, series of pilot errors and lots more

I believe the plane went down somewhere over the Indian Ocean because of fuel starvation.  I think either the pilot, Zaharie Ahmad Shah or first officer, Fariq Ab Hamid committed suicide while bringing along 238 other lives on board the Boeing 777-200ER, one of the safest planes in our skies. Malaysian military radar showed the plane climbing to 45,000 feet soon after disappearing from civilian radar screens and then dropping to 23,000 feet before climbing again, the official said.  This action taken by the person piloting the plane may have deliberately done this to make everyone unconscious from oxygen deprivation (assuming the plane was depressurized).  Then, the "pilot" went down to a safe altitude to do whatever they mind.  

**This is my opinion of MH370, not really what happened.MAS 370 Updates

9M-MRO seen here in her good days at Kuala Lumpur

Unrelated to English Class... Enjoy the photos

Medley of airlines!

United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER at O'Hare

"Cloud Surfing"

My brother in the jet bridge

Why I Chose my Book (English class)

If you know me, I love airplanes.  Last trimester, I read books somehow related to airplanes.  The first book I will read this trimester is an informational non-fiction book.  I am reading Yellowstone Treasures by Janet Chapple.  You are probably wondering why I would read a book that doesn't sound interesting.  I chose this book because I am going to Yellowstone National Park the summer of 2014.  I am reading a book I usually would not read.  I am excited to go there (airplane rides) and to see the park itself.  I have  never been there so I am doing my homework now so I can possibly tell my parens where to go and what to do.  I have heard from friends that Yellowstone is a great place to enjoy nature and escape from the city life.  I am looking forward to reading this book so my family isn't doing last minute planning. 

Yellowstone National Park Website

Are you or your family going on a vacation on summer break? If so, where?

Delta Airlines Airbus A320 taxiing out to the active, RWY 18L

Delta Airlines Airbus A320 getting ready to push back