Author: Editor

JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Indonesia’s Navigation Service Provider Agency or AirNav dismissed earlier statements that pilot of the missing AirAsia QZ 8501 asked for higher altitude because of weather problems. Wisnu Darjono, director of safety and standard of AirNav Indonesia, said the pilot didn’t mention about weather problems when he asked to take the airplane from 32,000 feet to 38,000 feet. “He only requested for high altitude,” said Wisnu Monday (Dec 29). Wisnu said it is normal for pilots to ask for higher altitude so the airplane could fly closer to its economic level (fuel consideration). Flying 1,000 feet lower from economic level would cost additional fuel consumption of 2%. “Say that economic level is 35,000 feet. If someone flies at 30,000 feet, fuel consumption should grow 10%. If someone flies 1000 feet above economic level, fuel saving would be 1%,” Wisnu explained. All pilots, according to Wisnu, would ask to fly at economic level. “Some, however, are not allowed,” he argued. As reported earlier, AirAsia QZ 8501 had initially secured approval from ATC to move from flight plan due to weather problems before missing from the radar and lost contact with ATC, but yet to get approval to move up from 32,000 to 38,000...

Christianawati and nine of her family members escaped a tragedy in the missing AirAsia QZ 8501 due to miscommunication of flight schedule with the airline. “We were scheduled to aboard QZ 8501, but our ticket pointed to 07.30 flight on December 28. Turned out that AirAsia moved forward the flight. They called us on December 15 and December 26 about the change, but we didn’t respond,” said Christianawati on Sunday (Dec 28). The family, including three kids and two babies, did arrive at Surabaya airport at 05.30 a.m Sunday. But, the AirAsia QZ 8501 had already taken off from. “We complained about the schedule change to AirAsia, which then gave us flight at 12.45. But, then we’re informed at 06.30 a.m. about QZ 8501 loses contact,” Christianawati. Upon receiving the information, Christianawati and her family went into tears. “We’re blessed, but at the same time are very sad with passengers on board. We pray for their safety,” she said. The family decided to call off their holiday to Singapore and gathering at the family’s residence in Surabaya...

National Agency for Rescue and Search (Basarnas) has deployed six vessels to find out AirAsia QZ 8501, which lost contact Sunday morning. Sutrisno, head of Basarnas Jakarta, said the vessels were deployed from Jakarta, Pontianak (West Kalimantan), Pangkal Pinang (Riau Islands), and Batam Island to the area suspected as location of the aircraft when it lost contact and disappeared from radar. Indonesian Air Force has also sent out two aircrafts and one helicopter to the suspected area, which is located between Kalimantan Strait and Belitung waters. Antara News Agency quoted Supriandi, spokesperson of Basarnas Pangkalpinang, saying the aircraft might have crashed in waters around 145 KM from Belitung Island, Sumatra.  ...