RobAvia - Robert Farrugia

There's still lots to do but "150 Seconds: Disaster On A Sunday Afternoon" is starting to feel a bit more real. Though in my naivety I thought a second book might be a little easier... @colinsutton @FirstFalklands @StainesMiddx @PatrickHHoy @MaxK_J @Gemma_Lavender

@hoyer_kat Congratulations, that is some distinguished company you're keeping, including @wmarybeard All well deserved.

@scottiebateman That Georgia-Azerbaijan corridor must be pretty crowded these days...

From the outside, long-haul flying can look simple, two cities joined by a clean line on a map. In reality, every route is a negotiation between geography, weather, engineering… and politics. Tonight’s track to Hong Kong will bend and adapt around parts of the world where conflict has made once-routine airspace unusable. Modern flight planning is no longer just about efficiency; it’s about constantly assessing risk, stability, and the consequences of the unexpected. And then there’s the terrain. To the east sit some of the highest mountains on Earth, vast, unforgiving landscapes where altitude itself becomes a consideration. Aircraft performance, diversion options, cabin depressurisation scenarios, engine-out escape routes… all quietly shaping the path long before pushback. The result is something most passengers never see… a route carefully threaded through a moving puzzle of winds, terrain, diplomacy, and safety margins. What appears from the cabin window as a smooth overnight journey is, beneath the surface, a continuous exercise in judgement and resilience. And perhaps that’s what modern aviation really is. Not conquering the world… but learning, night after night, how to move safely through its complexity. Hong Kong by morning… or is it evening… I’m confused already.

@SimonCalder LHR is OK if within a terminal, but inter-terminal is poor and definitely not premium. FRA, if non-Schengen, is essentially a sponsored run with added border guards, except nobody's having fun and there's no finish line — just Gate Z69

Your favourite European mega-hub?

Europe's worst major airport? Surely it must be Paris Charles de Gaulle, in terms of surface access (CDG Express train from Gare de l'Est is running three years behind schedule) as well as the overall airport design and operation. Other nominations welcome independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

A number of air forces use Learjets, and other executive jets, in various roles - often VIP transport. Although there are military variants (qv Japan), the Argentine ones were just normal jets. Apart from their range, they also had the advantage of high operating ceiling, up to 45,000 feet - though that didn't save one of them which @RDPHistory will get to in a few week's time...

@RDPHistory Cant tell you how much I am enjoying your account, Ricky, in every aspect. A small thing. I had always thought of Lear jets as the millionaire’s personal transport of choice. Did the Argies buy a job lot second hand or . . . ?

May 9th 1982: In Argentina, a sortie for four A-4C Skyhawks is prepared, to attempt to take on HMS Coventry & Broadsword north of the Falklands, in reprisal for the helicopter which has been shot down. They will be augmented by two Learjets and are refuelled from a C-130... 1/2

If this isn't peak level acculturation, I don't know what is. Doctor Who came to my book launch!

Great to meet @hoyer_kat talking about her new book at Kings College this evening. Unexpected bonus to chat with Prof Frank McDonough @FXMC1957 too 🙂

@MaxK_J @HertsRoyal @pablolightfoot @BlueMondayITFC @IpsRich @Benjaminbloom We just need to get past Middlesbrough, then probably Millwall and we’ll be right there with you…

@HertsRoyal @pablolightfoot @BlueMondayITFC @IpsRich @Benjaminbloom It is, Rob - and buying it before the game didn’t jinx us…

#coyb #itfc @pablolightfoot @BlueMondayITFC @IpsRich @Benjaminbloom

@JoeBrownLondon @GWRHelp Ash

On a Cornish adventure… there are currently ten operational railway stations in Britain with three letter names… here’s one, name the other nine (no cheating) @GWRHelp

@MaxK_J @Tim_the_Pilot Shortest scheduled sector for me was PBI-MIA on a B727. Shortest on any airliner was Hatfield to STN on a HS748 - 9 minutes with a meal. Unless circuits in a B727 count... 😁

@Tim_the_Pilot I flew LHR-FAB-LHR in a VS 346 during FIA 2002 (westerly deps) - they were quick sectors. Ironically, the 346’s outboard Trent 500 nacelles were adorned with the slogan “4 engines 4 long haul”…

What a difference a month can make…. Last month I operated my longest flight, 14:55hr from take-off to touchdown. Tonight I’ll do my shortest, potentially just 18 mins, LHR 09R to LGW 08R. The 777 fleet always keeps it interesting !

And... do check carefully *exactly* what is covered. Not all policies are equal, and expensive ≠ full coverage by default. UK travellers check for a "journey must start/finish in UK clause". Making your own way to join a cruise or train journey (i.e. flight not part of the package)? Double check you'll be covered.

One thing you simply CANNOT travel overseas without in these troubled times is travel insurance. If you cannot afford the insurance (and you must disclose all medical/ get a specialist provider) really do consider if you can go at all. Remember - help isn’t coming

People believe airlines are tracking their searches because it’s a simple explanation for a frustratingly common phenomenon and it conforms to their (very understandable!) priors about the lengths airlines will go to nickel and dime them. There are just two problems: 1. It’s not true. 2. They latch on to “hacks” like VPNs & clearing cookies rather than focusing on what really matters: being flexible to capitalize on cheaper fares and using sites like Google Flights to find them.

Great to see Hannah Chapman competing in the Porsche Sprint Challenge this weekend - with a little help from her friends 😉 📸=@XentekMsport

@Andrew_Frankel There are seats in economy?

@MCCCANM Meanwhile, the upper age limit in BA's latest fully-paid pilot training recruitment is 58...

It has been a remarkable time in the airlines…some new hires at 23 years old. That’s incredible.

@gotravelyourway From this choice, the A380, because of the roominess. Followed by the B787 with its better cabin atmosphere. But, I'd be secretly hoping for a B747 🙂 #QueenOfTheSkies

You’re about to board a 10+hour flight. Which aircraft are you hoping to see at the gate? ✈️ Airbus A350 ✈️ Boeing 787 Dreamliner ✈️ Boeing 777 ✈️ Airbus A380 Be honest. 👀

Which one first? @burke_jason @scottiebateman 😁

@AlexBrundle I believe she's had a go before, but can we get @AbbieEaton44 in the driving seat?

One way to spend and Easter Sunday. First guest driver through the Brundle Motorsport Mustang. With a view to the Donington Historic Festival. Did a great job - who would you like to see?

Excellent new upload by @MenTourPilot on YouTube covering the TWA800 disaster, clearly explaining the accident - and debunking the various conspiracy theories. @OnDisasters @katherinealee @scottiebateman youtu.be/DHHeGrvuAhg?si…

@OnDisasters I’ve seen this clip many times and only today found out it was Voyager 2, which I watched launch from Cocoa Beach.

The timing on this sequence HAD to be perfect and it was. Superb TV moment here

@AbbieEaton44 If you've already tried passive-aggressive tutting as you walk past and it hasn't worked, then only one person can advise you: @SoVeryBritish

One of my neighbours still has their Christmas tree up. Should I inform the police? Many thanks