| Reviews |
Let me take you through a brief description of what you will find on this fantastic DVD from JustPlanes.
The flight from Madrid to Quito starts with a quick view of the briefing including local and enroute weather and the planned route. They also show some of the special maps they use for flying over the mountainous areas of the Andes for alternate routes in case of an emergency. These are covered in more detail while enroute. You learn some interesting things during the walk around. Back into the cockpit we are shown the load sheet, which is very important, that is used to double check the FMS data among other things. Once this is done the pilots start the checklists. Unfortunately, for the English speaking people viewing they are in Spanish only. The startup commences and we wait for the engines to stabilize before continuing. Before and during the taxi the camera shows each screen that the pilot is talking about so you can follow along. The nice view outside during take-off is towards the mountains. We learn an interesting lesson while climbing on how to detect turbulent clouds and what they do to avoid them to give passengers a smooth ride. Once they are comfortable we are shown how they use routes across the Atlantic along with the weather to determine the optimal flight level. Then we get into a very detailed coverage of the instrument panel.
Volcano activity causes a diversion over Martinique while enroute. Coverage of the destination and alternate weather is explained and we begin the approach briefing. There’s no ILS approach at Quito on this flight so they have to do a challenging VOR approach in mountainous terrain.The approach is cloudy but you can still see a little of the city. JustPlanes has included a nice tour in between flights at Quito. You see the sign indicating a latitude of zero and a little gravity demo. Cool demo I might add. You’ll have to see it to understand.
The next two flights are done at night with the final route landing at Madrid in the morning. Before departing Guayquil, enroute to Madrid, the First Officer goes over the receiving of the aircraft and tests of emergency systems in detail. Enroute they encounter thunderstorms. They deviate due to heavy turbulence and the pilot takes an opportunity to go over what happens if they have to do an emergency landing. Landing at Madrid is on runway 18R which is a breathtaking mountainous approach.
Conclusion
I have to say without a doubt that this is the most informative DVD I’ve seen from JustPlanes. The pilot’s enthusiasm and willingness to provide their knowledge to everyone without hesitation shows how much they love their jobs. You, the viewer, are the beneficiaries of this with a wealth of knowledge that you can use for deciding if you want to further your pilot career, imitate real world pilots in the flight simulator, or just enjoy learning about the A340 and oceanic routing as a hobby.
Review from SIMFLIGHT |
Just Planes have created yet another outstanding DVD with the Iberia A340-300 title from the World Air Routes series.
Follow the pilots on-board as they fly from Madrid - Guayquil - Quito - Madrid for 228 minutes (English version) or 180 minutes (Spanish version) of viewing pleasure.
The friendly and humourous Captain explains the operation of the A340-300 in detail as well as showing the viewer their maps and systems. The First Officer also talks the viewer through the pre-flight procedure he follows in what has to be one of the most interesting and eye-opening titles for any Virtual Pilots’ DVD library.
Although BAV does not fly the A340, anyone interested in Airbus aircraft will benefit from watching this title; especially, our A320 pilots.
With Christmas looming, why not treat yourself to a title, which does not disappoint from beginning to end. One of the landings which fascinates is the approach into Quito, which is sat some 5,000 feet about sea level in the mountains of Equador. Landing high and hot in a place that lies on the equator makes for some interesting and exhilerating programming. If you are new to Just planes DVDs or even a collector, you will not be disappointed with this title.
Review from BRITISH AIRWAYS VIRTUAL |
Iberia is an airline which perhaps needs no introduction. Iberia is the flag ship airline of Spain based in Madrid. Iberia was founded in 1927 and it now operates a range of domestic and international routes using a wide array of airbus aircrafts. This DVD focuses on the operations of the A340-300 on a roundtrip flight from Madrid to two destinations in Ecuador. It also features footage from Ecuador itself that viewers may find interesting.
Just Planes has always delivered top quality DVDs that allow aviation enthusiast the opportunity to see the day to day operations of airlines and their flight crew. Let’s have a closer look at some of the highlights of this DVD.
Highlights
The Iberia DVD is by far one of the most enjoyable DVD’s I have looked at in a while. I always enjoy the short to medium haul DVDs but sometimes find it difficult to always enjoy the long haul DVDs. This DVD however, is very unique since it features a flight crew that is very interactive with the viewing audience by always finding an opportunity to explain and educate the viewer on nearly all aspects of their day to day duties.
The Capt on this flight is also very friendly and it was commendable that he highlighted just how hard First Officers work and that they are a team of equals when it comes to flying abilities. The combination of both a friendly crew and an interesting aircraft makes the 10 hour flight to Ecuador jam packed with captivating footage.
One of the highlights of this DVD is a segment which features clips from Ecuador itself. I am sure the team at JustPlanes had a lot of fun travelling to the equator and witnessing some of the phenomena that is associated with being on either side of the equator.
The next highlight of this DVD was the stunning smooth landing by the First Officer on the return flight to Madrid. It was the very first time I have seen a landing with an A340 in which you barely noticed when the aircraft actually touched down! The Capt also showed how amazed he was with the landing when he initiated a hi-five with the First Officer saying that he has to buy the beers!
All in all there is not a dull moment on this DVD and it is very instructive and informative when it comes to international operations, flying in and out of Ecuador’s high terrain and the various features of the A340.
Summary / Closing Remarks
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this DVD. I was especially hooked on the Iberia DVD since the style of the captain’s presentation really made you feel like you were part of the flight. Would I buy this DVD again if it were lost? Yes I would! This is definitely high on my list of some of the best JustPlanes DVDs available and I would tell anyone that these are a very good addition to your collection, especially if you are an Airbus fan.
What I Like About This DVD
Exciting and instructive video documentary
Very thorough and informative presentations of the aircraft systems and flying procedures
Stunning scenery from the cockpit
The thrill of flying in and out of Ecuador’s challenging terrain was surely a highlight
Review from AVSIM |
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| Comments |
Fantastic video all round really, crew were excellent, especially the captain. Beautiful aircraft and some great flights. A couple more views would have been welcome but hard to fault such a class DVD. Ben Kolbeck, UK |
The Iberia A340-300 DVD is one of the most entertaining Just Planes programs I have seen. The flight crew is awesome and I truly appreciate the relaxed but professional attitude that was displayed in the flighdeck. This program includes great scenery and very interesting information about the A340. Great job Just Planes! Kristof Barocz, CANADA |
A very informative and entertaining program on Iberia A340-300! Captain De Bobadilla's presentations throughout the nearly 4 hours make this one of finest programs in the World Air Routes seris. Starting with a detailed pre-flight briefing in Madrid for the 10 hour flight nonstop trip to Quito and the thorough pre-flight walkaround by one of the two First Officers, this program gets off to a great start. The routing takes us over Santa Maria island then South Westward over Martinique with nice views over them from the high cruising altitude. Continuing to the South American mainland over Venezuela, Captain De Bobadilla explains the meticulous flight planning required as the flight enters the airspace over the very high Andes mountains and the escape routings the crew must follow in case of emergency depresurization to avoid colliding with the terrain. A very interesting initial approach to Quito where storm clouds are encountered over the Andes and the opposite direction passage of a Lufthansa Cargo MD11 swiftly passing under our flight add to the excitement. The Captain continues his narration right through his difficult final approach and landing at this over 9,000 foot destination. His wonderful sense of humor makes this program even more enjoyable. A very nice continuation from Quito to Guayaquil and back to Madrid with night time views of thunderstorms adds to the drama. Many thanks to Captain De Bobadilla, Iberia and Just Planes for a fantastic presentation of the A340-300! Greg Rowland, USA
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This is a great DVD. The beautiful scenery, and a very professional crew. Beautiful plane, congratulations for the beautiful work. Amos Migliavacca, ITALY |
Beside the Air Canada 767 one of the finest video I have seen so far. Especially for the very interesting explanations of the Captain De Bobadilla, very nice and clear everytime. Good job again ! Giovanni Tessari, ITALY |
I want to thank Just Planes and Iberia for cooperating together and bringing us one of the most complete dvd's in the series. To have such a nice and Professional captain like Cpt De Bobadilla in a dvd of one of the top 10 airlines in Europe is like winning the lottery. The crew was more than happy to present the Airbus 340-300 inside and out, from the briefing before flying to Quito till the end of this great journey back in Madrid. Thanks! Daniel Shub, ISRAEL |
Cpt. Bobadilla is awesome in this DVD. As are the cockpit views over Ecuador. What a hectic and scary approach into Quito. I'm not normally a fan of the off airport stuff featured on some of the DVD's but the visit to the equator was very well done and I loved it. Kudos to Cpt. Bobadilla for letting the F/O fly the last two legs. Very professional.
Al Stiff, CANADA
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Well I certainly do not know how you seem to do it but keep coming out with all the right goods. Here we have another fine example of excellent work from the Just Planes/World Air Routes family. The presentation by both Capt De Bobadilla along with his fine SFO they give a great insight into operating a 340-300. I particularily like the explanation of the operation and the escape routes over the mountains. The fascinating snippet of the tour guide's information on the longitudinal line was certainly a added bones. Please please keep producing such fine DVD and we (the general public) will keep buying them. Simon Cordall, UK
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This is the 25th DVD and it is by far the best one. The Cockpit presentation by Captain De Bobadilla is absolutely fantastic. Great work again!!! Marcel Laroche, CANADA |
The Iberia A340-300 is the best one I have ever purchased! Yerim Fall, USA |
I can't count how many times I have watched this DVD. In my opinion, this is perhaps the best DVD featuring Iberia. The Captain De Bobadilla (pilot-flying MAD-UIO) is one of the most entertaining captains ever featured on a DVD produced - Both First Officer Alberto Lapaz (pilot-flying UIO-GYE) and First Officer Carlos Gomez (pilot-flying GYE-MAD) are wonderful too. All three pilots are great with their presentations (with De Bobadilla's intoduction at flight operations & Alberto's walk-around in MAD; followed by the takeoffs/landing briefings; DeBadilla's escape route presentation; presentation at the equator in Quito; DeBadilla's presentation in UIO; pre-flight presentation by Carlos in GYE; and all of the cockpit presentations). And, along with Air Canada, Swiss, and Oasis, this DVD is a DVD that everyone should buy.
John C. McCreery, USA |
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