Third Year, 1st Semester 2009

Corner Talk: Last night, UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona FC of Spain was quite disappointing. The highly-overrated Manchester United did not portray good football works, but, was most of the time, overshadowed by the more creative and skillful Barcelona players in the names of Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi, Thiery Henry, Xavi and Ineista. The journey thus far to Rome came to an end with empty-handed; unable to retain the UEFA Champions Leagues Trophy as what had had happened to all the previous winner. This curse has never stopped haunted even now ... All in all, at least, Manchester United has 3 titles under their belts for the 2008-2009 season - League Cup, World Club Cup and EPL Premier Leagues Champion. Still, the flame has never stopped burning in Sir Alex; we will continue chanting, " Glory ManUtd, Glory!!! " ...

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College 1st Semester break is on the brink now, as soon as our Module 5 Digital Technique Category B2 came to an end. The burden over our shoulders was dropped, at least for this coming one week before everyone resumes their normal routine. People from far are heading back their hometown with a wish to pair up with their loved one, and I, will be flying back to Kuching tomorrow. A little re-cap on this term first semester activities with pictures from here and there ... Enjoy :)

Our favourite past-time
Friday's activity...
Lesson in class was never too bored and heavy
with free show of movies
from our lappies (laptop)
Everyone will sit down looking, staring at
the 12 inches screen,
remains silent and enjoying the show
till the very end ...

This is the main entrance of my college...
The funny story behind this picture was somehow
similar to what happened to all my colleagues;
X: Wow, you study in MAS ha?
Another future PILOT to be ...
Keith: -.-" Ha? I am doing Aircraft Engineering lo ...
X: Ooh, so can you fly the aeroplane?
Keith: -.-"
( Didn't you see the wording 'Engineering' there?)

Lunch together every Friday
(most of the time) in Cafe 147
(L-R) Dharshunu, Ewin, Nantha and KeithK
Once in awhile, we would take a drive down
to town just to have a taste on our favorite food

Batch 06 Avionics Class
The one and only one in college
There are only a total of 23 of us in this class,
but, if you count head to head,
if you will find 3 of them missing.
They weren't available when this photo was shot.
Haha :)
Sorry Che Azahar, Nurlin and Essi,
we miss you out ...
Next time, maybe Graduation Day?

We United!!
Love this picture to the most ...
Counting down the days to our
final Examination in DCA
- 24 September 2009
All the three years effort will be put
to its most ultimate test
Electrical, Instruments and Radio,
we shall overcome it together ...


One week holiday at hometown
will not, maybe, should not
be a truly holiday at all,
I must spare some time to brush up
with some subjects before
2nd semester resumes;

The list is as follows,
Air Legislation 80 Questions
Basic Engineering 120 Questions
Autopilot Jeppesen Notes
Aircraft Technician Handbook
Cessna 172 Maintenance Manual


Selamat Hari Gawai to all
Sarawakian and Sabahans ...
Happy Holiday ...

Cheers,
With love,
KeithK :)

Running Nose ...

Weekend was not what I had wished, I turned out be in the blue again - sick, second time in a month. I have no ideas why my body's antibody seems to flatter recently, just a few weeks back in early May, I was down with terrible cough and now, I was defeated with a terrible flu, yeap, again!! What the $%^&!!! What a contradiction, the weather outside looks so beautiful, sun is shinning bright, birds are chirping happily, but, I am having a running nose; mucus dripping down my nostrils. With Module 5 Cat B2 Exam is lining up next Thursday, I cant afford to be dragged any longer. I hate swallowing medicines, pills or syrup, but, sometimes, I just have to bear with it. Indeed, the best blessing for God to all ouf us is none other than our HEALTH.

Get well soon,
KeithK :)

Champion for 3rd time ...

Corner Talk: Last week, two examination results were released; Module 4 Electronics and Module 10 Aviation Legislation Paper 1. All in all, I was quite glad with the results. Module 4 was another home-runs, so in total I have 4 home runs under my belts, Module 1 to 4. Lolz :) Module 10 was quite closed to another home run, but, nevertheless, I am satisfied with the end product. Now, should switch my concentration to Module 5 Cat B2 as exam will be right up in the next 2 weeks. Counting the time to final DCA examinations in another 4 months ... Lot of preparation still need to be done ... CAIP, Module notes, Air Legislation ANs, Basic Engineering, bla bla bla and etc ... -.-"

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Manchester United clinched the BPL Trophy yesterday, making it the thrice time back to back in three seasons after earning a precious 1 point from a 0-0 home draw with Arsenal at home in Old Trafford. Glory glory ManUtd ... The Devils' marching on ... They are going to conquer Europe in next two with a clash of gigantic for the European Champions League final with Barcelona FC in Rome. Haha ...

Ryan Giggs lifted up the BPL Tropy as
he captained his side to an 0-0 draw with Arsenal

Christiano Ronaldo - His contribution to ManUtd
was no doubt significant in retaining the title
back to back in three seasons thus
equaling their arch rival,
Liverpool a total of 18 Premier League
titles in the history of British football.

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Friday afternoon, three of us, Dharshunu, Ewin and I went out for a lunch at SS14 in a Bak Kut Teh shop. The shop has lent its household name from Klang Bak Kut Teh as their main attraction to the customers. What a gimic in business!! After all, after the lunch, it wasn't that bad as their Bak Kut Teh tastes not much difference with those in Klang, except for a slight amount of MSG inside. Same price, same portion, except, you dont need to drive all the way, paying for two booths of toll to reach Klang ...

Bak Kut Teh
Taken with Ewin's LG Cookies,
thanks for the photo ...


That's all from me
for this week round-up.

Cheers,
KeithK :)

Mother's Day - Just for You, Mum ...

To my Mum,
Happy Mother's Day ...
Thanks for your endless supports and love all this while
I am proud to be your son ...
You're the best Mum in the world!


She has been there from the beginning
for the day I was born to this world
She is there to turn to for happy times
When I was hurt and blue.

She is there with me at night time
To help me says my prayers
She is there to tell me, "Son, I'm here ..."
When I had a dream that scares me

She is there in the morning,
to help me to get up off my bed,
She is always there when I don't feel well,
She said, "Son, I'm here ..."

She is there when I am hungry,
and when I had most of the dirty clothes
She is always there when I need her,
She will said, "Son, anything? I'm here ..."

She is always there,
to shape my being with her love and passion
She is always parts of me,
without her, who is me?

Happy Mother's Day

Your son,
KeithK :)

Happy Wesak Day

Corner Talk: Module 4 Electronics for Category B2 Exams ended yesterday afternoon with a smile on my face. Revision was well-planned, it should not be any problem for this examination. Thanks to the instructor for his patience and dedication in teaching us. Thanks you, Mr Edward. Today is 9th May, public day for the whole Malaysia in conjunction with Wesak's Day. It is a day where all the Buddhism pilgrims celebrate the day where Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment (Nirvana) under the Buddhism Tree. On that day itself, pilgrims will attend the "Buddha Bathing" ceremony in the temple alongside with recitation of prayers and Buddhism songs. The event usually lasts till in the afternoon with vegetarian lunch in the temple.

Happy Wesak Day!
Shiny Water Lily

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Next week, Module 5 Digital Technique for Category B2 will begin; Long module, wide scope with short time of coverage, approximately 2 weeks. So, it will be another hectic month ahead before college term end for semester break in the month of June. Revision during the weekend gives me an opportunity to come across additional knowledge, for example, the Take-Off Warning Circuit.

The main purpose of this Take-Off Warning Circuit is to give an aural and visual warning for the pilots in case the aircraft is in out of standard take-off configuration. A RED color CONFIG light will come on at the main instrument panel, at the same time, a aural warning will be produced to alert the pilots of any out of configuration. So, how this system works? It is quite straight forward ... Follow me step by step :)

The Take-Off Warning Circuit is made up of Logic Gates. Generally, Logic Gates are used to produce the intended outputs by various combination of inputs, commonly known as Logic 1 (HIGH) or Logic 0 (LOW) Logic Gates are came in the form of Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) or Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) with the latter being more common nowadays. Two types of gates are involved in this circuit, (i) OR gate and (ii) AND gate. The OR gate will produce an output 1 when one of its input is logic 1. The AND gate will only produce output logic 1 when all of its inputs are logic 1. Remember the rules for these gates ...

Inputs to this system include, the engine throttle, slats position, flaps position, Weight on Wheel (WOW) Switch, Horizontal Stabilizer position and Spoilers position. The following condition occurs during take-off configuration:

Engine throttle (2, Left and Right) pushed to maximun power - Logic 1. The left and right throttle are pushed to maximum power giving logic 1 to OR Gate (1). The resultant outputs is logic 1 which is then inputted into AND gate.

Slats postion to be retracted during take-off. In the retracted position, Logic 0 is produced. Logic 0 is inputted into OR Gate (2) Next, Flaps position should not be more than 25 degrees for take-off. This produces Logic 0 for Flaps < style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Spoilers should be retracted as well for take-off. Logic 0 is produced and inputted to OR Gate (2) The Horizontal Stabilizer should be adjusted to the GREEN band, a position where it gives the best angle of incidence to produce the Lift/Drag ratio for Take-Off. In the GREEN band, a logic 0 is produced and inputted to OR gate (2) Lastly, as the aircraft is yet to take-off, still on the ground, the WOW switch will produce a logic 1 which is inputted to AND Gate. Considering all the settings have been satisfied for take-off; slats retracted, flaps < style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">HIGH (Logic 1). So, whenever, the settings are out of the standard take-off configuration, a Logic 1 will be inputted into the OR Gate (2). This output will be fed to the AND Gate, giving an output Logic 1 ( Engine throttle maximum - Logic 1 and WOW Switch on ground- Logic 1) The output Logic 1 from the AND Gate will switch on the Warning Circuit. So, can you see the picture? Trace it down the chains slowly, I believe you will be able to understand it ...

The circuit diagram
Click on the picture to enlarge ...

Drop me a message anytime
if you wish to know further
about this system,
I will try my best to assist you ...


Happy Wesak Day once again,
Cheers,
KeithK :)

Jump Seat to Business Class

Weekend at home was quick to pass by, and today, it's Sunday; I am flying back to KL again. Dad was working 6am shift this morning, so he had earlier checked in for me. As per normal, and, it has already been expected, seats in cabin are full and congested, so, Dad decided to apply jump seat for me. So, here you go, I got it ... Haha. Flight MH 2507, an Airbus 330 with registration 9M-MKC, here I come. Since my house is just a stone's throw away from the airport, I can simply reached the airport at the departure hall within 10minutes. Scheduled flight to take off at 11am, I will be reaching the airport only at about 1030am. Lolz :)

Airbus 330-200,
Flight MH 2507 (9M-MKC),
took off from Kuching Int' Airport at 1100 hours to KLIA

As I entered the departure hall, I saw plenty of security staff with the walkies-talkie buzzing on their hands. The chief from Passenger Service Unit was seen working around. I thought it was nothing special except for short of man power. To my surprise, as I boarded into the aircraft, I saw the Managing Director of Malaysia Airlines, Dato Idris Jala and his spouse were on-board on the aircraft. Wooaahhh ... What a day! I greeted them with a gentle hand-shake and broad smile on my face, " Its my pleasure to meet you, Sir " Haha ... :)

Dato Idris Jala,
the man who runs the show behind MAS success
in times of global economy crisis

What happened next was a total new surprise. Supposedly my seat will be inside the cockpit with the pilots, but then, I was lucky though, as there was another Flight Officer inside the cockpit, making up a total of 3 pilots on board, the Captain decided to relocate me to a cabin seat. Wooaahhh ... What a day! The leading Steward, Mr Hilmi told me to proceed to seat 7K. Oh well, at least cabin seat is much more comfortable than narrow space, jump seat. I said, " Why not?" I searched around the cabin for 7K till the second compartment of the Economy Class, yet, I couldn't find. There is only a 7K seat in the Business Class, I thought, but that couldn't be the case. Puzzling, I approached a steward ... He checked through the list of passenger and answered me, " Right Sir, this is your seat, 7K ... It is okey if you prefer to sit beside window? " Shocked and taken aback, I nodded in agreement. No problem. This is more than relocation of seat, it is an upgrade from Jump Seat to Business Class seat now!. Haha :) First time seating in business class was great, a whole new experience. Large leg compartment area, bigger seat to hold your bump, soft and comfortable cushion, it was indeed a heaven in sky!! Now, I understand why there are so many people who are willing to pay extra $$$ to fly MAS, especially for long-haul flight. MAS won the Best Cabin Award for something!! Lolz :) Great ...

Food was great in Business Class. Bigger portion. High class meal. High class service. There are always ever ready cabin crews to attend to your needs. " You want any juices, Sir? Hot drinks? Bun or Garlic Breads? Anything more, Sir? Enough? Are you sure you don't need anything? You are treated as if you are a KING! Oh my ... I have never experienced such a professional and warmth service on-board. Truly Malaysian Hospitality!! Kudos to MAS Cabin Crews ... Of course, a special gratitude and acknowledgment to the Cabin Crews of Flight MH 2507, the In-flight Supervisor (IFS), Miss Joyce Tan, Leading Steward, Mr Hilmi, and Stewardess, Miss Shay. You all have made my day shiny and bright!

Peppermint Cake with Mango Pudding ...
The dessert in Business Class,
Looks yummy, isn't it?
Thumb up, definitely!!


This will be another series of new experience
and good memories when traveling between my
sector, KUL-KCH-KUL
A new collection has been entered in The Journal ...
Tomorrow, back to resume duty in college,
Module 4 Cat B2 and Module 5 Cat B2
are coming up ...

More inspiration,
with blessing,
KeithK :)

Back Home!

Corner Talk: This weekend was spent at home - home sweet home in Kuching to celebrate my Mum's lunar calendar birthday, the 8th days of 4months. I am still recovering from my sickness, heavy cough and sore throat. It has been a week now, yet, there still no sign of improvement after consuming half bottle of Bena Expectorant. Hope to get well soon, as exam for Module 4 Cat B2 Electronics is just around the corner, on the 8th of May. then, 2 weeks later, on the 22th of May, it will be Module 5 Cat B2 Digital Technique Exam. Oh my ... Hectic and busy schedule ahead! Wooooh ... :)

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Yesterday, as usual, flights were all packed. People were traveling as this weekend will be a public holiday - Labour's Day. Furthermore, with MAS is offering cheap and affordable, it is a temptation not to travel with the airline. ELF was a boom, since its launching last year, it has received overwhelming positive response from the clients. Well done, MAS! At the same time, for people alike me, who travels under Stand-by ticket, it is difficult for us to obtain any seats at this period of time. Luckily, I have the advantage of using Jump Seat if the cabin seats are not available. There is no exception this time. Another series of Jump Seat experience with B737-400 ...

Flight MH 2718, 9M-MMI, took off from KLIA at 1830 hours was piloted by Captain Toh CS from Ipoh. His flight officer, a new fresh pilot, F/O Asri. Captain Toh is really a nice guy; he is friendly, passionate and willing to teach me throughout the flight. He is very patient in coaching his F/O, nevertheless, I did pick up a few knowledge from him as he lectured during the flight. The Captain is a great teacher, I must say, even though, sometimes, he teaches you though the hard way, but, that's the way of learning, right? Nothing best come without effort!

Autopilot Flight Director Control Panel
With this system,
it is so much convenient for the pilots to fly the aircraft
in the border less sky without getting lost!
Generally, the Flight Director gives the commands
to the pilots to fly the aircraft according to the flight route / plan.
With Autopilot coupled to the Flight Director System,
the pilots can just take his hands off the control column! Haha ...

Red - Autopilot / Flight Director Control Panel
Blue - Course Selector Knob
Yellow - IAS / Mach function switch
Purple - IAS / Mach Select Knob
White - Level Change Mode
Green - Heading Select Knob

The commands from the Flight Director System
are displayed through the Primary Flight Display (Purple)
What the pilots need to do is, just,
fly the aircraft as per the commands on the commands bar.
It is just that's simple!
Once the commands are satisfied,
the aircraft symbol will align with the commands bar.

Purple: Primary Flight Display (PFD), below: Navigation Display (ND)
Yellow: Standby Altimeter
Blue: Standby Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
Green: Standby Airspeed Indicator (ASI)
Red: Gyro Horizon

All the engine parameters are displayed in the
Engine Indicating Crew Alerting System (EICAS).
Information such as Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT),
N1 Speed, N2 Speed, Engine Vibration,
Fuel Flow and Oil Pressure are
displayed in two sets of indicators,
left for engine 1 and right for engine.

Green: EICAS Displays
Cyan: Yaw Damper Test Indicator
Purple: Flap Position Indicator
Red: Landing Gear Selector Knob

Along the journey of my flight with 9M-MMI,
it was flew under Heading Mode.
In short, HDG mode was made reference with
the Earth's horizontal magnetic field.
Selection of HDG was as per instruction from ATC.
Selection of HDG mode can be made from
Autopilot / Flight Director Control Panel.
Apart from that, Flight Management Computer
is used for the navigation and flight planning as well.
Click the photo to enlarge ...

Overall, it was a productive trip,
weather was calm,
and I had gained some new knowledge
from this experience,
once again, special token of appreciation to
Captain Toh, F/O Asri and
Leading Steward Kenny Lim
from Flight MH 2718, 9M-MMI


Happy Labour's Day!
(Happy Scholar Day to all students too!)

Your truthfully,
KeithK :)