Boeing 737 MAX: Manufacturer rolls out software fix but claims it is nothing to do with Ethiopia crash

Boeing 737 MAX

A Boeing official in Seattle said on Wednesday the timing of the software upgrade was “100 per cent independent of the timing of the Ethiopian accident”, and the company was taking steps to make the anti-stall system “more robust”.

“We are going to do everything that we can do to ensure that accidents like these never happen again,” said Mike Sinnett, vice president for product strategy and development at Boeing.

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Planes fly over Mount Everest

Planes fly over Mount Everest

Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the entire Himalayan range from the top while flying in an airplane? The white snow covered mountains peeking through the clouds while you sit on your seat looking through your window and sipping on a hot cup of tea or coffee. Whichever you prefer.

A Quora user asked the question that has been going on in our mind all this while, “Do any regularly scheduled airline routes fly over Mount Everest?”

Another Quora user, Jeff Chatterton, who is a frequent flier has answered this question.

He says, “No. In fact, most scheduled airlines avoid Nepal entirely.”

He explains, why is that the case, “Everest is 29,000 feet. While jet’s typically cruising anywhere from 35 to 40,000 feet, that’s well inside a jet’s cruise altitude – especially if it were a regional jet.”

Jeff suddenly gives a very bloody picture, “Wouldn’t that s**k flying along BOOM!” We don’t even want to think about that.

He further gives reasons as to why airplanes generally avoid flying along mountains and especially the Himalayan range, “Anyway, yes, I know, they could avoid it, but there are other issues that come out of this.

1. Sudden cabin depressurization? The process is to dive to 10k feet while donning oxygen masks for the 2-3 minutes it takes to get there. That doesn’t work if you can’t actually GET to 10k feet.

2. There’s no ‘room for error.’ If you have a mechanical problem and need to glide while you fix it, there simply isn’t any room to bleed off altitude.

3. Turbulence over mountains is nasty.

4. There are no easy airports to divert to. Kathmandu can handle a jet, but it only has a single runway and it doesn’t have ILS (an instrument landing system.)

It’s just easier, and far safer, to avoid the Himalayas completely.”

We agree, but the view from the top is way to beautiful.

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Boeing Ethiopia crash probe finds anti-stall device activated

Boeing Ethiopia crash

Officials probing the crash in Ethiopia of a Boeing 737 Max have preliminarily concluded that a flight-control feature automatically activated before it crashed, the Wall Street Journal says.

The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, says the findings were relayed on Thursday at a briefing at the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The flight-control feature is meant to help prevent the plane from stalling.

Boeing said it could not comment as the investigation was still under way.

It said all inquiries should be referred to the investigating authorities. The BBC has approached the FAA for a response.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Transport said: “We have seen the WSJ report. We’ll comment shortly.”

Thursday also saw what is thought to be the first lawsuit filed on the crash.

Black box findings

The Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) flight-control feature was also implicated in a fatal crash by Lion Air flight in Indonesia last year.

Together, the two crashes have claimed 346 lives.•

MCAS is software designed to help prevent the 737 Max 8 from stalling.

It reacts when sensors in the nose of the aircraft show the jet is climbing at too steep an angle, which can cause planes to stall.

But an investigation of the Lion Air flight last year suggested the system malfunctioned, and forced the plane’s nose down more than 20 times before it crashed into the sea, killing all 189 passengers and crew.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says there are similarities between that crash and the Ethiopian accident on 10 March.

Boeing has redesigned the software so that it will disable MCAS if it receives conflicting data from its sensors.

As part of the upgrade, Boeing will install an extra warning system on all 737 Max aircraft, which was previously an optional safety feature.

Neither of the planes, operated by Lion Air in Indonesia and Ethiopian Airlines, that were involved in the fatal crashes carried the alert systems, which are designed to warn pilots when sensors produce contradictory readings.

Earlier this week, Boeing said that the upgrades were not an admission that the system had caused the crashes.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the accidents.

A preliminary report from Ethiopian authorities is expected within days.

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The Best affordable Hotels in Nepal

The Best affordable Hotels in Nepal:
While Nepal is known as a budget backpacker destination, there are many gorgeous hotels that cater to the ‘luxury’ end of the market. Plus, many of them have the added benefit of being more affordable than luxury hotels elsewhere in the world. From boutique hotels in the city that are full of antiques to safari lodges in national parks, here are our picks of the best luxury hotels in Nepal.

1.THE DWARIKA'S HOTEL, KATHMANDU

2.Hotel Pleasure Home

NPR 1,601

10% offNPR 1,780

3.Trekkers Home

NPR 1,502

3-star hotel

4.Shree Tibet Family Guest House

NPR 1,095

29% offNPR 1,542

5.Hotel Kathmandu Hub Pvt.Ltd

NPR 1,182

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Kathmandu Valley Tour

The Kathmandu valley provides you ancient Hindus and Buddhist Pilgrims historical places where there are numerous temples, monasteries and Stupas are dominated. All the temples, monasteries and stupas are decorated by enormous arts and architecture. Considered as the home to Pashupatinath Temple for Hindus and Swayambhunath with largest Stupa of Budhism Kathmandu valley offers you ancient Royal Palaces which were built in 12th century with long historical explanation, old museums about political, social and religious happenings in the past, the unique culture and the life style of the people with grand and fascinating mountain views; This valley is surrounded by semi-green hills, terraced fields and towering snow-capped peaks in the backgrounds. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan are the major towns in the valley. All three are of great historic, cultural and artistic interests. The architectural history of the valley is said to have begun with the Lichhavi and the Malla kings. Today, the ancient monuments and temples with incomparable scope to connoisseurs of art and culture to see and study the different aspects of fine arts in its paintings, sculptures, woodcarving and architecture are the center of attraction for visitors, particularly the seven World Heritage Sites, designated by the Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Not only the ancient temples and monuments that make the valley interesting but also the diverse cultural groups that make their home here. It is the base camp for all visitors to Nepal and a perfect place to explore history and culture of this Himalayan Kingdom.

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Travel agency in nepal

Travel agency in nepal:-There are more than 1000's of agency in nepal for the visitor to travel around nepal.But here are some of the popular ones...

1. Sky Nepal International Travel
2. Fast International Travel & Tours
3. Travel In Nepal
4. Happy Nepal Travels & tour
5. Mytrip2nepal.Com

Domestic AirlinesThere are more than 18 domestic airlines operating flights to various destinations.
Cheap Flights booking online

Private Transportation Vehicle with driver service is available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and other major cities. You can rent comfortable car, van, jeep etc to drive to Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini or sightseeing within cities. 

Tourist Bus
Tourist buses are available between Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini. 

Accommodation
Nepal has every category of accommodation facility, ranging from international standard start hotels and resorts to budget lodges. To ensure safety and quality service, it is adviseable to use the services of Government registered hotels, lodges, travel agencies, licensed tour guides and hire only authorized trekking guides or porters.
World Heritage Sites
There are 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Nepal. Among them 7 are in Kathmandu, within the radius of 20 km. You can vsit these sites while you are in Kathmandu. (About Kathmandu).

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Places to visit in nepal

Places to visit in nepal:-There are many touristic places which attract people. Here are some lists of places to visit in Nepal. You may ask to our customer officer to customize Nepal Tour Packages.

• Kathmandu.
• Pokhara.
• Lumbini.
• Chitwan National Park.
• Janakpur.
• Ilam.
• Annapurna Mountain Region.
• Everest Mountain Region.
• Muktinath Temple and Upper Mustang.
• Langtang Mountain Region.
• Finally, Bardia National Park.

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Nepal Tourism

Nepal Tourism:-Nepal government has announced that it will observe 2020 as “Visit Nepal Year” with the goal of bringing in two million tourists to the country each year. Nepal had observed similar campaign in 1998 called “Visit Nepal 1998” while 2011 was celebrated as Nepal Tourism Year. The announcement has come at a time when Nepal is trying to recover from the devastating earthquakes of 2015. It also aims to provide the much needed boost to revitalize the tourism industry. Keeping this in mind, Regulus Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd. will launch special Visit Nepal 2020  packages to ensure that our customers make the most of their time here in Nepal.

Nepal Tourism Board, also popularly known as NTB in short, is a government authorized board for tourism activities in Nepal. It is a board established by the government which keeps the entire necessary directory regarding tourism in Nepal. Nepal Tourism Board looks after the entire tourism activities in Nepal as it provides the visiting tourists with all the information required during their stay in Nepal regarding the trekking routes and other things. NTB also provides the prospective tourists with the trekking permit required for trekking in many of the itineraries in Nepal. The restricted area trekking in Nepal like the Upper Mustang Trekking, the Dolpo Trekking, Kanchenjunga Trekking etc. require special trekking permits which are provided by the NTB. And the Nepal Tourism Board also provides the permit for other popular trekking sites like the Annapurna Trekking, Everest Trekking or the Langtang Trekking. Hence, the role of NTB in Nepal’s tourism is very pronounced.

Likewise, Nepal Tourism year 2011 was observed with the slogan “Naturally Nepal: Once is not enough!” It was an ambitious plan with the government and tourism sector aiming to attract one million tourists to the country. More than 700,000 tourists were attracted during the year, with the month of October alone witnessing an inflow of more than 50,000 tourists. Owing to the success of the past campaigns the government has come up with another campaign to bring in more tourists and boost the tourism sector.

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Trekking in nepal

Trekking in nepal : Our Nepal treks travel through one of the world's great mountain ranges, home to some of the world's highest mountains and surrounded by stunning scenery, a fascinating history and wonderfully welcoming communities. Nepal is continually a favourite for many travellers and offers the perfect safe adventure holiday.

Places:-

1. Everest Base Camp Trek

                              The seduction of a trek to Everest base camp has long been known in adventure travel for its unmatched views of Everest, immersed in the peaceful world of Tibetan Buddhism, and framed by the majestic Himalayas. This classic Everest trek through the Khumbu valley offers more than just a walking holiday; it is for many a pilgrimage to the bottom of the highest mountain in the world, in a remarkable country which will leave you with vivid memories of the people who live there.
                  

 

2. Annapurna Circuit Trek

                Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake is one of the most classic treks in the country. April is the second most popular month to do the Annapurna Circuit. Out of the total tourists trekking the circuit annually, about 15% of annual visitors come in April itself.

It is also one of the most diverse and stunning tea house treks in the Himalaya. You get to witness the ethnic groups with their own diverse language and tradition. You get the incredible views of some of the most stunning 8000+meter peaks including the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Simply wonderful.

This trek is also known as the ‘Round Annapurna Trek’.

Annapurna Circuit begins at Beshisahar in the Marshyangdi river valley and ends up in the Kali Gandaki gorge. This is the deepest gorge in the world. The time taken to complete the journey is usually 10 to 15 days.

3. Langtang Region

        The Langtang region trekking north of Katmandu offers a multitude of trekking destinations, all accessible without flights. Langtang region offers splendid varieties of natural and cultural diversity with spectacular Himalayan views. The major areas in Langtang region are Langtang, Gosainkunda, Helambu, Panch Pokhari and Tamang heritage trail which can be combined in many different ways to make trekking lasting from seven to 16 days.

Langtang region trekking provides different experiences that could not be found elsewhere and has over 70 glaciers of varying sizes; the Langtang and Ganesh Himal mountain ranges lades including Gosainkunda, parvatikunda, Bhairavkunda, Dudhkunda etc are the important sacred place of Hindus and Buddhists. The Langtang region is covered with pine, spruce and juniper forests and the habitat for the red panda, different kinds of deer and many species of birds. Langtang region also comprises rich Tamang art and culture at Gutlang and Goljung, ancient Buddhist monasteries such as kyangin and Sing-gumpa, Tatopani (natural hot springs) and the historic fort of Rasuwa-gadi in the china-Nepal border. The trails are challenging with long, steep climbs and descents, often through deep forests or across glacier mountain views and interesting villages with well-established lodges.

4. Ghorepani

      Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is a moderate trek in terms of difficulty level. The combination of relatively easy walking and the majestic scenery makes the trek to Poonhill a must for both seasoned trekkers and those who have never trekked before. Enjoy majestic mountain views, thick rhododendron forests as well as a mixture of culture that is unparalleled on other trekking routes.  You will venture deep into the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, well known as being the home of the world-famous Gorkas.
The length of this trek can be customized from 4 - 7 days depending on how much time you want to spend enjoying the breathtaking views offered by Poonhill trekking.

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