The Air Force says it will retire the B-1 and B-2 more than a decade earlier than planned, paving the way for the new B-21 stealth bomber. A roadmap for the USAF’s program, the Bomber Vector, lays out plans to retire the B-1 “no later than 2036” and the B-2 “no later than 2032.” (Those dates are subject to minor changes, however).
Artist rendering of Northrop’s B-21 Raider. Photo courtesy of the United States Air Force ID 160226-F-YZ123-001
Why the early retirement? According a Bomber Vector draft obtained by Air Force Magazine, Global Strike Command projections indicate that the Air Force simply doesn’t have enough manpower to operate all four types of aircraft. Therefore, the B-1 and B-2 go away early and the B-52 will receive an upgrade so it can be kept in service into the 2050s.
The B-1 is a long-range multi-role bomber that is capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling. It is able to perform a variety of missions including that of a conventional weapons carrier for theater operations. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber that can deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-52 is a heavy, long-range bomber capable of a variety of missions including flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters) and can carry conventional or nuclear ordnance with global precision navigation capabilities.
The Iconic B-52 Isn’t Going Anywhere Though
The B-52 lives on. Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force
The B-52 is considered to be the best option to retain because it is less expensive and easier to maintain while possessing the most desirable attributes. Since the vintage B-52 is too radar-reflective to get close to enemy airspace, it is potentially going be equipped with new engines and standoff weapons that will allow it to shoot into enemy territory while still being far outside the range of enemy air defense systems. Among these weapons is the LRSO, described by the Vector (as reported by Air Force Magazine) as the AGM-180/181, which might be a reference to two different versions under development by competitors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Global Strike Command’s primary stated goal is to “pursue the optimal bomber force mix.” Adding the B-21 to the existing line-up would create a fleet of 257 aircraft. Following the retirement of the B-1 and B-2, the USAF expects to have a fleet of at least 100 B-21s and 75 B-52s.
Future Tense – Enter the B-21 Raider
Meantime, preparations are being made for the B-21, nicknamed the Raider. The new bomber will be able to evade more capable future radar systems. Some experts claimed the B-2 looked no larger than a hummingbird on a radar screen when it was first built. The B-21 would have to be even more stealth. A Congressional Research Service report released this summer said the bomber’s characteristics were “investigated in detail against current and anticipated threats.”
The B-21 will be operated either by a crew or autonomously. If unmanned, the bomber could linger over targets much longer, requiring fewer sorties and hold an enemy hostage much longer.
New secret repair facilities and climate-controlled storage space for exotic stealth materials are in the works. Northrop won the B-21 contract in 2015. The pace of activity and funding levels are increasing to enhance the facilities and prepare bases for eventual delivery of the new stealth jet.
The USAF is expected to release their 2019 budget request and synopsis of the Bomber Vector Monday. We’ll provide further updates as soon as we see the entire report.
MELBOURNE, Fla. — The precision flying of the Air Force Thunderbirds combined with the aerobatic performances of the nation’s top civilian pilots will highlight the Melbourne Air and Space Show in March.
Military performances combined with civilian aerobatics by Scott Yoak piloting his P-51D Mustang Quicksilver and Adam Baker aboard the Playful Extra 330, are poised to take flight over America’s Space Coast on March 24 and 25. The show was rescheduled for one week later than planned due to a shift in the Thunderbirds season schedule.
“We are thrilled to be able to host the Thunderbirds for their season opener,” Air and Space Show Chairman Bryan Lilley said on Friday. “What a way to celebrate the 5th anniversary of our event at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport.”
The Air Force Thunderbirds soar above Cape Canaveral, Florida prior to the 2017 Melbourne Air and Space Show. (U.S. Air Force)
The Air Force’s premier jet demonstration team will launch into their 65th anniversary season over Melbourne, performing many of the same aircraft maneuvers used in combat situations. Both the Thunderbirds pilots and maintenance personnel will display their attitude for excellence as they kick-off each 40 minute flight demonstration with a sharp opening ceremony followed by the departure of each of the six F-16 Fighting Falcons.
“We are incredibly excited to kick off the 2018 demonstration season in Melbourne,” Thunderbirds commander and pilot Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh stated on this week. “The team is training hard through the winter getting ready to perform a phenomenal demonstration. We are fired up to get out there and showcase the pride, precision, and professionalism of your United States Air Force.”
America’s Ambassadors in Blue will provide the thrust each day as they mix the formation flying of the four jet diamond team with the high-speed maneuvers and close passes by the two solos. In all, the Thunderbirds new commander promises an exciting time as they promote the mission of the Air Force.
“When we have safely completed our training and are ready to hit the road, we’re going to blow the doors off of houses around the country,” Walsh added with a grin. “By doing so, we will recruit the next generation of Airmen, we will retain those who have raised their right hand to defend this great country, and we will inspire people from around the world, to be better versions of themselves.”
Melbourne Air and Space Show performer Scott Yoak pilots his P-51D Mustang “Quicksilver’ in October 2017. (Charles A Atkeison)
Vintage and current aircraft, both civilian and military, will also be placed on static display. Guests can get up close with several historic aircraft poised on the airport’s tarmac as aircraft and jets screech across the sky above.
The U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team will drop in with the American flag to begin the opening ceremonies each day. US-SOCOM is made up of veterans from the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army, and U.S. government civilians assigned to the Special Operations Command. The opening ceremonies will begin at 11:30 a.m. each day.
A variety of ticket packages and single ticket purchases remain available via the air show website. Show officials have asked that attendees and guests follow their social media sites for important updates and traffic information during the show weekend.
(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and science. Follow his updates on social media via @Military_Flight.)
SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy – The World’s Most Powerful Rocket Launches from Kennedy Space Center, Florida – Photo Courtesy – SpaceX
We are living in the Space Age again! Feb 6th at 3:45PM EST (2045z) SpaceX successfully launched the largest operational rocket in the world. The incredible display of ingenuity and imagination was hosted by the Cape Canveral Launch Complex at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Serious Space Lifter
Falcon Heavy has a lifting capacity of 2.7 times the payload of the weight of the Space Shuttle. The SpaceX website states that the rocket has, “the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb)–a mass greater than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel.” And that is just to Low Earth Orbit. The Falcon Heavy can also catapult astronomic payloads to Geostationary Orbits above Earth, Mars or even Pluto.
Falcon Heavy launched to the East over the Atlantic Ocean. At approximately T+1:08 (min:sec) after launch the launch vehicle soared through critical Max Q, the point where the dynamic pressure stresses from the atmosphere are at their highest level. The two side cores separated from the main core at T+2:33. Next they flipped over toward the earth and initiated a boostback burn. The side cores ignited their entry burn at T+6:41 establishing an approach course to Cape Canaveral. Mere seconds before impacting terra firma, both side cores fired flames downward using thrust from their engines to successful touchdown while deploying what we can only call the landing gear. Both side cores landed side-by-side in a perfectly synchronized performance on their Kennedy Space Center target pads.
Synchronized landing of side cores 1 & 2Courtesy – SpaceX
The center core and the second stage separated at T+3:07 and main core blasted into its boostback sequence. The day was picture perfect except for the main core missing target and causing minor damage to its drone recovery ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Video linked to below by Astronomy Live.
The second stage engine started 8 seconds later at T+3:15. In a series of two burns, the first for 5:16 (min:sec) and the second for (:30) the Falcon Heavy achieved an orbit over 130km above the earth. FH Mission Information HERE.
The third burn was initiated at 6:30pm PST over California. This final burst of energy is designed to deplete the fuel remaining down to the point that continued operation of the engine would cause it to explode.
After the third burn, Elon Musk SpaceX founder tweeted: “Third burn successful. Exceeded Mars orbit and kept going to the Asteroid Belt.”
“DON’T PANIC”
Late last year in 2017 we told you about Elon Musk”s plan for using his Tesla roadster as the primary payload for the launch..
Usually test flight missions like this one are sent into orbit with a load of concrete blocks or metal. However SpaceX used their test opportunity to give us amazing views of “Starman” in a midnight-cherry Tesla roadster orbiting around the earth.
Courtesy – SpaceX
As an ode to The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Musk emblazoned the message “DON’T PANIC” on the vehicle’s system/navigation display and played David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” out into oblivion. Cameras from multiple angles sent back mesmerizing shots and the show continued for about five hours until the batteries reached their programmed expiration time.
“Starman” – Courtesy SpaceX
Starman was a humanoid shaped figure sporting SpaceX’s newest rendition of a spacesuit. This employed Musk’s Tesla roadster as a testbed for the new space duds. No word on how the space suit faired on its qualification test, but we couldn’t take our eyes off the incredible views of Starman and his car as they slowly completed the stabilization roll with a frame of the earth in the background.
To the Asteroid Belt *$%? and Beyond
Falcon Heavy was 53rd successful mission added to the SpaceX launch manifest. The company has another 50 upcoming missions some involving multiple launches in the works.
Musk’s Tesla roadster is now speeding on its way past Mars for an interstellar location somewhere in the Asteroid Belt – this sounds like a setup for the most spectacular car crash scene ever. If it avoids collision with the massive hunks of rock there, the spacecraft could cross paths with Ceres, a dwarf planet in Neptune’s orbit.
Elon’s Tesla is on course for a collision in the asteroid belt – Ceres next
Rockets flying into space and boosters returning to earth at targeted landing sites was a perennial favorite of science fiction writers & cost conscious engineers. Today it’s become a reality, which brings us all closer to a future of interplanetary space travel and rockets regularly reaching deeper into the unknown vastness of our galaxy.
Congratulations to Space X for launching the most powerful rocket in history and being the first private company to launch a spacecraft beyond Earth’s orbit.
This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today
David Bowie – Space Oddity
Scott Manley – Shares his rocket expertise in the area of astronomics in his “post mortem” on the Falcon Heavy launch.
The Italian Navy recently received its first F-35B Lightning II STOVL (Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing) aircraft, assembled at the Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO) in Cameri, Italy. It’s the first F-35B built outside the US. The Italian FACO is operated by Leonardo in conjunction with Lockheed Martin with a current workforce of more than 800 skilled personnel engaged in full assembly of the conventional F-35A and the F-35B STOVL aircraft variants and F-35A wing production.
Photo: Italian Defense Ministry
At the milestone event on January 25th, 2018, Director of Leonardo Aircraft Division Mr. Doug Wilhelm stated, “The production of the first F-35 B-model, the most technically complex variant, here at the Italian FACO is a testament to the outstanding capability and quality of the Italian aerospace industry. The Cameri FACO continues to prove itself as a European F-35 center of excellence.”
To date, nine F-35As and one F-35B have been delivered from the Cameri FACO, which is the only F-35B production facility outside the United States. Four of those jets are now based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, for international pilot training and five are at Amendola Air Base, Italy. The Italian F-35A and F-35B will replace the Panavia Tornado, AMX and AV-8B aircraft.
The Cameri FACO will produce 29 F-35As for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and retains the capacity to deliver to other European partners in the future.
Three distinct variants of the 5th generation fighter will replace and supplement the A-10 and F-16 for the US Air Force, the F/A-18 for the US Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the US Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 11 other countries.
More than 265 production F-35s have been delivered fleet-wide and more than 550 trained F-35 pilots have flown more than 120,000 flight hours, to date.
First operational JASDF F-35A makes its debut at Misawa AB
On January 26, 2018 the first operational Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A Lightning II arrived at Misawa Air Base in Japan. To welcome the first F-35A an arrival ceremony was held at the only joint service Air Base in the Western Pacific. It houses the US Air Force, Navy and Army, as well as the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
This year nine more F-35s will be delivered to incept the first fifth-generation fighter squadron as part of the JASDF’s 3rd Air Wing. JASDF Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, the 3rd AW commander, stated, “The F-35A will bring transformation in air defense power and significantly contribute to the peace for citizens and ensure security. All service members will do their best to secure flight safety and promptly establish an operational (squadron) structure step-by-step.”
The JASDF plans to acquire a total of 42 F-35As as successors to its F-4s. A commemorative ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 24 at Misawa AB to celebrate the official initial deployment of a JASDF F-35A.
The aircraft is a high-performance, multirole aircraft with advanced electronics designed to heighten situational awareness and distribute more information to pilots than any other fighter aircraft, giving operators a critical advantage over adversaries. Japan is one of 12 countries to purchase the F-35A in efforts to maximize air superiority.
Col. R. Scott Jobe, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, states; “This aircraft represents not only a big step forward in technological advancements and combat capabilities but also in U.S.-Japan relations. We look forward to training alongside our JASDF counterparts and continuing to enhance the safety and security of Japan together.”
The 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The Wing is part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)’s Fifth Air Force.
The 35th Fighter Wing is a combat-ready F-16 wing composed of 4 groups, 2 fighter squadrons, 27 support squadrons and agencies, and more than 3,850 personnel.
Germany looks at F-35 to replace Tornado fleet
While many German allies in Europe, including Norway, the Netherlands, UK, Italy, Turkey and Denmark have selected the F-35 and some countries have already received first jets, the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) is looking at an existing platform to replace its Tornado fleet from 2025 to 2030 and according to the Luftwaffe’s requirements, the F-35 seems to be the best candidate.
A German Luftwaffe Tornado takes on fuel from a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker from RAF Mildenhall AB’s 100th ARW. Photo by USAF.
The chief of staff of the German Air Force, Lt. Gen. Karl Muellner told to Jane’s 360 that the Tornado replacement needs to be fifth-generation aircraft that cannot be easily detected by enemy radars and can engage targets from a long distance. “We are considering several candidates, with the capability of the F-35 as the benchmark.” The German Ministry of Defence has sent a formal RFI (Request for Information) for different fighter jets, like the F-15E and F/A-18E/F, both built by Boeing, and the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4. But it’s difficult to think of a candidate other than the aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, because the German Air Force requirements lead to the F-35.
Germany had previously engaged Airbus Defence and Space to evaluate the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, but the early retirement of the Tornado forced the German Air Force to look at an already developed platform. Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson told Reuters during a trip to Norway that the company is ready to work with the U.S. Government on discussions with Germany regarding the Tornado replacement effort.
Germany plans to replace 85 Tornado jets that are slated to retire around 2030 while the Belgian Air Force is also looking for replacement for their F-16s.
How successful is the Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Program?
After delivering the 66th F-35 aircraft for the year on December 15th 2017, meeting the joint government and industry delivery target for 2017.
These 66 aircraft delivered in 2017, bring to 265 the total number of F-35 aircraft delivered to U.S. and international customers. More than 530 pilots and nearly 5,000 maintainers have been trained, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed more than 115,000 cumulative flight hours.
So how successful is the F-35? In the US and Europe there were a lot of critics in the last few years regarding the F-35 program. There has also been a delay in development of the F-35. The testing phase was originally supposed to end in 2013, but is now officially scheduled to continue until 2018. The F-35 program office plans to close out the joint strike fighter’s development phase later this year. Despite all of the challenges, the F-35 has proven itself during USAF deployments last year in Europe and South-Korea and during US exercises like Red Flag and Northern Lightning.
It looks like the aircraft is on it’s way to financial success for Lockheed Martin, delivering the fifth generation stealth fighter to the USAF, US Navy, USMC and its NATO Allies from Canada and Europe. The Israeli Air Force has declared its first F-35 to be operational in December 2017, and the JASDF has now received its first operational F-35, the Royal Australian Air Force will follow this year. The South-Korean Air Force also has plans to buy F-35 aircraft.
While the jury is still out on whether the F-35 will be successful in combate, things seem to be looking up for the F-35. Many countries are receiving delivery of their long awaited aircraft and new ones are kicking the tires. One thing is clear. The F-35 pilots speak highly about the fighter jet. The F-35 Lightning II is a visually appealing aircraft, with a technology suite capable of dominating the skies, along with its big brother, the F-22 Raptor.
Today, February 5, Boeing reaches a milestone with the official roll-out of the 737 MAX 7. The 737 MAX series of planes are the fasting selling in Boeing’s history. The company has received over 4,300 orders from 92 customers around the globe thus far.
The 737 MAX 7 is the smallest of the three aircraft in the 737 MAX family. Technology enhancements allow it to fly 1,000 nm farther than the 737-700 that preceded it. The brand-new plane operates to a range of 3,850 nm, the longest range in the MAX aircraft group. It can carry between 138 and 172 passengers and has 18% lower fuel costs than the 737-700.
When compared to its competitor, the A319neo, the 737 MAX 7 can fly 400 nm farther on 7% lower operating costs per seat and carry a dozen more passengers.
Keith Leverkuhn, Vice President and General Manager of the MAX program, says the 737 MAX 7 opens up new destinations in the single-aisle market, “For our airline customers serving airports at high altitudes or remote locations, the MAX 7 is the ideal complement to their fleet. We look forward to demonstrating the incredible flexibility and range of this airplane.”
737 MAX 7 Reveal – February 5, 2018 Photo: Boeing
Thousands of employees celebrated the 737 MAX 7 debut today at Boeing’s Renton, Washington factory. The plane is scheduled to undergo its first runs and system checks, as the first of the two 737 MAX 7s begin their flight tests in the upcoming weeks.
Southwest Airlines will launch the 737 MAX 7 and expects to enter it into service in 2019. Boeing has already sold 25 more to WestJet, the company that also took an order of 40 737 MAX 8s back in 2013.
In aviation the ordinary always has the potential to become extraordinary. That is precisely what happened in the cabin of a A320 on Jan 18, 2018, when Pope Francis became the first Pope to celebrate a wedding in mid-air.
Shepherd One
LATAM operates the Boeing B-787, B-777 and the Airbus A350, A320 aircraft. They have the largest route network connecting South America to the world. The LATAM airline was born out of a merger of LAN & TAM. The airline was selected by the Vatican to operate Pope Francis’ flights during his apostolic visit to South America.
The aircraft operated under the callsign “Shepherd One” the Papal designation that has been used on all the Pope’s flights since 1964. The venue was none other than an Airbus A320, a single aisle narrow-body, medium range aircraft. The couple tied the knot at a speed of close to 500 knots and 36,000 feet, which makes this not only the highest altitude papal wedding we’ve ever heard of, but it had to be the fastest one too. If you know how long catholic weddings are that’s pretty impressive.
Papal Wedding on board an A320
The couple approached Pope Francis while working LATAM Flight 1250 from Santiago (SCL) to Inquiqe (IQQ), Chile with a request for a blessing upon their marriage.
The couple Carlos Ciuffardi and Paula Podest had been flying with LATAM Airlines and working as flight attendants for over 10 years. The couple were both selected to serve as crew members for the flight. The bride & groom have worked for the airline for over 10 years and have both been awarded distinctions for the level of service care and professionalism that they have provided LATAM customers for years. They were hand-selected to attend the Pope on this Chilean flight.
The couple has been civilly married for eight years and has two children. Carlo & Paula had a wedding date set in 2010 but when an earthquake rocked Chile on Feb 27th 2010 destroying the bell tower and damaging the church they were forced to cancel their wedding.
Saying “I do” at FL360
The Holy Father inspired by compassion for not only this couple but all couples asked the couple if they wanted to be married on the plane.
Pope Francis exclaimed,
“Well should I marry you? Do you want to get married? Yes? Come here, I’ll marry you.”
“He took their hands, blessed the rings and married us in God’s name.” Paula stated. The couple said their vows as the Pope presided in the business class section of an A320. Ignacio Cueto CEO of LATAM Airlines was on board and agreed to witness as the couple tied the knot in midair.
The Pope said to the couple that, “Marriage is the sacrament that the world is lacking. Lets hope that what you have done here will be an inspiration to other couples.”
Mid-Air Formalities
Pope Francis also presented Carlo and Paula with wedding gifts. He gave the bride a white rosary and the groom a black one. A Vatican official hastily drew up a certificate of marriage on the spot, which Pope Francis and a Chilean Bishop signed. Then the couple met with the entourage of journalists traveling with the Pope at the back of the plane. At first the reporters thought their flight crew was playing a practical joke but when the marriage certificate was produced everyone realized that a historic event just occurred. It was the first time the Pope married a couple in the air.
The hand-written document, signed by Pope Francis, attesting to Podest and Ciuffardi’s wedding aboard the papal plane (Vatican photo)
Podest and Cuiffardi met 10 years ago when she was his boss as a steward for LATAM. Pope Francis asked Cuiffardi if his wife was still the boss, He laughed and said “Yes.” After the mid-flight nuptuial there was applause and a breakfast service of fresh fruit, croissants, coffee and tea. Then the plane landed & the newly weds bid their passengers farewell. “We hope you had a good flight”
Pope Francis stated at a press conference following the flight, “Why not do today that which could be done today.”
Avgeekery congratulates the happy couple and wishes them years of joy and a life of happiness together.
Pope Francis conducts the wedding ceremony at the front of the plane. Photograph: Osservatore Romano Press Office Handout/EPA
MINNEAPOLIS — The power of the United States Air Force’s Heritage Flight will soar above the frozen tundra surrounding U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday in the minutes prior to kick-off of Super Bowl LII.
One F-16 Fighting Falcon from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina; two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona; and a P-51 Mustang nicknamed Sierra Sue II of the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation, will come together to fly in a diamond formation to represent the Heritage Flight.
“We are fortunate enough to be able to represent the professionalism and dedication of our Air Force to millions of spectators across the globe,” F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander Maj. John Waters said on Wednesday. “I think everyone is excited to see flyovers. To be flying in formation with a P-51 and two A-10s across the biggest game in football is hard to top in my opinion.”
F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander Maj. John “Rain” Waters will pilot the Viper during Sunday’s Heritage Flight. (USAF)
The concept of the Heritage Flight was developed and first flown in 1997 as a way for Airmen to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Air Force. Today, the Heritage Flight has become a crowd favorite at nearly every air show across America, and continues to grow in popularity.
For two decades, the Heritage Flight has honored “the sacrifices of those who have served or are currently serving in the Air Force through participation in these flight displays,” said Senior Airman Betty Chevalier.
Veteran A-10 pilot Major Chad Rudolph will fly one of the two Warthogs on Sunday.
“This fly over flight is more than just a simple high-speed pass over a professional sports stadium,” Major Rudolph. “This flight is a representation of the Air Force’s dedication to preserving the past of those that have executed the same missions long before us. For the A-10, this flight is especially symbolic of the men and women who have stood by the world’s only dedicated close air support airframe in order to continue its legacy in fiscally constrained times.”
Major Chad Rudolph will pilot one of the two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from Davis-Monthan AFB during Sunday’s Heritage Flight. (USAF)
During 2018, the A-10 Demo Team will perform at 20 air shows for the first time in seven years demonstrating the capabilities of the A-10C “Warthog”. The F-16 Viper Demo Team will visit no fewer than 16 show sites across 2018 in the U.S. and Canada.
“The F-16 demo team is important because it allows us to go out there and interact with the comunity,” Maj. Waters added. “It allows the comunity to get up close and personal to their Air Force and their Department of Defense, and to see the people that are defending their nation and the freedoms that we love.”
P-51D Mustang pilot Steve Hinton will lead the four aircraft flyover. The aircraftSierra Sue II is an actual 1944 warbird which served in the European Theater for the Army Air Force.
The iconic fighter is owned by Wings of the North Air Museum located southwest of Minneapolis. The museum explained this Mustang includes “working World War II era radios and full armor plating among other authentic details”.
Super Bowl attendees inside U.S. Bank Stadium will likely see a portion of the maneuver through the stadium’s closed, translucent roof with large glass wall panels as the national anthem concludes at about 5:27 p.m. CST.
The fly over will occur a few minutes after official sunset making this a twilight flight. The weather outlook at the time of the fly over will be clear skies and frigid at 5 degrees F.
(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and science. Follow his updates on social media via @Military_Flight.)
An “emotional support peacock” that was barred from a United flight made national headlines this week. A woman tried to board a flight from Newark to LA with the bird in tow. She even offered to buy her feathered friend his own ticket! But alas, Dexter (the peacock’s name) was not allowed on board because the airline said he did not meet weight and size guidelines.
Dexter and his owner, Brooklyn-based artist Ventiko, had to drive cross-country instead of taking the flight. The beautiful peacock was rescued from his sad life in someone’s garage and he is beloved by the artist, who documents his life on social media.
So what is going on? Is United prejudiced against peacocks? What about other emotional support animals? Are passengers going too far by requesting to fly with animals that would only be considered emotional support animals in some other bizarre parallel universe?
4.) If Pigs Could Fly
Airlines have been allowing emotionally troubled passengers to take therapy animals with them on board flights for years, but the large increase in the number of animals on planes has airlines wondering if people are abusing the privilege. The only real documentation that is needed to bring a pet on a flight is a note from a physician saying it is medically necessary for the emotional well-being of the passenger. It is then up to the airline’s discretion if Harvey the Hamster will be allowed to fly. Some passengers say that the airlines are not being discriminating enough.
Imagine sitting in a plane and hearing a squeal and then catching a whiff of something that smells like a barnyard. That’s what happened in November 2014 at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut when a woman was removed from a US Airways flight along with her emotional support pig, Hobie. Hobie apparently got spooked right before the flight took off and, after letting out a loud squeal, defecated to the disgust of everyone on the aircraft. A spokeswoman for US Airways parent American Airlines, Laura Masvidal, told reporters that the pig was ordered off the plane because it had become ‘disruptive.’ We posted a story from 2016 by Inside Edition as proof.
Poor little piggy … but what IS that smell?
3.) Turkey Flies Back Home After the Holidays
Turkey was just flying home with his owner for the holidays! Photo biggestlittlepickle/Reddit
In January 2016, a passenger brought a turkey on an aircraft. This was not a turkey you stuff and put into the oven. It was a live bird with wings and feathers and, gasp, no diaper. Delta Airlines allowed the bird to fly because he was an ESA (emotional support animal). In pictures posted on Reddit, the bird looked angry as he was perched in a Comfort+ seat.
As someone snapped his photo, it looked as if the bird was thinking, can’t somebody get rid of these paparazzi? So annoying.
The Department of Transportation doesn’t have specific rules about what kinds of animals qualify to fly. The Air Carrier Access Act states that airlines are not required to accommodate unusual service animals like rodents, spiders or snakes. (Snakes on a Plane, the movie! Sorry, I can’t help myself). Delta has a set of rules that bans snakes, hedgehogs, ferrets, insects and sugar gliders. Delta also says it does not allow animals that emit a foul odor. Um, good to know (thumbs up).
2.) Daniel Turducken Stinkerbutt Takes To The Skies
My seatmate, CLT➡️AVL, is this handsome duck named Daniel. His gentle quacking eases the sadness of leaving #SFA16. pic.twitter.com/iDKWCceAFi
That is the name of Carla Fitzgerald’s emotional support Indian Runner duck that became internet-famous in 2016, after taking a flight from Charlotte to Asheville. (His owner was with him. Keep up).
After an accident in 2013, Fitzgerald told the Washington Post that the duck “would notice something wrong, whether it be my pain or my PTSD. He would come and lay on me and [give me] lots of hugging and lots of kisses. And if he notices that I’m going to have a panic attack, he would give me a cue to lay down by trying to climb me.”
The troubled woman was delighted to have Daniel accompany her on her short flight.
The weirdest animal to be brought on board is probably …. drum roll, please! A kangaroo!
A few passengers have taken a giant kangaroo onboard as their ESA. They might be cute, but I’ve also seen them get pretty feisty.
Emotional Support Animal Policies Are Under Review…And We’re Glad
Many airlines are re-thinking their policies. Passengers are increasingly being accused of pushing the limits. There have been many reports of flights returning to the gate because ESAs became disruptive. Delta has already tightened the rules about flying with an emotional support dog after a passenger was nearly bitten.
But owners of the cute and cuddly animals say they cannot be without them. So, what is a pet owner to do? Maybe get Fido a relaxing cocktail in the frequent flyer’s lounge before the plane takes off so he will stay calm. Just sayin’ …. (tail wag).
Air Force Pilot Training students won’t be flying the T-6 Texan II tomorrow after the 19th Air Force Commander directed a stand down. Recently, there have been a few physiological incidents involving the trainer.
“The safety of our instructors and student pilots is paramount and has been our priority and focus,” said Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander. “We’re acting swiftly, making temporary, but necessary, changes to everyone’s training, general awareness, checklist procedures, and possibly modify aircrew flying equipment to mitigate risk to the aircrew while we tackle this issue head-on to safeguard everyone flying T-6s.” There is no word on how long this stand down will last.
Last year, the Navy conducted a similar stand down of flying after numerous crews reported issues with the T-45 Goshawk and the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Most suspect that issues are related to the OBOGs or On-board Oxygen Generating systems. These systems generate oxygen during flight, reducing the need to carry and service oxygen tanks aboard the aircraft after flights. Some suspect that oil or other contaminants contribute to pilots feeling sick or lethargic.
Official US Air Force Photograph
The Air Force has also established an overarching task force to determine why there continues to be so many incidents across the fleet, particularly in fighter and training aircraft. According to the Air Force statement, “Brig. Gen. Bobbi Jo Doorenbos is leading the team and will work closely with 19th Air Force, AETC, and other MAJCOMs to examine the causes of these incidents and ensure industry and enterprise-wide solutions are given high priority to find root causes and deliver solutions across all weapon systems.”
The T-6 Texan II is the Air Force’s only primary trainer. There have been over 850 of the type built, with the US Air Force flying a fleet of over 440 aircraft.
We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more…
American Airlines is apparently still deciding whether it will still take its order of twenty two A350-900s scheduled for 2020 or drop it completely in favor of A330-900s or B787-9s. American CFO Derek Kerr told analysts on the quarterly conference call, “The A350 … does add complexity to our fleet by a new aircraft type. So it’s not about the aircraft, it’s about the complexity that it brings to our operating group for having more aircraft. So we haven’t made a determination yet.”
The A350-900s are supposed to replace the airline’s fleet of A330s. It is now operating fifteen A330-200s and nine A330-300s. Twenty-three B767-300(ER)s, forty-seven B777-200(ER)s, twenty B777-300(ER)s, twenty B787-8s, and fourteen B787-9s round out American’s wide-body segment, according to www.aa.com.
Retirement plans still on track
By the end of 2019, the carrier also plans to retire all twenty of it’s thirty-five MD-83s, ten MD-82s, and twenty EMB-190s.
During the earnings announcement, Mr. Kerr emphasized that American has plenty of time to decide on the A350s since the delivery is not set for another year or two. But analysts continue to push for details that the company’s management seems hesitant or unable to provide right now.
The A350 order was actually inherited from American’s merger with US Airways in 2013 and has been deferred a couple of times, first from 2017 to 2018, then it was pushed out further to 2020. But lately it appears questionable if the airline will actually take the A350 deliveries at all.
Shares of JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) have declined 7% since last week’s Q4 2017 earnings release. The low-cost carrier announced a 2.2 percentage point decline in pre-tax margin and EPS decline of $0.09. According to these calculations, Hurricanes Irma and Maria were responsible for 50% of JetBlue’s year-over-year earnings per share dive. EPS (excluding $1.76 from non-recurring items) came in at $0.32.
The two storms had a devastating effect on leisure travel in Florida and the Caribbean. Puerto Rico is still recovering although recently, demand there has picked up unexpectedly. Demand and pricing are also on the upswing in other domestic markets. Because of the uptick, unit revenue guidance was raised in December and January. RASM (revenue per available seat mile) was forecast to decline as much as 3% but instead rose 1.8%.
Year-over-year, the bottom line decreased 36% because of higher costs. Average fuel cost per gallon jumped 21.6% to $1.99 (including fuel taxes). Management noted that JetBlue’s pre-tax margin continued to be slightly above peers’ industry average for Q4.
JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) EPS decline due to two large hurricanes in Q4 2017. Luis Villa del Campo from Madrid, Spain (CC BY 2.0)
More Mint on the Way
Mint, JetBlue’s premium offering, is operating in line with expectations. Last year, the airline added 15 Mint A321 aircraft and another 3 Mint-configured A321’s will be added in 2018. New York and Boston routes to both San Diego and Las Vegas were recently converted and in the next few months, New York and Boston to Seattle will be added. New York City and Boston continue to be JetBlue’s highest margin hubs. All-Core A321s will continue to be deployed in Boston leisure markets which are expected to continue to drive margin.
During the earnings presentation, Chief Financial Officer Steve Priest confirmed JetBlue’s goal of leading the industry in terms of profitability, saying, “in the fourth quarter and 2017 we took actions to navigate a complex external environment, while striving to protect and enhance our margins. … We continue to demonstrate our ability to make progress in our commitments to all our stakeholders and to lay the foundation that will ultimately achieve superior margins.”
Forward-looking guidance included accelerated revenue growth for Q1 2018, with an expected 2.5% to 5.5% rise in RASM (revenue per available seat mile). However, a possible 28% year-over-year increase in fuel prices and 2% to 4% increase in non-fuel unit costs in the quarter could offset expected gains.
JetBlue is forecasting a decline in non-fuel unit costs due to savings from its structural cost program and easier year-over-year comps; also, thanks to President Trump’s corporate tax cuts, JetBlue’s effective tax rate is between 24% and 26% compared to 37% to 39% in past years. This tax windfall will also provide an earnings tailwind for the company in 2018.
Marilyn Hartman, called the Serial Stowaway for repeatedly boarding planes without a ticket, has been arrested again. Just after 12:00 a.m. Sunday, police received a call about a woman refusing to leave a state-owned piece of land designated for private airplanes at O’Hare International Airport.
When cops arrived on the scene, Hartman was gone but she was found around 1:30 a.m. in Terminal 3. The Serial Stowaway was charged with criminal trespassing which is a misdemeanor and violating her bond.
Thursday, Hartman was ordered to get a mental health evaluation and a judge reduced her bond since she had not been arrested at an airport in over two years. That all changed Sunday. She is now being held without bail at the Cook County Jail and is on the court docket for Wednesday.
Marilyn Hartman has a long history of trying to stow away. In 2016, she was placed on two years of mental health probation and sentenced to six years of house arrest in Chicago for attempting to board planes without a ticket.
In 2014, she successfully boarded a flight from San Jose to Los Angeles by slipping by an agent at Mineta San Jose International Airport. Somehow she got through electronic security screening, went unnoticed by a gate agent and was not discovered until the plane landed at LAX.
After that incident, she was given two years of probation which she violated by reappearing at the Los Angeles airport a few days later. Hartman received a jail sentence but overcrowding at the facility led to her early release.
Prior to that, in February 2014, she again duped airport personnel and boarded a plane bound for Hawaii. The Serial Stowaway was only discovered when the passenger that held a ticket for the seat showed up. She was removed from the plane prior to take-off.
She has also been taken into police custody for loitering in airport terminals without a boarding pass. In August 2014, she was arrested in Phoenix. She told news reporters she had been diagnosed with depression and believed authorities were letting her board the planes so they could subsequently arrest her.
Hartman entered mental health treatment in May 2014 but after a few months, stopped going. She says that homelessness and mental illness has led to her behavior and that she feels safer in airports than she does on the street.
