Home Blog Page 136

Boeing is banned from Touch And Goes at Airshow After Risky Maneuvering

Avgeekery
-
0
Boeing is banned from Touch And Goes at Airshow After Risky Maneuvering

787

Boeing’s 787-9 airshow profile might have been a little too aggressive.

Earlier this week, Boeing put on quite an impressive show with their new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft at the the Farnborough Air Show.  The plane did a number of bold maneuvers not normally seen by a plane that size outside of airshow performances.  The videos of both the practice flight and the actual performance have been trending quite strongly online to rave reviews.

Today, the Seattle Times aviation blog writer Dominic Gates is reporting that air show officials banned touch and goes by large performance aircraft after Boeing’s performance earlier in the week.  An Airbus official commented that the wings of the new stretched 787 came within 15 feet of the ground as the plane maneuvered just after rotating.  Boeing has denied the claim.

Check out the videos below and voice your opinion.  Was the maneuvering too aggressive?

 

Airplane Almost Hits Whale on Landing

Avgeekery
-
0
Airplane Almost Hits Whale on Landing

whale

A seaplane nearly hit a whale in Alaska last week.  Yep, a WHALE!  Pilots have dealt with elk and other wildlife on the runway before.   Alaskan bush pilots are used to flying in challenging weather and austere conditions.  Yet landing on smooth water in an quiet bay is not where they would expect such a challenging approach.  The pilot’s quick reaction by applying power at the last second avoided a potential mishap. The incident occurred in Angoon, about 55 miles southwest of Juneau.

Click here to read the entire story by Laurel Andrews of the Alaska Dispatch.

 

Lockheed Martin Confirms Order For Civilian Version of C-130J

Avgeekery
-
0
Lockheed Martin Confirms Order For Civilian Version of C-130J

img

Lockheed Martin announced today at the Farborough Air Show that they have signed a letter of Intent with ASL Aviation Group for up to 10 LM-100J commercial freighters.  The LM-100J is the commercial equivalent to the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft flown by the US Air Force and allied nations.

In today’s press release by Lockheed Martin, Hugh Flynn, the chief executive of ASL Aviation Group said:

“We’ve long relied on our L-100s to deliver results that no other aircraft can produce. From flying humanitarian relief supplies over rugged African terrain to transporting key cargo within Europe and around the world, no other plane can do what a Hercules can do.”

The upgraded Hercules aircraft will enhance ASL Aviation’s ability to provide cargo and humanitarian transport to austere locations throughout the world but primarily in Europe and Africa.  No date has been set for delivery.  Certification of the LM-100J by the FAA for civilian use is still pending.  This is the first sale of the civilian version of the C-130J since Lockheed Martin announced its intention to certify the aircraft for civilian use earlier this year.

Deployed Air Force Aircrew Rocks Out to Worst Song Ever

Avgeekery
-
0
Deployed Air Force Aircrew Rocks Out to Worst Song Ever

Really, guys?  A video recently surfaced of a deployed Charleston AFB crew rocking out to Nickleback for one of their unit’s morale videos from a couple of years back.  It’s pretty funny.  In aviation, it’s an unwritten rule that in order to be aircrew you have to acknowledge that Nickleback, Daughtry and Creed all suck.  The only think that would ever suck worse than those bands would be if all 3 bands got together for a power ballad.  Ears would bleed and kittens all over the earth would die.

 It’s also a well known secret that if you ever want a jet to stop working properly, all you have to do is play a little Scott Stapp or Chad Kroeger on a Jambox in the crew rest area. (That’s why songs from those bands are banned in Air Force airplanes all across the world.) A slew of faults will instantly appear on the overhead panel of the jet.  Even jets hate the screeching noise that passed for mid-2000s butt rock.  We’re guessing that this video may actually account for why so many Charleston AFB jets were always broken in the desert. 

Rock on warriors…thanks for doing what you do, but stick to your day job!

This Man Got Stuck in an Airport Overnight. What He Did ‘All by Himself’ Will Amaze You.

Avgeekery
-
0
This Man Got Stuck in an Airport Overnight. What He Did ‘All by Himself’ Will Amaze You.

A middle aged man recently was stuck in Las Vegas after he missed his flight.  Instead of just sleeping on an uncomfortable chair in the boarding lounge, he put together an epic music video just using his iPhone and the cheesy 1970s “All By Myself” power ballad. His only mistake was not using the original Eric Carmen recording of the song.

5ea4f9ae75d82.image
This Man Got Stuck in an Airport Overnight. What He Did 'All by Himself' Will Amaze You. 5

This Man Lives in an Old Abandoned Airplane

Avgeekery
-
0
This Man Lives in an Old Abandoned Airplane

Sixty-four year old Bruce Campbell is living every avgeek’s dream.  He owns an old retired 727 and has turned it into his private abode.  The plane isn’t exactly first class.  Only one bathroom works and the kitchen is rather spartan.  Nonetheless, it’s an avgeek’s dream. For more info, check out The Blaze article by Oliver Dorcey.

This is NOT How You Should Talk to Air Traffic Control

Avgeekery
-
0
This is NOT How You Should Talk to Air Traffic Control

This video makes any professional pilot cringe. It’s kind of like watching Michael Scott on an old episode of The Office.  From the first “roger” to the “precautionary landing on the beach” near JFK, the entire audio clip is infuriating.   You can read the full story as recorded by the New York Times in 2011.

This Video Makes an EVA AIR Boeing 777-300 Look Sexy

Avgeekery
-
0
This Video Makes an EVA AIR Boeing 777-300 Look Sexy

Eva Air isn’t exactly known for being a ‘sexy’ airline.  Their paint scheme is uninspired.  Their marketing campaign is unremarkable.  Yet, this video by famed airplane photographer Clay Lacy and 3DF make this Eva Air 777-300 look like the Belle of the Ball.  

About the Eva Air conditioner 777-300

The Eva Air 777-300 is a flagship aircraft in the Taiwanese carrier’s long-haul fleet, known for its comfort, efficiency, and range. This wide-body jet, manufactured by Boeing, features a spacious three-class configuration, typically accommodating around 330 passengers. Eva Air has outfitted these aircraft with its signature Royal Laurel business class, premium economy, and economy cabins, providing a range of travel options for its international clientele.

Powered by twin GE90 engines, the 777-300 allows Eva Air to operate some of its longest routes, connecting Taiwan to major destinations across North America and Europe. The aircraft’s advanced avionics, fuel efficiency, and passenger amenities make it a popular choice for both the airline and its customers. With its distinctive green and orange livery, Eva Air’s 777-300s are a common sight at international airports, serving as ambassadors for the carrier’s commitment to quality service and operational excellence in the competitive long-haul market.

Truck Drives Into UPS 757 On Tarmac

Avgeekery
-
0
Truck Drives Into UPS 757 On Tarmac

[youtube id=”ORUYM0Pnl24″ width=”800″ height=”454″ position=”left”]

There are no words for the stupidity displayed in this video.  The incident occurred at Miami International Airport a few years back.  We heard the driver was fired.  No word on how significant the damage was to the aircraft.

This is What It’s Like to Launch a Missile From a Fighter

Avgeekery
-
0
This is What It’s Like to Launch a Missile From a Fighter

A preview video of VFA-27’s cruise.  Amazing GoPro footage of the Royal Maces flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet.  This video is just their preview video.  A full 27 minute video of their voyage will be released on May 3rd.

Inside the Cockpit View of a Lufthansa A380 landing at SFO

Avgeekery
-
0
Inside the Cockpit View of a Lufthansa A380 landing at SFO

[youtube id=”AfHl87p7X5o” width=”800″ height=”454″ position=”left”]

What’s it like to fly the largest commercial flying aircraft in the world to one of the busiest airports in the United States?  There’s a documentary video for that!  Take a ride in the cockpit of Lufthansa flight LH454 as they fly non-stop from Germany to SFO.  In the video, you’ll see the massive coordination it takes to start up, taxi and fly the behemoth jetliner.  The A-380 is a feat of engineering and a cruise liner in the sky. You’ll also see that the entire aircraft is controlled with just a small joystick, a keyboard and a mouse!  Enjoy!

A DC-3 Crashes in Antarctica. A Team Rebuilt The Plane In The Harshest Conditions On Earth

Avgeekery
-
0
A DC-3 Crashes in Antarctica. A Team Rebuilt The Plane In The Harshest Conditions On Earth

This DC-3 (BT-67), a turboprop DC-3 nicknamed Lidia, crashed in 2012.  All the passengers escaped without injury.  However, the aircraft didn’t fare as well.  For almost a year, the damaged craft sat idle under very harsh conditions until a team of engineers made an attempt to rebuilt the aircraft.  They faced extremely cold temperatures, blowing snowstorms and high winds.  It’s a great story that shows the power of dedication, hard work, and hope to rescue a classic aircraft.

REPORT: Virgin America To Receive 2 Dallas Love Field Gates

Avgeekery
-
0
REPORT: Virgin America To Receive 2 Dallas Love Field Gates

A well respected aviation blog by the Dallas Morning news is reporting that Virgin America is likely to receive the 2 gates at Dallas Love Field. The two gates are available because they were surrendered to the airport by American Airlines as part of their anti-trust lawsuit settlement in their pursuit of a merger with US Airways.

This news is welcome by some and bad news for others.  Dallas residents should benefit from expanded competition between LUV and San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington DC.  On the other hand, Delta will most likely have to cancel their proposed service to Atlanta and New York City.  If the Virgin America service is approved, it remains to be seen whether Southwest will still go ahead with the proposed service to 12 additional markets that they mentioned in a press briefing back in March.

This Is Why You Shouldn’t Check Your Bag at the Gate

Avgeekery
-
0
This Is Why You Shouldn’t Check Your Bag at the Gate

There’s no way around it.  Having to check a bag at the gate sucks.  There are few things worse than realizing that your carry on won’t fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.  That means that for the next two hours, your bag and probably your laptop, jewelry, valuables and magazines are going to ride in the belly below you and out of reach for the entire flight.  At the very least though, you’d expect that your bag would receive some gentle treatment.

One Air Canada passenger recently caught ground agents tossing bags into a bin 15 feet below the jetway.  There is no doubt that some contents in the luggage arrived in bad shape.  No word yet if those speedy yet careless ground agents are still employed.

This Video of the AT-6C Light Attack Aircraft Will Give You Goosebumps

Avgeekery
-
0
This Video of the AT-6C Light Attack Aircraft Will Give You Goosebumps

It’s rare to see a promotional video of fighter and attack planes.  While Lockheed Martin put together a pretty slick campaign last decade for their F-22 and F-35 platforms, the promotional videos have really dried up over the past 5 years.  That’s what makes this video for the AT-6C turboprop attack aircraft video a special find.   It’s a light attack aircraft based on the T-6 Texan II that is used for Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) in the United States along with some other allied nations.  Shot in and around Yuma, Arizona, this video captures the beauty of flight and the sexiness of attaching some weapons to the T-6 Texan II.

You can read more about the aircraft itself here: link

Listen to a C-17 Refuel in Midair Before Flying Across the Atlantic

Avgeekery
-
0
Listen to a C-17 Refuel in Midair Before Flying Across the Atlantic

img

Refueling any aircraft in mid-air is not easy.  It is especially difficult to air refuel a giant C-17.  The aircraft is so big that it actually creates a bow wave that pushes the tanker around as it approaches the refueling envelope.  It’s the equivalent of drafting behind a car at exactly 6-8 feet.  Too close and you hit the car in front of you…too far and you’ll fall too far behind.

The following audio is a great play by play of the action.  The aircraft first establish contact, they then exchange information about their aircraft and the required fuel.  From that point, they locate each other and begin the process of linking up.  It’s only a short 3 minute audio but its a great listen into the communication necessary to make this aerial ballet happen.

Listen to the Audio below:

listen to ‘Reach424 & Ethyl95 refuel on AR-20 Part I’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Reach424 & Ethyl95 refuel on AR-20 Part II’ on Audioboo

This Hilarious Flight Attendant Gets Passengers Rolling With Laughter Before Takeoff

Avgeekery
-
0
This Hilarious Flight Attendant Gets Passengers Rolling With Laughter Before Takeoff

Southwest Airlines is known for low fares and fun.   They were the airline that pioneered open seating, hot pants, and alcohol after all.  Today, Southwest is a little more buttoned up as an airline.  From time to time though, you’ll still fly on a flight where a flight attendant or pilot keeps it fun.  Flight attendant Martha “Marty” Cobb proves that not only does she keep passengers safe in the air, she also keeps them entertained with her side-splitting jokes.

Classic Aviation: Circling Approach in a DC-9 at Midway Airport

Jeff Gilmore
-
0
Classic Aviation: Circling Approach in a DC-9 at Midway Airport
img

Flying on a DC-9 used to be very common in the United States.  Delta, Northwest, Eastern, Midway, Continental, TWA, Hughes, US Air, Ozark, Midwest Express and many others had the workhorse in their fleet.  The planes were rugged, overbuilt and could take off on relatively short runways.  Over the past few years, almost all the passenger DC-9s in the US have been retired.  

Even Delta airlines, known for flying more ‘experienced’ jets retired their last DC-9-50 in 2013.  It is now impossible to fly in a passenger DC-9 in the US.

Midway Used to be dominated by DC-9s.

Back in the 1980s, Midway Airlines flew a fleet of over 50 DC-9s.  Based at Chicago Midway (MDW, KMDW), the airline would take off from a ‘postage stamp’ one square mile airport to destinations all across the country.  Landing back at Midway, even as a passenger, was always a thrill.  It kind of felt like landing on an aircraft carrier.  A pilot’s job was tough too.  The DC-9 was an analog airplane.  The autopilot was not nearly as robust as the modern airliners of today. Sit back and watch as these Midway Airline DC-9 pilots execute a perfect circling approach from a Localizer on runway 31L (now Center) circling to runway 22L.

Classic Circling Approach into Midway

Today, Midway has runway 31L and 31C.  The center runway used to be known as 31L.  The video shows the pilots flying the approach from the southwest.  Once they have the airfield in sight, they begin a right turn to set up for a left base to runway 22L.  

This type of approach, known as a circling approach, is still very common today at Midway Airport.  Flying this approach keeps Midway’s air traffic away from O’hare’s arrival corridor to the north when winds are out of the South and West.  With circling approaches fairly rare, it also makes for great #avgeek spotting of airplanes maneuvering close to the ground.

The video is available if you click on the “Watch on YouTube” link below.

This is what a KC-10 Refueling Mission in Afghanistan Looks Like

Avgeekery
-
0
This is what a KC-10 Refueling Mission in Afghanistan Looks Like

img

Although the War in Afghanistan might have fallen off of most American’s radar long ago, there are still thousands of American and allied troops fighting everyday in Afghanistan.  With troops on the ground, they also need protection from above provided by fighters, reconnaissance and other close air support assets.  Every single aircraft needs fuel to stay aloft.  Fighters have very little fuel available and need to refuel often to extend their time near the fight.

While the KC-10 might be getting old and is rumored for retirement soon, it still provides a vital role supporting operations worldwide, including in Afghanistan.  This excellent combat camera video of the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing gives the world a window into what it takes to make the refueling mission done.  A big #avgeekery salute to the brave pilots, engineers and loadmasters that serve on missions like this everyday.

You Won’t Believe What Airline is Coming Back to Life

Avgeekery
-
0
You Won’t Believe What Airline is Coming Back to Life

A concept drawing of the 'new' Eastern Airlines 737-800. A concept drawing of the ‘new’ Eastern Airlines 737-800.

Way back in 1927, a little airline started in Florida.  It was called Eastern Air Lines.  Over the next 64 years, the airline expanded to fly millions of passengers and become one the Big 4 airlines of its day.  It was an airline that was both beloved and despised.  Beloved for its place in aviation history as being known to employ the latest technology of the day like the Boeing 727 “WhisperJets” and became the US launch customer for the Boeing 757-200.  Yet Eastern was also hated because of their miserable customer service, poor management and employee discord that eventually led to its demise in 1991.

A group of investors who have a fond memory of what Eastern used to be have decided to try to resurrect the airline.  They plan to begin service as a charter company, flying the 737-800 initially. They’ve made no mention of scheduled services yet. They first announced their plans in early January of 2014.  Their news was met with much skepticism and doubt.  The verdict is still out on their chances for ever actually flying.  They did, however, recently post a drawing of their ‘new’ Easter livery and state that their first aircraft, the “Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker” is expected to be delivered to Eastern in late Summer 2014.”  And it’s important to note that they plan to be a sponsor at Miami fashion week in May. So they must be real.

The desire to launch an airline is like a virus that attacks really rich people. Launching an airline is no easy task and the success rate is really low. Richard Branson, the CEO of Virgin Atlantic once quipped that “the easiest way to become a millionaire is to start out a billionaire then go into the airline business.” Since deregulation, hundreds of airlines have launched and then failed.  The “relauch” record of airlines is even worse.  PanAm, Midway, and Braniff are all examples of that failure.  In fact, Frontier appears to be the only ‘successful’ relaunch of an airline. (Success with Frontier is a relative term as they’ve been sold multiple times over the years and dipped their toe in bankruptcy waters as well).  Will Eastern have better luck?

1...135136137...139Page 136 of 139