Very tense situation recently in Istanbul during the military coup. This was recently recorded from Istanbul ATC from aircraft attempting to depart on their scheduled air service.
Normally, engine start clearance, permission to push back from the gate, as well as taxi clearance are granted once that aircraft’s flight plan has been verified in the ATC national system. Once the coup began, all flights were in effect grounded, by order of the Turkish military. Not having access to real time information, the local controllers were unable to provide an estimate on the ground stop—leading to consternation from the affected flight crews.
Airlines are required to provide a certain level of service, depending on their respective contract of carriage—in effect, this spells out how long a plane may sit on the ramp, away from the jetway, before departing. If a carrier is both unable to depart, and unable to reach a jetway to allow passengers the opportunity to disembark, there are serious consequences as laid out by the flag carrier’s laws.
At one point, the exasperated controller allows an aircraft to push and takeoff under its own discretion. She did not know how long the situation would persist.
There are severe consequences for aircraft violating flight restricted operating areas. For instance, in the US, operating an aircraft in a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) area can range from administrative consequences to the pilot, being escorted by military aircraft out of the area, or in the worst scenario, being shot down. During the coup, the situation was so unstable that no one knew what to do. Taking off without permission could result in being shot down while staying on the ground during military action could be equally as dangerous.
Thanks to VASAviation for the recording that was posted on YouTube.
An American Airlines 727-200 will soon take to the skies again. We sit down with the man who is bringing this jet back to life.
Avgeekery sat down with John Roper, the man who is leading the charge to bring an American Airlines Boeing 727-223 back to life. The aircraft is currently at the Boeing Frontiers of Flight Museum. He is working to return the aircraft to flying condition and fly her to the Airline History Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Here’s what we learned about John and quest to save the Jurassic Jet:
1.) Tell me about your organization and your background?
“The Airline History Museum has been around for almost 30 years now. It started back in 1986 with the acquisition of a Lockheed Constellation and return to flight. We now have a 30,000 sq foot hanger and 250,000 ft of ramp space.”
“The goal Airline History’s Museum is to capture the airline history specifically with a focus on aviation in Kansas City with the development of the B-25. We also have a TWA DC-3, a Martin 404, an L-1011, DC-8, Northrup Delta, and Falcon 20 that was once owned by Ewing Kauffman, the former owner of the KC Royals”
“The goal is to get the Constellation, the Martin 404, and the DC-3 on the airshow circuit to capture the vintage age of aviation. We want it to be a Grassroots tour.”
2.) What made you an AvGeek?
“I love it all, I’m an avgeek for sure. I love the maintaining, the flying, and the engineering sides of aviation.”
Aviation has always been in John’s blood. “Way back when before I was born. My mother was 19 and wanted to take flying lessons and that’s how she met her husband, he was her instructor. They fell in love and the rest is history.”
3) Switching gears, tell me about your quest to add additional vintage airliners to your fleet. How did you find out about this particular 727?
“It was really dumb luck. One of our members who works for UPS was up at Boeing Field. He went to the museum and heard that the American 727-200 was about to be scrapped by the museum because the museum had recently secured the original 727. The American 727-200 was no longer needed for their collection.”
The Museum of Flight owned it after AA donated it to the museum with all the records complete 13 years ago. The aircraft was in such good shape and the records were complete, so we accepted the donation from the Museum of Flight.”
4) What makes this 727 such a unique find?
“We really liked this one. First of all, it’s American Airlines. Being from Kansas City, it shares history with TWA. It flew with AA for 25 years, it has a complete interior. It has all the records. The jet was well kept with only one owner. Everything works…from the instruments to coffee pots, even 13 years after it last flew. American dropped off a complete airplane.”
5) Are they going to allow you to keep the airplane branded?
“We have reached out to AA and they have not discouraged us to keep everything as is and let us fly with the American branding. We hope AA will get more involved with us on this. We’ve got new stickers coming, we’re going to freshen up the livery, polish it out, put all new decals on it, and make it look shiny and new.”
6) What are your biggest challenges that you are facing with this particular jet?
“It’s really just going through the paperwork and taking care of all the miscellaneous issues there. The engines and the fuel tanks were my #1 concern, but they are in great shape. Once we crossed that hurdle, I knew we would be able to get this jet back in the air.”
7) What is the vision for this beautiful Boeing?
“The short term vision is to get it back to Kansas City and get it on display. We’re working with the local maintenance school and let them get some live activity on a transport category airplane. They can learn about the systems and potentially work with us to get the jet back into top shape. We also want to get HS kids on the plane to teach them about aviation.”
“Long term, we want to get it flying again on a regular basis.. However, we have a short window to make this happen. Realistically, the airplane has another 10-15 years max that it can fly. While the plane is well built, we know that parts will become very scarce and probably cost prohibitive down the line to keep the jet operational.”
8) Knowing that it’s expensive to get a dormant 727 back in the skies, have you set a budget yet?
“Not yet. We’ve got to get it back to Kansas City and talk to our local FAA reps. The first thing will be putting together an approved maintenance program and figure out exactly what it will take to get the airplane up to date and airworthy. We’re going to do it right even if it takes longer than we’d like.”
9) How can fellow Avgeeks get involved and help?
“While the jet is in Seattle, we’re trying to get out and get some work days on it and get Avgeeks involved. The plan right now is to fly it to Everett first where the future flight museum up there wants to use the aircraft for a series of events. We’ll be asking the AvGeek community to come out and help polish and do all the final preparations before the aircraft heads to Kansas City. Once it gets to KC, we’re going to be reaching out the all the Avgeeks in the Midwest area to help become caretakers for the aircraft. Support us on social media by following us on Facebook. Last, if you can’t help physically you can help us financially through our website here.
Thanks to John for the interview. Keep checking back at Avgeekery. We plan to announce additional collaborations with the Airline History Museum soon!
Bird strikes on aircraft are never a good thing. According to the Bird Strike Committee, bird strikes cause an estimated $900 million dollars in damage each year. They have claimed over 250 lives since 1988. They also famously forced a US Airways A320 to ditch in the Hudson River after a dual engine bird strike turned the jet into a glider back in 2009.
This video above shows what a bird strike looks like from the cockpit of an Airbus A320. While startling and distracting, the bird does not appear to cause any visible damage to the aircraft or systems. The plane lands normally seconds later at Kiev, Ukraine. Cockpit windows are built to be able to withstand bird strikes because they are manufactured with multiple laminated layers that make them very resilient to birds, even at high speeds. While windscreens are very strong, there are many cases where large birds at high speeds have overpowered the windscreen and cracked it. In some rare cases, some large birds have even penetrated the cockpit as the windscreen failed.
At low altitudes, certain aircraft are actually limited to a lower max speed with the windscreen being the limiting factor due to a bird strike. Additionally, most aircraft and airliners operate with automatically heated windscreens or have a procedure to keep low windshield heat on during flight to prevent a cold soaked windscreen on approach. A brittle and cold windscreen lowers the strength of the windscreen and therefore its ability to absorb an impact.
Boeing is in the midst of celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this month. Way back in 1916, a man named William Boeing launched the Pacific Aero Products company. A year later, he renamed it Boeing Company. The rest as they say is history.
Last week, Boeing hosted the Centennial Projection Spectacular that used projection effects to tell the story of Boeing. The projection on the 747 is absolutely stunning. The video is a little long (26 minutes) but is worth watching in its entirety if you consider yourself a true avgeek.
Avgeekery.com is profiling Boeing this week as it celebrates 100 years of aviation. You can read part one of our profile here.
A discussion recent occurred that raised the question about the future of Boeing; if the character of the company has changed over the years, and if so, what is the outlook for the future of Boeing?
First, the question did not come up among recognized, vetted aerospace industry analysts, but among reasonably well experienced and well-read aviation enthusiasts. The following is a three-part arm-chair analysis of Boeing’s past and present business model and business pursuits followed by a look into the future based on trends in relevant and emerging markets and trends within Boeing.
Over the next week, Avgeekery will take a look at Boeing’s past, where it is today and what’s to come for this aerospace giant.
Boeing – The First Fifty Years (1916 – 1966)
Launched by William Boeing in 1916 as the Pacific Aero Products Company, Boeing changed the name to the Boeing Airplane Company the next year. From the beginning, Boeings goal was to build and sell airplanes. He assembled a group of young, talented, graduate engineers and designers, technicians (mechanics), and pilots.
In their first two years they built two B&W seaplanes at a marina boathouse outside of Seattle. The aircraft were flown successfully and eventually sold. Also during this time, Boeing was working on a design for the U. S. Navy—the Model C seaplane trainer, for which the Navy placed an order for 50 aircraft. Boeing was able to deliver all 50 aircraft within a year. He also built an extra airplane in this series for his own use, and he and his chief test pilot, Herb Munter, used it to win the first international airmail contract into the United States, flying between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington. Boeing’s involvement in airmail service would serve the company well in the future.
US Army Boeing P-2 (restored) (US Military Photograph)
After World War I ended, government aircraft orders ended, but Boeing had built a solid reputation for aircraft construction, and the Curtiss Company contracted Boeing to build 25 HS-2L Curtiss-designed twin-engine flying-boat patrol aircraft. Boeing also won a competition to build the Thomas-Morse-designed 3A pursuit fighter.
From the outset, Boeing’s earnings have been a roller coaster of highs and lows. After the war, Boeing was able to make ends meet by building airplanes for other companies and also reportedly building bedroom furniture.
The company continued to struggle, finding just enough work to keep going until 1923 when both the Army and Navy ordered a total of 44 Boeing’s PW-9 Pursuit planes. Fortunes continued to improve as Boeing had contracts to design and manufacture more than 600 trainers and fighters including their P-1
Always innovative and a strategic thinker, William Boeing demonstrated what today would be called a true “entrepreneurial spirit.” Not content to simply win a contract for 25 new Boeing Model 40A aircraft from the United States Post Office for airmail service, Boeing determined he could reduce the price of the contract to the government if the new aircraft also had seats for two paying passengers, and if the Boeing Company operated the aircraft. He won the contract and formed Boeing
Boeing Model 80A Three-engine Transport carried 12 passengers
Air Transport (BAT) in 1927.
In 1928, Boeing introduced the Model 80A, a three-engine transport that carried 12 passengers and provided hot and cold water, a lavatory and toilet, forced air ventilation, upholstered seats, and reading lamps for each passenger. As the Model 80A went into service, Boeing realized the aircraft needed cabin stewards to take care of passenger needs. He insisted that all flight attendants—then “stewardesses”—must be registered nurses.
By the end of 1929, Boeing and BAT had become part of the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (UATC)—a holding company that included engine manufactures (e.g., Pratt and Whitney), propeller manufactures and four airlines (BAT, National Air Transport, Varney Airlines, and Pacific Air Transport). In less than a year, with Boeing Airplane Company as a major holding, UATC became the strongest aviation company in the world.
In spite of the Great Depression of 1929, Boeing moved to a larger manufacturing facility near Santa Monica, Calif.
Photo: Boeing Model 307, now preserved at Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian
In 1931, the U.S. Government took notice of the expanding operations within the UATC, declaring that UATC’s organization violated government regulations, and UATC was split into three different businesses: United Airlines (combining the four original airlines), Boeing Airplane Company, and the United Aircraft Company. From that point on, Boeing only grew stronger, winning many lucrative military and commercial aircraft contracts including:
1936 – Boeing signed a contract to build the Boeing Model 314 Clipper transatlantic seaplane for Pan Am.
1937 – Under contract to the US Army, Boeing delivered the first bomber prototype, the X15B, Boeing Model 294.
Boeing XB-15 Prototype long-range bomber
1938 – Boeing first flew the Model 307, the first pressurized passenger transport
1939 – The Pan Am Clipper enters service.
1941 – In response to the war effort (World War II), Boeing builds a manufacturing plant in Wichita, Kansas to build B-17s and B-29s
1945 – World War II ends, and by the end of the year more than 255,000 aircraft manufacturing employees were out of work, including 70,000 from Boeing.
1946 – Boeing signs a contract to build the B-52 four-engine jet-powered bomber. They were already under contract to design and build the B-47 bomber.
1952 – First flight of the B-52 strategic bomber. Also in this year, Boeing began construction of the Model 367-80 (“Dash 80”), the prototype for the Boeing 707.
1954 – First flight of the Dash 80.
1955 – Pan Am Orders 20 Boeing Model 707s. Launching a family of aircraft, i.e., the “700 series,” that continues today.
1956 – William Boeing dies.
1958 – First Pan American Airlines commercial flight of the Boeing 707.
1966 – The plan to build the Boeing 747 was announced.
Diversification and Expansion
Some may say that William Boeing was a visionary. He clearly was an astute and determined business man and dedicated aviation entrepreneur who clearly saw an almost unlimited future in aviation business. He also surrounded himself with equally intelligent and dedicated staff.
After 1960, as the commercial airline business began to grow and thrive, the Boeing company began to expand into other market areas, including rotorcraft (Boeing Vertol), rocket boosters and satellites, hydrofoil vessels, the lunar orbiter, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other military high technology programs. Most of this expansion has involved acquisition of existing businesses.
Up Next…
In Part 2 of this series, we will examine how Boeing has fared in increasingly competitive commercial and military aircraft markets and in its effort to expand its product line into different markets.
Starting tonight at 9:30 PDT, Space X will go live with their pre-launch coverage of a Falcon 9 Launch. The purpose of this launch is to provide a commercial resupply services mission (CRS) to the International Space Station. This is the 9th mission by Space X under NASA’s CRS contract.
When is the launch window?
There are two launch windows this evening. The first window is at 0445 UTC (12:45am EDT, 9:45pm PDT) and another backup window at 0400 UTC on July 20th.
What will the Dragon carry?
The mission will carry almost 5,000 pounds of supplies, equipment and science research (Full list here). The spacecraft will also carry an international docking adaptor that will allow US-build crew vehicles (Boeing’s CS-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon) to dock at the ISS.
Will there be an experimental landing?
Yes! After the first stage of separation, the Falcon 9 will attempt to land on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral in Florida. So far, Space X is 3 out of 4 for the year. Landing the first stage is always a challenge though and this one will be no different.
How long will it take the Dragon to get to the ISS?
The Dragon will arrive at the ISS about two days after launch. If all goes according to plan, the module will rendezvous with the ISS. The crew on board the ISS will then use the station’s robotic arm to capture the module and attach it to the station.
When will the Dragon module come home?
The Dragon will stay at the ISS for about a month before returning home. When the Dragon’s mission at the ISS is complete, it will leave the station, then conduct a deorbit burn about 5 hours later. After a 30 minute reentry process, the craft will splash down in the pacific ocean near the coast of Baja California.
“Doc” the B-29 lifted into the skies for the first time in 60 years today. The B-29 took off from McConnell Air Force Base on a warm summer morning. The aircraft has undergone a painstaking restoration that has taken 60 years. The B-29 is now the second airworthy aircraft of it’s type. It joins Fifi as the other active B-29 bomber.
You can read more about the first flight in a great news story published by the Wichita Eagle.
Another notable IL-76 landing. IL-76s fly to some tough places around the world. They are commonly flown to international hotspots from Afghanistan to Africa. There are also a number of photos showing the difficulty of landing the jet in crosswinds.
In this video below, you’ll see the IL-76 land then veer off to the right side of the runway before making a half-hearted attempt to return to centerline. I’m not sure I’d want to be on it. What about you?
Video was originally posted on YouTube by TopFelya.
Turkey awoke this morning to a failed coup and significant uncertainty across the nation. The coup kicked off yesterday evening with rebel troops and tanks securing key bridges in Istanbul. A rebel helicopter destroyed a police headquarters in Ankara. Then a few F-16s provided a show of force over the city. Hours later though, Turkish President Erdogan appeared on CNN Turk via Facetime to encourage Turkish citizens to take the streets. By the next morning, the coup had largely failed leaving behind a splintered nation with CNN reporting that over 161 people died in the fighting.
What’s the state of aviation in Turkey?
It’s still a complicated situation in Turkey. Turkish Airlines released a statement saying that “flightoperations would resume as planned” at Istanbul’s Ataturk International today. Turkish airspace and airports are not back to normal yet.
And a US Consulate message that was posted for US Citizens in Turkey said that Turkish authorities have restricted traffic at Incirlik Air Base. They also cut power to the Air Base the US uses for anti-ISIS operations.
The Turkish Military takes control of the government.
In a surprise move, the Turkish Military staged a coup on the Erdogan government this evening. In a matter of hours, troops and tanks blocked bridges and took control of state media. Social media sites were blocked. This coup was executed while President Erdogan is vacationing in Marmaris, near Bodrum. He has denounced the coup attempt and is calling for the Turkish people to occupy public buildings and spaces. Martial law has been implemented by a group referring to themselves as the Turkish Peace Council. The Council has declared the purpose of the coup is to pursue democratic ways and increase human rights in the country.
Additionally, news reports and the State department have reported that Istanbul’s Ataturk’s airport is closed. A quick look at ADS-B data shows that flights are arriving into Turkey but does not show any departures.
All flights at Ataturk Airport in #Istanbul are currently suspended.
As a member of NATO, it will certainly be interesting to see how America reacts as they launch strikes on ISIS from bases in southern Turkey. American forces must decide to withdraw from these bases or rule that the coup does not pose a threat to US interests and policy and continue to launch strikes on ISIS from Turkish bases.
Below is a Tweet showing an extremely low flying Turkish F-16 over Istanbul.
The cockpits are from different eras but the planes accomplish largely the same mission. The 737 cockpit is largely unchanged since the 1960s while the more modern-looking Airbus A320 cockpit is 1980s vintage.
Even though the 737 has undergone significant changes over the past 40+ years, the cockpit design is fairly similar to the original cockpit. The cockpit similarities between 737 versions allow pilots to fly the -200, Classic (-300, -400, and -500) and the NG (-700, -800, -900) on a common type rating with just some minor differences training. Although the look is similar between versions, the latest versions incorporate most of the technology improvements of the industry.
On the contrary, the Airbus A320 was designed in the 1980s as a clean sheet aircraft. The cockpit incorporated all the lessons learned in design thinking during the first 30 years of the jet era. The result is a relatively sleek, decluttered cockpit with a side stick controller and even a tray table.
It’s every passenger’s nightmare and every avgeek’s dream…the pilots are incapacitated and the flight attendants are looking for a hero to land the plane.
As the flight attendant asks for an off duty pilot, no one rings their call button. Next she asks for someone who knows how to fly. Still no one raises their hand. Finally, she asks for someone who is good with electronics and can listen to directions. You volunteer but could you land the jet?
In a recent experiment by BAA training in Lithuania, an untrained person attempts to land an Airbus A320 with only help from a simulated air traffic controller. The Airbus is a highly automated aircraft that when programmed correctly can accomplish an autoland at specific fields that have a CAT IIIb ILS. In the video, she listens intently to every instruction and does the best she can to execute the instructions. Can she land the jet? We won’t spoil it for you. You’ll have to watch.
