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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
It’s no secret that flying in a commercial airliner can be a pain in the behind these days. Packed planes, no legroom, and cranky passengers can make flying a real drag. That’s why we at Avgeekery are excited to rank the Top 5 most Epic-ly Awesome Safety Videos of all time. We salute those hard working flight attendants (and airlines) who do their part to make flying just a little more fun.
#5 WestJet Flight Attendant Doubles as Comedian
This WestJet flight attendant keeps things light on what must be another dreary winter day in Canada. His humorous and slightly snarky brief brightens things up.
#4 Betty White’s Retirement Home Does Safety Video
Betty White has to be everyone’s favorite nonagenarian. Even at 92 years old, she is still spunky. The final living golden girl shines while injecting some humor into aging and the dreaded safety video for Air NewZealand.
#3 Virgin America Turns their Safety Video into A Broadway Production
Virgin America really takes safety videos to the next level with this sing along. After this peppy 5 minute demo, it might be hard to keep passengers seat belts fastened. We’ve heard rumors that some get tempted to continue the dance in the aisles.
#2 Southwest Flight Attendant Raps and Claps His Brief
This video is an oldie but goodie. Southwest Flight attendant David Holmes raps his way though what must be a painfully boring flight to Oklahoma. His beat is strong and his words are few. He’s funny, fast and done. That’s about all you could ask for on a flight to Oklahoma.
#1 Another Southwest Flight Attendant’s Mid-Life Crisis is Your Safety Briefing
This relative newcomer to the Safety Briefing video scene is really funny. It’s as if she’s been practicing her material for years (she probably has). While her fellow flight attendants might get bored with her jokes, the internet hasn’t yet. And for being able to attract almost a million views in just two days as a flight attendant comedian, we salute you.
Do you have a favorite flight attendant briefing video? Share it with us. Post in the comments below!
UPDATE April 14, 2014: It appears that the Delta 757 will be placed at the entrance of the new Delta Flight Museum. See this Instagram photo for a visual: http://instagram.com/p/ksUdFkmWgd/
For the past couple of weeks, the Avgeekery staff has heard rumors of a 1980’s vintage painted Delta 757 on the way. At first we thought it was just an avgeek’s dream. You see, we hear of many fanciful rumors; from a United Saul Bass colored 787 to the return of another PanAm–we’ve heard them all. But lately, the rumor mill has kicked into overdrive. Then in the past day or so, we finally got some confirmation in the form of photos that were posted by the friend of an employee on the Airliners.net message forum.
We think it’s safe to say that a Widgeted Delta 757 is real and it is on it’s way. That’s right, folks! The beloved Widget with a navy cheatline and black droopy nose may soon be gracing the skies. Or will it? It’s not yet known if the 757 will actually fly or if it is part of the newly renovated Delta Flight Museum that will be opening soon in Atlanta, Ga. Stay tuned. We’ll post more as we hear it.
It’s hard to believe that we are entering an era where memories of flying on a 727 are becoming as dim as a 707 or DC-8. Few people under the age of 20 probably has no memory of flying of the old 3-holer. The 727 is becoming a rare bird. FedEx retired their freighters back in 2013. Even presidential candidate Donald Trump traded his golden 727 up for a more fuel-efficient 757 a couple of years back. That means that the only active 727s left in the US are operated by a couple of charter outfits, a few freighters, and a smattering of private aircraft. A recent search of active 727 flights shows less than 10 in the air over North American skies.
With so few opportunities to fly on one today, You Tube can help us avgeeks to relive those memories of extremely long takeoff rolls, roaring engines, and even some 1970s decor. Enjoy this video of a US Air 727-200 flight from Charlotte to San Francisco. While you are watching, you’ll notice an American Airlines 727 along with a Mexicana DC-10 and the old Continental meatball scheme with a 737-300 and DC-10.
The 767 and 777 are vastly different aircraft that are over 20 years apart in terms of development. The 767 first flew in 1981 while the 777 first flew in 1994. The two programs though actually share much in common. The 777 first grew out of a desire to grow the 767 and add additional range to it. While the program eventually morphed into a completely separate airplane, there are still some similarities between the two airplanes.
For one, the 767 and 777 share the same radome cover. They also share the same Section 41- the fuselage subassembly that encompasses the cockpit cab from the nose to just behind the windscreen. If you covered up the UPS markings and pitot tubes, you wouldn’t be able to tell if this was a 767 or 777 nose. Of course between the two the avionics package is vastly different and the location of the pitot tubes is also different. In the 777 development, using the 767 Section 41 saved development costs and a new round of bird strike testing wasn’t needed since it was already tested and cleared during the 767 development.
If you love this #avgeek tidbit of knowledge, be sure to follow our resident #avgeek expert, JP Santiago on Instagram: @SentinelChicken and on his Facebook page at: The Chicken Works.
Carrier operations are an amazing thing. Hundreds of operations happen on a very small space of deck. Aircraft land and takeoff on a bobbing postage stamp that bobs up and down in a sometimes violent sea. This five minute video is a gem. It features operations that took place on the USS Independence during the Vietnam war (along with a short scene of the E-2 shot post Vietnam). If you want to see more, check out the full 28 minute video from the San Diego Air and Space Museum here.
A concept drawing of the ‘new’ Eastern Airlines 737-800.
“This overhead bin is full.”
