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Japan Airlines Accident Highlights Importance Of Flight Attendants And Passenger Discipline

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Japan Airlines Accident Highlights Importance Of Flight Attendants And Passenger Discipline

The accident that took place in Haneda, Japan between a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 and a Japanese Coast Guard Dash-8 was tragic. Five coast guard crew members lost their lives in the accident. In the coming days, we’ll likely learn more about the incident, what went wrong, and how to prevent such incident from happening again. Amidst the rubble of two burnt out jets, there is something to celebrate. 379 people onboard the Japan Airlines jet are alive today and they can thank their professional crew of flight attendants, pilots, solid engineering, and their own individual discipline during the evacuation for this blessing.

It starts at the safety briefing

If you’ve flown in the past 70 years, you’ve seen the safety briefing. Flight attendants will ask for your attention for a few moments. They might make a joke about how to fasten your seat belt and then point to where the emergency exits are in case of an evacuation. Most people feign attention or zone out. After all, air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation ever devised. Yet the information they share there is valuable.

In an emergency, leave your belongings behind. Even the most expensive MacBook or Gucci bag can be replaced. Human lives can’t.

One of the things they state is that in the event of an evacuation, leave all your belongings behind. In emergency after emergency, we’ve seen people bring their bags and belongings. In the 2019, Aeroflot Superjet crash people lost their lives because of this selfish action. Passengers were more concerned with grabbing their belongings instead of expediting their exit. 41 people lost their lives because of that delay.

Why The Japan Airlines Flight Attendants Deserve Significant Credit

The Japan Airlines crash showed us what ‘good’ looks like. Everyone on that jet emerged from the scene alive and relatively unscathed. While we’ll undoubtedly learn more about what went right in the evacuation on Jan 2, 2024, we already know some of the best practices that appeared to be followed. The numbers don’t lie. The flight attendants deserve credit for ensuring every passenger and crew successfully escaped. Evacuating 379 startled and scared people in seconds is no small feat.

1.) The Passengers Stayed Calm

In cabin video of the crash shows that passengers remained calm in the initial seconds after the jet impacted the Dash-8. There was relatively little screaming and no shoving or moving about the cabin unnecessarily. Passengers remained calm and ready to listen for further instructions.

2.) Flight attendants chose the correct exits

After an accident, it is important that anyone near an emergency exit analyzes the situation and environment before opening a door. If someone mistakenly opens the wrong door, it can lead to catastrophic consequences. In this incident, it appears that the right engine was still sparking with a growing fuel fire outside the aft right fuselage. With fire on the wings and the right aft fuselage, the flight attendants (and/or passengers assisting) made the correct decision to only open the front exits and the left rear door.

3.) Passengers left their belongings behind and followed flight attendants’ commands

This can’t be emphasized enough. In an emergency, leave your belongings behind. Even the most expensive MacBook or Gucci bag can be replaced. Human lives can’t. In this latest Japan Airlines incident, you don’t see any video of passengers lugging their carryons or heavy bags. While I’m sure that they are a bit sad that they lost their belongings, they are alive to ponder what they will purchase when they are reimbursed for their loss. While Japanese society is known for rule following, it is likely that commands by flight attendants ensured that no one was tempted to grab their bags and delay the evacuation.

4.) Passengers assisted each other

In video from the scene, you can see passengers assisting each other off the emergency slides. This is humanity at its best. While a few photos of the scene were taken by passengers, they were mostly safely away from the crash site. In an event like this, do not prioritize becoming a TikTok star over helping your fellow passenger! It’s the time to be a real life hero and assist others.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that flight attendants are there for both your comfort and safety. They are way more than just a server in the sky. They are there to keep you and your fellow passengers safe. They are highly trained individuals with skills they hope to never have to use. The passengers aboard Japan Airlines 516 are undoubtedly grateful for their skillset and professionalism. Next time you fly, take a moment to appreciate these men and women in the skies.

Japan Airlines A350 Collides With Dash-8 on Runway

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Japan Airlines A350 Collides With Dash-8 on Runway

A Japan Airlines A350-900 collided with a Japanese Coast Guard Dash-8 on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport. Footage shows a large fireball from the collision on the runway. Miraculously, all 379 passengers on the A350 escaped after the collision. Unfortunately, 5 personnel on the Dash-8 are unaccounted for. The Dash-8 was on a mission to find survivors from the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan on New Years Day.

Images and video have emerged of the crash including photos on X from some of the passengers who escaped. In the first video, you can see the impact between the A350 and the Dash-8. Additional videos show inside the cabin and the resulting fire. The A350, a composite aircraft, continued to burn after it came to a stop. The aircraft was fully engulfed in flames before being extinguished by rescue personnel.

In the first video, you can see the Dash-8 on the runway at about 2:20 into the video. The explosion then occurs right before the 3:00 mark.

This is the first major accident involving an Airbus A350. We’ll keep this story updated.

Col Stapp Endured The Highest G-Forces Ever To Advance Safety

Mike Killian
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Col Stapp Endured The Highest G-Forces Ever To Advance Safety

Col Stapp was a real human crash test dummy who advanced aerospace safety. He then went on to advocate for seatbelts. Oh, and he coined the term “Murphy’s Law”!

Over the decades, a lot of research has been conducted by the USAF to understand the affects and limits of G-forces on aircrews. Not just the flying itself, but also understanding how extreme Gs during an ejection affects the person(s) ejecting. What’s the point if they will die on ejection anyway?

To get the data, someone had to become a real-life test dummy. And the man who stepped up to the plate not only withstood more Gs than any human being (voluntarily) in history, but also became the fastest man on Earth.

Col Stapp. Image: USAF
Col Stapp. Image: USAF

Meet USAF Col and Dr, John Stapp

Col Stapp. Image: USAF
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Retired USAF Col and Dr John Stapp joined the service in 1944. After completing Medical Field Service School and medical residency, he became a General duty medical officer and received his Aviation Medical Examiner designation. He became a project officer and medical consultant in Bio-Physics at the Aero Medical Laboratory, Wright Air Development Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Col Stapp was a risk taker. One of his first jobs was flying in un-pressurized aircraft to 40,000 ft with new proposed oxygen systems. He stepped in to fly the mission himself. If something went wrong, he didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. Stapp was also studying altitude and decompression sickness (“the bends”), flying a bare bones B-17 with an open cockpit and unpressurized cabin at 45,000 feet for 65 hours. A solid guy for sure! This somewhat extreme experience was just a warmup for what was to come.

Col Stapp. Image: USAF
Col Stapp. Image: USAF

The need for Gs, but not looking forward to it

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His next assignment was a bit more extreme. Col Stapp was tasked with studying the ability to withstand extreme Gs during extreme de-acceleration. Stapp went to Edwards AFB to conduct the research, again volunteering to be the test subject. Strapping onto the rocket sled named “G-Whiz” for the first time, he said “I assure you, I am not looking forward to this.”

Strapping onto the rocket sled named “G-Whiz” for the first time, he said “I assure you, I am not looking forward to this.”

Col John Stapp

He was launched on 16 tests from 1947 – 1948, taking a punishing beating from up to 35Gs and suffering numerous injuries. But, he was still just warming up.

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Stapp conducted additional sled tests, was promoted to USAF Major, and was sent to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico in 1953, to continue leading further research on extreme deceleration and G-forces. It was there, in 1954, that he would solidify his place in the history of aviation, speed and basically all things cool.

The Fastest Man on Earth

The USAF had many unknowns about ejection in flight: at what speed a pilot could safely eject? How much force can someone take when they are slapped by supersonic wind and slow from 700 mph to an immediate full stop? These were all questions that needed to be answered as jet aircraft evolved into machines that could fly faster and higher than previous aircraft.

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Stapp’s rocket sled was named Sonic Wind No. 1. It was equipped with 9 solid fuel rockets. Combined, they produced 40,000 pounds of thrust for 5 seconds. Plenty of time to get the data needed and, hopefully, he wouldn’t die in the process.

On Dec 10, 1954, Stapp boarded his 2,000 pound sled, which was mounted on rails set in concrete. After an hour of preparation, he was launched 3,000 feet, accelerating from 0 to 632 mph in just 5 seconds, as fast as the acceleration of a 45 caliber bullet from a pistol.

He shot past a T-33 that was flying alongside the track, hitting 20 Gs! This alone gave him the land speed record and title as the fastest man on Earth.

Once the rockets burned out, the water brakes kicked in and Stapp came to a sudden stop in just 1.4 seconds. Such force is equivalent to hitting a brick wall at 50 mph. Stapp withstood over 46 Gs in the stop, which is a force equivalent of about 4 tons exerted on the human body.

Beaten up, but alive and well

Incredibly, Stapp walked away without any permanent injuries. He suffered temporary blindness for about an hour and was bruised all over. He suffered broken ribs and burns from dust hitting his skin at 600 mph, and his eyes were bleeding a bit. And somehow this man of steel still had a smile on his face.

“I felt a sensation in the eyes, somewhat like the extraction of a molar without anesthetic,” said Stapp after the test. “The effects of that run were relatively negligible, but the data obtained was invaluable.”

– Col Stapp on his 46G deceleration from the rocket sled test

Once the his medical exam was over, he ate a sandwich and got to work analyzing the data his test collected. Yes, really! Just another day for Dr Stapp.

Image compilation from National Air and Space Museum
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He still wanted to go further in a future test. Stepp wanted to break 1,000 mph. His superiors saw it as suicide and denied his request.

Stapp’s research opened up more possibilities in aviation and other industries

Stapp proved that a pilot flying at 35,000 feet at twice the speed of sound could survive the wind blast if they had to eject based on extrapolated data. Further research by Stapp also proved it was safe to build faster fighter jets without worrying about aircrews being killed by the deceleration, Gs and wind during ejection.

Some of his other research led to him inventing a new harness for paratroopers, so they could survive crash impacts if their planes went down. He also developed a better harness for combat pilots, which surely saved lives.

His contribution to the wider public, is perhaps his greatest legacy. His insane tests proved how much a person could withstand if properly restrained. He went on to conduct similar research with car crashes, strapping into test vehicles and slamming into objects himself to prove his theories.

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He became an advocate for seatbelts in cars. Manufacturers could care less back then, it was just an added expense to their bottom line. In 1966, Stapp was key in convincing President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign a law forcing auto makers to include seat belts in every car. Millions of lives have been saved since, on a daily basis, even today. Perhaps, his work even saved your life at one time or another?

Stapp invented Murphy’s Law…really!

Stapp even invented the now household term “Murphy’s Law”, the idea that anything that can go wrong, will. Murphy was a Captain that Stapp worked with on the rocket sled tests. Poor Murphy kept having bad things happen to him, and so Stapp called it “Murphy’s Law”. It stuck.

Pulled over for speeding

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Stapp was a bit of a local hero after all of his research. One day, Stapp was pulled over by a police officer for speeding, doing 40 in a 25. At court, the judge recognized Stapp, then dismissed the charge against him. He issued a new ticket to a fictitious police “captain” and the judge paid the fine himself.

Stapp retired from the USAF in 1970 as a colonel. He passed away in 1999 at his home in New Mexico from natural causes. His history-making sled, Sonic Wind No. 1, is on display at the in Nation of Speed at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Legend Joe Kittinger once said, “I hope St. Peter has his seat belt on when Dr. Stapp shows up.”

Five Big Aerospace Industry Unknowns As We Fly Into 2024

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Five Big Aerospace Industry Unknowns As We Fly Into 2024

As the world gets ready to ring in the new year, the aerospace and airline industry is facing five major unknowns in this upcoming year.
Let’s take a look at five big stories that we will likely see in the new year.

1. SpaceX’s To Orbit Finally?

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SpaceX, led by eccentric entrepreneur Elon Musk, has become a commercial success. Its Falcon9 rocket has launched this year more than any other spacecraft. His ambitions are larger though. His Starship spacecraft has experienced two spectacular launches thus far. Both have ended in progress but ultimately failure. As 2024 unfolds, the big question is whether SpaceX will achieve its ambitious goal of reaching orbit with its Starship spacecraft. The Starship, designed to be a fully reusable spacecraft capable of landing on the moon and carrying humans to Mars, is pivotal to our nation’s return to the moon ambitions.

The success or delay of SpaceX’s orbital mission could impact not only the company but also America’s ambitious plans for the moon and beyond. On the other hand, a breakthrough will be an amazing technical accomplishment for the industry.

2. Pilot Hiring Trends: A Plateau, Dip or Continuation of 2023 trends?

Kallita will retire their 727s next year. Image: Dylan Phelps, Centerline Images
Kallita will retire their 727s next year. Image: Dylan Phelps, Centerline Images

The aviation industry has experienced a significant pilot shortage in recent years, leading to aggressive hiring, expanded training program/industry, and reduction of minimums to be hired. However, as we step into 2024, there are speculations about whether this trend will continue or if we will see a slowdown in pilot hiring. There are warning signs on the horizon: stubborn inflation, a spending hangover after COVID-19, slow return of business travelers, and an aging aviation and persistent economic concerns are just some of the factors at play.

Some airlines have already floated that they will reduce hiring targets in 2024. Others plan to continue at their previously announced levels. This is a great unknown headed into 2024. The need for more pilots is definitely there but demand could soften. This is one to watch.

3. The Fate of Boeing’s MAX 7 and 10 Deliveries

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Boeing’s 737 MAX series, particularly the MAX 7 and 10 models, have been under intense scrutiny after the grounding of the MAX in 2019 after two fatal crashes. The MAX number 7 and 10 have languished for years without certification. There are many jets ready for delivery but lack authorization to fly. The MAX 7 and 10 are crucial for Boeing’s long-term health and airlines’ continued growth.

The repeated delays are concerning and there is not yet a clear indication of when they will be certified. Previously mentioned target dates have repeatedly gone by without a change in status. This is a critical issue for Boeing. Their hope is that 2024 is a better year for the smallest and largest MAX fleets.

4. Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 Test Flight: Boom or Bust?

Boom Supersonic, with its ambitious Overture supersonic airliner project, aims to revive supersonic passenger travel. The key milestone to watch in 2024 is the first flight of Boom’s XB-1 demonstrator, a crucial step towards realizing the Overture. The XB-1’s performance will offer insights into their approach to the technology that they eventually want to field.

Twenty Years Since The Last Supersonic Passenger Flight, What’s Next?

Boom’s success on their XB-1 is not really game changing. The jet looks more like a T-38 and Eurofighter were combined into a gangly, new fighter jet. It’s likely to fly. The lessons learned though could demonstrate that Boom is on the right path, albeit a long one. A failure though could spell doom for the long-desired, but rarely successful hope for commercial supersonic transport.

5. America’s Return To The Moon: A Shaky Timeline

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PHOTO DATE: March 29, 2023. LOCATION: Bldg. 8, Room 183 – Photo Studio. SUBJECT: Official crew portrait for Artemis II, from left: NASA Astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen. PHOTOGRAPHER: Josh Valcarcel

The United States Artemis program is the nation’s ambitious plan to return to the moon. The timeline is tight with many risks and unknowns, including the SpaceX Starship that we mentioned above. As 2024 begins, NASA is on the clock to launch Artemis II. The success of the Artemis missions is critical for US. The cost is so great that any failure or large setback would likely doom the program.

In 2024, we’re likely to see the first crew to orbit the moon in over 50 years, including the first woman and african american ever to orbit the moon. It will be a big story and we’ll be here to cover it.

What other big aviation and space stories are you watching in 2024? Let us know in the comments below.

FAA Approves AerSale Mixed Reality Headset Allowing 737 Pilots To ‘See’ Through Clouds

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FAA Approves AerSale Mixed Reality Headset Allowing 737 Pilots To ‘See’ Through Clouds

Headset said to utilize synthetic vision to improve visibility in low visibility situations

The FAA recently approved an STC authorizing the use of the AerAware headset device called the SKYLENS (HWD)
head wearable display as part of a comprehenvive enhance flight vision system. This mixed reality headset allows transport pilots better situational awareness, particularly in low visibility situations.

According to AerSale (makers of the AerAware system), the Enhanced Flight Vision System “recently received approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Boeing B737NG product line.  This achievement marks the world’s first commercial EFVS system to achieve a 50% visual advantage and the first large transport aircraft to be certified with a complete dual-pilot EFVS solution featuring a Head-Wearable Display.”

Device is similar to a HUD

Information about the device from the AerSale brochure.
Information about the device from the AerSale brochure.

The device is similar to a HUD (heads up display). It displays aircraft performance information without having to look down at the instruments. What makes this device unique is that it also superimposes synthetic terrain into the pilot’s line of sight. Much like advanced helmets for fighter pilots, the terrain information displayed matches the pilot’s head movement showing relevant terrain display with a 180 degree field of view. In theory, this means that you get the benefits of the HUD without the limiting field of view.

The device requires installation of the Universal Avionics/Elbit Systems EVS–5000 multispectral cameras. To operate the system, it requires a total of 4 internal cameras and 6 internal sensors according to the product’s brochure.

The Benefits of the Device

While the company’s website is relatively vague on the specific benefits, it does state that the device enhances safety through improved situational awareness and results in improved efficiency for the operator since it reduces the likelihood of diversions and go-arounds in low visibility environments.

While the concept appears promising, devices like this are still in its infancy. The company states that pilots have a 50% visual advantage to the naked eye. It also “reduces published visibility in low visibility conditions minimums by 50%.” The sales brochure does say it can be comfortably worn with glasses and headsets. It will be interesting to see if there is any information released on how long you can comfortably wear the device in flight as mixed reality devices and helmets are typically fatigue inducing over time.

The installation is said to take 3-5 days per aircraft plus training for pilots. The device is currently certified for the Boeing 737NG only, likely making the devices targeted for existing and new Boeing Business Jet customers.

You can view the video by clicking on this link (will take you to the AerSale website).

Rough 777 Landing, Eerily Similar To Last Month’s Hard Landing, Caught On Tape

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Rough 777 Landing, Eerily Similar To Last Month’s Hard Landing, Caught On Tape

On November 16th, an Air Canada Boeing 777 was caught on tape flailing in the flare. The landing made international news. Then today, BigJetTV, an aviation enthusiast website caught another Boeing 777, this time American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER struggling to land again in similar conditions. Both incidents didn’t seem to result in any immediate danger, but the similarities were noticeable.

First, What about the Air Canada 777 Hard Landing?

In the case of the Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER (tail C-FIUV), the jet appeared to be stable until it was about 30 feet in the air. Then it abruptly rolled left before the pilot quickly corrected, then the jet touched down hard on its right main gear before it eventually settled. At the time, the winds at YYC were gusty, but manageable by most standards. The Boeing 777 was removed from service after the hard landing for a few days for an inspection. It was then returned to service without further issue.

Then What Happened At Heathrow With The American 777-300ER?

Then just yesterday, an American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER flying flight AA134 was also filmed landing in gusty winds by BigJetTV. Once again, the jet appeared stable for the final seconds of the approach before rolling abruptly just feet above the ground. The jet hit very hard on the upwind gear before porpoising a bit to where the main gear bounced and the nose gear touched the runway once again by itself briefly. The jet recovered fairly quickly and completed the landing rollout without further incident. The weather at the time at Heathrow wasn’t great with gusty winds and low level turbulence. The aircraft, N719AN, later flew back to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport without incident.

What Happened?

In both cases, the Boeing 777s were landing in gusty crosswinds and it’s highly likely that wind shear played heavily into both incidents. While both landings were far from good, the recent American 777 landing appears to be worse because the aircraft momentarily touched down nose gear first. From the video, it appears that the pilot overcorrected for the gusty crosswind, then released the back pressure pushing the nose forward abruptly before correcting to salvage the landing.

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Photo Credit: Kambui

Some may ask why the pilots in both incidents didn’t go around. While an early go around in such an incident is always preferred to landing an unstable aircraft, trying to go around after dissipating so much energy after such a firm touchdown might actually be worse due to the aircraft and the pilot initiating the post-touchdown sequence of thrust reverses, spoilers and brakes.

Still, there are many factors that we don’t know yet about each incident. Was there wake turbulence from a preceeding landing (unlikely in those conditions)? Did the sensitivity of the Boeing’s 777 fly by wire controls play a factor (probably not as thousands of 777 flights land safely every day)? And finally, in both cases, were the pilots rusty or inexperienced (possible)? The last one is always a possibility as its a well known fact that larger airliners have pilots who only get a few landings each quarter.

Regardless, we’re just glad everyone in both cases were safe. If you are a Boeing 777 pilot or have additional information, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Post them in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

WATCH: Rare Footage of mid-1960s Navy Med Cruise On USS Saratoga

Bill Walton
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WATCH: Rare Footage of mid-1960s Navy Med Cruise On USS Saratoga

Watch This Timeless Color Film from the Saratoga! So many F-4s, F-8s and A-1H Skyraiders!

Some time ago, we wrote a piece about a British film by the name of “Operation Saratoga” which was shot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60) during her Mediterranean Sea (Med) cruise that took place between 28 November 1964, and 12 July 1965. Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) was embarked aboard Super Sara for this deployment.

This video features additional footage of the action filmed aboard CVA-60 during the same period. There is no sound, but the visuals are outstanding and consist almost entirely of CVW-3 flight ops. This footage was also uploaded to YouTube by British Pathé.

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Official US Navy photograph

During the time the film was shot CVW-3 consisted of VF-31 Tomcatters flying the Phabulous McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II, VF-32 Swordsmen flying the Vought F-8D Crusader, VA-34 Blue Blasters and VA-36 Roadrunners both flying the Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, VA-35 Black Panthers flying the Douglas A-1H Skyraider, RVAH-9 Hoot Owls flying the North American RA-5C Vigilante, Detachment 60 of VAW-12 Bats flying the Grumman E-1B Tracer, and Detachment 60 of HC-2 Fleet Angels flying the Kaman UH-2A Seasprite. After this cruise, VA-35 detached from CVW-3 and began its transition to the new Grumman A-6A Intruder all-weather attack bomber.

Phantom landing on the Saratoga.
Official US Navy photograph

SpaceX Flew This Rocket a Record 19 Times Before It Sunk Today Due To Weather

Mike Killian
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SpaceX Flew This Rocket a Record 19 Times Before It Sunk Today Due To Weather

Over the last decade, SpaceX has earned their way to the top of the commercial aerospace industry through innovative engineering and taking risks. They used billions of NASA / taxpayer seed money to develop their workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecrafts and the various support architecture that such systems required. Elon nearly went broke building SpaceX, before NASA stepped in to save them with big contracts.

In doing so they’ve produced a reusable system that brings the cost of spaceflight down dramatically, while also facilitating a more rapid cadence of flights. This allows more customers access to space as launch costs have dropped dramatically. With additional customers and the use of reusable technology their rockets fly often and are reused frequently, one booster has even been used 19 times already!

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SpaceX Flew This Rocket a Record 19 Times Before It Sunk Today Due To Weather 29

Nature called ballgame on the most used booster today.

All good things must end, and that’s no different for their flight-leading 19 mission booster. The rocket just launched another batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites on Dec 23 from Cape Canaveral, before landing on a company “drone ship” off the coast of FL.

Typically, SpaceX secured the booster and sets sails with it for Port Canaveral, where it is retrieved and transported back to SpaceX for refurbishment before its next flight.

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The landing zone experienced high winds and waves which played havoc on the drone pad today. The rockets are typically secured to the deck with a giant “grabber” after landing, but nature overpowered it today. After landing, empty booster tipped over and broke in half, with its top half sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic.

How many times can a rocket fly?

No one knows yet. A few years ago, SpaceX was aiming for 10 flights per booster before needing replacement. This booster that was destroyed today flew successfully 19 times. Had it not been for the wind and waves, who knows how many more missions it could have flown.

Aerial images of the drone ship and rocket returning to Port today appear to show that one of the rocket’s landing legs caved in, causing the booster to tip over.

Kalitta Charters II Will Retire Their Last 727s in 2024

Mike Killian
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Kalitta Charters II Will Retire Their Last 727s in 2024

Kalitta Charters II has announced they will retire their last 2 operational Boeing 727-200(f)s in 2024. Planes N726CK (MSN 21951) and N729CK (MSN 22982) are currently still flying out of the company’s base in Detroit, MI.

They retired their DC-9 fleet in 2019, and are following suit now with the 727 to transition operations to an all-737 fleet of freighters.

“The B727 has proven to be a workhorse in the cargo industry and remains unmatched in its self-stainability in the field,” said the company in a statement.

The company owned 9 of the 727s, dating back to the year 2000. The 7 no longer flying are parked in Oscada, MI. The last 2 still flying are both over 40 years old.

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The iconic plane with its T-shaped tail and trio of rear-mounted engines first rolled off the assembly line in 1962. Its history is a storied one, flying for airlines and spending their elder years as cargo freighters.

How many 727s still operate in the U.S. and overseas?

A number of other companies actually still operate a handful of 727s in the United States and across North America. Some are flown for cargo. Others are used for VIP and private charters, and others are used for parabolic research flights, such as those conducted by Zero-G. Their 727 has a slick paint job, and is named “G-Force One”.

On a more global scale, the website aviationish has concluded that 23 of the 727s are still flying, out of the over 1,800 that Boeing produced from 1962 – 1984.

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Signs of the times

The last 727 passenger flight landed in 2019, signaling the slow beginning of the end of the plane. And it is highly unlikely that any airline or operator will ever restart passenger or even charter service on a 727, as there are now more modern, safer, more comfortable, cost-effective and efficient options to choose from.

The 727 will live on though in our heart and the slight hearing loss by who have experienced its rumble on departure.

How the Blue Angels Convinced Tom Cruise to do Top Gun

Mike Killian
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How the Blue Angels Convinced Tom Cruise to do Top Gun

It’s hard to imagine a world without the movie Top Gun. AvGeeks watch it at least once a year despite the 80s corniness, because the flying scenes are as cool now as they were 30+ years ago. Top talent was hired to ensure a successful production, but the star of the movie needed convincing from the Blue Angels to finally decide to become Maverick.

In another fantastic interview by Ryan Notthaft at Blue Angel Phantoms on YouTube, the Blue Angel pilot who flew Tom Cruise, Curt “Griz” Watson, talks about his experience.

A thin script with no story, yet

Reading the script alone Cruise was not amused. He was a serious actor still making a name for himself, and there was a lot of apprehension about how the public would receive an aviation movie. Because the truth is no aviation movie was ever truly a big time blockbuster before Top Gun.

But the producers knew they had a winner. They considered Top Gun like “Star Wars on Earth”, inspired by a story years earlier in California Magazine. But Cruise didn’t initially share their vision, and neither did many production companies before Paramount. They had no real characters or story, just cool flying jets.

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“When I first read it I thought they had a very thin story and script,” recalled Cruise in a old Behind the Scenes feature on the making of the movie, which you can watch here. “I thought yea, I don’t know about this.”

Help us Admiral

In a last desperate attempt to convince Cruise to join, producer Jerry Bruckheimer put in a call to Navy Admiral Peter Garrow, requesting the Navy fly Cruise to convince him to do the movie. Garrow, naturally, called the Blues with the orders.

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Grizz rung out Cruise pretty good in the team’s #7 jet, an A-4 Skyhawk. With a bag full of vomit Cruise was hooked, and his love affair with aviation began. Upon landing he walked to the closest payphone, called Bruckheimer and said “I’ll do it”.

But he wasn’t satisfied with just the Blue Angels A-4 ride. After all, Mav is an F-14 Tomcat pilot. So Cruise requested flight time in the F-14 as part of his character development. Which made perfect sense. Cruise even put it in his contract. The producers and Navy happily accommodated.

His first F-14 flight kicked his butt good too. His pilot, call sign Bozo, put him through the wringer. You can watch the interview above about some of that flying, or better yet, watch this video where both Cruise and Bozo talk about it.

He loved flying the F-14 so much, that he even told his pilots “let’s get these scenes shot and then go rip it up. I’m gonna rate you on who is the best pilot.” Each pilot wanted to know how his other pilots did, and would then compete to see who could kick Tom’s butt in the sky the hardest.

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Cruise has been in love with flying ever since. He’s now an accomplished pilot himself, rated for numerous airframes. He even owns a WWII P-51 Mustang fighter.

This Holiday Season, We Celebrate Airport Workers

Avgeekery
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This Holiday Season, We Celebrate Airport Workers

WestJet’s Annual Christmas Miracle Celebrates Airport Workers, This Year We Do Too As We Thank Commercial Aviation Workers

Every year, Westjet releases their annual Christmas Miracle video where they surprise passengers with exquisite gifts they requested or meetups with long lost friends. This year, they decided to celebrate the many airport workers.

It’s a great video. Probably not as touching as years past. It feels a bit like they mailed it in this year, to be honest. Maybe inflation is affecting them too. Still, the video is worth a watch.

That got us thinking…We Should Be Thankful

For those in the transportation industry, there really never is a holiday. People expect that travel is available to any place and at any time. It’s a great service for our society that flying from New York to LA is sometimes easier than a trip to the mall around a holiday. However, that means the people in and near the airport have to work this holiday season. Here’s our special holiday toast to them. (If we left you off the list, send us a message and we’ll be sure to add your role!)

1.) Pilots: Let’s start with the obvious. Pilots safely fly you to your destination. While there are many perks to being a pilot (great pay, days off, travel), getting holidays off often isn’t one of them. When you board the plane, be sure to look to your left and say thanks for their skill and dedication.

2.) Flight Attendants: Much like pilots, they work most often when you want to go on vacation. Flight attendants serve you drinks and snacks but also keep you safe in the skies. They are the front line customer service in the skies. They deal with so much and experience the best and the worst of the flying public for hours at a time. They deserve a hearty thanks for their unyielding professionalism while being away from who they love this holiday season.

3.) Customer Service Agents: Imagine being away from your family and friends this holiday season knowing that your job is to be the front line of defense when something goes wrong. Their entire job is to help people to get to where they need to go. Sometimes it’s easy, other times, they are standing in the gap for bad weather, or a crew or maintenance issue. Be nice and thank them this holiday season as you check in or ask a question at the gate.

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4.) Baggage Handlers and below the wing staff: Although you rarely interact with them, they are the ones who prepare each flight for pushback. From the time the plane arrives, they are pulling up the baggage loaders and hopping in the cargo bays to offload and load your bags. It doesn’t matter if it’s 5 degrees or 105 degrees outside, they show up. Each load is carefully balanced to keep you safe in the air. Then they expertly connect the tow bar and prepare your jet for pushback. While it might be difficult to say thanks, a wave out the window will suffice to let them know you are grateful.

5.) Aircraft Fuelers: Much like the baggage handlers, their job is largely transparent to passengers. Yet those mighty fine jets don’t fly without ‘go-juice’. In minutes, they fill the jet to precise levels, ensuring you arrive safely with enough fuel but not too much.

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcmetroblogger/7830394298 (CC 2.0)
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6.) TSA: Sure they catch a lot of flack when people bring 3.5 oz of fluid through the security checkpoint. They are just enforcing the policies from above. TSA is perennially understaffed and quite honestly, under-appreciated. Sure there is a rare grump on a power trip but the vast, vast majority of agents are people who work under challenging conditions to keep us safe on our journeys. Take a moment to appreciate them and say thanks for being there this holiday season.

7.) Maintenance Professionals: Aircraft are complex mechanical machines. Day in and day out, they keep us safe by keeping the fluids topped off and stepping in to fix any part in the aircraft that breaks. You rarely see them, but they are one of the main reasons behind each and every passenger arriving safely to grandmas.

8.) Airport and Airplane Custodians: Humans make a mess. When you go to an airport bathroom or throw out trash in the terminal or grind a pretzel into the airplane’s carpet, someone is cleaning up after you and making it sparkle. You barely notice them most of the time, but you definitely notice if they aren’t around. This Christmas, take a moment to say thanks to the men and women who do the dirty work to make your holiday shine.

Image: FAA
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9.) Air Traffic Controllers: They work 24/7 to keep your plane going where they need to go. They are understaffed and overworked. You might not see them as they chatter on the radio. But without them, you’re grounded.

Still more to keep us flying…

10.) Police Officers and security: When passengers create a disruption, they are there. When bad guys try to disrupt the greatest mode of transportation even devised, they are there. Police officers sign a blank check up to and including their life to keep us safe. Give thanks this holiday season for their dedication and being there for you.

11.) Airport retail and restaurant workers: When you are hungry on Christmas or need a $5 water bottle, they are there for you. They get up earlier than you and stay long after you depart to keep passengers well fed. Give thanks and a little extra tip this Christmas for them.

Airport shuttle at London Heathrow. Image: Matt Taylor (CC 2.0)
This Holiday Season, We Celebrate Airport Workers 49

12.) Parking, Hotel Shuttle, Taxi, and Uber Drivers: These hard workers drive you to and from the airport. You probably don’t interact much with them but they are there, keeping you safe on the journey.

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13.) Aircraft provisioning and kitchen workers: These men and women ensure that your flight is stocked with drinks, snacks, and lobster for the rich folks. They take time away from their families so your belly is full for the journey.

14.) Airport Staff and Managers: It takes people to operate an airport. The city airport managers and staff ensure the operation keeps running. They are the busiest during high travel season. The lost and found doesn’t run without staff. The runways don’t stay plowed during a snowstorm without their efforts. Recognize their hard work and say thank you too!

15.) Skycaps: Are you running late? They sit out in the cold in front of the terminal so that you can speed through checkin. They run on tips but the money doesn’t make up for the fact that they too are missing Christmas so that you can get to yours!

Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be sure to add them! Merry Christmas to all from your staff at Avgeekery.

T-38 IP: “Did You Bring Your Water Bottle?”

David Dale
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T-38 IP: “Did You Bring Your Water Bottle?”

Back when I fell victim to one of the oldest tricks in the books!

During my T-38 flight training one of my instructors was a former A-10 fighter pilot that had flown the Warthog with my uncle up in Eielson AFB, Alaska. He was a big, bald-headed captain with the last name of Maddox, so his call sign was Mad Dog Maddox.

Mad Dog was my instructor during the acrobatic phase early in my T-38 training. This was during the hot summer of 1988. On our first flight together, after I completed about 45 minutes of high-G maneuvers over the western Oklahoma plains, Mad Dog asked if I brought a water bottle. I said no, I had forgotten mine that day.

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It was for ‘hydration’ in flight

We had been issued a large, white plastic flask that could be slipped into the leg pocket of our flightsuit down by our calf. Mad Dog said, “Well, you need to stay hydrated so don’t forget it next time.”
On our second ride together the same conversation took place.
“Did you bring your water bottle?”
“No, I forgot it again.” I said.

We completed our hour and a half training flight before walking back into the squadron to debrief.

Finally, on our third flight together I remembered to tuck the full water bottle into my leg pocket, down by my right calf. Mad Dog and I enjoyed an afternoon of loops, Cuban 8s, cloverleafs, and he showed me the 8-point roll that the Thunderbirds use during air shows. That roll consisted of quick jerky side motions of the control stick to point the wings at eight points around a 360 degree circle, abruptly stopping at each point so my head was slamming back and forth inside the cockpit.
After our maneuvers were complete Mad Dog asked, “Did you bring your water bottle?”
“Yes I did!”
Mad Dog said, “Okay, I have the aircraft. You can grab a drink.”

I finally remembered my water bottle

The T-38 cockpit had two small rear view mirrors mounted inside the cockpit so that the pilot could check for aircraft approaching behind it. Those same mirrors allowed Mad Dog in the back seat to see what I was doing in the front seat. As I raised the water flask to my lips Mad Dog abruptly pushed forward on the stick creating a lot of negative G forces and spraying water all over my face. He let out a huge laugh, “I’ve been waiting all week to do that to you!”

He wasn’t concerned about my hydration after all. We had a good laugh and returned to the base for the debrief session. As I was unzipping my G-suit to stow it in the hallway locker, my training mate Jeff Hoyt was donning his G-suit for his next training ride with Mad Dog. They sauntered down the hallway towards the awaiting blue bus and I heard Mad Dog ask Jeff, “Did you bring your water bottle?”

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