If you’ve ever wanted to display the cockpit escape rope of an Airbus A380 in your living room, you’re in luck.
Several hundred items from the iconic Airbus A380 will be available for the public to bid on during a three-day auction set to take place from 13-15 October in Toulouse, France.
The vast majority of the parts are from an ex-Emirates A380 (MSN 13 / Reg: A6-EDB). However, various items from other A380s will also be up for auction.
Proceeds from the event will go to charity.
The A6-EDB Backstory
Emirates Airbus A380 (MSN13/Reg: A6-EDB) touches down at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on 08 August 2011 | IMAGE: Rudy Chiarello via AirFleets.net
A6-EDB, the 13th A380 built by Airbus, entered revenue service on 23 October 2008 with Dubai-based Emirates. It became the second A380 to join the Emirates fleet.
An early victim of the downturn in air travel amid the coronavirus pandemic, A6-EDB was parked in February 2020. Her last flight was a ferry flight from Dubai (DXB) to Tarbes, France (LDE) on 27 October 2020, according to FlightAware. It would then undergo decommissioning at Tarmac Aerosave, an aircraft maintenance center and Europe’s largest storage facility, located in southern France, roughly 100 miles southwest of where the aircraft was built in Toulouse.
What Kind of Items Will Be Up for Auction?
A faux marble sink from the first-class cabin will be up for auction | IMAGE: uk.drouot.com
Most of the items – divided into 380 lots – available for auction will be from A6-EDB’s cabin. Some items available for bidding include parts of the cabin itself, such as stairs, handrails, emergency exit signs (in English and Arabic), windows, lamps, seats, seatbelts, and even a bar. Other parts include beverage trolleys, baby bassinets, flashlights, and – yes – even a cockpit escape rope. Business class seats from a different A380 will also be up for auction at the event.
Various artists create artwork from pieces of Airbus A380 A6-EDB | IMAGE: Airbus
Additionally, thanks to a collaboration between Airbus and prominent street artists, you can bid on unique pieces of artwork created from different parts of the aircraft, such as engine blades and trolleys.
The auction will take place in Toulouse; however, anyone from anywhere in the world can bid online.
How Much Will I Have to Shell Out?
Emirates Airbus A380 (MSN13/A6-EDB) at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) on 29 November 2014 | IMAGE: Bill Mallinson via AirFleets.net
So, what are some of the estimates for these pieces? Bilingual emergency exit light panels start at around $80. A three-piece set of a side panel of the fuselage starts out at just under $400. How about a faux marble sink from the first-class cabin? It could be yours for just under $2,000.
If you would like to take part in this unique opportunity to own a piece of the world’s largest commercial airliner, you can do so beginning on 13 October by registering online.
LOT 1 – Bidding begins at 0800 ET on Thursday, 13 October
LOT 2 – Bidding begins at 0830 ET on Friday, 14 October
LOT 3 – Bidding begins at 0830 ET on Saturday, 15 October
Most of the proceeds will go to the Airbus Foundation, which “facilitates philanthropic initiatives worldwide,” according to the organization’s website. Some of the foundations’ recent missions include responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. Additional proceeds will be donated to the AIRitage Association, a French-based organization that works to preserve aviation heritage.
Chicago-based United is suspending service at JFK airport by the end of October.
In a memo sent to employees, the company blames the FAA, saying they have not given United enough slots to operate more flights. They also say they’ve been trying to get more permanent JFK slots from the FAA for over a year.
Aerial view of jfk (Photo: port authority nynj)
“Given our current, too-small-to-be-competitive schedule out of JFK – coupled with the start of the winter season where more airlines will operate their slots as they resume JFK flying – United has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend service at JFK,” the memo reads.
Not a Huge Loss For JFK In Terms Of Flights
The company only does four flights a day there as it is, with two SFO and two LAX round-trips. That accounts for only 1% of JFK traffic. They also operate out of LaGuardia Airport and a hub in Newark, where they expect to operate 13,000 (combined) flights next month. United makes up for 70% of traffic at Newark.
Photo: united
Their 100 employees at JFK will likely be transferred to those. United says nobody at JFK is losing their job.
They also say it is only temporary, but they have done this before at JFK, and did not return for 5 years. At the time, slots became available when other int’l carriers reduced ops because of Covid-19. But with travel bouncing back, those airlines have been taking their slots back.
A plane taking off at JFK Airport.(Photo: port authority nynj)
Door Is Open For Another United Return
United says talks with the FAA have been “constructive”, but added that “the process will take some time.”
The FAA says they are “dedicated to doing its part to safely expand NYC airports and airspace capacity.” They added that they “will follow our fair and well-established process to award future slots to increase competition between airlines so passengers have more options.”
The public can see it fly one more time this month.
NASA’s one-of-a-kind 747 SOFIA flying telescope flew its final mission on Sep 28, wrapping up a career revealing mysteries of the universe that will keep astronomers busy for years to come.
Sure NASA has telescopes in space to observe different areas of the cosmos in different ways. And telescopes exist on top of hills and mountains to observe the night sky and various phenomenon across our own galaxy and others.
But space-based telescopes cost billions of dollars, and are made for deep-space observing. And land-based telescopes are restricted in 3 major ways. They can’t be moved to observe different areas or targets across the sky. They rely on good weather. And they stargaze through an atmosphere thick with water vapor, no matter how good the weather is. It’s like looking at an object at the bottom of a pool.
What was SOFIA?
So NASA decided to put a telescope on a plane to fly it wherever they want. They acquired a former Pan Am 747 passenger plane known as Clipper Lindbergh, and teamed up with the German Space Agency (DLR) to come up with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).
SOFIA with itS telescope door open (photo: nasa)
Engineers modified a Boeing 747SP to carry the DLR’s 38,000-pound, 100-inch reflective telescope. They also developed a “garage door” on the plane that rolled up to let the telescope work, as the plane flies above clouds and water vapor. SOFIA was also equipped with interchangeable instruments, to help the telescope make the right type of observations for a given mission.
It was one of the largest open ports ever flown on an aircraft, and the largest certified to fly at all altitudes and speeds with the door open. Pilots couldn’t even feel when the door was open. The stability of the telescope itself was equivalent to keeping a laser pointer steady on a penny from 10 miles away.
But how does a telescope on an airplane even work? Why doesn't the data jiggle jiggle?
SOFIA was fully operational for 8 years, and logged 732 nights of observing. It helped astronomers worldwide study a wide range of cosmic events and objects invisible to other telescopes.
SOFIA even intercepted Pluto’s shadow as it swept across the ocean at over 50,000 mph. It gave scientists an opportunity to record data on the planet’s makeup, as a star behind it illuminated the atmosphere.
Astronomers can identify elements in a planet’s atmosphere when this occurs, telling them what the world is made of. SOFIA was the only telescope able to be at that precise location for the event as it happened.
Our Milky way home and its galactic core rising over a deserted florida beach (photo: mike killian)
SOFIA studied cosmic magnetic fields, the structure and core of our Milky Way galaxy, and the origin of cosmic rays. The mission also discovered water on the sunlit side of the moon, and so much more.
End of an era
But as they say, all good things come to an end. SOFIA completed its primary 5-year mission in 2019. It was then granted a 3-year extension. But in the time since, it’s costs have been deemed no longer worth the benefit.
On the fLight deck of sofia (photo: nasa)
With the observatory now retired, NASA is exploring options for a permanent home for the special aircraft.
You can see it fly one more time
But before that happens, NASA will show off SOFIA to the public Oct 15-16 at Edwards AFB for the Aerospace Valley Air Show. And it won’t just be a static display either. NASA intends to fly it for everyone in attendance.
Surveillance video in a Fresno, CA neighborhood captured a helicopter crash in someone’s front yard yesterday.
Local police say the Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III was conducting a test flight from Fresno Yosemite Airport (FAT/KFAT), when the crew (a single pilot and passenger) suddenly heard a loud pop and began falling.
In the video captured by resident Barbara Lee, the helicopter appears to suffer an inflight loss of tail rotor authority. You can see the tail rotor is completely shot as it falls (thus the spinning), making the helo a falling brick.
The helicopter hit a palm tree as it crashed down, just feet from a house and a passing car. Fortunately there are no reports of anyone in the home or area being hurt.
Both the pilot and passenger were conscious and responsive when authorities arrived. People in the neighborhood also immediately responded to help the crew get out of the wreckage.
The world’s first all-electric commuter plane made its first flight earlier this week. Eviation’s Alice prototype flew for 8 minutes and ascended to 3,500 ft, before landing back at the company’s base in Moses Lake, Washington.
The flight came less than a month after a series of successful high-speed taxi tests were conducted, which we reported on here.
“Today’s first flight provided Eviation with invaluable data to further optimize the aircraft for commercial production,” said CEO and President Gregory Davis following the milestone on Sep 27. “We will review the flight data to understand how the performance of the aircraft matched our models.”
“It was wonderful,” said test pilot Steve Crane. “It handled just like we thought it would. Very responsive, very quick to the throttle, and it came on in for a wonderful landing. I couldn’t be happier.”
Alice test pilot Steve Crane shakes hands with Eviation CEO Gregory Davis after the first test flight on sep 27, 2022 (photo credit: eviation)
The first of many test flights
It was the first of a flight test program that will explore the aircraft’s limits in various conditions. Such testing will inform development of production prototypes for the company. Eviation is targeting 2025 for flight tests with production prototypes. With FAA approval, they hope to hit the market in 2027.
Alice is powered by an 8,000 lb battery, with twin engine props mounted near the tail powered by 640-kilowatt MagniX Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) engines.
magniX Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) engines on alice (photo credit: eviation)
Eviation wants to target the regional market, and hit smaller airports that typically serve cargo hauls and private plane owners. Shorter routes of 500 miles or less make up for nearly half the world’s air travel. Electric planes would be a lot quieter too, letting them service smaller hubs where flights are more restrictive due to noise.
Ultimately, they want to develop a regional all-electric plane that can charge in 30 minutes and fly 400-500 mile routes. A passenger version will be able to fly up to 9 passengers at a time. They also want to develop cargo and luxury / business executive versions.
Eviation’s All-Electric Plane Soars on First Flight Test 15
Part of a growing but untested industry
Like it or not, aerospace innovations are going greener. Eviation isn’t the only player in the game either. Wright Electric is developing a 100-passenger electric plane. United and Mesa Air are backing an aircraft by Heart Aerospace. Airbus and Boeing are both working on designs too.
They’ve secured some big orders already too, with companies such as GlobalX, DHL Express and Cape Air all showing interest with their dollars.
Alice e-cargo plane artist reNder (credit dHl express)
“Alice e-cargo planes will require less investment in station infrastructure. The quick charging times mean we can charge them while loading and unloading shipments,” says DHL. The company has ordered 12 cargo versions.
Yes, these planes can charge quickly
“Alice’s range and payload make it a unique, sustainable solution for our global aviation network, supporting our aspiration to make a substantial contribution to reducing our carbon footprint and ultimately achieving net-zero emissions by 2050,” says John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “This maiden flight confirms our belief that the era of sustainable aviation is here.”
Despite the predictable naysayers, it appears the theory and concept is solid. While a lot of work lies ahead, surely NASA, Airbus, United and other industry giants can’t all be wrong about the future of battery-powered air travel. They are all betting millions of dollars on it.
It’s been a long journey, but North America’s newest airline took to the skies last week.
Canada Jetlines, or simply Jetlines, completed its inaugural flight on 22 September from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Calgary International Airport (YYC).
A Canada Jetlines Airbus A320 at the gate at Calgary International Airport (YYC) | IMAGE: YYC CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VIA FACEBOOK
With mainly sunny skies in both Toronto and Calgary, AU120 departed YYZ thirty minutes behind schedule at 0825 ET Thursday morning. Three hours and 51 minutes later, the flight touched down at YYC at 1022 MT, just 12 minutes behind schedule.
Canda Jetlines successfully completed its inaugural flight between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Calgary (YYC) on 22 September | IMAGE:flightaware.com
Airline management and executives greeted the flight in Calgary with a celebration of the successful first flight.
The journey to today, however, has been anything but easy.
Nothing About the Original Plan is the Same
A Canada Jetlines A320 | IMAGE: Canada Jetlines
Canada Jetlines was first conceived in 2013 – a lifetime ago in the aviation world. Originally, the carrier was going to be based in Vancouver, British Columbia (YVR), and utilize Boeing 737-800s to fly to destinations throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
In the decade since, a series of setbacks have kept Jetlines grounded. Ahead of a planned Q4 2019 launch, the carrier decided to lease a pair of Airbus A320s and subsequently canceled plans to lease the Boeing 737s.
A launch date of 17 December 2019 came and went. Then, as the calendar turned to 2020 and the pandemic affected every aspect of aviation, plans for the inaugural flight were on hold indefinitely.
The Stars Aligned in 2022 for Canada Jetlines
The first Canada Jetlines Airbus A320 is unveiled in Toronto in March 2022 | IMAGE: Canada Jetlines
As the pandemic waned and air travel began to rebound, things finally started to look up for Jetlines. The carrier received its first Airbus A320 (registration C-GCJL) in February 2022.
Jetlines announced it would begin operations on 15 August with an inaugural flight between Toronto Pearson and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG) in Manitoba. Service to Greater Moncton (New Brunswick) Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQB) was also to begin on the same day.
However, the 15 August launch was postponed as the carrier still had not received approval to operate from the Canadian government. The launch was tentatively pushed back to 29 August. Finally, on 18 August, Jetlines received its Air Operating Certificate (AOC) from Transport Canada, followed by the issuance of airline licenses from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to operate domestic, non-scheduled, and scheduled international flights.
The saga of Jetlines’ launch was not over yet, though. The airline once again pushed back the start date – this time to 22 September.
Finally, the stars aligned, finances were in place, and licenses were in hand. After nearly a decade, Jetlines took to the air.
The interior of a Canada Jetlines Airbus A320 | IMAGE: Canada Jetlines
Canada Jetlines will join an ever-growing list of Canadian budget airline start-ups that have launched in recent years, such as Lynx, Flair, Porter, Sunwing, and Swoop.
Jetlines’ A320 features an all-economy product with 180 seats in a 3-3 configuration. Jetlines has said it plans to have two aircraft by the end of 2022 and 15 aircraft by 2025.
The carrier has just two destinations right now: Toronto and Calgary. However, Jetlines officials say they will announce additional destinations soon. The airline currently offers twice-weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
“Canada Jetlines is proud to launch our initial flights between Toronto to Calgary,” said Canada Jetlines CEO Eddy Doyle. “The two cities represent cultural diversity, economic trade, and significant investment opportunities. We are encouraged to continue expanding our reach, with the goal of serving as Toronto’s preferred airline.”
Flight AU120, which blocks in at 4 hours and 15 minutes, will depart Toronto’s Terminal 3 at 0755 and arrive in Calgary at 1010. The return flight, AU121, will depart Calgary at 1140 and arrive in Toronto at 1720 (all times local).
Not unlike most low-cost carriers, onboard amenities are limited. However, customers have the option to purchase food and beverages. In addition, in-flight entertainment is available on passenger devices. Each seat features USB power outlets.
A Crowded Field
A Canada Jetlines Airbus A320 inside a hangar at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) | IMAGE: Canada Jetlines
Jetlines faces stiff competition in the skies over Canada. While post-pandemic travel continues to rebound, Jetlines has some headwinds with which to contend.
The carrier is launching at the beginning of the slower season for leisure travel — and without any sought-after “sun and fun” destinations. We hope Jetlines will announce more cities soon. Additionally, the fact that the airline is launching with just one airplane is less than ideal. If a weather or mechanical delay affects the sole Jetlines Airbus A320, there wouldn’t be much the airline could do to accommodate inconvenienced passengers.
Whichever way you look at it, Canada Jetlines has already faced a rocky road leading up to today’s first revenue flight. However, now that Jetlines’ successful inaugural flight is behind them, we wish them all the best and look forward to hearing about new planes and new routes soon.
Check out the video below for a detailed look at Canada Jetlines’ inaugural flight, thanks to Alex Praglowski Aviation on YouTube.
Major Hurricane Ian made landfall on Wednesday afternoon in southwest Florida near Cayo Costa as an extremely powerful category 4 storm.
As the monster storm makes its way across the Florida peninsula over the next 24-36 hours, airlines and airports across the Sunshine State continue to monitor its path and adjust their operational plans accordingly.
With maximum sustained winds of 150mph at landfall, Hurricane Ian is already impacting commerce and infrastructure in a “devastating to catastrophic” way, according to the National Weather Service office in Tampa.
Of course, a storm of this size and magnitude will undoubtedly wreak havoc on air travel in the Sunshine State in the hours and days ahead.
Hurricane Ian Airport Closures
Flight monitors at Orlando International Airport (MCO) ahead of Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, 28 September | IMAGE: Orlando International Airport on Facebook
In advance of the storm, many airports throughout south and central Florida have suspended operations for the duration of Ian’s onslaught. Once it is safe to do so, officials will assess the damage and open airports only when it is safe to do so.
Gulf Coast
Tampa International Airport is eerily quiet ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival on Wednesday, 28 September | IMAGE: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Tampa International Airport (TPA): Suspended operations at 1700 Tuesday. The airport will not reopen to passengers and visitors through Thursday. Some essential employees will remain on-site throughout the storm, according to the airport’s Twitter account @flytpa.
UPDATE: TPA remains closed to the public due to #HurricaneIan and there will be no departing flights through Thursday. Please check with your airline for the latest flight information. We will share a reopening date and time when it is determined. pic.twitter.com/22YP2FoNET
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE): Suspended operations at 1300 Tuesday. PIE is in a mandatory evacuation zone and will not reopen until the evacuation order ends. The airport will provide updates via @iflypie on Twitter.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): Operations were suspended as of 1800 Tuesday, and the airport remains closed today. Airport officials will provide updates via @SRQAirport on Twitter.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is all quiet before the arrival of Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, 28 September | IMAGE: SRQ on Facebook
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD): All flights have been canceled through Friday morning, 30 September. The airport will continue to provide updates via its website, flypgd.com.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW): Operations were suspended at 2100 Tuesday evening. RSW will not reopen before Friday. Airport officials will provide updates via its Facebook page.
Key West International Airport (EYW): Airport crews are busy preparing to reopen Thursday at 0730, according to a recent update. EYW experienced flooding as Hurricane Ian continues to move away from the Keys following a glancing blow overnight. The airport will provide updates through its website, eyw.com.
Central Florida
Orlando International Airport (MCO) prepares for Hurricane Ian on 28 September 2022 | IMAGE: Orlando International Airport on Facebook
Orlando International Airport (MCO): All operations were suspended on Wednesday morning at 1030. MCO officials say they expect flights to resume Friday, 30 September, provided it is safe to do so. Officials will provide updates via @mco on Twitter.
Operational Update – Hurricane Ian Our airport has now ceased commercial operations in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Ian. We ask you to please continue to work with your airline directly in regards to your travel plans. Stay safe. Details: https://t.co/pGiaBOseoBpic.twitter.com/czypD4fLDG
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): All operations were suspended at 1700 Tuesday. Airport officials say they will not reopen before will provide updates via @FlySanford on Facebook.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB): Operations were suspended at 1400 Wednesday. MLB officials say they will reopen as quickly as possible once the storm passes and conditions are safe to do so. Officials will provide updates via @FlyMLB on Twitter.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): Operations were suspended at 1235 Wednesday afternoon. All arrivals and departures are canceled for Wednesday and Thursday. Officials will provide updates via @FlyDAB on Twitter.
Elsewhere in Florida
Hurricane Ian’s forecast track as of 1700 ET Wednesday, 28 September | IMAGE: U.S. National Hurricane Center
As of late-afternoon Wednesday, normal operations continue at Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). However, all are experiencing flight delays and cancellations due to the storm.
In Broward County, an apparent tornado overnight caused damage to the North Perry Airport (HWO) near Fort Lauderdale. Footage from the airfield on Wednesday shows planes flipped over and damaged facilities. HWO is Broward County’s general aviation airport.
Most airlines are offering weather waivers for anyone traveling into or out of Florida throughout the next few days.
Some airlines, such as Southwest, are even extending travel waivers through Sunday, 2 October, for cities like Charleston, SC (CHS) and Savannah, GA (SAV) as Ian moves through the southeastern United States.
Airlines and airports across the Sunshine State are instituting operational contingency plans in preparation for Hurricane Ian.
On Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Ian – a category 3 major hurricane – was slowly heading toward Florida after making landfall in western Cuba earlier in the day. Throughout the day, models were trending south and east with the storm, and a direct strike on the Tampa Bay area was not as sure as it was a day ago.
Whether or not Ian makes landfall in the Tampa Bay area or closer to Naples on Florida’s southwest Gulf coast, the impact on commerce and infrastructure will be “devastating to catastrophic,” according to the National Weather Service office in Tampa.
Ian is expected to make landfall between Tampa and Fort Myers sometime Wednesday afternoon or evening.
Hurricane Ian Airport Closures
Tampa International Airport | IMAGE: TPA via Facebook
In advance of the storm, many airports throughout south and central Florida have suspended – or will suspend – operations for the duration of Ian’s rampage. Once it is safe to do so, officials will assess the damage and open airports only when it is safe to do so.
Gulf Coast
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) | IMAGE: SRQ on Facebook
Tampa International Airport (TPA): Suspended operations at 1700 Tuesday. The airport is closed to all passengers and visitors. Some essential employees will remain on-site throughout the storm, according to the airport’s Twitter account @flytpa.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE): Suspended operations at 1300 Tuesday. PIE is in a mandatory evacuation zone and will remain closed until the evacuation order ends. The airport will provide updates via @iflypie on Twitter.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): Operations were suspended as of 1800 Tuesday. The airport will be closed to the public beginning at 2000 Tuesday. The airport will provide updates via @SRQAirport on Twitter.
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD): Airport officials say they plan to remain open “as long as operations are safe.” Aircraft and tower operations will be suspended if sustained winds greater than 45mph are observed. At present, only Allegiant Airlines serves PGD. Allegiant’s last outbound flight departed Tuesday at 1320. The carrier has canceled all flights for Wednesday, 28 September, and Thursday, 29 September. The airport will continue to provide updates via its website, flypgd.com.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW): Operations will be suspended at 2100 Tuesday evening. The airport will also close at that time. Airport officials will provide updates via its Facebook page.
Key West International Airport (EYW): The airport was closed on Tuesday and has not provided an update for operations on Wednesday, 28 September. As of late Tuesday afternoon, EYW is experiencing tropical storm force winds as Ian passes to the west. Once the storm passes, the airport will provide updates through its website, eyw.com.
Central Florida
Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (MCO) sits empty | IMAGE: Orlando International Airport on Facebook
Orlando International Airport (MCO): All operations will cease beginning Wednesday, 28 September, at 1030. Updates will be provided via @mco on Twitter.
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): All operations were suspended at 1700 Tuesday. Additionally, all flights are canceled through at least Friday morning, 30 September. The airport will provide updates via @FlySanford on Facebook.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB): Operations will cease beginning at 1400 on Wednesday, 28 September. MLB officials say they will reopen as quickly as possible once the storm passes and conditions are safe enough. Updates will be provided via @FlyMLB on Twitter.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): As of 1645 on Tuesday, 27 September, normal operations continue at DAB. However, American Airlines preemptively canceled the remaining arrivals on Tuesday evening, all flights on Wednesday, 28 September, and the first outbound departure on Thursday, 29 September. Updates will be provided via @FlyDAB on Twitter.
Elsewhere in Florida
As of Tuesday evening, normal operations continue at Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). However, each airport notes that individual airlines may decide to cancel flights even if the airports remain open.
Most airlines have announced weather waivers for anyone traveling into or out of Florida throughout the next few days.
Some airlines, such as Southwest, have even extended travel waivers through Sunday, 2 October for cities like Charleston, SC (CHS) and Savannah, GA (SAV) as the remnants of Ian move through the southeastern United States.
NASA officials on Tuesday also made the decision to roll back the Artemis-1 moon rocket to the Vehicular Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center ahead of Hurricane Ian.
NASA will roll back Artemis-1 off its launch pad at Kennedy Space Center tonight, to protect the vehicle from Hurricane Ian.
First motion off the launch pad will start around 11:00pm EDT. It will take about 8-10 hours to arrive in the Vehicle Assembly Building a few miles away.
Artemis-1 rolling out from the Vehicle Assembly Building in Aug 2022. Photo: Mike Killian / AmericaSpace.com & AvGeekery.com
NASA was aiming for a launch attempt on Sep 27, after repairing a hydrogen leak that scrubbed the previous launch attempt on Sep 3. The decision to roll the rocket back was not made lightly, and comes after days of monitoring, discussion and preparations just in case.
NASA was hopeful that the hurricane’s track would trend west, away from the Florida peninsula. But that has not happened. The trends have instead been tracking east. The east-side of a hurricane is where a lot of the storm’s energy is, packing squall lines and tornados.
11:00am EDT update on the potential track of hurricane ian, projected to impact florida’s west coast as a major hurricane later this week. image from nhc
Risk is too great to keep craft on the launchpad
Additionally, NASA does not want to risk Ian possibly turning east more than the National Hurricane Center expects. It has happened before. That would bring hurricane force winds across all of Central Florida, including Kennedy.
“The decision allows time for employees to address the needs of their families and protect the integrated rocket and spacecraft system, said NASA in a blog post today. “The time of first motion also is based on the best predicted conditions for rollback to meet weather criteria for the move.”
artemis-1 on the move. photo: Mike Killian / AmericaSpace.com / AvGeekery.com
Next opportunities to launch would be late Oct into Nov.
Millions of people on the west coast of Florida, however, have a lot more to worry about. Ian will bring a major storm surge into Tampa Bay, whether it makes landfall there or not. Storm surge and flooding account for almost 90% of fatalities in a hurricane.
NOAA and USAF Hurricane Hunters are also hard at work, flying into the storm day and night to collect data and measurements that feed the NHC forecasts.
Voluntary evacuations are already underway around Tampa. Mandatory evacuations will soon follow for areas close to water.
All 67 counties in Florida are under a State of Emergency. President Biden has approved Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s request for an emergency declaration too, which authorizes FEMA to support Florida’s response efforts ahead of Ian. 2,500 National Guard members have called up to duty as well.
My name is Bryce and I’m an aviation enthusiast who runs Skylite Productions. Skylite Productions is a commercial aviation based YouTube channel and Instagram account that I started 7 years ago. On the channel, I feature my travels from all over the world, as I seek out and take the most unique and interesting flights I can find.
In the pasty year, I have featured two of the world’s most historic and famous “through flights” on my social media accounts. Those being United Airlines’ Pacific Island Hopper and Alaska Airlines’ Milk Run. Both flights have been in operation for decades and have huge historic significance, and even today in 2022, play a vital role in ensuring the communities they serve have links to the rest of the world.
After taking those flights, my mind started turning. Are there any other unique and interesting through flights out there? Like any dedicated #avgeek, I had to find an answer!
Now, I fly a lot…. In 2022, I’ve flown on 146 flights, over 128,000 miles, on 25 different airlines. But it never fails, in all the flying I do, I fly Southwest Airlines more than anyone else. 41 of my 146 flights this year have been on Southwest. So, when I was thinking about unique through flights, I instantly thought of Southwest.
No one uses the idea of through flights on a larger scale than Southwest. In fact, with the exception of the historic flights listed above, none of the other major US airlines really use the practice at all, except in very unique situations. So, I started researching! Initially I found an article on Southwest’s website from 2015, explaining that Southwest through flights can have up to 8 segments. And from that moment, I knew it was possible to find Southwest flights that rivaled the Island Hopper or Milk Run. The search was on! Initially, it proved quite difficult to locate these “octoflights.” You know, something about normal people not waiting to take a flight from point A to H with 7 stops. However, that was exactly what I wanted to do.
So, after scouring flight schedules on my own and not turning up anything over 4 stops, I reached out to an old Southwest contact for help. I know had multiple sets of eyes trying to locate the longest through flights that were currently offered. Unfortunately, despite several sets of eyes now searching, the longest flights we were able to find currently, were 6 segments long. So, “hexaflights.”
I Found The Ultimate 6-stop Route: Coast To Coast
Southwest Flight 247
We found several flights, but ultimately selected Southwest flight 247 as being the most unique. Flight 247, originating on the East Coast in Providence, Rhode Island, ended 4,361 miles later, on the West Coast in Seattle, Washington. During its marathon, 16-hour journey, it would stop 6 times, visiting 6 states, and 7 Southwest cities. It would accomplish this all while keeping the same flight number and aircraft.
A true transcontinental through flight, which never backtracked on itself. The total routing for the journey was Providence, Chicago, New Orleans, Austin, San Diego, Sacramento, and Seattle. So, with the flight selected and my ticket booked, the date was set. On August 31, 2022, I would attempt to take the entire journey in one swoop. As the date approached, and thanks to my contacts at Southwest, many Southwest employees had heard about my plan. As a result, there was a buzz and excitement surrounding the approaching flight.
Southwest Heard About My Trip and Let Me Select The Plane!
I was then offered the incredible opportunity to hand select the aircraft I wanted to operate the flight. Since the flight was operated by a 737-700, I selected Triple Crown One. Triple Crown One is the aircraft painted in a special livery, dedicated to the employees of Southwest Airlines. From 1992 through 1996, Southwest achieved the unthinkable, and received top marks from consumers in on-time performance, customer satisfaction, and baggage handling. Giving Southwest the “Triple Crown,” 5 years in a row.
Thanks to good weather and Southwest’s awesome aircraft scheduling, Triple Crown One did indeed show up to operate the flight which made this flight even more special! With the flight visiting 7 Southwest cities, and hundreds of Southwest employees having a part in helping the flight along its journey, it only seemed fitting to have those amazing employees be represented on this epic journey.
The front cabin of Southwest’s Triple Crown
Big Day Arrives: Southwest Flight 247
August 31st arrived, Triple Crown One was sitting at the gate, and although I was half asleep thanks to the 4:00am alarm I’d set, I was now ready to attempt the transcontinental through flight! At 5:30am, after a small ceremony at the gate thanks to the awesome Providence ground crew, flight 247 departed on-time and began the first of 6 segments.
Characteristic Southwest Hospitality
Throughout the day, at every stop, I was wished on my way by Southwest employees. All of whom were following along as the day progressed. The support I received from all types of Southwest employees throughout the day, both in person, and via YouTube and Instagram was incredible. It truly showcased the amazing atmosphere Southwest has created throughout their employee group.
Throughout the journey, I was given all kinds of well wishes and Southwest swag, ranging from nice notes, Instagram messages, cards thanking me for my business, more cans of water than I could carry, as many snack bags as I wanted, and I was even offered Starbucks coffee and food by one of the first officers during one of the stops.
The amount of kindness and dedication I saw from the employees of Southwest on this trip, has never been duplicated anywhere else, in all my travels. The day progressed smoothly and at 6:05pm, 15 hours and 35 minutes later, flight 247 arrived in Seattle 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Another testament to the awesome employees of Southwest Airlines. Throughout the day, countless numbers of Southwest employees from gate agents, ground handlers, pilots, flight attendants, dispatchers, crew schedulers, aircraft schedulers, maintenance technicians, and so many others played roles in making sure flight 247 operated safely and on-time.
Although flight 247 was a special flight for me on that day, the flight operated its transcontinental journey every day during that schedule iteration, overwhelmingly operating the entire journey on-time.
Flight 247 Was Repurposed–It’s Now the Shortest Flight On The Schedule
Since September 6th, as flight numbers have been shuffled with the new schedule, fight 247 is now an inter-island flight in Hawaii between Honolulu and Lihue. Kind of fitting that it would go from a 4,300-mile marathon to one of Southwest’s shortest flights.
Check Out My Video Vlogging This Special Day
Flight 247 no longer exists in the form presented here in this article, but since I filmed it in its entirety, it will forever live on in 4K, as one of the most unique through flights to ever exist. If you so choose, you can watch the entire journey from start to finish in the video accompanying this article. Although, I completely understand if you skip around the video considering its 11-hour length. Also, you can be sure, that I’ll be on the lookout for even longer Southwest through flights in the future!
What sounded like a prank on an American Airlines flight this week en route to Dallas was actually a hilarious PA system malfunction.
Throughout the flight, it sounded like someone was pranking everyone. The crew and even Captain were obviously annoyed, and worried by the moans, grunts, and random outbursts over the intercom.
The weirdest flight ever. These sounds started over the intercom before takeoff and continued throughout the flight. They couldn’t stop it, and after landing still had no idea what it was. pic.twitter.com/F8lJlZHJ63
Passengers like twitter user @ActuallyEmerson, however, couldn’t stop laughing. And while it was hilarious to some, it brought about serious security questions, if it actually was a prank and a hack. Watch the video above.
What was it? We Reached Out To The Airline
Except, it turns out it was not a hack at all, but rather a malfunction in the PA system. AvGeekery reached out to AA about the incident.
“It’s a hardwired system, so there’s no hacking,” said AA in response to our inquiry. “The PA systems onboard our aircraft are hardwired and there is no external access. There is no Wi-Fi component to our PA systems.”
Aircraft, Aircrafts, American Airlines, plane, planes, Livery, Exterior
“Following the initial report, our maintenance team thoroughly inspected the aircraft and the PA system,” added AA. “The sounds were caused by a mechanical issue with the PA amplifier, which raises the volume of the PA system when the engines are running. Our team is reviewing the additional reports.”
As for Emerson and the other passengers, there was no IFE on the flight, but he didn’t seem to mind and was throughly amused by malfunction which kept him entertained instead.
Whatever the case, the malfunction of groans, moans, grunts and outbursts have occurred on several AA flights.
AA has not clarified why the malfunction has occurred on several planes in recent months, or how they plan to fix it. But rest assured, if you start hearing random outbursts on the intercom, it isn’t a prank.
The results of J.D. Power’s 2022 North American Airport Satisfaction Study are in. Spoiler Alert: You’re likely to see more smiles in Minneapolis than at Newark.
Airlines and airports struggled to face challenges on multiple fronts this year, which led to a summer of operational disruptions in the industry. And according to the study, air travelers are not nearly as happy as they were in 2021.
In fact, the survey revealed a staggering 25-point drop in the number of happy air travelers compared to just one year ago.
Masks and government mandates aside, pandemic-era flying was – admittedly – less stressful than in normal times. Think about it: empty airports, ample parking, no lines, deals galore…not to mention that your chances of having to sit in a middle seat (or have someone sit next to you) were drastically reduced.
We didn’t know it at the time, but perhaps those were the good old days. That’s not to diminish the gravity of COVID-19’s darkest days. Indeed, there were many unknowns – especially early on in the crisis. But looking back on it now, the pandemic created an unprecedented scenario in which many modern-day stresses of air travel vanished. Not surprisingly, the highest level of satisfaction among air travelers in the survey’s 17-year history was recorded in 2021.
How J.D. Power Conducts the Airport Satisfaction Survey
Now, as the airline industry gains its footing in a post-pandemic world, it is faced with operational challenges, fewer flights, inflation, and crowds. And air travelers are not happy.
The 2022 J.D. Power North American Airport Satisfaction Study, which received more than 26,000 responses between August 2021 and July 2022, captures the state of the industry very accurately.
J.D. Power conducts the study by measuring the satisfaction at North America’s busiest mega airports (>33M pax/year), large airports (10-32.9M pax/year), and medium airports (4.5-9.9M pax/year).
Using a 1,000-point scale, the study measured an average score of 777 for overall air traveler satisfaction at North American airports using the following six factors:
Terminal facilities
Airport arrival and departure
Baggage claim
Security check
Checkin (including baggage check)
Food, beverage, and retail options
So, with all that in mind, what are North America’s most (and least) satisfying airports?
Mega Airports (>33 million pax annually)
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport | IMAGE: MSP Airport via Facebook
Top 5
MSP – Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport: 800 (out of 1000)
SFO – San Francisco International Airport: 796
DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport: 791 JFK – John F. Kennedy International Airport: 791
LAS – Harry Reid International Airport: 790
MCO – Orlando International Airport: 786
Bottom 5
EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport: 719
ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport: 751
LAX – Los Angeles International Airport: 753
BOS – Boston Logan International Airport: 754
YYZ – Toronto Pearson International Airport: 755
Large Airports (10-32.9M pax annually)
Aerial View of Tampa International Airport (TPA) | IMAGE: Tampa International Airport via Facebook
Top 5
TPA – Tampa International Airport: 846
SNA – John Wayne Airport, Orange County: 826
DAL – Dallas Love Field: 825
MSY – Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: 813 RDU – Raleigh-Durham International Airport: 813
SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport: 804
Bottom 5
PHL – Philadelphia International Airport: 729
HNL – Honolulu International Airport: 758
MCI – Kansas City International Airport: 760
LGA – LaGuardia Airport: 761
STL – Saint Louis Lambert International Airport: 765
Medium Airports (4.5-9.9M pax annually)
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) | IMAGE: Indianapolis International Airport via Facebook
Top 5
IND – Indianapolis International Airport: 842
PIT – Pittsburgh International Airport: 839
JAX – Jacksonville International Airport: 826 RSW – Southwest Florida International Airport: 826
MKE – General Mitchell International Airport: 824
ABQ – Albuquerque International Sunport: 819
Bottom 5
BUR – Hollywood Burbank Airport: 763
OGG – Kahului AIrport: 767
CLE – Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: 780
