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 5
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
Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus is looking to add Cleveland, Ohio, to its transatlantic route map, cleveland.com reported Thursday.
The carrier is reportedly considering four weekly nonstop flights between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Dublin Airport (DUB) next May. If it happens, the flights will mark the first European service from Cleveland since Icelandic competitors Icelandair and WOW Air terminated flights to Reykjavik in 2018.
Before that, CLE had not had nonstop service to Europe since Continental Airlines ended London (Gatwick) flights in 2009. Continental also offered nonstop flights between Cleveland and Parish in 2008, but that service only lasted a few months. In the 1980s, Yugoslavian carrier Jat Airways flew to Cleveland as a stopover on its DC-10 flight between Belgrade, Slovenia (BEG), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD).
Lured by Financial Incentives
Aerial view of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) | IMAGE: Facebook
Financial incentives from Cleveland City Council, local businesses, and other economic development groups in northeast Ohio have allegedly provided enough support for Aer Lingus officials to give Cleveland service the green light. According to cleveland.com, the financial incentive will likely be between $2-2.5 million.
It is not uncommon for cities to lure airlines using financial incentives to subsidize – or guarantee – a return on investment for the airline. British Airways (BA) returned to nearby Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) – 125 miles southeast of Hopkins – in 2019 after a nearly 20-year absence. The service was made possible – at least initially – because of subsidies from the Pittsburgh business community.
BA suspended PIT service at the onset of the pandemic in 2020 but returned earlier this year with four weekly flights on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Federal law prohibits airports themselves from providing financial incentives to lure carriers.
This is not the first time Aer Lingus has considered Cleveland service. The carrier had been eyeing CLE service in 2019 but ultimately decided against it after lackluster financial support.
North American Service
Aer Lingus Airbus A330 | IMAGE: Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus currently flies to 12 North American destinations, including 11 in the United States and one in Canada.
BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
MCO – Orlando International Airport
SEA – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
SFO – San Francisco International Airport
LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport
MIA – Miami International Airport
YYZ – Toronto Pearson International Airport (Canada)
Flights to North America originate from Dublin (DUB), Shannon (SNN), or Manchester, UK (MAN).
There is no word on what equipment Aer Lingus could deploy on the DUB-CLE route. However, it’s difficult to imagine that the carrier could justify using anything larger than the Airbus A321neo or the A321LR.
The carrier is planning to formally announce the new Cleveland service sometime next week.
Boeing and Red 6 are joining forces to integrate Augmented Reality (AR) training systems on Boeing’s T-7 and F-15EX jets.
Red 6 has been developing their Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) and Augmented Reality Command and Analytic Data Environment (ARCADE) for some time now. The innovative tech allows combat pilots to see and interact with simulated aircraft, targets, and threats on the ground or in the air – WHILE flying and training in their actual aircraft.
https://youtu.be/6XxBXDFz1yk
It’s like a video game in the sky, but in a real environment, in the real world. A pilot can takeoff, look out the canopy and see other aircraft in wide-field of view, in full color and high resolution. The pilot can maneuver against them and they against the pilot.
It’s a highly accurate, high-fidelity simulation that allows pilots and ground operators to see synthetic threats in real-time, outdoors, and in high-speed environments, blending AR and artificial intelligence.
LIFT AVIATION’S NEXT GEN HELMET WITH RED 6’S AR TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM INTEGRATED INTO THE VISOR. PHOTO COURTESY, RED 6
According to Red 6, ATARS “enables a multitude of tactical training scenarios delivered through augmented reality. These include air combat maneuvers, refueling, tactical formation and surface-to-air weapon engagements. ARCADE increases the efficiency of mission planning, briefing, and debriefing through real-time 3D visualizations to construct and re-construct sorties.”
“Red 6’s Augmented Reality system with the pathfinding T-7 and the F-15EX represents another transformational leap in capability” said Dan Gillian, VP and General Manager of U.S. Government Services for Boeing Global Services. “This agreement is the latest example of Boeing’s commitment to investing in technology and our drive to lead innovation in the aerospace and defense sectors.”
Still in its testing colors, the F-15EX Eagle II takes its first flight / February 2021 (photo: boeing)
For decades, training combat pilots to fly, fight and win has been done with ground simulators and in the air flying (think of the movie Top Gun). But such flying is very expensive, and training against 20+ year old privately owned Red Air jets just doesn’t replicate modern day threats like China’s J-20 or Russia’s Su-57.
USAF leadership knows it too, as does Lockheed’s Skunk Works. Both have supported Red 6’s AR development with millions of dollars. Last year, the USAF signed a $70 million contract to install ATARS in a T-38 Talon trainer within the next year. They want to validate that it’s safe, and evaluate it in their own scenarios.
Boeing, Red 6 to Add Augmented Reality Training on T-7, F-15EX 42
“For us to train against those threats, we need to be able to simulate them, and we just can’t do it. If we’re not scared of that, we should be,” says Red 6 CEO Daniel Robinson.
He knows a thing or three about the subject, being a former RAF Tornado pilot and the first foreign national ever to fly the F-22. He’s also a graduate of the UK Fighter Weapons School (their version of Top Gun).
RED 6 CEO DAN ROBINSON FLYING IN ONE OF THE COMPANY’S BERKUTS, THEIR PLATFORM OF CHOICE TO DEVELOP AUGMENTED REALITY FLIGHT TRAINING FOR THE USAF. PHOTO COURTESY RED 6
“Everyone realizes the limitations to providing Red Air, there’s a chronic under-supply. Even with all the private contractors and billions of dollars allocated to it, there’s still a 75% demand gap,” says Robinson. “USAF is 2,000 pilots short, and spending over $1 billion per year for adversary air that can’t simulate modern near peer adversaries.”
RED 6 is developing ATARS with two experimental piston-powered Berkuts. Four different modules are integrated into the planes. One tracks the aircraft, while another tracks the head. Another creates the wide-view AR which draws the image for the pilot of whatever scenario is being flown. Another is the main brain of everything.
red 6 ceo dan robinson flying one of the company’s berkuts, used to develop their atars augmented reality pilot training tech (photo: Mike Killian)
Earlier this year, RED 6 successfully flew the first multi-aircraft training flight against multiple AR assets. Never before had someone connected multiple live aircraft into one common AR environment, outdoors, in the sky.
“Readiness and lethality are critical if our warfighters are to prevail against peer adversaries,” says Robinson. “Boeing’s next-generation platforms will be the first aircraft in the world that are capable of entering our AR training environment. Together, we will deliver a paradigm shift in the quality, quantity, and cost of training future pilots.”
A United Airlines flight landed safely last night in Newark, NJ, after a mechanical failure on takeoff caused sparks to fly off the plane. The event was even captured on video by a photographer on the ground.
The company says initial inspections of Flight 149, a Boeing 777-200 (N787UA), suggest a hydraulic pump failure is to blame.
The video clearly shows the sparks and debris coming from the plane’s landing gear compartment.
The aircraft went into a holding patterns 24,000 ft over the Atlantic and burned off fuel for about 90 minutes. It then returned to land without incident.
Flightradar24 screenshot tracking UA149 on Wed Night
The 256 passengers were put on another plane and departed for Sao Paulo, Brazil this morning.
