I bet there are several AN-2s still flying that date back to it's introduction in 1947 among the thousands still flying in Russia and around the world.

(Written on 2021/09/04)(Permalink)

The problem is that once they got out of the defined airspace that put them right at the hairy edge of their ability to glide back. If they had deviated any further they would not have been able to make it. This is why it's a huge deal, it's not just that they didn't follow the flight plan, it's that they compromised safety.

(Written on 2021/09/04)(Permalink)

The FAA can only fine, it is up to the local authorities for other charges.

(Written on 2021/08/27)(Permalink)

This is old news, for various reasons the number of Americans with passports has been going up in recent years. Before the current Covid-caused long renewal waits it was over 48% with some states approaching 70%. Oddly New Jersey seems to have the highest percentage, something that I would not have guessed as they don't border Canada or Mexico. http://chartsbin.com/view/1147

(Written on 2021/08/27)(Permalink)

Maybe they shut down the wrong engine? That has happened before...

(Written on 2021/07/11)(Permalink)

My favorite is the TACA Airlines 110 "ditching" that ended up not landing in the water after all!

(Written on 2021/07/10)(Permalink)

I will have to see if I can find a citation but the scuttlebutt at the time was it was a military aircraft that caused the scrub, not a civilian one.

(Written on 2021/07/02)(Permalink)

Needs to go one step further and prohibit all airlines that serve destinations in Belerus or transit their airspace from entering EU territory.

(Written on 2021/05/29)(Permalink)

I would assume that it would run as a hydrofoil until far enough away from shore before fully powering up into Ekronoplan mode. I can see this idea working between the Hawaiian islands but it would need to be careful to avoid shipping lanes.

(Written on 2021/05/14)(Permalink)

I don't know if the Ekronoplan was a failure as such, it did work but they really had no practical use for it in the Soviet Union. For a country or state mainly made of islands like the Bahamas or Hawaii I think there might be some practical applications.

(Written on 2021/05/14)(Permalink)