As an 11 year old, my first memory of the first Eastern 727 flights out of KLGA was to look up for a rocket. I grew up to the steady drone of Connies. I had no idea a few years later I’d find myself on rwy 31 making a film of my nrw fav, the 727. Search YT for LaGuardia 1968.

(Written on 2019/01/19)(Permalink)

Maybe runways at risk need naval carrier style video that feeds to the tower and also back it up with software that quickly flags aircraft going out of bounds. Heck, you can even feed it live to flightaware. If enough people flag it the tower gets an alert. I'd say it's not hard to do internet stuff and keep an eye on a live video box floating on the side. Again, on-screen active graphics tells you what to look for.

(Written on 2017/07/22)(Permalink)

I heard Anderson Cooper ask an aviation expert if airport ground crew remove rain the same way they remove snow since he knows they use big plows for snow. Um, no Anderson,they use big mops.

(Written on 2016/10/27)(Permalink)

The fact is police are well aware of local approach patterns. They readily see what's happening pattern-wise and can talk directly to approaching pilots and ATC if they need to get in close under an approach path. The news copters on the other hand need to fly higher than police and often need to be stationary while filming. That would be problematic on an active approach path. There really isn't much airspace in a city that's routinely difficult for police to get to. And there's really little or nothing that's totally off limits to police.

(Written on 2016/04/05)(Permalink)

What to keep someone from opening an over-wing exit before cabin pressurization kicks in at around 7,000 feet?

(Written on 2016/03/14)(Permalink)

What is the added system weight? The airplane has to burn fuel to keep it airborne between stations. I get the goal of not having to run the big engines to taxi. But to me adding weight to the airplane rings a dull bell. How about considering a new generation of lighter and more efficient APU to provide power to a similarly efficient electric drive. I thinking a lower weight penalty system has to be better.

(Written on 2016/02/05)(Permalink)

I had a chance to examine an A-10 up hands-on at an airshow. Standing directly in front of the gun was incredible, especially when I noticed the front wheel gear is off to the side like an after thought.

(Written on 2015/11/14)(Permalink)

Question: If you disconnect the battery on this bird will anything electronic need to be reset, updated etc? I know the important stuff is in nonvolatile memory.

(Written on 2015/07/04)(Permalink)

The funny thing was MSNBC host Alex Waggoner saying she will never book a flight on this airplane. She and other show panelists actually said they don't want to endure this sort of behavior exhibited by 787-9 pilots.

(Written on 2015/06/14)(Permalink)

I sleep fine at home but never could as a pax. I guess some people have an on/off sleep switch.

(Written on 2015/04/18)(Permalink)