This recent article reveals how carefully a new aircraft design is tested - one small step at a time. I'm sure that much of the caution arises from the fact that an electrical fire damaging or destroying the one and only completed (to this point) airframe, would be a disaster of immense proportions to the program and the entire company.
Jun 29, 2008
Jun 28, 2008
I haven't heard of this proposal before. Does anyone know what's behind it? What is it supposed to accomplish? Why would I, as a Canadian Citizen, accept being finger-printed upon DEPARTURE from the USA? But only at airports, not if I drive out? And why at departure? Nothing in such a proposal makes any sense to me -- can anyone explain?
IATA and US Air Transport Assn. strongly objected to a US Dept. of Homeland Security proposed rule that would establish an "exit" program at US airports requiring airlines to fund and manage the collection of fingerprints from non-US citizens departing the country.
Jun 21, 2008
I enjoy the end of a summer's day at a small airport. The day's heat dissipates and the air calms and begins to freshen up as the sun sets lower in the sky. The birds start chirping and there's a lazy sense that all is right with the world.
Local pilots make their way back to the nest and who knows what you might see - like this recently-minted Glassair returning from a test flight. What a beauty.
Jun 5, 2008
So, ever had a check flight that went so wrong?!!
I enjoy Ernest Gann's autobiographical writings, but his novels were a little melodramatic, and the movies made from them are even more so. As much a reflection of the 50's as anything, I guess. But pretty darn funny today: