Sat.Nov 02, 2024

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Why The US Navy Cancel The Stealthy A-12 Avenger II Program?

Simple Flying

As sixth-generation fighter jets come closer to development and take fighter jets into a new era of warfighting, the world is reminded of the futuristic fighters that came so close and yet never were. The A-12 Avenger II was to be an all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft and stealth bomber for the Grumman A-6 Intruder for the US Navy. While it faced the typical cost overruns and delays, many felt it was showing promise and was about to go into production.

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The Best Uses Of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points

One Mile at a Time

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is an underrated program that offers all kinds of useful redemption opportunities. In particular, the program has some of my favorite niche, sweet spot award deals in the world. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in 2023 , greatly expanding the opportunities to redeem points through the program. On top of that, Flying Club also has some other individual partners with attractive redemption values.

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How Would A Spirit-Frontier Merger Would Change The US Airline Market?

Simple Flying

Reports over the past two weeks have indicated that American ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines might be in the middle of new talks regarding yet another merger, with its latest failed attempt to join forces with JetBlue still fresh in the market's memory. Just months after the Department of Justice formally struck down JetBlue's nearly $4 billion purchase of Spirit Airline in March, the carrier has reportedly entered talks with rival ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines to begin explori

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New Etihad Abu Dhabi Preclearance Facility For US Flights

One Mile at a Time

In late 2023, we saw the opening of the gorgeous Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International Airport ( now referred to as Zayed International Airport ). Passenger operations have moved to this new terminal, and it’s a massive improvement to the passenger experience, especially with the new Etihad First Lounge and Etihad Business Lounge. However, there was initially one major snag with the new terminal, which involved the US Preclearance situation, which was still based in the old terminal.

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Concorde Vs Boom Overture: 5 Key Points Of Comparison

Simple Flying

Boom hopes to bring its Overture supersonic passenger jet into service in 202926 years after the Concorde retired in 2003. So what has changed? It seems that bigger and faster are not always better, as the Overture is neither of those things. While Overture hopes to be a much more efficient and workable jet built to overcome the factors that limited the Concorde, it will be smaller and slower.

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Weekly Review: November 02, 2024

One Mile at a Time

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! I’m at home spending time with my family, and am looking forward to the extra hour of sleep tonight (or more accurately, getting up even earlier, which on second thought, is the last thing I need). I’m heading to Europe this week, though am still deciding between different flight options, so I’ll report back once I’ve finalized everything.

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Boston Logan International Airport's 6 Runways: Everything You Need To Know

Simple Flying

Boston Logan International Airport , a bustling gateway to New England, is known for its unique location, complex air traffic, and the strategic operation of its six runways. This complexity was highlighted just last week when two separate go-around procedures were executed to prevent potential collision a testament to the airport's robust safety protocols and the critical split-second decisions made by air traffic controllers and pilots.

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Victory Flight: Los Angeles Dodgers Hitch A Ride On A New England Patriots' 32-Year-Old Boeing 767-300ER

Simple Flying

Thursday morning, the Los Angeles Dodgers returned to Los Angeles from New York onboard a Boeing 767 aircraft branded for the New England Patriots, known as AirKraft. The LA Dodgers had been competing against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium and had claimed the series following a nail-biting Game 5 of the fall classic. LA had overcome a 5-0 deficit and eventually finished 7-6 claiming the series.

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Part 61 vs Part 141: What’s the Difference?

Pilot Institute

As a future pilot, you’re bound to come across the “Part 61 vs Part 141” quandary when you start researching pilot schools. Both sound a lot like Area 51, right? While that’d be exciting, those two aren’t highly classified US Air Force facilities. Actually, they designate different types of flight schools. The FAA permits flight schools to operate under either part.

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SkyTeam CEO: Sustainability Sets Us Apart From The Other Alliances

Simple Flying

SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux spoke with Simple Flying Managing Editor Tom Boon during an interview at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam in October. Roux stated that aviation sustainability is what sets SkyTeam apart - particularly through its annual Aviation Challenge.

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Save On All Nippon Airways Flights With Amex Offers (Targeted)

One Mile at a Time

The Amex Offers program has just rolled out a great new targeted offer for the purchase of All Nippon Airways (ANA) flights, which could be worth considering for anyone planning travel to Japan or beyond. Earn 30,000 Amex points on ANA itinerary With a new targeted Amex Offers deal, you can earn 30,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $2,000 or more with All Nippon Airways by December 31, 2024.

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Sydney Airport Simulates Boeing 737 Crash In Training Exercise

Simple Flying

Airlines and airports spend enormous amounts of time planning and training for emergency situations that they hope will never actually occur but for which they must be prepared. In late October, Australia's Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport gathered more than 200 personnel from 11 emergency services to test its emergency response processes.

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American Bolsters London Service

Airline Geeks

Following seven new European route announcements, American is also adding more service to London Heathrow starting next summer.

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Allegiant Air Estimates Hurricane Helene Caused $2 Million In Damages At Its Charlotte Harbor Sunseeker Resort

Simple Flying

Allegiant Air has announced that Hurricane Helene inflicted an estimated $2 million in damage to its Charlotte Harbor Sunseeker Resort, further complicating the airline's financial landscape during a challenging third quarter. The airline on Wednesday reported a $36 million loss on $562 million in revenue for the period, falling short of Wall Street's expectations.

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Day One at Your New Airline: What to Expect

Airline Geeks

Congratulations! You made it. You are hired at an airline and you are now preparing for day one of class. Now what happens?

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Smallest Gulfstream Jet: A Look At The Gulfstream G280

Simple Flying

When it comes to private jets, Gulfstream is a name that stands out, known for producing some of the most luxurious and high-performing business jets in the world. Among its line-up of sophisticated aircraft, the Gulfstream G280 holds a unique position as the smallest jet in Gulfstream's fleet.

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Shackleton Griffon Engines Arrive at the Yorkshire Air Museum

Vintage Aviation News

PRESS RELEASE The first pieces of an enormous aviation jigsaw puzzle have arrived at the Yorkshire Air Museum, in the form of Griffon engines for an iconic submarine-hunting aircraft. Avro Shackleton WR963 is being transferred from its current home at Coventry airport to the museum at Elvington near York, as the Coventry site is due to close. The aircraft doesn’t fly but its engines do run.

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5 Popular Private Jets Utilized By Celebrities

Simple Flying

Imagine a top celebrity traveling from a typical airport terminal to inside a commercial aircraft. It can be a very stressful experience for travelers, especially when traveling with family or friends. Private jets provide flexibility in landing at closer and smaller airports for specific destinations.

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British Airways Award Seat Guarantee: How It Works

One Mile at a Time

British Airways Executive Club can be a controversial program. While there are plenty of great uses of British Airways Avios , the program is also known for its high fees and ever increasing redemption rates on British Airways. In this post I wanted to talk a bit about what I’d consider to be one of the best aspects of being able to redeem Avios for travel on British Airways — the award seat guarantee.

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What Is Unique About Mark Wahlberg's Bombardier Global Express?

Simple Flying

Mark Wahlberg's Bombardier Global Express is more than an ordinary private jet; it's equipped with cutting-edge technology, connectivity, and luxury tailored to the actor's lifestyle. Wahlberg's Global Express combines performance, style, and comfort to create a sophisticated travel experience that aligns with his high-profile and fast-paced life.

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Buy Hawaiian Miles For 1.27 Cents Each (Cheap Alaska Miles)

One Mile at a Time

While I frequently write about opportunities to buy points, I haven’t historically covered promotions from Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles, given the limited value offered by the program. However, with Alaska having acquired Hawaiian and now allowing mileage transfers between programs, here’s a potentially lucrative opportunity. Buy Hawaiian Airlines miles with 100% bonus Through November 15, 2024, HawaiianMiles is offering a 100% bonus when you purchase miles.

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Examined: Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport's Limited Transatlantic Offering In 2024

Simple Flying

Serving the autonomous region of Madeira , Portugal, Cristiano Renaldo International Airport (FNC) is located in the parish of Santa Cruz, just 8.2 miles from the regional capital, Funchal.

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Facing Flying Fears

Plane and Pilot

Every once in a while, some nonflyer will casually say to me, “Ever been afraid while you’re up there flying?” One supposes they are looking for some juicy description of a desperate situation fraught with daunting danger, culminating in a near-escape from certain death. My usual come-back is, “Well, I don’t recall ever being truly afraid, but there were some times when I wished I were somewhere else than where I was.

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History: 5 Defunct US Airlines You've Never Heard Of

Simple Flying

Today, the United States commercial aviation industry looks drastically different than it did 20 years ago, which would be virtually unrecognizable compared to the US aviation industry of the 1980s. Over time, airlines have developed from small, regional market-oriented players into massive global behemoths, each operating hundreds of aircraft today.

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The Pros and Cons of a Cadet Pilot Program

Pilot Institute

For student pilots and private pilots, a cadet pilot program might seem like the ideal route. These programs offer an immersive, structured training path that is often in partnership with the airlines. Cadet programs are tailored to get you from a novice to a licensed pilot with a direct path to employment after graduation. They may seem tempting with their financial perks—but that’s not the full picture.

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American Airlines Adds More Boeing 787-777 Italy Flights For Summer 2025

Simple Flying

With the Northern winter fast approaching, airline planners and marketers have turned their attention to next year's summer season. On Friday, American Airlines joined that line when it announced more flights from the United States to three popular destinations in Italy, starting in May and June 2025.

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Power-off Stall: Recovery Steps Made Easy

Pilot Institute

If you’re coming in for a landing, the last thing you want is to face a power-off stall. A power-off stall can happen when your engine is idle, and the aircraft slows down too much. This can cause you to lose lift. That’s why learning the recovery process is so important, especially if you’re flying at a low altitude. Without a quick reaction, it can lead to a dangerous situation.

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What Are Ground Stops In Aviation?

Simple Flying

Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) such as airport-specific Ground Delay Programs (GDPs) help to balance the demand (of aviation) with its capacity, alongside providing safety, resilience, and effectiveness.

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Breaking: FAA Ends CFI Expirations – How to Prepare

Pilot Institute

Starting December 1st, major changes are coming for Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs). On that date, the FAA officially removes expiration dates from CFI certificates. This update shifts the focus from renewing certificates to meeting “recent experience” requirements. This will make it easier for CFIs like you to keep teaching without unnecessary paperwork.

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What Does Delta's New TPA-AMS Route Tell Us About Network Trends?

Simple Flying

Just over a week ago, Delta Air Lines brought back daily nonstop flights between Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) , an interesting route for several different reasons. For starters, this route does not operate from any of Delta's major US hubs, with facilities like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) seemingly too nearby to justify this nonstop flight.

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Taking Pictures On Airplanes & At Airports: Is It Allowed?

One Mile at a Time

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Iberia's Premium Economy Cabin: Here's What You Get For Your Money

Simple Flying

Europe is home to many iconic carriers that connect their home nations to the world. While some, like British Airways or Lufthansa, frequently make headlines and gain international attention, others offer premium experiences without the fame of their massive counterparts.

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Photographer Takes Breathtaking Images Of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber During Test Flight

The Aviationist

Sightings of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber are becoming more frequent on the U.S. West Coast, as testing of the 6th generation bomber continues. On Oct. 31, 2024, aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton took some stunning shots of a Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider that was involved in a test flight inside the R-2508 Complex, located in […] The post Photographer Takes Breathtaking Images Of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber During Test Flight appeared first on The Aviationist.

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How Do The KC-46, KC-135 & KC-130 Compare?

Simple Flying

Direct air-to-air refueling stands as one of the most influential advances in aerial warfare of all time, as it has drastically changed the range that air forces like the United States Air Force can cover and maintain air superiority over. While flashy fighter jets like the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II have captured headlines because of their innovative nature, large aerial tankers support these fighters, keeping them in the skies for long stretches at a time.

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An In-Depth Look at the NGAD Review Expected to Conclude by the End of 2024

The Aviationist

The U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance program is currently under a comprehensive review to reassess the requirements of the 6th generation manned fighter in face of rising costs and rapid technological evolution. The U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which aims to deliver a 6th-generation fighter to replace the F-22 Raptor, is […] The post An In-Depth Look at the NGAD Review Expected to Conclude by the End of 2024 appeared first on The

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How Exporting US Aircraft To Foreign Countries Helps Finance Next-Gen Jets

Simple Flying

For decades, nations were forced to develop next-generation fighter aircraft entirely independently, as military secrets were considered too important to share with other countries. As a result, the US government was at times hamstrung by the difficulties involved with producing independent fighters without financial support from allies throughout the development process, which limited the economic risks manufacturers were going to take.

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Top 5 US Naval Air Bases For Aviator Training

Simple Flying

US Navy aviation relies heavily on a structured and rigorous training regimen that prepares pilots for the unique demands of military operations. There are five key bases that play critical roles in this training pipeline: Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, NAS Meridian, NAS Corpus Christi, and NAS Fallon. Each facility contributes specialized training to develop competent and confident aviators, ensuring mission readiness and operational effectiveness to keep the US Navy's Ca

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