Sun.Dec 08, 2024

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Sofia Airport unveils major expansion plan, new terminal aims to double capacity

Aerotime

Sofia International Airport (SOF), Bulgarias main air gateway, is gearing up for a major expansion that will see it double its capacity, explained to AeroTime the airports CEO, Jess Caballero Pinto. The airport executive shared the airports ambitious plans with the media during Aviation-Event SOF , an aviation conference which took place in the Bulgarian capital on November 29, 2024, gathering senior industry professionals, decision makers and media representatives from across Europe.

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Guide To American Airlines Inflight Wi-Fi: Pricing, Speeds, Availability

One Mile at a Time

As someone who flies American Airlines more than any other airline, I figured it would be useful to write a guide about the carriers inflight Wi-Fi offering. Inflight connectivity has come a long way over the years, allowing travelers to stay connected above the clouds. The bad news is that American has no plans to offer free Wi-Fi to passengers on a widespread basis.

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Boeing Quality Investigator Claims Faulty Parts Have Been Used "Repeatedly" To Produce Planes Faster

Simple Flying

More revelations from current and former Boeing employees have surfaced after a recent report by CBS 60 Minutes once again brought attention back to the US plane makers troubled production processes. The Boeing workers told the media outlet that Boeing used faulty or nonconforming parts to keep the assembly line moving and meet delivery targets.

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Review: Alaska First Class Boeing 737 MAX (FLL-SEA)

One Mile at a Time

For the first segment of my quick trip to Japan & Korea , I flew Alaskas Boeing 737 MAX 9 first class on the 5hr50min midday flight from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Seattle (SEA). While I had reviewed Alaskas Boeing 737-900ER first class before, this was my first time flying on one of the carriers MAX aircraft. While of course not as good as a flat bed product ( like JetBlue Mint ), I otherwise consider Alaska first class to be as good as it gets in the United States when it comes to standard f

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Reagan National Airport Likely To Set New Record Of Firearms Caught At Security Checkpoints This Year

Simple Flying

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has warned that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is on track to break the record number of firearms captured at security checkpoints. As a result, the federal watchdog has reminded travelers in the area about the negative effects of accidentally leaving your weapon in your carry-on bag.

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FAA Tweaks Instructor Rules, Eliminates LODA Requirements

AV Web

The FAA has enacted a final rule that, among dozens of other fine print details, allows certain types of pilot training, testing and checking in experimental aircraft without the need for a letter of deviation authority (LODA). The rule fixes a situation which resulted from a court decision five years ago concerning for-hire sightseeing rides in warbirds that were being touted as instructional.

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Qantas Santa's A321 Freighter Helps Shift 50,000 Tonnes This Festive Season

Simple Flying

As most of us know, the next few weeks are busy for anyone delivering gifts, especially when you are the main man making the deliveries. To help out, Qantas has unveiled its 'Santa's Freight' aircraft today, which will be a key part of its work to deliver more than 50,000 tonnes of international and domestic freight this festive season.

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What Happened To Delta Air Lines' Boeing 717 West Coast Operations?

Simple Flying

Delta Air Lines took delivery of its first Boeing 717s in 2013, acquiring the aircraft from Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways. Since then, the carrier has grown to become the world's largest operator of the aircraft.

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Flying With Hal

AV Web

The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man. The marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation defines a robot as “Your Plastic Pal Who’s Fun to Be With. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy defines the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetic Corporation as “a bunch of mindless jerks who’ll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes, Douglas Adams, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Gal

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Why Do The Patriots Fly Out Of TF Green Instead Of Boston Logan?

Simple Flying

When arriving at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Providence late in the evening, one is often greeted by a surprise on the runway. At this small airport that is served exclusively by narrowbody aircraft (and most of these are small regional jets), one will often see a pair of massive Boeing 767-300 aircraft sitting on the runway.

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Best Of The Web: RC Flying As A Pathway To Aviation

AV Web

Plenty of pilots got their first taste of aviation flying RC models and Clarence Ragland says there would be even more RC pilots if those teaching them to fly followed his method. Here’s what he’s learned in 50 years of teaching RC aviation. The post Best Of The Web: RC Flying As A Pathway To Aviation appeared first on AVweb.

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Six Air New Zealand Airbus A320s Diverted Today Due To Severe Winds

Simple Flying

Today, wild winds with gusts in excess of 90 miles per hour played havoc with domestic flights in the southern parts of New Zealand. Six Air New Zealand flights left Auckland but were unable to land at Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown airports, with all being diverted back to Auckland.

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‘Free Citizen’ Alaskan Pilot Convicted Of Flying Without Certificate

AV Web

A well-known former Alaska air charter operator has been found guilty of two federal charges following what has been termed a near collision in 2023. According to the Anchorage Daily News , William Marsan, 57, of Palmer, a self described “free citizen” was convicted of flying without a certificate and operating an unregistered aircraft by a jury.

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The 4 Most Popular Boeing Business Jets

Simple Flying

Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) are private versions of the Boeing commercial jetliners that serve the private, corporate, and head-of-state jet market. Boeing rolled out its first BBJ, based on the 737-700, in July 1998. Since then, the manufacturer has offered various narrow and widebody BBJ models. This article explores the most popular types of Boeing BBJs.

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Harlow PJC-2

Plane and Pilot

What do you get when you take a gifted aeronautical engineering professor, a group of eager junior college students, and mix in a Howard Hughes connection? The result is a streamlined and efficient retractable gear monoplane, the Harlow PJC. The equal of anything in the air before World War II. This story begins in the late 1930s in Southern California.

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5 Features That Make The F-18 Such A Formidable Fighter Jet

Simple Flying

The US Navy's F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet are variants of an iconic multirole fighter jet that has become emblematic of US naval air power. The F/A-18E and F Super Hornet is the latest and greatest in the family. The aircraft has grown in power and size, and earned a new nickname, the "Rhino." Hornet squadrons form the bulk of the squadrons in Carrier Air Wings that embark on American aircraft carriers.

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Bell 206

Vintage Aviation News

On this day in aviation history, December 8, 1962, a new type of helicopter, the Bell OH-4A, took to the air for the first time. An entry into an Army competition, the OH-4A would become the basis for one of the most widely used and produced light helicopter designs of all time, the Bell 206. During the mid-1950s, the US Army started the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program to develop a replacement for the aging Bell OH-13 Sioux, the military version of the Bell Model 47, which was used fo

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Flight Review: China Airlines Airbus A350 Sets New Trans-Tasman Standard

Simple Flying

It does not seem all that long ago that Qantas and Air New Zealand had the market between Australia and New Zealand all tied up. The trans-Tasman route delivers each country's largest inbound flow of travelers, making it an important part of their networks, particularly given the large amount of family, business and educational travel between Australia and New Zealand.

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How Hard is the FAA Written Test? A Guide for Aspiring Pilots

Northstar VFR

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Blossoming Budget Carrier: 5 Fascinating Facts About Air Arabia

Simple Flying

Commercial aviation in the Middle East has long been dominated by the Big 3 Gulf Carriers: Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad. But this is changing, and in recent times, low-cost carriers (LCCs) have been gaining market share across the region. OAG reports that LCCs now have a 29% share of all airline traffic in the Middle East, accounting for a quarter of all flights at even the largest legacy hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

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The Pennington P-51 ‘Lucy Gal’ Tuskegee Flight Memorial (Part 4)

Vintage Aviation News

An effort to honor a local MIA Red Tail takes-off, again ( …continued from Part Three ) As many legendary combat pilots have once said “ So there I was.” Although certainly less urgent than fighting for my life in the skies, I was now sitting at my desk assessing my plan of attack on a binder full of materials that I had amassed on Leland Pennnington, since beginning the project.

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Exclusive: Denver & Nashville “Definitely” Next In Southwest-Icelandair Partnership

Simple Flying

Icelandair became Southwest Airlines first interline partner when the two carriers announced their agreement in September this year. This was a ground-breaking development as it marked a shift in the Southwest Airlines strategy, away from its traditional model and towards something new that reinforces its service offering and ultimately its financial situation.

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Last Week’s Poll Results: Equally Rusty Pilots

AV Web

Respondents say they need to work on all aspects of flying. The post Last Week’s Poll Results: Equally Rusty Pilots appeared first on AVweb.

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New Airports & Expansions in Southeast Asia

Simple Flying

Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. In its 2024 Commercial Market Outlook , Boeing predicts that air traffic in Southeast Asia will more than triple over the next 20 years, growing at an annual rate of 7.2%, well above the global average of 4.7%.

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Poll: Is Boeing Getting Better?

AV Web

Poll: Is Boeing Getting Better? Poll: Is Boeing Getting Better? Yes, it's learned its lesson Maybe a little but not there yet It's about the same It's gotten worse The post Poll: Is Boeing Getting Better? appeared first on AVweb.

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San Antonio International Airport Set To Begin Construction On $1.4 Billion Terminal

Simple Flying

The state of Texas is essential for US aviation. Many of its cities are home to hubs or companies that play a vital role in the United States aviation industry. For example, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the second-busiest airport in the country, and the city is also home to two of the largest airlines in the world American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

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1875: An Aviation Pioneer Begins His Life’s Journey in St. Louis

Fly'n Things

December 6, 1875 Albert Bond Lambert was born in St. Louis, Missouri.He led an eventful life in several decidedly different capacities, which 1875: An Aviation Pioneer Begins His Lifes Journey in St.

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Top 5: United Airlines Busiest International Routes From San Francisco This Month

Simple Flying

United Airlines was formed following the merger of four airlines in 1931. More than 90 years later, the airline has grown to be one of the biggest in the world and has the largest transatlantic and transpacific networks of any carrier. With hundreds of aircraft on order, United is modernizing its fleet and planning significant expansion.

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U.S. Air Force Might Need To Reassess Bomber Force Size

The Aviationist

While the service is gearing up to introduce the new B-21 and retire the B-1B and B-2A, the demand for the bombers is increasing with the mutated geopolitical situation. In an interview to the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, the head of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), Gen. Thomas Bussiere, said the bomber fleets […] The post U.S.

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The Debate Over A-10 Warthog & Apache Obsolescence In One Word

Simple Flying

Are the A-10 Warthog Thunderbolt II ground attack fighter jet and AH-64 Apache attack helicopter obsolete? The answer can be summed up in one (unsatisfactory) word: depends (or rather, it depends on the mission set). The nature of the modern battlefield is that it changes.Often, not only do tactics change, but so too does the role of some of the equipment.

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KC-135 Crews Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for Supporting F-15Es During Iranian Attack on Israel

The Aviationist

The KC-135 Stratotankers of the 134th Air Refueling Wing supported the F-15E Strike Eagles that helped defend Israel last April. On Dec. 7, 2024, at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, 11 members of the 134th Air Refueling Wing received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for their bravery during the aerial refueling missions aboard […] The post KC-135 Crews Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for Supporting F-15Es During Iranian Attack on Israel appeared first on The Aviation

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Inside The F-16 Cockpit's Golden Bubble Canopy

Simple Flying

The F-16 Fighter pilot's view is one of the best among other fighter jets. The unique reclined seat offers better G-force tolerance and comfort, enhancing the unrestricted view and the fighter's overall performance. The cockpit also features a high pilot position with a reclined seat that is 30 angle, accommodating taller pilots.

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Gogo completes Satcom Direct acquisition to serve all business aviation segments

Aerotime

Inflight connectivity provider Gogo has completed its acquisition of Satcom Direct, which provides satellite-based inflight connectivity to over 1,000 customers in the executive aviation and military markets. The deal, which was announced in September 2024, creates the only group able to provide multi-orbit, multi-band, in-flight connectivity to all market segments in executive aviation, according to the acquirer.

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CLEAR Expands To Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Airport’s International Terminal

Simple Flying

With continued advances in recognition and safety technology continuing to enter the market, CLEAR , a company focused on providing a swift and easy security experience by harnessing the capabilities of next-generation technology, is making moves to continue growing its presence across the United States. By whisking passengers through security checkpoints and into the gate area, passengers spend less time waiting around and more time in areas where they can eat, rest, and recharge before their f

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Garuda Indonesia plans to increase fleet by 15 to 20 aircraft in 2025

Aerotime

Garuda Indonesia, the largest carrier in the southeast Asian island country, has announced its intention to increase its fleet by 15 to 20 aircraft in 2025. The airlines new CEO, Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan, whos tenure at the helm of the airline started in November 2024, announced these plans during a press conference on December 6, 2024. Garudas top executive also indicated that the carrier expects to receive two aircraft before the end of 2024 and another two in January 2025.

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How Did Kit Aircraft Help To Revive The General Aviation Industry In The 1990s?

Simple Flying

In the 1980s and 1990s, the production of general aviation aircraft in the United States dropped sharply and manufacturers reduced the output of aircraft. There were a number of reasons why this happened and kit aircraft became more popular. Let's look at the issue in more detail.

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Pilot Errors, Not Turbulence, Caused Fatal Upset

AV Web

In a final report that seems scripted to prove the old adage about aircraft accidents resulting from a series of seemingly minor mishaps, the NTSB has determined that pilot actions, not turbulence and later a trim issue, as was widely reported at the time, caused an upset that led to the death of a passenger on a Challenger 300 in 2023. The board said the chain of events began with a forgotten pitot cover and progressed through a cascade of errors and missteps that ended with a 4g upset and loss