Sun.Oct 13, 2024

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Musk’s SpaceX launches Starship test flight, catches booster: video

Aerotime

SpaceX has successfully completed its fifth Starship test flight, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ambitious plan to develop a fully reusable rocket system. On October 13, 2024, SpaceX returned its towering first-stage booster to its launch pad in Texas, utilizing a groundbreaking recovery method that involves large metal arms attached to the launch tower.

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China Airlines Considering Boeing 777X Or A350-1000 Order For US Flights

Simple Flying

A report by Reuters published on Friday indicates that China Airlines is planning to order additional aircraft to facilitate further growth, primarily on key US markets and high-density regional routes. The carrier currently operates to several destinations in the US using its fleet of Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s.

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British Airways scales back Dreamliner flights amid engine parts shortage

Aerotime

British Airways, the United Kingdom’s flag carrier, has made significant adjustments to its flight schedule due to ongoing issues with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The airline has temporarily reduced the number of flights operated by its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, citing a shortage of replacement engine parts. Currently, six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, approximately 15% of British Airways’ Dreamliner fleet, have been grounded, The Sunday Times reported.

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Report Says Mystery Drones Flew Over Sensitive Military Sites

AV Web

A Chinese student at the University of Minnesota has been sentenced to six months in federal prison after authorities found pictures of navy ships under construction on a drone he abandoned near a Norfolk shipyard. But what authorities couldn’t determine is whether Fengyun Shi had anything to do with a spate of drone incursions over hypersensitive military installations in Virginia and Nevada in late 2023.

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Lufthansa CEO raises concerns over escalating airport fees in Germany 

Aerotime

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr has raised concerns about the future of air travel in Germany. According to the head of the country’s flag carrier, escalating airport fees and new government regulations are forcing airlines to cut routes. Spohr believes this concerning trend will harm Germany’s aviation sector, as higher costs are making it harder for airlines to maintain important flight connections.

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USAF In The Lead: The Worlds 5 Largest Tanker Aircraft Fleets

Simple Flying

No air force in the world is remotely close to being able to project power far and wide like the United States Air Force ( except for the US Navy/Marines air forces as they operate the world's greatest fleet of aircraft carriers ). To be able to project air power a meaningful distance from one's own airspace, an air force must have aerial tankers and/or the use of foreign air bases (or aircraft carriers).

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Romania’s TAROM to retire its last active A318 Baby Bus

Aerotime

The Romanian national carrier, TAROM, is set to sell its last active Airbus A318 narrow-body aircraft as part of its ongoing restructuring process, marking a significant transition for the airline. The government-owned airline plans to retire its sole remaining 18-year-old aircraft, registered as YR-ASA, which currently operates primarily on routes between Bucharest (OTP) and London (LHR), as well as Istanbul (IST), by the end of October 2024.

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Delta Plans “Basic” Business Class: Will Premium Unbundling Work?

One Mile at a Time

Over time, we’ve seen the concept of “basic economy” become pretty widespread, whereby the cheapest economy fares include the fewest perks. The purpose of this is twofold — to expand a carrier’s potential customer base, and to get existing customers to “buy up” to a higher fare, in order to avoid punitive restrictions. Internationally, we’ve also seen some airlines introduce basic business class.

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Air New Zealand Fires Employee Due To Multiple Security Breaches At Auckland Airport

Simple Flying

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has reassured Air New Zealand that it acted within its rights by dismissing a former staff member who committed multiple security breaches at Auckland International Airport.

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My Rough Night In A Japanese “Cabin” Hotel

One Mile at a Time

During my review trip to South Korea and Japan , I had a quick overnight at Tokyo Haneda Airport. I arrived at Terminal 1 at around 10PM, and wanted to be at Terminal 3 at around 5AM the following morning. There’s a “proper” mega-airport hotel connected directly to Terminal 3, which is Hotel Villa Fontaine. However, I had reviewed that recently , and it’s also pricey for what you get (especially on such a short overnight), so I decided to mix it up this time.

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Aurora & Boeing's Next X-Plane: A High-Speed Blended-Wing Stealth Transport That Won't Need A Runway

Simple Flying

Airbus, JetZero, and Boeing's Aurora Flight Sciences are three companies working on developing blended wing designs for the next generation of commercial and military tanker/transport fleets. Aurora is designing a demonstrator X-plane using fan-in-wing technology that will provide vertical lift for US airborne logistics without needing a prepared runway ( the project was previously revealed earlier in the year ).

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More Than Just a Pretty Face

AV Web

When people talk about flying, general aviation always comes in third behind military and airline flight. It could be that our brand of flight is so interwoven with the world – that we have become background noise in a world filled with noise. Most reporters from media outlets know that the word “Piper Cub” will identify just about any small aircraft in the news.

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How F-35 Subcontractor Kopin Projects Information To Pilots On Their Helmets

Simple Flying

In an October 10 conversation with Simple Flying, Kopin's CEO Michael Murray shared the future of helmet-mounted displays for the military and possibly commercial use. Kopins Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) are used in the F-35 fighter jet as well as the CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Blackhawk. They will soon be using an Organic Light Emitting Diode on Silicon (OLEDoS) to support the Collins Aerospace F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), a form that projects information in front of a pilot.

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Seat AD Will Interfere With Pilot Naps Say Airlines

AV Web

Three European airlines have protested an AD they say will prevent their pilots from having a decent in-flight nap. On Oct. 8, the FAA issued a final rule for the AD that will require flight deck seats on most Boeing 787s to be modified to limit the amount they can recline. The agency says that in some circumstances, a pilot could be hit in the head with a flight deck door decompression panel if the flight deck suddenly decompresses.

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Boeing 787 Engine Concerns: British Airways Delays London-Kuala Lumpur Flights By 5 Months

Simple Flying

According to the Financial Times and Head for Points , British Airways is revising its Boeing 787 -operated destinations as it grapples with engine woes. As Simple Flying reported earlier this week , the carrier is facing delays in spare parts deliveries for its Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines that power its 787 fleet.

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Poll: Should Military Shoot Down Drones Over Bases

AV Web

Poll: Should the military be able to shoot down drones over bases? Poll: Should the military be able to shoot down drones over bases? Anywhere within two miles As soon as they cross the fence Disable and capture them Only if they pose a threat The post Poll: Should Military Shoot Down Drones Over Bases appeared first on AVweb.

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TAROM Will Retire Its Airbus A318 Fleet By November

Simple Flying

The smallest member of the Airbus A320 family, the A318 ( dubbed the Baby Bus) will be withdrawn from TAROMs fleet completely, leaving just Air France as the only other operator in the world. Romanias flag carrier is based out of Bucharest Airport (OTP) and operates to several short and medium-haul destinations. It is a relatively small carrier. Final destinations for the A318 include Istanbul (IST) and London Heathrow (LHR), according to Aeroroutes.

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European eVTOL leaders and much more (The Allplane Newsletter #168)

All Plane

There are two new episodes of the podcast! And the two of them with two giants of the European eVTOL industry: Daniel Wiegand, co-founder of Lilium , and Michael Cervenka, CTO of Vertical Aerospace , shared details about their respective companies, as both advanced air mobility ventures are approaching the moment of truth in the race against time and cash-burn to get to certification and entry into service!

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Failed Food Inspection In Detroit Causes Airlines To Cease In-Flight Catering

Simple Flying

Flights originating from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) on Saturday were believed to have no catering onboard due to an alleged surprise food inspection. According to passengers, American Airlines , Delta Air Lines , and United Airlines were affected after the inspection failed.

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The 8 Types of Illusions Explained – ICEFLAGS

Pilot Institute

This article could save your life. That’s a bold statement, but it’s true. Flying can mess with your senses in ways you wouldn’t expect. You might feel like you’re climbing or turning even though your instruments say otherwise. These sensory tricks or illusions are no small issue for pilots, and they can be potentially life-threatening. Using the acronym ICEFLAGS, you can remember the eight most common illusions: Inversion, Coriolis, Elevator, False Horizon, Leans, Autokinesis, Graveyard S

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USDOT Inspector Says FAA Weaknesses Limit Its Ability To Resolve Boeing Issues

Simple Flying

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General said the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) weaknesses in the oversight process limit its ability to solve issues with Boeing 737 and 787 production. This news coincides with further challenges at Boeing, including another delay in the 777X program.

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Japan Airlines Cash Upgrades On Domestic Flights: A Great Deal

One Mile at a Time

In a previous installment, I shared my experience flying Japan Airlines’ domestic first class on an Airbus A350-900 , from Sapporo to Tokyo. As I hinted at in the post, Japan Airlines has a pretty lucrative cash upgrade program, whereby you can buy upgrades on the day of departure at a reasonable cost. In this post I wanted to talk a bit more about how this program works, since prior to experiencing it myself, I wasn’t sure about the logistics.

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The 5 Largest Non-Hub US Airports

Simple Flying

Like most major developed commercial aviation markets, the United States airline industry is dominated by a few legacy carriers, each controlling a major market sector.

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Best Of The Web: USAF F-35A Highway Ops

AV Web

NATO forces regularly practice using highways as temporary airfields and two Air Force F-35As joined the effort in Finland in September. Video is by the USA Military Channel. The post Best Of The Web: USAF F-35A Highway Ops appeared first on AVweb.

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United Airlines Reduces Daily London Flights From Los Angeles & Washington Dulles

Simple Flying

Chicago-based United Airlines will be downsizing its seat capacity to London next Spring. The changes affect flights originating from its hubs in Los Angeles and Washington DC.

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Instructing and ‘Studenting’ like a Pro

Plane and Pilot

The instructor-student relationship is one of the most interesting and complex in all of aviation. Although the most recent edition of the FAA’s Aviation Instructor’s Handbook suggests “learner” is a more appropriate term for persons outside of traditional school age learning to fly, for the sake of this article we’ll stick with “student.” The CFI is expected to prepare, demonstrate, supervise, observe, and evaluate the student both on the ground and in the air, eventually setting them free to a

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A Brief History Of The Pilatus PC-12

Simple Flying

The Pilatus PC-12 is a single turboprop-powered aircraft designed and developed by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The high-performance utility aircraft was designed for passenger and cargo transport. While the primary use of the PC-12 is with business customers, numerous government and law enforcement agencies utilize the aircraft. Since 1991, the manufacturer has delivered over 2,000 examples of the PC-12.

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SpaceX Lands Starship Booster, Hits Capsule Target

AV Web

SpaceX succeeded with its most audacious feat to date, using mechanical arms deployed from its Texas launch tower to capture and hold the enormous Starship booster a few minutes after it launched a capsule to space. The 250-foot booster hovered above the Boca Chica launch pad before settling into the waiting arms of the tower in an unprecedented engineering and space exploration feat just about 8:32 a.m.

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Top 5: These Are JetBlue's Most-Served Caribbean Routes This Month

Simple Flying

JetBlue Airways is a major contender in the Caribbean with several thousand flights each month. The airline connects the region from destinations along the East Coast, including its mainstay in New York. With Mint service on some routes, the carrier can set itself apart from other competitors as it is often the only airline to offer lie-flat seats unless another airline utilizes a widebody.

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Instructing and ‘Studenting’ Like a Pro

Plane and Pilot

The instructor-student relationship is one of the most interesting and complex in all of aviation. Although the most recent edition of the FAA’s Aviation Instructor’s Handbook suggests “learner” is a more appropriate term for persons outside of traditional school age learning to fly, for the sake of this article we’ll stick with “student.” The CFI is expected to prepare, demonstrate, supervise, observe, and evaluate the student both on the ground and in the air, eventually setting them free to a

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Spirit Airlines Inaugurates Airbus A320neo Service To Birmingham From Fort Lauderdale

Simple Flying

Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines recently launched flights to Birmingham, Alabama, offering passengers a new option to travel there from Fort Lauderdale. This not only gives travelers a low-cost option to fly on this route, but for many, it will serve as a convenient gateway to other services to the Caribbean and Latin America.

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Bounced Landing Recovery: Explained

Pilot Institute

Everything seems to be going well on approach, and then out of nowhere, you feel the jolt. The wheels touch down too hard, and before you know it, the airplane is bouncing right back into the air. What do you do? Bounced landings are something almost every pilot has experience with. While they can be frustrating, they aren’t the end of the world. The real challenge comes down to how you handle it.

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A Look At Delta360, ConciergeKey and United Global Services

Simple Flying

Officially, the highest tier of elite status within airline loyalty programs in the United States is Delta Diamond Medallion status, which brings access to lounges and complementary premium upgrades that befit the most loyal members of programs like Delta SkyMiles. Nonetheless, a higher, hidden, more secretive tier to the Delta SkyMiles program offers an even more ridiculous slate of benefits, such as first-come, first-served benefits across the Delta network.

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Last Week’s Poll Results: Not Many Maydays

AV Web

Most of us have never issued a Mayday but a significant number have done it more than once. The post Last Week’s Poll Results: Not Many Maydays appeared first on AVweb.

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Seattle Celebrates 100th Anniversary Of The 1st Round the World Flight

Simple Flying

Between September 27 and September 30, various Seattle historical groups and The Museum of Flight held a celebration commemorating 100 years of the first global circumnavigation by aviation. Other circumnavigators were also honored, sharing how, in their small aircraft, they could navigate around the equator or the poles.

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British Airways to axe hundreds of flights over shortage of planes

World Airline News

From the Financial Times: [link]

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United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Becomes World's Most Tracked Aircraft Amid San Francisco Fleet Week

Simple Flying

United Airlines ' Boeing 777-300ER, registered as N2352U, achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the worlds most-tracked aircraft on Friday during the San Francisco Fleet Week.

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