Aug

24

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Solar plane makes night flights

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_44951868_zephyr_plane_inf466.gifA UK-built solar-powered plane has set an unofficial world endurance record for a flight by an unmanned aircraft. The Zephyr-6, as it is known, stayed aloft for more than three days, running through the night on batteries it had recharged in sunlight.

The flight was a demonstration for the US military, which is looking for new types of technology to support its troops on the ground. Craft like Zephyr might make ideal platforms for reconnaissance. They could also be used to relay battlefield communications.

Chris Kelleher, from UK defence and research firm QinetiQ, said Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer advantages over traditional aircraft and even satellites. “The principal advantage is persistence - that you would be there all the time,” he told BBC News. “A satellite goes over the same part of the Earth twice a day - and one of those is at night - so it’s only really getting a snapshot of activity. Zephyr would be watching all day.” [From BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Solar plane makes night flights]

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Here is a clip from the BBC

Watching the development of unmanned aerial vehicles is fascinating. I can’t think of a more cost effective way of relaying communications or placing earth resources assets in place. The technology is rapidly becoming empowering as the weight/capability equation starts to bring projects into the frame that have sat outside just waiting for the right set of circumstances.

Here is another one I find interesting, it harks across to paramotoring of course but think of the benefits in disaster areas and on the battlefield.


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Aug

10

Paramotors battle the weather Northwards

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The delights of Scotland emerge in a rare break in the weather.

When our Tip to Tip event started we hoped for good weather, what we got was some of the vilest summer weather on record. Takeoff from Land’s End was eventful with a low broken cloudbase and a brisk but steady surface wind. The boys soon vanished into the the middle distance towards Roche (RAF St Mawgan) to start their mission to raise money for the good causes.

The event has turned into a major adventure that will (according to our Director of Photography) turn into a really exciting film for television and DVD distribution. With the at the threshold of success awaiting weather improvements in the foothills of The Trossachs north of Glasgow, our thoughts are with them for the most hazardous final legs towards John O’Groats.

Four pilots remain from an original seven with commitments (weather delays) causing their loss. It does look as though those remaining will be able to see out the final stages provided the Gods that control the clouds, wind and rain smile. My admiration for their skill and fortitude has grown steadily as they continue to mount personal best performances tackling weather near the boundaries of the capacity of their machines and the human constitution.

Further reading:

The Tip to Tip Planning Cell

The Forces Children’s Trust

The Event website

The Flikr Tip to Tip 2008 Photo-stream.

Jun

25

United cuts pilot force

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United Airlines to cut 950 pilots

Wednesday June 25, 2008
united_pilot.jpg United Airlines said it will furlough 950 pilots, about 14% of its flight deck workforce, blaming “high oil prices and a softening US economy.” In a message to workers, UA management explained that its previously announced plan to cut 100 aircraft from its mainline fleet by the end of 2009 (ATWOnline, June 5) led to the decision to eliminate 950 pilot positions, which are in addition to 1,400-1,600 salaried and management positions that it also has said it will cut. “This process is one of the difficult but necessary steps we need to take to size our business appropriately to reflect the current market reality,” UA said. It said discussions are ongoing with the Air Line Pilots Assn. on “ways to reduce the number of involuntary furloughs.” It said the first furlough notices will go out in mid-July to 100 pilots who will stop flying in September.

If ever you needed a graphic illustration of the volatility of the airline business, here it is. Fuel price increases have changed the landscape and are in the process of destroying business models that just a few years ago looked unassailable. Low cost carriers, particularly those who didn’t hedge their fuel have a little horror on their doorstep as they struggle with rising costs and a significant drop in discretionary travel.

United must be hurting badly to respond with such alacrity - nay savagery, they must feel really threatened. After rattling on here about the flowering opportunities for young enthusiastic aviators, it is a little shocking to see the market change so rapidly.

One of the real motivators to reshape these huge businesses is obviously the uncertainty over future oil prices, looming recession and the re-equipment commitments that carriers have made over the last couple of years. Boeing and Airbus must be sharpening their pencils and watching things really carefully.

There is a theoretical fuel price that hangs over the head of every aircraft type, when that $ figure is passes forever, the chainsaws come out. Some are already obsolete at $140/barrel but have nowhere to go, and we have nothing to replace them. Interesting times!

Jun

16

A change of direction.

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tip to tip 2008.jpgYou may have noticed that I have posted very little across the last month if you were a regular visitor. I have been completely engaged in another project that will take six paramotors from Land’s End to John O’Groats (UK) raising money for The Forces Children’s Trust and The Air Ambulance. I am not flying the event myself but am heavily involved in the preparation and planning. The Event is called ‘Tip to Tip 2008′.

corpalancain_450x534.jpgThe charities are central to the effort, a soldier, sailor or airman who loses his life in conflict is still treated shabbily in our country in my opinion as the support available for his dependents falls far short of what you and I might call reasonable. If you have served in the Military of any nation you will know what I mean when I say the, “They call, you go.” You just hope that if your luck runs out that your loved ones will be cared for, or at least able to manage with what provision you can afford to provide and on a private soldiers wage, that is not much. A forlorn hope in some quarters since Nelson made his plea to our Nation and as true today as it was in 1805. Comrades do their best to help but they are generally in the same boat. This knowledge is at the forefront of our ‘Tip to Tip’ effort as most taking part have ‘taken the shilling’ at one stage or another.

Over the next few months the character of this blog is going to change, I am a little weary of commenting on the late of the airline business and fancy a change. Quite which direction I will take I am unsure but I hope to make the content as interesting as I can and test my writing skills as hard as I am able. There will be a gap though until I am able to do this, the event finishes half way through August and I will be heavily engaged until then.

Jun

15

The Shuttleworth Spring Show

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From our Air Display correspondent, Henry.

It was a moderate May afternoon at Old Warden in Bedfordshire. At 2pm the show began with the Comet, Sea Hurricane, Bristol M1cC and Avro 19 all forfeiting the show (technical problems), but got back on track with the ME109 Messerschmitt making a stunning display with low passes, which amazed us all. Then came the Sopwith Pup and Sopwith Triplane.

Giving us WW11 delights, the SE5a was back after a 2 year overhaul looking better than ever. It put on an excellent display. Other aircraft included the Dessoutter, putting on an interesting display. Then the DH51 and the light ANCE, made for the 1924 Air Ministry competition, putting on a slow display.

Next there was the flying circus. This consisted of a Tiger Moth, a Chipmunk, a Miles Hawk trainer and a Magister. They did flower bombing, balloon bursting, limbo and the Chipmunk did the ribbon cut, which is very entertaining, when it had to pick up a ribbon made from polythene. This was followed by the Spitfire 2a which after a short, interesting display departed to Abingdon for another appearance. Later there were some German aircraft, the Jungman, the Styglits and Klem. Unfortunately, the Bestman forfeited the show.

There was a Wacho biplane and Peter Teichman’s P40 Kitty Hawk, then the Lysander, Hind and Gladiator. Followed by the Edwardians, unique to Old Warden, that were able to fly in the mild weather/wind conditions. These were followed up by SG38 Glider.

The ‘Battle of Britain’ fighter and its foe.

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The Dessouter

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I thought this show was good but there have been better e.g. the recommended June1st Military show.

Poems

BBMF


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I was strolling in the countryside,

Then to my ears, arose the sound of seven Merlin, two Griffins and all.

Then to my eyes came a Lancaster, four Spitfires and Hurricane.

The sound was beautiful, the sight stunning.

I was thrilled to see the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.

Henry


The Glider

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I saw a glider in the sky,
twisting through the clouds and looping round the birds,
beautiful in its tranquillity,
beauty in its colour,
what an elegant tranquil sight.

By Henry

May

7

Office Depot Runway Denial Weapon

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May

1

Eos - the sun sets New Dawn.

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Eos Logo-1.pngWell, it didn’t take long for this one to rise and set. Commiserations for those who lost their jobs and have been turfed out into a chillier market.

The Times

Eos, the premium airline that flew between London and New York, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last night, a move that appeared to signal the end of cut-price executive-only flights across the Atlantic. The American carrier’s flights were suspended last night, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at Stan-sted and John F Kennedy airports.
The grounding of Eos follows the collapse of Maxjet last December and the announcement that Silverjet, which operates from Luton, is seeking a bailout from new investors. L’Avion, which flies from Paris to New York, is also thought to be struggling. Last night it emerged that mainstream carrier Continental Airlines had withdrawn from merger talks with United Airlines amid concerns about United’s financial health in the face of high oil prices. Continental is now focused on a possible alliance with British Airways and American Airlines.

Whether this really signals the end of cut price executive travel across the Atlantic is another question altogether. If the business is there, then it is there and as the recession wraps its blanket across the business community they either get out there and pitch or suffocate. Does business travel actually collapse when the climate changes? I suppose it must be savagely curtailed as the deal signing and general activity subsides so yes, the chill wind is going to have its effect.

If there is a slackening of traffic and the market starts to become far more price sensitive, might this signal price wars across the pond as we all scrabble for the remaining business? This is hardly the climate that Eos and the rest could thrive in as the mass travel model relies on the masses queuing up for the piled high tickets. Fly half empty earning breadcrumbs from each ticket and death looms as is well proven.
No, I think those who lend out their hard cash have pulled the rug for good reasons. Will it be he who has the biggest store of nuts, survives the winter. Not a time to go out shopping with big bags nor start up a new carrier - unless of course you are nuts - or have plenty of them buried in the sand.

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May

1

Challenger birdstrike

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It looks as though this happened on or around the 8th April. I have no idea where but the US looks favorite. For those who haven’t had one, birdstrikes go from the benign to the spectacular. This one looks like a seven or eight to me, it will take an age to get rid of the stink. The (considerable) heat from the hot avionics behind the panel will probably ensure this bird honks long after its mortal remains are scraped up and buried. Do the avonics techs ever manage to get everything - something always lingers.

“Speaking of crew meals, who wants the chicken?”

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Apr

30

F-35 JSF STOLV gets a paint job

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New photos (taken this morning, (29 Apr 08) of BF-1 in its new livery.

Looks a bit of a porker in the side views doesn’t it? This agile little creature is booked in to the airfield just across the vale from my home at RNAS Yeovilton as a fitting successor to the Sea Harrier. Yeovilton is the spiritual home of Naval Aviation in the UK with a long and glorious history in the service of the Royal Navy. Helicopters are a fine creation, but as every fixed wing pilot knows, they fly by illusion and are not really proper flying machines.

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Speaking of trees, Coming to TDA soon will be an post covering a little more of the activities of the Sea Harrier, a friend and colleague of mine used to display it for the Royal Navy and had a long and very interesting career in the Fleet Air Arm. I will see if I can entice him to rattle out a few words for us and let us peep into his photo album. I will keep you informed.Last-Sea-Harrier-onboard-Il


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Apr

29

Henry’s Duxford Report

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Duxford - home of the Spitfire!

For the full report, click on the post title above please.

Duxford Imperial War Museum is off of the M11 near Cambridge. It was the first airfield to receive Spitfires and is home to many collections which are based there, with Spitfires galore and private collectors.

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