Hugging my pig got me through this devastating news.

(Written on 2021年 01月 08日)(Permalink)

I commuted every week on the first flight of the day of a PSA Electra in Tahoe service. That early morning first leg was from LAX to OAK. My favorite memory was the engine startup after being parked overnight -- the aircraft interior was lit up with an orange light from the 10 to 20 foot flames shooting out of the turboprop exhaust! It always got a little yelp from the newbies on board.

(Written on 2020年 12月 11日)(Permalink)

Might be the increased risks in lithium battery technology of self-ignition and thermal runaway. Once an aircraft design has incorporated nickel-cadmium NiCd battery technology, it is a major design change to convert to lithium, including going back to the hazard analysis and ensuring that additional risks have been mitigated. Lithium battery technology should only be employed in an aircraft design when its weight-to-energy advantage is essential. And the mechanical packaging, the more complex charging circuitry, and temperature monitoring must all be carefully designed and validated for safety.

(Written on 2020年 11月 06日)(Permalink)

I went to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health website. Found a note about this on-going research, but no report. Has anyone else found the report? I'm VERY suspicious of this "1%" statistic.

(Written on 2020年 10月 02日)(Permalink)

Or, "it's OK to have Anthony Hopkins over for dinner."

(Written on 2020年 09月 25日)(Permalink)

Agreed that "celebrity status" is not a measure of competence. And don't confuse an actor with the characters that he/she has played. They are usually completely unrelated.

(Written on 2020年 09月 25日)(Permalink)

For 8 years we lived in Alameda about a mile north of the Oakland Airport runway. We were treated daily to an endless stream of all types of aircraft climbing out. Plus, there were bonus yearly sightings during Fleet Week of the Blue Angels forming up right off our back yard after dual take-offs, and the occasional Concorde round-the-world charter flight straightening out the droop nose as it howled into the air. Most of my neighbors were noise whiners, but we aviation buffs were in heaven.

(Written on 2020年 09月 11日)(Permalink)

My memories are fading here, but the hotter landings might be related to the issue of a steep nose-up attitude causing the wings to block air to the tail and causing a stall of the high-mounted vertical stabilizer. This caused at least one landing accident early in the 727's service. The fix was to increase landing speed. Does anyone remember this? Can't find a reference to it ...

(Written on 2020年 08月 14日)(Permalink)

Good point, microwalda. This is especially true in safety-critical systems. When a system meets its requirements and is well seasoned, leave it alone.

(Written on 2020年 08月 14日)(Permalink)

Great example of Mr. Huls' point above. My Dad flew Mustangs with Bob in the fifties. Bob was a true pilot's pilot. But even airmen of Bob Hoover's calibre and experience can make a mistake.

(Written on 2020年 07月 24日)(Permalink)