The space shuttle system was an innovative solution for sending humans into space. The whole program, from inception to this day, has a varied history, one that can serve up several lessons in what happens when government bureaucracy and brilliant engineering come together to create something that had never been tried before. Challenger, at the… Continue reading 28 January 1986 – Space Shuttle Challenger explodes
Category: Anniversaries
Short notes, personal memories connected to anniversaries
Happy New Year!
We wish all our readers a happy and prosperous New Year!
Merry Christmas!
We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas!
Anniversary – TWA midair collision over New York 50 years ago
16 December 1960 started like any other December day in New York City. It was foggy and the holiday preparations were in full swing. As the Friday early morning commute went into overdrive, few people suspected that the deadliest air disaster in US history to that date was about to happen right over their heads,… Continue reading Anniversary – TWA midair collision over New York 50 years ago
17 December 2010 – 75th anniversary of the first flight of the DC-3
Our industry has a number of icons, aircraft that have turned out so good and have made such an impact that they leave their imprint on the skies forever. The DC-3 is certainly such an aircraft and it has not lost its aura of excellence since its first flight on 17 December 1935. As she… Continue reading 17 December 2010 – 75th anniversary of the first flight of the DC-3
20 October – ATCO day
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) was founded on 20 October 1961 by 12 European national ATC associations. On its 20th anniversary on 20 October 1981 IFATCA decided to name the day “the day of the controller” and ever since member associations have celebrated 20 October as the International Day of the… Continue reading 20 October – ATCO day
Roger-Wilco – One year down the road
Back in spring 2009 I knew that a lot of us had a lot to say about air traffic management, its future, present and past. What I was not quite sure of was where to say it. Speakers’ Corner in London was not an option and I suspected the official sites of the big ATM… Continue reading Roger-Wilco – One year down the road
Anniversary – World AIS Day
15 May 2010 World AIS Day The Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) for Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) were adopted by the ICAO Council 57 years ago tomorrow, 15 May 2010. These SARPS are in Annex 15 to the Chicago Convention and 15 May is celebrated by the AIS community as “World AIS Day”. The aeronautical information… Continue reading Anniversary – World AIS Day
Anniversary – Airbus A380 first flight
5 year anniversary on 27 April 2005 After many decades of being the biggest passenger aircraft on the planet, the 747 had to cede its unique position to the Airbus A380 who took to the air for the first time at 10:28:23 on 27 April 2005 from Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Airbus’ home base. Development of… Continue reading Anniversary – Airbus A380 first flight
Anniversary – First US flight school, established by the Wright brothers, opens
100 year anniversary on 15 February 2010 Seven years after their historic first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, Wilbur Wright was scouting locations suitable for a flight school. The idea was to train a number of pilots who could in turn teach flying to the wealthy individuals who were expected to buy the airplanes… Continue reading Anniversary – First US flight school, established by the Wright brothers, opens