Category: The aircraft we fly

News and views about the aircraft we fly

Tired of your old shoes? Do not throw them away! They may be the new source of jet fuel…

Next time you see a standard 40-feet shipping container have a closer look. It may be that your neighbors are moving… or it may be a modular-enclosed photo-bioreactor nurturing algae from which jet fuel can be made. This technology is truly amazing. The amount of algae you can produce at any one time depends on… Continue reading Tired of your old shoes? Do not throw them away! They may be the new source of jet fuel…

Airbus Wing Cracks, not as Bad is it Seemed… it is Worse

Only a few weeks ago Airbus said that the cracks discovered on the wing-rib feet of some A380s were not a threat to safety and they would be repaired as part of the four-yearly maintenance regime. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) does not agree. Carriers with A380s that have accumulated more than 1,300 takeoffs… Continue reading Airbus Wing Cracks, not as Bad is it Seemed… it is Worse

Airbus, Sharklets and a Lawsuit

Perhaps you too have been wondering when you saw Boeing 737s and 757s sprouting winglets: why was the Airbus 320 family stuck with the old-fashioned wingtip fences? Winglets have been shown to bring substantial (up to 5 %) reduction in fuel burn and the Aviation Partners, Inc. (API) blended winglet design, patented in 1994, have… Continue reading Airbus, Sharklets and a Lawsuit

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) – What are the Implications?

We have all heard in the news how UASs have been used by the military and police forces to catch bad guys. Sometimes referred to as drones, these strange looking aircraft seem to possess superhuman abilities to sniff out targets. So what are they really and what will happen when they start to appear outside… Continue reading Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) – What are the Implications?

The Boeing 787, more than just a new aircraft in the sky

With the long awaited new 787 finally in the hands of launch customer All Nippon Airways, an 89 month run for the manufacturer has come to the end but it does not mean that they are looking to slow down in Chicago and Seattle. Two stretched versions, the 787-9 and the 787-10 are on the… Continue reading The Boeing 787, more than just a new aircraft in the sky

Space taxis? Boeing will build them in Florida

Space Florida is an agency backed by the State of Florida established to advance space related business in the State, now that the retirement of the space shuttle fleet has left many major facilities unused. Boeing Co. has announced that they have reached an agreement with Space Florida to lease the old Orbiter Processing Hangar… Continue reading Space taxis? Boeing will build them in Florida

Heads up – Sub-orbital flights are coming

Curacao, Changi, Spaceport America, Zaragoza, Lelystad… What is common among these airports? Seemingly nothing but do not be misled by appearances. All these airports are getting ready to launch and receive sub-orbital flights in the not too distant future. While our industry is still trying to figure out how to integrate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)… Continue reading Heads up – Sub-orbital flights are coming

737MAX, Boeing’s answer to the A320NEO

There is a real feeding frenzy around the future Airbus 320NEO (New Engine Option) with some 1200 orders and commitments having been booked by the manufacturer, almost double of what they expected. Boeing’s answer is the 737MAX and this old/new aircraft is also selling like hot cakes. So how did we get from the NSA and… Continue reading 737MAX, Boeing’s answer to the A320NEO

May be the Wright brothers were not the first after all…

We all grew up with the certain knowledge that the first powered flight was performed by two bicycle mechanics from Ohio, Wilbur and Orville Wright in the year 1903. This picture of the Wright Flyer, made by the attendant of the lighthouse several miles away who was invited towatch, is something we all know and… Continue reading May be the Wright brothers were not the first after all…