If you have found your way here you probably don't need to be told about how Ryanair and other LCCs have cheap fares but then to make money tack on fees for luggage, in-flight food and drinks, seat assignments, maybe loos, airport check in--like I said, you don't need to be told.

But have you been sung to?

If not, British singing trio Fascinating Aida has your fix in this video below.

Do you fancy in-flight entertainment that's classier than a pillow fight?

Well then how about some Mozart? In the video below the Amsterdam Sinfonietta performs on board a KLM 747 flight to Shanghai, as best I can work out from the Dutch info.

Boeing today confirmed a fresh delay to its 787 programme, citing compounded issues with workmanship problems with the aircraft's Alenia Aeronautica-built horizontal stabilizer and its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. (read full story).

We have put together a timeline of the Dreamliner story using Dipity:
 

Remember to follow FlightBlogger for all the latest developments on this fascinating aircraft programme.

Airbus Military released this image of its first A330 MRTT for the Royal Air Force leaving the hangar at Getafe, Madrid.

Airbus Military explains the significance of this roll-out: "The A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) has completed in-door trials required prior to the aircraft's maiden flight. The aircraft will perform out-door trials, such as fuel trials and once all trials are successfully completed, the aircraft will be handed over to the Flight Test Team for First Flight which is due next month.

"The aircraft has been converted from a basic A330-200 airframe by Airbus Military. Following the flight-test programme it will be delivered late next year to the AirTanker consortium responsible for operating the aircraft on behalf of the Royal Air Force."

On 16 August, Flightglobal blogger FlightBlogger reported that a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 powerplant, which powers the Boeing 787, suffered a failure during a routine test at the company's Derby, UK facility, prompting an investigation into the incident's cause.

Here's what we have on the Trent 1000 when it began to appear on Flight International's news pages back in 2004.

News article Issue 19-25 October 2004: Trent to lead 7E7 after landing ANA - Rolls-Royce's Trent 1000 will be the lead engine on the Boeing 7E7 following its selection by All Nippon Airways (ANA) for the airline's fleet of 50 aircraft on order for entry into service from 2008...

Feature article Issue 6-12 July - Going Green - the 7E7 requirement was met with an engine that is aerodynamically based on the Trent 900. The major difference in the 7E7 design is the "dramatically" higher electrical power needed for the aircraft's pressurisation system, which is now supplied by electrically powered compressors instead of using air...

This is how the Trent 1000 (pictured right) looked in the issue dated 23-29 November 2004:

  

More information on the engines pictured

Have you ever wanted to know how big the Moon would be if positioned over your hometown? Or to plot how much space you would need to launch a Spitfire? Then BBC Dimensions is the website for you.

Built in partnership with design company BERG, Dimensions utilises Google Maps functionality to allow you to get a 'physical appreciation' of historical events and objects by superimposing them on your every day locations.  At the moment, sections include Space, World War 2 and the War on Terror.

Although still a prototype, it is hoped that this service will be opened out to allow interested people to create their own mash-ups of historical events.

Can't say I've seen much humour centred on aeronautical approach plates (at least since the great Portsmouth Airport arrival pattern), so here's a rare bit of navigation-based amusement. Don't say we're not kind to you.

If taking to the skies in the traditional wicker basket wasn't enough for you then the first glass bottomed hot air balloon is sure to make the knees wobble.

The balloon with a transparent floor, made its maiden flight at this years' Bristol International Balloon Festa, Europe's biggest balloon festival. The balloon is designed to carry two passengers and two pilots on glass just two inches thick.

Although the Palletways Dragon Balloon won't make it easy to keep your lunch down, compared to other designs at this year's fiesta, it can be considered "sensible". Among the other 150 balloons joining it in the sky are a motorbike with a helmeted rider, a huge wine box, a Jaguar car and a dog. 

The creator of this stomach-wrenching basket was invented by Christian Brown, who despite many years flying balloons, is the first one to admit this is a "terrifying experience". 

As reported by flight in an article written in 1967, looking back out how the balloon fired its way into the skies. In the 1950s NASA first pioneered the hot air balloon as a way of brining its spacemen back to earth after the ship had burnt out, the burner was radio controlled and a total of three re-entries were made using this technique.

In 1960 an American company, Raven Industries used NASA's balloon to begin production. Soon after a British company emulated the success in America and turned hot air ballooning into a sport.

More recently in 2009 the Ultramagic MV-22 hot air balloon brought performance and racing balloons to a new level as a more streamlined shape allowed it to move quicker. 

 

By Alastair Clark, from Dulwich College, currently on work experience with Flightglobal

A flying veteran, aged 94 has unveiled his latest flying machine according to a report from a UK daily news source.

Ken Wallis who invented and pilot of the autogyro, took off in his miniature helicopter reaching speeds around 80mph.

The autogyro, appeared in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, uses natural air to power the overhead rotor, supplying the lift. The thrust is generated by the engine-powered rear propellers.

This most unusual way of soaring the skies is similar to a helicopter but with only one seat, it is a fraction of the weight and size.

Wallis holds records in the highest flight, travelling the length of Britain and soon plans to reach 140mph breaking his own fastest speed record.

• How Flight has charted Ken Wallis' career  

More on bizarre attempts at flight

Over the years other bizarre and astonishing ways have been used, in an attempt to fly. In September 2008 a Swiss pilot nicknamed "fusion man", scaled the length of the channel attached to a jet powered wing. 

Yves Rossy made the 34.5 km trip in less than ten minutes, averaging speeds of 100mph after jumping from a Pilatus Porter aircraft unfolded his 2.4m wing and engaged its four tiny jet motors. 

In July 2008 the first Martin Jetpack flight was made. The longest flight ever has been five and half minutes, reaching a mere six feet. At the time, estimates were made that within a year, adaptations could be made to allow the jetpack to fly for 30min and at 500ft.

By Alastair Clark, from Dulwich College, who is currently doing work experience with Flightglobal 

Raytheon has successfully held off competitors to secure a deal which will secure it $450m to develop the small diameter bomb, SDB II. The weapon will be put into action by the US Air Force. Raytheon has beaten the Boeing/Lockheed team to the contract despite appearing second to the Boeing team.

SDB or small diameter bomb and the technology it possesses allows the US to strike targets on the move (or stationary) and in bad weather. This complicated technology, which is still being refined, gives the aircraft, in short, high precision accuracy.

Flight reported on SDB technology, which was a new concept, back in 2001 and Boeing/Lockheed competed against Raytheon to begin development of it. Raytheon lost out first time round. See our archive content -

8-14 May 2001: USAF initiates new precision bomb development - THE US Air Force is working on a next-generation precision attack munition called the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). Work will be in three phases starting with.... (continue reading in the Flight archive)

9-15 October 2001: Boeing/Lockheed win small bomb bids - The US Air Force has awarded Boeing Phantom Works and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control multi-million dollar contracts to start development of a SmallDiameter Bomb (SDB). Raytheon has been eliminated. (continue reading in the Flight archives)   

By Alastair Clark from Dulwich College, who is currently on work experience with Flightglobal