August 2010 Archives

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:

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 

A JetBlue flight attendant seemed to have bit of a meltdown recently. 

After a confrontation with another passenger, Steven Slater pulled the emergency exit chute and slid down it armed with a crate of beer.

He was later arrested at his home facing charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

The incident occurred after flight 1052 from Pittsburgh landed at JFK and was taxied to terminal five. Slater reportedly gave repeated orders to a passenger to sit down as he tried to access the over head luggage storage whilst the plain was in motion.

Slater annoyance then turned to anger as the passenger failed to apologise after hitting him in the head with a piece of baggage.

Slater then reacted to this using the aircrafts intercom system to curse and swear at other passengers.

This was at the point where Slater made his dramatic exit, which would have seemed heroic if the plain had been in an emergency or if he hadn't slid down with beer in tow.  

Slater has been an employee of JetBlue since 2008.  

But what possessed this experienced attendant to have such a foolish outburst?

See a video report of the incident.  

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

On 9 August 65 years ago, at 11:02am, the US forces dropped its second atomic bombs on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

Squadron commander, Major Charles W. Sweeney deployed the nuclear bomb, which Flight wrote in an article published in 1956, instantly killed between 40,000 and 75000 people. Casualties by the end of 1945 had risen to 80,000.

However on 14th August Japan announced publicly its decision to surrender from World War II, this meaning that the bombing of Nagasaki was the last major act of the War.  

A Boeing B-29 Superfortress was used to carry out the bombings. Flight reported that this aircraft had the ability to cover great distances meant that for the first time they were able to go further than the "front line". The propeller-driven aircraft was primarily used by the United States throughout World War II and specialised in high altitude daytime bombing. 

Related archive material

• Published 21 December 1951 - Atomic-powered aircraft
• Content about Hiroshima on Flightglobal and around the wider web
• Content about Nagasaki on Flightglobal and around the wider web

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

Aviation pioneer Samuel Cody died in a crash today in 1913. Flight paid tribute to his greatness by publishing illustrations and "particulars" of the Cody Waterplane.

See how Flight appreciated Cody's efforts in an obituary. "He persevered, always with an abiding faith in himself--a faith which latter days showed to be fully justified--until, at last, success came his way.

"That he should have been thus cut off just when it looked as though he were to reap the full reward of his pluck and perseverance seems doubly hard, but it is often thus, and the only consolation his family and friends have in their loss is that he died as he would have wished--in the very act and fact of working for the furtherance of that great movement he loved."

Flight recorded the event in its 16 August issue suggesting that the "whole world was amazed. Nations which feel no apprehension of being involved in a war for as long ahead as can be estimated have nevertheless been struck with awe at the fearful possibilities laid before humanity by this new and terrible means of destruction".

In an article further on in the issue Flight published a statement by Churchill on the History of the Evolution of the New Bomb

"There was a drill. We have to test our preparedness and response capabilities every now and then." (Source: Reuters)

After the safety drill was announced:

As you'll know Flight wasn't published until 1909, but "well-known" American balloonist Thomas Scott Baldwin demonstrated the first successful US Airship, "California Arrow", at Oakland, California.

Flight noted that in 1902 "Baldwin sought Curtiss' assistance to obtain an engine for an airship he had begun to make. The ship was the Californian Arrow of 1904 which, with its Curtiss engine, was instantly successful."

Airport scanners, which are used for airline security, have been criticised by travellers for being intrusive and making them feel naked and strip searched.

An LA-based company, Flying Pasties, has come up with a solution by providing sticky rubber "pasties" to passengers' private parts to spare their blushes.

The pasties are made from 2mm thick rubber and can be slipped under underwear or attached with an adhesive hook, either inside or outside clothing.

According to Rex Features: "The stickers beam electromagnetic waves on to passengers while they stand in a booth. A virtual three-dimensional image is then created from the reflected energy."

For more information see www.flyingpasties.com including videos and pictures

Picture credit - Rex Features

Singapore Airlines is to introduce a paperless cabin by producing electronic versions of magazines on its KrisWorld inflight entertainment system.

The carrier has three inflight magazines:

1. SilverKris - a travel magazine
2. KrisShop - an inflight sales catalogue
3. KrisWorld - inflight entertainment guide

The airline plans to reduce the amount of paper on board, saving weight, fuel and black ink rubbing off on fingers! Future plans will also include digital menus, international and local magazines, as well as e-newspapers and e-books.

So far SIA has equipped two Boeing 777-300ERs and two Airbus A380s with the latest Panasonic eX2™ inflight entertainment system and will roll the system out to the rest of its fleet.

For more IFE gossip follow RunwayGirl on Twitter and keep up to date with IFE&C developments on her blog