South Carolina’s First 787 Destined for India

The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to come out of the Chicago-based airplane manufacturer’s South Carolina plant was celebrated recently at a function in North Charleston. The aircraft will undergo a string of systems checks and engine runs before taking to the air locally, in preparation for its flight across the Atlantic Ocean to India’s Mumbai International Airport and delivery to Air India.

Flight of the Future at Five Times the Speed of Sound

A recent report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in Britain proposes that by the year 2075 commercial aircraft, called “Scramjets”, will be capable of completing a New York to London flight in less than an hour by flying at five times the speed of sound (4,000mph).

Aviation History: Alcock and Brown

Aviation history was made in the year 1919 by two brave pilots named John Alcock and Arthur Witten Brown. Their achievement of performing the very first transatlantic flight, non-stop, earned them the recognition of being knighted by King George V at Windsor Castle, and the Daily Mail Prize was awarded to them by Winston Churchill. A challenge had been posted by the Daily Mail in 1913 and renewed again later in the year 1918, offering a massive reward of £10,000 to anyone who flew over the Atlantic from any point in the United States, Newfoundland, Canada, or Ireland and Great Britain. But it had to be done within seventy-two hours, and Alcock and Brown took up the challenge.

Solar Impulse Makes International Flight

Even though the future for solar powered aircraft is a little uncertain, the fact that the Solar Impulse was able to complete an international flight is a feat of engineering and of spectacular success for the Swiss. Switzerland has most certainly created an aircraft that they can be proud of. As with any maiden voyage there were a few teething problems, but nothing so serious that it would jeopardize the flight and its victory.

Boeing 747-8I Takes Flight

The new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental successfully completed its 4 hour 25 minutes inaugural flight, landing safely at Boeing Field in Seattle in front of a crowd of spectators gathered for the occasion. The new model Boeing began its flight at 09h59 PDT from Boeing’s assembly site at Paine Field in Everett, Washington State, with captains Mark Feuerstein and Paul Stemer at the controls. Following a route which took the aircraft along the Canadian border, over eastern Washington and along the Olympic Peninsula, the flight crew ran through a comprehensive checklist to substantiate the Boeing 747-8I’s handling features.

Nano Humming Bird Takes Flight

Bird watching enthusiasts could soon be very confused and even think they have spotted a new species of hummingbird. Unfortunately for the bird lovers, there is a good chance that it might only be the Nano Hummingbird that has been developed, tested and announced to be in full working order. The Nano Hummingbird is a [...]

Frontiers of Flight Museum

Located in Dallas, Texas, the Frontiers of Flight Museum was founded in November 1988 by a group of aviation enthusiasts – Jan Collmer, Kay Bailey Hutchison and William Cooper – who wanted the public to have the opportunity of viewing priceless documents, artifacts and photographs chronicling the journey of aviation from its earliest days through to today’s high-tech commercial, military and aerospace craft. The majority of the exhibits at the Frontiers of Flight Museum are from the collection donated by aviation historian George E. Haddaway to the University of Texas at Dallas. This noteworthy collection has been added to over the years and visitors to the museum now have access to an extensive range of fascinating exhibits, including a number of restored and well preserved aircraft.

California Capital Air Show 2010

The skies over Downtown Sacramento will come alive with breathtaking aerial displays and thrilling fighter jets, as the 2010 California Capital Air Show gets underway. The show will offer visitors the opportunity to browse through vendor stores and exhibits and participate in a variety of activities, but it is the performers that steal the limelight [...]

Houdini Centenary Air Show 2010

On 20 March 2010, the air space above the Melton Airfield will be filled with spectacular aerial demonstrations and exciting exhibition flights. It is here, at the Houdini – Centenary Air Show, that tribute will be paid to the first controlled powered flight, which was recorded in Australia, by Harry Houdini. Visitors to the air [...]

Avian Radar System May Prevent Aircraft Bird Strikes

Birds have been a cause for concern for airport authorities all over the world for decades, as they inadvertently encroach on airplane flight paths, often with disastrous results. The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) recently reported that since 1988 world-wide bird strikes have been responsible for 219 deaths and extensive damage to more than 200 aircraft. It is estimated that damage to aircraft in the United States is estimated to be approximately $126 million annually.

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