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Explore the Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:05:16 +0000

With a collection of twenty-eight classic aircraft, and millions of aviation-related mementos of all descriptions, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand has been preserving and presenting the fascinating history of the country’s Military Aviation since 1987. The museum is located at the Wigram Aerodrome just outside Christchurch. The aerodrome is named in honor of British-born New Zealand politician, businessman and aviator, Sir Henry Francis Wigram (1857-1934), in acknowledgement of his significant role in the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

Visitors to the museum are likely to spend hours viewing the huge assortment of memorabilia, including aircraft engines and other aircraft parts, weapons, pin-ups, documents, medals and even wedding dresses made from parachute-silk. The collection of aircraft is a reminder of the bravery of the men who flew them into battle, and as defensive measures against enemy attack. A replica home dating back to the 1940s provides insight into what life was like back then for men and women in the armed services, as well as their families. One of the more popular features of the museum is a flight simulator where visitors can climb in behind the controls and imagine being in the thick of a raging aerial battle.

Of the twenty-eight aircraft on display, seventeen are in the main complex of the museum, with the remainder being in hangars. The museum’s Behind the Scenes Tour takes visitors to view the stored aircraft, as well as the current restoration projects being carried out by skilled and dedicated aviation enthusiasts. The aircraft collection includes the Avro 626, North American Harvard, P-51 Mustang, Grumman Avenger, Hawker Siddely Andover, Lockheed Hudson, Vickers Vildebeest bi-planes, Bleriot XI, Cessna O2A and a replica of the Sopwith Pup.

The aircraft components collection of the museum includes propellers, instruments, radios, armaments, and a variety of airframe structures, while the engines on display illustrate the development of aviation engineering from the World War I era through to modern jet engines. More than 200 medal groups are on display, including the prestigious Victoria Cross. Other items visitors can view include a host of research documents, as well as oil paintings, prints and original cartoons.

Ever aware of environmental issues that are threatening our planet, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand has been awarded the Enviro-Gold standard by New Zealand tourism’s official quality agency, Qualmark. This status is reviewed annually and the museum is always open to suggestions on how to improve their environmental awareness and sustainability measures. Certainly the Air Force Museum of New Zealand offers an educational outing that the entire family will enjoy.

Sophistication and Practicality Meet in Military Aviation

Editor — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:56:04 +0000

The use of aircraft in warfare dates as far back as the 1790s when French forces used an observation balloon to watch the movements of Austrian troops in the Battle of Fleurus. A similar type of “lighter than air” flyer was also used during the U.S. Civil War and in World Wars I and II.

However, with the development and perfection of “heavier than air” flying machines during World War II, military aviation has become a crucial and sophisticated part of modern warfare. This in turn has created great advantages for the U.S. military and its contractors.

Today’s military aircraft are broken down into seven main categories, each with its own specific attributes and distinct role in battle.

Ground-Attack Aircraft – These planes provide support for friendly ground troops. They carry either conventional or nuclear weapons behind enemy lines to attack enemy ground targets. Attack helicopters are a prime example of ground-attack aircraft.

Fighters – Destroying enemy aircraft during air-to-air combat is the main role of a fighter. These planes are fast, very maneuverable, and can carry a variety of weapons such as machine guns and guided missiles. Some of the modern fighters can attack even while a great distance away from the enemy.

Bombers – Heavier and less maneuverable than fighters, bombers generally carry large supplies of weapons to be dropped on ground targets. Some single-engine bombers can be operated by a single pilot while those with two or more engines are operated by crews of two or more.

Multirole Combat Aircraft – These are fixed-wing aircraft that can operate in the role of a bomber or fighter, depending on what is needed.

Reconnaissance Aircraft – The role of these planes is to gather intelligence about enemy troops and their movements through the use of special electronic gear. This includes photographic and infrared sensors, radar, and sonar—all of which can warn of an enemy’s approach. Along with reconnaissance aircraft, intelligence is now also gathered by spy satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones.

Transports – As the name implies, this type of plane moves troops and supplies to where they are needed. Cargo can be unloaded either on the ground or dropped by parachute. This category also includes aerial tankers that refuel other planes in flight as well as helicopters and gliders that can bring human or mechanical cargo where other planes cannot.

Experimental Aircraft – From these designs, the aircraft of the future will grow. Experimental planes are built to test advanced concepts in aviation and propulsion as well as aerodynamics and structure.

Throughout the remainder of the 21st century, the use of aviation in the military will continue to expand with the development of ever more sophisticated aircraft and weaponry, leading to the ultimate goal of keeping our troops safe in all situations. Governments and international agencies can depend upon private contractors like including DynCorp, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Boeing to both service and operate those aircraft at home and abroad.

Article Contributed by: Tanya Smith

Pipistrel Virus-SW914 to Circumnavigate Globe

Editor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:25:47 +0000

In a collaborative project between Penn State University and Slovenian aircraft manufacturer, Pipistrel, the Virus-SW914 aircraft was launched on 8 January this year from Ljubljana, with the aim of circumnavigating the globe, a distance of around 62,000 miles, over the next two months. As the winner of NASA’s 2011 Green Flight Challenge, Pipistrel aims to demonstrate that small aircraft can play an important role in climate science. One of the functions the aircraft will serve is to study the effect of light-absorbing aerosols and black carbon on the earth’s atmosphere as it travels through areas that are not currently being monitored by sensors. Because of the altitude the light aircraft will be traveling at, it will be in the position to obtain three-dimensional images of the atmosphere in predetermined areas.

The aircraft which won the 2011 Green Flight Challenge for Pipistrel, is the Taurus, which covered a distance of 400 miles on a single gallon of gas as it was primarily electric-powered. Specializing in ultra-light aircraft, Pipistrel holds ten FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) world records.

The Virus-SW914 has a fuel consumption figure of 36 miles per gallon travelling at a speed of around 170 miles per hour. The aircraft being used in the global circumnavigation attempt has extra fuel tanks in its wings and all-electronic instruments. The airplane weighs 640 pounds, has a maximum take-off weight of 1,500 pounds and can climb to an altitude of 30,000 feet.

With pilot Matevz Lenarcic behind the controls, the Virus-SW914 will travel to Morocco, followed by Senegal, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to South America. The route will then travel down the coast of South America before crossing the Antarctic and the Pacific Ocean heading for New Zealand, Australia and southeast Asia and traveling back to Africa. When crossing Mount Everest in the Himalayas, Lenarcic will take photographs and gather data at different altitudes in areas that have not yet been monitored for climate change. The aerosol inlet feature of the Virus-SW914 is designed to measure aerosol optical properties at different wavelengths, providing valuable data for scientists and climate change research.

Illinois Ultralight & Light Plane Safety Seminar 2012

Editor — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:46:26 +0000

32nd Annual IUAC Ultralight/Lightplane Safety Seminar is presented by the llinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration, Springfield FSDO. Along with the seminar will be displays of ultralights, engine manufacturers and accessories. Attendance is free. Speakers at the seminar will include Jim Sweeney of Sweeney Corp, Jeff Goin of the United States Powered Paragliding Association, Rod Hightower of the EAA and Brian McCallen of Light Sport Repair Services, Inc.

Date: 3 March 2012
Time: 8:00 am
Venue: Illinois Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds
City: Springfield
State: Illinois
Country: United States of America

Tico Warbird Airshow

Editor — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:36:46 +0000

This year’s Tico Warbird Airshow is dedicated to the 70th Anniversary fo the “Doolittle Raiders”. Amongst the features at the event will be John Fallis’ P-40, UH-1s from Sky Solidiers and numberous B-25s. The program will include military fly-bys and demos, static displays, vintage warbirds, strafing runs, dog fites and a vintage car show.

Date: 9 to 11 March 2012
Time: 8:00 am
Venue: Space Coast Regional Airport
City: Titusville
State: Florida
Country: United States of America

Valkaria Air Fest 2012

Editor — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:27:08 +0000

The Vlakaria Air Fest has an exciting schedule lined up that will include powered paragliding, static displays, air boat exhibits, rides in various aircraft, fly-bys, formation flights, R/C aircraft demonstrations, skydivers, aerobatics, and much more. Stars of the event will include Patty Wagstaff, Gene McNeely, John Black, Fred Cabanas, and others. The History Hangar offers visitors the opportunity to meet real-life heroes.

Date: 18 February 2012
Time: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Venue: Valkaria Airport
State: Florida
Country: United States of America

The Museum of Aviation in Georgia

Editor — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:33:36 +0000

The Museum of Aviation, located at the Robins Air Force Base outside Warner Robins in Georgia, is the second-largest museum run by the United States Air Force. It consists of five buildings on a 51-acre piece of ground and boasts close to one hundred aircraft and an impressive range of aviation-related memorabilia. In addition to the exhibits, the museum offers guided tours, team-building exercises, educational events and summer camps.

Guided tours offer options for every age group and are led by knowledgeable staff who can offer insight into both the history and technical aspects of the museum’s aircraft. In addition to viewing the aircraft on display, visitors will have the opportunity to enter the C-130 Hercules where they can view a film highlighting the skills of the Fort Benning Paratroopers. Guided tours must be booked, but visitors can explore the museum on self-guided tours at any time during museum hours.

The Museum of Aviation lists a number of exhibits that all visitors should be sure not to miss. These include the RAFB & WWII Commemorative exhibit which features the establishment of the Robins Air Force Base and commemorates World War II. The exhibit on the Korean War highlights the advancement in technology, as well as changes in tactics used by the USAF, with the highlight being a superbly restored F-84 Thunderjet. A cut-away of a B-17 Flying Fortress dominates the 43rd Bombardment Group exhibit, with the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers exhibit telling the story of Claire Chennault and featuring a P-40 Warhawk and replica of a squadron briefing room. The Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame honors more than sixty men and women for their contributions to aviation history and has on display a Skylab spacesuit and a reproduction of the 1907 Epps Flyer. The exhibit entitled Down to Earth highlights a C-47 cutaway equipped with pilots, paratroopers and their gear, detailing how the cooperation of airborne, glider and troop carrier units resulted in the success of D-Day at Normandy.

A number of events have been scheduled for 2012 by the Museum of Aviation, kicking off with the Runway Marathon on January 14 where it is anticipated that last year’s record of 1,244 runners and walkers will be exceeded. Visit the Museum of Aviation Website for more information.

Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo

Editor — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:22:06 +0000

The Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo will feature a wide variety of airplanes on display. The program will also include Powered Parachute Demonstration Flights, Educational Forums, cheese and wine tasting, a keynote speech by Rod Hightower (EAA President), an Avbid Aircraft Auction, and more.

Dates: 19 to 22 January 2012
Time: 7:00 am
Venue: Sebring Regional Airport
State: Florida
Country: United States of America

Proposed Technology for Safer Bad Weather Landings

Editor — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:23:00 +0000

With an increasing number of aircraft taking to the skies every year, the aviation industry is constantly looking at ways to make flying safer. Taking-off and landing are statistically the most risky part of air travel, so new technology aimed at making landing in bad weather safer is good news for both the aviation industry and for passengers. According to data from the United States Department of Transportation, inclement weather is the cause for more than 40 percent of delays in flights in the United States. In a recent FAA study it was revealed that the cost of delays and cancellation of flights could be as high as $6.7 billion a year.

By means of an infrared camera mounted on the nose of an airplane, the new technology will enable the pilot to see potential obstacles, such as air-traffic control towers and mountains, which would usually be obscured by bad weather conditions. Using Global Positioning System data, the camera and cockpit screen will provide real-time infrared camera images to aid pilots in making a safe landing.

Larisa Parks of Honeywell International, the developers and manufacturers of the new technology, noted that pilots would be able to see the runway upon approach, regardless of what visibility conditions may be like. The improved visibility would allow pilots to reduce the landing minimum from its current limit of an altitude of 200 feet to 100 feet. Chief pilot of corporate aviation for Honeywell, Ronald Weight, noted that pilots make the decision on whether to attempt landing in bad weather, or divert to another airport, based on whether they can see the runway clearly enough with the naked eye. The new technology of the enhanced vision system will make the runway clearly visible to pilots giving them the advantage of being able to land safely in conditions which may have previously led them to divert.

In addition to the enhanced vision system of the infrared camera, Honeywell has a comprehensive database of runways, along with 90,000 images and positions of man-made and natural obstacles. The goal is to use the two technologies – enhanced vision system and synthetic vision system – to make landing in bad weather a safer experience. This will also cut costs of diverting to alternative airports, or delays and cancellations of flights due to bad weather.

Wings of Dreams Fly-in Breakfast

Editor — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:47:08 +0000

This event has been organized to benefit the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum. The pancake breakfast is fee for World War Two veterans. There will also be vintage cars displayed.

Date: 7 January 2012
Time: 8:00 am to 10:30 am
Venue: Keystone Airpark
State: Florida
Country: United States of America