The Lockheed P-38 was one of the legendary fighters of World War II. Crowds are still thrilled when one flies by. The 475th Fighter Group, with 552 victories, was the top P-38 fighter group in the Second World War. America’s second highest scoring ace, with 38 victories, was Major Thomas McGuire, who flew the Lockheed […]
After you Alphonse…
Reports of the Airbus A380 maiden flight have introduced a new, and exquisitely European, phrase to cockpit management: Command Sensitivity Awareness. To demonstrate their Command Sensitivity Awareness, the oh-so-politically-correct French announced that the A380’s two pilots were “alternate pilots in command and shared responsibility for the flight.” Is it, peut-etre, impossible for a Frenchman to […]
To infinity and beyond!
AERA Corp., which is developing the Altairis Rocket for civilian space travel, has started selling tickets for its maiden flight, expected to lift off from Cape Canaveral in December 2006. Altairis is designed to launch six passenger astronauts and one mission commander into space and bring them safely back to Earth. But there aren’t any […]
“The Aviator” director tackles Airbus
Martin Scorsese appears to have been bitten by the aviation bug. Following “The Aviator,” last year’s biopic on Howard Hughes which garnered 11 Academy Awards, Scorsese is planning to make a documentary about Airbus. The filmmaker will co-direct a feature documentary about the European company, which recently unveiled the huge A380 aircraft. His directing partner […]
What’s a billion here or there?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — If you live the average life span, from the moment you are born until your death your heart will beat a little more than 2 billion times. Many years ago when I worked for a newspaper, I drew a caricature of one of the columnists. He liked it and used it to […]
What causes engines to develop less-than-rated power?
QUESTION: I just read your article on the history of the 0-320-H2AD engine (What engines should I avoid, Dec. 24, 2004, issue). I have had three Skyhawks with the later engine (two 1977s and one 1979) and have had no problems with TBO — all went well past 2,000 hours. My question is about power. […]
What’s the best way to prevent rust during storage?
Judging by the number of questions I receive in the mail and at air shows, the No. 1 lubricant related question is: “”What is the best thing to do to prevent rust and corrosion during prolonged storage or during very low usage times?”” Judging by the number of questions I receive in the mail and […]
Curtiss Hawk
By PETER M. BOWERS. The Curtiss Hawk line of fighters for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and export was one of the best-known single-seat biplanes in the years between the two world wars and is still a favorite with model builders. The many configuration changes that the Hawk displayed over its very long — for […]
Rush to get airborne leaves five dead
These June 2003 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Beech Bonanza. Location: Los Angeles. Injuries: 5 Fatal, 7 Serious. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot had approximately 1,100 hours of experience, […]