LIGHT, AR (KAIT) - A crop duster plane crashed Friday evening but fortunately the pilot wasn't injured.
Greene County authorities say the plane crashed in a field in Light, Arkansas.
The pilot was the only one in the plane when it crashed and he walked away unharmed.
The Sheriff's Department says there wasn't anyone else injured in the crash.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Robinson R66: Accident occurred on March 09, 2013 in Oamaru Valley, Turangi, New Zealand
Mark Didsbury
Pilot Mark Didsbury moved from the Wairarapa to Taupo recently to fly for Helisika.
Photo / Sean Andrews
A pilot killed when his helicopter crashed in rugged bush was a hard worker who was loving his first flying job, his brother says.
Mark Didsbury, 39, of Wairarapa, was flying a Robinson helicopter when it crashed on a ridge above the Oamaru Valley, east of Turangi, after dropping off a hunting party.
The helicopter was reported missing early Saturday afternoon and was found about 7pm.
Rescuers winched down to the crash site were not able to find the body on Saturday before the search was called off.
A police search and rescue team flown back to the scene yesterday found the body 50m from the wreckage.
Mr Didsbury's older brother, Guy, who runs Pirinoa Station in South Wairarapa, said: "He was a very hard worker, a very generous man and he's left a massive hole. This accident has certainly affected a lot of people."
He said Mark had worked as a shearer, rural worker and musterer here and in Australia before taking up training as a helicopter pilot.
He was absolutely loving his first job with Taupo-based Helisika, where he began flying last year.
A twin, Mark was one of four brothers , and had a long-term girlfriend, Louise Nix.
Veteran Taupo-based rescue pilot John Funnell said Mr Didsbury was well regarded.
"He learned to fly in Whakatane and had been flying hunters out of Taupo for about six to nine months. He had about 500 hours flying time."
Mr Funnell flew a fixed-wing aircraft over the scene when the crashed helicopter was found early on Saturday evening.
The area was very steep and rugged, about 1000m above sea level, and the wreck was in heavy native bush at the top of a ridge about 10km from Oamaru Hut.
Mr Funnell said he could not speculate on what caused the crash.
Mr Didsbury was flying a nearly new Robinson R66 which the company had acquired in December.
The helicopter was based at Poronui Station, a luxury fishing lodge east of Turangi, and Mr Didsbury lived in a house on the station.
Two helicopters based at the station fly anglers into the nearby Ngaruroro and Rangitikei river valleys.
"The pilots have an intimate knowledge of the mountain canyons, gullies and streams," the Poronui website says.
Transport Accident Investigation Commission chief investigator Tim Burfoot said two investigators had flown to the scene to establish the cause of the crash.
Story: http://www.stuff.co.nz
Emergency landing sends plane on its top near Punta Gorda Airport (KPGD), Florida
PUNTA GORDA, Fla.—A pilot made an emergency landing upside-down in Florida. The pilot tried to land at the Punta Gorda Airport but came up short of the runway. The plane nose-dived and the propeller hit the ground, which caused the plane to flip over. It looked bad but no one was seriously hurt. Two people had minor injuries and were taken to a hospital. A third person refused medical treatment. The FAA is investigating the crash.
PUNTA GORDA, FL - The FAA is investigating a plane crash that happened at the Punta Gorda Airport.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, a single-engine experimental plane started having engine problems, ran out of gas and had to make an emergency landing.
The plane landed in a grassy area, nearly missing a fence in its path.
The nose and propeller hit the ground causing the plane to flip over.
The pilot, 72-year-old Charles D. Williams and two passengers, Gregg Anderson, 47 and Scott Williams, 40, all sustained injuries and were taken to Charlotte Regional Hospital.
Their conditions are unknown at this time.
The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating.
We will update as more information becomes available.
Accident occurred March 09, 2013 at Montgomery Field Airport (KMYF), San Diego, California
(Photo courtesy: G. Creighton / 10News)
(Photo courtesy: G. Creighton / 10News)SAN DIEGO - A small plane made a hard landing at Montgomery Field on Saturday, but no one was injured, authorities reported.
The incident occurred on the runway at about 2:30 p.m. According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, the plane's landing gear may have failed.
No fuel was spilled in the hard landing.
All of the plane's occupants were able to get out of the plane safety and no injuries were reported.
More details will be posted as they become available.
Story and Photos: http://www.10news.com
Indigo Airbus A320-200, VT-IEW, Performing Flight 6E-433: 'Aircraft lost control twice after landing’
MUMBAI: Preliminary investigations into Saturday's landing goof-up involving an Indigo flight from Chandigarh have revealed that the aircraft lost control twice before the pilot brought it under control.
The commander and the co-pilot of flight 6E 433 were de-rostered on Sunday pending a probe by the Directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into the incident.
The flight, with 140 passengers on board, deviated from the center-line of the runway and went left towards the shoulder, breaking five lights in the process. It then went further up to the unpaved area.
The pilot reportedly tried to steer the aircraft back to the runway and brought it back till the shoulder, but it veered off again towards the unpaved patch. It was only in the second attempt that the plane was brought back on the runway.
The Airbus A-320 landed at Mumbai airport at 6.35pm and went-off the 60-feet wide runway into the unpaved patch. It came back to the runway towards the taxiway without notifying the air traffic control. The incident was discovered eight minutes later when a Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd staffer spotted the five damaged runway lights.
On Sunday, a preliminary draft was made and the pilots were summoned for a statement, said director general of civil aviation Arun Mishra.
An Indigo spokesperson said that a gust of wind caused the incident. However, a DGCA official said that "the pilot seems to have lost control due to a technical glitch because of which the aircraft didn't turn towards the designated taxiway".
The DGCA will be taking the wind pressure reading from the meteorological department to verify the airline's contention and submit a total assessment report on Monday.
The primary findings by DGCA officials also show that while the aircraft was to vacate the main runway by a taxiway on the right side, it went off in the opposite direction. It first went left and broke one light on the runway's edge. While attempting to get back on the runway from the unpaved patch, it broke three more lights and went back towards the patch. In the second attempt, the aircraft damaged one more light.
"Eventually, the aircraft vacated through a taxiway which is about 300 m from the one it was originally supposed to take," said a DGCA officer. The aircraft speed at that moment was around 60-80 knots, which is usual while landing.
Officials said that not informing the air traffic control and apron control about the incident was another grave error. "The lights were broken and there were shards of glass on the runway. In such a situation, it isn't safe for other aircraft landing later. The runway has to be clear of metal and glass," said an airport official. "Fortunately, the incident was detected in 10 minutes before more flights started coming in."
Airport officials said the airline also changed the tire of the aircraft without telling the apron control. "The tire is replaced only if it is not working and it has to be notified as per rules," said an official.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
‘Confusion over controls may have delayed rescue’
The pilots of the Indigo Airlines aircraft that veered to the left of the runway on Saturday were caught up in a brief moment of confusion over manning cockpit controls, found the aviation regulator’s primary probe.
Investigators found that the confusion could have delayed the rescue. The pilots told the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is investigating the incident, that the co-pilot mouthed commands used when the senior pilot is incapacitated. Soon after touchdown, the co-pilot said, “I have the controls”, after which the commander said the same words. However, the co-pilot then repeated the command. “The statement reflected a moment of panic and lapse in co-ordination in the cockpit,” said a source requesting anonymity.
The aircraft failed to land on the center of the runway owing to incorrect ‘rudder’ input. A rudder is a steering tool crucial to maintain a flight’s alignment.
The error could be because the crew overreacted to a negligible wind blowing across the runway. Investigators also found a fault in the rescue effort to bring the aircraft back to the middle of the airstrip. According to the debriefing report submitted by the crew, the commander used a ‘tiller’ to control the deviation.
A tiller is used to manoeuvre aircraft taxiing at low speed on ground. As the aircraft was at a high speed, the tiller was less effective.
On Sunday, the airline grounded both the pilots pending the probe, while a team of DGCA officials interrogated them. The safety regulator is likely to submit a preliminary report on Monday.
An Indigo Airlines spokesperson refused to comment on the preliminary findings, saying that investigations were on.
The DGCA will also probe why the airline failed to report the incident. A report submitted by airport authorities showed there was a deliberate attempt to cover up the incident.
What was worse, however, was that an aircraft maintenance engineer who discreetly changed the aircraft tyres did not inform the airfield staff.
The commander and the co-pilot of flight 6E 433 were de-rostered on Sunday pending a probe by the Directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into the incident.
The flight, with 140 passengers on board, deviated from the center-line of the runway and went left towards the shoulder, breaking five lights in the process. It then went further up to the unpaved area.
The pilot reportedly tried to steer the aircraft back to the runway and brought it back till the shoulder, but it veered off again towards the unpaved patch. It was only in the second attempt that the plane was brought back on the runway.
The Airbus A-320 landed at Mumbai airport at 6.35pm and went-off the 60-feet wide runway into the unpaved patch. It came back to the runway towards the taxiway without notifying the air traffic control. The incident was discovered eight minutes later when a Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd staffer spotted the five damaged runway lights.
On Sunday, a preliminary draft was made and the pilots were summoned for a statement, said director general of civil aviation Arun Mishra.
An Indigo spokesperson said that a gust of wind caused the incident. However, a DGCA official said that "the pilot seems to have lost control due to a technical glitch because of which the aircraft didn't turn towards the designated taxiway".
The DGCA will be taking the wind pressure reading from the meteorological department to verify the airline's contention and submit a total assessment report on Monday.
The primary findings by DGCA officials also show that while the aircraft was to vacate the main runway by a taxiway on the right side, it went off in the opposite direction. It first went left and broke one light on the runway's edge. While attempting to get back on the runway from the unpaved patch, it broke three more lights and went back towards the patch. In the second attempt, the aircraft damaged one more light.
"Eventually, the aircraft vacated through a taxiway which is about 300 m from the one it was originally supposed to take," said a DGCA officer. The aircraft speed at that moment was around 60-80 knots, which is usual while landing.
Officials said that not informing the air traffic control and apron control about the incident was another grave error. "The lights were broken and there were shards of glass on the runway. In such a situation, it isn't safe for other aircraft landing later. The runway has to be clear of metal and glass," said an airport official. "Fortunately, the incident was detected in 10 minutes before more flights started coming in."
Airport officials said the airline also changed the tire of the aircraft without telling the apron control. "The tire is replaced only if it is not working and it has to be notified as per rules," said an official.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
‘Confusion over controls may have delayed rescue’
The pilots of the Indigo Airlines aircraft that veered to the left of the runway on Saturday were caught up in a brief moment of confusion over manning cockpit controls, found the aviation regulator’s primary probe.
Investigators found that the confusion could have delayed the rescue. The pilots told the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is investigating the incident, that the co-pilot mouthed commands used when the senior pilot is incapacitated. Soon after touchdown, the co-pilot said, “I have the controls”, after which the commander said the same words. However, the co-pilot then repeated the command. “The statement reflected a moment of panic and lapse in co-ordination in the cockpit,” said a source requesting anonymity.
The aircraft failed to land on the center of the runway owing to incorrect ‘rudder’ input. A rudder is a steering tool crucial to maintain a flight’s alignment.
The error could be because the crew overreacted to a negligible wind blowing across the runway. Investigators also found a fault in the rescue effort to bring the aircraft back to the middle of the airstrip. According to the debriefing report submitted by the crew, the commander used a ‘tiller’ to control the deviation.
A tiller is used to manoeuvre aircraft taxiing at low speed on ground. As the aircraft was at a high speed, the tiller was less effective.
On Sunday, the airline grounded both the pilots pending the probe, while a team of DGCA officials interrogated them. The safety regulator is likely to submit a preliminary report on Monday.
An Indigo Airlines spokesperson refused to comment on the preliminary findings, saying that investigations were on.
The DGCA will also probe why the airline failed to report the incident. A report submitted by airport authorities showed there was a deliberate attempt to cover up the incident.
What was worse, however, was that an aircraft maintenance engineer who discreetly changed the aircraft tyres did not inform the airfield staff.
Maule M-5-210C Strata Rocket, N17PR: Accident occurred March 09, 2013 in Woodinville, Washington
Jay Reagan Uusitalo
Jay Reagan Uusitalo of Redmond, Wash., much-loved son,
brother, husband, uncle, father, and friend passed away unexpectedly on
March 9, 2013. Born in Napa on Dec. 25, 1967, Jay graduated from Napa
High School and UC Berkeley, where he became a lifelong Bears fan.
Jay, an avid pilot, learned to fly at a young age from his grandfather. The bond with his family created the foundation for the man he became — caring, genuine, trustworthy–the same qualities Jay wanted to pass down to his daughters.
Jay’s zest for life was truly contagious. He made everyone with whom he came into contact feel special. Jay truly valued the simple things in life, never taking a single moment for granted, always fortunate and thankful for the many blessings he received. The most important of these were his wife, Stephanie, and their two beautiful daughters, Ava and Ashley.
His dad, John, uncle, Bruce, and grandparents, Bill and Lorraine Duncan, and Sylvia and Jack Uusitalo, preceded Jay in death. In addition to his wife and daughters, Jay is survived by his mom, Cheri Norton, her husband, Mike, his two sisters, Rebecca Uusitalo, Heather Hubbard, and her husband Jeff. Jay was also the proud uncle of Aiden, Rylie, Jake, Kohlton, Finley, and Dakota.
A memorial service and reception will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2013, at Washington Cathedral, 12300 Woodinville-Redmond Road NE, Redmond, WA 98052.
A remembrance and family fund for Jay’s daughters has been established. Information can be found on fundrazr.com. Search for “Uusitalo.”
Source: http://napavalleyregister.com
NTSB Identification: WPR13FA141 Jay, an avid pilot, learned to fly at a young age from his grandfather. The bond with his family created the foundation for the man he became — caring, genuine, trustworthy–the same qualities Jay wanted to pass down to his daughters.
Jay’s zest for life was truly contagious. He made everyone with whom he came into contact feel special. Jay truly valued the simple things in life, never taking a single moment for granted, always fortunate and thankful for the many blessings he received. The most important of these were his wife, Stephanie, and their two beautiful daughters, Ava and Ashley.
His dad, John, uncle, Bruce, and grandparents, Bill and Lorraine Duncan, and Sylvia and Jack Uusitalo, preceded Jay in death. In addition to his wife and daughters, Jay is survived by his mom, Cheri Norton, her husband, Mike, his two sisters, Rebecca Uusitalo, Heather Hubbard, and her husband Jeff. Jay was also the proud uncle of Aiden, Rylie, Jake, Kohlton, Finley, and Dakota.
A memorial service and reception will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2013, at Washington Cathedral, 12300 Woodinville-Redmond Road NE, Redmond, WA 98052.
A remembrance and family fund for Jay’s daughters has been established. Information can be found on fundrazr.com. Search for “Uusitalo.”
Source: http://napavalleyregister.com
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, March 09, 2013 in Woodinville, WA
Aircraft: MAULE M5, registration: N17PR
Injuries: 1 Fatal,1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On March 9, 2013, about 1445 Pacific standard time, a Maule M-5-210C, N17PR, was substantially damaged after it impacted a residential house following a loss of control while maneuvering at a low altitude near Woodinville, Washington. The certified private pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the sole passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed the Renton Municipal Airport (RNT), Renton, Washington at 1431.
Several witnesses who lived in the residential area where the accident occurred submitted statements to a local law enforcement agency. One witness reported that he observed the airplane circle and that it appeared very low. A second witness stated that she heard a pop sound, then a puff or a sputter, and then nothing. She added that she could see that the propeller had stopped and then heard a thud. A third witness reported that he observed the airplane traveling in a northeast direction and in a hard bank and knew that it was going down. Another witness revealed that he observed the airplane in the distance make a right turn and appeared to be losing altitude; he did not hear or see the airplane impact terrain.
The main wreckage was located with its engine and cockpit partially inside the garage of a residential home. The airplane initially impacted a van that was parked on the west side of the home’s driveway with its left wing. The left wing separated from the fuselage and came to rest about 20 feet west of the main wreckage. The aft fuselage came to rest oriented upward at about a 30-degree angle oriented in a northwesterly direction, the same direction from which the airplane had approached the residence prior to impact. The aft fuselage was only slightly damaged. The forward cabin and cockpit areas sustained extensive impact damage. The right wing remained attached to the airplane and was found positioned upward at about a 45-degree angle and oriented toward the northeast. All airplane components necessary for flight were identified at the accident site.
The airplane was recovered to a secured salvage facility for further examination.
Jay Uusitalo
Early Sunday morning crews removed the wreckage of the Maule M-5-210C Strata Rocket (N17PR) plane that on Saturday had crashed into a home in Woodinville, killing the pilot and seriously injuring a passenger. The NTSB investigation is ongoing.
(Photo from King County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo from King County Sheriff's Office)
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.komonews.com
Emergency medical personnel wheel the plane crash victim from the airlift helicopter.
(Photo from King County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo from King County Sheriff's Office)
http://registry.faa.gov/N17PR
Plane crash aftermath: 'It really came home, how fleeting life can be'
WOODINVILLE, Wash. - A local family is recovering from a frighteningly close call as federal investigators try to figure out what caused a small plane to crash into their Woodinville home Saturday.
Meanwhile, the family of the plane's pilot is grieving his death while waiting at the bedside of his nephew, who was in the plane and survived the crash but suffered serious injuries
A crane removed the wreckage from the side of the Woodinville family's house on Sunday as a federal crash investigator gathered more evidence.
It was an emotional moment for the homeowners - who just returned from out of town and are just now able to hug their 21-year-old son, who was at home when the plane slammed into the garage, missing him by only a few feet.
"Just knowing my son was so close to the accident. He was right above it - it really came home, how fleeting life can be," says homeowner Rodney Korn.
His son, Tallon Korn, was playing video games with a friend in a room above the garage when the single-engine, four-seater plane smashed through the garage door and against the side of the house.
"I feel very lucky - if it hadn't hit where it did, if it hit 10 feet up, I would have been done," says Tallon.
The pilot at the controls, 45-year-old Jay Uusitalo of Redmond, did not survive. His only passenger, a nephew visiting from Eastern Washington, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. He was initially listed in critical condition, but was upgraded to serious condition on Sunday.
"Finding out there was a young man involved - it really got into my heart," says Rodney Korn. "I feel very bad for the family that had this happen."
Investigators say it could take up to nine months to determine an official cause for the crash.
Witnesses say they heard the engine sputtering and saw the propeller stop spinning before the aircraft flipped over and came down, smashing into the Woodinville home.
Right now, Rodney Korn and his family want another family to know ...
"People are thinking about them and hoping for the best result out of what was a very terrible tragedy," he says.
Plane crash aftermath: 'It really came home, how fleeting life can be'
WOODINVILLE, Wash. - A local family is recovering from a frighteningly close call as federal investigators try to figure out what caused a small plane to crash into their Woodinville home Saturday.
Meanwhile, the family of the plane's pilot is grieving his death while waiting at the bedside of his nephew, who was in the plane and survived the crash but suffered serious injuries
A crane removed the wreckage from the side of the Woodinville family's house on Sunday as a federal crash investigator gathered more evidence.
It was an emotional moment for the homeowners - who just returned from out of town and are just now able to hug their 21-year-old son, who was at home when the plane slammed into the garage, missing him by only a few feet.
"Just knowing my son was so close to the accident. He was right above it - it really came home, how fleeting life can be," says homeowner Rodney Korn.
His son, Tallon Korn, was playing video games with a friend in a room above the garage when the single-engine, four-seater plane smashed through the garage door and against the side of the house.
"I feel very lucky - if it hadn't hit where it did, if it hit 10 feet up, I would have been done," says Tallon.
The pilot at the controls, 45-year-old Jay Uusitalo of Redmond, did not survive. His only passenger, a nephew visiting from Eastern Washington, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. He was initially listed in critical condition, but was upgraded to serious condition on Sunday.
"Finding out there was a young man involved - it really got into my heart," says Rodney Korn. "I feel very bad for the family that had this happen."
Investigators say it could take up to nine months to determine an official cause for the crash.
Witnesses say they heard the engine sputtering and saw the propeller stop spinning before the aircraft flipped over and came down, smashing into the Woodinville home.
Right now, Rodney Korn and his family want another family to know ...
"People are thinking about them and hoping for the best result out of what was a very terrible tragedy," he says.
Story and Photos: http://www.kirotv.com
Story and Video: http://www.king5.com
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.komonews.com
Jay
Uusitalo, whom KOMO TV identified as the man who died when a small
plane crashed into a Woodinville home, was an experienced and good
pilot, said the man who sold him the Maule M-5.
Tom Wrolstad from Molalla, OR, sold the Maule M-5 four-seater to Uusitalo in 2007.
He called the Redmond man, "an experienced pilot. A good pilot."
"I flew with him and he was a good pilot," Wrolstad said when reached by telephone Sunday. "It's a sad thing."
Uusitalo died, and a passenger believed to be his teenaged nephew was critically injured, when his Maule M-5 four-seater crashed into a minivan parked in a driveway of a home in the Ring Hill neighborhood and plowed into the garage door, according to Woodinville Fire and Rescue authorities.
Witnesses who live a couple of miles away said they heard the small plane sputtering before it crashed, but that the impact was so quiet, that some neighbors didn't even realize that there had been a crash.
Virginia Hanson, who lives across the street, said it sounded like someone dropped a garbage can. She didn't realize a plane had crashed until she saw trucks from Woodinville Fire and Rescue parked in front of her home.
The home's occupant declined to talk to Patch on Saturday about two hours after the incident. Neighbors said the man was the son of the homeowners, who were away. The occupant was not injured and the home remained structurally sound.
Woodinville Fire & Rescue spokesman David Weed confirmed that the teenage passenger was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with critical injuries. Uusitalo, believed to the boy’s uncle, died at the scene.
Uusitalo is listed as the co-founder and president and CEO of Mobile Experience Solutions, a cellular communications testing firm located on Airport Way in Renton.
The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the cause of the crash was not immediately available.
Wrolstad said he owned the Maule for a few years. He said it was a very well-maintained aircraft and it is known as a slow, safe and predictable flyer.
"(Uusitallo) had it extensively checked by a mechanic when he bought it -- as is standard," Wrolstad said. "I did the same when I bought it. It was a very safe airplane and had a low-time engine."
"It's really very sad," he continued. "It's a fluke accident."
Tom Wrolstad from Molalla, OR, sold the Maule M-5 four-seater to Uusitalo in 2007.
He called the Redmond man, "an experienced pilot. A good pilot."
"I flew with him and he was a good pilot," Wrolstad said when reached by telephone Sunday. "It's a sad thing."
Uusitalo died, and a passenger believed to be his teenaged nephew was critically injured, when his Maule M-5 four-seater crashed into a minivan parked in a driveway of a home in the Ring Hill neighborhood and plowed into the garage door, according to Woodinville Fire and Rescue authorities.
Witnesses who live a couple of miles away said they heard the small plane sputtering before it crashed, but that the impact was so quiet, that some neighbors didn't even realize that there had been a crash.
Virginia Hanson, who lives across the street, said it sounded like someone dropped a garbage can. She didn't realize a plane had crashed until she saw trucks from Woodinville Fire and Rescue parked in front of her home.
The home's occupant declined to talk to Patch on Saturday about two hours after the incident. Neighbors said the man was the son of the homeowners, who were away. The occupant was not injured and the home remained structurally sound.
Woodinville Fire & Rescue spokesman David Weed confirmed that the teenage passenger was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with critical injuries. Uusitalo, believed to the boy’s uncle, died at the scene.
Uusitalo is listed as the co-founder and president and CEO of Mobile Experience Solutions, a cellular communications testing firm located on Airport Way in Renton.
The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the cause of the crash was not immediately available.
Wrolstad said he owned the Maule for a few years. He said it was a very well-maintained aircraft and it is known as a slow, safe and predictable flyer.
"(Uusitallo) had it extensively checked by a mechanic when he bought it -- as is standard," Wrolstad said. "I did the same when I bought it. It was a very safe airplane and had a low-time engine."
"It's really very sad," he continued. "It's a fluke accident."
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.komonews.com
Cessna R182, N4773S: Accident occurred March 09, 2013 at Smith Field Airport (KSMD), Fort Wayne, Indiana
Emergency crews responded to an aircraft accident at Smith Field Airport around 4:15 p.m .Saturday.
Two people were on the plane when it landed without landing gear down at Smith Field Airport. No one was hurt.
This plane landed without landing gear down at Smith Field Airport Saturday afternoon.
Swikar Patel/The Journal Gazette
A pilot and passenger occupied a 1979 CESSNA R182 that crash landed at Smith Field Saturday evening. The aircraft heading towards runway 13 landed gear up and both occupants walked away with no injuries reported.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N4773S
http://registry.faa.gov/N4773S
No one was injured when a small plane crash landed at Smith Field on Fort Wayne's north side Saturday.
Craig Williams, director of operations for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, said the plane's landing gear had not been lowered when the craft touched down in the middle of the runway.
The plane skidded a distance before coming to a stop on the edge of the runway. The pilot and passenger were not injured, he said.
The plane is a Cessna 182 Skylane RG II.
The landing scraped the underside of the plane and bent the propeller.
The airfield was closed while authorities dealt with the crash.
Story and Photo: http://www.journalgazette.net
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Smith Field Airport officials said no one was hurt when a plane crashed Saturday afternoon.
Fort Wayne police and firefighters were dispatched to an aircraft accident at Smith Field Airport off Lima and Cook Roads around 4:15 p.m.
NewsChannel 15 has learned that the plane was doing take off and landing exercises. During one of the landings, the plane landed without the landing gear down. The director of the airport said it's not clear yet if the pilot didn't put down the gear for some reason or if there was a mechanical issue with the plane.
There were two people on the plane. No one was hurt. It's not know if one of the people on the plane was an instructor. There is a flight school located at the airport.
The plane is registered out of Auburn. The names of the people on board haven't been released.
Crews are raising the plane to lower the landing gear and tow the plane off the runway.
http://www.wane.com
Identity Released on Pilot and Passenger of Brenham Drug Trafficking Bust: Brenham Municipal Airport (11R), Texas (With Video)
New details have come to light since Friday after a pilot and his passenger were arrested in Brenham for trafficking drugs. Department of Public Safety Investigators found more than 65-pounds of marijuana, cocaine and a firearm inside the single engine plane.
Whether it's by ground, water, or even by air -- the Department of Public Safety -- is always watching.
In fact, Friday undercover agents with the DPS CID - zeroed in on this fixed-wing single engine Cessna 172. The pilot, Vernon Murphy and his passenger Freddy Aguayo, both from Texarkana, had flown to McAllen on business.
"Some months are a little more active than others,” said DPS Trooper Jimmy Morgan. “Narcotics is a 12-month, all year-long business and some months are more active than others.”
After picking up nearly 70 pounds of cargo -- authorities believe the two would then make their way back to Texarkana. The content of the cargo, however, is exactly what caught the attention of DPS.
An aircraft zeroed in on the Cessna for 350 miles -- but made its move after Murphy landed at the Brenham Airport to refuel. Those agents, along with Troopers and Washington County Sheriff's deputies moved in. Murphy and Vernon were arrested after DPS discovered that cargo was 65 pounds of marijuana, three ounces of cocaine and a .40 caliber handgun.
After a little digging, we found out this isn't Aguayo's first drug arrest. In 2000 he was convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. Although the court assessed punishment at twenty-eight years - he was released after 14.
According to investigators, Murphy hasn't had any run-ins with the law...at least until now.
Murphy remains in the Washington County Jail on $210,000 bond. Aguayo's bond is set at $1.4 million.
The investigation continues.
http://www.kbtx.com
What's usually a quiet airport turned into the scene of a drug bust.
"There were about ten different vehicles," said Adam Crow.
Crow was working near the Brenham Municipal Airport when he says it all went down about nine Friday morning.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says one of its planes had been following a single engine plane flying from South Texas suspected of trafficking drugs. When that plane needed to refuel, an opportunity presented itself.
DPS troopers and Washington County Sheriff's deputies moved in.
"During the stop we located 60 pounds of marijuana, three grams of cocaine and a 40-caliber pistol," said Department of Public Safety Trooper Jimmy Morgan.
Two men were arrested. Investigators are not releasing any information on the suspects. The drugs they say they found on the plane were confiscated.
"It looked like that guy was about to have a real bad day," Crow said. "It looked like they were waiting for him. They definitely had some kind of information on him. They were prepared and as soon as they got here they went into motion."
Investigators are not saying where the plane was headed. They are questioning the suspects to find out if this is part of a larger operation.
"Sometimes we get a lucky break and we get information, or through conducting an investigation we're allowed to catch some of these folks and deal with that," Trooper Morgan said. "Today has to be one of these days."
The Department of Public Safety says it's working with other Federal investigators on the case.
Story, Video, Photo, Reaction/Comments: http://www.kbtx.com
Budget cuts cancel Gator Fly In air show: Gainesville Regional Airport (KGNV), Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The effects of sequestration forced event organizers to cancel the third annual Gator Fly In.
The Gator Fly In was scheduled to be held April 27 at the Gainesville Regional Airport.
The show usually brings in thousands of visitors to get an up close look at military aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet.
A message on the air show’s Facebook page reads “we hope that things will be different next year so that we may be able to provide an excellent aviation event for our community.”
Around half of the $85 billion in forced federal spending cuts will come from the defense budget.
Source: http://www.actionnewsjax.com
The Gator Fly In was scheduled to be held April 27 at the Gainesville Regional Airport.
The show usually brings in thousands of visitors to get an up close look at military aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet.
A message on the air show’s Facebook page reads “we hope that things will be different next year so that we may be able to provide an excellent aviation event for our community.”
Around half of the $85 billion in forced federal spending cuts will come from the defense budget.
Source: http://www.actionnewsjax.com
Radio-control enthusiasts touch down at Lebanon Valley Expo Center, Pennsylvania
(LEBANON DAILY NEWS JEREMY LONG)
A radio-control enthusiast from New Jersey who identified himself only as Andy takes apart the wing struts of a Piper Cub he bought from John Savage, right, of Wilkes-Barre during the Central Penn Aeromodelers Association's 33rd annual Radio Control Flea Market at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center on Saturday. The event featured radio-controlled airplanes, sailplanes, cars, boats and related accessories. The association bills the event as the largest one-day radio-controlled flea market in the country.
Adelaide man Rick Hopper is suing Virgin Australia over fall near aircraft
A BALI escape for an Adelaide man ended with him being catapulted face-first from a wheelchair and headlong into a court battle with an airline.
Rick Hopper is suing Virgin Australia over the incident in which he was flung from a wheelchair as he boarded a flight from Perth to Adelaide after the Bali trip with his wife in 2011.
Mr Hopper, 59, who needed help because of a knee injury, was being wheeled down an airbridge to the plane when the wheelchair caught on a plate and sent him hurtling.
He says he suffered injuries to both knees and his head and exacerbated an existing hip condition, forcing him to undergo a double hip replacement.
He has launched District Court action against the airline, claiming its employees failed to help him after the accident and it had breached its duty of care.
"It was an all-male crew and they came running after the fall then said 'I didn't see anything' and then walked away and left me, didn't even help me up, and that's what hurt me," he said.
"I thought they would have done a bit more. They never even said 'are you all right?' and 'do you need to go to hospital?'."
Mr Hopper said he spent almost five months off work after surgery.
He said he hoped his legal fight would stop other people being hurt in the same way.
"If it was an older woman they probably would have broken a few bones," he said.
In its statement of defence, Virgin Australia said the man pushing the wheelchair was an employee of contractor Aero Care Pty Ltd, which has been added as a defendant in the case.
Virgin claims Mr Hopper should have told the employee to slow down, worn a seatbelt and kept a firmer grip on the wheelchair.
It says he unbalanced the wheelchair by carrying luggage on his lap.
Court documents do not show how much compensation Mr Hopper is seeking. The case returns to court in May.
Story and Photo: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au
Rick Hopper is suing Virgin Australia over the incident in which he was flung from a wheelchair as he boarded a flight from Perth to Adelaide after the Bali trip with his wife in 2011.
Mr Hopper, 59, who needed help because of a knee injury, was being wheeled down an airbridge to the plane when the wheelchair caught on a plate and sent him hurtling.
He says he suffered injuries to both knees and his head and exacerbated an existing hip condition, forcing him to undergo a double hip replacement.
He has launched District Court action against the airline, claiming its employees failed to help him after the accident and it had breached its duty of care.
"It was an all-male crew and they came running after the fall then said 'I didn't see anything' and then walked away and left me, didn't even help me up, and that's what hurt me," he said.
"I thought they would have done a bit more. They never even said 'are you all right?' and 'do you need to go to hospital?'."
Mr Hopper said he spent almost five months off work after surgery.
He said he hoped his legal fight would stop other people being hurt in the same way.
"If it was an older woman they probably would have broken a few bones," he said.
In its statement of defence, Virgin Australia said the man pushing the wheelchair was an employee of contractor Aero Care Pty Ltd, which has been added as a defendant in the case.
Virgin claims Mr Hopper should have told the employee to slow down, worn a seatbelt and kept a firmer grip on the wheelchair.
It says he unbalanced the wheelchair by carrying luggage on his lap.
Court documents do not show how much compensation Mr Hopper is seeking. The case returns to court in May.
Story and Photo: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au
Sabreliner announces more layoffs
Sequestration hit close to home this week as Sabreliner Corporation, an aviation repair and maintenance facility with facilities in both Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties, announced to employees on Thursday another round of layoffs that have been plaguing the company since late last fall.
Management blames a lack of government contracts and cuts in federal defense spending as the reason for the layoffs.
The company’s workforce has been cut nearly in half, with roughly 180 members from the Teamster Local 600 being furloughed since November 2012, with additional layoffs coming from corporate of office positions. Layoffs have occurred every month since November according to David Bruckerhoff, Business Agent for the Teamster Local 600.
The most recent layoff left 80 people without work.
On March 8, notice from Sabreliner was sent to Randy Contrell, Manager of the State Dislocated Worker Unit,stating that within a two-week period on or beginning March 8, 80 employees at Sabreliner Corp. facilities located in both Perryville and Ste. Genevieve would be permanently laid off.
“We are feeling the sequestration,” Steve Sperry, Sabreliner’s Vice President of Business Development said on Friday. “It is no secret that 80 to 90 percent of the work we do comes from defense contracts, and less defense spending by the government means less work for us.”
Sperry said he hopes the latest round of layoffs will be the last for the company that has been cutting back to the “bare bones.”
“We are hopeful the next two or three weeks will see the last of the lay offs,” he said. “We are trying to size ourselves down to the amount of work we do have.”
Sperry said the company is currently exploring other options to bring in work.
“We are exploring other options, including civil and commercial work with the hopes that we will soon be able to put these fine people back to work again very soon.”
Sperry said the layoff did not come as much of a surprise to the employees.
“They have seen how things have slowed down for us,” he said.
According to the United States Department of Labor, the Worker Adjustment and Retaining Notification Act (WARN) of 1988 was enacted to protect workers, their families, and communities by requiring most employers with 100 or more employees to provide notification 60 calendar days in advance of plant closings and mass layoffs.
In the letter to Cottrell, Sabreliner said that notice time under the WARN of 1988 was reduced “based on business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time notice would have been required,” stating that the layoffs are the direct results of the cancellation of federal defense contracts due to the sequestration where across- the- board federal budget cuts went into affect on March 1.
Perry County Economic Development Director Scott Sattler said that Sabreliner is one of Perry County’s largest employers, with an estimated 425 employees listed in recent years.
“Any time we lose jobs, it concerns me,” Sattler said on Friday. “We here at the EDA will do whatever we can to help Sabreliner during this time, with the hopes of helping them succeed.”
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.kfvs12.com
For a more complete story see Tuesday’s print edition of the Republic-Monitor
http://www.sabreliner.com
Retiring Delta pilot never missed a day in 45 years
Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5
After 45 years and more than 12 million miles in the air, a Delta captain said goodbye on Friday.
A water cannon salute welcome Captain Calvin "Cal" Flanigan as he returned from his final flight from Los Angeles.
Flanigan began as a mechanic back in 1968, but eventually realized his childhood dream of becoming a pilot.
"Even as a little kid watching airplanes take off when I was 9 or 10 years old, I knew I wanted to fly," said Flanigan.
In 37 years, Flanigan flew more than 12.5 million miles to more than 95 different cities, amassing some 27,000 hours of flight time as he became the most senior pilot in the entire airline. The pilot, who never missed a day of work in all his decades, was looked upon as a role model by other Delta employees.
"He's been the number one guy for almost eight years now. I don't think that's something that will ever be replicated, certainly in my lifetime," said Steve Dickson of Delta Airlines.
Delta rules state that pilots must retire when they reach 65; Flanigan's 65th birthday is Saturday.
"I'm going to miss the people. I really, truly will miss the people," said Flanigan.
Flanigan said that he had other offers to retire, but wanted to fly until the very last possible moment.
"After 37 years of doing what you love and not being able to think of any profession that you would prefer versus what you were doing, you know, I know it's time," Flanigan said. "I'm 65 tomorrow so there's no denying that, but do I still love it? Yes, I do. But it's time to pass the baton, and I've recognized that, and I'm going to do it."
Flight attendants and pilots gathered to welcome Flanigan back as he arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday.
"The list of accomplishments is long, but I think even more than that, everybody realizes what a great friend and colleague Cal has been throughout his career," said Dickson.
Cal and his wife plan to do more traveling together now that he's retired.
Story and Video: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com
After 45 years and more than 12 million miles in the air, a Delta captain said goodbye on Friday.
A water cannon salute welcome Captain Calvin "Cal" Flanigan as he returned from his final flight from Los Angeles.
Flanigan began as a mechanic back in 1968, but eventually realized his childhood dream of becoming a pilot.
"Even as a little kid watching airplanes take off when I was 9 or 10 years old, I knew I wanted to fly," said Flanigan.
In 37 years, Flanigan flew more than 12.5 million miles to more than 95 different cities, amassing some 27,000 hours of flight time as he became the most senior pilot in the entire airline. The pilot, who never missed a day of work in all his decades, was looked upon as a role model by other Delta employees.
"He's been the number one guy for almost eight years now. I don't think that's something that will ever be replicated, certainly in my lifetime," said Steve Dickson of Delta Airlines.
Delta rules state that pilots must retire when they reach 65; Flanigan's 65th birthday is Saturday.
"I'm going to miss the people. I really, truly will miss the people," said Flanigan.
Flanigan said that he had other offers to retire, but wanted to fly until the very last possible moment.
"After 37 years of doing what you love and not being able to think of any profession that you would prefer versus what you were doing, you know, I know it's time," Flanigan said. "I'm 65 tomorrow so there's no denying that, but do I still love it? Yes, I do. But it's time to pass the baton, and I've recognized that, and I'm going to do it."
Flight attendants and pilots gathered to welcome Flanigan back as he arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday.
"The list of accomplishments is long, but I think even more than that, everybody realizes what a great friend and colleague Cal has been throughout his career," said Dickson.
Cal and his wife plan to do more traveling together now that he's retired.
Story and Video: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com
Helicopter pilot loses his bid to turn backyard into airfield
The Elk Grove Planning Commission on Thursday denied a helicopter pilot's request to fly in and out of his backyard.
John Hamilton, owner of a 2-acre spread on Corfu Drive, filed a request to change city code to allow for heliports in rural Elk Grove backyards.
The planning body voted 4-0 to deny his request with one commissioner abstaining because he lives near Hamilton. Hamilton's property is near Calvine and Excelsior roads.
Hamilton has flown in and out of his property numerous times over the years as part of his small charter business. Some neighbors on the rural east side of Elk Grove have complained about the noise and low flyovers, prompting city officials to order Hamilton to stop in 2011.
Hamilton runs Sacramento Executive Helicopters, in business since 1986, according to its website. He now bases his company's helicopter at Rancho Murieta Airport, a dozen miles east, city officials said.
Hamilton submitted a petition signed by neighbors in support with the simple request: "Please allow John Hamilton to operate his helicopter from his residence."
Source: http://www.modbee.com
John Hamilton, owner of a 2-acre spread on Corfu Drive, filed a request to change city code to allow for heliports in rural Elk Grove backyards.
The planning body voted 4-0 to deny his request with one commissioner abstaining because he lives near Hamilton. Hamilton's property is near Calvine and Excelsior roads.
Hamilton has flown in and out of his property numerous times over the years as part of his small charter business. Some neighbors on the rural east side of Elk Grove have complained about the noise and low flyovers, prompting city officials to order Hamilton to stop in 2011.
Hamilton runs Sacramento Executive Helicopters, in business since 1986, according to its website. He now bases his company's helicopter at Rancho Murieta Airport, a dozen miles east, city officials said.
Hamilton submitted a petition signed by neighbors in support with the simple request: "Please allow John Hamilton to operate his helicopter from his residence."
Source: http://www.modbee.com
High-tech — and high-priced — fighter roars to Nellis for testing
A fighter jet with a controversial past and an uncertain future has arrived in Nevada for testing to determine whether it performs as advertised in combat situations.
The F-35 Lightning II, developed in the most expensive program in military history, will undergo three to five years of testing at Nellis Air Force Base. The base received its first F-35 this week and is scheduled to draw a total of 12 of the stealthy, high-tech jets by the end of the month.
During the testing period, Nellis airmen and military tacticians will write the manual on how the F-35 will be deployed in the Air Force.
“We’re doing all the leg work and interoperability with all the fighters and weapon systems to get the jet to where a combat commander can say, ‘I need 12 F-35s to do this mission,’ and we can say, ‘Yes, boss, it's ready to go,’” said Lt. Col. Kevin Wilson, 53rd Wing chief of joint strike fighter integration. “We’re part of that transition to get it up to speed.”
The F-35 was created as part of the Defense Department's Joint Strike Fighter program with nine allied nations. The JSF touts the Lightning II as the aircraft of the future, thanks to its advanced airframe design and technology.
But the jet has been plagued by cost overruns and delays. The Pentagon is projected to spend up to $396 billion to buy nearly 2,500 F-35s over the next three decades, but budget cutters could easily put the aircraft in their sights. It didn’t help the plane’s prospects that the Pentagon grounded all of its F-35s in February after a crack turned up in a turbine blade in one of the planes’ engines.
The single-seat, single-engine jet is designed to be both lethal and stealthy. Variations of the plane are tailored for different military branches, and each different type is made from similar parts to make it affordable to service and repair. One version is capable of taking off and landing vertically.
The jet is intended to replace aging military jets like the A-10 attack plane and F-16 fighter in the Air Force, along with other jets in the Navy and Marines. Before that, Wilson and his team are assigned to make sure the jets are ready for missions.
Wilson said he was excited for the arrival of the jet, not only for the chance to explore a brand-new aircraft, but because of the jobs the aircraft would create. He said 412 military jobs would be added through the course of the testing at Nellis. Other testing for the F-35 is being conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
“This will really help our air power for the future because it is a long-term program on the books to be around for 50 years,” Wilson said. “It certainly keeps Nellis thriving as it always has.”
Wilson said airmen would start by putting the plane through low-risk development tests, which aren't being done at Edwards. Those include seeing how it performs at high speeds or handles in various maneuvers.
Then the plane will go through force development tests, which consist of scenarios of combat missions. The tests determine how a plane will perform while evading another aircraft, or if a piece of technology operates at a specific speed.
Any glitches or bugs in the jet’s system are reported to support staff to fix.
“What we are looking for is, ‘Can a new guy who doesn’t have thousands of flight hours … jump in the jet for the first time and execute the mission he’s sent to do?’” Wilson said.
Eventually, the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron will design practice tactical missions for the F-35 to go on to determine how it meshes with other Air Force aircraft. Wilson estimates that the plane will be ready for action by 2018.
Not all are enthused for the aircraft, however. Winslow Wheeler, director of the Straus Military Reform Project for the Center for Defense Information, is skeptical. Wheeler formerly conducted work on national defense issues for 31 years for members of the U.S. Senate.
He said the aircraft is more a technological dream than a functional combat aircraft. He said many of its design concepts are contradictory, such as trying to be both supersonic and a short takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft. One requires it to be long and sleek, the other short and stumpy.
“The airplane has these problems in its DNA,” Wheeler said. “It cannot be fixed.”
Only time and tests at Nellis will tell if the aircraft will operate in missions as JSF officials say it will. Until then, Wilson is looking forward to the aircraft’s arrival.
“We’ve been waiting a long time. There were program delays, but it’s back on track,” Wilson said. “We’re happy to get the F-35 here because we get to wring out the jet in operational fashion, which the program and airplane needs.”
Source: http://www.lasvegassun.com
The F-35 Lightning II, developed in the most expensive program in military history, will undergo three to five years of testing at Nellis Air Force Base. The base received its first F-35 this week and is scheduled to draw a total of 12 of the stealthy, high-tech jets by the end of the month.
During the testing period, Nellis airmen and military tacticians will write the manual on how the F-35 will be deployed in the Air Force.
“We’re doing all the leg work and interoperability with all the fighters and weapon systems to get the jet to where a combat commander can say, ‘I need 12 F-35s to do this mission,’ and we can say, ‘Yes, boss, it's ready to go,’” said Lt. Col. Kevin Wilson, 53rd Wing chief of joint strike fighter integration. “We’re part of that transition to get it up to speed.”
The F-35 was created as part of the Defense Department's Joint Strike Fighter program with nine allied nations. The JSF touts the Lightning II as the aircraft of the future, thanks to its advanced airframe design and technology.
But the jet has been plagued by cost overruns and delays. The Pentagon is projected to spend up to $396 billion to buy nearly 2,500 F-35s over the next three decades, but budget cutters could easily put the aircraft in their sights. It didn’t help the plane’s prospects that the Pentagon grounded all of its F-35s in February after a crack turned up in a turbine blade in one of the planes’ engines.
The single-seat, single-engine jet is designed to be both lethal and stealthy. Variations of the plane are tailored for different military branches, and each different type is made from similar parts to make it affordable to service and repair. One version is capable of taking off and landing vertically.
The jet is intended to replace aging military jets like the A-10 attack plane and F-16 fighter in the Air Force, along with other jets in the Navy and Marines. Before that, Wilson and his team are assigned to make sure the jets are ready for missions.
Wilson said he was excited for the arrival of the jet, not only for the chance to explore a brand-new aircraft, but because of the jobs the aircraft would create. He said 412 military jobs would be added through the course of the testing at Nellis. Other testing for the F-35 is being conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
“This will really help our air power for the future because it is a long-term program on the books to be around for 50 years,” Wilson said. “It certainly keeps Nellis thriving as it always has.”
Wilson said airmen would start by putting the plane through low-risk development tests, which aren't being done at Edwards. Those include seeing how it performs at high speeds or handles in various maneuvers.
Then the plane will go through force development tests, which consist of scenarios of combat missions. The tests determine how a plane will perform while evading another aircraft, or if a piece of technology operates at a specific speed.
Any glitches or bugs in the jet’s system are reported to support staff to fix.
“What we are looking for is, ‘Can a new guy who doesn’t have thousands of flight hours … jump in the jet for the first time and execute the mission he’s sent to do?’” Wilson said.
Eventually, the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron will design practice tactical missions for the F-35 to go on to determine how it meshes with other Air Force aircraft. Wilson estimates that the plane will be ready for action by 2018.
Not all are enthused for the aircraft, however. Winslow Wheeler, director of the Straus Military Reform Project for the Center for Defense Information, is skeptical. Wheeler formerly conducted work on national defense issues for 31 years for members of the U.S. Senate.
He said the aircraft is more a technological dream than a functional combat aircraft. He said many of its design concepts are contradictory, such as trying to be both supersonic and a short takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft. One requires it to be long and sleek, the other short and stumpy.
“The airplane has these problems in its DNA,” Wheeler said. “It cannot be fixed.”
Only time and tests at Nellis will tell if the aircraft will operate in missions as JSF officials say it will. Until then, Wilson is looking forward to the aircraft’s arrival.
“We’ve been waiting a long time. There were program delays, but it’s back on track,” Wilson said. “We’re happy to get the F-35 here because we get to wring out the jet in operational fashion, which the program and airplane needs.”
Source: http://www.lasvegassun.com
Blue Angels scheduled to fly, others not at Naval Air Facility El Centro Air Show
Though some appearances have been canceled, the Blue Angels are still set to soar next Saturday for the annual air show at Naval Air Facility El Centro.
Unfortunately, a number of other demonstrations, including the VFA-122 Super Hornet, have been grounded as the federal government deals with sequestration cuts and an uncertain budget future.
“(The Blue Angels) They’ve announced the intent to cancel the April shows, but because we fell before the April 1 cutoff, we will still have the Blue Angels,” said Michelle Dee, Naval Air Facility El Centro public affairs officer and Navy Region Southwest Air Show director. “The real effect will be the impact of the other military demonstration.”
It’s becoming hard to come by military aviation demonstrations, with others canceling their performances, she said. The Air Force has canceled all of its participation in the local air show, and between 10 and 15 military static displays have also canceled, including a B-52 jet-powered bomber and MQ-1 Predator drone.
There will still be military participation, with the Wall of Fire and more. A number of civilian and historical planes are also going to take flight next Saturday, she said.
“It’s still going to be a great show,” Dee said. “It’s just going to be different.”
A number of local favorites are still set to come back, with Metal Mulisha scheduled to perform as well as a number of vintage military aircrafts on display.
The cuts to military aviation demonstration comes as part of sequestration, a series of automatic, across-the-board cuts to government agencies, totaling more than $1 trillion through a 10-year period.
The automatic budget cuts that started March 1 require Blue Angels air show performances from April 1 to Sept. 30 to be canceled, said Blue Angels Public Affairs Officer Lt. Katie Kelly. However, a memo sent last week indicated the Navy would only start by canceling shows in April, with other dates to be decided as they come. The reason for the rolling cuts is the Navy doesn’t want to make any decisions or cancellations too far into the future that can’t be reversed in hope that Congress passes a spending bill.
The Navy’s flight demonstration team is still set to perform at two air shows in March, one at Naval Air Facility El Centro and one at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla.
It is still unclear as to whether the Blue Angels will be practicing come April 1 though, Kelly said.
While the Navy is still moving forward with its El Centro air show, other branches of the military have canceled upcoming air shows. The Air Force has also chosen to cancel its flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, performances for this year, said John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. If a budget deal happens, a portion of the season may be reinstituted.
The Air Force is being required to cut 18 percent of its flying hours for front-line pilots, he said. Because of this, they are scrambling to find flying hours wherever possible, and that includes redistributing them from the Thunderbirds to those that need to stay combat-ready.
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are national icons, not only here but around the world, he said. This could be a situation that threatens their existence.
“They are national icons that remind people about what this country is and how it came to be,” he said. “It is disturbing in the extreme to see their very existence threatened because of such a short-term political problem.”
It’s not clear what’s going to happen, but the threat is that this could become the new norm, he said. The only real solution is to fix the problem.
Source: http://www.ivpressonline.com
Unfortunately, a number of other demonstrations, including the VFA-122 Super Hornet, have been grounded as the federal government deals with sequestration cuts and an uncertain budget future.
“(The Blue Angels) They’ve announced the intent to cancel the April shows, but because we fell before the April 1 cutoff, we will still have the Blue Angels,” said Michelle Dee, Naval Air Facility El Centro public affairs officer and Navy Region Southwest Air Show director. “The real effect will be the impact of the other military demonstration.”
It’s becoming hard to come by military aviation demonstrations, with others canceling their performances, she said. The Air Force has canceled all of its participation in the local air show, and between 10 and 15 military static displays have also canceled, including a B-52 jet-powered bomber and MQ-1 Predator drone.
There will still be military participation, with the Wall of Fire and more. A number of civilian and historical planes are also going to take flight next Saturday, she said.
“It’s still going to be a great show,” Dee said. “It’s just going to be different.”
A number of local favorites are still set to come back, with Metal Mulisha scheduled to perform as well as a number of vintage military aircrafts on display.
The cuts to military aviation demonstration comes as part of sequestration, a series of automatic, across-the-board cuts to government agencies, totaling more than $1 trillion through a 10-year period.
The automatic budget cuts that started March 1 require Blue Angels air show performances from April 1 to Sept. 30 to be canceled, said Blue Angels Public Affairs Officer Lt. Katie Kelly. However, a memo sent last week indicated the Navy would only start by canceling shows in April, with other dates to be decided as they come. The reason for the rolling cuts is the Navy doesn’t want to make any decisions or cancellations too far into the future that can’t be reversed in hope that Congress passes a spending bill.
The Navy’s flight demonstration team is still set to perform at two air shows in March, one at Naval Air Facility El Centro and one at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla.
It is still unclear as to whether the Blue Angels will be practicing come April 1 though, Kelly said.
While the Navy is still moving forward with its El Centro air show, other branches of the military have canceled upcoming air shows. The Air Force has also chosen to cancel its flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, performances for this year, said John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. If a budget deal happens, a portion of the season may be reinstituted.
The Air Force is being required to cut 18 percent of its flying hours for front-line pilots, he said. Because of this, they are scrambling to find flying hours wherever possible, and that includes redistributing them from the Thunderbirds to those that need to stay combat-ready.
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are national icons, not only here but around the world, he said. This could be a situation that threatens their existence.
“They are national icons that remind people about what this country is and how it came to be,” he said. “It is disturbing in the extreme to see their very existence threatened because of such a short-term political problem.”
It’s not clear what’s going to happen, but the threat is that this could become the new norm, he said. The only real solution is to fix the problem.
Source: http://www.ivpressonline.com
Spirit AeroSystems lays off 'small number' of workers at Tulsa plant
Aircraft component maker Spirit AeroSystems is laying off an undisclosed number of workers at its Tulsa manufacturing facility, the company confirmed Friday.
Wichita-based Spirit would not confirm how many employees were being let go. Company spokesman Mark Walker would only say Spirit issued "a small number" of layoff notices to employees Friday.
"Spirit AeroSystems routinely looks for opportunities for efficiency gains and cost reductions in response to financial and performance challenges as reported in our 2012 full-year earnings report," Walker wrote in an email. "To meet our challenges, we are focused on changing the cost model for how we do business in order to bring even more value to our aerospace design/build capabilities."
Spirit employs nearly 3,000 people in Oklahoma, about 2,700 of them at its facility at Tulsa International Airport.
Spirit is a major manufacturer for airplane builders such as Boeing Co., Airbus SAS and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., making fuselages, wings, pylons, nacelles and other structural parts.
A month ago Spirit reported that revenue and earnings were up during the fourth quarter compared with the previous year, though full-year earnings were down.
The company expects to sell $5.8 billion to $6 billion worth of products this year, up nearly 10 percent over 2012, according to financial projections released in February. However, Spirit did say it was hoping to increase productivity to be more profitable.
The company was formed in 2005 as a spinoff from Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Spirit has been a major player in Boeing projects and builds fuselages for the new 787 Dreamliner as well as Boeing 737s.
Walker said the cutbacks are not related to problems with the Boeing 787, which has been grounded worldwide since January due to battery issues.
"The decision to realign the number of employees working on Tulsa programs is part of our process focused on changing the cost structure for doing business," Walker wrote. "Realignment is required to ensure the Tulsa site remains strong and is able to add value to our aerospace design/build capabilities."
Spirit occupies the former Air Force Plant No. 3 at the airport. In November, Tulsa County voters rejected a $386.88 million sales-tax package to fund upgrades for the industrial area's three major tenants, including the American Airlines maintenance base and school bus maker IC of Oklahoma LLC.
At that time, Spirit officials said the company had a total payroll in Oklahoma of about $180 million a year.
Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com
Wichita-based Spirit would not confirm how many employees were being let go. Company spokesman Mark Walker would only say Spirit issued "a small number" of layoff notices to employees Friday.
"Spirit AeroSystems routinely looks for opportunities for efficiency gains and cost reductions in response to financial and performance challenges as reported in our 2012 full-year earnings report," Walker wrote in an email. "To meet our challenges, we are focused on changing the cost model for how we do business in order to bring even more value to our aerospace design/build capabilities."
Spirit employs nearly 3,000 people in Oklahoma, about 2,700 of them at its facility at Tulsa International Airport.
Spirit is a major manufacturer for airplane builders such as Boeing Co., Airbus SAS and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., making fuselages, wings, pylons, nacelles and other structural parts.
A month ago Spirit reported that revenue and earnings were up during the fourth quarter compared with the previous year, though full-year earnings were down.
The company expects to sell $5.8 billion to $6 billion worth of products this year, up nearly 10 percent over 2012, according to financial projections released in February. However, Spirit did say it was hoping to increase productivity to be more profitable.
The company was formed in 2005 as a spinoff from Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Spirit has been a major player in Boeing projects and builds fuselages for the new 787 Dreamliner as well as Boeing 737s.
Walker said the cutbacks are not related to problems with the Boeing 787, which has been grounded worldwide since January due to battery issues.
"The decision to realign the number of employees working on Tulsa programs is part of our process focused on changing the cost structure for doing business," Walker wrote. "Realignment is required to ensure the Tulsa site remains strong and is able to add value to our aerospace design/build capabilities."
Spirit occupies the former Air Force Plant No. 3 at the airport. In November, Tulsa County voters rejected a $386.88 million sales-tax package to fund upgrades for the industrial area's three major tenants, including the American Airlines maintenance base and school bus maker IC of Oklahoma LLC.
At that time, Spirit officials said the company had a total payroll in Oklahoma of about $180 million a year.
Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com
El Centro Sector Border Patrol Seizes Marijuana Dropped by an Ultralight Aircraft
Calipatria, California - Yesterday, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio station seized 230 pounds of marijuana that was dropped by an ultralight aircraft.
Border Patrol agents were notified at approximately 11 p.m. by the CBP Air and Marine Operations Center of a possible ultra-light traveling north from the United States/Mexico border fence, approximately five miles west of Calexico. Border Patrol agents responded to the last known location indicated by Air and Marine Operators. While conducting surveillance of the area, agents observed a black GMC Sierra truck with visible packages inside the cab and a metal cage in the bed of the truck. Metal cages are frequently used for dropping narcotics from ultralight aircrafts. Agents conducted a vehicle stop and discovered ten packages of Marijuana, weighing over 230 pounds, with an estimated value of over $184,000.
The individual, vehicle, and marijuana were seized and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Source: http://www.imperialvalleynews.com
Border Patrol agents were notified at approximately 11 p.m. by the CBP Air and Marine Operations Center of a possible ultra-light traveling north from the United States/Mexico border fence, approximately five miles west of Calexico. Border Patrol agents responded to the last known location indicated by Air and Marine Operators. While conducting surveillance of the area, agents observed a black GMC Sierra truck with visible packages inside the cab and a metal cage in the bed of the truck. Metal cages are frequently used for dropping narcotics from ultralight aircrafts. Agents conducted a vehicle stop and discovered ten packages of Marijuana, weighing over 230 pounds, with an estimated value of over $184,000.
The individual, vehicle, and marijuana were seized and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Source: http://www.imperialvalleynews.com
Prepping new pilots a ‘slow’ process: Maryland State Police Aviation Command
CUMBERLAND — Training of pilots and flight paramedics is moving forward at a methodical pace now that Maryland State Police has begun taking delivery of the new AW139 helicopters that will replace its fleet of medevac helicopters, some of which are 20 years old.
“This will be a slow and deliberate process,” said MSP Public Information Officer Greg Shipley.
“We received six new helicopters last week and training will commence. We have have four more helicopters coming later this year. The plan is to have all of the new aircraft functioning and deployed by the end of the year.”
Shipley said the helicopters will be deployed section by section and the first actual mission by the new state-of-the-art helicopters is projected by late spring or early summer.
“First, we have to get the instructor pilots trained and comfortable. Then we will be moving out into the sections with focused, concentrated training at the sections. The training will be conducted in addition to the operational coverage that we will continue to provide.
“There are a lot of moving parts. For example, we have Honeywell manufacturing personnel coming in for cockpit training that will be carried out over five days. We are going from a cockpit of gauges to a glass cockpit like an array of iPads,” said Shipley.
Maryland State Police Aviation Command, he said, waited a long time to get the upgraded aircraft.
“There is no breakdown in the process. It is moving ahead and may not be moving ahead as some — including some of our own people — would like. We will provide extensive training and as much training as needed to make ready to operate these aircraft. To do anything less would be irresponsible,” said Shipley.
The new AW139s feature the most spacious cabin available on the market with a custom-designed medevac interior. The AW139 cabin is 57 percent larger than the one in the Dauphine helicopters they are replacing, according to AgustaWestland, manufacturer of the aircrafts.
The AW139 is successfully performing multimission roles throughout North America for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Los Angeles Fire Department, New Jersey State Police and other major aero-medical and search and rescue operations in North America, according to AgustaWestland.
Source: http://times-news.com
Friday, March 8, 2013
Practicing stunt planes perturb some residents: Marion County Airport (X35), Dunnellon, Florida
MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Some Marion County residents say they're being harassed by pilots.
Some people living near the Dunnellon-Marion County Airport don't like that planes are allowed to perform stunts there. And some think their complaints may have only made things worse.
In rural Marion County near Dunnellon peace and quiet are highly prized.
"Love it. Love it. It is so nice when they don't fly," said homeowner Valerie Wienke.
But when they do, residents said it is noisy.
Pilots are allowed to practice stunt maneuvers over the airport.
Wienke said the noise drives her up the wall.
"It's the constant 20 or 30 minutes of vroom, vroom, vroom," said Wienke.
She said that some days the noise goes on for hours.
She said complaints to airport management have gotten nowhere.
"Marion County doesn't have authority over what goes on over the airport," said airport manager John Helms.
Helms said that is in the hands of the Federal Aviation Administration, which approved what is called an aerobatic box overhead.
The FAA does have some strict rules. Pilots must perform the maneuvers, or stunts, within a one-mile radius of the center of airport. The airport covers 800 acres.
Pilots can fly no higher than 4,000 feet above the ground, and come no closer than 1,500 feet to the ground.
Helms said there has never been an accident at the airport.
But Wienke's primary problem is with the noise. She said she's not opposed to the airport.
Wienke said her father was a pilot and she's been to air shows.
"I, in fact, love airplanes. But I can't tolerate (these) aerobatics," said Wienke.
Marion County Commission chairman Kathy Bryant has agreed to look into the matter for the airport's neighbors.
Story and Video: http://www.wftv.com
B-17 Flying Fortress to take the sky at Air Fiesta 2013
BROWNSVILLE — For the first time in a decade, the B-17 Flying Fortress will cast its fearsome shadow over spectators.
“Texas Raiders,” a 67-year-old, four-engine heavy bomber flown and maintained by the Commemorative Air Force’s Gulf Coast Wing in Houston, will be the biggest star at this weekend’s Air Fiesta 2013, which celebrates 50 years of CAF air shows in the Rio Grande Valley.
In honor of the half-century mark, the air show will focus heavily on World War II-era aircraft. David Hughston, Air Fiesta chairman, said the Flying Fortress was a vital U.S. asset during WWII and that 10 years have passed since Air Fiesta has been lucky enough to have one.
“The B-17, because of its capacity, speed and everything about it made it a very effective weapon of war during World War II,” Hughston said. “Without it we might not have won the war.”
Texas Raiders, a B-17G delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1945, will take part in simulated bombing runs during Air Fiesta. The aircraft is one of only 11 B-17s still flying — nine of them are in the United States — out of more than 12,000 built between 1936 and 1945.
The aircraft, manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Co. under contract to Boeing, underwent its last restoration between 2002 and 2009 at a cost of $700,000. The then-Mercedes-based CAF acquired the plane in 1967 for $50,000 and added it to its “Ghost Squadron” fleet of WWII aircraft. It was dubbed “Texas Raiders” in 1970. The CAF moved its headquarters to Harlingen in 1968, and in 1991 to Midland where it remains today.
Although Flying Fortresses saw action in every theater of WWII, they were used primarily for daylight, precision bombing raids against German military and industrial targets. Texas Raiders never saw combat, though it was used for satellite tracking and serial mapping after the war until the CAF bought it in the 1960s.
Walt Thompson, a former airline pilot based in Dallas who joined the Gulf Coast Wing in the 1980s, has logged about 700 hours piloting Texas Raiders for air shows and other appearances. Unlike modern aircraft, which use hydraulics and other systems to help maneuver the plane, the B-17’s flight controls are totally manual, Thompson said.
“There are no powered flight controls,” he said. “Everything is muscle power.”
That said, Boeing’s brilliant engineers at the time designed a “servo tab” aerodynamic assistance system — still in use today — that made the plane easier to fly, Thompson said. Designed as a high-altitude bombing platform, the B-17 is known for being exceptionally stable aloft, he noted.
“Whatever it’s doing at any particular moment, it wants to keep on doing that,” Thompson said. “If you’ve got it in a turn, it wants to keep on doing that until you make it stop.”
Since the Flying Fortress is a “taildragger,” however, taking off, landing and taxiing can be tricky — especially in a stiff crosswind. The pilot’s legs get a workout on the rudder pedals at such times, Thompson said.
“It’s a pleasant airplane to fly but just totally different compared to modern airplanes,” he said.
The B-17’s four 1,820-cubic-inch radial engines develop 1,200 horsepower each. In normal flight the bomber guzzles approximately 225 gallons of gasoline an hour. The Flying Fortress costs about $3,000 an hour to operate, including not just oil and gas but maintenance reserves for the engines and other components, Thompson said.
Texas Raiders’ volunteer crew members each donate $3,500 to help keep the plane in the air. Those like Thompson who actually fly the plane are expected to kick in extra from time to time when necessary. Appearance fees at air shows, sponsorships, sales of merchandise, tours and rides — yes, B-17 rides will be available at Air Fiesta — also help keep it flying.
“Being able to sell flights on these airplanes is relatively new,” Thompson said. “It’s a major source of income. We do it under a special exemption from the FAA.”
Why go to all this trouble and expense to keep a WWII relic in the air? Thompson doesn’t hesitate in answering that one.
“It’s important because it’s a living piece of American history,” he said. “Virtually everyone who’s ever read about World War II knows that the bombing campaign in Europe was huge. The campaign for Fortress Europe — it was a key part of that.”
Besides its historical importance, the Flying Fortress is among the most familiar icons of WWII. It’s majestic rumbling overhead and a nice looking airplane sitting on the ground. It’s also a crowd magnet, Thompson said. People want to see it up close and crawl around inside it, he said.
Then there are the veterans — old men who served on B-17s as young men. What they feel upon seeing a surviving, airworthy Flying Fortress — much less riding in one — is knowable only to fellow B-17 veterans.
“It’s such a joy to be around that airplane that’s so important to so many people,” Thompson said. “It rubs off on you.”
The B-17 earned an almost mythic reputation for toughness — returning its crews safely to base time and again after missions despite being shot to pieces.
“The ruggedness of the B-17 I think is the thing it’s best known for,” Thompson said. “The pictures that have been taken of these airplanes that have made it back with huge damage: You think, my God, how did that thing stay in the air?”
Source: http://www.themonitor.com
“Texas Raiders,” a 67-year-old, four-engine heavy bomber flown and maintained by the Commemorative Air Force’s Gulf Coast Wing in Houston, will be the biggest star at this weekend’s Air Fiesta 2013, which celebrates 50 years of CAF air shows in the Rio Grande Valley.
In honor of the half-century mark, the air show will focus heavily on World War II-era aircraft. David Hughston, Air Fiesta chairman, said the Flying Fortress was a vital U.S. asset during WWII and that 10 years have passed since Air Fiesta has been lucky enough to have one.
“The B-17, because of its capacity, speed and everything about it made it a very effective weapon of war during World War II,” Hughston said. “Without it we might not have won the war.”
Texas Raiders, a B-17G delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1945, will take part in simulated bombing runs during Air Fiesta. The aircraft is one of only 11 B-17s still flying — nine of them are in the United States — out of more than 12,000 built between 1936 and 1945.
The aircraft, manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Co. under contract to Boeing, underwent its last restoration between 2002 and 2009 at a cost of $700,000. The then-Mercedes-based CAF acquired the plane in 1967 for $50,000 and added it to its “Ghost Squadron” fleet of WWII aircraft. It was dubbed “Texas Raiders” in 1970. The CAF moved its headquarters to Harlingen in 1968, and in 1991 to Midland where it remains today.
Although Flying Fortresses saw action in every theater of WWII, they were used primarily for daylight, precision bombing raids against German military and industrial targets. Texas Raiders never saw combat, though it was used for satellite tracking and serial mapping after the war until the CAF bought it in the 1960s.
Walt Thompson, a former airline pilot based in Dallas who joined the Gulf Coast Wing in the 1980s, has logged about 700 hours piloting Texas Raiders for air shows and other appearances. Unlike modern aircraft, which use hydraulics and other systems to help maneuver the plane, the B-17’s flight controls are totally manual, Thompson said.
“There are no powered flight controls,” he said. “Everything is muscle power.”
That said, Boeing’s brilliant engineers at the time designed a “servo tab” aerodynamic assistance system — still in use today — that made the plane easier to fly, Thompson said. Designed as a high-altitude bombing platform, the B-17 is known for being exceptionally stable aloft, he noted.
“Whatever it’s doing at any particular moment, it wants to keep on doing that,” Thompson said. “If you’ve got it in a turn, it wants to keep on doing that until you make it stop.”
Since the Flying Fortress is a “taildragger,” however, taking off, landing and taxiing can be tricky — especially in a stiff crosswind. The pilot’s legs get a workout on the rudder pedals at such times, Thompson said.
“It’s a pleasant airplane to fly but just totally different compared to modern airplanes,” he said.
The B-17’s four 1,820-cubic-inch radial engines develop 1,200 horsepower each. In normal flight the bomber guzzles approximately 225 gallons of gasoline an hour. The Flying Fortress costs about $3,000 an hour to operate, including not just oil and gas but maintenance reserves for the engines and other components, Thompson said.
Texas Raiders’ volunteer crew members each donate $3,500 to help keep the plane in the air. Those like Thompson who actually fly the plane are expected to kick in extra from time to time when necessary. Appearance fees at air shows, sponsorships, sales of merchandise, tours and rides — yes, B-17 rides will be available at Air Fiesta — also help keep it flying.
“Being able to sell flights on these airplanes is relatively new,” Thompson said. “It’s a major source of income. We do it under a special exemption from the FAA.”
Why go to all this trouble and expense to keep a WWII relic in the air? Thompson doesn’t hesitate in answering that one.
“It’s important because it’s a living piece of American history,” he said. “Virtually everyone who’s ever read about World War II knows that the bombing campaign in Europe was huge. The campaign for Fortress Europe — it was a key part of that.”
Besides its historical importance, the Flying Fortress is among the most familiar icons of WWII. It’s majestic rumbling overhead and a nice looking airplane sitting on the ground. It’s also a crowd magnet, Thompson said. People want to see it up close and crawl around inside it, he said.
Then there are the veterans — old men who served on B-17s as young men. What they feel upon seeing a surviving, airworthy Flying Fortress — much less riding in one — is knowable only to fellow B-17 veterans.
“It’s such a joy to be around that airplane that’s so important to so many people,” Thompson said. “It rubs off on you.”
The B-17 earned an almost mythic reputation for toughness — returning its crews safely to base time and again after missions despite being shot to pieces.
“The ruggedness of the B-17 I think is the thing it’s best known for,” Thompson said. “The pictures that have been taken of these airplanes that have made it back with huge damage: You think, my God, how did that thing stay in the air?”
Source: http://www.themonitor.com
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