"Primed for improvement?" As in "the only way to go is up????"

(Written on 2016年01月15日)(Permalink)

And if it did get damaged (which took a lot of doing), as I recall, weren't many of the parts ambidextrous, that is, the same (replacement) part could be used on either the right or left side- and often replaced on the spot in the field- further reducing the cost of keeping it flying??

(Written on 2015年07月03日)(Permalink)

There is an old axiom in the realty industry: "The cheapest house to buy is the own you already own". I suspect it would apply here as well. And what's a measly little ol' $4.2B over five whole years... that's less than a billion a year, chump change in the current budget that is figuring on a trillion over ten years for healthcare! Let's keep this strategically needed gem flying!

(Written on 2015年07月03日)(Permalink)

Maybe there is a "BOGO" special. (Bomb one, get one free). Then, we could fix ORD, too. :-)

(Written on 2015年07月02日)(Permalink)

Wildlife? Gee - and I was worried someone was going to drag one through a Jetway and hit me on the head with it. Silly me.

(Written on 2015年06月26日)(Permalink)

Notwithstanding the fact that the plane is a sharp little number, yes, I'd say this headline has some hyperbole! Curiosity at an Air Show? Quite likely. Another toy for the rich and famous? Probably. A plane in every driveway? Probably not. And, I'm getting really very weary of hearing about "zero emission this" and "zero emission that". Hello?!?!? Emissions are simply DISPLACED- moved elsewhere- and there is likely a certain amount of efficiency loss in the process of said displacement or movement.

(Written on 2015年06月17日)(Permalink)

I agree with "zero emissions": it's simply emissions shifting to somewhere- and sometime- else. And with every energy transformation, there is some energy loss. The piece did mention that the cost is 2¢ per hour. It also mentioned that the batteries, good for 0.5 hour, have 60kw. That puts its use at 120 kw per hour. At our local average of about 11¢ per kwh, that puts the cost at around $13.20 an hour, not 2¢. It IS a lot less than av-gas, etc, but I hope whoever did these calculations didn't also engineer the plane!

(Written on 2014年06月13日)(Permalink)

I greatly appreciate well-done parody and satire. However, I hope another venue is sought to distribute this fine piece of work. It just might give "the suits" an idea.

(Written on 2014年03月01日)(Permalink)

Hottest exhaust lately seems to be coming from politicians' mouths, not from jet engines.

(Written on 2014年02月15日)(Permalink)

Let's see, now. The most corrupt city, in the most corrupt county, in the most corrupt state. Guess they don't like it when the shoe is on the other foot, do they??? Just as with the IRS, tax evasion is illegal, but tax avoidance is simply doing your due diligence in keeping your business profitable.

(Written on 2013年01月18日)(Permalink)