The 757 is a narrow-body plane, I believe. The 737-200 is almost the same capacity and range, so if they go with the 737, they get a maintainable aircraft with little or no downside.

(Written on 2019年02月15日)(Permalink)

What a mess. I call commercial flying these days as a refined form of torture. I won't do it unless there's no viable alternative, such as a cross-country trip.

(Written on 2017年06月16日)(Permalink)

I think the builders would know how to fix it if it failed.

(Written on 2017年05月19日)(Permalink)

The airlines always claim they need to overbook, but the airline I use most frequently (AA) when I have been traveling always asked for the volunteers BEFORE boarding the plane. This avoids most of the problems.

(Written on 2017年04月28日)(Permalink)

That fellow was lucky that thing wasn't more poisonous than it was, or that he was no apparently allergic to it.I wonder, didn't he realize what it was in the first place? You just don't pick up a scorpion.

(Written on 2017年04月14日)(Permalink)

As a meteorologist, I can assure you that the global models get updated with satellite winds just after model initialization, and the satellite winds can see otherwise unforecast storms out over the oceans even if there are no surface stations or other upper air observations available. Therefore, if the aircraft didn't load enough fuel to complete the flight, the problem is with them, not the weather. Even if the storm forecasts are not perfect, they are still good enough for proper flight planning.

(Written on 2016年04月08日)(Permalink)

I like it too. Kudos to the developers.

(Written on 2016年02月26日)(Permalink)

You meant B-52, I presume.

(Written on 2015年11月13日)(Permalink)

The Brass hats have wasted more $$ in the last few years than it took to fight WW-II. The A-10 was properly designed for its role, the F-35 is not. The idiots that thought one plane could fill the roles for all the services are proved wrong once again, they never learn. If they want a new fighter, they should build improved F-22's, or better reprise the YF-23. A new ground-attack plane, build more A-10's. In such a role, stealth buys you nothing and costs a fortune.

(Written on 2015年11月13日)(Permalink)

I still think a air rifle firing BB's or .177 cal pellets is best. Range is only ~600', and it doesn't make the noise of a regular gun. Of course, he'd have to be a better shot than with a shotgun loaded with birdshot, but still i'd be safer ...

(Written on 2015年10月30日)(Permalink)