Russian commercial aircraft have always been behind the curve. Planes like the Tu-134 and Tu-154 were DC-9 and 727 wanna-be's. Both tended to crash a lot. While the Sukoi design bureau turned out great fighters and Ukrainian Antonov turned out marvelous heavy lift planes, the commercial side never did very well. The Il-96 was a clear knock off of the 767 and originally was a joint venture with Pratt-Whitney to power the plane. But things didn't work out. The -400 is too many years in the past. It's a waste of resources to continue a plane like this with Airbus 340-600 now in the bone yard.

(Written on 23.10.2020)(Permalink)

Some great airmanship landing the 130. I'm betting they didn't have time to dump the fuel they were hauling and they did the landing belly up with both right engines disabled. Good work guys!

(Written on 02.10.2020)(Permalink)

This article below gives a bit more info than the video clip attached offered. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/faa-chief-dickson-likes-what-he-found-piloting-a-737-max-test-flight/ I really do think the FAA wants all the issues resolved in this aircraft. And yes, we have mountains yet to climb to overcome the PR disaster that still exists due to Boeing management's failure to proceed with engineering and safety in mind and not just the all mighty dollar. Now Boeing has a new crisis on their hands wanting to move the 787 line exclusively to South Carolina. Everyone in Everett and in the State capital (especially the Governor) are POed at Boeing management wanting to make this move. And the management screw up keep on coming!

(Written on 02.10.2020)(Permalink)

There needs to be some verbal clarity here. Maybe this is cleaner and clearer: "Trigger happy Iranian boobs shot down an unarmed civilian airliner." I hate articles that play with words like this Reuters dispatch."Illegal interference" is given as a direct quote from Yenin, a Ukrainian official. But Reuters for some reason was very timid in how they wrote this. The Ukrainians should hold the Iranian's feet to the fire on this seeking at least $20 million per dead passenger. The guys that were running the radar at the missile site and especially the one who gave the command to fire the missile should say goodbye to their families, smoke their last cigarette and decide if they want a blind fold or not. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has always tended to be a trigger happy bunch regardless of what their weapon is and who they think they are using it against. This is an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary FUBR of monumental proportions.

(Written on 01.08.2020)(Permalink)

What an absolute jackass. He needs his pilot's license revoked and needs to write a letter of apology to the controller. And yes, keep a close eye out for his Cessna being up for sale. Can you imagine the conversation if it had been Kennedy Steve in the Control Tower?

(Written on 26.06.2020)(Permalink)

Can't wait to fly on one of these new 777-X planes. Boeing is working hard in their certification program and I am hoping that this is going to be the plane to turn Boeing around.

(Written on 15.05.2020)(Permalink)

Title Insurance should be mandatory on boats and planes with titles being listed and cross referenced by aircraft serial number and current FAA registration. A seller would have to prevaldate any sale by offering the actual title for public inspection as part of any advertising he/she does to sell the plane.This might cut down on these kind of shenanigans. As always the buyer beware. Go see what your buying or hire an agent/broker to represent you if it's a long distance from your home.

(Written on 08.05.2020)(Permalink)

797 will be Boeing's future and the best way to redeem themselves after the MAX debacle. The program must go ahead.

(Written on 01.05.2020)(Permalink)

Well Bill Babis, this is a BIG TIME insurance buyout. Can't imagine how a grass fire caused such havoc except for gasoline tanks exploding literally adding fuel to the fire.

(Written on 10.04.2020)(Permalink)

Exploding gas tanks.

(Written on 10.04.2020)(Permalink)