# The Great Ongoing Aviation Thread (general and other) (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 23, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499 "2011-10-23T02:17:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 131
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2603 "2022-03-09T20:43:36Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > “Gullwing” means something else for airplanes. Some vintage gliders too. [![](https://www.vintagesailplane.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Petrel-CPF19062-300x200.jpg) ](https://www.vintagesailplane.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Petrel-CPF19062-300x200.jpg) From this page, with lots of other pictures of vintage gliders (scroll down a bit): > **[Vintage Sailplanes - Vintage Sailplane Association](https://www.vintagesailplane.org/vintage-sailplanes/)** > > Vintage sailplanes are gliders built before 1958, or more recently built gliders that have vintage-era appearance, performance & construction ETA: For anyone who’s interested in the Southern California area: The Vintage Sailplane Association, Western Region holds a public open house, with lots of these old sailplanes on display, at Mountain Valley Gliderport in Tehachapi, every year on Memorial Day weekend. (Assuming it’s not canceled because of Covid.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2604 "2022-03-09T21:40:41Z")
Let us not forget “inverted gull wing.” [![](https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f4u/images/f4u_title.jpg) ](https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f4u/images/f4u_title.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2605 "2022-03-10T01:02:25Z")
Ah, the Corsair - love it!: [Vought F4U Corsair - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_F4U_Corsair) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2606 "2022-03-17T15:41:08Z")
Cool painting: > **[Caiella Named Winner of Aviation Painting Award](https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2021/august/caiella-named-winner-aviation-painting-award)** > > The American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS) has announced that Naval History Contributing Editor J. M. Caiella is the winner of its 2020 Best Painting Award. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2607 "2022-03-19T02:08:12Z")
looks like a photo of a model. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2608 "2022-03-21T16:59:24Z")
> **[Polar express: How airlines are plotting a new route to Asia](https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/north-pole-air-route/index.html)** > > A Russian airspace blockade meant quickly diverting some Europe to Asia flights over the North Pole. Here's how an airline creates a new route over the top of the world. Meanwhile, in First Class… > **[A Flighttime Story by Lars Kenseth](https://condenaststore.com/featured/a-flighttime-story-lars-kenseth.html)** > > A Flighttime Story Drawing by Lars Kenseth ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2609 "2022-03-21T19:28:27Z")
> **[Cessna SkyCourier certified](https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/march/14/cessna-skycourier--certified)** > > Textron Aviation reported Cessna SkyCourier certification was achieved less than two years after flight testing began. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2610 "2022-03-21T21:07:00Z")
slightly faster and twice the cargo space of a Caravan. [article with picture of both planes.](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/2017/12/4/fedex-upgrades-feeder-fleet-with-new-cessna-skycouriers) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2611 "2022-03-23T13:18:33Z")
A remarkable B-52 landing capability: > **[Watch This B-52 'Crabwalk' Down The Runway In A Heavy Crosswind Like Only It Can](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44864/watch-this-b-52-crabwalk-down-the-runway-in-a-heavy-crosswind-like-only-it-can)** > > Watch this B-52's unique swiveling landing gear get a full workout during this windy recovery at RAF Fairford. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2612 "2022-03-25T14:18:46Z")
> **[Boeing 747 to be centerpiece of new downtown Seattle development](https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/ian-gillespie-boeing-747-1200-stewart-downtown-seattle/281-09724782-c00d-4ae1-b754-66f4d893a407)** > > One of the most ambitious building projects to date in Seattle will soon land downtown. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2613 "2022-03-31T05:15:15Z")
I am curious… I just read this story (below…route map in the story) about Cathay Pacific planning the world’s single longest passenger air route from New York to Hong Kong. They will fly east over the Atlantic and then Europe, the Middle East and China. Total distance is 10,357 miles (16,668 kilometers). But why? A [quick Google search](https://www.google.com/search?q=new+york+to+hong+kong+distance&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS956US956&sxsrf=APq-WBsMsX3wC54tKnzCOR3s3S6TRC_BXw%3A1648703082003&ei=aTZFYsbePM3QtQajoL2YDA&oq=new+york+to+hong+kong&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYATIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQsAMQQzIHCAAQsAMQQzIHCAAQsAMQQzIHCAAQsAMQQzIKCAAQ5AIQsAMYATIKCAAQ5AIQsAMYATIKCAAQ5AIQsAMYATISCC4QxwEQ0QMQyAMQsAMQQxgCMhIILhDHARDRAxDIAxCwAxBDGAJKBAhBGABKBAhGGAFQAFgAYI0MaAFwAXgAgAEAiAEAkgEAmAEAyAERwAEB2gEGCAEQARgJ2gEGCAIQARgI&sclient=gws-wiz) says going west from New York to Hong Kong is 8,045 miles (13,000 kilometers). So why this long way? All I can think of is the jet stream slows you down going west but since it is a shorter flight doesn’t that cancel out (give or take)? Also, I thought planes had to pay a fee to any country they overfly for using their airspace. There are a lot less fees to pay if they go west (US and Canada I think). > **[Cathay Pacific plans world’s longest passenger flight, avoiding Russia](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/30/cathay-pacific-plans-worlds-longest-passenger-flight-avoiding-russia)** > > Airline could set distance record by rerouting its New York to Hong Kong service over the Atlantic instead of the Pacific, covering more than 16,600km ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2614 "2022-03-31T06:15:39Z")
Could be a lack of diversion airports going the other way. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2615 "2022-03-31T16:38:40Z")
Is that a big deal? I mean, lots of planes fly over the Pacific. Also, wouldn’t a route from New York to Hong Kong take the plane over Alaska and then over Japan (so it is not water the whole way)? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2616 "2022-03-31T17:49:41Z")
Well, it’s something that either works or doesn’t, if the diversion distance is 240 minutes and there are a few miles where the nearest suitable airport is 241 minutes then the route can’t be used. Without knowing the specifics of their operation (preferred diversion airports, aircraft ETOPS certification, etc) it’s impossible to know if it is a factor in the route choice or not. Keeping in mind that they need to be diversion airports the company is willing to use. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2617 "2022-03-31T17:53:56Z")
The winds may also be a factor as you said earlier. 100+ knots winds are common in the jetstream. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2618 "2022-03-31T18:06:54Z")
Sorry for the triple post. I found the following quote, so it seems your first thought is correct: “A company’s spokewoman said: «We are always running contingency routings for potential events or scenarios». «The Transatlantic option relies on the facilitation of strong seasonal tailwinds at this time of the year in order for the flight time to be between 16 and 17 hours, thereby making it more favorable than the Transpacific route», she added.” ---
**Author:** ![cytop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f17d59/32.png) [@cytop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cytop)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2619 "2022-04-01T04:56:12Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Is that a big deal? I mean, lots of planes fly over the Pacific. Also, wouldn’t a route from New York to Hong Kong take the plane over Alaska and then over Japan (so it is not water the whole way)? Korean Air flight 007 comes to mind … skirting a little too close to Russia, perhaps? “… KAL 007’s particular airway, R-20 (Romeo Two Zero), passes just 17.5 miles (28.2 km) from what was then Soviet airspace off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula…” > **[Korean Air Lines Flight 007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007)** > > Korean Air Lines Flight 007 (KE007/KAL007)\[note 2\] was a scheduled Korean Air Lines flight from New York City to Seoul via Anchorage, Alaska. On September 1, 1983, the flight was shot down by a Soviet Sukhoi Su-15 interceptor. The Boeing 747 airliner was en route from Anchorage to Seoul, but owing to a navigational mistake made by the crew, the airliner drifted from its original planned route and flew through Soviet prohibited airspace. The Soviet Air Forces treated the unidentified aircraft as... ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2620 "2022-04-01T18:37:18Z")
What button would a qualified pilot never push? British Airways pilot falsified his past experience to obtain job. Now he got caught and sentenced to a year in jail. Apparently, he actually was a competent-enough pilot. But this article says that he got caught when suspicions were raised because… > [@](#): > > Officials at BA CityFlyer first became suspicious after an incident “on the ground” in Switzerland when the pilot pressed a button “no qualified pilot would,” a source told The Times, without providing further details. > **[A pilot who lied about his flying experience to secure a job at British...](https://news.yahoo.com/pilot-lied-flying-experience-secure-154435199.html)** > > The former pilot was sentenced to 12 months in jail after pleading guilty to four counts of fraud, the UK Civil Aviation Authority said. Do airliners typically have a button that qualified pilots would never push? Perhaps a decoy button just for the purpose of catching unqualified pilots? Would it be duly labeled “Qualified pilots: Do not push” or maybe “Unqualified pilots only: Push”? What would such a button actually do when pushed? Simply send a notification to The Authorities? Instantly shut everything down? Maybe initiate self-destruct sequence? ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2621 "2022-04-01T19:05:40Z")
Retract landing gear? except I’m pretty sure that is a lever, not a button (The planes I fly have non-retractable gear) maybe switch to one of the emergency backup systems only used after engine failure? (maybe the starter when the engines are running?) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/2622 "2022-04-01T19:22:20Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Retract landing gear? except I’m pretty sure that is a lever, not a button All your suggestions sound plausible. Any plane with motorized retractable gear would have a switch to activate, which could be in the form of a button I suppose. I had an opportunity to fly a Cessna 182RG once (the RG stands for Retractable Gear). I don’t recall the exact design of the gear switch – it could have been a two-position switch that maybe looked like a lever. But it was an electric switch on the instrument panel, not an actual lever like the Johnson bar for the flaps in many small planes. ETA: In most of the gliders I’ve seen with retractable gear (I’ve never flown one), the gear really is controlled by a direct lever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499.md?page=130) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499.md?page=132)