# 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:** 158
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3143 "2022-11-30T00:12:33Z")
Imagine trying to explain you’ll be late for work before it makes the news. “No really, my plane is stuck in some power lines 100 feet in the air and I can’t get out”. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3144 "2022-11-30T02:04:32Z")
Oops. It will be interesting to learn about how they came to be entangled in a high tension support tower at low altitude not particularly near an airport. Perhaps better than an Pan Am (IIRC) Captain who many years ago crashed his light plane at JFK while commuting to work one winter evening in dense fog. He somehow ended up landing on a taxiway in foul conditions well below the weather minimums applicable to lightplanes. Then ran headlong into the nose gear of a 747 taxiing the opposite direction. He stubbed out his plane, and his life, like a used cigarette against the completely unyielding high-strength steel tree trunk of a 747’s nose gear strut. The ensuing fire was brief. And elicited considerable confusion in the cockpit 3 stories above the mishap they never saw. Fortunately, no-one else was hurt. But his planned flight to Europe was cancelled that night. A tough story to tell your boss, even posthumously. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3145 "2022-11-30T02:10:54Z")
Aviation Week reports today that recently Rolls Royce test-ran one of their advanced, but still production model, turboprop engines on pure hydrogen created entirely from green-sourced electricity. The source of the electricity used to make the hydrogen is IMO PR, but the idea of running an existing production turboprop engine on pure hydrogen is serious aero-engineering news. This particular model of engine (AE2100) powers the C-130J and several other advanced turboprop airplanes. The next 15 years of aeronautics will have more change than the last 50. The recurring cycle of revolution then refinement is entering the first revolutionary phase since I was a child. Wish I was young enough to participate in it, not just read about it from the old fart’s home. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3146 "2022-11-30T02:17:09Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Imagine trying to explain you’ll be late for work before it makes the news. “No really, my plane is stuck in some power lines 100 feet in the air and I can’t get out”. Maybe he was a Navy guy. You see some wires ahead, and you try to snag 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3147 "2022-11-30T02:25:02Z")
The list of people that “walked” away from a _stationary_ plane that did not actually land must be very short. Though I guess users of the Brodie “landing” system would count: > **[Brodie landing system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brodie_landing_system)** > > The Brodie landing system was a unique method of launching and landing light aircraft that was devised by Captain James H. Brodie, a member of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The novel system involved catching an overhead hook attached to the plane with a sling, which itself was attached to a cable secured between towers and acted as an arresting gear. This system was designed for launching and recovering small, lightweight liaison aircraft in terrain normally unsuitable fo... ---
**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:** [November 30, 2022, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3148 "2022-11-30T02:31:18Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I know the helo pilots think they’re flying a safer platform but It has me wondering if the auto-rotion training lacks the focus on maintaining descent. Is there a best glide airspeed in helicoptors? Autorotations are practiced… Well, I’d say _ad nauseam_ but they’re really, really fun to do and I can’t imagine getting sick of them. There is a best glide speed. For example, it’s 70 kts in a Robinson R22. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3149 "2022-11-30T03:18:55Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Maybe he was a Navy guy. You see some wires ahead, and you try to snag 'em. I’d score that landing an “OK - all three wires” 😉 ! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3150 "2022-11-30T03:24:36Z")
As to the news helo crash … is there any info anywhere on what happened? Autorotations are the equivalent of fixed-wing forced landings. IOW, a workaround for an engine failure and nothing more. There are lots of other causes for crashes, including spatial disorientation, control failures, turbulence encounters, and craptacular piloting in a bad situation. Do we have any idea which of any of these things played a role? It’s not uncommon that NTSB has nothing useful to say for a couple weeks after the fact. And even then only states the most basic of _what_s with no _why_s. And they seem to be having website problems to boot. ---
**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:** [November 30, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3151 "2022-11-30T03:27:23Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’d score that landing an “OK - all three wires” 😉 ! ‘OK-3’ means you snagged the third wire, not three of the four. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3152 "2022-11-30T03:36:20Z")
Hence the “all :)”. Snagging one on a carrier is good. Snagging 3 on a power pole is better. ---
**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:** [November 30, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3153 "2022-11-30T18:07:21Z")
For certain values of non-Navy “better.” ---
**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:** [December 2, 2022, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3154 "2022-12-02T04:15:02Z")
Not worthy of its own thread and not GA either, sorry, but I’m flying this A321NEO tomorrow. The first black liveried Star Alliance aircraft and it’s flown about 12 hours since it arrived in country from Europe. It should still have that new plane smell. [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJg6jMUsKLMQnuPOJnYyeSByTMDguz_gbePv_gEVYFksSlxMvJfC3NdKAp6Dhe-xAqaYnzm-913dpHFxXl9h3A0ze-El-FgxmxhB7SEd_go-0hV-aC7xrf-wV0tr3i8t3-RQVROBgluoJs4fvlkO_rPg2j4lLQJLnzBs5_W_0h6jgupXDUrQvS5iKIg/s2048/OYB%20Hamburg%2019-11-2022..jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJg6jMUsKLMQnuPOJnYyeSByTMDguz_gbePv_gEVYFksSlxMvJfC3NdKAp6Dhe-xAqaYnzm-913dpHFxXl9h3A0ze-El-FgxmxhB7SEd_go-0hV-aC7xrf-wV0tr3i8t3-RQVROBgluoJs4fvlkO_rPg2j4lLQJLnzBs5_W_0h6jgupXDUrQvS5iKIg/s2048/OYB%20Hamburg%2019-11-2022..jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3155 "2022-12-02T04:21:38Z")
Nice looking plane. It’s not going to matter at altitude but is that going to be hard to keep cool on the ground? ---
**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:** [December 2, 2022, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3156 "2022-12-02T05:25:43Z")
The company has a few black aircraft (without the Star Alliance livery), I’ve never noticed any difference with the temperature on the ground. What they do have a problem with is being sensed by the Nose In Guidance System that gives directions for taxiing on to the gate. They’re a bit stealthy. The first of each type is normally black with the subsequent aircraft being white with a black tail. [![](https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/6/77724_1599200953.jpg) ](https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/6/77724_1599200953.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3157 "2022-12-02T07:15:10Z")
You’re flying for the CIA, aren’t you? (-: ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3158 "2022-12-02T07:16:24Z")
I think the CIA only do black helicopters. At least, that’s what my neighbor told me… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3159 "2022-12-02T13:16:59Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > and it’s flown about 12 hours since it arrived in country from Europe. It should still have that new plane smell. Over the years I’ve flown mostly elderly fleets. But I’ve been part of the introduction of two different new fleets or sub-fleets (B-717 and 737 MAX). That new plane smell is the best. It only lasts a few days at most. Enjoy! You’ve certainly earned the privilege! ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3160 "2022-12-02T13:43:25Z")
That’s bad_ass_. Sweet as! ---
**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:** [December 2, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3161 "2022-12-02T14:46:06Z")
And speaking of badass black planes… > **[Air Force unveils newest stealth bomber aircraft | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/02/politics/b-21-stealth-bomber-air-force/index.html)** > > The Air Force on Friday unveiled its newest stealth bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider, in Palmdale, California. Built by Northrop Grumman, the bomber was named in honor of the "courageous spirit" of airmen who carried out the surprise World War II... ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499/3162 "2022-12-02T18:20:24Z")
The livestream of the event will be available here starting at 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET > **[B-21 Raider](https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/air/b-21-raider/)** > > B-21 Raider, the future of long-range strike, will be capable of penetrating the toughest defenses to deliver precision strikes anywhere in the world. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499.md?page=157) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-aviation-thread-general-and-other-part-1/600499.md?page=159)