Cleaner Skies

[NYCJetCharter]

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/n...e-cleaner-skies

Saw the noise thread and also the Eurocopter thread about cleaner, less noisy skies and wanted to check if the U.S. is up to something similar. Evidently it's been in the works since 2004 (at least) with NASA stepping forward. And then the above article goes on to say we can look forward to something seen in mid-2008.

Fly the Cleaner Skies
11/2007
By Amy Farley

Meet Boeing’s response to climate change: the Dreamliner, a composite-material 787 aircraft with a high-performing jet engine, set to debut in mid 2008 (47 airlines have already placed orders). It’s 20 percent more fuel-efficient than its competitors, meaning that during each flight, 20 percent less CO2 enters the high atmosphere, where it’s especially damaging. Ideally, Dreamliners won’t just augment fleets; they’ll eventually replace them. Otherwise, it’s a bit like buying a hybrid—and parking it next to your SUV.

 

[Canberra Man]

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/n...e-cleaner-skies

Saw the noise thread and also the Eurocopter thread about cleaner, less noisy skies and wanted to check if the U.S. is up to something similar. Evidently it's been in the works since 2004 (at least) with NASA stepping forward. And then the above article goes on to say we can look forward to something seen in mid-2008.

These tales on the whole are a little tongue in cheek. I have an event that really happened and cost the UK tax payer £250,000!
I was with 617 Squadron at RAF Binbrook and four of the Canberra's were going on a training sortie and I was in front of one doing the controlling. I pointed to the port engine, the turbo starter cut in with a bang and the usual cloud of black smoke and the Avon settled to idle. This is where things went wrong, I pointed to the starboard engine and the turbo starter exploded, fragments of turbine and blades went through the fuselage into No1 tank and kerosene poured out on to the still burning fragments of the cartridge and the whole lot went up! The three aircrew were out double quick and even saved their chutes (they had to, they were on their charge and would have had to pay for them!) By now a phone call had gone to the fire section and we soon saw the brand new (only out of it's box the day before) Rolls Royce fire engine coming round the peri' track. It screeched to a halt and an airman in gents natty asbestos suiting, completel with helmet and holding a huge pipe which he pointed at the blaze and shouted. "Send it froo". Noffink came "froo". They had been so busy polishing their new toy, they hadn't filled it with foam! A big circle of us erks, warmed our hands (It was winter!) Then the cockpit coaming and the wheel hubs went up with a burst of intense white light, they were magnesium castings. We were all enjoying the spectacle, when someone muttered "What about the ejection seats" We all backed of a few more yards and sure enough, there was a triple explosion and three steel tubes with bits of seat attached soared a couple of hundred feet into the air. The next morning there was a perfect silhouette of a Canberra burnt into the tarmac with two Avon engines neatly in place. A few days later there was a whole band of new faces at the fire section!!

Ken

 

[NYCJetCharter]

These tales on the whole are a little tongue in cheek. I have an event that really happened and cost the UK tax payer £250,000!
I was with 617 Squadron at RAF Binbrook and four of the Canberra's were going on a training sortie and I was in front of one doing the controlling. I pointed to the port engine, the turbo starter cut in with a bang and the usual cloud of black smoke and the Avon settled to idle. This is where things went wrong, I pointed to the starboard engine and the turbo starter exploded, fragments of turbine and blades went through the fuselage into No1 tank and kerosene poured out on to the still burning fragments of the cartridge and the whole lot went up! The three aircrew were out double quick and even saved their chutes (they had to, they were on their charge and would have had to pay for them!) By now a phone call had gone to the fire section and we soon saw the brand new (only out of it's box the day before) Rolls Royce fire engine coming round the peri' track. It screeched to a halt and an airman in gents natty asbestos suiting, completel with helmet and holding a huge pipe which he pointed at the blaze and shouted. "Send it froo". Noffink came "froo". They had been so busy polishing their new toy, they hadn't filled it with foam! A big circle of us erks, warmed our hands (It was winter!) Then the cockpit coaming and the wheel hubs went up with a burst of intense white light, they were magnesium castings. We were all enjoying the spectacle, when someone muttered "What about the ejection seats" We all backed of a few more yards and sure enough, there was a triple explosion and three steel tubes with bits of seat attached soared a couple of hundred feet into the air. The next morning there was a perfect silhouette of a Canberra burnt into the tarmac with two Avon engines neatly in place. A few days later there was a whole band of new faces at the fire section!!

Ken

What a riot mate. You would think that the people in fire control would be a bit more responsible than that wouldn't you? As funny as your story was, its really kind of sad and a wake up call for all of us who fly. Sometimes the safety guys are just clueless.