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In the aviation news this week: An executive order allowing up to 1,000 air force pilots to be recalled, a proposed ban on laptops in checked luggage, aircraft working the California wildfires, Qantas wants an extra long range airplane, a Goodyear blimp, the CLEEN II program, and a Delta Airlines story.
Aviation News
Air Force could recall as many as 1,000 retired pilots to address serious shortage
The US military suffers a pilot shortage and needs about 1,500 more pilots. They’ve tried bonus and other incentive programs, but the gap remains. President Trump recently signed an executive order that allows the Air Force to recall as many as 1,000 retired pilots to active duty.
Nuclear Bombers Poised to Return to 24-Hour Alert After Trump Recalls Retired Pilots
There is talk that the U.S. Air Force is preparing to put nuclear-armed B-52 bombers back on 24-hour alert.
Laptops could be banned from checked bags on planes due to fire risk
The Dangerous Goods Panel of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is recommending that laptops be banned from checked luggage.
Military and Contract Air Assets (Including U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Drones) Key in Fighting Largest Ever California Wildfires
Wildfires continued to cause major problems in California and airborne firefighting operations playing a key role. This might be the greatest combined military and contract air fire suppression operation in history.
Drone forces brief suspension of air operations battling Bear Fire in Santa Cruz Mountains
Once again drones flying near wildfires have forced firefighting operations to be halted.
Boeing and Airbus accept Qantas’s ultra-long-haul challenge
Qantas wants to fly non-stop from Sydney to London and New York. They’ve challenged Boeing and Airbus are to modify their aircraft to make 20-hour flights possible.
Goodyear Blimp Wingfoot Two Goes West: Tiremaker’s newest airship to fly over 10 states on journey to California home
The Goodyear Blimp Wingfoot Two is on a three-week, 2,600-mile cross-country trip from Akron, Ohio to California.
Fact Sheet – Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise II (CLEEN II Program)
The Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program is the environmental effort that is part of the FAA’s Next Generation (NextGen) program. The Idea is to accelerate the development of new aircraft, new engine technologies, and advance the use of sustainable alternative jet fuels.
Airline Story of the Week
What Losing My First-Class Seat Taught Me About Delta Air Lines
Trip Report
Brian’s “big trip” reports conclude with his description of the flights home.
Mentioned
Limited leg space on commercial planes makes it harder to brace in flight emergencies: expert
Jan Davies is chair of the International Board for Research into Aircraft Crash Events (IBRACE) — a group of experts studying effective impact bracing positions. She told the SafeSkies aviation safety conference that limited leg space could have an impact on passenger safety in emergencies.
Happy Design Studio collaborated with paint specialist Air Livery on a custom livery design for a BBJ customer. Press release [PDF]. Photo Gallery.
BBJ livery by Happy Design Studio and Air Livery. Photo courtesy Sebastien Ognier.
Pete’s discovered a Better Way to Fly with Air New Zealand
Pete the Kiwi finds out how to fly across the world and back. He’s voiced by actor Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Hunt For The Wilderpeople), who makes a cameo appearance too. Pete the Kiwi is part of Air New Zealand’s “A Better Way To Fly” campaign.
NASA – Gulfstream III (G-III) Research Testbed Aircraft
Contrails over California by listener Sean.
NASA 502 flight path by listener Sean.
Credit
Intro music courtesy Brother Love from his Album Of The Year CD. Outtro by Bruno Misonne from The Sound of Flaps. Cornell Alma Mater courtesy Cornell Alumni Association.