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Interviews with the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and the crew chief of the T-38 Spirit of Alliance at the Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show. In the news, internal Boeing messages about the 737 MAX, an almost 20-hour non-stop flight from New York to Sydney, the German airfare tax increase, and aviation travel perks to encourage ground transportation by train. Also, registering a foreign plane in the U.S.
U.S. Army Golden Knights
The Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show was held on October 19 – 20, 2019, at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Performers included the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. Our reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari rode in the jump plane and interviewed Golden Knights SFC Roman Grijalva, SSG Morgan George, and CW4 Felicia Marlow.
Launchpad with the U.S. Army Golden Knights.
T-38 Spirit of Alliance
Launchpad speaks with Butch Wonderland, crew chief of the T-38 Spirit of Alliance in its Thunderbirds paint scheme.
Video: Ross Perot Jr.’s T-38 (Spirit of Alliance) “NX385AF”
Aviation News
Text messages show Boeing employees knew in 2016 of problems that turned deadly on the 737 Max
In 2016, a text message from Boeing’s chief technical pilot for the 737 to a technical pilot said the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) was engaging “itself like crazy,” and called the problem “egregious.” Furthermore, the chief technical pilot said that he basically unknowingly lied to the FAA. In a letter to Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg on Friday, FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson said: “I expect your explanation immediately.”
More:
- Boeing Says FAA Was Told ‘Multiple Times’ of Changes to 737
- New Document in 737 Max Investigation Points to Chaos, Pressure in MCAS Development
- Boeing C.E.O., Already Set for House Hearing, Is Likely to Face Senate, Too
Human guinea pigs about to embark on world’s first 20-hour airline flight
Qantas flew the first non-stop commercial airline flight from New York to Sydney after 19 hours and 16 minutes in the air. During the flight, a series of experiments were conducted to assess the health and well-being of those on board. Three ultra-long-haul research flights are planned.
More:
- Qantas flight makes history by touching down in Sydney after flying 19 hours non-stop from New York
- Record Breaking Direct New York to Sydney Flight Touches Down
- Qantas to Operate “Project Sunrise” Research Flights – Direct New York & London to Australia
- I took the world’s first 20-hour flight. Here’s what it did to me
Germany’s Increased Aviation Taxes Are Set To Come Into Force In April 2020
An increase in the so-called German “climate tax” will likely cause airfares to increase. The tax increase of 38% and will affect all domestic and Europe flights as well as mid and long-haul. Revenue from the tax will be used to offset train VAT by over 10%.
BART proposing plan to let riders jump security lines at SFO
Passenger numbers at LAX are increasing but more and more of them are using Uber and Lyft for ground transportation. The use of trains is down 10%. Now the BART Board of Directors is considering offering transit riders with access to “priority” airport security check-in lanes.
Report
Buying a Plane, Part 6
Reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari explains how he registered his Focke-Wulf in the United States.
Mentioned
Libertas – 75th Anniversary of D-Day
In this documentary video, veterans’ advocate CJ Machado trains with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team in preparation for the group’s jump at the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. We also hear surviving heroes of the “Greatest Generation” recount their experiences liberating Europe.
CJ Machado was our guest on Episode 529, in November 2018.
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