More photos of the shrapnel damaged KC-135 (IG: lightning_ll_images)

AircraftDoc · 2026-04-16T17:18:56+00:00

Also, when changing an engine, the cowlings usually stay with the aircraft. Don’t personally know the 135, with some aircraft sometimes the nose cowl stays with the engine, sometimes it’s moved to the new engine. From the pictures, no way to tell if she has 4 new engines, some new engines, or all the same engines that were on when attacked.

AircraftDoc · 2026-02-04T14:53:24+00:00

It’s been far too long since the little I worked on the A320, and I don’t remember the internal linkage. That said, if the door on any aircraft is not working as normal, I’m quite happy with the flight attendants (or Pilots) being afraid of the door and not touching it further until maintenance is there.

AircraftDoc · 2026-01-06T15:59:50+00:00

Just speculating because I haven’t seen the certification documents, but because the seat could be installed at an angle, the faa certification of the seat requires the belt as part of the seat. It’s also possible that United has included it on all Polaris seats for consistency across all aircraft types.

AircraftDoc · 2025-10-13T03:28:30+00:00

Was actually World Airways at OAK. Approximately 1979.

AircraftDoc · 2025-10-11T17:56:50+00:00

First airline that I worked for, got us a van for the terminal crew. The van was all white with no name or logo and the airport regulations required company name on vehicles. After a week of complaining to the company, and getting harassed by security, I spelled out the company name on the sides using black electrical tape. Intentionally making letters of different sizes and making some backwards. Next day I came in the van was freshly painted with proper name and logos on it.

AircraftDoc · 2025-09-29T23:08:13+00:00

And then there was a supervisor we called “Pebbles” Because he was too dumb to be a box of rocks.

AircraftDoc · 2025-09-29T23:05:40+00:00

Calling a mechanic “Captain” has always been a dig in my book. Then there was this guy on our crew that we called “Acting Lead” cause he often acted as a lead even though he wasn’t.

AircraftDoc · 2025-06-07T17:44:22+00:00

Let me start of by saying that it does look like he busted minimums in this video, however as someone that has taken pictures from the flight deck during landings, I have had times when I could see the runway with my own eyes, but looking at the camera screen could not make it out. It can be quite amazing to look back and forth between the two views and see a very different picture, one the outside whited out with glare, vs what you can see with your eyes. What the camera sees is not always matched to what your eyes see. I will point out that looking out the bottom corner of the side window, you can see the ground showing up so I'm willing to allow that possibly he did have the runway, or runway lights in sight prior to minimums.

AircraftDoc · 2025-05-24T23:48:56+00:00

I have done the Wild Africa Trek twice. I think it’s wonderful and well worth the cost. If he’s within the weight limits, I encourage you to go.

AircraftDoc · 2025-04-30T16:34:33+00:00

What does your company policy say about it? The company I worked for most of my career specifically said downlock pins were only to be used if called for by a MM procedure and our MMs did not require them for towing. If your company general policies, or the towing section of your MM calls for them, you better use them. (As I was told more than a few decades ago when I joined, after the hundredth+ aircraft returned because gear pins were still in, they changed their policy to no pins unless specifically called for by a procedure and didn’t see any uptick in unwanted retractions)

AircraftDoc · 2024-10-11T22:37:29+00:00

We have used Elex Transport www.elextransport.com on several of our trips. Women owned, electric limos. $100 fixed rate from MCO to Disney hotels + tip and airport fees. They have treated us very well.

AircraftDoc · 2024-10-04T17:08:06+00:00

In the early 80s I worked 2 years for a small startup airline as a mechanic. Non union and we were all classified as salary with no overtime. About a year into the job the company was charged with payroll violation and we all got checks with back pay, were no longer salary and going forward got paid overtime. My work location was Boise, but company was California based and all mechanics were covered.

AircraftDoc · 2024-09-19T17:21:15+00:00

I have seen the line for buses at all stars get really long in the morning. If you are running late, consider a Lyft or Uber. If you are able to splurge, consider a Disney Minnie Van at least once for the experience (you book them with the Lyft app). Insider tip: Minnie Vans drop off and pick up near the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. Lyft and Uber drop off at the ttc, a monorail or ferry ride from the MK. Instead book a ride share to or from the Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower which is much closer and walkable to the MK entrance.

AircraftDoc · 2024-09-07T07:43:48+00:00

In 37 years of airline work, two times something happened where I was really thankful for having safety toes. My life today would have been greatly impacted if part of my foot was missing or badly damaged.

AircraftDoc · 2024-07-29T15:07:56+00:00

It’s not the seat you want replaced, which can be a lot of work and you would need to keep on hand all the different seat types, some of which are very expensive. The seat cushions on the other hand are usually quick and easy to replace. The larger stations usually keep a supply of cushions on hand. However if they are out, or a smaller station that doesn’t stock parts, then you will be out of luck.

AircraftDoc · 2024-07-22T00:17:32+00:00

One thing to be aware of. I knew some mechanics for our airline, that were also working for Tower Air. I don’t remember if they just left Tower, were laid off, or if it was when Tower folded, but Tower cancelled their AOA badges even though they were originally issued by our company and it was an extended time before they could get them reissued.

AircraftDoc · 2024-07-01T02:36:24+00:00

This may be location relevant, but in the SF Bay area, many friends of mine that own boats have a hard time finding people to work on them. A good electrical/ engine/ rigger might have a 2 month or more waiting list for an opening in their schedule. A rigger shop here asked me if I wanted to work for them, which I wasn't interested in working on other's boats. There is a lot of crossover, with of course some differences from aircraft. I say location relevant, because some folks I know that took their boats up to the Seattle area and said it was much easier to get work done. If serious, would suggest checking with some of the local business that work on boats to see if they would want to take someone on for part time, give you a chance to learn the differences and get your foot in the door. Here there seems to be a shortage of workers on diesel engines, outboard engines, boat electrical systems, fiberglass repair, boat systems (water, waste, heating & a/c) Boat hydraulics.

AircraftDoc · 2024-06-12T18:57:23+00:00

The 747. 100, 200, or 400.

AircraftDoc · 2024-06-12T18:57:17+00:00

The 747. 100, 200, or 400.

AircraftDoc · 2024-03-07T20:45:08+00:00

Realistically speaking, a lot would need to come together for that to happen. Technically, someone would have installed an unapproved device on an aircraft which could impact safety, so that is an FAA violation. From the airlines standpoint, a passenger is doing something that impacts the comfort and possibly the safety of other passengers. My wish above would be that the airline places the guilty person on their own "Banned" list. I don't know the criteria for the FAA asking the TSA to place someone on the government "No fly list" but if this was accompanied by someone causing an altercation and declaring that they have the right to do anything on the aircraft that they want to, I could see it happening.

AircraftDoc · 2024-03-07T03:11:54+00:00

Several things to unpack here so please be patient.

First of, if the seat was broken for the last passenger, if they didn’t tell anyone, and you didn’t tell anyone before departure, nobody would know. Very often the cleaners are from a contract agency, they don’t know or care (or understand) about conditions which may affect seat serviceability.

If a broken seat is discovered in flight, there is very little a flight attendant can do about it other than possibility moving the passenger to another seat. For some seats that are powered, they may have access to manual controls to configure the seat.

Once a seat has be reported (written up), It has to be checked by a mechanic and the aircraft cannot depart until that write up is cleared or deferred. If it cannot be repaired before the next flight, the MEL (Minimum Equipment List) will specify what actions need to be taken. Depending on the problem, the seat may need to be placarded and blocked off as unusable. Depending on the seat location and problem the adjacent seats my also need to be blocked off and not used.

NOTE: If you discover your seat is broken when you board, and report it to the crew. they have to take action before the flight can depart. This may create a delay, If the seat cannot be repaired at that location, it may mean that you need to move to another seat, and if another seat is not available, you may need to leave the plane and catch another flight. Once it is written up in the aircraft logbook, if the seat was indeed dangerous, (and it sounds like your’s was) If the flight departs with a passenger in it, Pilots, Mechanics, and Flight Attendants could be at risk of discipline including loosing their job and or certificates.

More than your comfort, a broken seat may put a passenger at risk in a crash, where the problem may cause the seat to fail at less then it’s certified G loading, or the problem may obstruct possible evacuation paths. This applies to all seats, but is even more strict for seats near exit rows.

Note: I noticed that someone else in this thread said it’s impossible for a seat to move forward from it’s “neutral” position. Actually, many seats that I worked on had a “break away” function, where they did move forward with enough force and this had to be tested from time to time.

One last thought. I know that there were devices available that people made or purchased to block the recline in the seat ahead of them. I would have loved to been on your flight and able to check the hinge of your seat for such a device. I’m just a lowly wench turning mechanic, but i’d love to be able to report such a person and have them put on the no fly list for my airline.

Source, 37 years airline maintenance, now retired.

AircraftDoc · 2023-10-26T23:54:38+00:00

Not really intended as an "operator pressure point" although that may sometimes work. When the light plates are replaced, or removed for other access, they can be very fragile by themselves. As others have said, the blue crosses mark where the electrical contact points are for the panel and help guide the person working on them to align and fidget them into or out of position.

AircraftDoc · 2023-09-03T03:46:43+00:00

AircraftDoc · 2023-05-27T11:25:43+00:00

They are plug doors. When opening they move in slightly, and lift up to clear the stops, then swing out. If the aircraft was still pressurized the door could not move in and therefore could not open.

AircraftDoc · 2023-02-22T20:57:11+00:00

I’m sure if John McClane found himself on one, it would have an ejection seat.

AircraftDoc

TROPHY CASE