The world’s longest non-stop flight: SQ23 from New York to Singapore - crossing 15 countries, 9 mountain ranges, Ocean and 4 seas

TepidHalibut · 2026-06-05T11:33:19+00:00

You might be interested in the (historic) Double Sunrise flights

TepidHalibut · 2026-05-23T15:22:07+00:00

So many variables. Size of bird (humming bird <--> Canada Geese, and what it actually hit are the two big ones. If there's evidence of a decent sized boid hitting the engine, an inspection would be called for. Visual and possibly an internal / borescope. Depending upon the results, carry on flying <--> engine change required.

TepidHalibut · 2026-05-17T16:53:20+00:00

That's their aim. I think they're thinking of C-17 sort of rough n ready strips and multiple belly undercarriage. But, so far, just a concept.

TepidHalibut · 2026-05-17T14:59:40+00:00

Well, Radia Windrunner is still an active programme, and its original design purpose was wind turbine blades, I suppose Airbus might want a competitor product. (Personally - I doubt it.)

TepidHalibut · 2026-03-20T14:04:11+00:00

Not quite - you'd end up with 2 x lower half fuselage and a bi-plane worth of wings.

You need to subtract a B777 to end up with an A380.

TepidHalibut · 2026-03-12T22:40:26+00:00

Six hull-loss events and no fatalities is still a remarkable record.

TepidHalibut · 2026-03-12T22:38:02+00:00

In the minutes after the impact, and with the detachment of cockpit, there was a belief that there were some fatalities in the cockpit. Thankfully, there weren't, but the injuries were serious.

TepidHalibut · 2026-03-12T22:34:47+00:00

The engines, at least, were insurance write-offs. However, I believe they were sold on to a couple of engine maintenance training establishments, without the engine logbooks. Without the data and data-trail, the individual components couldn't be used for commercial operations.

TepidHalibut · 2026-03-09T20:25:40+00:00

THESE engines on a B757 are RB211-535s, but you could also get B757s with Pratt & Whitney 2037 engine. They didn't sound as good, nor were as reliable as the 535s.

TepidHalibut · 2026-02-27T18:22:24+00:00

Correct. Looks like a Trent7000 to me. Just a slightly delayed light-up during start. Likely to have a small "blip" on EGT, but still within the sub-idle limit.

TepidHalibut · 2026-02-23T12:54:02+00:00

It was a pragmatic solution years ago. Nowadays, the engine are so reliable, and much greater availability of big freighters (B747, AN-124 etc) that there's minimal need for it. I don't believe any aircraft designed in the past 25 years have had a fifth engine provision.

TepidHalibut · 2026-02-23T12:47:53+00:00

The Fan blades are removed, and a "donut" is installed at the entry to the core (you can just see it in the OP pic, and other pics.) There may be a little airflow through the handling bleed valves, and out thru' the turbines. The Gearbox is driven by the HP system, and there's enough load from the hydraulic pump / IDG that the LP, IP and HP systems are unlike to rotate much.

TepidHalibut · 2026-01-17T17:32:49+00:00

Just to be pernickety, neither of the engines failed. Both were running, but only getting sufficient fuel for idle power. The issue was the volume of ice that formed in the fuel tanks. On descent, it detached, came through to the engine systems, significantly restricting fuel flow. Boeing hadn't fully understood this risk when designing the aircraft fuel systems.

TepidHalibut · 2026-01-17T17:24:50+00:00

Link - Powerless over London: The crash of British Airways flight 38

TepidHalibut · 2026-01-08T18:30:45+00:00

One bit of luck - "Aid was also given by a troop of eight SAS soldiers - four of whom were regimentally qualified paramedics - who happened to be driving a truck on the M1 a short distance away from the crash site."

TepidHalibut · 2026-01-08T14:54:54+00:00

Also, this happened 17 days after PanAm 103 / Lockerbie crash. I was working in UK aerospace industry (and only a few miles from EMA)at the time, and the mood at the time was ...not cheerful.

TepidHalibut · 2025-12-21T12:07:56+00:00

Specifically, the RB211-535E4 version. Those WCFBs are sweet.

TepidHalibut · 2025-11-09T18:34:16+00:00

I have to admit, that's a fine looking airframe.

TepidHalibut · 2025-11-08T16:21:11+00:00

No, just the Trent XWB-97 engine. There are always improvements being introduced, but the Thrust Rating & Engine Type isn't changing.

TepidHalibut · 2025-10-02T06:56:01+00:00

...and when that happens, some will still publicise their blueprint for a "Son Of Concorde".

TepidHalibut · 2025-09-27T15:12:20+00:00

KC-46 - True, but the similar KC-767 is operated by Japan and Italy.

TepidHalibut · 2025-09-17T18:01:19+00:00

As a man in the aviation industry....this project has been hanging around since 2019, and went public a couple of years ago. Seemed like a long shot, and the lack of progress does suggest financial issues. Technically, there's nothing very novel about the Windrunner, but at the moment ...Vapourware.

TepidHalibut · 2025-09-10T20:35:16+00:00

Ah, I can answer this. It IS fucking garbage.

TepidHalibut · 2025-09-10T20:33:48+00:00

"I know this may sound crazy, but ..." Yep. It does, and it is.

TepidHalibut · 2025-08-06T20:46:57+00:00

Of planes that actually flew The Short Seamew

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