Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cockpit Chronicles: Come along and enjoy the view]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/cockpit-chronicles-come-along-and-enjoy-the-view/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/cockpit-chronicles-come-along-and-enjoy-the-view/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/17/cockpit-chronicles-come-along-and-enjoy-the-view/#commentsFiled under:

"Descend to 1-3-0."

"Descend to 1-2-0."

I found myself listening to London Control while admiring one of the all-time greatest views I've ever seen.

"Slow to 220 knots. Fly heading 1-7-0."

As we banked to the right, I looked over my right shoulder at the London eye, a blue ferris wheel that stands out among the amber lights struggling for relevance against the sunrise.

No one should be up this early. Most of London is still asleep, and even if they were awake, they wouldn't be seeing the view we were witnessing. The lights of the city, the bridges crossing the Thames river and the sunrise that blankets the buildings with more light after every turn of our holding pattern makes me pause for a moment to realize just why this job is the most visually rewarding of any occupation.

As we turned to the right one more time, I began to ponder whether an astronaut would actually prefer the variety of these spectacular sights that a mere 'low-level' pilot can see.

A 777 ahead of us was still dark enough to cover the city lights. Even Mike, the captain with close to 40 years in the air, was taken by the scene. "That's just incredible" he said as the airliner banked to the right and peeled away from us a thousand feet below.

I had to resist the temptation to pull out my camera. I had taken some photos earlier, at 12,000 feet, above the 10,000 foot floor where we can't allow a camera to distract us during the more critical 'sterile period' of our arrival into Heathrow.

So often I wish I could save the five most interesting things my eye sees on a flight. I have to try to capture whatever I can and post them here or on Flickr.

It was a couple of well timed views like this that inspired me to post a picture from every flight with a small caption on a blog years ago. Then I'd write more. And then more. Finally leading to the Cockpit Chronicles.

It'd be so much easier if I could just bring you along in the cockpit jumpseat.

That morning I filmed a few clips while above 10,000 feet that are almost like being there. Here's what spinning around Guildford, England looked like.

Continue reading Cockpit Chronicles: Come along and enjoy the view

Cockpit Chronicles: Come along and enjoy the view originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportcockpitcockpit chroniclesCockpitChroniclesflyingglacierGreenlandHeathrowice capIceCapLondonNoel WienNoelWienvideoTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day (11-12-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/photo-of-the-day-11-12-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/photo-of-the-day-11-12-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/photo-of-the-day-11-12-09/#commentsFiled under:



Floyd Dean (fdean55) has some amazing pictures that just begged to be shared here with our Gadling readers. This beam of light shining through a cave at Antelope Canyon in Arizona really caught my eye.

It's as if someone installed a Solatube on the roof of this place. Spectacular shot, Floyd.

I'm sure this won't be the last time you see his work appear on our Photo of the Day.

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (11-12-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Antelope CanyonAntelopeCanyonArizonaThu, 12 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: 5 things to look for on your next flight]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/plane-answers-5-things-to-look-for-on-your-next-flight/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/plane-answers-5-things-to-look-for-on-your-next-flight/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/plane-answers-5-things-to-look-for-on-your-next-flight/#commentsFiled under: , ,

O.K., I'll admit it. Flying has become a monotonous chore that few look forward to. As a frequent flyer, you're probably more concerned about who you're sitting next to than what you're flying over.

But I always try to think about what Louis CK said on the Conan O'Brien show: "You're sitting on a chair, IN THE SKY!"

If you still need something to break up the routineness of flying, try a few of these ideas:

Note the airplane type.

This is the least you could do. If only to be able to give an intelligent answer to the aviation geek picking you up at the airport. It's always good to know what kind of airplane you're flying on, including the series (-700, -300ER, etc.). What if they ground the entire fleet of A321s next week. You'll be wondering just how close you cheated death on your last flight.

Continue reading Plane Answers: 5 things to look for on your next flight

Plane Answers: 5 things to look for on your next flight originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5activitiescockpit visitCockpitVisitpassengerWed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day (11-5-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/photo-of-the-day-11-5-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/photo-of-the-day-11-5-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/photo-of-the-day-11-5-09/#commentsFiled under:



I've always wanted to visit Costa Rica. And it's not just because I want to stay in the Boeing 727 hotel. The incredibly talented Fdean55 (this guy is a real pro) captured a taste of Costa Rica with this shot of two dolphins basking in the sun near Golfito.

Think you can top his work?

Submit your Flickr pic to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (11-5-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Costa RicaCostaRicadolphinfdean55Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day (10-29-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/photo-of-the-day-10-29-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/photo-of-the-day-10-29-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/photo-of-the-day-10-29-09/#commentsFiled under:



Today's photo of the day is of Flagship Detroit, a fully restored DC-3 that's operated and maintained by current and former American Airlines employees. This crisp black and white shot was taken by Flickr user CaptBrando.

Two years ago I had my own DC-3 adventure as my dad and I delivered one from New York to Seattle, so how could I not choose this?

That and it just seems appropriate to take pictures of classic airplanes using black and white, doesn't it? Well done CaptBrando!

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (10-29-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAAmerican AirlinesAmericanAirlinesCaptBrandoDC-3Flagship DetroitFlagshipDetroitThu, 29 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: A closer look at technology in the Northwest overflight]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/plane-answers-a-look-at-the-technology-used-in-the-northwest-ov/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/plane-answers-a-look-at-the-technology-used-in-the-northwest-ov/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/plane-answers-a-look-at-the-technology-used-in-the-northwest-ov/#commentsFiled under:

I've had a few questions come in concerning the rather egregious error made by the Northwest pilots last week. I hesitated to discuss the incidents, since there's absolutely no defending what they did.

But when my own sister Kim, asks:

"I would love to hear your opinion as to what the NWA Pilots were really doing when they "missed" MSP."

Well, for you, Kimmie, I just can't say no.

It's the topic of the week among pilots.

Speculation has been rampant, but the NTSB and FAA released some preliminary information from the pilots that has all but squashed any speculation on what exactly they were doing. The more pressing question has been, "How could it happen?"

The conversation among pilots so far has ended with claims of dismay. How did they disconnect from flying enough to lose that kind of situational awareness?

By coming clean and explaining their story, the pilots admitted to something essentially no better than falling asleep; something that took their attention from flying the airplane. And they sought to set the record straight, confess and explain what diverted their attention; I can appreciate that.

As a result, the FAA has immediately revoked their certificates.

Most notable in their story was the fact that they had their laptops out inflight. Many airlines encourage the use of laptops to access an electronic version of their flight manuals. These "EFBs" are more useful than their paper counterparts because of the quick searching capabilities a laptop offers. However, it's my understanding that Delta and Northwest don't use any EFB on board their aircraft. Regardless, the pilots admitted that they were discussing new scheduling procedures that were to take effect with their laptops, something that's prohibited even at airlines that use Class I (laptop) EFBs.

Continue reading Plane Answers: A closer look at technology in the Northwest overflight

Plane Answers: A closer look at technology in the Northwest overflight originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACARSATCclass III efbClassIiiEfbcockpitEFBlaptopsNorthwest 188Northwest188OverflyThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day (10-22-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/22/photo-of-the-day-10-22-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/22/photo-of-the-day-10-22-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/22/photo-of-the-day-10-22-09/#commentsFiled under:



Today's photo of the day is a shot taken at Watkins Glen, NY by Peter Rivera. Peter obviously used a long exposure to highlight the flowing water-a technique perfectly suited for waterfalls. Note how it bounces off the rocks, almost like light reflecting from a mirror. Nicely done, Peter.

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (10-22-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Peter riveraPeterRiverawaterfallWatkins GlenWatkinsGlenThu, 22 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: Is there a pilot shortage coming?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/19/plane-answers-is-there-a-pilot-shortage-coming/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/19/plane-answers-is-there-a-pilot-shortage-coming/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/19/plane-answers-is-there-a-pilot-shortage-coming/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!

Justin asks:

I have seen advertisements lately that have been saying that there will be a large number of airline pilots retiring in the next few years and that the demand for new pilots will be high. Is this just a rumor or what?

If so what do you suggest as the best route in becoming an airline pilot?

For the next three years, we'll likely see some of the fewest pilot retirements since the end of World War II. On December 13th, 2007, the mandatory retirement age for pilots was raised by Congress from 60 to 65 years. This has drastically reduced retirements for the past two years, and we're likely not going to see those numbers pick up until after December of 2012.

This may seem like bad news, but if you're in your late teens to early twenties, you may be in a good position to take advantage of this stagnation while you work on your 4-year college degree and pick up the ratings and flight time needed to be competitive when the hiring resumes.

Continue reading Plane Answers: Is there a pilot shortage coming?

Plane Answers: Is there a pilot shortage coming? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATPcivilian route pilotCivilianRoutePilotfurloughspilotpilot retirementPilotRetirementpilotsretirement ageRetirementAgeretirementsMon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cockpit Chronicles: "Flying Drunk" by Joe Balzer]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/cockpit-chronicles-flying-drunk-by-joe-balzer/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/cockpit-chronicles-flying-drunk-by-joe-balzer/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/cockpit-chronicles-flying-drunk-by-joe-balzer/#commentsFiled under: ,

Most people would question their career choice after working for five different airlines in their first six years as a pilot. But the early '90s were a turbulent time in the industry, and I was simply happy to be working, even if it was as a flight engineer on the 727. Flying is what I wanted to do.

But a flight engineer doesn't actually fly. This position, once reserved for experienced mechanics, was now populated with junior pilots working their way up the seniority ranks until they could hold a co-pilot or captain seat. I seemed to have had the unfortunate luck to be at my third airline working at that very junior flight engineer seat by 1996.

There I was, sitting in another indoctrination class, in a windowless room featuring six Office Depot particle board tables with twelve swivel-type desk chairs looking at a white dry erase board.

This time I would be learning about Kittyhawk Air Cargo; their rules, procedures, insurance benefits and hazardous material policies among other things.

If I had, even for a moment, felt that my career had been less than charmed up to this point, those thoughts would soon be eclipsed by a pilot sitting behind me and to my left. He was someone with a very well known past.

In the previous row I heard the typical banter of two new-hire pilots. The first pilot answered the most often asked question in this setting; where'd you come from?

It sounds rather direct, but there's no better way to get to know a fellow aviator; their experience and maybe even if they've flown with someone you know.

My ears perked up when I heard my classmate mention he'd flown in Alaska, since I had spent the first 3 years of my career up there. I quickly realized from eavesdropping, that we'd flown in different parts of the state.

"How about you?" The Alaskan pilot asked his neighbor sitting to the left.

"Remember those Northwest pilots who were arrested for flying under the influence?" He said, as everyone in the class glanced toward him like the famous EF Hutton commercial where people stop talking and turn to listen to a far more interesting conversation.

"I was the flight engineer on that flight."

Continue reading Cockpit Chronicles: "Flying Drunk" by Joe Balzer

Cockpit Chronicles: "Flying Drunk" by Joe Balzer originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholalcoholicbookDrinkingEAPFlying DrunkFlyingDrunkHIMSinterviewJoe BalzerJoeBalzerPilotpilotsFri, 16 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day (10-15-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/photo-of-the-day-10-15-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/photo-of-the-day-10-15-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/photo-of-the-day-10-15-09/#commentsFiled under:



This picture was taken near Mashobra, India by arunchs. I like how he cropped the picture to highlight the lines formed by each ridge. An amazing capture, indeed!

Given the great visibility and forested mountains, this probably isn't the first image to come to mind when thinking of India.

Nice job arunchs.

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (10-15-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arunchsMashobra IndiaMashobraIndiaThu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/plane-answers-airlines-see-green-in-appearing-green/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/plane-answers-airlines-see-green-in-appearing-green/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/plane-answers-airlines-see-green-in-appearing-green/#commentsFiled under:

You'd like to choose the most eco-friendly airline, a company that goes above and beyond the others to fly efficiently, burn less fuel and maybe even offset its carbon.

But does an airline like that exist?

Airlines have gone to great lengths to operate efficiently in their struggle to survive, but some companies are touting practices they hope will cast them as greener than the rest. What's hype and what's really effective in reducing an airline's fuel emissions?

The Greenest Airline

Since the price of fuel represents as much as 40% of an airline's expenses, the industry has been on a quest for new technology and operating techniques to fly in a more efficient manner.

But if every airline is doing it, how can one company set themselves apart from their competitors and declare themselves the most green airline?

Virgin America offers the opportunity to voluntarily buy carbon offsets based on the length of your flight and Delta offers an option to plant a tree with each listing at a cost of $5.50 for a domestic flight.

Ethiopian airlines has already planted 7.5 million trees in Ethiopia, one for each passenger flown since 2005 at no extra charge to their customers.

But Nature Air in Costa Rica claims to be the first carbon neutral airline, and it looks like they've managed to accomplish that with carbon offsets and the use of 100% biofuel in their fleet of deHavilland Twin Otters.

But the airline many think of when discussing green initiatives in aviation, Virgin Atlantic, has an offset plan, too.

Virgin Atlantic has agreed to offset each and every one of its upper class customers limo rides to the airport by planting a few hundred trees each year. This is far short of the 59 million trees needed, according to the Guardian, to offset a year's worth of flying.

Carbon credits and offsetting are likely going to play a larger part in the airline industry, but airlines will always try to reduce their emissions.

Let's look at some of the efforts, and the impact it's having.

Continue reading Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green

Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon neutral airlinecarbon offsetsCarbonNeutralAirlineCarbonOffsetsclaimsFuel efficiencyFuelEfficiencygreen airlineGreen airlinesGreenAirlineGreenAirlinessingle engine taxiSingleEngineTaxiThu, 15 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: What preparation does a pilot do prior to a flight?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/12/plane-answers-what-preparation-does-a-pilot-do-prior-to-a-fligh/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/12/plane-answers-what-preparation-does-a-pilot-do-prior-to-a-fligh/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/12/plane-answers-what-preparation-does-a-pilot-do-prior-to-a-fligh/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!

John asks:

Hey, I was wondering what pilots do before a flight. How much time before a flight do you need to be at the airport and other than flight planning and aircraft inspection, what do you do? Do you inspect the airplane then come back to the terminal and grab a bite to eat? Do you file your flight plan then hangout in the boarding area if (for example) the plane you're flying hasn't arrived yet?

We're required to 'sign in' at least an hour before the flight. We stop in operations (an office with computers and a bunch of mailboxes) to check for any revisions to our manuals, print out depictions of weather along our route of flight as well as the paperwork required for the leg. If we have any revisions, we'll do them. A few revisions can involve changing out a few hundred pages in our manuals, so it's helpful to show up a bit earlier to work in that case.

Once both pilots are ready, we'll go through security and then to the gate. Occasionally the inbound flight may be late or passengers are still deplaning, in which case there's really nothing else to do than to wait around, just as the passengers are doing.

Assuming the airplane is at the gate, the captain will talk to the flight attendants about anything that might be unusual for the flight, including the ride reports, any cabin items that might be inoperative such as an oven or coffee maker, and then he may grab a coffee in the terminal before setting up his side of the cockpit.

Continue reading Plane Answers: What preparation does a pilot do prior to a flight?

Plane Answers: What preparation does a pilot do prior to a flight? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACARScockpitpaperworkplanningpreflightrevisionsMon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day (10-8-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/08/photo-of-the-day-10-8-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/08/photo-of-the-day-10-8-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/08/photo-of-the-day-10-8-09/#commentsFiled under:



Mingthein posted this picture to our Flickr group page a few years ago, but I've only just now stumbled upon it. Karen Walrond wrote in her Gadling feature, Through the Gadling Lens, about shooting cities at twilight, and she also covered cloud and sky photography just prior to that.

So it seemed fitting to post this, a picture from Kuala Lumpour that effectively used the techniques featured in both of Karen's articles. I've never thought of exposing for a distant cloud. Way to go, Ming!

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (10-8-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kuala LumpurKualaLumpurThu, 08 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: Why can't airlines wait at the gate vs. in a queue on the taxiway?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/05/plane-answers-why-cant-airlines-wait-at-the-gate-vs-in-a-queu/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/05/plane-answers-why-cant-airlines-wait-at-the-gate-vs-in-a-queu/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/05/plane-answers-why-cant-airlines-wait-at-the-gate-vs-in-a-queu/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!

Mike asks:

Hello Kent,

There are times when I find myself on a plane that is waiting in the queue to depart and I wonder if this makes sense. After all, having 10 airplanes push from gates only to idle their engines for 20-30 minutes waiting to take off does not seem to be a good idea for an industry where fuel is the largest single cost.

Can you explain who decides when an aircraft pushes back and queues up to take off? Is there a reason that airplanes get in line to depart as opposed to just being assigned a number and waiting at the gate until it's their turn (other than if the gate is needed for an arriving plane)?

It doesn't really make sense, Mike. But some airports have adopted a gate hold program that does just what you're talking about; hold airplanes at the gate until the line begins to clear out. London and Paris both use this technique. However, even after holding at the gate for 15 minutes to an hour, we still often find ourselves waiting in line for departure as we approach the runway. It's simply a matter of the required spacing for departures combined with the number of flights scheduled to leave at the peak times that causes this.

Continue reading Plane Answers: Why can't airlines wait at the gate vs. in a queue on the taxiway?

Plane Answers: Why can't airlines wait at the gate vs. in a queue on the taxiway? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AirlinesATCFuelGate HoldGateHoldqueueRichard BransonRichardBransonTrafficMon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day (10-1-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/01/photo-of-the-day-10-1-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/01/photo-of-the-day-10-1-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/01/photo-of-the-day-10-1-09/#commentsFiled under:



Ultraclay! has been a frequent contributor to Gadling's photo of the day. In fact, he's probably in the top five that we've chosen. (He'd likely be number one if he'd just make sure his stunning pics were at least 580 pixels wide).

Well, I couldn't resist this picture for today's photo of the day. It looks like Clay is contributing to Heather Poole's Laviator club (we've all submitted ours, have you?). So it's nice to finally put the face to the name that's been so often featured here. It looks like he's either in a regional jet or Clay is 6' 6" tall.

Way to go, Ultraclay! The perfect shot for today's Photo of the day.

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the Day (10-1-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>UltraclayThu, 01 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day (9-24-09)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/24/photo-of-the-day-9-24-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/24/photo-of-the-day-9-24-09/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/24/photo-of-the-day-9-24-09/#commentsFiled under:



This panoramic picture taken in San Juan, Puerto Rico by robertrex365 is a perfect example of an HDR shot that hasn't been overdone to the point of looking like a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

Robert is taking part in Project 365!, which is a Flickr group that is committed to taking one good picture every day. Hopefully Robert hasn't peaked with this shot.

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (9-24-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CondadoSan JuanSanJuanSJUThu, 24 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: Do jets have keys, my first airline flight and overwing exits]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/18/plane-answers-do-jets-have-keys-my-first-airline-flight-and-ov/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/18/plane-answers-do-jets-have-keys-my-first-airline-flight-and-ov/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/18/plane-answers-do-jets-have-keys-my-first-airline-flight-and-ov/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!

Lee asks:

Hi Kent -

Two items, please...

Silly question here, but I've always wondered, does a typical jetliner have "keys"? You know, like you have keys to the car. And is the same true for a 757 or 767, whatever?

Believe it or not, Lee, they do have keys, but only for the cockpit door. Fortunately they're standardized, so we only need to carry one key. For security reasons, this key doesn't open our 'bank-vault' style door inflight.

Also, do you remember your first REAL solo? You know, when they handed you the "keys" (maybe) and said, "you're the man today."

And not in some Cessna or tree-topper. When you got that big break after you were hired by one of the big name commercial airlines. You were behind the wheel of your first big jetliner taxiing across the field and made that final turn only to see a mile of runway in front of you knowing it was up to you to get 50 tons of flying brick in the air.

What'd all that feel like?

Continue reading Plane Answers: Do jets have keys, my first airline flight and overwing exits

Plane Answers: Do jets have keys, my first airline flight and overwing exits originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I'll let my friend Mitch Bell, a pilot and the photographer of today's photo of the day explain his unique shot:

I flew the 767-300 back from L.A. and when we landed, we took a bird strike on my side. Here is a picture of the bird... The guy landed on my wiper blade and rode the jet from the taxiway to the gate.

Imagine the noise outside and the looks from the inside that this bird got while riding the few minutes it took to get to the gate. After parking, the bird moved over to check out the captain on the left side:



Either picture is good enough for today's photo of the day. Nice job, Mitch!

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (9-17-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jackson Hole airport is situated at 6,400 feet with numerous 13,000 foot mountains in the area. Today's photo of the day, by JtisMe73, depicts the challenges pilots face on the arrival into the airport perfectly.

And while we're getting a little aviation geeky, note the virga - the streaks of precipitation - behind the airplane in the distance. How could I not choose this picture?

Are you a Flickr user who'd like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling's Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the day (9-10-09) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Airbusgeo:43.470798 -110.753502Jackson HoleJacksonHoleVirgaWhere:Jackson-Hole-WYThu, 10 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plane Answers: Wing inspection lights and a recent severe turbulence encounter]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/04/plane-answers-wing-inspection-lights-and-a-recent-severe-turbul/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/04/plane-answers-wing-inspection-lights-and-a-recent-severe-turbul/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/04/plane-answers-wing-inspection-lights-and-a-recent-severe-turbul/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!

Alex asks:

Hi Kent,

I recently flew on a 737 and returned on a different airline on an MD- 80. Both flights were only about 40 minutes long and the wing lights remained on for the duration of each flight. I thought those lights were usually turned off once the plane has reached a certain altitude and/or a certain distance from the departure airport. I don't remember the wing lights staying on during previous flights. Is it left to pilot's discretion for these lights or is there an FAA regulation covering when to leave them on?

Hi Alex. It's up to each airline to set procedures regarding when the wing inspection lights are used illuminate the leading edges of the wings and to provide an extra level of collision avoidance.

At my company, we use the wing lights from takeoff until 18,000 feet, and then again descending below 18,000 feet until turning off the runway after landing. That said, they they may be left off at the pilot's discretion.


Ron asks:

Hey Kent!

I know you've mentioned turbulence several times, but I have a turbulence question. I fly a decent amount, over 100K miles a year, and being a huge aviation geek, turbulence doesn't bother me, in fact sometimes I like it.

Today in the angry skies over Texas on a flight from Houston to Boston, I experienced turbulence I didn't like!

Continue reading Plane Answers: Wing inspection lights and a recent severe turbulence encounter

Plane Answers: Wing inspection lights and a recent severe turbulence encounter originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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