Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Recent Comments:
Cockpit Chronicles: Come along and enjoy the view {Gadling}
Nov 18th 2009 4:52PM Thanks Nick,
To really get an idea of the route that's the shortest way to fly, take a piece of string over a globe between your departure and destination. Note how your track is much different from what it would be on a map.
This 'great circle' route is modified by dispatch a few hours before the flight by looking into the winds aloft to find the shortest wind route. A great depiction of that is here:
http://www.optimumroute.com/tutorial/tutorial_1.php
There are other considerations, such as overfly rights of some countries and excessive ATC fees for the use of certain airspace that require some deviation.
Also, twin-engine flights across the Atlantic and Pacific must remain within 180 or 207 minutes of a suitable alternate airport in case of an engine failure, which 'bends' the route to remain close enough to these emergency airports.
Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green {Gadling}
Nov 17th 2009 3:38PM Boeing is claiming between 20 and 30% more efficient (less fuel burned per passenger) than anything currently flying.
Plane Answers: 5 things to look for on your next flight {Gadling}
Nov 11th 2009 11:18PM It can be tough to see the "N" number. Feel free to ask the pilots as you board. Just tell 'em you're an airplane geek.
Up in the Air: George Clooney becomes a frequent flyer {Gadling}
Nov 11th 2009 9:21AM Grant is far too humble to mention this story is actually based on his life. Nice job getting George Clooney to play your part, Grant!
Ten pilots you DON'T want in your cockpit. {Gadling}
Oct 28th 2009 4:24PM Thanks for not including me on this list somehow, Scott!
Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green {Gadling}
Oct 17th 2009 12:41PM I'll check it out on the next flight.
Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green {Gadling}
Oct 15th 2009 10:50PM Thanks Mike!
Great find.
The MPG post is especially interesting: http://www.burningjetfuel.com/?p=43
Plane Answers: Do jets have keys, my first airline flight and overwing exits {Gadling}
Sep 25th 2009 10:25AM Most of them are built to come inside only, but the question was whether or not it would be a good idea to then turn the door and throw it out.
Interestingly, the 737-800 and larger over wing exits are not 'plug-type' doors. They are on a hinge and open upward rapidly when the handle is pulled. They remain attached to the outside of the airplane in an evacuation.
Plane Answers: Do jets have keys, my first airline flight and overwing exits {Gadling}
Sep 25th 2009 10:23AM And a much better answer than mine, Jeffrey. Thanks!
Are you paying for an airstrip of convenience? {Gadling}
Sep 17th 2009 8:30PM I'll have to disagree, Tom, albeit with a somewhat biased view as a pilot...
Taking this argument a step further, we could simply have an interstate road system that connects only the 150 largest cities.
A few numbers USAToday didn't mention (From the AOPA):
In 2007 for example:
The FAA distributed $3.34 billion in AIP funds to 2,610 airports.
341 primary airports—airports with more than 100,000 passenger boardings each year—received $2.1 billion in AIP funds. That’s an average of $6.17 million per airport.
48 commercial service airports—airports with between 2,500 and 100,000 passenger boardings—received $93 million, or an average of $1.94 million per airport.
139 GA reliever airports received $214 million, or an average of $1.54 million
982 GA airports received $617 million, or an average of $628,000.
Combined, the 389 airline airports divvied up $2,199,335,046, averaging $5.5 million per airport. The 1,121 GA airports shared $831,717,227, averaging $741,942.
An addition, $310 million was distributed through state block grant programs.
In the state of Alaska, there are over 100 airports where aircraft access with airplanes that seat 9 or less is the only physical access to the rest of the world.
Medevac flights and organ donor transfers are some of the activities that takes place at smaller airports, in addition to the business that's conducted via general aviation.
