Comments for Plane Talking

Comment on AF447 mid-air breakup evidence raises new discussions about the last signals sent to Paris by AF447-world wide ‘pitot’ speed probe replacement to be mandated for all Airbus A330s and A340s – Plane Talking

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:52:38 +0000

...] a Plane Talking reader, Paul S, posted a detailed comment on an earlier item about the crash which includes this simple but very practicable suggestion as to how to make it [...

Comment on V Australia looks at VVVery long range 777s, BUT ISN’T GETTING ANY JUST YET by Delusional reporting about Virgin Blue – Plane Talking

Delusional reporting about Virgin Blue – Plane Talking — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:54:59 +0000

...] report also excited contacts in Qantas sufficiently for them to give it credence, and cause this report in Plane Talking. Except that I changed my report to the version now on line immediately on [...

Comment on Jetstar Pacific faces identity crisis by Keith is not my real name

Keith is not my real name — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:56:21 +0000

Well that’s an interesting conundrum isn’t it, we can see how the branding matters for both partys.

Comment on More talk from Airbus about plastic limits on new jets by David Klein

David Klein — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:12:39 +0000

I can understand one reason for the reluctance by Airbus to replace the short haul A320 with an abundance of composite materials in the design. Short haul routes require numerous aircraft turn-arounds and make ground handling ramp damage a significant operational issue. World wide on any given day there are aircraft ramp damaged and grounded or flying with minor damage under an engineering assessment concession. Damage tolerances and metal repairs have traditionally been well understood by line station engineers, but with composites it becomes a whole new ball game and other than the difficulties in secondary damage detection, the long curing times for many composite repairs will turn the B787 into a ramp damage nightmare.

Comment on Airbus on composites, some weight savings haven’t eventuated, but…. by More talk from Airbus about plastic limits on new jets – Plane Talking

More talk from Airbus about plastic limits on new jets – Plane Talking — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:54:27 +0000

...] some plastic limits to its enthusiasm for advanced composites in new airliners after all. Following John Leahy’s answers to Plane Talking’s inquiries in Sydney on Wednesday, November 4, this item is being carried by [...

Comment on Airbus on composites, some weight savings haven’t eventuated, but…. by SBH

SBH — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:50:33 +0000

An interesting look back in time Malcolm. this article is along the same lines.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/metal_plane/Tech15.htm

Comment on Will air safety in Australia be reformed promptly, or after a disaster? by David Klein

David Klein — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:43:40 +0000

Quite a relevant comment Comet and I’m glad you mentioned the ATSB. Unfortunately, similar to CASA, government funds have been significantly reduced to both Air Safety entities over many years since the jet fuel levy was removed to pay for their services and we have been stuck with compromised resources ever since. Unless there is a fatality many of the ATSB accident investigations are conducted from the Canberra office and their copybook was seriously blemished with a fanciful final investigation report following the Whyalla Airlines fatal accident in South Australia. Perhaps the Federal government should consider introducing the jet fuel levy again to restore resources for both entities to realistic levels for air safety oversight and I would guess a mere two cents a litre levy would see them both awash with funds.

Comment on Airbus on composites, some weight savings haven’t eventuated, but…. by Tweets that mention Airbus on composites, some weight savings haven’t eventuated, but…. – Plane Talking -- Topsy.com

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:47:32 +0000

...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rebecca Vanderbilt, CM Magazine. CM Magazine said: Airbus COO on #composites http://bit.ly/338Oi3 [...

Comment on Very Large Jets & Mega Cities, present & future by Malcolm Street

Malcolm Street — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:43:11 +0000

IIRC Japanese airlines have been using high-density 747s on domestic routes for years.

I’d expect to see 800 seat configurations of the A380 sooner rather than later. The A380 reminds me of the early days of the 747, where there were similar stories about the amount of space and luxury available (including a bar). The reality was that the early engines couldn’t provide the thrust to fly a fully-packed 747, so it was making a virtue out of the problem (or in IBM-speak, “if you can’t fix it, feature it”). Once the engines came up to scratch, they started packing passengers in like sardines.

Comment on CASA, Qantas and unanswered safety allegations by caf

caf — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:45:34 +0000

Blind Freddy can also see that CASA's a classic case of regulatory capture.