Muddy Takeoff From Russia

For wet runway operations, it's important to calculate a "friction coefficient."

Car Full Of Model Airplanes

Sometimes, a blog entry will fall into your lap.

That's what happened when I went to the gas station today.

This guy's fleet ran the gamut from glider to electric to gas to ducted fan. Be sure to notice the HU-16 Albatross at the bottom, he pointed that out to me.

He also assured me that he had more at home, and recited an impressive list.

Curiosity Plane Crash

Airplane Takeoff Atlanta Airport

They did a crummy job scanning these.

Air Force One SAM 28000 at LAX

JUST IN from our Long Beach Bureau Chief. The VC-25 is carrying the President, who plans to meet with suffering middle-class Americans and small business owners attend a fundraiser with Hollywood luminaries at the Ritz-Carlton.

Vintage Airliners at Miami

We just had these slides from 2000 digitized. I guess I'll have to scan them myself someday.

This guy was all over the place ...

Air Travel Funny Video

We couldn't be more pleased that DC8Super63 Films has selected Airplane Life to host the world premier of their latest boxoffice smash hit, "General Boarding."

Endeavour Space Shuttle at LAX

Bitchen flyby pictures from our Long Beach Bureau Chief.

Vulcan Bomber

**Airplane Life Classics**

We dig these things. They are super cool.

          

Half Half Pizza

 

KPAE Paine Field Boeing Paint Shop Test Tube

Nose section used to test paint.

  

Good Pizza

A concerned reader sent us a telegram recently suggesting we were "biased" against people who come to our site just to see the occasional pizza. So we are delivering these just for you ! Godetevi questa pizza !

The First 747 N7470

I recently got to touch the first 747. I still haven't washed that finger.

Useful Airplane Travel Tips

We decided to share some our favorite travel tips that we have picked up over the years.

First, pack new pens. The pressure changes on the plane can cause older pens to leak all over the place.

Use bag tags from any airline other than the one you are flying on. Since most people have the same luggage that they bought at COSTCO, you need to be a little different.

When flying international, don't use tags from a US airline. You might as well have a sign around your neck that says, "I'm an American, take me hostage." I used Air Canada tags back when I flew to the Middle East. A Canadian is worth less as a bargaining chip.

Never, repeat, NEVER sit in coach. It's HORRIBLE. The seats are way too small, and the cabin is filled with weird people. We have these pictures of coach just for demonstration purposes.

I don't know what's going on here, but it doesn't look right. Not exactly, "refined clientele."

Place your carry-on bags in a compartment 2 rows ahead of your seat. If it's directly above your head, it's hard to keep track of. If you are right handed, sit in the seats shown - on the right. You will then be using your right hand as the stewardess hands you your drink. 

Bring your own IFE. We watched this movie called, "Senna," about the Formula 1 driver. We recommend it.

Stick with a Mediterranian diet. Everything here is OK except the dried fruit with their high carbohydrate density.

As far as alcohol, our rule of thumb is one drink per flight hour. Unless you're in First where drinks are free ... then simply double that.

Ugh. Those people are packed in there like sardines.

Always a good idea to verify operation of the ELT, especially on an ETOPS flight. This one worked OK. I usually take it back to my seat with me ... I feel more secure with it nearby.

I guess they didn't de-ice our plane before departure ...

Take one of your old STP or Bardahl stickers with you, so you can put it on your rental car. Highway robbers know how to look for rental cars. By putting on a sticker, it shows that you are a, "local." An alternative would be to hang one of those scented pine tree things from the reaview mirror.

Name That Airport

We have returned to our Global Command Center with over 850 new pictures and video. Below is one of the places we visited ...

Boeing 727 S-Duct

Northwest Orient DC-10 LAX

Here's one from a couple of weeks ago.

Tivo Premier Box Fan Replacement

This is what the Tivo Premier looks like on the inside :

I like how this mosquito got stuck in the heat dissipation array. Moquitos are notoriously stupid.

Randy's Donuts LAX Airport Inglewood

Another landmark visible on approach to LAX is Randy's Donuts. We'll always think of this place as, the "Big Do-Nut" which was it's name back in the 60's. Their glazed doesn't quite have the same appearance as they used to. But it smells and tastes the same...

United's First 787 N20904 Paine Field Everett

United's first 787 rolled out of the paint hanger at Everett this morning. Boeing picture.

Airplane Life Magazine 1937

We found this old Life magazine. The "Transoceanic Transport" issue.

Asia Pacific 727 N319NE

Western Airlines Memorabilia

I found this Western stuff. I also have an official Western Airlines shower cap. Why they would give me a shower cap on an airplane, I don't know.

Unknown Airplane

This appears to be an MD-95. Registration looks like it might begin with "N."

In-N-Out at LAX Spotting

So when you hang around the In-N-Out at LAX taking pictures like this ...

... someone up there thinks you look like this  ...

Today's trivia : If you went back far enough in your time machine, you'd find that that location used to be a Pier 1 Imports ... and before that it was Cost Plus ...