Wi-Fi on Continental Airlines in Q2 2010

Whenever we go on a flight we feel detached from the world, this is because we are unable to connect to the Internet on a number of our flights. However, Continental Airlines have become one of the few to offer Wi-Fi on flights, the service will be available in Q2 2010. Read more

Mexico now allow phones on planes

Yesterday an article appeared on IntoMobile which reported that mobile phones are now allowed to be used on aircraft. The news comes following a meeting last year by the the National Advisory Committee for the Standardization of Air Transport.

It is now understood that a law stating mobile phones cannot be used on aircraft has been overturned by Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transport, however the law still forbid s some handsets from being used which have not been fitted with specific equipment. Read more

Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer: in-depth analysis

We have an in-depth analysis for you to check out now on the recent Modern Warfare 2 gameplay video that was released this week by Infinity Ward. It comes to you courtesy of GamersNexus, who break down the video and pick out the key elements and features for you. Read more

Hands-on: SKY Lasers Green Laser Pointer (532nm)

We have been sent a couple of laser pointers in the past, and although they were great fun, they were on the dangerous side. However, after being sent a new high power green laser pointer from Sky Lasers, we were very happy to see the addition of a key, which can turn the laser from high power to low power. This is certainly a great feature as you can safely use the device as a presentation pointer. Read more

United Technologies to cut workforce by 11,600

United Technologies Corporation (UTC) (NYSE: UTX) have been hit hard by the deterioration of the commercial aerospace market, as a result they are to cut their workforce by 11,600. This decision is part of the company’s $750 million restructuring program. Read more

HAWX Demo: 4-Player Co-Op Available

It looks to be a good update for the Playstation Store this week. Ubisoft has confirmed that a demo for Tom Clancy’s HAWX will be available on the store today at around 5pm GMT. Read more

Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Makes Maiden Flight

Images have been appearing online that shows the Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo Mothership, WhiteKnightTwo taking her maiden flight. The aircraft was doing some tests in Mojave, and we can now see what engines will be powering the craft. Read more

Virgin America’s new Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi service

The lucky beggars over on CNET got the chance to test out the all new Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi service and we wish to tell you about it. The article they wrote was published from around 25,000 feet up in the air over the Northern California coast.

They were on the one-hour Virgin flight demonstration and here is what they said, they passed 10,000 feet and found the sky-high Wi-Fi signal which then they had to create an account which took minutes, CNET say that the service is a lot faster than they thought it would be and were impressed somewhat, obviously not has fast as using wi-fi connection at home but nonetheless still pretty quick considering you are thousands of feet above ground level.

For streaming videos, publishing articles etc the service seemed to be very good indeed, the service is on-board Virgin America’s Airbus A320 aircraft and will be pushed out to its entire fleet by the second quarter of 2009. The Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi service will cost you $9.95 for flights of three hours or less and $12.95 for flights more than three hours which is very good indeed if work is important to you. This service is available via Aircell which indeed powers the in-flight Wi-Fi technology. For more information and pictures please visit CNET.

Rolls-Royce to cut 2,000 jobs: Airbus A380, Boeing 787 delays to blame

Rolls-Royce, the maker of aircraft engines is planning to cut between 1,500 and 2,000 jobs sometime in 2009. The engine builder is also in talks to axe another 140 jobs at their Assembly and Test facility in Derby. Read more

25 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s headed for Middle-East

The U.S. government has approved the sale of 25 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Israel. There is also an option for another 50 more to head out to the Middle East with a deal worth $15.2 billion.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, has said that this deal is vital to both the U.S. and Israel, as it helps Israel to maintain a strong and Read more

Ryanair allow mobile phone calls on planes: international roaming rates

Ryanair is to allow passengers to make calls on their mobile phones on their planes; it is thought that the service will be implanted within weeks to at least ten of their aircraft. The technology will eventually be spread across to the rest of Rynair’s fleet of 50 planes.

Ryanair’s deputy chief executive, Howard Millar, has said that the cost of making these calls will be similar to that of Read more

Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator takes-off for first time

This is the Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator, it’s a futuristic helicopter that’s not completely ready yet, but today it had its first flight. The single-engined fly-by-wire aircraft was in the air for around 30 minutes.

While the X2 Demonstrator was airborne it demonstrated a hover turn, forward flight and hover. The helicopter features a pusher propeller and coaxial rotors, Sikorsky said that they believe the X2 will revolutionize the helicopter world.

Current helicopters have cruise speeds of around 150 kts and a Westland Lynx holds the helicopter world speed record at 216.45 kts. The Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator will have cruise speeds of around to 250 kts.

To find out more about Sikorsky’s X2 and why current helicopters are limited by rotor aerodynamics, hit the read link below.

Read more on Aviation Week

Planes flies on solar power for 82 hours

An un-official world record was set last night as the Zephyr a British-built spy plane managed to stay in the air for 82 hours and 37 minutes powered only by solar panels and rechargeable batteries at night.

The plane could fly indefinitely says the aircraft designers at the defence firm QinetiQ, they feel that in the future the Zephyr would be able to fly for weeks or months at a time.

£20 million pound has been invested into the Zephyr so far by the Ministry of Defence. The plane weighs 30kg (66lbs) which is strong enough to 2kg flying at about 60,000ft.

The plane has a rechargeable battery that is twice a efficient as anywhere in the world, the plane itself is made with a carbon fibre frame and is covered in super-light solar arrays that are thinner than paper. The flight which took place at the US army’s Yuma grounds in Arizona was launched by three people holding it above their heads as they run for takeoff.

There is an official world record set by Global Hawk in 2001 of an uncrewed flight and that stands at 30 hours and 24 minutes

Source: Guardian

Delta Air Lines Wi-Fi offer: Is the price right?

Delta Air Lines are looking into offering customers broadband wireless internet access on its entire domestic fleet, they are hoping to get this all running by next summer. We already know that Continental Airlines had previously announced its plans to offer a similar service across a majority of its mainline fleet.

There are several other airlines looking at doing the same thing by offering or planning on offering a similar service, of course on a limited number of flights than Delta and Continental.

Delta who is based in Atlanta said that it would offer to sell Wi-Fi service to customers travelling throughout the continental United States, they are currently working with Aircell who is an airborne communications provider, and its plan is to install the network on Delta’s domestic airline fleet of over 330 aircrafts.

Now the question is “Is the price right? If the flights are 3 hours or less the new service will cost $9.95, flights over three hours the service will cost $12.95.

Source

White Knight Two (aka EVE) Launched by Virgin Galactic

Following on from a post earlier about “WhiteKnightTwo from Virgin to be unveiled today”, we can now confirm that it has been launched.

You can see some photos on this page of Virgin Galactic’s White Knight Two. This is Sir Richard Branson’s latest venture and it’s officially the largest all carbon-composite aircraft ever made.

The 140-foot wingspaned aircraft will carry the SpaceShipTwo craft into orbit (when its completed). White Knight 2 will be able to reach 50,000 ft and can train pilots for pre space-flight zero G training and positive G forces.

Richard Branson has said that Virgin Galactic’s spaceship carrier will be the first of many more. You can view more photos on Wired or read other Virgin Galactic news here.

Space Travel is heading to reality for more people but sadly those people will also have a nice bank balance. If you had the money, would you pay for a trip on SpaceShipTwo?

Aviation-themed Mustang to be auctioned off

The numbers tied to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh are impressive, if not overwhelming – but there’s one statistic especially worth eyeing.

Some 2,500 show aircraft and 650,000 visitors are expected at this year’s meet, which runs from Monday – Aug. 3. An estimated 10,000 airplanes are expected to fly in to the airport in east-central Wisconsin. And here’s the kicker: The event will feature one cool Ford Mustang.

A special one-of-a-kind AirVenture Mustang, the Mustang AV8R, will be unveiled on Sunday. The classic American car was named after the famous P-51 Mustang fighter, which played a key role in World War II as a bomber escort. Several P-51s are slated to be at Oshkosh, according to the show’s web site, www.airventure.org.

The team at Ford Racing helped develop the aviation-inspired Mustang AV8R. Special features on the 2009 Mustang GT include a glass roof, which is a new option on Mustangs this year; special front and rear fascias; integrated spoiler; and Shelby GT500 wheels. Ford Racing’s contributions include a handling pack (dampers, lowering springs, anti-roll bar kit and strut tower brace), supercharger and tuned exhaust that will generate 400 horsepower from the aluminum block 4.6-liter, 24-valve V-8 engine.

The Mustang AV8R is painted in Satin Silver matte paint with Black Gloss accents. The interior features distressed “bomber jacket” leather inserts and trim panels along with a “Bullitt” aluminum instrument panel appliqué and shift knob. It also has an appliqué autograph area for the aviation legends and notable enthusiasts scheduled to be in attendance, who include Edsel B. Ford II, Chuck Yeager, Jack Roush, Harrison Ford, John Travolta, Morgan Freeman and Jim Lovell.

Douglas Gaffka, the chief designer for the Mustang, took a restrained, modern approach for the Mustang AV8R.

“We chose anodized silver for the body sides and high-gloss black for the hood, which flows through the glass roof – it was almost like having a canopy,” Gaffka said. “We also embedded the Air Force star in the glass.”

Collectors can bid on the car. Perspective owners should contact Matt Miller at 1-800-236-1025 for details about the July 31 auction. Auction proceeds will benefit the EAA’s Gathering of Eagles program, which helps provide scholarships for young people interested in aviation careers.

Donating the Mustang AV8R is the latest example of Ford’s continuing commitment to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Last year, Ford donated two tickets to the finals of “American Idol,” which sold for $16,500. Ford and Shelby Automobiles donated a Mustang Shelby GT-H in 2006, which sold for $250,000.

“The Mustang AV8R is the latest commitment from Ford in support of EAA’s effort to build the future of aviation,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president. “This stunning, one-of-a-kind automobile will be a very special addition to our Gathering of Eagles fund-raiser, which supports EAA’s aviation education and preservation work throughout the year.”

Source – Press Release

Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2 Fighter Aircraft for Sale on eBay: Who will bid?

Now we have come across many items for sale on eBay and this one has to be the most exciting, I mean come on a stunning REAL Decommissioned Sea Harrier FA2 Jump Jet Aircraft. We must warn you that this plane is not air-worthy, but who cares it is a Sea Harrier FA2 Jump Jet Fighter Aircraft.

At the moment the winning bid for this aircraft is at £26,100.00, on the eBay site the description is as follows “This is a decommissioned ex Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2 Fighter/Attack aircraft which has served between 1987 and 1997 with all 3 of the Fleet Air Arm Harrier squadrons (800, 801 and 899 NAS). The aircraft is externally complete to Static display/museum standards and would make a truly stunning garden feature or museum exhibit. Complete with wing pylons and belly AMRAAM pylons. Replica engine nozzles (cast from the real thing) are fitted to give the impression an engine is installed. Complete with photos of the aircraft in service and its full history. This is the aircraft featured by Air fix as the 1:48 scale model of the FRS1 Sea Harrier in the 899NAS 50th Anniversary colour scheme. This colour scheme was applied to this aircraft in February 1993 prior to it’s conversion to FA2 spec.

Sadly this aircraft lost its nose leg in 1998 when it taxied into an airfield, they have however replaced the broken hinges and nose leg pins they have repaired the bulkhead and fitted a mechanical down lock the aircraft is now restored and is standing on its undercarriage for the first time in 10 years. There is no real damage to the airframe or outer skin. When the nose leg hinge broke the aircraft sat on the belly plyons/gun pods (which were fitted at the time) saving the skin from damage. There is no corrosion. The paint work is original and very clean. There is the odd minor mark or scratch but nothing major. Basically it is the cleanest and most tidy Sea Harrier museum type aircraft you will find on the open market today!

The aircraft is not airworthy and is sold for static display use only. There is no engine fitted. Many of the internal systems have been removed or made inoperative. The cockpit is stripped out. We have mocked up the cockpit so from the outside it appears like a seat is fitted. We can offer optional extras (which are not included in this auction) to the lucky winner. We could fit the cockpit out to around 90% completeness with stick, throttle box, HUD, display screens and instruments. We can supply real engine nozzles, gun pods (empty) and a suitable mk10 seat again at additional expense. We can enhance the aircraft to your own specification and budget.

For the purpose of this auction the aircraft is sold as it is where it is. What you see in the pictures is what you get, arranging delivery and assembly is not a problem but will be at buyer’s expense, international shipping is possible and will only export this aircraft to Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, they can deliver to any UK port. Shipping would be in two flat pack/rack open top containers, an international export licence would also be needed but if dealt with correctly should not be a problem. Low start with a realistic reserve. If our reserve is not met we may sell the aircraft to highest bidder anyway so do not be afraid to bid if you are serious.

Serious bidders can view by prior arrangement on Saturday 21st June.

Go on check it out and then start bidding – Sea Harrier FA2 Fighter Aircraft for Sale on eBay

Subsidiary of U.S. military security contractors buy 314 B1 Super Tucano Fighter Plane

Blackwater Worldwide who are a subsidiary of U.S. military security contractors have just purchased the 314 B1 Super Tucano Fighter Plane from the Brazilian aviation company Embraer. The 314 B1 Super Tucano propeller-driven fighter plane was bought for $4.5 million and delivered to EP Aviation at the end of February.

EP Aviation has apparently got 33 planes and helicopters registered with the FAA, obviously officials with Brazil’s government and Embraer declined to comment on the Estado report and apparently according to the source below phones calls were not returned. Apparently after reading on the internet the company called Blackwater Worldwide are infamous for its allegations of its killings in Iraq. Let us tell you more about the 314 B1 Super Tucano Fighter Plane.

The 314 B1 Super Tucano is black and grey and is propeller driven which if you look closely looks pretty similar to that of the World-War 2 fighter plane, the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano which is also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN) and pilot training missions. It incorporates highly modern avionics and weapons systems which we have listed below. At the moment it is being used by the air forces of Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic and now Blackwater Worldwide has it.

The armament is as follows, 2x 12.7 mm FN Herstal M3P machine guns, 1x 20 mm cannon pod below the fuselage, 4x 70 mm rocket launcher pods, Conventional and intelligent bombs, 2x AIM-9 Sidewinder or MAA-1 Piranha or Python 3/4 air-to-air missiles and External stores on 5 hardpoints. The maximum speed is 593 km/h (320 knots, 368 mph).

Source – USA Today

Apple MacBook and Pro to get major design changes: new eco-friendly materials

It seems that both the Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro are to undergo a major design change, and it is the 13-Inch MacBook that will see the biggest changes. The plastic cover will go and in its place will be eco-friendly materials, like aircraft-grade aluminum as well as stainless steel.

Steve Jobs has wanted a new greener Apple MacBook, and the old white cover will not be around for much longer. The new upcoming MacBook Pro will have design features borrowed from both the aluminum iMacs as well as the MacBook Air. The re-design of both these notebooks are long overdue, as they have looked the same for a little over two years.

Source – Apple Insider

Naomi Campbell Arrested For Police Assault

It has been reported that Naomi Campbell has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer by spitting in his face after she was handcuffed as she left the aircraft at London’s Heathrow Airport.

It’s said that she had to be escorted from a British Airways plane on Thursday afternoon after being abusive and aggressive to staff.

A Heathrow spokeswoman said that “We can confirm that a passenger was removed by police from a BA flight this afternoon“.

Do you think that Naomi has a bad temper?

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