Sunday, January 27, 2013

Photographic Proof Bigger Is Not Always Better.



See, if these planes were not so long, they would have all fit into the frame.

Shot location: "Friendly" LAX

Thursday, January 24, 2013

And The Mysterious Orange "Thingie" From Yesterday's Contest Is...

It is the Nitrogen Generating Unit on a Boeing 757.

In the photos above are the main components of a Nitrogen Generating System designed to introduce inert gas into fuel tanks to prevent vapors from igniting. 

See, now that wasn't hard, was it?

Besides, do you really think I was going to share MissTWA with anyone?

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

More "Humpday" Fun.

This one ought to be fun.  Guess what the orange item is in the center of the photo, and you could win a date with MissTWA (subject to her approval, of course).

Answer will be revealed tomorrow, 01-24-2013.

Shot location: IAH (Photo courtesy of our Texas Smartphone Division)

The "Science" Of Totally Jacked Up Aircraft Photos.

We prove that Phantoms, Douglas DC-9's and the souls of Kittens past live on in multiple dimensions.

Well, how else would explain this photo?

Shot location:  We're not sure.  We may have to ask Albert Einstein about this one.

Monday, January 21, 2013

"Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs. Blocking Out The Scenery, Breaking My Mind. Do this! Don't Do That! Can't You Read The Signs!"

                                                 *Our apologies to the Five Man Electrical Band.

Shot location: BFI (Photo by Joe "The G" Walker)

Thursday, January 17, 2013

"AMERICAN AIRLINES DEBUTS NEW, MODERN LOOK."


"It’s a new year and a fresh new look for American Airlines as the company today unveils a new logo and exterior for its planes, including the already delivered Flagship Boeing 777-300ER aircraft set to fly on Jan. 31. In addition, American plans to continue taking delivery of new planes this year as part of its historic orders for 550 new aircraft. The unveiling of the new logo and livery is the latest step forward in American’s ongoing journey toward building a more modern travel experience for its customers. For details, please read the full release.

American Eagle and the AAdvantage® program also will get a new look as of today. The first American Eagle plane will fly the new livery beginning in February. Updating the new look across American’s network is a long process and will be rolled out over time to the airline’s airports, interiors and exteriors of aircraft, new uniforms, products and services, and technology platforms like AA.com and the American mobile apps.

American’s new look was created with input from our customers and our people, and in partnership with FutureBrand – a leading global brand consultancy. In addition, American today launches a new advertising campaign designed to showcase the new look. The advertising campaign was developed with agency partner McCann Worldgroup."

Image and press release courtesy American Airlines.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

More Boeing 787 Technical Information - In Case You Were Wondering Who Manufactured The Batteries.



Here is the link to the GS Yuasa 787 specifications page:

http://www.gsyuasa-lp.com/aviation-lithium-ion-markets

Grounded Boeing 787 Dreamliners Use Batteries Prone To Overheating.

Burned battery: This lithium-ion battery from a 787 Dreamliner caught fire in a plane traveling from Tokyo to Boston last week.

A fire last week and a forced landing today have brought the possibility of such problems to the forefront.   

Kevin Bulls, M.I.T. Technology Review, Energy News, January 16, 2013

"Two major safety incidents involving Boeing 787 Dreamliners have caused two Japanese airlines to ground their fleets of the aircraft. The problems may be linked to a battery chemistry that’s particularly prone to causing fires.

Earlier today, a plane in Japan was forced to make an emergency landing after reports of a battery warning light and burning smell. Last week, a battery caught fire on a plane on the ground in Boston. In both cases, the problems may be related to Boeing’s decision to use a kind of lithium-ion battery chemistry that overheats and catches fire more readily than others.

It’s not yet clear whether the problems in the 787s originated with the batteries. Faults in the electronic controls have been implicated in other lithium-ion battery fires. According to reports, inspectors found liquid leaking from the 787’s batteries after the forced landing in Japan today. The battery was also discolored, but it wasn’t clear if it had caught fire.

Lithium-ion batteries have been known to cause fires in cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. But such problems are extremely rare, and usually result from damage to the battery—such as piercing or overcharging—or problems with the manufacturing process that introduce flaws in the cells.

Boeing’s 787 is the first commercial aircraft to use lithium-ion batteries, according to GS Yuasa, the Japanese battery manufacturer that supplies the batteries. The company also supplies batteries for the International Space Station and electric railcars, among other applications.

The chemistry—and safety—of lithium-ion batteries varies. According to GS Yuasa’s website, the batteries it uses for Boeing’s 787 use lithium cobalt oxide electrodes. These are known for high-energy storage capacity, but other battery chemistries, such as lithium iron phosphate, are more resistant to overheating. Because of safety concerns, many electric vehicle makers have shifted to alternative chemistries, sacrificing some energy storage capacity.

Because the electrolyte materials used are flammable, no lithium-ion batteries are completely safe. Some companies are developing a version that doesn’t use these electrolytes (see “Solid-State Batteries”). Consequently, battery makers install various safety features, including electronics designed to prevent overcharging. They also often include sensors and cooling systems.

According to GS Yuasa, its battery for the 787 “comes with battery management electronics which guarantees multiple levels of safety features.” A specification sheet for the batteries warns, “Inappropriate handling or application of the cells can result in reduced cell life and performance, electrolyte leakage, high cell temperatures, and even the possibility of smoke generation and fire.”

Boeing declined to comment on its selection of battery chemistries. A spokesperson says it is aware of the incident in Japan and is working with the airline and regulatory bodies to address it."

Friday, January 11, 2013

FedEx Donates Boeing 727, N266FE, To Cal Baptist University Aviation Science Program In Riverside, California.

                                                Shot location: RAL (Photo courtesy PR Newswire)

"RIVERSIDE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FedEx Express has donated a Boeing 727-200F to California Baptist University for use by its new aviation science program. The cargo jet made its final taxi today after landing at the Riverside Municipal Airport. The aircraft will be on permanent display at the airport and will provide a working laboratory for aviation science students."

Now this is interesting stuff, folks.  First, this is an entirely new program for Cal Baptist, and I believe a first for Rivererside Airport (RAL) to have a Boeing 727 land there.
  
To date, the largest aircraft I have spotted at RAL is a Boeing C-17.

Thanks to our Inland Empire Roving Reporter, HB, for the tip.

Ingrid Bergman Never Looked Sexier.

Shot location: LAX (Photo by Michael Breckshot)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Twofer Tuesday - Aircraft In The Abstract.

                                             Top photo: Challenger 600.  Lower photo: Hawker 1000

Photo location: ONT

Friday, January 4, 2013

"Phantoms" Of Aircraft And Kittens Past.

The "Spirit of Fluffy."  Try that with your digital camera!

Shot location: NTD (Photo by "CL")