The Aspiring Pilot

STS-133 Discovery Launch delayed

NASA announced this morning the discovery of gas leaks in the right orbital maneuvering system pod (OMS).  There are at least two leaks that are releasing helium and nitrogen gases.   This is the same OMS pod that had the fuel leak issue that threatened the launch last week.  Those seals were repaired, and now it appears there are two new additional leaks.  An update will be made during the scheduled 10AM ET pre-launch briefing.  (You can watch live at NASA TV online and if your TV provider carries it) 

The launch countdown was due to start at 3PM ET today, but that has officially been delayed until 2PM ET tomorrow, Saturday.  This means that the shuttle will launch no earlier than the Tuesday launch date, at 4:17 PM ET. No update on what effect this will have on the #nasatweetup activities scheduled for Sunday.  One of the big parts was the trip to the launch pad to watch the service structure being retracted (600' from the shuttle!) but that won't happen until Monday now.  It's possible my #nasatweetup posts will not begin until Monday now instead of Sunday.  

Stay tuned for updates on the launch and the #NASATweetup.

Follow the #NASATweetup tweets here

Follow the tweets from the the #NASATweetup for the STS-133 Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery below.  I will keep this featured at the top of the blog until after the launch on November 1st.  My individual tweets can be seen and followed in the Twitter widget in the right column.    I'll also be making posts about the various presentations I attend along with pictures as well.  

Claire Bear Aviation Books Win National Recognition

I received a press release to publish on my General Aviation Examiner column and it actually really caught my attention.  To read the press release, go to my site here.  

The books mentioned in the press release would be an amazing addition to any aviation enthusiast and their kids library, especially if their child also likes airplanes and flying.  I have seen other books as well from Claire Bear.  The first I'd seen was Claire Bear Presents... The Pilots Alphabet.  I didn't realize there were more sets in the series, even a version for boys, such as Billy's First Flight Lesson. 

The first of the two books that won an award is 'Claire Bear explains... What Pilots Fly' and the other was 'Claire Bear's First Solo.'  These two books may also be a great addition for helping increase interest in flying among girls.  

I may do a review on these books and others in the series if I can get my hands on some.  

Third Microsoft Flight trailer released

 Microsoft has once again released another video promoting it's new upcoming version of the prior Microsoft Flight Simulator series.  The game, called Microsoft Flight, is due out in 2011 and is currently in beta testing.  Don't use the graphics and scenery in this video as a determination of what the final game play will look like.  I'm sure it will be much improved in the final release and of course will require much greater hardware than MS Flight Simulator X.   Time to start saving up for a video card and CPU upgrade.   I like how MS is really working to build up the buzz about the game within the gamer and aviation community.

Second Trailer:

 

 

First Trailer:

 

Chicago storms wreak havoc at O'Hare, destroy planes at Dupage

After an evening of warnings to prepare for what was expected to be one of the worst storms in the last 70 years, the system moved in overnight, intensifying near the start of rush hour.  The storm started with moderate winds and gusts overnight, with the light rain moving in prior to a squall line forming and tearing through Chicago.  There are unconfirmed reports of tornado's in Will County and possibly Kane County as well as Wisconsin and along the Illinois/Indiana border.  

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) experienced a complete ground stop of both departing and arriving flights and, once operations resumed, most airplanes were still unable to land.  Winds at one point were reported from the southwest at 50mph sustained, gusting to over 65 mph. This resulted in planes diverting to other area airports such as Madison (MSN), where the winds were more favorable and better aligned with the operating runways. If planning any flights on airlines today, please check with your carrier as the delays, cancellations and diversions can effect operations across the country resulting in significant delays or additional cancellations. 

At DuPage County Airport (DPA) in West Chicago, the storm destroyed 3 airplanes as it passed through. 

For full story and details, see my Chicago General Aviation article. 

Shuttle cleared for Nov. 1 launch - NASA Tweetup a go

In step with the schedule for my NASA Tweetup experience, the space shuttle has been cleared by NASA during the flight readiness review for a November 1st launch at 4:40 PM ET.  

There was an issue with a fuel leak detected over a week ago.  The leak was found to be from a seal in one of the orbital maneuvering rockets and initial tightening of the bolts and pressurizing of the gaskets was not sufficient to fully stop the leak.  The worry was that a repair/replacement of the gaskets/seals was never completed with the shuttle on the pad.  Normally, these repairs were done with the shuttle in a horizontal position.  

NASA announced that the replacement was completed over the weekend successfully and no further fuel leaks were detected.  

The tweetup begins on Sunday, October 31st, at 1PM, with a  two-hour program that will also feature interactions with shuttle technicians and engineers as well as program managers.  Also, there will be shuttle astornauts from other missions on hand (Discovery's crew is entering isolation shortly as to avoid contamination or sickness prior to the flight) .  At the completion of the program, we will proceed to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center, the Saturn V rocket center and the International Space Station Processing Facility. 

After dinner, the Tweetup members are bussed out the the actual launch pad to watch the retraction of the service structure which will expose the shuttle in preparation for the launch.  We will be 600 feet from the shuttle watching the structure roll away.  With the sun being down, and the launch complex and shuttle lit up by lights, it will provide for an amazing photo opportunity.  That will be the last event for the first day.  

The next day, November 1st, the day of the launch, there will be more NASA speakers and visitors for presentations and to meet with.  at 4:40 is the launch itself, when we will be able to walk out, on the famous grass area seen in all launch videos, the one where you see the reporters and the big countdown clock.  It's a long 3 miles from the pad, but the closest you can actually get to the pad without being an astronaut essentially.  

Once the shuttle launch is over, the Tweetup ends and we can leave or stay for the post launch news conference and watch it from the Tweetup tent on the provided monitors.  

Be sure to follow me on twitter @asmolenski or facebook at asmolenski.  I will also write about it here on this blog as well as in my General Aviation Examiner articles and possibly in the Chicago version as well. 

Be sure to expect LOTS of pictures.  Will have links to those up starting shortly after the launch.  

 

 

Drunk pilot steals plane at airshow?!

First watch this video, then continue reading below... 

 

Now, before anyone jumps on me for endorsing drinking and flying, this is just a result of the AOPA Wine Club, okay, I'm kidding once again! This was all a stunt and the pilot was not really drunk.  Though I LOVE the white t-shirt, complete with stains! Completes the drunk redneck look nicely.  From what I've heard, this was NOT announced to everyone at the air show, so it did cause a little confusion at first among the crowd.  Still, it's an amazing display of flying skills and demonstrates the capabilities of the Piper Super Cub airplane.  This is definitely a video to be shared, just don't try this at home, especially when drunk. 

update - according to @yv35p on twitter: 'The great Kyle Franklin, awesome performance! his wife Amanda is a wingwalker. airshow family'

Honeywell releases biz-jet forecast - recovery coming, but year later

Photo of the Gulfstream G-IV SP prior to it's first flight.

Photo: By Global Jet via flickr.com

 

Just published an article at General Aviation Examiner on Honeywells 19th edition of it's annual Business Aviation Outlook.  They initially were looking at a biz-jet recovery to begin in 2011, but based on updated survey results, feel that the recovery will be delayed until 2012; however, they are still expecting a decent 10 year period from 2010-2020 with over 11,000 jet's delivered at a value of over $225 billion.  

For the full article, please go here.  

This is a promising sign, especially since it was followed up by the surprise NetJets announcement of a purchase agreement for 125 Phenom 300 jets, adding some support to the belief of the beginning of a business aviation recovery.   What this will mean for pilot hiring is still unknown; however, with the pilot population declining and aging and an expected 11,000 business jets expected to be added (or replace some older jets)  in the next 10 years, there should be an increase in pilot demand.  How much will need to be seen, but it's some additional hope for those with flight aspirations.  

US Airways 3Q results, announces hiring plans

By cliff1066™Cliff  via flickr.com

The light at the end of the tunnel for the aviation industry is slowly beginning to get brighter.  Each new report, each airline update, profits are returning, people are flying more, hiring is picking up.  We're still a ways away from a complete turnaround as there are still furlough lists to be exhausted.  With Delta hiring back all of it's furloughed flight attendants (or at least those accepting the recall) and American recalling all it's furloughed pilots over roughly the next 12 months, it was only a matter of time before other airlines made similar announcements. 

US Airways today announced earnings today, leading with a company record 3Q net profit of $240 million.  Wall street was expecting $1.17 per share in earnings (EPS) and US Airways came back with $1.22.  A $0.05 beat is pretty impressive.  

As a result, US Airways has announced it will recall ALL furlough FA's by years end and begin hiring new FA's in the beginning of 2011.  In addition, for the pilot's among us, they also announced plans to recall 300 furloughed pilots.  

Overall, this is a great turnaround from the loss of $80 million the company reports in the 3Q 2009.   

As these reports come in and I review other airlines earnings today, I'll post any additional impressive numbers or hiring increases that may be announced.  

Plane stolen, authorities ask for help in locating it

Photo of the missing Cessna 150D, N43ED

Photo: Steuben County Sheriff's Office

The Steuben County Sheriff's Office is seeking the publics help in locating a single engine Cessna that has been reported stolen from the local airport.  The AOPA has also published the information on it's website in an effort to enlist it's hundreds of thousands of pilot's in locating the airplane.  

For full story and contact info, see the news article at General Aviation Examiner here.