The Sky is Our Home

First A350 XWB parts arrive at Airbus

2012-01-15T01:46:00.004Z

Everyone likes to receive something new in Christmas and the guys at Airbus are no different from anybody else. Well... last year they got something really new up in the factory now we just have to wait for those guys to make their magic "et voilá" we got ourselves the new Airbus A350 WXB.

... and Boeing delivers it's 7000th 737!

2012-01-15T01:41:00.002Z

On last December Boeing delivered it's 7000th Boeing 737 to FlyDubai. This new Next Generation 737-800 has been equipped with the new Boeing Sky Interior witch create a more smooth and pleasant environment to passengers during flight.

FlyDubai was in 2010 the first airline to present their passengers with the new Sky Interior from Boeing and now has the honor to receive the 7000th unit of this well succeed model. At this tome Boeing has more than 5400 737 in service in more than 358 airlines and 114 different countries.

photo: flightstory.net

Airbus delivers 7000th unit!

2012-01-15T01:12:00.002Z

This is something that doesn't happen everyday Airbus delivered past December an A321 to US Airways but not just an ordinary A321. This was the 7000th aircraft from the manufacturer and in less than two years Airbus delivered to it's clients more than 1000 airplanes.

Well done Airbus!

photos: Flightstory.net

EverJets is cleared for take off

2012-01-15T01:02:00.001Z

EverJets is the name of the newest business jets company in Portugal. The company is part of the Ricon Group and has a fleet of two Embraer Phenom 300.

The company is based at Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport at Porto and hopes to bring a new dynamic to aviation in Portugal.

May the Sky be Your Home and wish you the best landings.

photo: Lapa Gonçalves - Fórum Aviação Portugal

Up to the sky!

2012-01-15T00:50:00.004Z

At the end of last yerar finally I arranged a flight to regain proficiency after a few months without flying. Flight plan filed aircraft filled up and inspected and there I was lined up again on runway 35 of Cascais Airfield, LPCS. Seconds later I was in the air again, what a feeling and how I missed all this. Leveled at 1000 ft and headed to Cabo da Roca the westernmost place in Europe. Our destination was Santa Cruz airfield for some touch and go and another training maneuvers.Santa Cruz is a small village in the west coast of Portugal that became very popular in the 70's and 80's due to the proximity to Lisbon and high quality beaches some of them are used in surf kite-surf and windsurf competitions. Santa Cruz aerodrome is very small and it is between some houses and trees in one threshold and some greenhouses one the other and all this obstacles are very close to the runway witch gives a certain level of difficulty during landings. The runway has a landing distance of 534 meters witch are enough to stop a Cessna 152 but with all the obstacles that I've mentioned the approach must be very cautious.

Tourist pilots are very welcome and this is really a good place for a weekend or vacations, the airfield is very close to the beach and to several facilities like hotels, camping parks and rooms for rent.

Photos credits: http://portugalfotografiaaerea.blogspot.com/

We've departed from Cascais, LPCS, and headed to the westernmost point of Europe witch is Cabo da Roca the view of this area is breathtaking because of the contrast land/sea with Peninha Palace at the top of the mountain the beach on one side rocks on the other and the lighthouse for ship guidance.

After passing this we have followed the shoreline to Santa Cruz, LPSC, passing through Ericeira a small village from where the Portuguese Royal Family embarked heading Brasil in 1910 right after we became a Democratic Republic.

Passing Ericeira and our destination was already at sight due to the amazing flying day. We reported position to Lisbon Information and requested to contact local frequency. After the first contact to confirm possible traffic in the vicinity of the aerodrome we headed west to about 1 mile of shore to perform some checks and train my proficiency lost during the days back in Somalia.

A few minutes later another voice was heard in the frequency looking for traffic in the surroundings of the aerodrome. It was a Pitts S2 from Aerobática that was at that time practicing some aerobatics at Santa Cruz. After the first contact we went in a formation flight for a few moments and at the end we performed a low pass in formation to Santa Cruz Runway. What more can I say than AMAZING!!!

After this brief moment the Pitts headed out to Cascais and I started to perform some touch a go maneuvers as requested to practice various situation and get used to this singular runway because of it's size and because of the obstacles in the thresholds.

At the end of this flight My personal evaluation is very positive because after a few months without flying I was not so bad as I thought but there was space for improvements. The flight instructor that flew with me was very helpful and told me some details that can be and should be improved, also made some suggestions of things that I can do in my future flights.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T13:14:00.002Z

And remember that The Sky is Our Home!

Stunning F-35 Shots

2011-12-05T17:14:00.001Z

From Flightstory.net

All photos (c) Lockheed Martin

Blackshape Prime - Sirius Magazine Trailer (GoPro HD)

2011-11-28T02:25:00.000Z

Here is a footage of the presentation of the Ultralight aircraft Blackshape Prime, one amazing machine.

Synthetic Vision on an iPad

2011-11-26T13:46:00.000Z

Not perfect but almost there!

Aviation Blogging and Gadgets

2011-11-25T18:06:00.001Z

That's what this blog is all about. In a single word is Aviation but following the title of this post it is a Blog and also has some gadgets. You don't think so? Well I have been watching this blog statistics and I have found that already 137 views were from the Apple's iPad. Great!
I don't have one, and I really regret about that not because I want to consult or post in my Blog outdoors but because there are a huge number of applications that can be very useful for pilots.
Here is a footage of AvWeb.com in YouTube relative to the Jeppesen applications for iPad witch I think are amazing and with great capacity. This can be a good revolution in aviation specially about charts and flight navigation.

House cleaning

2011-11-25T17:26:00.001Z

You might already noted that this blog had some changes in the look. Well I hope that you like the new look as I do and just to complete the new look I only have to say that the picture in the back is a FSX picture from an EC-135 in the region of Madeira with the scenery Wonderful Madeira almost real I should say.

S is for Souda Bay

2011-11-25T16:53:00.001Z

Past three months the Portuguese Navy Helicopter 19Th Detachment Fénix Flight went on a mission in the Aden Gulf against piracy aboard the Portuguese Frigate N.R.P. "D. Francisco de Almeida".

The mission took about three months but we have been in the area of operation just about two months and the rest as passed in transit from and to Portugal. Our journey started at August the 15Th and lasted until November the 15Th the day of our return to our home base near Lisbon.

During the transit to the operation area the ship and helicopter detachment spent most of the time training for the upcoming mission, training procedures and means of operation related to the type of mission and to maintain the qualifications of both aircrew and ground crew up to date.

Our first stop was in Greece on the beautiful island of Crete at a military base near Shania known as Souda Bay. Because of maintenance issues I had the opportunity to visit Shania Airport and Military Air Base operated by the Greek the American and at that time and because of the Libya operations also used by the French and the Italian. Well a pilot among airplanes what more can I ask for this Christmas?

Here some pictures of my stay in Crete. Some are images air to ground from the helicopter and other of the air base, hope you enjoy them.

From this position to the bottom Photos by: Roberto Cachaço

Phoenix in the Cave

2011-11-03T23:51:00.001Z

Somewhere near Somalia

2011-10-09T14:10:00.001+01:00

Before leaving checklist!

2011-08-14T00:06:00.000+01:00

Of course besides being a helicopter maintenance technician in the Portuguese Navy I'm still a civilian pilot and continue to look for a flying job witch is becoming a huge task almost with epic contours due to the number of low time pilots in the same situation.

As I'm going to be out for a considerably long period of time I have tried to fly as close as possible to the day of the departure to the mission.

Today was the day.

Here are some pictures of the flight from Cascais to Portimão.

Going out!

2011-08-13T23:50:00.000+01:00

Some of you know that in a short time I'll be going to the Aden Gulf participating in the Ocean Shield NATO mission. This mission comprehends in the protection of ship convoys that are being attacked by Somali pirates and the Portuguese Navy as part of the NATO will participate in this effort to protect these ships from any threats.

On board the Portuguese frigate "Dom Francisco de Almeida" - a dutch navy M class frigate - will be the Fénix Flight Detachment witch I'm part of.

I will try to maintain contact and updates, specially for the spotters and enthusiasts that love the Portuguese Navy Lynx, so stay tuned!

See you soon.

Boeing 747-8 Freighter saved the longest for last - certification testin...

2011-08-04T19:03:00.000+01:00

After a 17 hour flight it's done! The Boeing 747-8F Freighter is fully certified and ready for the costumers.

EAA AirVenture 2011 at Oshkosh!

2011-07-26T04:03:00.000+01:00

From today until July the 31 is running the "World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" at Oshkosh

To those who won't go there stay tuned in the official EAA Airventure Website and watch daily videos on Youtube produced by AvWeb.com and AeroTV.com

Windy days

2011-07-21T23:45:00.000+01:00

Does anyone has Saint Peter's cell number? It was just to ask him if he wouldn't mind to close all the windows and doors. It's windy here.

About my Swiss experience...

2011-07-17T19:37:00.003+01:00

A few posts ago I've told you about my experience on my trip to Switzerland. The Airline, aircraft, airports, etc. Now this post is to talk about something a bit different from this Alpine paradise.

Those who are related to the business aviation or at least have knowledge about the subject are well familiar with one or two Swiss aerodromes such as Samedan at St. Moritz. But Switzerland isn't just business aviation with aerodromes near the ski resorts. As a matter of fact on a train trip from Geneva Aeroport to Brig, a small city in the Canton of Valais I saw 5 airfields and could count more two that are the Geneva Airport and de Lausanne Aerodrome. I mean this was only in a space of a Inter regional train 2 hour trip, amazing. Two of the airfields had a well treated and seem in top condition grass strip, the rest were all with concrete or tarmac runways.

But of course that an airfield without aircraft isn't interesting but fact is that except one aerodrome all the others had light airplanes, light helicopters and a huge quantity of gliders, I must say that I'm in live with this. One of these airfields is Sion Airport witch is a regional airport not bigger than Cascais in Portugal and approximately the same type of normal operation such as air schools, business jets, commuters and some helicopters, here there was also helicopters and airplanes for crop dusting. Interesting.

On the first day of my time in Lausanne suddenly I heard a familiar noise that sounded like a radial aircraft engine and as I was in a very beautiful wood tower in a high point of Lausanne soon I've started looking at the sky for the origin of this noise. Small sparkling in the eyes and there he was, a very beautiful Navy Blue WWII aircraft. Now that's one thing that I wasn't prepared to see in Lausanne. First with the cloudy sky and the distance I thought that the "flying musem" was something like a Curtiss Hell Diver but in a research here at home I found out that it is a General Motors TBM3.

And what a machine!

Resuming if I found out that the swiss living conditions are very good there are no doubts about it. Now, would I leave Portugal to go a live there in the case of a Flying Job? You bet I will.

Paris Air Show 2011 - Eurocopter X3

2011-07-17T01:31:00.000+01:00

New Engine options presented at Paris Airshow

2011-07-16T23:22:00.001+01:00

On the way back to Lisbon

2011-07-16T17:34:00.002+01:00

On the last Post I described my trip to Lausanne, Switzerland. Now here's the way back to Lisbon.

First there was the train ride from Lausanne to Geneva in order to get to the Airport. The check in went normally without problems and the queue wasn't long as it was early for my flight. After a coffee and a small internet consult, about that internet in Geneva Airport has 1 hour free all you have to do is sending your cell number to receive the password, as I was saying after the coffee I've headed for the security checks witch I think are getting to small for the number of passengers but very well organized witch allowed to walk through without major delays.

The boarding went normally and there I was again in an Airbus A319 from Iberia. Now there was a special thing about this aircraft. It's name was the "Lince Ibérico", Iberian Lynx, in all seats among with safety card a on board magazine there was the explanation of the name of the aircraft. Normally Iberia names their aircraft with personality names but this was different. On the flyer there was a small text about the Iberian Lynx witch is the only wild cat close to extinction. There are only small groups mostly in Spain that live in pure freedom and there are several tries in Spain and Portugal with a moderate success to reproduce the species in natural reserves and specially made parks to that effect.

After flying on the "Lynx" there I was again on Terminal 4 of Madrid Barajas and after another smooth landing I really start to think seriously about the best landing contest thing.

This final leg started in the worst way... with a delay. Well it wasn't a huge delay just about 30 minutes but still a delay. You have to do it better Iberia.

With a good tail wind and a fast boarding the delay was practically recovered and at the time of landing there was only a 10 minutes delay witch is a good recovery.

The landing at Lisbon Airport wasn't so smooth as the rest of this journeys landings due to some cross winds and turbulence on final of runway 03 but even though a good one.

Balance of this trip: first of all I would like to express here my appreciation for the sympathy of the Iberia crews not perfect but very good; second I think that the flights went very normally without anything abnormal to report about the them; third the price was really a good price and the turnaround at Madrid is no sacrifice after all I'm a Pilot.

One thing I think isn't so good but I understand due to the economical situation of Europe and specially Airlines, you see there was no catering service unless you pay and a Sandwich at 7€ is to much I'm sorry after all Iberia is still a Flag Airline not a low cost that treats passengers as cattle sometimes. But there are economical reasons for this and the competition for the internal routes in Europe is at it's top and of course with the competition of the low cost airlines reducing anything on board is a tough competition and the truth is that my tickets were cheaper than Easy Jet's cheapest ticket when I bought them so let's think it compensates the sacrifice.

Flight trip to Geneva with Iberia

2011-07-16T15:26:00.003+01:00

Las week I went on a trip to Lausanne, Switzerland. About a month ago I've started to prepare this journey and when I looked at the tickets price it was very interesting that the only low cost airline that flies to Geneva didn't have the lowest prices. The lowest price airline that could take me from Lisbon to Geneva was Iberia. Only with a small issue, a scale at Madrid Barajas Int Airport. Even though this wasn't so bad at all I mean, I love airplanes so what could be better than a two leg trip instead of one leg? He He.

First part of the journey was in an Airbus A320 that left Lisbon quite on time with a rolling take off and if it wasn't the massive air traffic in Madrid it would arrive earlier than the predicted. The flight was normal with no problems at all and the landing was very very smooth, my congrats to the cockpit team.

Soon the airplane stopped at the terminal 4 of Madrid Barajas Airport and there I was at this very recent terminal completely adapted to the reality of the increasing commercial aviation demands. As it was only a one hour and a half wait I decided to walk in the terminal watching the commercial areas but always with the other eye on the aircraft outside that could be seen from this massive windows.

The terminal seems to me that it's well organized and has everything to don't let you to get lost or lose your flight. One remark, the PA system doesn't warns about the flights to you have to consult the terminal departures boards but even that it's very easy because there are so many.

After finding the gate of my flight I've embarked on an Airbus A319 and headed for Geneva.

This second leg went as the first one just a bit longer as this one was a 2 hour leg and the other one was a 1h10m leg. The flight went with no remarks of anything abnormal and the landing was very smooth once more these guys at Iberia might have some kind of competition to see who gets the smoother landing I think.

After Geneva another passion of mine: trains, Lausanne here I go.

Safety Report – 07/14/2011 – Delta 767 Clips Vertical Fin of Bombardier Regional Jet

2011-07-16T13:46:00.006+01:00

From: Flightstory.net

Date: 07/14/2011 07:56pm
Location: Boston, MA

Aircraft Type: Boeing 767-300 Registration: Unknown
Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: 266
and
Aircraft Type: Bombardier CL-600-2D24 Regional Jet CRJ-900ERRegistration: N132EV
Operator: Atlantic Southwest Airlines (Delta Connection) Flight: 4909

Phase: Taxi
Level of Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None

With its left wingtip, Delta Airlines flight 266 bound from Boston to Amsterdam clipped the vertical stabilizer of Atlantic Southwest Airlines (Delta Connection) flight 4909, a Bombardier CRJ-900ER (N132EV). The collision occured while both planes were taxiiing for departure. Damage to the Bombardier vertical fin has been pretty bad as you can see in the photo below. NTSB is investigating.

Photo: Boston Herald, Mark Garfinkel/AP

Airbus delivers 800th A330

2011-07-16T13:41:00.000+01:00

Airbus has recently delivered it's 800th A330 to Aircastle Advisor Ltd for operation with Hainan Airlines, this airplane is a A330-200F and it's the third one flying with HNA colours. Until now have been ordered about 1140 A330s around the world and the A330 family has accumulated more than 14 million hours flight time.

Photo: Airbus

Flying... as passenger :(

2011-07-05T17:49:00.001+01:00

Probably some of you have already questioned why this blog isn't being updated with regularity. The truth is that I'm passing through a period with almost no flights and no news to tell. Sadly I must say but there are no news about new flights or flying jobs that I had been called to respond to innumerable CVs sent already, some of them to some remote regions of the globe, but that's the life of a low time pilot.

So tomorrow I'll embark in some flights but as a passenger. Destination: Lausanne, Switzerland. Firts leg from Lisbon, LIS, to Madrid, MAD, and then to Geneva, GVA, finally by train to Lausanne. This will be my first flight in Iberia the Spanish flag Airline let's see if "nuestros hermanos" can convince me as a passenger.

The daredevil pilots of Colombia - Risking it all - Al Jazeera English

2011-06-07T23:04:00.000+01:00

The daredevil pilots of Colombia - Risking it all - Al Jazeera English

And my first passenger is... My Dad!

2011-06-05T23:01:00.000+01:00

Well this was a promise that I had made to my father that if one day I become a Pilot He would be my first passenger. Here it is. Mr. Cardoso went to the sky with his son in command.

Pirated Skies - Kyle and Amanda Franklin

2011-05-29T02:58:00.001+01:00

Here is a video of a demo of the Pirated Skies show performed by Kyle and Amanda Franklin.

Not all Airman are Boys or Pilots

2011-05-29T02:49:00.000+01:00

Sadly I just received the news that Amanda Franklin died today after a long and painful recovery after an airplane accident during the Air Fiesta air show on March the 12 this year.
Amanda was a wing walker and had a show performance with her husband Kyle Franklin in witch they pay the roles of pirates. "Scandalous Scarlet" Amanda walks on the wings as "Captain Cairo" Kyle flies performing some aerobatic maneuvers to delight of those who watch.
Since the Air Fiesta accident that Kyle has been posting regularly on his Facebook the painful days of Amanda and her fight to resist and recover from her injuries, Amanda had her body burned in about 95% and recovery was very complicated.
Kyle had created a fund so that all of us could somehow help in the relief of Amanda by helping with the treatments and hospital bills so that Amanda could get the best medical care.
Kyle is also recovering from his injuries from the air crash and really needs now of all support from all to recover also from his terrible loss.

Godspeed!

About Covilhã Aerodrome

2011-05-28T22:24:00.000+01:00

This is getting a habit to talk about some of the Portuguese aerodromes for the worst reasons and this time it's about the oldest Civilian Aerodrome registered in Portugal.

Covilhã Aerodrome had the first landing in 1946 and it's ID is ICAO LPCV and IATA COV.

This Aerodrome has revealed strategically situated in the center of Portugal, very close to the "Serra da Estrela" natural park so it has a huge importance for water bombers that operate from there during the fires seasons in the pique of the summer.

But some interests are considered somehow more important to who's in charge than the protection of the forest or the general and commercial aviation in Portugal so the Mayor of Covilhã celebrated a contract with PT, the Portuguese State Phone Company to install a Data Center in the fields occupied by the airfield. Rapidly people came to public protesting about that decision and complaining that the aerodrome was far more important to the region than a data center. In Covilhã is situated the UBI, Universidade da Beira Interior, and this particular University has an Aeronautical Engineering Department which is along with IST in Lisbon one of the two Universities with formation in the aeronautical area and now with a serious risk of not having an aerodrome in the vicinity.

With the raise of protests against the decision of the Mayor some other voices have raised also saying that the Mayor has a house nearby the aerodrome and with the construction of the data center that area soon passes to a residential area and of course saying that in order to accept the PT proposal he had received some money has a personal benefit. I don't know anything about this tellings and I'm writing them as they were told so I decline any responsibility about them.

The fact is that Portugal will soon lose another aviation facility (see previous post) and general aviation in Portugal seems to becoming more and more an illusion or something that is only to ultralight aircraft. Sad very sad.

This is a link with Covilhã aerodrome information: http://www.pelicano.com.pt/zp_covilha.html

And this is the link to the petition created by the Aeronautical Engineering students against the aerodrome close: http://www.peticaopublica.com/PeticaoVer.aspx?pi=AeroUBIP

About Aveiro Aerodrome

2011-05-28T21:07:00.000+01:00

Established in 1917 as a French Hydroplane Base with Portuguese support the Military facility of São Jacinto, has passed through many transformations during it's life.

From 1917 to 1918 the French had the right of use of this Naval Air Station and at the end of the World War I the facility was passed to the Portuguese by the hand of the Naval Aviation of the Portuguese Navy and it was a Hydro and Air Base of the Navy until 1953, one year after the creation of the Portuguese Air Force and had been at that time transfered to the new Air Force. during the Navy years the Air Base had operating the Naval Aviation School named as Admiral Gago Coutinho in the honor of the Portuguese Admiral that along with Commander Sacadura Cabral performed the crossing of the South Atlantic from Portugal to Brasil.

The Air Base passed to the Portuguese Air Force in 1953 and continued as so until 1993 when it passed to the Portuguese Army at the time of the conversion of the paratroops from the Air Force to the Army also. During the Air Force Period São Jacinto Air Base was the base of Paratroops who saw the installation of their training facilities next to the airfield and at 1993 the air side of the base was deactivated as a military facility. With the deactivation of the air side part of the base and the conversion of the paratroops to the Army São Jacinto Air Base had his name changed to Military Area of São Jacinto until 2006 when it changed again to Infantry Regiment Nr. 10.

With the transference of the facility and deactivation of the air side in 1993 the Airfield started to have a Civil use and named as Aveiro Aerodrome.Since then the relationship between military and civil in São Jacinto as been always peaceful and with no problems at all. Until now.

In 2010 by the order of the Commanding Officer of the Infantry Regiment the use of the airfield by civilians was suspended and the Aveiro Air Club who had their aircraft based there had to remove them as quickly as possible. And so there's the end of a story of peaceful living between the military and civilian.

The reasons presented by the Commander were that the airfield and the runway was in a need of refurbishing and the conditions of the facility were getting deteriorated, some say that this decision was taken after a C295M pilot of the Portuguese Air Force complained about the runway condition. Since that day the Aerodrome doesn't receive any civilian aircraft and the number of military ones is very low.

The Commander was complaining about the fact of the Aveiro Mayor not investing in the facility to make it more safe to pilots, and the City Mayor complaints about the fact that he has no responsibility to the Air Base as it is an Army property with the right of civilian use.

Sad thing is that this aerodrome is really a piece of the history of Portuguese Aviation and as it started and it seems that will be destroyed in a matter of few years due to a small misunderstanding between civil and military authorities.

As military from the Navy and specialized in helicopter maintenance I had the opportunity to operate from there during the Navy Day in 2009 and it was very pleasant to operate with a Navy helicopter from such historical Base but the rough conditions were everywhere from the dormitories to the hangar that had no lightning system and was serving as a garage to the Army trucks clearly a picture that São Jacinto had lost it's Glorious Days of Sea and Land Airplanes operated there.

I had the opportunity to land at Aveiro, LPAV, as a student pilot in 2009 and to me I think that Aveiro has all the possibilities to become one great Airfield for general aviation and even for small commercial aviation, it has a good runway and well aligned, it has an apron and space to build more if needed all it's missing is the will to make things to benefit aviation and local tourism which I'm sure it would benefit of the aerodrome use.

Both Lynx in front of the military hangars and control tower (deactivated)

Air Club hangars and Cessna 152

Averio Airclub Cessna 152

Marks of the Air Force presence in early days

Civilian aircraft shared the apron with our two Lynx with no problem

Two Navy Lynx in the apron

Military Hangars ans deactivated control tower

Naval Aviation Monument

New Dunker!

2011-05-07T13:19:00.000+01:00

The worst scenario for an air crew is undoubtedly a ditching specially on helicopters. A helicopter is normally heavier on the top and lighter on the bottom so the probability of capsizing is very almost 100% in order to train that kind of situation Helicopter Operators or training facilities have developed training programs to prepare crews and passengers that fly over the ocean to face that situation and the Portuguese Navy is no exception. By taking the benefit of the intern know how, technical knowledge and man power the PoNavy developed a new Dunker apparatus built as an academic final examination to the new formed naval machinery technicians.

Here is a video of some tests.

Re Born from the Ashes!

2011-05-05T22:49:00.000+01:00

Seemed impossible but most likely to happen at any time. The Phoenix will return to the skies.

Even Dead, Osama is news!

2011-05-05T22:42:00.000+01:00

Not Osama Bin Laden itself is the news but the operational means used to arrest him or kill him or whatever you like to call it.

Some say that the helicopter shot down was a new prototype a new model flying in the US Navy others do say that it's no more than a modified version of the UH-60 Black Hawk or SH-60 Sea Hawk. So what is it? No one knows officially but one important question has to be made. If the Helicopter crashed on site during a so called "secret and flash operation" where is the rest of it? I don't want to start some kind of conspiracy but this is strange don't you think?

http://cdn4.digitaltrends.com

http://www.theepochtimes.com

http://i.dailymail.co.uk

He's Dead, now what?

2011-05-02T22:54:00.001+01:00

America´s enemy nr.1 is Dead. A Navy Seal Team took care of him quite nicely someone told.
But the main responsible for all the changes in security, some of them more comprehensible than others, is really dead? Or do we see now a bit of Bin Laden everywhere? We shall see in a few months.

Royal Wedding!

2011-04-29T22:57:00.001+01:00

What does a Royal ceremony has to do with aviation? Well besides His Royal Highness being a pilot nothing occurs me at the moment but the RAF thought differently.

One Avro Lancaster in formation flight with one Hawker Hurricane and a Spitfire, now this is what a call a good ceremony. And last but not least a formation of two Eurofighter Typhoons and two Tornados. Both formation overflew the Buckingham Palace to greet the Royal Family... who would say that a Lancaster a Spitfire and a Hurricane would be listen once more over the skies of London?

Photo: Daily Mail Online

Photo: aero.jor.br

Back in the sky!

2011-04-28T21:49:00.001+01:00

It has been a while since the last time that I posted something about Myself. The fact is that there wasn't much to tell really because My flight license took to long to be ready and now my logbook is again under INAC possession in order do register the MCC rating and the English level 5.

During this "free time" Me and a friend of mine come in a journey to find a suitable and cheap place to buy some hours and build flight time. Our choice was a small company based in Cascais Aerodrome, LPCS, called Aeropiloto.

Aeropiloto is a small company with one Cessna 152 and one 172, they also have maintenance service to light aircraft.

Yesterday was the checkride flight so that the company could rent us one airplane to build some flight time. First My friend Tiago took the controls and climbed up in the sky with the instructor and after a follow that It was my time... So good to be back in the Sky. At the last part of the session Tiago and Me had the opportunity to fly together and as we said... "It was the first flight of our Airline", Still working on a name any suggestions?

Here's a Picture of the two Captains.

And here's the Bluest Aircraft in town, and as Blue in Portuguese is Azul, this Cessna 152 is known as AZulBravo, instead of Alpha Zulu Bravo.

credits in the photo

English proficiency ICAO level check results

2011-04-13T17:45:00.000+01:00

As I said earlier the test went very well and today I've got the result and it's a 5.

Air France A380 collides with a Delta Connection Bombardier

2011-04-12T23:51:00.001+01:00

Now this is really a Huge aircraft.

Communications after the accident.

FAA Pilot looking for a challenge?

2011-04-11T19:55:00.001+01:00

Here you have it: http://www.thedc-3network.com/
This is the link to the Herpa DC-3 website, up there you have information about the DC 3 Type rating. Amazing huh?

The Dc-3 is probably the most well known aircraft in aviation history and had several uses during it's life. Firstly built as a military aircraft for cargo and parachutists known as C-47 the Dc-3 rapidly evolved to a Civil version with the end of the WWII and last year during the Oshkosh AirVenture took place a reunion named "The Last Time!" in Whiteside County Airport with a record presence of 26 Dc-3s and 1 Dc-2, this reunion was to celebrate the 75th. Anniversary of the Douglas Dc-3. After the reunion a great number of aircraft proceeded from Whiteside County to Oshkosh and awarded the visitors of the AirVenture with a massive Fly In.

Although the end of the line of this great aircraft seems to be distant because a company named Basler is now preparing Dc-3s fuselages refurbishing and adapting them to the installation of a pair of turboprop engines in replace of the old radials.

I would love to fly one of these... who knows one day!

United paints an A320 for their 85th. anniversary

2011-04-08T19:05:00.000+01:00

Here are the pictures of the United Airbus A320 with the 85th. Anniversary Livery.

... and what a livery! It really remembers old days.

N.R.P. Vasco da Gama lead European Operation Atalanta

2011-04-08T18:44:00.000+01:00

The Portuguese frigate N.R.P. Vasco da Gama has left Lisboa past week and headed to the Aden Gulf integrated on the European mission against piracy, Atalanta.
Here is their mission blog in Portuguese to all those who want to follow their adventures.

http://vascodagama-atalanta.blogspot.com/

Photos – Air France Flight AF447 Wreckage Found

2011-04-07T23:12:00.001+01:00

Air France AF447 Engine

Air France AF447 Engine

Air France AF447 Part of Fuselage

Air France AF447 Landing Gear

Air France AF447 Landing Gear

Air France AF447 Wing

Map of Air France AF447 Location

Air France AF447 Range of Located Parts

Images: Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses

Pilot joke or a huge amount of stress because of the situation?

2011-04-06T23:44:00.003+01:00

24-year-old pilot who landed on Queens beach kept joking to JFK air traffic controllers: recordings

BY JOE JACKSON, ROCCO PARASCANDOLA AND BARRY PADDOCK
DAILY NEWS WRITERS

Tuesday, April 5th 2011, 7:15 PM

Egan-Chin/News

Pilot Jason Maloney landed his plane on a Rockways beach late Monday.

Iudici for News

Maloney is released from police precinct early Tuesday after questioning.

The airhead pilot who splashed down on a Rockaways beach Monday night landed a slew of one-liners to flight officials before his dramatic descent.

"Just let us know if we're up in your grill," Jason Maloney, 24, radioed to an air-traffic controller minutes before his single-propeller plane's emergency landing, according to an audio recording of the interaction.

In the recording, the flyboy blathers on as he joyrides over the city after taking off from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, L.I.

Maloney first asks for permission for an impromptu landing at Kennedy Airport, saying he's on a "medical mission."

An air-traffic controller rebuffs his request, but the pilot later follows up with another doozy.

"Hey tower, I got a question for you," Maloney says. "This might be crazy but are we allowed to land on the beach?"

The air traffic controller tells him a public beach landing would only be allowed in an emergency.

"You know what tower?" Maloney responds cheerfully. "My engine might be running a little teensy teensy bit rough."

"Do you require any assistance?" the concerned air traffic controller then asks.

"No," the puzzling pilot responds. "You know what, we should be fine, but I'm gonna make a precautionary landing."

Maloney then did just that, drawing a police response that included aviation and boats. The single-engine plane had to be towed from the surf.

The pilot and his passengers - Clarke Oler, 22, and Chelsea Protter, 21, both of Huntington, L.I. - were uninjured and were not hospitalized, officials said. But Protter threw up on the beach.

"I was feeling sick. I was feeling nauseous," Protter told the Daily News on Tuesday night.

She denied knowing why Maloney sat the plane down on the beach. "As I told the detectives and everybody, I was just focused on me. I don't know," Protter said.

Maloney didn't appear intoxicated and was not tested for drugs or alcohol, police sources said. No criminal charges are expected.

A Federal Aviation Administration investigation could lead to Maloney's pilot certificate being suspended or revoked, and he could be fined.

Investigators are examining the plane for mechanical problems, an FAA spokesperson said.

Maloney was grounded Tuesday in his parents' home in Cornwall, N.Y. His father barred him from speaking to reporters.

"The FAA still has to complete their investigation, so I'd rather him not talk," said John Maloney, 58. "There was someone sick and he felt that that was the proper thing to do to get help."

With Kerry Wills

bpaddock@nydailynews.com

Audio courtesy of LiveATC.net

English proficiency ICAO level check - Done!

2011-04-06T00:28:00.000+01:00

Well I can't say that it's already done because I will only get the results in two or three weeks but I'm confident that it was enough at least to get a classification of 4 which is the minimum to be able to fly outside Portugal and some other countries like Brasil, East Timor, etc.

My English Exam was made on the Portuguese Airline Pilots Association in Portuguese APPLA (www.appla.pt) and was originally a RMIT Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Exam. RMIT have created the RELTA division to deal with English proficiency tests for aviation.

Here is the RELTA website where you can find some interesting information about this subject and it also has a training test which I strongly recommend for those who are thinking on getting their English Rating in a short time.

... and for tomorrow!

2011-04-04T23:41:00.002+01:00

English Level Proficiency check!

Cessna's New Corvalis TTx at Sun 'n Fun

2011-04-03T21:02:00.000+01:00

How I'd love to fly one of these! Let's wait for 2012!

Dramatic Sun 'n Fun Storm Footage

2011-04-03T20:58:00.000+01:00

Update!

2011-04-02T20:18:00.000+01:00

Finally got my license and my MCC certificate, now I'm looking for an airplane to build time and preparing for the English Level check.

Meanwhile...

... I'd rather be flying!

The new Boeing 747-8 intercontinental first flight!

2011-03-20T21:01:00.002Z

This afternoon the New Boeing 747 family member as lift off for the very first time.

You can track the flight here: http://boeing.flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE8
Or wait for the landing here: http://www.newairplane.com/747/incredible/

All links are Live.

In Memory of David Gonçalves

2011-03-01T17:21:00.001Z

Past Saturday Portuguese Navy "Wings" have lost a good man. His name is David Gonçalves and was a maintenance technician as I am and also with the same military rank as I do. David was battling since last Summer against Leukemia disease. He was at this time recovering from a Medulla Ossea (Bone Marrow) transplantation from his father but several complications became and He didn't resist. David completed 30 years old on 30th January, but at that time He was already at a critical situation.

David was already on duty on the Navy Helicopter Squadron when I got there in 2007 and during my On Job Training phase I learned a lot with him, years later I had the opportunity to work with him while embarked and the most marking thing that I can remember is His joy of living and the cheerful spirit always laughing even at the complicated situations. When I started my ATPL pilot course David was always playing with me and saying that I was still in time to "get rid" of the Navy life and get a better job as a pilot, unfortunately He passed away without seeing that and all I can say is Thank You Dear Friend for Your Support.

This post is to remember the man, the soldier and especially the friend that David was to all those who worked with him and had the joy of knowing him.

We will miss You but We will Always Remember You.

See you in the Sky David "Abela" Gonçalves.

Boeing unveiled the 747-800 Intercontinental

2011-02-19T22:35:00.001Z

Courtesy of: http://blog.flightstory.net/

Boeing today unveiled its brand new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental - and man, she’s a beauty!

“The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest in innovative technologies — applying many of the breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh. “We think our customers will value the low operating costs and passengers will enjoy the comfort of the striking new interior.”

“The 747-8 Intercontinental will be a great complement to our fleet, fitting nicely into the 400-seat category, improving our fleet’s eco-efficiency even further,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “As launch customer, we are looking forward to welcoming this new aircraft to our fleet next year as it adds to our ongoing fleet modernization and environmental efforts.”

Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch customer Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter.

The 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any large commercial jetliner, with 12 percent lower costs than its predecessor, the 747-400. The airplane provides 16 percent better fuel economy, 16 percent less carbon emissions per passenger and generates a 30 percent smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. The 747-8 Intercontinental applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings.

The airplane unveiled today is painted in a new Sunrise livery of red-orange that only will appear on the first 747-8 Intercontinental and is a significant departure from Boeing’s standard blue. The new color palette honors many key Boeing customers whose cultures recognize these colors as symbols of prosperity and good luck.

Source: Boeing
Photos: Boeing

And Boeing delivered the 1000th 767

2011-02-19T22:23:00.001Z

On Feb. 2, 2011 Boeing marked an important milestone in the company’s history. Boeing celebrated the rollout of the 1000th 767 airplane.

The 1,000th airplane is a 767-300ER (extended range) passenger model for ANA (All Nippon Airways) and was the final 767 to complete assembly on the current production line. Final production work already is underway on the 1,001 unit in a new, smaller bay that repositions the production line toward a leaner, more efficient operation.

Photo

Video

Boeing has offered the 767 as the platform for its NewGen Tanker if it wins the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker competition. A decision on the contract award is expected early this year.

The 767 family is settled in the 200- to 300-seat market. The 767 family includes three passenger models – the 767-200ER, 767-300ER and 767-400ER – and a medium-widebody freighter, which is based on the 767-300ER fuselage.

Source: Boeing
Photo&Video: Boeing

Airbus 10'000th order

2011-02-19T22:19:00.001Z

Courtesy of: http://blog.flightstory.net/

On Monday Airbus announced its 10,000th order with a firm contract from Virgin America for 60 A320s, including 30 A320neo aircraft. This is the first firm order for the A320 new engine option; therefore Virgin America becomes the launch customer for the A320neo. This formalizes and expands an initial commitment given at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010 with the inclusion of the A320neo as a new development in that deal. The 30 A320s will feature fuel-saving large wing tip devices called Sharklets. Virgin America has not yet announced its engine choice on the newly ordered A320s or the A320neo. Seating configuration on the aircraft will be the same as its existing A320 fleet (146-149 seats) in a two-class configuration.

“At just three years old and at a time when many carriers are contracting, we’re pleased to be growing and bringing our award-winning service to new markets,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “We credit a great deal of our success to date to having the right aircraft. The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon-efficient design of our all-new Airbus A320 fleet has helped fuel our growth and success in the North American market – and we’re confident the A320neo will only build on that.”

“We hit our 5000th order in August of 2004 – after more than 30 years. To achieve the 10,000th order just over six years later is a ringing endorsement of our product line,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “And it gives a strong boost to our new, eco-efficient A320neo when ‪Virgin America, one of our newest and trendiest customers, places the first firm order, for which we are extremely grateful.”

The A320neo responds to heightened customer environmental interest, offering a 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption. The option was launched in late 2010 for first deliveries in early 2016. Airlines have the choice between CFM International’s LEAP-X engine and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G engine. Each variant of the A320neo incorporates Sharklet wing tip devices. In addition to fuel savings, the A320neo will benefit from a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions, reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500 nautical miles more range or two metric tons more payload. The A319, A320 and A321 models on which the new engine option is offered will have 95 percent airframe commonality with the A320 Family, thus the A320neo will fit seamlessly into the existing Virgin America fleet.

Since the first Airbus aircraft went into service in 1974 with Air France, Airbus has seen sales of its aircraft grow steadily. By 1989, after its first 15 years in operation, Airbus had sold 1,000 aircraft. Less than half that time again, just seven years later in 1996, sales had risen to 2,000. Sales of Airbus aircraft had reached 3,000 in 1998, again cutting the time it took to sell another 1,000 planes by more than half. And by 2000 a total of 4,000 aircraft had been sold to the market.

Source: Airbus
Image: Airbus

Amazing Video!

2011-02-17T16:52:00.001Z

The Portuguese Aviation Enthusiast Association shared this on Facebook, how could I resist to share it here?

Airbus Develops Autonomous Aircraft Taxiing

2011-02-17T11:50:00.006Z

Courtesy of: http://blog.flightstory.net/

Currently Airbus is developing an alternative that, in near future, could replaces the use of jet engine thrust during ground taxiing with electrical power.

The solution is simple: an electric actuator, powered by the aircraft’s APU, drives the landing gear’s wheels. Fuel consumption is expected to be five times less than it would be with engine power – saving as much as 200 kilogrammes of fuel per flight. In addition, this alternative delivers a feature much requested by airlines, providing greater autonomy at push-back from the boarding gate as no tug is required.

Design and implementation for the project, a transversal process involving Airbus’ Engineering and Procurement department, is progressing in two concurrent stages. The demonstration phase is scheduled to close in 2012 with completion of the prototype electric wheel actuator. In parallel, the modified APU and power systems will be tested on the Airbus electrical test bench, with full-scale rolling tests to begin in 2013. If all goes as planned, initial flight tests will take place in 2014.

Source: Airbus
Image: Airbus

British airforce on recruitment freeze: Ex-RAF retrain as commercial pilots

2011-02-16T23:30:00.000Z

Courtesy of: www.3air.com

A good number of BA pilots have come from an RAF background and many quickly gain the skills necessary to become a commercial pilot, according to a British Airways spokesperson.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed this week that the RAF is to almost halve the number of trainee pilots and introduce a recruitment freeze due to defence cuts.

A BA spokesperson told Recruiter: “We have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the RAF and good numbers of our pilots have come from that background.

“At the moment we are recruiting what we call Direct Entry Pilots and they have to have commercial jet experience and a relevant licence to fly our types of aircraft. Most of these pilots come from smaller airlines, with pilots looking to make a step up in their career path.

“The former RAF pilots, which we recruit at suitable times in our recruitment cycle, undertake the relevant conversion courses so that they can fly commercial airliners. Due to their previous skill levels we find that most of them show the sort of attributes we are looking for in commercial pilots very quickly.

“We hope to extend our recruitment programme during 2011 and 2012 and expect this to include a wide range of backgrounds from people with fairly limited flying experience with a real passion for a career in commercial aviation through to very experienced pilots looking for a change of company.”

Source: http://www.recruiter.co.uk

FAA forecasts 80% increase in fliers by 2031

2011-02-16T23:13:00.000Z

Courtesy of: www.p3air.com

WASHINGTON — The embattled airline industry will see solid long-term growth over the next 20 years, with yearly passenger totals climbing from 713 million to nearly 1.3 billion, the government predicted Tuesday.

Growth of that magnitude will be difficult to accommodate at the USA’s most gridlocked airports near New York and at other chokepoints, highlighting the need for technological improvements in the air traffic system, aviation experts and federal officials say.

“We need to invest in aviation today to make sure America’s economy remains competitive,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says.

The annual Federal Aviation Administration aviation forecast projects small increases in airline flights and passengers this year compared with 2010. Total flights will drop slightly this year because of a continuing drop in private aircraft use, the FAA says.

However, the agency predicts annual growth of 1.6% in flights, a 35.5% increase by 2031.

Many airports across the country have seen steep traffic declines in recent years and could easily handle such increases, but it would be tough on already-constrained airports in New York and elsewhere, says John Hansman, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“It will be very difficult,” Hansman says. “The places that are already congested today will be really hurting unless there are major changes.”

The government is building an air traffic system that tracks aircraft with satellite technology instead of radar to improve efficiency. But the gains may not be enough to handle the forecast increases in already-busy zones, Hansman says.

In addition, the new system won’t be required until 2020, and airlines have been hesitant to spend the estimated $2 billion to $6 billion to equip their planes.

The forecast makes investment in the system known as NextGen critical, the government says. “Only a modernized air transportation system will be able to keep up with our forecasted demand,” FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt says.

The FAA and the International Air Transport Association are predicting faster growth in developing nations and on international routes. IATA forecasts a 32% increase in worldwide passengers from 2009 to 2014. More than one-quarter of that increase will come from passengers in China alone, the group says.

After a decade in which U.S. airlines lost a collective $60 billion, the FAA says the industry turned a profit last year of $9.5 billion as the economy rebounded and airfares rose.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com

Fuel costs revive turboprops interest

2011-02-16T22:40:00.000Z

Courtesy of: www.p3air.com

Soaring fuel prices are leading to renewed interest by airlines, particularly budget carriers, in turboprop aircraft instead of jets for short-haul flights, according the French-Italian producer ATR.

With crude oil prices expected to average US$110 a barrel this year, airlines are looking at turboprops because they use less fuel than jets even if they are slower, said Jerome Gabory, director for market strategy at the Toulouse-based concern.

“The market shares of turboprops and jets are really dependent on fuel prices. The higher the fuel prices the more market share for turboprops,” he said.

On a 500-nautical-mile flight, an ATR burns about 20 kilogrammes of fuel per seat, compared to close to 30 kg per seat for a jet-engined aircraft of the same size, he said.

“A turboprop can save up to 50% in fuel cost for the shortest flight. … The shorter the flight the bigger the difference (in fuel burning) because it does not climb as high as a jet,” he explained.

However, a turboprop is marginally slower than a jet. A short flight might take five to 10 minutes longer but the upside is that passengers can save $20-30 on the ticket price, Mr Gabory said.

ATR’s research shows 50% of passengers worldwide take trips shorter than 500 nautical miles, and 30% take trips shorter than 300 miles. That works out to 600 million passengers per year on short-haul routes.

ATR, which has the largest market share in turboprop aircraft in terms of order backlog, at 70% of the world’s total, is upbeat about the future of turboprops for short regional flights.

ATR, a 50:50 joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica and France-based EADS, believes the world will need almost 3,000 turboprops, estimated to be worth $70 billion.

Demand for cost-efficient regional aircraft, the expected increase in fuel costs and new environmental constraints in the EU Emissions Trade Scheme will put further pressure on airline costs over the coming years and favour turboprops.

About 60% of the 3,000 turboprops would represent growth demand and 40% for replacement needs.

The European producer recorded orders for 80 new aircraft last year, plus options for 33, doubling the previous year’s order intake, as the aviation industry fully recovered from its slump.

ATR last year achieved turnover of $1.35 billion, almost three times the level achieved in 2005.

It envisages strong commercial potential in regions such as Southeast Asia, India and Latin America, where ATR has been able to establish a foothold in recent years, and also in other emerging economies. That is in addition to replacement potential in mature markets.

Since its inception in 1981, ATR, the leader in the 50- to 74-seat regional turboprop aircraft, has booked net orders for 1,074 aircraft.

ATR ended 2010 with a backlog of 159 aircraft, with Asia-Pacific and Europe each accounting for 32%.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com

Speculating!

2011-02-16T22:11:00.001Z

So I've heard that the French Civil Aviation Directorate, DGAC, is qualifying all already entitled pilots with the level 6 ICAO English evaluation without evaluation, so only the newly licensed pilots have to be submitted to this level checks.
One thing that worries Me is that this ICAO directive was made with the main propose to increase flight safety with the increase of communications quality avoiding misunderstood , how can this regulation in France be accepted when we all know that French people aren't quite good talking in English?

Single Engine Examination... Done!

2011-02-16T21:42:00.001Z

Yes it is done everything that was included in my ATPL initial formation. So when the logbook and the examinations documents are examined by the INAC, National Civil Aviation Institute I will be accredited with CPL pilot license, with ATPL frozen, Multi Engine, Single Engine, Instrument Rating and Multi Crew Co-operation. Next Stop, English ICAO level 4 minimum exam.

Multi Crew Co-operation and Crew Resource Management

2011-02-16T21:21:00.000Z

About a week ago my college Luis and Myself went on a marathon of two consecutive days in the AlSim MCC simulator to complete our MCC Course.

First of all remind all the things learned during the classes and reviewing the checklists and procedures at the same time that we were getting used to the position of all controls of the simulator, in this case of the Beechcraft B200 King Air.

This practical part of the MCC Course comprehended in two days with a total of 15 hours. At the first day we made a flight of 2 hours with Me as PNF (pilot not flying) and after a short break another 2 hours flight with me as PF (pilot flying). After lunch I started for another 2 hours as PF and finished the day as PNF with the last 2 hours leg. At the end of this day all I can say is that it was very tiring full and now I surely understand when a pilot says that at the end of a number of legs and a bigger amount of flight time that his attention is no longer at the best level, and this we all know, can cause an accident.

During this day we've trained instrument flight in a multi crew environment, checklist and communications procedures, briefings, approaches and missed approaches procedures.

On the second day I started on the first leg as the PF and for this session and all the other one in the morning the training was based on the emergency procedures, such as engine failure during take off roll and after take off, fire in one engine, approaches with one engine inoperative among others.

To the second part of the day the best was reserved... explosive decompression and a landing with no engines running.

At the end of this second day the balance of the MCC course couldn't be better, sure this was a great opportunity to learn new concepts and procedures and to get prepared to fly more complex aircraft barely can't wait to do it.

Airbus simulator - multi crew operation

AlSim MCC Simulator with one pilot

P.S.- After this I am completely enchanted with the King Air and really love to fly one.

Quote of the day!

2011-01-29T21:39:00.000Z

In case of Real Emergency YOU have controls, communications and checklist and I will jump with my parachute...

Pilot... At last!

2011-01-29T18:15:00.000Z

Yes it's true now I can say I'm a Pilot, and a very proud one. Yesterday was my examination flight witch included 3 different evaluations, one for the commercial pilot license, CPL, another for the Multi-Engine Qualification and a third one, the IR, instrument rating. In order to really finish I still have to be evaluated for the Single-Engine Qualification and finish the simulator sessions for the MCC, Multi Crew Co-operation but this huge step in my life as a pilot can't pass without a reference to it. No doubt that the 28th. January 2011 will be a day to remember.

And by the way if someone with a camera, a spotter or so, was at Lisbon airport yesterday at about 5:30pm and has a picture of CS-DBR performing a low pass please contact me.

12 minutes which make a difference: Southwest Airlines pilot holds plane for murder victim’s family

2011-01-16T00:17:00.001Z

From: www.p3air.com

It’s easy to be an airline industry critic in an era of “no waivers, no favors” and fees on top of fees. It’s easy to paint airlines as heartless corporations that treat us like self-loading cargo.

But every now and then, you hear a story that turns you into an adoring fan. Like Nancy’s story.

Before I continue, I should mention a few things: Nancy is a faithful reader of this site, and I agreed to use only her first name because of the brutal nature of the crime and the age of the victim. Second, I’m not an emotional, John Boehner-type, but I can’t read her story without getting a little teary.

So you’ve been warned: Grab a tissue.

Last night, my husband and I got the tragic news that our three-year-old grandson in Denver had been murdered by our daughter’s live-in boyfriend.

He is being taken off life support tonight at 9 o’clock and his parents have opted for organ donation, which will take place immediately. Over 25 people will receive his gift tonight and many lives will be saved.

This morning, after only a couple hours sleep, my husband and I began to make all arrangements to get him to Denver to be with our daughter. He is currently on business in LA and is flying Southwest.

While his employer, Northrop Grumman, made arrangements to get his ticket changed so he could get to Tucson today (which he had to do in order to not spend any extra money) I called Southwest to arrange his flight from Tucson to Denver so he would be stepping off one plane and getting on another.

He has several free flights with them so I couldn’t really do it on the website. The ticketing agent was holding back tears throughout the call. I’m actually her step-mother and it’s much more important for my husband to be there than for me to be there.

In LAX, the lines to both check a bag and get through security were exceptional. He got to the airport two hours early and was still late getting to his plane.

Every step of the way, he’s on the verge of tears and trying to get assistance from both TSA and Southwest employees to get to his plane on time.

According to him, everyone he talked to couldn’t have cared less. When he was done with security, he grabbed his computer bag, shoes and belt and ran to his terminal in his stocking feet.

When he got there, the pilot of his plane and the ticketing agent both said, “Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we’re so sorry about the loss of your grandson.”

The pilot held the plane that was supposed to take off at 11:50 until 12:02 when my husband got there.

As my husband walked down the Jetway with the pilot, he said, “I can’t thank you enough for this.”

The pilot responded with, “They can’t go anywhere without me and I wasn’t going anywhere without you. Now relax. We’ll get you there. And again, I’m so sorry.”

My husband was able to take his first deep breath of the day.

I don’t know any other airline that would have done this.

I’m speechless. Twelve minutes many not sound like a lot to you or me, but every second counts when you’re an airline. Southwest can turn an entire plane around in about 20 minutes, so 12 minutes is half an eternity.

I shared Nancy’s story with Southwest, and a representative said the airline was “proud” of the way the pilot had held the flight. Again, most airlines would punish an employee who holds up the line for any reason.

My Monday post is normally called, “Can this trip be saved?” But today I’m sharing a trip that was saved amid tragic circumstances by a compassionate pilot and an airline that supported his decision to hold a flight.

Good work, Southwest!

Two wounded in an emergency landing!

2011-01-10T15:30:00.000Z

When I arrived to Cascais aerodrome there was a abnormal movement in the ARO, something about a helicopter based in this aerodrome but the problem seemed to be outside of it. After leaving the ARO and walking to the hangar of the flight school another student told that a helicopter had an emergency landing in Seixal.

According with Take Off jornal:

The Emergency landing in a small field in Seixal resulted in two wounded people with minor injuries. Before touching the ground the tail section and the tail rotor touched with a small wall witch resulted in a capsize of the structure and the separation of the tail section.

Fotos: Agência Lusa

Another day watching the birds

2011-01-10T14:47:00.000Z

LPPT 101430Z 23012KT 200V260 9999 SCT006 BKN015 15/14 Q1022 NOSIG=

Another canceled flight because of the weather. :(

After 2 flights, experiences and thoughts!

2011-01-09T18:58:00.000Z

Today was scheduled my second flight in the flight school's twin engine, a 1968 Piper PA-23 Aztec. The first flight took place four days ago and it was a very pleasant flight mainly to understand the airplane and systems ans to Fly the airplane. After this first flight I had the feeling that it wasn't an easy plane to fly but not so hard has it seemed on the first place but on this second flight things became harder this time wasn't only to make climbs and descents in front or while turning with 30º or 45º degrees of banking for this flight the flight Instructor demonstrated some stalls fully landing configuration and in a clean configuration also demonstrated a simulated engine failure and then told Me to do the same as demonstrated. There is no doubts that this can get really complicated if you don't have the skills to recover and that's why we train so hard. After some training we requested the controller to return to the aerodrome in oder to perform some touch and goes and after that the FI said to me: "I'm dead now do what you have to do" - Dead? Wait, What?So there I was preparing to the the approach with less than 2 hours experience with a "dead Instructor" on my side so I've prepared the checklist and started to configure to land and at the entry point there I was with the "dead man" by my side saying "watch your speed, watch you altitude, etc" - I think this was the first talking dead man I've ever seen in my life. - Now landing... nop - "Runway incursion, Go around NOW!" said the "talking dead" and here we go again of course there was no incursion on the runway it was only to simulate and make the Go Around. After one touch and go with full flaps the final landing was with no flaps and about 10 more miles on the approach speed to compensate the lack of lift. At the end of the day I can say that this faze of the ATPL is really hard and requires extra caution to details.

See you in the next flight!

... witch will be tomorrow.

Christmas Gifts!

2011-01-06T22:15:00.001Z

No this is not a suggestion post of what you should give to someone in Christmas.

When I write here about Christmas presents I mean "Aviation Christmas Presents", do I have your attention now! Hehe I thought so! This year I was presented with one of my favorite things, Comic Books and most important isn't the money value of this gift but the sentimental value.

So what I'm here talking about is a collection of 3 comic books, first 3 books of the Chicken Wings collection of... 3 ;) Yes I have them all. He he. But wait this isn't the best part of this story, the best part is that they have all a dedicatory to me by the authors, Michael and Steffan Strasser witch I have to say here Thank You Very Much!

Well, enough of cheap talk, let's see this new acquisitions.

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-06T19:58:00.000Z

Yes I know that I'm 6 days delayed with this post, what I don't know is why am I posting this. I pass to explain, as you all know I live in Lisbon, Portugal and as you know, at least does of you witch live in Europe know is that 2011 will be a tough year to this small country. Things as higher prices in essential goods as bread, water and electricity not to mention the VAT Tax rising from 21% to 23%, will be our company for the next months, so with all that I really don't know if I want to enter in 2011...

Not all things are bad for this upcoming year, my student flight license is almost ending and the final multi engine, single engine and instrument rating exams are almost there, let's hope for good weather and light winds to help me to complete this final stage.

To all of You all I can say is that I hope the best to you all this year and that your wishes come true in a near time. To those who fly may 2011 be a year with the same number of take offs and landings.

Happy 2011!

Merry Christmas to all!

2010-12-24T13:26:00.002Z

Airbus A330 MRTT

2010-12-18T22:42:00.002Z

Snow storms paralyze Europe once more

2010-12-18T22:28:00.000Z

While here in Portugal the main problem is the continuous rain that doesn't stop since who knows when the guys from the north have a bigger issue, and that is the Snow, most European airports have delays or canceled flights due to heavy snow storms and temperatures that can make a polar bear feel at home.

Another sailing week

2010-12-18T00:05:00.000Z

Yes it's true, past week was once again a sailing week but this time not in one military vessel only but in three different ships.

Fenix Flight team went on board N.R.P. Vasco da Gama for another training mission this to prepare the ship's next mission the OST - Operational Sea Training promoted by the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, UK. This mission took place in Portuguese waters between Lisbon and Sines and had the participation of 3 Portuguese frigates, N.R.P. Vasco da Gama, N.R.P. Corte Real and N.R.P. D. Francisco de Almeida and also with the Portuguese Tanker N.R.P. Bérrio from Spain came the frigate Santa Maria and the aircraft carrier Principe das Astúrias.

During the mission Fenix helicopter had to participate in some training exercises in other ships such as N.R.P. Corte Real and N.R.P, D. Francisco de Almeida so it was needed someone from the "flight" to be aboard those units so there I was sometimes in Vasco da Gama and others on another ship.

The last mission day was a very long long and busy day the called "war day" where people and machinery specially people are pushed to the limit and sometimes beyond.

It was my last mission with Fenix Flight until February because they will depart to the UK on January the 4th. and return on February the 19th. but I will have to stay to finish my ATPL until the end of January let's hope for better weather and a malfunction free aircraft.

A small pause during on board flight operations

2010-12-17T23:47:00.000Z

A huge RC model or a very small Boeing 767?

2010-12-13T00:37:00.000Z

Future Lynx first flight

2010-12-12T00:45:00.000Z

Being a helicopter maintenance technician and specially because I work with the actual Westland Lynx Mk95 I couldn't resist to share with all of you this video witch means the beginning of a new era .
Here's a video of the very first flight of the new Agusta Westland Wildcat Lynx AW159.

TAAG Boeing 777 Emergency landing

2010-12-07T19:01:00.003Z

What if...

2010-12-07T18:50:00.004Z

What if you're at home and your car is parked outside when suddenly something falls from the sky?

Well this is just what happened yesterday in Almada a suburb of Lisbon when a Boeing 777 from TAAG lost some components immediately after departing from Lisbon Airport runway 21.

photos: www.abola.pt

How to ground an entire fleet of helicopters

2010-12-06T20:53:00.003Z

1- Get one Helicopter

2- Perform a very efficient post flight inspection

3- Send the "Helo" to maintenance due to a problem in one insert on the floor

4- Remove the floor panel

5- Find out that the fuel tank beneath the floor has a big corrosion problem

... and here it is the main 5 steps that you need to do in order to create a small crisis situation in your hangar.

And now... The News!

2010-12-03T22:33:00.003Z

FAA has presented a proposal of an increase by 25% on weekly rest time for commercial pilots. With this reduction in work time and a resting period of 9 hours before a flight this measures would create the need of more pilots and a review of the present work contracts. The ATA - Air Transport Association stated that this proposal will be analysed and that would support this new standards if they were really designed to increase flight safety.

According with the last "Current Market Outlook" of Boeing Aviation Industry will have the necessity of 466.650 new pilots in the next 20 years to answer the increase of new aircraft and replacement units. The biggest growth is predicted to Asia with more than 180.600 pilots needed followed by North America with more than 97.350 and Europe with 94.800, to Latin America is expected 37.000 new pilot vacancies and 32.700 to the Middle East Africa comes last with a prediction of 13.200 new pilots.

NetJets Europe the Portuguese based business aviation company subsidiary of NetJets has received from the Portuguese Aviation Authorities, INAC the EROPS - Extended Range Operations certificate to the Gulfstream G550 with a new limit of 180 minutes of an airport along the route. Older limit was of 120 minutes.

United 777 new paint

2010-12-03T18:00:00.001Z

2000 souls without electrical power due to aircraft mishap

2010-12-02T20:58:00.005Z

According with Portuguese radio broadcaster TSF more than 2000 people were affected when during an approach to Bragança Airfield coming from Vila Real the Dornier D0 228 property of AeroVip hit a power supply line during final approach. Bragança Field is a small regional airport and at the time of this incident the weather was very grey overcast skies and had been snowing earlier.

Fortunately there where no major problems regarding passengers or crew and the aircraft has little or no damage at all.

More of this news (Portuguese): http://tsf.sapo.pt/PaginaInicial/Vida/Interior.aspx?content_id=1725848

New Aircraft in my flightschool

2010-12-02T01:30:00.004Z

Yes it's true, there is a new plane in town. The Tecnam P2006T is the new aircraft recently acquired by Leávia and has arrived on November 11th. This new aircraft will replace the already old Piper Pa-23 Aztec with 42 years. As I am at the end of my formation probably I won't fly it but it seems an interesting plane made by a light sport aircraft manufacturer and with two Rotax engines, first time that I see one of those in a general aircraft in this case two of them. The version bought by Leávia comes with Garmin G1000 system witch is very complete and brings us closer to the bigger aircraft glass cockpits. Here is a presentation video made by Tecnam.

Airbus A400M Wingover First Display ILA Berlin 2010

2010-12-02T01:21:00.004Z

Boeing 737 Performance Improvements

2010-12-02T01:00:00.005Z

Last week an improved Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 successfully completed its first test flight. Aerodynamic and engine changes included in the package will reduce fuel consumption by 2 percent. Boeing is phasing the changes into production mid-2011 through early 2012.
One percent of the savings comes from reducing resistance as air flows around the airplane. The upper and lower anti-collision lights change from round to a more aerodynamic teardrop shape. Wheel-well fairings are re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear. A redesign of the environmental control system, exhaust vent and streamlined wing slat and spoiler trailing edges round out the aerodynamic changes.

Video

Source: Boeing/Flightstory.net

Boeing Modifications on 787

2010-12-02T00:54:00.001Z

After investigation of the onboard electrical fire on ZA002, earlier this month, Boeing now is in need to make changes to its 787 design. Boeing is developing design changes to power distribution panels on the 787 and updates to the systems software that manages and protects power distribution on the airplane.

Engineers have determined that the fault began as either a short circuit or an electrical arc in the P100 power distribution panel, most likely caused by the presence of foreign debris. The design changes will improve the protection within the panel. Software changes also will be implemented to further improve fault protection.

The P100 panel is one of five major power distribution panels on the 787. It receives power from the left engine and distributes it to an array of systems.

A revised 787 program schedule is expected in a few weeks.

Source: Boeing

A380 in Zurich

2010-11-27T16:01:00.000Z

Joy of fly!

2010-11-23T23:18:00.003Z

No matter how much the payroll is, all I want is a flying job!

Chicken Wings Comics - New headset

2010-11-23T23:00:00.002Z

Chicken Wings Comics - New headset

Renaud Ecalle

2010-11-20T17:03:00.002Z

On October, 3rd of this year Renaud Ecalle his wife Alice and their young kids Adrien and Louise didn't survive a tragic aircraft accident of their Jodel DR-1050 Ambassadeur flying back home. Renaud was a well known aerobatic pilot aged 29 and was the reigning European and Wolrd Unlimited Aerobatic Champion for the last 2 years. Here is a tribute to Renaud and family.

Lisbon NATO Summit

2010-11-20T12:27:00.002Z

Ok I understand that if there is a problem with this summit and things blow up the entire world as we know can change forever. But is it really necessary to create so much restrictions to airspace?

Instrument Training Flights

2010-11-15T22:39:00.002Z

Here I am working a lot on board the Cessna 172 RG from our flight school the CS-AZD.

Photos: Tiago Silva

About Sex in Commercial aircraft

2010-11-15T22:37:00.001Z

About experience...

2010-11-14T13:38:00.003Z

I understand that major Airlines request pilots with an amount of experience but iff all of them request values like 1000h or 1500h total flight time how will I get that amount of flight time without an opportunity? Even in Africa there are Airlines Already requesting Type Ratings as a pre-requisite. Stealing a Bank is becoming an option very fast. :)

About Security an Airport Scanners

2010-11-13T19:23:00.002Z

Recently I've read an article in FlightGlobal.com about the issues of the use of Airport Scanners. With the start of use of airport scanners there were some problems that became very obvious like the invasion of our privacy as a human being and when I say privacy it really means PRIVACY. You see the problem is that the scanner literally scans all your body without any restriction so you are totally exposed to the eye of the Custom Agent but now the LA based company Flying Pasties has came with a somehow funny solution to protect your "privates" The company invented a rubber stick to use under your bra or pants and in that way you are now protected from curious minds. And the "piece the resistance" is that Flying Pasties has a 2.0 version of the stickers with awesome illustrations.

Funny Halloween

2010-11-13T19:20:00.002Z

Paperwork!

2010-11-13T19:02:00.003Z