Aerospace

The NRO Octopus States World Reality

News Analysis: The Octopus States World Reality about the U.S. National Reconnaissance Agency (NRO): It does What it Wants; When it Wants; Where It Wants. The Candor is Refreshing for this type of Activity.  All too often, the “Naïve of the World” did not seek to understand Intelligence Capabilities of Super Powers (nor did the People care). Since recent Lack of Privacy Revelations have been Disclosed and Debated throughout the World, the Naïve are starting to pay attention. The fact that EVERYONE ON EARTH has Less Privacy Today, than in the Past, should concern All.  

The fact that the ‘NRO’ has gone “Public” with its Logo, can be praised for being Forthright about its Ideology of World Espionage as well its Actual Capabilities on Earth; Honesty at Last!

Reality.

Reference: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/12/06/nothing-is-beyond-our-reach-nro-new-logo-claims/

Longest Airbus A380 Route in the World: Dubai to Los Angeles (Daily)

News Analysis: Longest Airbus A380 Route In The World Is Dubai To Los Angeles (Daily) a route of approximately  7,234 Nm (13,397 Km) (8,324Sm). The Wisdom of using the A380 is based on: the increased Passenger Capacity vis-à-vis a smaller aircraft; Aircraft Fuel Efficiency per Passenger (or Freight) per Mile; Increased Passenger Comfort in flying a much more Spacious Aircraft; Passenger “Perceived” Aircraft Safety (Four Aircraft Engines are Safer than Two), some would Aver. 

Emirates Airline has won Professional Acclaim during its life for making some Wise business decisions (such as this, people might Opine). 

Reference: http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/emirates-increases-capacity-on-los-angeles-route-1.1262880

★ Carbon/Carbon Composite (CCC) Cremations Could Create Customer Chaos

Premium News Analysis: Carbon/Carbon Composite (CCC) Cremations Could Create Customer Chaos by its Inherent Fire Capacity. Carbon is Flammable as are the Petrochemical Adhesives used to bind the Carbon/Carbon (CC) Textiles together. Automobiles, such as the Incinerated Porsche Carrera GT widely discussed in the Los Angeles County, California is one example. The tragedy of the  Actor’s alleged “Cremation” from a fire last week in a One-Car Accident, is that the Porsche’s Body and Under Carriage was built from ‘CCC’ like some New Aircraft.

The Fuel of the Aircraft Fuselages, ‘CCC’, being added to the abundant Air surrounding the Airliner only needs the Third Element for a Conflagration: Heat. The Engines or the Auxiliary Power Unit are more than capable of providing that Element. In fact, Mere Electrical Wiring has actually Caused Fuselage  Fire on ‘CCC’ Airplanes! Once a fire commences, the Adhesive weakens and the ‘CC’ Fabric commences to De-laminate (thereby weakening the aircraft). 

Passengers riding in a Commercial Aircraft built of Carbon/Carbon Composites today is Analogous to passengers riding in a Hay Wagon of Yesteryear, some people would say. The main benefit to those in the Hay Wagon is they would merely Jump Off  of it if there was a fire; Airline Passengers typically do not have that luxury (especially while in flight).

If an Aircraft  fire develops and the Landing Gear becomes dis-functional a “Belly Landing” will evidence a Shattering of the Fuselage, like a cracked Egg Shell. How many passengers might be expected to be tossed out of the Aircraft thereafter?

Airframes have sold the Airlines and the Public the “Lighter Weight” Benefits of Composite Aircraft. They Absolutely Ignore the Inherent Frailties of  this Flammable Material. If possible, they want the Mass Media to not discuss (nor show photographs of) the Electrical Wiring Fires Damages that have occurred in their Airplanes to date.

Metal Aircraft (or Automobile Construction) does NOT provide “Fuel For Fires”; but in Terms of Product Marketing, ‘Metal’ is not “Sexy”. Reality.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/n69zejr

Dirigibles May Prove Durable in Siberia

News Analysis: Dirigibles May Prove Durable In Siberia, especially for Mining. The heavy capacity Lift Capability of Dirigibles along with their Three-Dimensional Flight Characteristics make them ideal for Siberia. Since Road Infrastructure is presently missing, a “Highway-In-The-Sky” is probable using these craft. Airports, presently being designed, will not be operational for a while. Their use is not essential for a Dirigible, fortunately. When airport constructions commence, in Siberia, Dirigibles may bring in the machinery for their creation.

Buoyancy with Non-Flammable Helium Gas usage is very safe. As such, Lightning Storms are not an unusual concern. Furthermore, the Dirigibles slower speed is advantageous and can be possibly viewed as safer for this rugged terrain. Some “Heavy Lift” Applications such as Mining Truck Migrations particularly benefit by the Dirigibles’ Capacities.

Dirigibles are Historical Aircraft with Modern Futures.

Reference: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-27/zeppelins-seen-hauling-caterpillars-to-mine-siberia-commodities.html

Are Airlines Being Penny-Wise, but ‘Pounds’ Foolish?

News Analysis:  “Are Airlines Being Penny-Wise, But ‘Pounds’ Foolish by flying aircraft with only Two Engines” ask some Experienced Airframe Personnel? Ice Build-up leading to Engine ‘Flame-Out’ is a reality Airlines are Loathe to discuss. “Extended Range Twin Operations” ‘ETOPS’  has been the Current Rage in the Aircraft Business. Aircraft featuring Four Independent Engines, were reduced to Three Engines, then down to Two Engines. As that was occurring, Aviation Authorities allowed aircraft to fly Longer Periods Removed from Airports. Justification for both: “Advances in Aviation” being  due to Increased Engine Reliability and Power Output; Mean-Times-Between-Failures were Elongated Statistically. Additionally, Two Engines may be lighter than Three or Four; “Fuel savings would occur” was the argument.

Today, Icing Buildups causing Engine Flame-Outs, although resolvable over time, are a cause for Concern.  When flying over oceans, would not Four or even Three Independent Engines have less chance to result in Flame-Outs than only Two, Numerically Speaking? Common-Sense would certainly dictate a firm “Yes”. Would Airline Passengers spend a few more Dollars or Euros for Tickets if they wanted the Greatest Possible Flight Safety in Inclement Weather in particular. If one was flying over Northern Europe in the Winter, would not the odds favor the Four Engine Aircraft rather than its “Castrated” Sibling; if Icing Conditions were present?

Two Engine Aircraft Power, to match or exceed that of Three or Four Engine Aircraft, while being notable, CANNOT Physically Reproduce the Worthiness of an additional independent engine[s]; Those being placed in different locations on the aircraft. This is certainly true if flying during Icing Conditions at high altitude. This is a Engineering and Mathematics Axiom some would say.

Some of the Composite Airliners use computers to try and Prevent or Dampen ” Flutter” in the lightweight wings. Hopefully, the Handling Characteristics of the Aircraft are not too jeopardized if electrical failure to those Wing Computer Systems were to result.

The airlines have saved fuel by purchasing lighter Composite Aircraft with Twin Engines; but what additional odds have they given to effectively enhance the ‘Card Hands’ of “The Keres”? Time will tell.

Reference: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/breaking-news/transport/boeing-icing-problems-could-lead-forced-landings-us-faa-20131127

 

Russian Aircraft are to be Russian Sourced

News Analysis: Russian Aircraft Are To Be Russian Sourced per President Vladimir Putin. His Appropriate Decision will mean Long-Term Benefit to the Russian Aircraft Industry. In Russia: Aircraft Design and Engineering Capabilities are present; Fabrication Equipment exists; Metal Resources are prodigious;  Personnel are available. Now, an important element of the ‘Aircraft Fabrication Industry’ has been provided: Presidential Direction.

The Purchasing of Aircraft Componentry made by others is a ‘Short-Term Solution’ which does NOT provide a Nation with ‘Long-Term Benefits’. By manufacturing most Componentry in Russia, employees of this industry gain necessary experience. Better quality aircraft can be manufactured at Lesser Costs in a Russia than that of Out-Sourced Supplied Aircraft. Non-Duplicatable Systems should be Out-Sourced, as, once in a while, might also be Aerospace Consultancy, if appropriate.

Antonov, Beriev, Ilyushin, Mikoyan, Sukhoi, Tupolev, Yakovlev, and other Russians have preceded Today’s Russians. The Men and Women of present Russia have the excellent histories of these Aircraft Predecessors to emulate.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/n2enqo4

★ Too Much Aerospace Technology May Create Aircraft Scatology

Premium News Analysis:  Too Much Aerospace Technology May Create Aircraft Scatology more people are thinking. Soon Airline Boards will have to admit that their Engineering Departments did not properly advise their Managements as to foreseeable flaws in New Airframe Design and Manufacture. The Boards themselves used very poor judgement in leaping on the Airframes’ ‘New Sell”: “Lighter Weight Cannot Wait” ‘LWCW’. Thus, ‘LWCW’ became the ‘Holy Grail’ in Aircraft Design.

Some Airframes took a ‘Greater Plunge” into ‘LWCW’ than others. Those who went “All In” are now suffering Aircraft Event by Aircraft Event. How did they go “All In” regarding Aircraft Weight ? Electronic Systems  replaced Hydraulic and/or Pneumatic Technologies in order to save weight; Carbon/Carbon Composites replaced Metals in Structure and Fuselage Exteriors; Four Engines were replaced by Two; Engines Components were designed to be lighter ‘not necessarily stronger’; Passenger seats were made Narrower and Thinner; Even, Blankets given out to Cold Passengers are not readily available; and so it goes. Does the Technology aforementioned make an aircraft better or does it make it more  ‘Scatologic’? Only time will tell.

Aircraft Fuel Consumption became the Cause Celebre of the Airline Boards. Airlines were told “Oil is going to $200.00 a Barrel”; it did not. The Changes made helped produce the present Conundrum of the Airframes: Aircraft Reliability is now being questioned; Justly so. Recurring Down-times support the Public’s Growing Concern.

The ‘LWCW’ had the intended effect desire by Retiring Airframe Executives: It elevated the prices of their Companies’ Stocks; the ‘LWCW’ was marketed to airlines. When the airlines ‘Took The Bait”, Airframe Executives  Self-Concern was Financially Rewarded. Some people say, this ideology moved the Aircraft world into its present condition. While others support the ‘LWCW’ principle by arguing that Military Aircraft have had similar technologies, they forget something important in Engineering. To wit, “Increases of Unit Scale May Bring Decreases in Unit Efficiency”. That which works for a physical smaller Fighter Plane exhibits different: Acceptable Research, Development, and  Production Costs, Expend-ability, Operational Parameters, Longevity, and other norms from large Commercial Aircraft. Governments pay for Military Aircraft while ‘Individuals’ pay for Commercial Air Planes.

An Apple is not an Orange; But Both are Fruit.

Reference: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25068222

English is the Global Language of Commerce

News Analysis:  English Is The Global Language Of Commerce and its Influence Is Omnipresent. Since success in Aviation, Business, International Relations, Sciences, Technologies, and the like are dependent upon Fluent Communication, learning this “Tongue” is mandatory. The ability to influence, and thereby coordinate the activities of others, revolves around their understanding of the communications and compliance there from.

The Diligent worked performed in both attaining the English Proficiency Data as well as displaying it coherently is to be commended.

Reference: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62435-ef-education-first-top-english-speaking-countries

Emirates Airline Shows Good Foresight with Its Increased Airbus A380 Purchases

News Analysis:  Emirates Airlines Shows Good Foresight With Its Increased Airbus A380 Purchases since there is no ‘Equal Capacity’ Aircraft available in the world.  The A380 commenced as a “Clean Slate” Design [CSD] which gave it ‘Systemic Legitimacy’ that Manufacturers seek. To wit, the Fuselage, Wings, Engines, Electronics, Etc. were all designed in consort with the Technical Requirements of Each. “Equilibrium” of Operational Efficiency  in an aircraft occurs as a result. Rather than “Altering” a Wide-Body Aircraft to increase its capacity or range [which seldom works as efficiently as a ‘CSD’], the A380 stands alone in its Capacity and Efficiency.

As the World Economy Improves, the A380 will continue to prove of great value: One ‘Long Haul’ Aircraft, relative to its Capacity and Range, rather than Two or Three Smaller Twin-Engine Airplanes. If one extrapolates the Monies Needed to Equal one A380’s Capacity: Multiple Aircraft, Increased Airport Facilities, Additional Crews, Increased Support Services, and More Insurances. These are proportionately lessened by using the A380.

The Future Aircraft Needs some Airframes mention, indicates: The A380 for increased traffic on International Flights, is Imperative; Proportionately lesser so, the Smaller Twin-Engine Aircraft [due to their Aforementioned Increased Costs].

Wise Airline Management should consider both the Direct as well as Indirect Long-Term Costs for Success in  this Industry.

Reference: 

Tall Building Construction Near Airports Requires Careful Scrutiny

News Analysis:  Tall Building Construction Near Airports Requires Careful Scrutiny so that  “Aircraft-Into-Building” Events do not occur. All too often, in Cities around the World, Tall Buildings are sought to be constructed adjacent to Airports. “Location, Location, Location” [A Real Estate Axiom] is supplanted by “View, View, View” where there are Airports. As such, the Ease of Leasing: Offices to possible Tenants and/or of Apartments to Lessees are  enormous incentives to Investors.

A Important Element which must be reviewed in the ‘Airport-Tall Building’ Matrix is “Weather Conditions”. For example: ‘High-Rise’ Construction Next to Airports, in geographies Prone to have Fog, is questionable; Erecting the same, in large canyons where very strong Prevalent Winds may precipitate aircraft being “pushed” towards high  structures in inadvisable.

Another important consideration is: “What type of Aircraft will Predominantly using the Airport?” Fixed Wing: Prop or Jet, Single Engine or Multi-Engine, Aircraft Size; Rotor: Piston or Turbine, Single Engine or Multi-Engine, Single Rotor or Twin Rotor, Aircraft Size. The typical flight characteristics of the aforementioned should be evaluated relative to “Weather Conditions” as discussed.

Governments should remember that once a Tall Building is erected in Close Proximity to an Airport it is a Possible Perpetual Peril to All Aircraft Flying in its Vicinity. Reality.

Reference: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/11/116_146406.html