US airports claim 10,000 laptops a week

A recent survey by the the Ponemon Institute stated that more than 10,000 laptop computers are lost or stolen at US airports every week. Nearly 65% of those laptops are never returned to the owner and half of which contain sensitive corporate information. The study was sponsored by Dell as a means of promoting their new laptop data protection services for those business travelers who spent too much time drunk at the airport bar embarrassingly flirting with their married coworker. The majority of the lost laptops end up with the TSA at the security checkpoint where they were forgotten about by their owners the same way they forgot where they parked their car in the garage. I'm still amazed at these numbers though. I'm so paranoid traveling with my laptop that I'm more likely to forget my shoes at the checkpoint than my computer.

(via USA Today)

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Quadrotor UAV probably smarter than you

If I was a grad student at Stanford, this is the program I'd want in on. The Stanford Testbed of Autonomous Rotorcraft for Multi-Agent Control, or STARMAC, is a UAV being developed there with some incredible capabilities. With four rotor blades, GPS-based technologies, ultrasonic ranging, and a host of sensors to compliment an impressive on-board computer processor, this little guy could be the predecessor to futuristic spy drones used by the military (or video game developers). Check out in the video when they start throwing beach balls at it. We used to do stuff like that in college and they never called it research.

(via Gizmodo)

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PiperJet Production Photos

Look at the baby 727 (w/o the two side engines).




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Piper Aircraft + Jet Engine = PiperJet

Check out this video of the new PiperJet starting up and preparing for low-speed taxi tests. Tge PiperJet is powered by a Williams FJ-443A jet engine with FADEC, which is reportedly a breeze to operate. The next major milestone for the POC jet will be high-speed taxi tests. Stay tuned.

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Japanese jet dumps fuel into Lake Michigan

An All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER had to dump about 1,450 gallons of jet fuel into Lake Michigan on Monday after it developed a problem after takeoff from Chicago O'Hare. Elizabeth Isham Cory, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the aircraft sustained what could have been a birdstrike and subsequent engine failure. In order to land back at Chicago without being overweight, the widebody had to jettison what turned out to be about 4% of it's fuel load. To avoid doing this over the populated suburbs surrounding Chicago, the flight crew swung the aircraft out over Lake Michigan and did their business. Cory said that "when fuel is dumped above 5,000 feet, in temperatures above freezing, about 98 percent of it can be expected to evaporate before hitting the ground." That means the friendly fish of Lake Michigan will only have to share the waters with about 32 gallons of Jet A. Still, I'm thinking their may be some enviro-nuts who aren't too happy about this.

(via Chicago Tribune)

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Crazy Omaha Weather

I think we can all agree that the weather this spring/summer has been a little strange throughout the country. As you may or may not know, Pointniner is authored/edited by two aviation nuts from Omaha, Nebraska. A local photographer, Rich Carstensen, took these storm pictures as it came through Omaha last Friday (June 27). The storm did not produce any tornadoes, however, it produced up to 115 mph straight line winds. The storm was pretty destructive to the Omaha and surrounding areas. I know this might not be aviation related, but the connection is there as most aviation people are somewhat weather people as well. As you can see, some of the photos are from during and after the storm.









(Image credit: R. Carstensen)

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Homemade Chinese helicopter = dirty underwear

I got to hand it to the Chinese. They've got some big ingenuity and some mighty big pebbles to match. This man in the Guangdong Province in eastern China is equipped with both as he pilots his made-from-scratch helicopter in what looks like the neighborhood from Kung Fu Hustle. The pilot and owner, Chen Zhaorong, has been tinkering on this air jalopy for 10 years and dumped nearly $3,000 into constructing it. There's no way I'd be foolish brave enough to fly my own Cuisinart death trap.

This guy needs to hook up with homemade airplane guy from last week(also Chinese) to start a junkyard air force.

(via Gizmodo)

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ABX 767 catches fire at SFO

A fire in the cockpit of this ABX 767 sent one crewmember to the hospital with minor injuries last night when the incident happened while parked on a cargo ramp at San Fransisco International Airport. About 100 workers at the nearby air mail facility were evacuated because thick smoke had filled their building. Aircraft was obviously being operated for DHL.




(via KPIX)

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A380 - Head on

Staring straight into the eyes of the beast! This is one impressive picture of the Airbus A380 flying right towards the camera. Photo taken at the Berlin Air Show last month. Almost looks like an air-to-air shot, doesn't it? Click on the photo for the full resolution.

(photo credit: Mario Serrano via Airliners.net)

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Pratt & Whitney's GTF trailer is quite dramatic

Jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney debuted a video on Flightblogger's site today previewing the upcoming flight test program of it's revolutionary Geared Turbofan engine. I'm looking forward to seeing her flying under the wing of Pratt's 747SP testbed later this summer.

(Via Flightblogger)

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WWII Spitfire vs. Red Bull racer

In a PR stunt to promote the Red Bull Air Races, a World War II era Supermarine Spitfire raced a MX2 Red Bull Air Race aircraft over the Solent and Isle of Wight in the English Channel. So who do you think won? It turns out the gal in green and grey put the MX2 through its paces on the 40 mile circuit and won by nearly 2 minutes. Both aircraft were being piloted by Red Bull team members who readily admitted the Spitfire cleans up on the straight away, but the MX2 will close the gap in a hurry in the turns. The whole stunt was staged to promote the upcoming Red Bull Air Race in London next month.

(via Flight Global)

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Cirrus Jet Pictures

Although it has yet to be named the CJ22 or something, it's pretty sweet. For now, refer to it as the Cirrus Jet. The aircraft was rolled out of the former Northwest Airlines A320 maintenance hangar in Minnesota. More than 400 refundable deposits in the amount of $100,000 each have been put down. Be sure to click on each picture, as they are HQ.

(Via AVweb)

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Passenger throws ice and grabs booty. Another satisfied customer.

Sounds to me like Jacob Kline had a nice flight on American Airlines when he travelled recently from Dallas to Charlotte. When Kline, who had been drinking rum-and-cokes on the flight, was refused a fourth drink he began to throw ice at other passengers. Kline also started moving about the cabin whistling and using profanity. After being repeatedly told to take his seat, Kline grabbed the "buttocks" of one of the flight attendants. Another passenger described only as "very large in size" helped out by sitting next to Kline and keeping him quiet. The flight crew requested an immediate landing in Charlotte where Kline was picked up by the authorities and charged with being intoxicated and disruptive in public and resisting a public officer. The worst part of this story is that Kline was travelling with his wife and two kids. I'm sure they're proud. Perhaps this is an instance where the group SAFER would be right in providing passengers pot to help calm them down.

(Via ABC News)

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Air India pilots hit snooze button, overfly destination

It seems like just yesterday I was posting about a couple of GO! Airlines pilots who overshot their destination in Hawaii because they were sleeping in the cockpit, and now this. The Times of India is reporting that the pilots of an Air India flight fell asleep in flight and flew 359 miles past their destination of Mumbai. With 100 passengers behind them, the pilots were ultimately awakened by some nervous air traffic controllers over the radio. The flight originated from Dubai at 01:35 a.m. then stopped at Jaipur at 07:00 a.m. before continuing to Mumbai. An unidentified source told the Times "after operating an overnight flight, fatigue levels peak, and so the pilots dozed off after taking off from Jaipur." Of course, Air India officials are vehemently denying this report and claiming the flight only momentarily lost radio contact and only flew 14 miles off course. Well, they both can't be right here.

(Via Fox News)

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Chinese Man Flies Self-Built A/C, Does Not Poop His Pants

This man has some cojones. Seems that this man constructed his own aircraft out of other aircraft scrap parts. Looks a little rusty for my liking. He holds the stick as if he is scared or showing off, I just cannot decide.

(Via Gizmodo)

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Hate your job? Be an astronaut!

Maybe you didn't make the cut or forgot to apply to be an astronaut in the European Astronaut Corps recruitment a few months ago. Well, don't worry. Here's a new chance to blaze a trail into space and possibly to the Moon or Mars. NASA is recruiting new astronauts for its 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class now, but the deadline is fast approaching so act now! Imagine being one of the first individuals to hitch a ride in an Orion spacecraft on top an Ares I rocket, or even better, being the first to step back on the moon after 36 years. Sign me up!

Deadline Approaching to Apply for New NASA Astronaut Class

HOUSTON — NASA's deadline for accepting applications for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class is July 1. Those selected could fly to space for long-duration stays on the International Space Station and missions to the moon.

To be considered, a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft.

Teaching experience, including work at the kindergarten through 12th grade level, is considered qualifying. Educators with the appropriate educational background are encouraged to apply.

After a six-month period of evaluation and interviews, NASA will announce final selections in early 2009. Astronaut candidates will report to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston during the summer of 2009 to begin the basic training program to prepare them for future spaceflight assignments.

To apply to be an astronaut, click here.

(via Gizmodo)

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Airbus A400M gets rolled out

EADS rolled out its first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft today in a ceremony at the CASA final assembly plant near Seville, Spain. The rollout brings the $31.3 billion program one step closer to entry into service in 2010. EADS is expecting the first flight of the A400M to take place later this year as they hope to usurp the United States' dominance in exporting long range military transport aircraft. So far seven European launch nations, Malaysia and South Africa have orders on hand for A400M's to join their military transport fleets.




Story and pics via Flight International

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TSA screeners have low morale (no shocker here)

A recent report from the Inspector Generals Office of the Department of Homeland Security suggests TSA airport screeners in this country have low morale which could jeopardize aviation safety. The controversial report is not the first to point out a few of the personnel problems with the force of 48,000 TSA screeners which face the highest turnover and injury rates in the federal government. DHS IG Richard Skinner (yeah, think about that name for a minute) points out that "Given their frustration, employees may be distracted and less focused on their security and screening responsibilities." The whole thing was quickly shot down by TSA administrator Kip Hawley who feels the results were flawed because the investigation focused on disgruntled employees. The report claims screeners have complained about discrimination, selective hiring, nepotism and "management misconduct" to include retaliation by superiors. A union rep for screeners at Boston Logan admitted that "With low morale, you can definitely lose your focus." Gale Rossides, deputy administrator at TSA, told USA Today through the rose colored glasses that morale is "very good" and that screeners "are very much turned on" and focused on security. It was only two years ago that Hawley commented screening was a "dead-end job", but he is now looking to rejuvenate the force with several new incentives including newer, more authoritative uniforms and badges.


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Could smoking pot end air rage?

A group in Denver is proposing to the FAA that allowing airline passengers to smoke marijuana will keep them calm in flight and could prevent bouts of air rage which seem to be at an all time high (no pun intended). USA Today reports that Safer Alternatives For Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER, held a press conference outside the Denver offices of the FAA on Tuesday in an attempt to sell their idea aimed at ending incidents with irate passengers such as Elizabeth Szele who punched a JetBlue flight attendant recently. SAFER's executive director Mason Tvert said about Szele, who was drunk at the time of the incident, that her "outbursts wouldn't have happened if she'd been inhaling instead of imbibing." No surprise, Tvert describes him as "a crusader for legalizing marijuana" and feels that marijuana smoking lounges in airports across the country would make flying safer. Unfortunately for SAFER and pot-heads in the Centennial State Denver International Airport spokesman Jeff Green told the Rocky Mountain News "I can safely say we have no plans to open any marijuana lounges at (Denver International)."

On a side note, Tvert claims marijuana will add another benefit to the aviation industry. With airlines deeper in the red than ever, he makes this claim, "You've got struggling airlines, right? From what I understand, marijuana tends to lead to the munchies. (So,) if more passengers smoked marijuana before they flew and had the munchies, airlines could, you know, charge for snacks instead of for baggage." I think I went to high school with this guy

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Model airplane wheels give puppy another chance to walk

What do you do with a dog born without legs? Give him wheels instead. And not just any wheels, but the wheels from a model airplane. That's exactly what orthotist David Turnbill did for this little dog, named Hope. Each "wheely leg" can move on their own like independent suspension giving Hope the ability to pivot and turn. This bionic dog now has the ability to live a somewhat normal life. Ahh, aviation, making the world a better and cuter place again.

(via Gizmodo)

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Did You Forget to Pull the Left Main Pin on that F-18?

This would be the question asked by the groundcrew of a Spanish Air Force EF-18. Clearly it had a problem during it's first performance at the annual Open day of the Dutch Air Force at Leeuwarden Airbase. As any fighter pilot would do at an airshow, he took off with full afterburner and raised the landing gear as he cleared the ground. This time the left main did not retract. During a low level flyby, the groundcrew spilled coffee performed a visual inspection and determined that the nosegear and right main were down. He brought the aircraft in and had a safe landing. After an investigation, it was determined the groundcrew failed to remove the gear pin that locks the wheels down while the aircraft is parked on the ground. This pin, as you would imagine, did not allow the left main to retract once airborne.

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A-10 gets digitized

The A-10C in these pictures was the first Warthog to ever be digitally recorded in a process conducted June 12th at Eglin AFB in Florida. The tiny white dots on the blue lines are reflectors, that when photographed, will be used by the Virtual Surveillance Target Attack Radar System to create a high-fidelity 3D model of the A-10. Engineers hope to use this computerized diagnostic measurement to better outfit the A-10 for smart weapons. I sure hope someone in the video game industry can get a hold of these 3D models as well.


(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

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Feel the need for (hyper)speed? Try DARPA's new Vulcan engine.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a new engine that could take its Falcon aircraft to hypersonic speeds without the need for a boost from a rocket. Scramjets are nothing new to aviation, and have been seen by many in the aerospace world as the future's primary method of rapid transportation at the edge of space. The problem has always been getting that scramjet engine through subsonic speeds where it is ineffective. That's where the hybrid Vulcan engine comes in. The Vulcan is proposed to take the Falcon to that sweet spot as a turbojet where it can then transform to a scramjet and power it even further into Ludicrous Speed. Imagine, 9,000 miles in less than 2 hours. The best part is that the Falcon can land and takeoff from any normal runway. DARPA sees this as a cost effective way of slipping satellites into low earth orbits in the future. That future may not be far off, as we may even see the prototype by 2012.

Story via Engadget

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Get Ready to Strip at Reagan National (and other large airports)

Calling all passengers flying out of Reagan National (and other large airports), you will now be referred to as virtual strippers (like it or not). The TSA is introducing millimeter wave scanners at its checkpoints there and other airports nationwide.

Millimeter waves bring X-ray vision from the supernatural world and into airports. Passengers step into a booth whose cameras see through their clothes to photograph the body underneath. The photo process takes about 3 seconds. Then the photo is analyzed on a "remotely located" (TSA lingo) monitor by a trained screener, which takes another 45 seconds or so. The TSA assures that the screener watching the monitor will not see the passenger in person -- so as to make it okay to see someone virtually naked if they are not standing in your eyesight.

As you would expect, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) are all over this as. The ACLU claims the image resolution is high so the picture of the body presented to screeners is detailed enough to show genitalia.

Currently, only passengers the agency selects for the infamous "secondary screening" are scanned, and they can "choose" a pat-down instead. But the TSA seems to indicate this is what is coming, not as a choice, but as a requirement to pass through the checkpoint in the future.

TSA maintains that millimeter wave technology is safe because the scanning machines emit 10,000 times less energy than a cell phone. It plans to purchase and deploy 30 more millimeter wave machines this year.

I am not sure how I feel about this. Seems the risk of terrorism is pretty low for such a high and mighty agency to be yielding such power. Maybe this new machine, which seems more foolproof for the TSA screeners to use, will actually be useful since the TSA cannot seem to catch anything now anyway.

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Bush Inconvenienced Over 40,000 Passengers

In his recent Europe tour, President Bush allegedly interrupted or delayed over 40,000 passengers' flights by flying into Heathrow, according to British Airways CEO Willie Walsh. Heathrow airport operator, BAA, confirmed today that 32 arrivals and 36 departures were canceled as a result of Bush's trips into and out of Heathrow on June 15 and 16. Oops.

Ol' Willie says Bush should have flown Air Force One and the other entourage of aircraft into a local military base. Apparently a rehearsal was held to "stage" the arrival the preceding week and it also lead to delays. The BA boss blamed the delays on the size of Bush's entourage and United States security requirements.

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Boeing launches Power On website

Last week, through Randy's Journal, Boeing promised a little more information on Monday regarding the successful power on tests run on the first 787 Dreamliner. And, as promised, Boeing has launched a brand new website dedicated the this power on test. The power on is especially important to the 787 as it will be the most "electrically driven" of any passenger jetliner in history. The site has a pretty cool interactive feature and some interesting video documenting the occasion. It also has some sweet shots of the flight deck, with glass displays lit up for the first time. Now let's see it fly already!

Check it out HERE.

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PointMilestoner: 250K!

250,000. One quarter of a million visits to PointNiner since we began keeping track in March when this silly little blog really took off. Amazing to think anyone out there would come to read this crap, but 1/4 of a million?!? Okay, I'll admit I was asleep when we hit the mark, so I had to roll the number back in the picture through the magic of photoshop from 250,353. But hey, the point is I never thought we'd ever get this thing off the ground, much less get some kind of mediocre following. Yes we realize many sites can get this number in an hour, but four months from the ground up ain't bad, right? Anyway, thanks to all you readers out there who keep coming back. And thanks to the new readers for giving that blue link you saw somewhere else a chance by clicking on it. It's had its ups and its downs, like everything in life, but this blog has really turned out to be a fun hobby for us. If you are enjoying it just a fraction of what we are, that makes us even happier.

Here's to 1/2 a million!

Steve and Aaron

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Buzz Lightyear floats around the International Space Station

An intergalactic space plunger wasn't the only thing the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery took with them to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this month. An action figure of Disney's Buzz Lightyear joined the crew of STS-124 for the two week journey into space. Here is some video of his time on the ISS.



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Swiss helicopter crashes after being so close to landing

He was so close! Then, whap! Right on the side. No other information on what caused this AS 350 Ecureuil to crash land at a Swiss airfield yesterday. Video was captured by a local aviation enthusiast.

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It was only a matter of time: The Lego A380

I can't believe I haven't seen this already, but those crazy Danish have done it again. This time they've created the world's largest Lego aircraft. And it's only suiting if that would be a model of the world's largest aircraft, the Airbus A380. All done up in launch customer Singapore Airlines' colors, this 1:25 scale aircraft uses 75,000 Lego bricks to create a behemoth 220 pound model with a 10.5 foot wingspan. The professionals at Legoland spent an incredible 600 hours constructing this bad boy. Don't expect to see this on the shelf at Toys R' Us.

Eat your heart out, Aaron.

Check out a video of the Lego A380 here at Gizmodo.

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